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How to Get Amazon Associates Approved for a New Site in 2025

H
HowToApprove Editorial Team
•2025-03-22•7 min read

How to Get Amazon Associates Approved for a New Site in 2025

Bottom line: Amazon approves Associates applications quickly — but closes accounts that don't generate 3 qualifying sales within the first 180 days. Getting approved is easy; staying approved requires generating actual affiliate revenue. This guide covers both.

Amazon Associates Approval Requirements

To be approved, your site must:

  • Have at least 10 original published posts
  • Be publicly accessible (not password protected)
  • Clearly state its purpose and content focus
  • Not contain prohibited content (adult, violence, illegal activities)
  • Not be a site that exists solely to host Amazon links

    • Amazon does not require a minimum traffic threshold for initial approval — but low traffic sites struggle to generate the 3 qualifying sales needed within 180 days.

    Step-by-Step Application

  • Go to affiliate-program.amazon.com
  • Click "Sign Up"
  • Log in with your Amazon account
  • Enter your website URL(s)
  • Describe your site and how you'll use affiliate links
  • Choose your primary method of driving traffic (organic search, social media, email)
  • Submit for review

    • Amazon typically approves or rejects applications within 1–3 business days. In some cases, approval is instant.

    The 180-Day Rule: Your Real Challenge

    After approval, you have 180 days to generate 3 qualifying sales. A qualifying sale is a purchase made through your affiliate link by someone who hasn't returned the product.

    If you don't hit 3 sales in 180 days, Amazon closes your account and you must reapply from scratch.

    How to generate your first 3 sales:

  • Write buying-intent content first — "Best [product type] for [use case]" and "vs." comparison posts convert at much higher rates than informational content
  • Place affiliate links prominently — In the first 300 words of review posts, not buried in the conclusion
  • Leverage existing audience — If you have an email list or social following, send a targeted product recommendation
  • Start with products you genuinely use — Authentic recommendations convert at higher rates

    • What Content Converts to Amazon Sales

    High-converting content types:

  • "[Product] Review: Is It Worth It?"
  • "Best [Product Category] for [Specific Use Case]"
  • "[Product A] vs [Product B]: Which Is Better?"
  • "What I Use in My [Context]: My Complete Setup"

    • Low-converting content types:

  • General how-to guides with links added as an afterthought
  • News or entertainment posts with product mentions
  • Informational content about broad topics

    • Amazon Associates Disclosure Requirements

    You must disclose your affiliate relationship on every page containing Amazon affiliate links. The FTC requires clear, conspicuous disclosure — not buried in a footer.

    Acceptable disclosure:

    "This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you."

    Failing to disclose results in account termination.

    Common Rejection Reasons

  • Site has fewer than 10 published posts
  • Site content doesn't match the product categories you're promoting
  • Application site URL is different from where you actually plan to post
  • Site is primarily in a language other than the Amazon marketplace's primary language

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I apply to multiple Amazon Associates programs (US, UK, EU)?

    Yes. Each Amazon marketplace (amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.de) has a separate Associates program with separate applications. Apply to each independently.

    Do Amazon affiliate links expire?

    Amazon affiliate cookies last 24 hours. If a customer adds an item to their cart through your link, the cookie extends to 90 days for that item.

    Can I use Amazon affiliate links on social media?

    Yes, but you must disclose the affiliate relationship in each post. Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok all allow Amazon affiliate links with proper disclosure.

    What commission rate does Amazon pay?

    Commission rates vary by product category: 1–10%. Electronics are typically 1–3%; luxury beauty and Amazon Games pay 10%. Check the current commission schedule at affiliate-program.amazon.com.

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