Amazon Affiliate Links - Redirect or Not? | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

10 years ago

Are you sure the bans are for using various Pretty Links? Did Amazon confirm this in their notifications?

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markv

10 years ago

I havent seen the specific notifications.

I am just concerned that i dont inadvertently get myself banned.

So i am looking for some guidance from experienced Amazon affiliates as to how they manage their Amazon links.

Thanks
1 reply

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webmonopoly

10 years ago

Originally Posted by markv

I havent seen the specific notifications.

I am just concerned that i dont inadvertently get myself banned.

So i am looking for some guidance from experienced Amazon affiliates as to how they manage their Amazon links.

These recent bans are for other reasons, I'm pretty sure. I'm also using pretty links on some of my amz links.

Thanks
1 reply

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JJPerkins 10 years ago

I once asked support to clarify this for me, but they honestly didn't seem to understand what I was talking about.

The gist of their reply was tothe effect that unless you were reframing, or redirecting traffic maliciously it was not a problem.
If your visitors understand that the link they are clicking goes to Amazon and that is what happens then you should be fine.

Not that I was 100% reassured by their reply but I felt that having asked first should count in my favour
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DiggitySEO

10 years ago

Thanks for the information. I use Redirection on all my sites, and have not been cut off by Amazon. However, I could just be lucky and that's not worth the risk of me cutting of a portion of my income due to laziness to investigate.

Do you have any links to places where people have stated they were cut off by Amazon for this?

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onSubie

10 years ago

The big problem many marketers faced recently (last couple years) was that Amazon does not allow "framing". In other words you could not frame Amazon content so that your domain still showed in the URL while Amazon was displayed in browser.

The reason this caused a big problem was there were at least two WP Amazon plugins that did exactly that. They allowed you to cloak the link but then framed the Amazon content in violation of the ToS.

Since many Amazon associates used these plugins there was more than one post from someone claiming they had been banned for "cloaking links" when in fact, they were banned for "framing".

Pretty Links redirects a nice looking link but it does not frame the resulting page. After the redirect the person is at Amazon and can verify it by seeing the Amazon URL in their browers.

This complies with Amazon ToS.

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2 replies

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markv 10 years ago

Thanks everyone for responding.
I'm using the Redirections plugin.

I have been looking into this some more and the critical thing seems to be that your link text should clearly state that you are sending the visitor to Amazon rather than just having "Click Here" and a redirect to /go/product name in the url.

Seems that by those standards there are a lot of affiliates not strictly abiding by the rules.

Has anyone tried the Amazon shortlinks supplied by Amazon themselves?
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markv 10 years ago

Thanks everyone who responded.

I'm using the Redirections PlugIn btw.

After looking into this i think that the area that might be causing the problem is that Amazon TOS say that the link text must clearly indicate to the user that they are being sent to Amazon rather than just using a link that says "Click Here" or "Visit Website" and having a URL that displays in the browser as /go/best buy...

So if i have a link text of "Check Price at Amazon" and a redirect URL of sometng like /go/Amazon then i would be OK.

Looking over lots of amazon affiliates sites it seems that there isnt a lot of strict compliance with the rules..

Has anyone used the Amazon shortlinks on their sites?
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janicetalberty

10 years ago

I use simple php redirect script and it's ok.

Thanks

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BradVert2013

10 years ago

Read the Amazon Affiliate rules closely:

https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...k_353005802_12

17. You will not modify, redirect, suppress, or substitute the operation of any button, link, or other feature of the Amazon Site.

30. You will not cloak, hide, spoof, or otherwise obscure the URL of your site containing Special Links (including by use of a redirecting page) or the user agent of the application in which Content is displayed or used such that we cannot reasonably determine the site or application from which a customer clicks through such Special Link to the Amazon Site.

You also need to clearly state you're an Amazon Associate:

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, amazonsupply.com, or myhabit.com)].”

More can be found here:

https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...tes/agreement/

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1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

10 years ago

Originally Posted by BradVert2013

30. You will not cloak, hide, spoof, or otherwise obscure the URL of your site containing Special Links (including by use of a redirecting page) or the user agent of the application in which Content is displayed or used such that we cannot reasonably determine the site or application from which a customer clicks through such Special Link to the Amazon Site.

Here's the kicker, IMO. PHP redirects and plugins like PrettyLinks still send a referrer so amazon can track where the click came from AFAIK. Which means you should be okay.

I think some of those getting into trouble are trying to skirt the TOS by using redirects to get around the "no email linking" rules.

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1 reply

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Jason Stewart

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Here's the kicker, IMO. PHP redirects and plugins like PrettyLinks still send a referrer so amazon can track where the click came from AFAIK. Which means you should be okay.

I think some of those getting into trouble are trying to skirt the TOS by using redirects to get around the "no email linking" rules.

This should hold true... 30x redirects will pass the referrer, and as far as Amazon can tell, it's just a regular link. The only way they'll know if you're cloaking your links is if they have someone look at your site manually.

Note that referrer is NOT passed when switching between http and https.

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Pura Vida

9 years ago

Here's an interesting blog post...
Blogger Beware: 3 Ways You Could Be Breaking Amazon's Affiliate Program Rules - I Can Teach My Child!

I didn't know Amazon affiliate links couldn't go in ebook PDF's

Originally Posted by markv

Hi All,

I have a number of sites earning commissions through Amazon affiliate links. Currently, i use the redirections plugin on several sites for the Amazon links and i also have two sites where i have bare Amazon links.

Just lately there seem to have been several affiliates complaining about Amazon closing their accounts due to using Pretty Links etc and other rediirects and i am now getting concerned about the risk to my own accounts.

Can any experienced Amazon Affiliates here on the forum advise on the best way to manage Amazon Affiliate links without risking losing my account.

Thanks

Mark

Thanks

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TelZilla

9 years ago

I have been linking directly to the product for years. I may lose a couple of sales a month, but the way I look at it, I'd rather the customer know exactly where they are going when they click that link.

Besides I know I won't violate any of Amazon's rules that way.

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1 reply

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TelZilla 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Darren Beecham

Guys,why are you all doing this....be a seller on Amazon

You will not believe how easy it is

Check out my sig file below

And please ask some questions

I have no desire to sell on Amazon at this time, even though I have sold many different products on it in the past.

As far as your link goes... Lost my full attention the second a video started when I hit the page and I only made it a couple of minutes in before I had to click away to a different page on their site.

The about-us page is typical hype, that tells nothing. Then follows a typical testimonial page. They also own AmazingAcademy.com, which gives us no more information.

As far as I can tell, their site is designed for low information people who have zero experience marketing online. Not for someone who has a clue.

Yes, making money on Amazon can be easy. Losing money on Amazon is also easy.
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Sarevok

9 years ago

I have promoted stuff via prettylinks on a boatload of amazon affiliate sites and profited... And I have not encountered any trouble.

That being said... If my life depended on that commission I would NOT use a redirect.

Reason being - Amazon has a draconian ban policy...

Meaning if they DO ban you, good luck getting your account reinstated...

Better safe than sorry.

(And besides, EVEN IF the amazon link you're redirecting to DIES, you still direct your traffic to Amazon, with your cookie attached).

Just my $.02

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salegurus

9 years ago

There would be no confusion if more people took 10 min to read Amazons Affiliate Agreement.

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Pura Vida 9 years ago

and then go back and re-read on a monthly basis when they update the agreement? :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by salegurus

There would be no confusion if more people took 10 min to read Amazons Affiliate Agreement.
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goldmedal

9 years ago

My question is actually similar. A few years ago, i posted video product reviews on youtube and had my actual amazon affiliate link below the video. I dont think you can do this anymore, can you? and if you can't, can you use another link? judging by the responses above i'd say you can't. So is there a way to promote amazon products on youtube, and still not violate any TOS? thanks

Thanks
1 reply

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TelZilla

9 years ago

Originally Posted by goldmedal

My question is actually similar. A few years ago, i posted video product reviews on youtube and had my actual amazon affiliate link below the video. I dont think you can do this anymore, can you? and if you can't, can you use another link? judging by the responses above i'd say you can't. So is there a way to promote amazon products on youtube, and still not violate any TOS? thanks

I send the viewer to my site and to a review specificially for that product. This actually increased my conversions from 2-3% to as high as 20+% depending on the product.

I've found that the people who watch my videos and then actually read my reviews tend to buy more often than someone who just goes straight to amazon to get more info on the product.

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raffman999

9 years ago

I use redirects but the links go where they say they are going and I don't email out links directly. Amazon likes honesty and transparency essentially.

Thanks

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Danny Cutts

9 years ago

I put them through pretty links and have had no problems... I do also have a disclaimer on my sites explaining this :-)

Danny

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Gobala Krishnan

9 years ago

I doubt Amazon will take a look at any single affiliate and see how they are promoting - unless maybe you're making million in commissions every month for them..

They would however probably have some sort of filter or alert for something they don't like that they can track - like using cloaking or iframes.

Still I doubt it would trigger alarm bells in Amazon HQ if you did that, unless you're sending them a lot of junk traffic using those methods.

Jus a simple redirect should be ok - perhaps not 100% in compliance with the affiliate agreement - but lots of third party tools do this anyway since they can offer better reports that what Amazon is willing to share.

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Affiliate Link Cloaking & Tracking Software - The most powerful tool available for affiliate marketers who are sick and tired of making way too little money!

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Buffer Page Link

9 years ago

Please help.

I have an affiliate site that has been getting consistent click thrus to Amazon. I recently started using Pretty link lite plugin. I no-follow the link as well. Over the past couple of days I show no click thrus to Amazon according to Amazon's report. HOWEVER, the Pretty Link plugin is showing hits. I had 12 hits yesterday but Amazon showed no clicks.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks
1 reply

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KloudStrife

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Buffer Page Link

Please help.

I have an affiliate site that has been getting consistent click thrus to Amazon. I recently started using Pretty link lite plugin. I no-follow the link as well. Over the past couple of days I show no click thrus to Amazon according to Amazon's report. HOWEVER, the Pretty Link plugin is showing hits. I had 12 hits yesterday but Amazon showed no clicks.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Its most likely because people are being redirected with the views, sometimes people just click and it doesn't register..

Thanks
1 reply

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Buffer Page Link

9 years ago

Originally Posted by KloudStrife

Its most likely because people are being redirected with the views, sometimes people just click and it doesn't register..

Are you saying that they click the cloaked link and Amazon doesn't count it as a valid click?

Thanks
1 reply

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Jason Stewart

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Buffer Page Link

Are you saying that they click the cloaked link and Amazon doesn't count it as a valid click?

I don't think that's what he's saying. If it's a 30x redirect, and has an amazon tag, it will look like a regular link click to amazon. There's no way they would know unless they look at the page that hosts the link.

Thanks
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Buffer Page Link

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Jason Stewart

I don't think that's what he's saying. If it's a 30x redirect, and has an amazon tag, it will look like a regular link click to amazon. There's no way they would know unless they look at the page that hosts the link.

Thanks for the info guys. So, what I'm trying to figure out is why my Pretty links stats are way more than what Amazon is giving me credit for. All my links are set up correctly. If my cloaked link is clicked and it goes to Amazon through my affiliate link I should get the credit. My Pretty link stats should be close to click stats in my Amazon report.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks
1 reply

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Viper64

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Buffer Page Link

Thanks for the info guys. So, what I'm trying to figure out is why my Pretty links stats are way more than what Amazon is giving me credit for. All my links are set up correctly. If my cloaked link is clicked and it goes to Amazon through my affiliate link I should get the credit. My Pretty link stats should be close to click stats in my Amazon report.

What are your thoughts on this?

Bots/robots/spiders. They're not necessarily going to go to Amazon. It's also not uncommon for affiliate programs to filter out robots etc on their end in order to give a more accurate reflection of "true" visitors. I recently changed a site of mine and removed all the nofollow on links to products. Couple days later I checked my logs and was very surprised at just how many bots had come along and "clicked" them. Now I'm think I should put the nofollow back on them lol.

Thanks
1 reply

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NK 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Viper64

Bots/robots/spiders.

This. You'll be surprised to find out just how many of your clicks are actually from bots and spiders.

If you haven't already done so, try removing the pretty links URL and see if your amazon reports starts showing hits again. That way you'll be able to tell whether there is a problem with the plugin or not.
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Jforbes1983

9 years ago

You are allowed to to do. This is copy and pasted from the amazon associates FAQ.

While you are welcome to use link shortening services, the link checker will not be able to verify that these links are functioning as intended. Please remember that you must clearly state that the link in question will take the user to the Amazon site when clicked and ensure that the site on which you are posting the links includes the required statement to identify yourself as an Associate. You must also be able to provide detailed information about the site(s) on which your links have been posted if we request it.

We do offer our own link shortening tool that can be used with Product Links. To shorten your links, search for a product from the Associates homepage under “Quickly Add Links” and choose the down arrow next to the item you want to advertise. A message box will appear and you can select “Shorten URL with amzn.to” and copy the short code for your site.

For more details, you should review the Operating Agreement

Thanks

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Amazon Affiliate Links - Redirect or Not?

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