Meeting all Amazon affiliate requirements isn’t optional – it’s essential for approval. In 2025, the Amazon affiliate requirements remain strict because Amazon wants quality partners, not just anyone with a website.

The New York Times bought The Wirecutter for $30 million in 2016 – a site built almost entirely on Amazon affiliate revenue.

Yet for every success story, countless applications get rejected. Why? They failed to meet the Amazon affiliate requirements that filter out unprepared applicants. Miss one critical Amazon affiliate requirement and your application heads straight to the rejection pile.

Don’t let that be you.

Let’s walk through exactly what Amazon affiliate requirements you need to meet in 2025.

What are the amazon affiliate requirements in 2025

1. Active Website or Platform – Essential Amazon Affiliate Requirement

The first Amazon affiliate requirement is having somewhere to send customers. This means you must have:

A live, functioning website
A YouTube channel
An app
A social media account

This Amazon affiliate requirement specifies your platform can’t be “under construction” or filled with placeholder content. Amazon wants to see real content that’s relevant to the products you plan to promote.

Is your website brand new? You might struggle to meet this Amazon affiliate requirement. While Amazon doesn’t state a specific traffic threshold, sites with at least 500-1,000 monthly visitors have better approval odds.

Want to fast-track meeting this Amazon affiliate requirement? Create 10+ quality articles or videos before applying. Show Amazon you’re serious about creating value – not just slapping up some affiliate links and hoping for the best.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP’s product boxes can help you meet this Amazon affiliate requirement by making even new sites look professional and established.

2. Proper Disclosure – Critical Amazon Affiliate Requirement

Ever noticed those “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases” disclaimers? They’re not optional.

Both Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require clear disclosure of your affiliate relationship. This Amazon affiliate requirement is non-negotiable. Skip it, and you risk not just Amazon rejection but potential legal issues.

Your disclosure Amazon affiliate requirement specifies it should be:

Visible before any affiliate links appear
Written in plain language anyone can understand
Not hidden in tiny text or buried in your footer

Many successful affiliates meet this Amazon requirement by including the following text at the top of their content: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

For your site-wide disclosure (like in your footer or About page), Amazon’s affiliate requirements suggest:

“[Your Site Name] is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

The FTC has been cracking down on hidden or vague disclosures lately. When in doubt, make your disclosure more obvious to meet this affiliate requirement fully.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP automatically adds compliant disclosure text to help you meet this Amazon requirement, so you never accidentally forget this critical element.

3. You Need a Privacy Policy

“But I’m just starting out!” Doesn’t matter. No privacy policy, no approval.

Your privacy policy must clearly explain:

What information you collect from visitors
How you use this information
Who you share it with (including Amazon)
How you use cookies (specifically mentioning Amazon’s tracking cookies)
How users can control their data

Don’t write a vague two-paragraph privacy policy and call it a day. Amazon will check, and they’ll reject you if it’s not comprehensive.

Where should you put it? Create a dedicated page linked in your site footer where visitors can easily find it.

Need help creating one? You have options:

Use Termageddon ($10/month) for an attorney-created policy
Try free generators like PrivacyPolicies.com (though these may miss Amazon-specific requirements)

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP works with any privacy policy setup and makes compliance with cookie-related disclosures easier.

4. You Must Make Three Sales in 180 Days

This is where many new affiliates crash and burn.

When Amazon first approves you, it’s conditional. You have 180 days (about 6 months) to generate at least three qualifying sales. Fail this test, and you’re out.

“But my site gets no traffic yet!” Exactly the point. Amazon doesn’t want thousands of dormant affiliate accounts. They want active partners who can actually sell products.

Strategies to hit your three-sale minimum:

Focus on lower-priced items with higher conversion rates
Create detailed reviews of products you actually own
Target seasonal products during peak buying times
Tell friends and family about your site (but don’t ask them to buy – that’s against the rules)

Sidebar widgets and banner ads rarely convert. Your best bet? In-depth content with naturally placed text links and product showcases.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP’s conversion-focused product boxes and comparison tables dramatically outperform basic text links, helping you reach that crucial three-sale threshold faster.

5. You Can’t Display Static Prices

This trips up even experienced affiliates.

Amazon prices change constantly. You cannot display prices as static text on your site. Period.

If you want to show prices, you must:

Pull them directly from Amazon’s API in real-time
Include a timestamp showing when the price was last updated
Make it clear prices are subject to change

Found this amazing $19.99 deal and want to mention the price in your article? Don’t. By the time someone reads your post, the price could be $25.99, and you’ll be violating Amazon’s terms.

The safe approach? Use buttons that say “Check Price on Amazon” instead of displaying actual prices.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP connects directly to Amazon’s API to display current, compliant prices with automatic timestamps. It updates prices regularly to keep you in compliance.

6. Don’t Mess With Amazon’s Tracking

Try to game the system, and Amazon will ban you faster than you can say “affiliate marketing”.

Amazon strictly prohibits:

Using any software that manipulates cookies
Creating systems that automatically click your own affiliate links
Using link cloakers that interfere with Amazon’s tracking
Attempting to extend the 24-hour cookie window
Setting up popups or redirects with affiliate links

Want to stay safe? Use only direct Amazon affiliate links or API-generated links. Keep it simple and by-the-book.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP generates 100% compliant affiliate links that work perfectly with Amazon’s tracking system, eliminating this common pitfall.

7. Only Promote Approved Content and Products

Not everything on Amazon is fair game for promotion.

Amazon prohibits Associates from promoting:

Sexually explicit materials
Violent or discriminatory content
Content promoting illegal activities
Content targeting children under 13
Content that violates intellectual property rights

Certain product categories also face restrictions:

Weapons and weapon accessories
Tobacco and alcohol-related products
Adult products outside Amazon’s guidelines
Recalled products

Your content must provide honest, helpful information. Don’t make false claims about products or copy Amazon’s descriptions word-for-word.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP pulls compliant product data directly from Amazon, reducing your risk of accidentally promoting restricted products.

8. Follow Email Marketing Rules

Using email to promote Amazon products? Tread carefully.

Amazon has strict requirements for email marketing:

Emails must comply with all spam laws
Each email needs a clear disclosure of your Amazon Associate status
Links must go directly to Amazon, not to intermediate pages
No affiliate links in automated email responses

What’s absolutely forbidden:

Sending emails with affiliate links to purchased or rented email lists
Using misleading subject lines about Amazon products
Creating “hidden” affiliate links in emails
Sending emails that look like they’re from Amazon

Many affiliates avoid email marketing altogether because of these restrictions. If you do use email, consider linking to your website content rather than directly to Amazon.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP helps you create dedicated landing pages for email campaigns that comply with Amazon’s requirements.

9. Know the Social Media Guidelines

The rules for social media promotion have become much stricter recently.

For every social platform:

Each post with affiliate links needs a disclosure
Links must have your Associate ID properly tagged
Your content must follow that platform’s terms of service
No using Amazon affiliate links in paid social ads

Platform-specific rules:

Instagram: Put your disclosure in the caption, not just your bio
YouTube: Include verbal and written disclosure in videos
Pinterest: Add a disclosure to pin descriptions
TikTok: Disclose in both video and description

Amazon actively monitors social media for compliance violations. Play by the rules or risk losing your account.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP creates tracking links that work across social platforms while maintaining proper attribution.

10. Provide Accurate Tax Information

This is non-negotiable for getting paid.

All Amazon Associates must provide:

US residents: Valid Social Security Number or Tax ID
Non-US residents: Completed W-8BEN or equivalent form
Updated tax information if your status changes

Amazon offers several payment methods:

Direct deposit (available in many countries)
Amazon gift cards (no minimum payment threshold)
Check (higher minimum threshold and fees apply)

Get your tax information right the first time. Mistakes can delay both your application approval and your payments.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP works with any Amazon Associates account regardless of tax status or payment method.

Staying Compliant After Approval

Getting approved is just the first step. To keep your account in good standing:

Check for program changes in Associates Central regularly
Update your disclosures if Amazon changes its required language
Ensure all new content follows current requirements
Monitor your account for compliance warnings

Amazon changes its requirements often. What worked last year might get you banned this year.

🚀 AAWP Tip: AAWP updates regularly to reflect Amazon’s changing requirements, helping you stay compliant without constant manual checking.

Current Commission Rates (2025)

Amazon’s commission structure has changed several times over the years. Current rates range from 1% to 20% depending on the product category:

Luxury Beauty, Amazon Coins: 10%
Digital Music, Physical Books, Kitchen: 4.5%
Amazon TV, Echo devices, Ring devices: 4%
Most other categories: 1-3%

The tracking cookie lasts 24 hours. If someone clicks your link and buys anything within a day, you earn a commission.

Conclusion: Success With Amazon Affiliate Requirements in 2025

Meeting all Amazon’s requirements isn’t just about getting approved – it’s about building a sustainable, profitable income stream that won’t disappear overnight.

The most successful Amazon affiliates don’t view these requirements as obstacles. They see them as the quality standards that keep the program valuable for everyone involved.

Your approach to Amazon affiliate requirements says everything about how serious you are as an affiliate marketer. Cut corners, and you’ll eventually pay the price with a rejected or terminated account. Follow the rules meticulously, and you’ll build a foundation for long-term success.

Remember – these requirements exist because Amazon wants partners who add value to their customers’ shopping experiences, not just link-droppers looking for quick commissions.

Take the time to understand each requirement thoroughly. Consider investing in tools that make compliance easier so you can focus on what really matters: creating great content that naturally drives sales.

Your Amazon affiliate journey can be incredibly rewarding when done right. Start by respecting these requirements, and you’re already ahead of most applicants.

🚀 AAWP: Your Secret Weapon for Meeting Amazon Affiliate Requirements

Let’s be brutally honest: Amazon affiliate requirements are a minefield. One wrong step, and BOOM – your affiliate income vanishes overnight.

Why risk it? Thousands of successful Amazon affiliates use AAWP to stay safely compliant while maximizing their earnings.

How AAWP Protects Your Amazon Affiliate Account:

✅ Automatic Compliance With Price Display Requirements
AAWP pulls real-time pricing directly from Amazon’s API with proper timestamps – exactly how Amazon demands it. No more worrying about displaying outdated prices that could get your account terminated.

✅ Built-in Disclosure Management
AAWP automatically adds the exact disclosure language Amazon requires to your product displays. This alone eliminates one of the most common reasons affiliates get rejected or banned.

Aawp your secret weapon for meeting amazon affiliate requirements

✅ Cookie-Compliant Link Generation
Every link AAWP creates follows Amazon’s strict tracking requirements to the letter. No accidental violations that could trigger Amazon’s automated compliance systems.

✅ Conversion-Optimized Product Displays
Not only does AAWP keep you compliant, but it also dramatically increases your click-through rates with professional product boxes and comparison tables. Meet those three qualifying sales faster!

✅ Regular Updates When Amazon Changes Requirements
Amazon changes their requirements constantly. AAWP updates quickly when they do, so you don’t have to monitor every policy change yourself.

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Your Amazon Affiliate Requirements Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure you’re meeting all Amazon affiliate requirements:

[ ] Active website or platform with original content
[ ] Clear affiliate relationship disclosure on all pages with affiliate links
[ ] Comprehensive privacy policy
[ ] Strategy to generate three sales within 180 days
[ ] No static price displays (using API or “Check Price” buttons instead)
[ ] Direct Amazon links with no cookie manipulation
[ ] Only approved content and product categories
[ ] Compliant email marketing (if applicable)
[ ] Proper social media disclosures (if applicable)
[ ] Accurate tax information submitted

Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Affiliate Requirements

What are the most important Amazon affiliate requirements to focus on?

The most critical Amazon affiliate requirements are having an active website with original content, properly disclosing your affiliate relationship, implementing a comprehensive privacy policy, and generating three qualified sales within 180 days. These core Amazon affiliate requirements form the foundation of a compliant affiliate account.

How many followers do I need to meet Amazon affiliate requirements?

Amazon doesn’t specify a minimum follower count in their affiliate requirements. From what we’ve seen, accounts with 5,000-15,000 followers across social platforms generally meet Amazon affiliate requirements for approval. For websites, aim for at least 500 monthly visitors to satisfy implicit traffic requirements.

Can I become an Amazon Affiliate without a website and still meet Amazon affiliate requirements?

Yes. The Amazon affiliate requirements allow using a YouTube channel, Instagram account, Facebook page, Twitter profile, or mobile app instead of a website. These platforms need regular activity and engaged followers to meet Amazon affiliate requirements. Non-website applications face more scrutiny, though.

How long does Amazon take to verify I’ve met all Amazon affiliate requirements?

The initial review of Amazon affiliate requirements takes 1-7 business days. Remember, this is just conditional approval. Amazon affiliate requirements specify that you then have 180 days to generate three qualifying sales for full approval. Applications that clearly meet all Amazon affiliate requirements get processed faster.

What content is prohibited by Amazon affiliate requirements?

Amazon affiliate requirements prohibit promoting:

Sexually explicit material
Violent or discriminatory content
Content promoting illegal activities
Content targeting children under 13
Content with excessive profanity
Get-rich-quick schemes
Content violating intellectual property rights
Sites with broken pages or too many ads

Do Amazon affiliate requirements include traffic minimums?

Amazon affiliate requirements don’t state specific traffic thresholds, but sites with minimal traffic often get rejected for not meeting Amazon’s requirements. Aim for at least 500-1,000 monthly visitors before applying. More important than raw traffic is showing relevant, quality content that naturally incorporates product recommendations.

Do Amazon affiliate requirements allow using affiliate links on social media?

Yes, but with specific conditions. Amazon affiliate requirements for social media specify:

Every post with affiliate links needs clear disclosure
Links must have your Associate ID properly tagged
Content must follow each platform’s terms of service
No affiliate links in paid social ads

What happens if I don’t meet Amazon affiliate requirements after approval?

If you fail to maintain compliance with the affiliate requirements, you risk account termination. Common violations of Amazon’s requirements include:

Missing or inadequate disclosures
Cookie manipulation
Promoting Amazon products via spam
Making false product claims
Artificially inflating clicks or conversions
Operating multiple accounts

How do payments work once I meet all Amazon affiliate requirements?

After meeting all Amazon’s requirements and generating sales, Amazon pays approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which sales occurred. Payment options include direct deposit (recommended), Amazon gift cards (no minimum threshold), or check (higher minimum, fees apply). Payment thresholds vary by method and country.

What changes have been made to Amazon affiliate requirements in 2025?

The core Amazon affiliate requirements remain similar to previous years, but Amazon has increased scrutiny of disclosure placement and privacy policies in 2025. They’ve also expanded their social media affiliate requirements to include more specific platform guidelines, particularly for TikTok and Instagram.

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