In today’s digital age, influencers greatly impact shaping opinions and trends. With the ability to reach large audiences, influencers can turn their online presence into a way to make money. From sponsored content to working with brands, there are plenty of ways for influencers to earn income while sharing what they love. One great opportunity for influencers is the Amazon Influencer Program.
Amazon’s influencer program is an easy and effective way to make money while offering valuable recommendations to their audience. Influencers and people who want to create a good income source and are comfortable with making content should know about this program, and that’s why we are here with a detailed guide.
What is the Amazon Influencer Program?
The Amazon Influencer Program started in 2017, is designed to bring more buyers to the Amazon platform and help content creators to earn money by promoting products. According to the Source Approach, over 37% of Amazon traffic comes from Amazon influencers. Influencers can earn commissions through trackable product links and personalized storefront pages.
The program offers three key benefits:
Earnings for Short-Form Video Content: Amazon often requests short-form videos from influencers, paying between $25 and $100 for approved videos about specific products. These videos may be featured on Inspire, Amazon’s new personalized shopping feed.
Easy Commissionable Links: Influencers can earn money by sharing links to Amazon products. They have a hub where they can easily create and track these links, or they can use an admin toolbar to generate links while browsing Amazon.
Personalized Storefronts: Amazon provides influencers with their own storefronts, where they can showcase and recommend products. Influencers earn commissions when customers make purchases through their storefront links. They can personalize their storefront with images, curated product lists, and a bio, adding products via the affiliate portal or toolbar.
2024 Update: Amazon Creator Stars Tiered Rewards
In August 2024, Amazon introduced a new feature in the Amazon Influencer Program called Amazon Creator Stars. This feature allows all eligible creators in good standing with the Amazon influencer program to earn points for generating sales and engaging with content. To be eligible for the program, you need to have either at least 100 link clicks or at least $1 in shipped revenue during the last quarter.
As creators accumulate points (by driving more sales or clicks), they move up through different tiers, with each tier offering better rewards and benefits.
- Bronze Tier: Creators get their content featured on Amazon, opportunities through Creator Connections, access to large shopping events at the bronze level, and the Amazon Private Brands Handbook.
- Silver Tier: Creators receive free Kindle Vella stories, early deals from Amazon Private Brands, and silver-level access to large shopping events.
- Gold Tier: Creators earn an Amazon Private Brands promo code and gold-level access to large shopping events.
- Platinum Tier: Creators enjoy exclusive perks like seasonal gift boxes, platinum-level access to shopping events, invites to creator events, the chance to design color for Amazon Private Brands, and photo shoots for the Amazon Private Brands Handbook and Creator Picks.
This tiered reward system shows that Amazon is expanding its Influencer Program to provide more than just affiliate links and codes, recognizing that social creators need more diverse incentives to succeed.
Amazon Influencer Program Requirements
Now that you know about the Amazon Influencer Program, you might be curious about what it takes to join.
Here are the key requirements for the Amazon Influencer Program:
Social Media Presence
The program works with four social media platforms: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. You’ll need a public account on one of these platforms. If you’re using Instagram or Facebook, it has to be a business account. You also need a certain number of followers, though there’s no official minimum. However, having a good number of active followers is important. The more engaged your followers are, the better.
Engagement Metrics
- Create high-quality, consistent content that your audience enjoys.
- Have followers who regularly like, comment, and share your posts.
- A good Click-through rate (CTR) on your product promotions shows that your audience trusts your recommendations.
Other Considerations
- Your brand or niche should match the types of products you plan to promote on Amazon.
- Follow Amazon’s Influencer Content Guidelines to avoid getting your content rejected.
For example, if you have around 2,000 followers on Instagram, it might seem small, but if your followers are actively engaging with your posts, it shows strong influence.
Meeting these criteria helps show Amazon that you have the power to effectively promote products to your audience. Now, let’s move on to learn how to apply for the Amazon Influencer Program.
How to Apply for the Amazon Influencer Program?
Now let’s see the process to apply for the Amazon Influencer Program and start making money by recommending products.
Step 1: Sign Up for the Amazon Influencer Program
If you’re new to Amazon, start by signing up for the influencer program.
Visit the Amazon Influencer Program homepage and click “Sign up.” If you’re already an Amazon customer or have an Amazon Associates account, you can use your existing login details to apply.
If not, click “Create a new account” and fill in your name, email, password, and address to get started.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Next, choose a social media account to link to your application so Amazon can check if you’re eligible. You can select Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Facebook.
If you link a YouTube or Facebook business account, you’ll get instant approval. However, if you use Instagram or TikTok, it may take up to 5 days for a decision. To improve your chances, it’s best to apply with the account that has the most followers and engagement.
How to Create Your Amazon Influencer Store?
You’ll get an email letting you know if you’ve been approved or if more steps are needed. After Amazon approves your application, you can start building your storefront to showcase your favorite Amazon products.
Step 3: Design Your Amazon Influencer Storefront
Visit the Amazon Influencer Program homepage and click “Sign In” this time.
Here, you can add a storefront logo, a background image, a title, and a tagline. These elements are simple but important in making your storefront unique and reflecting what your brand is all about. Use them thoughtfully to connect with your target audience.
When recommending products, it’s best to choose the ones you use. This makes it easier to create content and adds authenticity to your recommendations. After completing these steps, click “Continue” to move on to the next step.
Step 4: Complete Your Account Information
Next, enter your account details like your business name, address, and phone number. Make sure all information is accurate and consistent to speed up Amazon’s review process. If there are any discrepancies after approval, Amazon may temporarily suspend your account for verification.
Then, click “Next” to proceed to the operating agreement page. Agree to the program’s terms and conditions, and click “Done.” You can now access your Amazon Influencer Storefront.
While waiting for approval, you can start setting up your storefront. Once you’re approved, you can begin earning commissions from product recommendations on Amazon. Curious about how much you can earn as an Amazon Influencer? We’ll explore the exact commission rates in the next section.
How to Get Approved for the Amazon Influencer Program?
To get approved for the Amazon Influencer Program, here are a few tips that might help:
- Make sure your account is public and has a good number of active followers.
- Regularly post content that your audience enjoys. Build a Strong Social Media Presence.
- Share content that your followers find valuable and interesting.
- Encourage consistent engagement with likes, comments, and shares.
- Stick to a niche or theme that matches the products you want to promote on Amazon.
- Make sure your content follows Amazon’s rules to avoid any problems during the approval process.
With these tips and by maintaining a strong, engaged social media presence, you improve your chances of getting approved for the Amazon Influencer Program.
How Much Do Amazon Influencers Get Paid?
Statista forecasts that the global influencer market will generate $22.2 billion in revenue by 2025, more than doubling the $9.7 billion achieved in 2020. As shoppers increasingly rely on their favorite creators to find new products, the influencer industry continues to grow rapidly. Becoming an influencer could offer earning potential beyond your expectations.
However, Amazon Influencers can earn three types of commissions:
Off-site Commission
Offsite Commission Amazon offers set commission rates for different product categories, ranging from 1% to 20% per qualifying sale.
For example, you can earn a 20% commission on products in the Amazon Games category, and a 10% commission in categories like Luxury Beauty and Amazon Explore. Categories like Televisions and Digital Video Games offer only a 2% commission, but if you pick moderate to high-value electronic items, then it will also be equally or more profitable, check the example below:
If you promote a popular $2,000 OLED TV with a 2% commission rate to your 5,000 followers, and just 1% of them buy it, you’d earn $2,000 just by sharing the link on your Instagram bio! Impressive, right?
It is also important to review Amazon’s Commission Income Statement to decide which products to promote. You can find detailed commission rates for all Amazon categories in the table below:
Additionally, Amazon takes time to process payments. You’ll receive your commissions 60 days after the month the products were bought. So if a TV is sold in May, you’ll get paid in July. Also, if a customer cancels the order or it hasn’t shipped yet, you won’t receive your payment.
Amazon Bounty Events Commission
Additionally, you might not know that besides promoting products, you can also recommend Amazon services, called Bounties, through the Amazon Associates program.
The Amazon Bounty Program offers fixed commissions for each service you promote. For example, if someone signs up for Amazon Baby Registry through your influencer page, you’ll earn a $3 commission per referral.
Onsite Commission
In addition to earning commissions by promoting products and services to your audience, Amazon influencers can also make money through Onsite Earnings. This happens when your shoppable content and product recommendations appear to customers while they browse and search on Amazon.
If your content is selected and customers click on it and make a purchase, you’ll earn onsite rates. Onsite earnings don’t include traffic you send directly to Amazon, but you still receive your regular influencer commission rates and credit for the traffic you drive.
As part of the Amazon Influencer Program, you automatically get an Onsite Store ID to track your earnings from your content on Amazon.
How to Promote Your Amazon Influencer Storefront?
Now when you become an Amazon Influencer and know about this program well, the next step is promoting your storefront to your audience effectively.
Here are some ways to spread the word about your storefront link on different platforms:
Instagram/TikTok
According to Influencer Marketing Hub’s “The State of Influencer Marketing 2023” report, TikTok is now the most popular channel for influencer marketing, surpassing Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Here are few things you can do on Instagram/TikTok:
- Maximizing Your Bio: Start by adding a link to your storefront in your bio, which is a brief introduction to you and your brand on social media. This makes it easy for followers to discover your recommended products, potentially boosting engagement and sales.
- Promoting in Posts: When you post about specific products, mention the link in your bio so followers know where to shop.
- Stories for Engagement: Use Instagram/TikTok stories to highlight products. Since stories disappear after 24 hours, they offer a timely way to showcase items. You can also save these stories in your Instagram highlights to keep them accessible on your profile indefinitely.
Facebook remains the largest social network by far, but its era of being cool and trendy appears to be over. Since it is still the largest social networking site. Here are a few things you can do to promote your Amazon storefront.
- Profile Placement: Add your storefront link in the “About” section of your Facebook profile.
- Using Stories: Like Instagram, Facebook stories last for 24 hours and are a great way to naturally draw attention to your recommended products and your profile.
- Shop Now Button: Connect the “Shop Now” button on your Facebook profile to your storefront. You can do this by selecting “Add a button” under your cover photo and choosing “Shop” from the menu options. For more help, refer to Facebook’s customization guide.
- Product Posts: Always include a link to your storefront when posting about products on Facebook, alongside the direct link to the product.
YouTube
YouTube is one of the best platforms for influencer marketing. You can promote your Amazon storefront with:
- Channel Description: Place your storefront link in the “About” section of your YouTube channel, making it easy for viewers to find your recommended products.
- Video Descriptions: Include your storefront link and product URLs in your video descriptions. This ensures viewers can easily find and purchase items you discuss in your videos.
- In-Video Mentions: Don’t forget to mention your storefront link during your videos and use banner ads that link directly to your page.
Other Way of Promotion
- Twitter: Tweeting is a simple way to regularly promote your storefront. If there’s room, include the link directly in your tweets. Otherwise, direct followers to the link in your bio.
- Snapchat: Like Instagram, Snapchat stories provide a quick and unique way to showcase products and direct followers to your storefront.
- Podcasts: If you host a podcast or use other audio platforms, mention your Amazon storefront and include the link in your podcast description. This way, listeners can easily explore your recommendations.
- Website & Blog: If you don’t have a website then have one. Your website or blog is where readers come to learn about your product recommendations. Regularly update your content and include links to both the products you discuss and your storefront to create a valuable resource for your visitors.
To successfully promote your Amazon influencer storefront, focus on a few key platforms that resonate with your audience. By concentrating your efforts, you’ll build a stronger online presence, attract more followers, and increase your sales over time.
Amazon Influencer Program vs Affiliate Program
While both programs offer similar commission rates and account management features, influencers might have a slight advantage in driving traffic and engagement. This is because they can build a loyal audience and create personalized stores, offering a more tailored shopping experience compared to scattered affiliate links.
The main difference between the Amazon Influencer and Amazon Associates programs lies in how members direct their audience to the products they promote. Here is a quick comparison in the below table:
| Feature | Amazon Influencer | Amazon Associates (Affiliate) |
| Platform Focus | Social media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) | Website/Blog |
| Minimum Requirements | Established social media presence with engaged followers | Website/Blog with content |
| Specific Requirements | High-quality, engaging content | Flexible content creation |
| Product Promotion | Personalized storefront on Amazon | Individual product links and banners |
| Link Sharing Flexibility | Limited (platform restricted) | Flexible (can be placed anywhere on your platform) |
| Benefits | Brand building, early access to products, potential for higher commissions (on specific categories) | Lower barrier to entry, wider product range |
In the Associates Program, you share affiliate links for specific products on your website or social media. In contrast, the Influencer Program allows you to create customized storefronts on Amazon.
Conclusion
The Amazon Influencer Program gives content creators a great way to earn money by sharing products they truly like. Success in this program depends on making relevant, engaging content and promoting high-value items that your audience will appreciate. With the 2024 updates and new reward tiers, there’s even more potential to earn. So, take the time to understand your audience, create quality content, and use your social media platforms effectively. The rewards can be significant if you stay dedicated and plan your approach well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amazon Influencer program legit?
Yes, the Amazon Influencer Program is real and trustworthy. It’s an official program from Amazon where content creators and influencers can earn money by promoting products through their storefronts or links. Many influencers use it to make money from their recommendations.
How can I join Creator Stars?
If you’re a part of the Amazon Influencer Program and meet the requirements, you’ll automatically be added to the program. To qualify, you need to have at least 100 link clicks or have earned at least $1 in shipped revenue in the last quarter.
Is the Amazon Influencer Program free?
Yes, joining the Amazon Influencer Program is free. It allows content creators and influencers to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products, with no joining fee.
How much do Amazon Influencers earn?
Amazon Influencers’ earnings depend on things like their audience size, how engaged their followers are, and the products they promote. They usually earn commissions ranging from 1% to 20% for each sale they help generate.
