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New Amazon policy question

by Michael Stuart Kelly
5 replies
I have a doubt about an email I received from Amazon a month or two ago concerning its new policy with associates. It claimed that I had been identified as a person running a Product Advertising API. I found that interesting since I had no idea what they were talking about.

The email stated that all calls coming from Amazon product feeds (I think that is what the gobbledygook geek-speak meant) would need to have a special code installed, otherwise interaction would not be processed starting on August 15. This authentication code was called a "request signature."

I hope I got that right.

Anyway, I started looking all over to figure this thing out. I went to the place Amazon indicated (Resources), but for the life of me, I really need their stuff in plain English to grok it.

As time went on, I even read a communication from Amazon on another forum somewhere (from a Google search) stating that if you do not run a Product Advertising API on your sites, don't worry about the email.

Good Lord!

What does all this mean?

Am I running one of these things or not?

I am starting to do some neat things like using the free Amazon feed plugins for Wordpress from Lunatic Studios (the WP Shopping Pages plugin, for example). Is this the kind of program Amazon is talking about?

If so, what do I do about it? How do I do it? The Amazon site (in Resources) stated clearly that I needed to do the W3 tutorials on Web Services and XML as a prerequisite. I have no problem with undertaking higher learning, but my immediate concern is payment.

In short, will Amazon not pay me for referrals coming from a site of mine that uses an automatic product feed plugin? If that's the case, the best thing would be to ditch Amazon altogether and run offers from other companies instead.

But that doesn't sound right. I can't believe Amazon is trying to sever ties with associates through gobbledygook geek-speak.

I will be extremely grateful for any information, explanation or advice anyone can provide on this in plain language.

Michael
#amazon #policy #question
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Thayer
    The Product Advertising API is basically a way to perform queries on the Amazon catalog, primarily for the purpose of displaying product info for affiliate sales. If you're using any kind of Amazon store-building software like StoreStacker, it's a safe bet that they're using the API. I don't know this for sure because I don't use that particular software (or any -- I wrote my own instead). If you ARE using software like a product feed plugin, check to see if they are offering an updated version and what you need to do to get the proper authorization codes to continue using it.

    It used to be that you could perform the API queries without authentication. But on August 15 Amazon is requiring you to properly authenticate your queries so they know who is doing what and when.

    The August 15 change should not affect you if you are simply using Amazon affiliate links on your site. But if you're using any code to pull product descriptions, titles, images, etc. from the Amazon site, you need to make some necessary changes.

    Amazon documentation is the worst I've ever seen, and the API is full of holes. What's worse is that support is virtually non-existent, other than a forum that is rarely frequented by Amazon staff. The code for performing the authentication is a bit complicated, especially for non-programmers. The best page I've seen so far that explains it is this one:

    Amazon AWS HMAC signed request using PHP

    I know that this is all a bit more technical than you had asked for, but Amazon doesn't make anything easy.
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    • Profile picture of the author spicer
      Rob is correct. As of august 15th if you are using software or a script that is building an Amazon store it requires all requests to be signed with your private security key used to access the Amazon API. An API is an application interface. If you are just using the Amazon Widgets you are OK. However, it looks as if the WP Shopping Pages is using the Amazon API which is why you most likely received the email from Amazon as they have recorded your Associate ID as having used the API.

      I have created a new script that is compatible with the new security signing see my signature for a link. This script is easy to add into an existing site and will not be hard to implement a version for wordpress that would be very similar to what you currently have for wordpress. Although, I would not be using the exact back end methods they have chosen. I am working on a wordpress version and it should be ready by the 15th. Also creating video tutorials as well. I unfortunately only discovered this about two weeks ago and decided it would be a great project to tackle and try to create a product around it as it appeared no one was talking about it other than on the Amazon forum and even then everyone seemed to be confused. So I have been a little rushed to get everything set up. However, I think I have got a decent product. I just at a point where I need to know what users really want and like so I can provide that to them.

      Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks,
      Jeff
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      I love marketing and technology...
      I am hear to help anyone that is looking to make money online.
      Please private message me if you are looking for a mentor or just have some questions.

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  • Profile picture of the author Shrinivas
    Hi,

    Yes,that email from Amazon must be taken seriously. I am using a script called Carp Evolution to display amazon feeds on my webpages. I sent a support ticket to the developer of this script about it and yesterday I have received an updated version of this script that complies with the new amazon.com policy.

    The author of this script told me that amazon won't close down your associate account immediately, but it's better to ask the wp plugin developer to be on safer side.
    Signature
    Click Here >> 50 WordPress Amazon Plugins Collection!
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Stuart Kelly
    Here is a small update. I wrote to Thomas Hoefter about this. He is the guy who runs the Lunatic Studios site I mentioned above. This concerns the Amazon feed WP plugins I am interested in. He wrote the following back.

    WP Robot does not use the Amazon Product API at the moment and thus the changes to it are no issue. I am however currently working on an update which will convert WP Robot to the API. This update will then of course be in compliance with the new requirements.
    WP Robot is his paid plugin. Since it is a composite of his free plugins (plus other features), this comment obviously applies to them.

    I am not an affiliate of his, but he was so nice in responding that I don't mind giving him another backlink and a plug. WP Robot looks like one hell of a good product. I don't own a copy yet, but I certainly will.

    The main point for me is peace of mind. Now I know that when I use these plugins, I will get credited by Amazon for referral payment.

    Michael
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    Know thyself...
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    • Profile picture of the author spicer
      I glad to here that the change will not affect you. It did look like it was using the API, but there are so many options from Amazon that are very simular it is very hard to tell sometimes. Thomas, does have some great pluggins. I wish you all the best of luck with your online business.
      Signature

      I love marketing and technology...
      I am hear to help anyone that is looking to make money online.
      Please private message me if you are looking for a mentor or just have some questions.

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