Why Amazon Closed My associate account?

37 replies
This is now second time amazon closed my associate account with no any sound reason. They just send me this mail.

"Thank you for your interest in the Amazon Associates Program.

We completed our review of your application to become an Amazon.com
Associate, which included a visit to the Web site where you planned to
create links to our store. After careful consideration, we have
decided that your site may not present a mutually beneficial business
opportunity. We have therefore decided not to approve your
application to become an Amazon Associate.

Accordingly, we have closed the account under which you had been
temporarily approved and that approval has now ended. Thank you for
your interest in Amazon.com."
#account #amazon #associate #closed
  • Profile picture of the author PassiveIncomes
    Because amazon affiliate is just like another google adsense they can close your account for no reason. Avoid doing business with them. Create your own business or products.

    Those 2 programs won't last you for a decade once you make a lot of money they ban you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
      Originally Posted by PassiveIncomes View Post

      Because amazon affiliate is just like another google adsense they can close your account for no reason.
      Actually, they most likely have a well-founded reason to boot people out of their programs. And if you're so convinced that they just kick people out for no reason, well, you could, in theory, sue them.

      Originally Posted by PassiveIncomes View Post

      Avoid doing business with them. Create your own business or products.
      Easier said than done, especially with physical products. Not all affiliates are great at creating products or services - some are only good at selling.

      Originally Posted by PassiveIncomes View Post

      Those 2 programs won't last you for a decade once you make a lot of money they ban you.
      Oh, the conspiracy theory. They don't want you to get too rich and overtake them, right?
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  • Profile picture of the author harris96
    Yes exactly. But as you see the people making thousands of dollars with amazon. Why amazon do not banned them? Why they just banned the people who just make 2 dollars.
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  • Profile picture of the author wayneh
    Those type of vague responses are always frustrating as they don't let you know what it is they are looking for or what is wrong with your site in their eyes

    A couple of questions:
    Have you applied /re-applied recently?

    If so, is it a new site - does it have much original content?

    Are you able to appeal or re-apply?

    If you cant't there is always try linkshare and commission junction as alternatives.

    Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author harris96
      Originally Posted by wayneh View Post

      Those type of vague responses are always frustrating as they don't let you know what it is they are looking for or what is wrong with your site in their eyes

      A couple of questions:
      Have you applied /re-applied recently?

      If so, is it a new site - does it have much original content?

      Are you able to appeal or re-apply?

      If you cant't there is always try linkshare and commission junction as alternatives.

      Good luck
      Yes My site is new with original content.
      You can check my site ---> www.viewersfacts.com
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  • Profile picture of the author wayneh
    Some thoughts - (I've not read through the blog posts in detail)

    Did the blog have a link to Amazon on every page?

    Do you have the option to re-apply? Looking at it you probably need some general information posts about the topics you have without affiliate links to products so it looks more like a "blog"

    Making the affiliate disclosure more prominent on your site once approved is required too - its hard to find
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by harris96 View Post

      Yes exactly. But as you see the people making thousands of dollars with amazon. Why amazon do not banned them? Why they just banned the people who just make 2 dollars.
      Your amazon disclaimer is not prominently displayed on every page of the site.
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      • Profile picture of the author harris96
        Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

        Your amazon disclaimer is not prominently displayed on every page of the site.
        Yes I set it only on the disclaimer page.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
          Originally Posted by harris96 View Post

          Yes I set it only on the disclaimer page.
          I have a 2 page site, disclaimer shown in the sidebar, and site was approved.

          SHORT disclaimer. Not that long page like you have.

          I wouldn't worry so much about how others might be approved, only how YOU can get approved.

          Your other option is to monetize with something other than Amazon.
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    • Profile picture of the author agmccall
      I took a look at your site and it seems that your content is unique which is required by amazon. The only thing that I see, or actually don't see, is the amazon disclosure. This disclosure needs to be on every page of your affiliate site. most people put it in their footer or sidebar.

      If you want to get some good information, try the amazon associates discussion board at http://forums.prospero.com/discussio...p?redirCnt=1&=

      al
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      • Profile picture of the author FatGans
        Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

        The only thing that I see, or actually don't see, is the amazon disclosure. This disclosure needs to be on every page of your affiliate site. most people put it in their footer or sidebar.

        If you want to get some good information, try the amazon associates discussion board at http://forums.prospero.com/discussio...p?redirCnt=1&=

        al
        Does Amazon require you to put the official disclosure on every page?
        This is one of the posts on Amazon.com Associates forum:

        You need to put the official disclosure language somewhere on your site, like on a policy page. It does not need to be on every page--it just needs to be easy to find.
        That was the comment made by the forum member with 15594 posts.
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        • Profile picture of the author agmccall
          Originally Posted by FatGans View Post

          Does Amazon require you to put the official disclosure on every page?
          This is one of the posts on Amazon.com Associates forum:

          You need to put the official disclosure language somewhere on your site, like on a policy page. It does not need to be on every page--it just needs to be easy to find.
          That was the comment made by the forum member with 15594 posts.
          As stated it needs to be "easy to find" and that means easy for amazon to find and that can be subjective. What is easy for you to find may not be easy for amazon to find. That is why I said, most people will put the disclaimer in the sidebar or the footer.

          al
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        • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
          I would put the disclaimer right on the bottom of the Home Page. I clicked on the OP's site and did not see it there. Also he could put it in the sidebar of every page as someone suggested above.

          Since he has the term "Sexual" Enhancement " he should put a minor's notice front and center on that page and bottom of the home page. Amazon had sent a age restriction notice awhile back. Something t that you are not selling to minors make sure that is in the disclaimer also. Look it up in their TOS or ask the message board at Amazon. Better to ask someone there then see the responses here that may not solve the OP's problem.

          The one poster thought Amazon is like Googles Adsense, they are two different companies and programs. I would not compare the two, if you follow Amazon's guidelines the Op should be fine.
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          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            A couple of quick observations...

            One, I wasn't able to find even a link to the required disclaimer.

            Second, your home page claims to provide "facts" and "stories from real consumers", yet the content I read came across as the standard affiliate review. No links or citations to back up your claim of facts.

            If you're going to claim facts, especially in making health claims, linking out to true authorities (like the Mayo clinic, Centers for Disease Control, legit medical journals, etc.) really help your case. Most people won't click the links - just having them there helps reassure them.

            And the plain truth is, Amazon may not want to be associated with a site promoting some of the products you promote. While the language is watered down in the email you received, that's how I read it.

            As for closing your account, they said they gave a temporary approval pending their review and after reviewing your site, reversed their decision. You never had a full approval.
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            • Profile picture of the author motorkitty
              Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

              And the plain truth is, Amazon may not want to be associated with a site promoting some of the products you promote. While the language is watered down in the email you received, that's how I read it.
              That's how I read it, too.
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              • Profile picture of the author wayneh
                Originally Posted by motorkitty View Post

                That's how I read it, too.
                I thought that might be the case too, but Amazon do sell products in that niche.

                Originally Posted by FatGans View Post

                Did you ask them what exactly is wrong with your site? As far as I know they respond.
                harris96 did you try the Amazon Associates discussion board to see if the members there could help you?
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                • Profile picture of the author harris96
                  Originally Posted by wayneh View Post

                  I thought that might be the case too, but Amazon do sell products in that niche.



                  harris96 did you try the Amazon Associates discussion board to see if the members there could help you?
                  Yeah, I did contact them. But they said If once they reject an application ( with the same website), then there is no possibility to accept again in future.
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              • Profile picture of the author harris96
                Originally Posted by motorkitty View Post

                That's how I read it, too.
                What's your mean by watered down?
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    EDIT: I see Al and Jill beat me to the punch...



    Always Amazons fault.... Have you even bothered reading Amazon's Associates Program Operating Agreement?
    Just a quick once over of your site and already i see first problem:

    "10. Identifying Yourself as an Associate

    You will not issue any press release or make any other public communication with respect to this Operating Agreement, your use of the Content, or your participation in the Program. You will not misrepresent or embellish the relationship between us and you (including by expressing or implying that we support, sponsor, endorse, or contribute to any charity or other cause), or express or imply any relationship or affiliation between us and you or any other person or entity except as expressly permitted by this Operating Agreement. You must, however, clearly state the following on your site: “[Insert your 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 [insert the applicable site name (amazon.com or myhabit.com)].”

    So did you read the agreement or like most people did you simply "wing it"...
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  • Profile picture of the author FatGans
    Looks like they have a generic email template for all reasons. Otherwise, I'm not sure how missing amazon disclosure is related to "...your site may not present a mutually beneficial business opportunity."
    Also, it looks like a double standard - there are a lot of sites without disclosure on every page and they live just fine.
    I was looking at well known thisiswhyimbroke.com described by many bloggers as one of the most successful internet businesses and didn't find any Amazon disclosure. Maybe because I wasn't able to get to the bottom of the page?
    What makes me sad is that you put so much effort to create an affiliate site, publish unique content and then get rejected by Amazon...
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      didn't find any Amazon disclosure
      Click on the "check it out" link of ANY amazon product on that site...and you'll find the disclaimer.
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      • Profile picture of the author FatGans
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        Click on the "check it out" link of ANY amazon product on that site...and you'll find the disclaimer.
        It brings me directly to Amazon product page. Am I missing something?
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          Nope - you are right, the site has both.

          Doesn't apply to the OP's site, though. His/her site has navigation/design issues that show up when you try to sort through the site. Has a link to "male enhancement products" which may not be OK with Amazon. ...and the disclaimers

          I don't know how closely Amazon looks at applicants. The avatar here is male but the site refers to female - the location here is New York - the posting location appears to be Pakistan. That is not unusual on this forum now but if the info provided to Amazon didn't check out - that could be another reason.

          Maybe after some time (site is fairly new) and getting traffic to the site - it might work to re-apply to Amazon.
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  • Profile picture of the author wayneh
    Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

    If you want to get some good information, try the amazon associates discussion board at http://forums.prospero.com/discussio...p?redirCnt=1&=
    I agree with agmccall the best place for help on establishing what needs to be done on the site to help it comply is on Amazon Associates discussion boards as there are some very knowldedgeable and helpful people - who have helped others out it getting their sites approved when they've run into problems.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by FatGans View Post

      I was looking at well known thisiswhyimbroke.com described by many bloggers as one of the most successful internet businesses and didn't find any Amazon disclosure. Maybe because I wasn't able to get to the bottom of the page?
      .
      Many items listed on this site do return a small commission for product referral, however this is not the sole motivation for featuring an item. Our staff regularly lists products that we receive absolutely no compensation for. We do not carry any of the products listed on the site, nor do we directly sell anything.
      I'm seeing the -20 referral, but maybe they don't take the profits?

      Not sure what is going on there.
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  • Profile picture of the author FatGans
    Did you ask them what exactly is wrong with your site? As far as I know they respond.
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  • Profile picture of the author Myles Sinclair
    When you get time to make changes, take a look at your "CONTINUE READING" link. You have a typo there, and they all read "CONITNUE READING".
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Full disclosure I am an aff, but I hate spamazon. They are a poor company. Most of their e-books sit on an old noisy server... gathering digital dust and not selling even one copy. It is hard as an aff to make any money. Well, it is nearly impossible with 4% commission. Well, not impossible, but near so.

    Find other affs to work on. I do rec:
    • peer fly
    • never blue ads
    • CPA leads
    • commission junction
    • share a sale

    BTW, share a sale is my favorite one.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tony Marriott
      Originally Posted by harris96 View Post

      This is now second time amazon closed my associate account with no any sound reason. They just send me this mail.

      "Thank you for your interest in the Amazon Associates Program.

      We completed our review of your application to become an Amazon.com
      Associate, which included a visit to the Web site where you planned to
      create links to our store. After careful consideration, we have
      decided that your site may not present a mutually beneficial business
      opportunity. We have therefore decided not to approve your
      application to become an Amazon Associate.

      Accordingly, we have closed the account under which you had been
      temporarily approved and that approval has now ended. Thank you for
      your interest in Amazon.com."
      Amazon are a company designed to make money. They make huge money from affiliates.

      It is unrealistic to think that they would close your account for "no sound reason". Especially twice.

      Just accept that your site has issues, at least for Amazon. I don't know what they are exactly, you need to find out and sort it out.

      The response mail may simply be generic because there are multiple issues or it actually may be specific because they "don't think your site fits their business".

      Just saying, "no good reason" is like saying" it's not my fault". It probably is but so what? You are the one affected no-one else, so you need to fix things if you want to be an Amazon affiliate.

      Reality is that if you are not reading T&C's and conforming now, you will likely do the same with other affiliate networks. Plenty of people lose their affiliate commissions on other network because they promote in a "non-approved" manner. In most case you won't know until payday when they refuse to pay you.

      So at least with Amazon you know there are issues up front.

      Try the Amazon forums/support groups. They are much more likely to give you a definitive answer that here.

      But you can't use a forum as a replacement for thoroughly reading the terms and conditions to which you agree. To be fair terms are often interpretive so you really have to look at things in a worst case scenario type way.

      The other thing you can't do is, look at other sites and say "we'll they're doing it!" cause that will never fly.

      If you really want to get approved (and once you are it's likely you can stick your links pretty much anywhere. I'm not suggesting you do but that may be one reason you see others getting away with things you so far cannot) then try and find some great amazon affiliate sites (not one's that are skirting the peripherals and base yours on them. Once approved you will likely have more flexibility but if you break the rules sand get banned don't blame me
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  • Profile picture of the author ratulin02
    After review your site, the amazon authority think your site is not appropriate. So they disallow your application. Already they mentioned in their mail.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Watered down means that they kept the language non-specific and non-confrontational. Kind of like when a bar adds water to the liquor bottles, and the diluted liquor is not as strong.

      After careful consideration, we have
      decided that your site may not present a mutually beneficial business
      opportunity.
      Plain English version:

      We don't want you in our program.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Dean
    As for the Amazon disclaimer I just put it in the bottom right footer on a2zbabystore.com the site was approved. This was a site I built to use as an example site for clients.

    Later the site got disapproved by Amazon for not having any sales in a 90 day period. In the email they said this was a new policy. I didn't search to hard but I could not find this policy on their site.
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    • Profile picture of the author pawandave
      Banned
      They do it always without any prior information...but i think some of them is duplicate content or no traffic
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark-Dickenson
        I would consider it a favor to be honest.

        Stay away from Amazon...they pay you peanuts on a per dollar sold basis.

        You can make MUCH more creating your own short reports and selling them...and get instant Paypal cash...while building a buyers list to boot.

        Time much better spent...and I have done both.

        With Amazon, you don't get paid for your January sales until March 15th. That sucks.
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        • Profile picture of the author harris96
          Originally Posted by Mark-Dickenson View Post

          I would consider it a favor to be honest.

          Stay away from Amazon...they pay you peanuts on a per dollar sold basis.

          You can make MUCH more creating your own short reports and selling them...and get instant Paypal cash...while building a buyers list to boot.

          Time much better spent...and I have done both.

          With Amazon, you don't get paid for your January sales until March 15th. That sucks.
          Yes you are absolutely correct. That's why I joined maxbounty and happy with them.
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      • Profile picture of the author harris96
        Originally Posted by pawandave View Post

        They do it always without any prior information...but i think some of them is duplicate content or no traffic
        Yes, you are right. But there is none of the problem with duplicate content and lack of traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author pwdta37
    In this message the Authority of the Amazon described that the site belongs you is not appropriate for the Amazon. So they did not approve your application. Thanks for your discussion.
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    soon
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