Amazon Affiliate links in email

kashifraza

9 years ago

you cannot use Associate links in, emails, newsletters, RSS feeds or anything else that’s offline.

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dana67

9 years ago

As long as it's a landing page you own, it's probably not an issue, but I'd recommend reading through Amazon's TOS carefully. I know reading through a TOS can be mind numbing lol, but better to be safe and sure.

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stevenjacobs

Banned 9 years ago

read that TOS its very important

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by IMMer1975

Can someone shed some light please...As I understand the Amazon Affiliate ToS, one is NOT allowed to embed an affiliate link in an email...is this correct?

In that case, is it acceptable to embed a link to a landing page and that page has a "Buy" button containing the affiliate link?

Yes, that is acceptable.

The issue really isn't email. the issue is control. Amazon wants to be able to protect itself by being able to connect the click to the page that generated it, and it's pretty much impossible with email.

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JohnnyPlan

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Yes, that is acceptable.

The issue really isn't email. the issue is control. Amazon wants to be able to protect itself by being able to connect the click to the page that generated it, and it's pretty much impossible with email.

Thanks for clearing up this issue. I was wondering why Amazon would have a problem with affiliate links being posted in an email. But, if tracking is the issue, that would make sense.

Thanks

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summerlong

8 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Yes, that is acceptable.

The issue really isn't email. the issue is control. Amazon wants to be able to protect itself by being able to connect the click to the page that generated it, and it's pretty much impossible with email.

So if in an email someone would link to a php file on his own website,
and this php would forward to Amazon, that would be OK, because Amazon
would determine that website as source of the affiliate link?

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bymarcot

9 years ago

You can always cloak the links which means you send emails with a link which redirects the visitors to Amazon but leaves your site as a referer (Amazon sees that the visitors are coming from your website).

Cheers

Thanks
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digitalproductreporter

9 years ago

Originally Posted by bymarcot

You can always cloak the links which means you send emails with a link which redirects the visitors to Amazon but leaves your site as a referer (Amazon sees that the visitors are coming from your website).

Cheers

This is dangerous advice and will get you banned

it's in black and white

You may purchase paid search advertisements and submit links to Search Engines to appear in response to a general Internet search query or keyword (i.e., in natural, free, organic, or unpaid search results), so long as you comply with the Operating Agreement and those paid or unpaid search results send users to your site and not directly or indirectly, via a Redirecting Link, to the Amazon Site.

SOURCE: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...participation/

Furthermore amazon defines a redirect as

" Redirecting Link means a link that sends users indirectly to the Amazon Site via an intermediate site or webpage and without requiring the user to click on a link or take some other affirmative action on that intermediate site or webpage.

SOURCE: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...nk_167929822_6

Bottom Line: visitors must click a link on your website to get to amazon, not from email, not from a redirect, but they need to click it on your website then go to amazon

My experience is getting banned from amazon for doing basic redirects on a domain i owned, or what you are suggesting, (i couldn't believe it but it was true), talking on the phone with their customer service, etc. I'm back in now and still love the program.

Thanks
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buddy7 9 years ago

Bookbub has to be driving tons of traffic to Amazon since they have millions of subscribers yet they are redirecting their links from their email.

Here is a link I got today: http://outbound.bookbub.com/mpss/c/n...m3FQoH6NDwqTZw
which redirects to Amazon.com: Sketchy (The Bea Catcher Chronicles)...
With their tag in it. Obviously Amazon has to know it is coming from their email no? Do you think they worked something out with them to get an exception since they are driving so much traffic?
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buddy7

9 years ago

?_bbid=13858&tag=bookbubemailc-20 This is on the end of the actual redirect but for some reason when I posted it in WF the ending was stripped off. Not sure how Bookbub is getting away with affiliate links in emails.
If you click on the top link in the above post you will see what I am talking about.

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Ferzy

9 years ago

Just make a landing page and link to it in your email. From that landing page, send visitors to Amazon. No redirect / cloaking shenaningans, that will get you banned.

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experting facebook

9 years ago

i think there is no issue if you have a launding page

and like JohnMcCabe said the issue is in control not the email!
Hope it helps

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by buddy7

Bookbub has to be driving tons of traffic to Amazon since they have millions of subscribers yet they are redirecting their links from their email.

Here is a link I got today: http://outbound.bookbub.com/mpss/c/n...m3FQoH6NDwqTZw
which redirects to Amazon.com: Sketchy (The Bea Catcher Chronicles) eBook: Olivia Samms: Kindle Store

With their tag in it. Obviously Amazon has to know it is coming from their email no? Do you think they worked something out with them to get an exception since they are driving so much traffic?

Originally Posted by buddy7

?_bbid=13858&tag=bookbubemailc-20 This is on the end of the actual redirect but for some reason when I posted it in WF the ending was stripped off. Not sure how Bookbub is getting away with affiliate links in emails.
If you click on the top link in the above post you will see what I am talking about.

They're not getting away with anything. If Amazon examines the link, they'll find who made the referral, and that it was forwarded with internal tracking to Amazon's page.

There is no Amazon affiliate link in the email. There is a tracking link which Bookbub uses to monitor which products are generating clicks, and then sends people on to Amazon. Not much different than using a bit.ly link or a blog plug-in like PrettyLinks.

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buddy7

9 years ago

Thanks John, That makes sense. Pardon my ignorance. Is that different than a redirect or is it some form of a redirect?

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JohnMcCabe 9 years ago

Originally Posted by buddy7

Thanks John, That makes sense. Pardon my ignorance. Is that different than a redirect or is it some form of a redirect?

It's a form of redirect. From the formatting, I'm guessing that Bookbub is using Amazon's own tracking ID's (you can have up to a hundred before requesting more) to tell which product groups are getting clicks and then correlating that to sales.

If I were going to do it, I'd use different tracking IDs (the bookbubemailc-20) to track different media, like email and different genres to see which deserves more attention.
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buddy7

9 years ago

OK. I am feeling like I am missing something then. According to the above:

Quote:
You may purchase paid search advertisements and submit links to Search Engines to appear in response to a general Internet search query or keyword (i.e., in natural, free, organic, or unpaid search results), so long as you comply with the Operating Agreement and those paid or unpaid search results send users to your site and not directly or indirectly, via a Redirecting Link, to the Amazon Site.
SOURCE: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...participation/

Furthermore amazon defines a redirect as

Quote:
" Redirecting Link means a link that sends users indirectly to the Amazon Site via an intermediate site or webpage and without requiring the user to click on a link or take some other affirmative action on that intermediate site or webpage.
SOURCE: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...nk_167929822_6

1. Is the bookbub link not a redirect from their site that would be against the TOS?

2. If it is not, what is the best way to create that form of redirect?

Thanks for helping me out John and anyone else,

Buddy

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buddy7

9 years ago

BookGorilla is doing some sort of similar redirect.

Here is their link from an email.

Amazon.com: The November Man eBook: Bill Granger: Kindle Store

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Rashell

9 years ago

The confusion, from what I can see, is the reference to "redirect links" quoted by digitalproductreporter. It's actually referring to using redirect links in an ad that appears as part of the results of a "paid search ads" program or a listing that appears as part of an organic search query in the Search Engines.

In other words, you can't rank your site/post url for a keyword and have that link redirect automatically to Amazon. You can't place an ad using your url and redirect automatically to Amazon.

But without the ability to redirect we would not be able to share an item via twitter, which will auto-shorten the url with a redirect link. (So does facebook for that matter).

Getting banned solely for using redirect links seems odd to me.

In regards to linking within email I've always thought this portion of the agreement was where the concern came from.

Section 6 of https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...participation/

... you will not engage in any promotional, marketing, or other advertising activities in any offline manner, including by using any of our or our affiliates’ trademarks or logos (including any Amazon Mark), any Content, or any Special Link in connection with an offline promotion or in any other offline manner (e.g., in any printed material, mailing, SMS, MMS, email or attachment to email, or other document, or any oral solicitation).

Note, in this section, there is no mention of redirecting links.

So the question is "are those guys just willing to risk it OR do they have a team of lawyers who are interpreting things differently (ie the redirect has you covered)?"

Rashell

Thanks
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SunilTanna

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Rashell

The confusion, from what I can see, is the reference to "redirect links" quoted by digitalproductreporter. It's actually referring to using redirect links in an ad that appears as part of the results of a "paid search ads" program or a listing that appears as part of an organic search query in the Search Engines.

In other words, you can't rank your site/post url for a keyword and have that link redirect automatically to Amazon. You can't place an ad using your url and redirect automatically to Amazon.

But without the ability to redirect we would not be able to share an item via twitter, which will auto-shorten the url with a redirect link. (So does facebook for that matter).

Getting banned solely for using redirect links seems odd to me.

In regards to linking within email I've always thought this portion of the agreement was where the concern came from.

Section 6 of https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...participation/

Note, in this section, there is no mention of redirecting links.

So the question is "are those guys just willing to risk it OR do they have a team of lawyers who are interpreting things differently (ie the redirect has you covered)?"

Rashell

Don't assume everyone has the same contract/agreement as you. I don't know whether it is the situation in this case, but companies can certainly make different agreements with different partners.

Thanks
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Rashell

9 years ago

Originally Posted by SunilTanna

Don't assume everyone has the same contract/agreement as you. I don't know whether it is the situation in this case, but companies can certainly make different agreements with different partners.

Unless you are suggesting that some companies have been able to get a contract with Amazon to add affiliate links via a redirect in paid and organic search results I'm not sure why you would single out my comment in particular.

The whole back and forth on this thread is based on the assumption that we're all working off the same contract.

In regards to the discussion, I don't feel I've made any assumptions or come to any conclusions besides... a redirect link is a valid way to share Amazon affiliate links (in most circumstances).

Still, based on John McCabe's contributions to this thread I'm wondering...

I'm questioning preconceived notions and beginning to wonder if "special" circumstances (ie lawyers assisting them) bear any weight on the strategy implemented by the 2 companies using redirect links in their email..

If I were to "assume"... I would "assume"... the only logical way to determine whether I want to use this strategy would be to1st sit down with an Amazon rep and lawyer before making any drastic decisions.

I guess I would also assume the 2 companies using redirect links in email would have done that. But maybe not. I don't know how "on the edge" they like to keep things.

I've read news reports of affiliate marketers doing some crazy things b/c they thought they could get away with it. I've also read of some who claim the "company was fine" with what they were doing. Now not so much... I'm all good with not assuming anything.

Rashell

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buddy7

9 years ago

Also what type of redirect should I set up?
301
302
307
Meta Redirect.

Thanks

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JohnMcCabe 9 years ago

Originally Posted by buddy7

Also what type of redirect should I set up?
301
302
307
Meta Redirect.

Thanks

I've always used either php or javascript to do the redirect. The click goes to a redirect page with a "one moment, please" graphic with the Amazon link and the tracking pixel. I've even included a short delay timer, up to one second, but the results have been inconclusive.
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- Rashell 9 years ago
  
  So... hopped, skipped & jumped over to Amazon Associate Support for a quick chat. According to the support staff I spoke to...
  
  redirecting links, in any form, is a violation of TOS
  using associate links in emails, whether "as is" or via redirect, is a violation of TOS
  they don't make exceptions to their TOS
  
  you can report associates you believe may be violating TOS to
  https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...ciates/contact
  
  In a nutshell, all traffic should be directed from your "approved" website to Amazon via a click on a link that appears within a page on your "approved" website. (the quotes on "approved" website were originally made by the rep)
  
  In regards to social sites, you may only use Associate links in facebook fan pages, verified twitter accounts, & youtube channels or via site stripe to facebook and twitter.
  
  I asked why email was considered "off-line" since it's technically an "online tool". She said "it was a decision made by their business team".
  
  I would have shared a copy of the transcript but Amazon doesn't offer one.
  
  I didn't ask about web 2.0 sites, forums, etc.
  
  HTH,
  
  Rashell
  
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SunilTanna

9 years ago

I'm not having a go at you rashell. You were just the last person to post what I considered a relevant quote.

I'm simply saying it is perfectly possible for large companies to have different agreements with different partners. I have personal experience of this myself. Assuming everyone has the same agreement is just that, an assumption.

Of course it is also possible that some partners may be breaking the agreement and haven't been caught yet, or some partnes are given more leeway, or a hundred other possibilities.

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1 reply

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Rashell 9 years ago

Ah, I apologize.

Thank you for your patience in clarifying.

(And... I should have mentioned this in my previous reply) Thank you for your original insight. It's definitely another opportunity to think about when considering the possible ways to move forward in business.

Rashell
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flyingdutch

9 years ago

Since I'm using affiliate links to promote my books, let me throw in my 2 cents about what is allowed or not:

When you use PAID advertising you may NOT direct your clicks directly to Amazon. Not by using a direct link nor by using a redirect or cloaked link. So, in this case, you should direct clicks to a landing page on your site, and from there , hope that people click through amazon (and of course using your affiliate link in the last step).

Why this limitation? Simple. Amazon is bidding themselves for keywords and they don't want to bid up against all their own affiliates...

Now, when you advertise in any non-paid way , for example to put a post in a FB group, you may direct those clicks directly to Amazon. But... that would be a bit stupid because you're losing out an additional 4% on a sale. So what I do is : setup a tracking code on my affiliate account, and create a pretty link on my site with the affiliate code. Now, I have all the information I need. I know from my pretty link reporting how many people clicked on the ad and I know from the Amazon site, how many sales I made through this link, and therefore the conversion rate.

Now where can you use affiliate links (as long as they aren't paid ads)? Amazon themselves explains, at least for their ebooks, that you promote your book wherever you can: in groups, in forums, etc. So why not in email? I think the section above about email is some incomprehensible lawyer writing, which, according to my interpretation , only applies to offline marketing .

Anyway, that's the way I'm doing things already for the last couple of months and haven't seen any complaint/cancellation or other negative message from Azon...

Thanks

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master reseller

9 years ago

6. You will not engage in any promotional, marketing, or other advertising activities on behalf of us or our affiliates, or in connection with the Amazon Site or the Program, that are not expressly permitted under the Operating Agreement. For example, you will not engage in any promotional, marketing, or other advertising activities in any offline manner, including by using any of our or our affiliates’ trademarks or logos (including any Amazon Mark), any Content, or any Special Link in connection with an offline promotion or in any other offline manner (e.g., in any printed material, mailing, SMS, MMS, email or attachment to email, or other document, or any oral solicitation).

source: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...participation/

Very interesting how they would consider 'email' to be an offline communication when it's so clearly a product of the online world.

Thanks

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flyingdutch

9 years ago

Thanks for clarification. In my previous post I wrote that I supposed that using links are ok in email, but I've never used that , simply because my email list is not big enough. But it's good to know that it is not allowed. For the rest, I seem to be ok, because I only use affiliate links from my own site and in FB groups and on twitter

Thanks
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myob

9 years ago

This may seem like it's pushing the envelope, but technically there is nothing in Amazon's TOS or Operating Agreement against using email for promoting your own website containing Amazon affiliate links.

In fact, using email is widely considered good practice (as are hundreds of other online/offline marketing methods) provided the association with Amazon is neither implied nor disclosed until prospects arrive on your own "approved" website.

Thanks
1 reply

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master reseller

9 years ago

Originally Posted by myob

This may seem like it's pushing the envelope, but technically there is nothing in Amazon's TOS or Operating Agreement against using email for promoting your own website containing Amazon affiliate links.

In fact, using email is widely considered good practice (as are hundreds of other online/offline marketing methods) provided the association with Amazon is neither implied nor disclosed until prospects arrive on your own "approved" website.

Amazon won't be able to control your site promotion methods, even if that means having an email list that entices people to come back to your site. So long as those emails don't contain actual affiliate links (and are just an ad/invitation to get people to your site), then you should do fine.

Thanks
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Midnight Oil 9 years ago

If you use Constant Contact for your email marketing, it comes with an Amazon widget that you can use. You simply insert the product number and it will load the block for you with the product information.

http://support2.constantcontact.com/articles/FAQ/2141
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nicholasb

9 years ago

There's no real money to be made with the amazon affiliate program, the percentages are too small. The people who are making a ton of money are drop shipping off amazon

Borderline blackhat in my book but a lot of people are doing it, and it can make you a ton of money

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selfdisciplineacademy

8 years ago

Yes, thats acceptable.

If you send people (From email) to your website, with a buy button on it. That's acceptable

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Amazon Affiliate links in email

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