What Amazon TOS violations are easiest to overlook?

by Vrs
21 replies
Does Amazon have a zero tolerance policy? I've heard of affiliates losing commissions and realize what a nightmare it would be after all the hard work put in to build up a strong Amazon site only to lose it over an obscure TOS violation.

I'm wondering if any successful Amazon affiliates have some tips on how to avoid getting banned on Amazon and losing commissions?

So, anyone know of any TOS violations to be especially careful not to overlook and get caught by? I realize they should all be followed but are there any that are particularly easy to miss?

Thanks for any help. A good discussion on this could end up saving a fellow warrior a lot of grief.
#amazon #easiest #overlook #tos #violations
  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    It is easy to miss most of them, because their TOS spans dozens of pages.

    The biggest one I see is that it is against the TOS to promote your affiliate link in: email, PDF's and from mobile platforms.

    Another common one is that you are not allowed to have more than one account with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    If you want to build a long term business I suggest you read however many pages to get a clear understanding. Its worth your time if it will safeguard you from being shut down. Don't you think?
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    • Profile picture of the author Vrs
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      It is easy to miss most of them, because their TOS spans dozens of pages.

      The biggest one I see is that it is against the TOS to promote your affiliate link in: email, PDF's and from mobile platforms.

      Another common one is that you are not allowed to have more than one account with them.
      Thanks for the heads up - especially on the pdfs. Do you know if email includes lists you have permission to email?

      Originally Posted by jamesrich1 View Post

      If you want to build a long term business I suggest you read however many pages to get a clear understanding. Its worth your time if it will safeguard you from being shut down. Don't you think?
      Not sure you got my intent. I'm not trying to cheat the system I'm just trying to avoid problems which can arise from something I miss. A good heads up from someone who has more experience is always good.

      In regards to "reading however many pages to get a clear understanding" of course that's the ideal. Then there's the reality. That means reading entire terms of service from Amazon, Paypal, any CPA Networks, forums joined (of course every Warrior has read the complete WF TOS ) etc., etc., etc., etc Would never have time to get any work done.
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        Originally Posted by Vrs View Post

        Do you know if email includes lists you have permission to email?
        Some clarification is needed here. It against Amazon's TOS to include your affiliate link in email promotions, period. However, it is acceptable and a widely used practice to send opt-in subscribers to an intermediary landing page.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tomwood
    Glad I read this didn't know about the pdf thing can't see why they would object to this but it's their company and their rules
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    • Profile picture of the author J Bold
      Originally Posted by Tomwood View Post

      Glad I read this didn't know about the pdf thing can't see why they would object to this but it's their company and their rules
      It's because they can't track links from PDFs. They want to be able to see exactly where the click originated.
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      • Profile picture of the author Vrs
        Does anyone know if they have a zero tolerance policy? For example, a warning to stop doing something? Or just "caught you in a violation so you're out!" People do make mistakes.
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        • Profile picture of the author JonPL
          I'm sure they just terminate if they suspect something isn't right. I have heard of people being re-instated and getting their earnings though but I can't remember what the details were.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    Merchants will complain to Amazon if you are using their trademarks in a way they do not like. Amazon can be more concerned about its merchant relationships than a little affiliate.

    .
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  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Some overlook the use of iframes. I know a little while ago many affiliates ran into trouble because they were (unknowingly in some cases) using a WP cloaking plugin that used iframes.

    Also, quoting reviews without using Amazon's iframes.

    Mahlon
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  • Profile picture of the author rdpayne
    I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but all the plug-ins that spit out a WordPress review site using the Amazon API are against Amazon TOS because the API TOS basically states that it is not to be used to create made-for-Amazon sites.

    EDIT: Scratch that. I misread the sentence, which is located in the API TOS, Section 4, item (b).
    You will not use the Product Advertising API, Data Feed, or Product Advertising Content with any site or application, or in any other manner, that does not have the principal purpose of advertising and marketing the Amazon Site and driving sales of products and services on the Amazon Site.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vrs
      Originally Posted by rdpayne View Post

      I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but all the plug-ins that spit out a WordPress review site using the Amazon API are against Amazon TOS because the API TOS basically states that it is not to be used to create made-for-Amazon sites.
      Anyone know if this is really true? If so my site is in jeopardy! Who knows how many sites are built using plugins?

      With emails out, pdf's out, and plugins ruled out ... I wonder how much Amazon business is at risk? Makes me wonder if Amazon's even worth it. It seems there are just too many ways to lose commissions.

      Even if you're not doing one of the above, who knows what else can hurt you? tpw says their TOS covers dozens of pages. Why can't they just publish a list of APPROVED methods and leave it at that?
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        Originally Posted by Vrs View Post

        Why can't they just publish a list of APPROVED methods and leave it at that?
        A list of approved promotional methods would be a lot longer than just a few dozen pages.
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  • Profile picture of the author sjukun
    Put your Amazon link on your mobile optimized/responsive website will violate their TOS. There are so many responsive wp themes now, so you must be careful.

    Quote from Associates Program Participation Requirements:
    7. You will not, without our express prior written approval, use any Content or Special Link, or otherwise link to the Amazon Site, on or in connection with any site or application designed or intended for use with a mobile phone or other handheld device (which prohibition does not apply to any site that is not designed or intended for use with such devices but that may be accessible by such devices (e.g., on a non-mobile-optimized site via an internet browser on a tablet device)), or any television set-top box (e.g., digital video recorders, cable or satellite boxes, streaming video players, blu-ray players, or dvd players) or Internet-enabled television (e.g., GoogleTV, Sony Bravia, Panasonic Viera Cast, or Vizio Internet Apps).
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  • Profile picture of the author sjukun
    Originally Posted by rdpayne View Post

    I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but all the plug-ins that spit out a WordPress review site using the Amazon API are against Amazon TOS because the API TOS basically states that it is not to be used to create made-for-Amazon sites.
    rdpayne, can you please tell me where to look for this? I read the Amazon.com Product Advertising API License Agreement but I couldn't find it. Maybe I missed it or looked at wrong document.
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  • Profile picture of the author planetlubs
    Their TOS put aside, I really find that amazon is not that bad to their associates. They will usually send out an email to warn you to straighten out things. That is at least in my experience. Compared to the adsense stories where people lose their accounts quite often, I can say that you can not compare them to the the people over at Google Adsense. Amazon is way better in handling their associates.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      If you aren't sure something is allowed or not, the best people to ask are the Associate Program support people. Over the last several years, I've contacted them several times to make sure I was on the right side of something I thought of doing. They've always been very helpful...

      They don't make any money by banning people they don't have to.

      On the other hand, they will do what they have to do to protect themselves. And do it quickly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monkeh
    So sites like thisiswhyimbroke aren't allowed? That soley post amazon products?
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