Rules about Amazon Affiliate program off Hubpages

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  1. SpaceShanty profile image78
    SpaceShantyposted 10 years ago

    If I want to promote Amazon items off Hubpages, like my own site/blog etc. do I need to get any kind of permission from Amazon or have them verify it first?  I will obviously create a new tracking ID separate from HP, but can I basically stick it anywhere?  How about on a Facebook Page or email marketing (opt in list only)?

    Are there any sites/blogs based on certains topics not allowed, such as adult?  (Not that I have any sites like this)

    1. Helena Ricketts profile image96
      Helena Rickettsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Every time I design a new website that has Amazon products for sale on it, I always submit the site url to Amazon for approval.  A while back there were quite a few threads on the Amazon Associates message board that some accounts were cancelled because they were selling products on websites without approval.  I don't know for sure if it is a requirement but better to play it safe and they have always approved the sites that I've built and submitted for approval.

      You can't have any reference to Amazon in the url and you can't present yourself as an Amazon affiliate.  I use Facebook a LOT and it is a successful way to build your income but you can't post any links on other people's pages.  Only on pages that you have complete control over.

      I've never done email marketing because in my opinion, the risk of it being mistaken for spam is too great and Amazon HATES it when anything linked to their site can possibly be viewed as spam.

      I copy/pasted this from Amazon's Operation Agreement (you will want to read the entire Operating Agreement, it isn't very long at all and will help you tremendously):

      Unsuitable sites include those that:
      (a)    promote or contain sexually explicit materials;

      (b)    promote violence or contain violent materials;

      (c)    promote or contain libelous or defamatory materials;

      (d)    promote discrimination, or employ discriminatory practices, based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age;

      (e)    promote or undertake illegal activities;

      (f)    are directed toward children under 13 years of age, as defined by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 6501-6506) and any regulations promulgated thereunder;

      (g)    include any trademark of Amazon or its affiliates, or a variant or misspelling of a trademark of Amazon or its affiliates, in any domain name, subdomain name, or in any username, group name, or other identifier on any social networking site (see the Trademark Guidelines for examples); or

      (h)    otherwise violate intellectual property rights.

      If we reject your application, you are welcome to reapply at any time. However, if we accept your application and we later determine that your site is unsuitable, we may terminate this Operating Agreement.


      Also read the excluded products section.  Not every item is eligible for affiliate income and some items actually do pay more than others no matter what tier you have reached for the month.

      1. SpaceShanty profile image78
        SpaceShantyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Thanks Helena,

        I did end up reading the entire operating agreement and after reading it and from what you have said, I understand I should submit the site to Amazon first.

        I also noticed that you must clearly display a message stating that you are an Amazon affiliate on your site, I don't think I have ever seen this on other sites with Amazon links, do you do this?

        It is common sense that you are not allowed to post links on site with illegal, sexual or racist content although there are products for sale on Amazon designed specifically for women, if you understand what I mean smile

        1. Millionaire Tips profile image85
          Millionaire Tipsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Every page on HubPages has this in the footer: "HubPages and Hubbers (authors) may earn revenue on this page based on affiliate relationships and advertisements with partners including Amazon, eBay, Google, and others."  I believe this is used to adhere to the requirements that affiliate relationships are disclosed.

        2. Marisa Wright profile image84
          Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          I do.   You probably don't notice it on most sites, because it's on a page you don't look at.  The rule says it has to be on the site somewhere, it doesn't say it has to be on every page.   I have mine on my Privacy page, as the first paragraph. 

          http://bellydanceoz.com/privacy-policy/

        3. relache profile image67
          relacheposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          There are lots of products for sale on Amazon designed specifically for men too.  A lot more.

        4. Helena Ricketts profile image96
          Helena Rickettsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          I have a full page "disclosure notice" on my personal blog site.  It doesn't specifically mention Amazon but it lets my readers know that if they click on any of the links on the site that it is a possibility that I make money off of it.  I also added that any money that I make off of the site goes to care of the animals along with a few pics of all of the inhabitants around here.

          On my other websites that are not personal sites, I have a blurb at the very bottom of the page that says I am a member of affiliate programs and that I may benefit from any clicks and/or purchases from anyone that visits the site.  It's not as bubbly as the one on my personal blog.

          The disclosure is mandatory with the FTC but on the flip side, you have to be careful how you word your disclosure so you don't violate any rules that would get you banned from the affiliate site.  All of mine have been the same for a couple of years now and haven't had any issues... yet.  (knock on wood)  I know not everyone does the mandatory disclosure but with my luck, I'd be the one to get busted for it and honestly, I make too much money off of Amazon to not do it.

          I think Amazon is more particular about using their likeness in the url or on the page than admitting in disclosure that you are an affiliate member.  They don't want anyone piggybacking off of their name so they don't want stores like "cheapamazontvs . com" being used because if it goes south for any reason, their name is on the hook even though they don't have anything to do with it.

          Personally, I'm of the opinion that no one really cares who makes money off of a click or purchase online.  Someone, somewhere got a bug up their rear end and the mandatory disclosure notice is the result.

          I do understand what you mean.  I worked in one of their warehouses in Plainfield, Indiana for a while and that's how I discovered they sold those items and they sell a LOT of it.  LOL!  If I could figure out how to build a website around those items that Amazon would approve of, I could make a MINT off of it.

          1. SpaceShanty profile image78
            SpaceShantyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            i'll make sure I put the disclosure in there somewhere.

            If you find a way and build that site, I'd like to see it smile

            1. Helena Ricketts profile image96
              Helena Rickettsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              LOL!  If I figure out how to make it work where I won't lose the Amazon account, I'll send you a link to it.

              1. SpaceShanty profile image78
                SpaceShantyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                I promise I'll share it FB

  2. relache profile image67
    relacheposted 10 years ago

    You will want to read the Amazon affiliate program rules, as there are specifics to everything you asked about.

 
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