Amazon Slashes Affiliate Payouts

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   Glenn Stokposted 5 years ago

   Did you get the email from Amazon? Here’s the complete story:
   
   https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ama … te-payouts

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      John Doveposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Glenn—
      What is the reaction or advice from HubPages staff to this consequental decision by Amazon?

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         Glenn Stokposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         John, We'll have to wait for HubPages staff to comment on that.
         
         I plan to examine my earnings reports after April 21st when the changes are implemented for affiliates. Then we'll know how it's carried forward to HubPages.

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            lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Yup, we will have to wait and see.

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      OldRosesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Glenn for the informative link.  While the opinion expressed makes sense, I think the author is naive.  This is all about money and greed.  Amazon is making money hand over fist thanks to the pandemic and doesn't want to share it with employees or affiliates.  This is how Amazon has grown its business and Bezos has become filthy rich.  Quite frankly, it is disgusting.

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2. 84

   Rachelle Williamsposted 5 years ago

   I got it, I saw it, but then I let it go. This will affect me on my amazon related site, but there's nothing I can do, and I don't blame Amazon for slashing payout rates. Companies are in business to make money, not friends...Amazon is no exception.

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   FatFreddysCatposted 5 years ago

   I gave up on Amazon quite a while ago.  The next time I hear from them, it'll probably be to tell me that my associate account is being terminated due to lack of activity.

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   Marisa Writesposted 5 years ago

   Considering Amazon is making huge profits during the pandemic (the share price is going thorugh the roof), this is a real kick in the teeth.
   
   But I guess that's the point. They don't need affiliates now because they are doing so well without needing affiliate traffic.

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      OldRosesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      +1

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5. 65

   lobobrandonposted 5 years ago

   On a Facebook group, someone posted a screenshot with their communication with support staff on Amazon and they were informed that this is not a temporary cut due to the pandemic.
   
   As far as I know, HP has a special deal with Amazon so this should not affect us on HP, right?

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   Doneta Wrateposted 5 years ago

   If amazon wants to keep their associates amazon has to keep it profitiable for them or else their associates are going to think it is not worth their time.  In business, greediness often winds up with a loss and backfires.

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   Rupert Taylorposted 5 years ago

   I never figured out how to incorporate Amazon links to my articles, so it's not a personal concern to me. Now I want nothing to do with the greedy behemoth that kills so many independent retailers.

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   Glimmer Twin Fanposted 5 years ago

   I saw that email yesterday Glenn.  I figured that was going to come eventually, but ouch.  Guess we have to roll with the punches.

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   PaulGoodman67posted 5 years ago

   Yeah, Will Apse posted on here about this a few days ago. It's bad. Very bad. Amazon was the compensation for the collapse in advertising revenue on here.

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    Don Bobbittposted 5 years ago

    Thanks Glenn, for the reminder. I read the article and it forced me to stop working on one of my projects.
    I was cleaning up a new web site where I was listing a number of "RV Related" items on two pages, as an affiliate, and Boom! After a few calculations, it seems that the potential average return will not be worth the management effort.
    Maybe later when the world turns upside down again?
    Have a Good day,
    DON

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    1. 67

       Glenn Stokposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Don, According to the chart of changes, commissions on auto-related items have not been reduced. I hope I didn't overlook that, since a huge portion of my HubPages income is from Amazon for my hubs on AxleAddict.

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    Randy Godwinposted 5 years ago

    Yep, saw it, Glenn. After not being able to use my affiliates here any longer--as well as not trusting the in-house programs--it seems to be the icing that fell off of the cake onto the floor.

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    PaulGoodman67posted 5 years ago

    I remember something similar happening a few years back, contributed to me losing around 30% of my Amazon income overnight.
    
    Amazon is the biggest player in its field, but one wonders if some of its rivals could get together as a group and make a competitor. Because the lack of competition is a big factor in all this.
    
    HP was successful in creating its own Ad program, eventually ditching Google Adsense, it would be great if they could work out something similar for Amazon.

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       Wesman Todd Shawposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       I like the way you think

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       lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       There are plenty of other affiliate programs out there, some are self-hosted such as Amazon and eBay whereas others use services such as Commission Junction, Shareasale, impact radius, etc. Almost every retailer out there is under an affiliate program if they sell through their own website.
       
       Skimlinks and Viglinks (name changed to something else now) have plenty of merchants under them, HP could use them and still get a cut while giving us the opportunity to link out to different retailers. HP does not need to reinvent the wheel, just be a little open to the idea of allowing other links here.
       
       I make loads of sales on tomato fertilizers here on HP. Jobes the one that sells best does not sell on their own website but they sell through many merchants. I checked earlier and there was one retailer "true price or something" (forgot the name) that sells the same things cheaper than Amazon. I could ask them if they have an affiliate program, but there's no point in doing this when HP only allows 2 links to "external websites".
       
       The other day Marisa asked if external affiliate links are allowed, I'd like to know if she manages to get any onto the niche sites.

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13. 84

    Rachelle Williamsposted 5 years ago

    "HP was successful in creating its own Ad program, eventually ditching Google Adsense, it would be great if they could work out something similar for Amazon."
    
    Sounds like an excellent idea to me!

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    DzyMsLizzyposted 5 years ago

    Well, good riddance then, I guess.  I have  never made more than the very rare, very small payment from them in any case; never enough to matter to my income here.
    
    Considering that I boycott them anyway  based on the way they treat their employees and skate around the tax laws, then I guess it's hypocritical of me to have an affiliate account in the first place.
    
    So, I'm going to cancel that, and screw them, bye, bye...and remember, Bezos---what goes around comes around.  Karma doesn't play nicely.
    
    Update:  Did not find any way to cancel that--only "deactivate." 

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