The Amazon Affiliate Program—also known as Amazon Associates—is one of the most beginner-friendly and widely used affiliate marketing programs in the world. If you’ve ever clicked a product link on a blog, YouTube video, or Instagram story and ended up on Amazon, chances are that someone used an affiliate link to earn a small commission if you made a purchase.

The beauty of the program is its simplicity: You promote Amazon products using special tracking links, and when someone buys something through your link, you earn a percentage of the sale. No need to worry about shipping, inventory, or customer service—Amazon handles all of that.

But before you can start earning, you need to get accepted into the program and meet their specific requirements. While it’s relatively easy to join, many new affiliates find themselves confused or even rejected because they miss one or two critical requirements. And that’s exactly what this article will help you avoid.

We’ll break down the Amazon Affiliate Program requirements step by step, explore what Amazon looks for in an affiliate partner, and go over some real-world tips to help you get approved—and stay approved.

Whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, influencer, or niche website owner, this guide is your one-stop-shop for understanding what it takes to get started.

Let’s dig in.

Key Requirements for the Amazon Affiliate Program

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the main Amazon Associates requirements, how strict they are, and what you can do to meet them:

Requirement	Details	Is it Strict?	Tips to Meet It
You must have a live website or app	Amazon wants to see a functioning website, blog, app, or social media page.	Yes	Use WordPress, Blogger, or a social platform like YouTube.
Content must be original and public	Your site/app needs publicly accessible, unique content.	Yes	Avoid using copy-paste content; write or create your own work.
You must make 3 qualifying sales	Within 180 days of signing up, or your account will be closed.	Very strict	Promote to friends, or feature products in popular posts early.
Comply with disclosure policy	You must disclose you’re using affiliate links.	Yes	Add a simple affiliate disclaimer on your posts/pages.
Traffic source must be acceptable	No paid ads on Amazon, no spamming, no adult or offensive content.	Very strict	Stick to organic SEO, email, or social media traffic.
Your content must match Amazon’s standards	No misleading claims, price mention, or unsupported promotions.	Yes	Use approved banners and avoid listing prices manually.
Account information must be accurate	Use your real name, address, and tax info.	Yes	Double-check everything during sign-up.

Quick Tip: Even if you’re planning to promote Amazon on Instagram or YouTube, you’ll still need to submit a public-facing URL (such as your YouTube channel) during the application process.

Step-by-Step Checklist to Meet Amazon Affiliate Program Requirements

If you’re serious about joining and succeeding with Amazon’s affiliate program, then following this list will make sure you don’t miss anything important.

1. Build a Platform First (Blog, YouTube, Social Media)

You must have some type of content platform to qualify. This could be:

• A blog or website with at least 10–15 original posts
• A YouTube channel with multiple videos (not just one)
• An active Facebook page, Instagram profile, or mobile app

Why this matters: Amazon wants to see that you have some kind of audience or regular content output. Empty sites or new accounts with no engagement usually don’t pass.

2. Create Quality, Original Content

Amazon does not want affiliates who are just there to throw links around.

Here’s what they look for:

• Blog articles or videos that provide value (reviews, how-tos, comparisons)
• Clear navigation and a clean site layout
• No scraped, spun, or AI-only generated content

Example: A blog post titled “Top 10 Coffee Makers for Busy Mornings” that includes honest pros and cons, images, and usage tips would be a great example of the kind of content Amazon loves.

3. Submit Your Application Once Your Platform Is Ready

Once your content is up and running, you can apply by going to the Amazon Associates homepage. You’ll need to:

• Add your site/app/social media URL
• Choose which Amazon products you plan to promote
• Fill in basic contact and payment info

Insider Tip: If you don’t complete 3 sales in 180 days, your account will be closed—but you can reapply once you’re ready.

4. Make Three Sales Within 180 Days

This requirement trips up many beginners.

Here’s what counts as a qualifying sale:

• Someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase within 24 hours
• The purchase doesn’t have to be the product you linked—they just need to buy something

How to increase your chances:

• Share affiliate content in relevant Facebook groups
• Publish comparison blog posts (they tend to convert well)
• Ask friends or family (without violating terms) to check out your content

5. Follow All the Amazon Rules (Especially the Fine Print)

Amazon takes its guidelines seriously. Common mistakes that lead to rejection or account termination include:

• Mentioning product prices (they change too often)
• Sending affiliate links via email or PDF
• Using shortened URLs that hide your affiliate tracking

Make sure to:

• Use Amazon’s SiteStripe tool to generate links
• Add the required disclaimer (e.g., “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”)

6. Keep Your Traffic and Content “Clean”

Your site or content cannot:

• Promote hate speech, adult content, or illegal activities
• Use fake reviews or misleading product claims
• Buy traffic via ads that directly link to Amazon (especially Google Ads)

Good to know: You can run paid ads to your own blog or landing page, but not directly to Amazon using your affiliate links.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Affiliate Program Requirements

Do I need a website to become an Amazon affiliate?
Not necessarily. You can use a YouTube channel, Instagram page, or even a mobile app—but you need to show consistent, original content.

What happens if I don’t make any sales in 180 days?
Your account will be closed automatically. You can reapply once you’ve grown your platform and are more likely to convert traffic.

Can I promote Amazon links on social media?
Yes, but only on approved platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Make sure your profile is public and you disclose your affiliation.

Can I list product prices in my content?
No. Prices change frequently, and Amazon wants to avoid outdated or misleading pricing. Instead, use phrases like “Check the latest price on Amazon.”

How much can I earn from the Amazon Affiliate Program?
Commissions range from 1% to 10% depending on the category. For example, luxury beauty items might earn 10%, while electronics often only offer 1–3%.

Can I use AI-generated content to qualify?
While Amazon doesn’t outright ban AI-generated content, it must be useful, unique, and human-edited. Thin or low-quality content won’t cut it.

Do I need to pay taxes on my affiliate earnings?
Yes. During sign-up, Amazon will ask for your tax information. U.S. affiliates usually fill out a W-9 form; international affiliates fill out a W-8BEN.

Can I promote Amazon affiliate links in emails or newsletters?
No. Amazon does not allow affiliate links to be shared in emails, PDFs, or private groups. You must direct users to your public page first.

Final Thoughts: How to Start Strong with Amazon Associates

Getting into the Amazon Affiliate Program is fairly straightforward—but staying in it and earning consistently takes a little planning.

If you’re just getting started:

• Focus on building a strong content foundation first.
• Publish high-quality posts or videos that naturally include affiliate links.
• Always follow Amazon’s rules—especially the parts about disclosure and traffic sources.

The real success in Amazon affiliate marketing comes from trust and value. The more your audience trusts your recommendations, the more likely they are to click and buy. And remember, you don’t need a massive following to start—just a focused niche and consistent content.

So take your time, set your platform up right, and don’t be afraid to learn as you go.

Once you meet Amazon’s affiliate program requirements and get approved, the real fun begins. Happy earning!