Amazon product images. Where are people getting these images?
As I have been doing research for my niche, I have noticed a lot of prominent websites that are using product images that I see on Amazon, that I don't seem to have access to. All of the "buy it now" buttons on these sites point to Amazon.
Now let me explain. I understand there are a few ways to get images from Amazon (SiteStripe, API) and all of these images have affiliate links.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.co...
Using the API, I have access to a greater number of images, but they all have affiliate links. I am after images that don't have affiliate links, because I don't want my posts to have too many affiliate links.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.co...
I see sites that have all the images from Amazon without affiliate links. I don't know 100% for sure where they are getting the product images, but I have looked for these same images on the manufacturer websites, etc and have not been able to find them anywhere else.
I know it is against the rules to right click and "save image as" from Amazon.
First off does anyone know where else to get these images?
Are these sites out of compliance and why doesn't Amazon seem to care?
I have even asked the customer service folks at Amazon and they basically said it's none of my business. I want to follow the rules, because of course I will be the one that gets punished if I don't.
I know there are other options to Amazon, but they seem to be the biggest game in town.
Thanks,
Steve
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I finally found a solution thanks to Kasitty!!!
It is actually something right in front of our eyes and I cannot believe that we have missed it the whole time.
When you insert the Site Stripe image HTML to your Wordpress while in text mode you then have to move back to visual mode in order to see the image.
Then click on the image and then click on "Insert/edit link" and then you can remove the link.
Bloody hell I feel like kicking myself in the head :)
How is that different than right clicking an image and doing "save image as"?
From what I understand the whole reason Amazon restricts use of images is because they don't own the products they sell, in a lot cases.
Dom explains this really well. Using Amazon Product Images On Your Site Curious to get your thoughts.
I think because they do not own the products or the images listed on their website.
This might be due to copyright issues.
When the suppliers remove their products and images from Amazon, then we are not allowed to use it.
With the Site Stripe HTML code and API, Amazon can automatically remove an image from your website if they do not list it anymore.
When you host the images on your website, then those effects will not take place.
You are exactly right, API allows everything to update automatically, so Amazon can remove an image, or update prices and that will be reflected on our sites.
Am I missing something then? If we mess with the link, isn't that in violation also?
The way I see it is that you only removed your affiliate link out of the image.
It is like a 2-way street. Just as long as you do not tamper with the link to such an extent where the images won't update.
With Amazon, you can never be too sure. I did ask them about it and all they did was refer me to the terms of service page.
I use Site Stripe but there are products no longer available that are still showing up on my site. They don't remove mine.
You know, just an aside here but I no longer have to do this in text mode. I can do the whole thing in visual! I just click on where I want to add the link, then click Add Media and past the link into the box.
Interesting that Amazon doesn't remove the products when you use Site Stripe.
Also, I have been using the EasyAzon plugin and API, they make it really easy too.
Thanks for the update!
Does Easy Azon actually remove the affiliate link when they pull the image data?
I know that Easy Azon gives you the ability to cloak the links which is something that I would not recommend.
No, EasyAzon does not remove the links, but there are typically a lot more images to select from than what Amazon gives you with the Site Stripe. There are different types of links you can use, info block, buttons, images.
I have their free subscription option. I am looking into AAWP which is an alternative to Easy Azon which also includes comparison tables. etc.
Wow, I just looked up that AAWP plugin, looks like a great way to go. I may have to reconsider! Thanks for the heads up!
They look very good.
You can have a look at Dom's website where he explains Amazon's product images and also 3 API plugins that can be used for this.
https://www.humanproofdesigns.com/amazon-images/
This article has some nice info.
No solution as far as if you want to use the images Amazon has available, they all come with an affiliate link. I guess it's up to us whether or not we are going to break the rules, see newy219 comments below. I have just been using one large image from API. I have had a little bit of success contacting manufacturers directly. Some are okay with using images, and others have serious restrictions. I have also been using videos that have an embed code.
All of these sites are simply just breaking the rules. It's up to you if you want to do the same or not.
It makes it tough to compete with sites hat have several high quality image sites and you have nothing.
I'm not sure how serious Amazon is about cracking down on this...maybe it's like jaywalking...
The other thing to think about is that if you get permission from the manufacturers then you can use those images.
How would Amazon know whether or not you got their permission?
I think that's why there is such a gray area on this.
Yeah, it is frustrating. I spoke with an Amazon rep and was told if you do get permission from the manufacturer, you need to have it in writing. There are a lot of images available through API, but I don't want my page to be loaded with affiliate links.
Anyway, this is tough, I am going to continue to do it the way that Amazon says to. If anybody will get caught and punished, it would be me LOL.
I am trying to find youtube videos to embed as well. I'm finding some manufacturers have videos out there and with an embed code, it's okay to use.
Yeah I know what you mean man...lol and yeah YouTube is a good way to provide a look at the product.
I will add this, though. Amazon won't ask you upfront for proof of manufacturer consent, but if they ever kicked you then they would...
If you got kicked could you get reinstated? I'm not sure. I think if you went in and cleaned up your site then applied again you could get re accepted.
The thing is I've spoken to and follow a couple websites from affiliate marketers who get tons of traffic, make a FT income, and do this all the time. One of them said he even spoke to the reps at Amazon and they told him it was ok...which is really weird.
And the thing is, if any of the sites had to go through and change everything they have done it would change their entire website and let's be honest, they wouldn't be nearly as attractive. I don't see them changing anytime soon.
It's probably rare that people get in trouble for this but again it's up to you what you want to do.
Hey Steve, are you sure they are not Image only links from Amazon vs. Image+Text links? If they are Image only there is no text so it looks like a stand alone picture.
I used to use those but found that many people don't know they are links and therefore don't know to click on them. My conversion is better with the Image+Text links so they know it is a link.
If you want Image only I would recommend you use them straight from the Site Stripe though. It should be easier, faster and you won't have to worry about getting in trouble for using an unapproved image.
The other method I used was taking a picture myself and using it. Of course this only works if you physically have the product in your possession!
Yes, I have used the Image links from SiteStripe, but again those have an affiliate link and you are right, it's not obvious to click on them. What I am looking for is a way to add more visuals to my posts, without overloading the post with affiliate links. But every image from Amazon has an affiliate link in it.
As for these other sites I am seeing, when I hovered over the images on these other sites, they are not links, just images. So I believe they are not using the images as intended. Anyway, nothing I can do about it.
As for Image + Text links, those do not count/work with OneLink. Only Image links OR Text links from the SiteStripe will give you credit for a sale with OneLink. If I use a Text + Image link and some in Canada uses my link, it doesn't count. I have first-hand experience with this and learned the hard way :(
I think Josh From Oz hit it on the head. The affiliates that have been around for a long time are downloading images from Amazon. I think the rules used to be different.
Yes, I agree. It used to be done that way but we aren't supposed to now as far as I know.
I have not used One Link yet...I see your conundrum.
Can you take pics yourself? Are they items you physically have? That is how I started out.
I have posted some of my own images, so yes.
Thanks for responding, just have to plow ahead now.
I believe many old time affiliates have been using images incorrectly for many years. I think that amazon only recently started cracking down on the misuse of images after court cases involving affiliates etc. So yes, 1000's of sites would be breaking the tos in my opinion. It's only a matter of time before the hammer comes down on them.
I deleted any images I was misusing and now only use the image code given. If you cant find press release for the images have you tried contacting the manufacturer for rights to use the images. I contacted a few and have been told that there are images on amazon to use. They couldn't understand that amazon only allows you to use the api/codes... So what do you do! It's a tough spot to be in when you want images but not affiliate links...
Thank you that makes complete sense!
Yes, I have contacted the manufacturers and some have been great and others not so much. It is frustrating, I feel like I am at a big disadvantage, but like you said, what can I do about it. So my posts are lacking images.
Thanks again, I appreciate it.
Hi Steve!
Follow the comment thread here and see if this helps you. How do I add amazon products images? David
I know how to get the images and add them to my site, but I want images without affiliate links. SiteStripe and API give you images with affiliate links.
I believe people are just downloading images right from Amazon, which is not allowed. But I want to see if I am missing something.
No, I think that's not allowed according to their terms of service (ToS).
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/policies
Do a Ctrl + F and search for images in the search bar and have a read! Best to read it for yourself from the horse's mouth.
David
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I went through this when I first started and it gave me a lot of headache. I dont even have API so I use the sitestripe which only provides 1 image, medium quality at best.
I embed YouTube videos that show the product on the thumbnail whenever possible. Haven't made many affiliate sales, not sure if it's because I don't have lots of high quality images as my competitors do.
But I'm so paranoid about breaking the rules and getting banned right before I hit the payment threshold and having hundreds of affiliate links completely dead and useless on my site, so I just decided to play it safe and follow the rules.
I agree, I am not going to push it either. I am using the EasyAzon plug in and there are a lot more image links available. They also have a lot of different sized images to choose from.
I have been using one large image link and some embedded videos as well. I don't want to overload with affiliate links.
I am going to take a look at AAWP though, since I read a review and it looks pretty good.