About Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is Amazon's affiliate program: you place special tracking links to Amazon products on your blog, YouTube channel, social profiles or newsletter, and earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them. Rates are set per product category and generally run from about 1% to 10%, with a few categories higher. The standard cookie lasts just 24 hours, but if the shopper adds an item to their cart the window extends (up to 90 days), and you earn on everything they buy in that session, not only the item you linked. Payouts run roughly 60 days behind the sales month, via direct deposit, gift card or check. New accounts must generate three qualifying sales within 180 days or the account is closed. Frequent searches: Amazon Associates review, how does Amazon affiliate work and how much does Amazon Associates pay. Best for beginners with a content site or channel who want a trusted brand with a huge catalogue and high conversion rates.
Curious what this could actually earn you?
Try the YouTube Money Calculator — free, no signup.
What you can do with it
- Free to join
- links to millions of products
- category-based commission rates
- 24-hour cookie extending when items are added to cart
- earns on the whole cart
- SiteStripe link builder and product widgets
- direct deposit, gift card or check payouts.
Pros
- Trusted brand that converts well
- Millions of products across every niche
- Free and quick to join
- Commissions earned on the entire cart, not only the linked item
Cons
- Low commission rates on most categories
- Very short 24-hour cookie
- Must make 3 qualifying sales in 180 days or the account closes
- Payouts lag about 60 days
- rates and terms can change
Frequently asked questions
Quick info
This page may contain affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use — you pay nothing extra.
