Many new affiliate marketers jump into the Amazon Associates program thinking it’s all about sharing links and earning easy commissions. But without following the right steps, accounts can get rejected, or worse, banned.

It’s important to consider the latest Amazon affiliate requirements to succeed in 2025. That’s why this guide covers everything you need to know: from signing up and taking your first steps to avoiding common mistakes that could cost you everything.

Amazon Affiliate Requirements Checklist

Here’s the summary of Amazon affiliate program requirements for beginners, which we’re going to talk about more in this guide:

  • Create a public platform (blog, YouTube, or social media)
  • List all your platforms during signup
  • Add a clear affiliate disclosure
  • Write a privacy policy 
  • Make 3 qualified sales within 180 days
  • Use only approved traffic sources (your public pages)
  • Avoid placing links in emails, PDFs, eBooks, or paid ads
  • Use only Amazon’s official tools (SiteStripe or API) for images and links
  • Never show static prices; use API or say “Check price on Amazon.”
  • Don’t promote restricted products or content
  • Sign up for each country’s affiliate program where you expect traffic
  • Review Amazon’s rules regularly
  • Audit your content every few months

1. Get Your Site Ready Before Applying

Your first Amazon affiliate requirement to join the affiliate program is to have a public platform, like a blog, website, YouTube channel, or active social media account. 

Amazon checks for original, useful content which has to be at least 5–10 posts or videos, because it doesn’t accept empty sites and private pages. 

As part of the Amazon Affiliate Program Requirements, you have to list all your platforms during signup and make sure they follow Amazon’s rules.

2. Reach Your First 3 Sales In The First 180 Days

When we talk about Amazon affiliate for beginners, we have to remember the most important step. Which is making three qualifying sales within your first 180 days. You have to reach at least 3 sales; otherwise, your account will be closed.

Think of it as an opportunity to prove yourself. You should focus on creating helpful content and sharing your likes smartly and honestly.  

3. Make The Affiliate Disclosures Clear

writing disclosure on a piece of paper

One of the most important Amazon affiliate requirements is called affiliate disclosure. This means you have to be honest with your audience about being an affiliate.

How it works:

  • Use Amazon’s exact phrase somewhere easy to find: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
  • On your website, this statement should appear near your affiliate links, like at the top of a blog post or in the sidebar or footer, so it shows on every page.
  • For social media, add it to your profile bio or a pinned post, and tag individual posts with something simple like “#ad” or “(affiliate link).”

4. Add a Clear Privacy Policy

One of the Amazon affiliate requirements is to have a clear and honest privacy policy, no matter how small your site is. You should tell your visitors:

  • What info do you collect (like names, emails, or clicks)
  • How do you use that info
  • Who you share it with (Amazon included)
  • How you handle cookies, especially Amazon’s tracking cookies
  • How visitors can control their data

Amazon reviews your privacy policy closely and will reject you if it’s not complete. So you need to write an in-depth and full policy in a separate page, and link it in your footer where it’s easily found.

Getting your privacy policy right shows you’re professional and builds trust with your visitors, and it’s required to stay in Amazon’s rules.

5. Know Your Approved Traffic Sources

Amazon wants you to share affiliate links only on platforms you own or control, like your blog, YouTube channel, or social media pages you added to your account. 

But some places are off-limits. Based on Amazon’s rules, you can’t put affiliate links in emails, PDFs, private groups, Print ads, or paid ads that link directly to Amazon. Also, do not hide your links with shorteners or other tools; people should know where they’re going.

6. Learn What Can Get You Banned

banned sign on a computer

If you break the rules, they can shut down your account and take away your commissions, just like that. Here are some common mistakes that have gotten people banned:

  • Don’t hide your links. Avoid using link shorteners because Amazon needs the full tracking info visible.
  • Be honest and clear. Never make false claims about products or hide the fact that you earn commissions. 
  • No bonuses for clicks or purchases. Offering freebies, cashback, or rewards for using your links is not allowed.
    Avoid placing links in places like eBooks, apps, or offline ads. Amazon wants links shared publicly on websites or social media.
  • Don’t buy through your own links or ask friends/family to do it, that’s against the rules and easily detected.
  • Use only official Amazon content. Don’t copy product descriptions or images unless you use Amazon’s tools like SiteStripe or API.
  • Don’t show static or outdated prices. Prices change often; if you show prices, make sure they update by Amazon affiliate automation or just say, “Check price on Amazon.”
  • Respect Amazon’s brand. Don’t misuse their logos, and never pretend to be Amazon.

7. Know What You Can and Can’t Promote

The other Amazon affiliate requirements are that some products, like adult content, anything illegal, or products meant for kids under 13, are totally off-limits. Even some product categories, like weapons or smoking-related items, include extra limitations.

The best Amazon affiliate strategy is to keep things honest and easy to follow. Help your readers with useful info, and always grab your links using Amazon’s official tools. 

8. Stick to Official Images and Logos

Amazon’s really strict about how you use their product photos and logos. You shouldn’t use screenshots or download images from their site. You have to use the tools they approve, like SiteStripe or the API. And you can’t edit the Amazon logo; just use it exactly as they give it to you.

9. Don’t Show Prices the Wrong Way

You’re not allowed to show product prices unless you’re using Amazon’s tools. Why? Because prices might change and confuse customers, and Amazon doesn’t want customers to see outdated information.

So if you want to show the price, use SiteStripe or the Amazon API, which automatically updates the numbers. 

10. Avoid Email Mistakes with Amazon Links

email marketing concept on a laptop

Amazon’s affiliate rules around email are super strict. You can’t just send out affiliate links in emails unless you follow all Amazon affiliate requirements.

  • You can’t use affiliate links in unsolicited emails (a.k.a. no purchased lists).
  • Every email must have a clear disclosure that you’re an Amazon Associate.
  • You can’t make it look like Amazon sent the email.
  • And no hiding links or sending people somewhere shady first.

Honestly? It’s safer to send people to your blog or landing page instead of linking to Amazon directly in an email. That way, you’re still sharing helpful content and staying within Amazon affiliate marketing requirements.

11. Don’t Lose Commissions from Global Traffic

If people from other countries, like Canada or the UK, click your links, signing up for just the U.S. Amazon affiliate program won’t earn you anything.

Amazon has separate affiliate programs for each region. That means you won’t earn any commissions from international shoppers unless you’re also signed up for their country’s program.

According to Amazon affiliate requirements, you need to create an account for each country where your visitors might shop. It takes a little extra effort, but it helps you earn from all the clicks you get, no matter where they’re coming from.

12. Keep Up With Amazon’s Rules

Amazon changes its rules more often than you’d think, and they don’t always give a heads-up. So, staying on track isn’t something you do once and forget. Every now and then, take a few minutes to check your content and make sure everything still follows the rules.

The good news? You don’t have to do it all manually. Amazon affiliate tools like AAWP, Lasso, and Geniuslink can help keep your prices fresh, your links clean, and send people to the right Amazon store based on where they live.

And if you want something even easier, try AlgoRift. It’s made for Amazon affiliates and sellers, helps you find great products to promote, keeps your links organized, and tracks how everything’s doing, all in one place.

Stay on Track with the Right Tools

Amazon’s rules can seem like a lot, but once you get used to them, they’re easy to follow. Just be clear, honest, and check in now and then to make sure your links and content still follow the rules. 

You don’t have to do everything manually. Tools like AlgoRift, AAWP, Lasso, and Geniuslink can help you make everything easier. They save time and make your affiliate setup way smoother. Stick to the rules, keep things helpful, and you’ll be on the right track.

FAQ About Amazon Affiliate Requirements

1. Can I put Amazon affiliate links in pop-ups or exit pop-ups on my site?

Nope, Amazon doesn’t like affiliate links popping up in things like pop-ups or slide-ins that just show up on their own. They want the links to be part of your regular content, where people click because they want to, not because they’re being pushed.

2. What if a product I’m linking to gets removed from Amazon?

If a product disappears, your link will still be there, but it’ll lead to a broken page, which can confuse your visitors and hurt your sales. It’s a good idea to use tools like Geniuslink or AlgoRift to keep an eye on your links and swap out any dead ones quickly.

3. Can I have Amazon links on a site that also has links to other affiliate programs?

Yes, you can, but be careful. Amazon wants you to be clear about which links are theirs. Don’t mix things up in a way that might confuse your visitors. Always label your Amazon links clearly so people know what they’re clicking on.