Help! Amazon has shut down my Associate's account

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   Cardiaposted 6 years ago

   I had an Amazon Associate's account for almost just as long as I've had my Hubpages account. While I never really earned much on it, I still appreciated the little income I would get, especially around Halloween.
   I then tried to sign up for the Hubpages Amazon program, but after trying it for a while, I never saw any profits - just a big, fat 0. so I gave up on it, and disabled the Hubpages program, and tried to use my original AA account again. However, I noticed that I wasn't getting any clicks at all, which I found strange - even though my earnings were low, I always got clicks. So then I asked them a question by email if everything was alright with my account, and they ended up shutting it down
   This is what they sent:
   
   Thank you for your interest in the Amazon Associates Program.
   
   We have completed our review of your application to the Amazon Associates Program, which included a visit to the registered website(s) on your application.
   
   We noticed that you are not using tags associated with your store ID in any of the Amazon Special Links you have created on your websites. In addition to this, you do not have valid Amazon Special Links in any of your sites and thereby, we are unable to determine the source of traffic.
   
   As a result of this decision, we are unable to approve your application and have closed the account under which you had been temporarily approved. Please review the Associates Program Operating Agreement and the Participation Requirements for more details.
   You are free to reapply to the Associates Program at any time, but we recommend doing so only if you intend on creating Amazon Special Links containing the tag IDs associated with your store on the websites you have listed for review. You can apply here:
   
   
   
   What does this mean, with the special links? Was it that when I had the HP program activated, that it disfigured something in the links that I had? If so, I didn't know about it.
   
   How can I get back my account?
   
   Thank you.

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   1. 90

      Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      The same thing was just sent to me. I never make money on Amazon, but I certainly shop there often, especially the Kindle Dept. What's going on?

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   2. 76

      theraggededgeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      If your associates account is not active for a certain length of time, i.e. if it hasn't earned anything in, for example, 24 months then they will close it down. I can't remember the exact time; it's probably around 12-24 months.
      
      There wasn't any point deactivating it on HP. It made no difference and it would have given you the chance to keep it active by having one or two small sales.
      
      There's not much you can do unless someone else has some useful suggestions for you. In any case, if you are not earning from Amazon, it doesn't matter, does it?
      
      Also, when you say the 'HubPages program' what exactly are you referring to? There's the part where you link your Amazon associates to HP, but there is also the HP ads program, which is something different. If you've shut that down, you can't be earning anything from HP, but you will earn from Google Adsense (not Amazon).
      
      The tag ID is the code attached to the Amazon capsules or links on HP. When someone clicks through and purchases, that's how the sale is earmarked as yours. Once you have your Amazon associates ID in your account, the tags are added automatically.
      
      I can't remember the Amazon associates application process now (it was a long time ago) so can't really help you with that. There is information in the Learning Center about it. Click Help, top right of any page.

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      1. 67

         Cardiaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I meant the HubPages-administered Amazon Program. I didn't earn anything at all there, and got no clicks, so I gave up and had disabled it.
         
         It would've been disabled for only a few months if anything. I just find the whole thing confusing

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         1. 99

            DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            If you are getting no clicks and Amazon sales when on the HP program, it is not their fault. It is because your hubs have very little traffic, and no one is seeing your ads, and also because your ads are not appropriate to the people that are looking at your articles.

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               peachpurpleposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               I had this problem too but I didn't disable the Amazon. Now I know why I don't earn anything there. Thanks.

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   3. 90

      Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I just got an email answer from Amazon, as my associate account was closed for no reason that I initiated from my side. I do get sales, but never had a payout. But I don't really care, I only offer books for those who want to learn about my topics. I have a few hubs where I have some different items for sale, but only regarding my own hobbies or interests. I never wanted to be a salesperson.
      
      It was a computer glitch for Amazon, who sent out a batch of old emails from 2010. My associates account is still open.

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   lobobrandonposted 6 years ago

   The person at amazon came to your hubs and saw the 40% share of HP ads. Contacting them was a huge mistake. Never poke the snake. Good luck creating a new account.

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   1. 67

      Cardiaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      But I thought that once I had disabled the HP Amazon program, that it would've gone back to normal - wouldn't it?

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      1. 77

         lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         It is still a 60-40 share.

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