Are you a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program, wondering why your Amazon affiliate links are not working? You’ve landed in just in the right spot! Let’s explore the various reasons why this could be happening.
The primary reason for malfunctioning Amazon affiliate links, often in most cases is because of a missing tag ID in the links.
However, a few other factors could make you feel like your affiliate links aren’t functioning as expected. Let’s go over these reasons in detail, and see how we can fix them.
Missing Tag ID in Your Amazon Affiliate Link
Imagine you’re baking a cake but forget to add sugar. Would it taste good? Nope. The same principle applies to your Amazon affiliate links. Without the essential ‘tag ID’, it’s bound to fail.
A standard Amazon affiliate link should look like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/?tag=[other info]
Your link not working may be because it’s missing the user tag. Why is the user tag so critical? It’s the special ingredient that enables Amazon to track clicks and commissions on your links.
When people click on a link without your tag ID, it’s akin to a guest at a party who didn’t sign the guest book. The host (Amazon’s affiliate tracking system, in this case) won’t know that they were ever there.
Incorrect Tag ID in Your Amazon Affiliate Link
This is similar to the previous issue. What if the guest at the party signs the guest book but with someone else’s name? That’s what happens when an incorrect tag ID is specified in your Amazon affiliate link. This minor error can mean significant losses in your affiliate revenue.
Delayed Reporting in Amazon Associate Dashboard
What if your link clicks aren’t immediately visible? It might seem like your Amazon Affiliate link isn’t working, but there’s no need to worry. Amazon Affiliate Program’s reporting updates every 24 hours, much like a clock that strikes once a day. Rest assured, the clicks and commissions will be updated. It’s only a matter of time, so grab a coffee and be patient!
Broken Link Shortener
To make links, more user-friendly (like using a nickname for a really long name), people often use link shorteners. However, be sure to check if the final link isn’t missing your tag ID. This could be the culprit behind your Amazon link not working.
Use of Ad-blockers
Have you ever tried talking to someone who’s wearing headphones? It’s quite a challenge, isn’t it? That’s what using ad blockers is like. They effectively “block” the ads from your site. This means no links are displayed, which means no Amazon affiliate commissions.
In this case, tell your users gently to desactivate their ads blocker in your website.
Pointing to Unavailable Products
Are you pointing to products that are no longer in stock? This situation is like sending people to a shop that’s permanently closed. You’ll see lots of clicks but no commissions from the Amazon Affiliate program. This happens because you get paid by purchases, not by clicks. To detect out-of-stock products, you can use tools like Affiliates-Pal’s software.
Suspended or Banned Amazon Affiliate Account
Last but not least, if your Amazon Associates account has been suspended or banned, all your links will stop working, much like a car that’s run out of fuel. There could be several reasons leading to this unfortunate situation.
As a participant in the Amazon Associates program, you’re required to abide by a specific operating agreement. If you break this agreement, your account can get suspended or banned. It’s like breaking the rules in a game – if you don’t play by the book, you could get penalized.
Based on the information extracted from the Amazon Affiliate Program Policies, here are some common mistakes you should steer clear of to avoid messing up your Amazon affiliate link:
- Promoting Inappropriate Content: Your site should not promote or contain explicit or obscene materials.
- Misleading Claims: Be honest! Don’t make misleading claims about any product, Amazon’s policies, promotions, or prices.
- Improper Linking: Your Special Links must link directly to products. Avoid encouraging customers to bookmark your Special Links.
- Incorrect Pricing: Ensure the product prices and availability displayed on your site match Amazon’s.
- Violation of Intellectual Property Rights: Your site should respect all intellectual property rights. This includes not using any trademark of Amazon or its affiliates in any inappropriate way.
- Improper Use of Special Links: Don’t post any Special Links on Amazon or link to any page on your site from Amazon, specifically to promote your Special Links.
We’ve covered quite a bit, haven’t we? From missing tag IDs to broken link shorteners, there are several reasons why your Amazon affiliate links might not be working. Remember, patience is key, and a little bit of troubleshooting can go a long way in affiliate marketing. Now that you’re armed with all this knowledge, it’s time to get out there and maximize your affiliate earnings!
Remember to regularly use the Amazon Associates Link Checker and other tools to ensure your links are working properly. Ensure you’re compliant with the operating agreement, and always keep an eye on the products you’re promoting. If you follow these tips, you’re well on your way to becoming a successful Amazon associate!
FAQ
1. What is Amazon’s Affiliate Program?
Amazon’s Affiliate Program, also known as Amazon’s affiliate or Amazon Associate is a performance-based affiliate program that allows website owners and bloggers to create links pointing to Amazon products. These links can be used on your affiliate website. When a visitor clicks on the link, they are redirected to Amazon’s site. If the visitor makes a purchase within 24 hours, the affiliate earns a commission. This process of earning money through purchased items is part of affiliate marketing.
2. How does Amazon track my referrals?
Amazon uses a system of IDs, both your affiliate ID and tracking ID, to track that a visitor has come from your Amazon affiliate link. Your unique ID is embedded in any Amazon link you create through your affiliate dashboard. So, when a visitor clicks on the link, Amazon can track it back to your affiliate account.
3. How can I create an Amazon Affiliate Link?
You can generate an Amazon affiliate link directly from your Amazon Associates dashboard. Simply find the product you want to promote, use the SiteStripe bar to get your affiliate link, and then copy and paste the generated URL onto your WordPress-based site or blog post.
4. What is SiteStripe in relation to Amazon’s Affiliate Program?
SiteStripe is a tool provided by Amazon for its Associates. It is a bar that appears at the top of your Amazon screen while you are logged into your Amazon Associates account. It makes it easy to create Amazon affiliate links directly from any Amazon page. The link created includes your Amazon store ID and tracking ID.
5. Are there tools to check the Amazon Affiliate links on my website?
Yes, there are tools such as the Amazon Link Checker Tool, a part of Amazon’s Associate Central tools, that helps ensure your affiliate links are working properly. This tool can help you identify links on your site that are broken or not properly linked to the Amazon’s Affiliate program.
Amazon affiliate link checker
6. How are Amazon Associate earnings calculated?
Amazon Associate earnings are calculated based on the Advertising Fee Schedule, which varies depending on the product category. Associates receive a percentage of the sales price of all eligible purchases that users make via their affiliate links. This percentage could range from 1% to 10% depending on the product. In addition to this, special rates may apply for certain programs and promotions. It’s crucial for associates to understand that returns, cancellations, and unpaid items can negatively impact earnings.
7.How to make sure that my amazon affiliate link is working
You can use the amazon link checker tool from amazon associates page.