Highlights
- Amazon has been leveraging its affiliates since 1996.
- Amazon's influencer program was launched in 2017.
- Amazon Influencer Program helps influencers monetize their social media skills.
- Approved content can earn influencers between $25 and $100 per video.
- You’ll need an active Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook account to participate in the Amazon Influencer Program.
Amazon's success isn’t just good luck or a wild chance. Amazon worked hard and came this far. It has been leveraging its affiliates and influencers since 1996 to bring external traffic to its site. Amazon uses the Amazon Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program to bring this external traffic.
Especially now, the importance of this external traffic is more than ever. With the increasing complexity of the Amazon A9 algorithm, brands need to be innovative with their marketing strategies. It prioritizes the brands that bring visitors from outside the platform. This is where the Amazon Influencer Program shines, offering sellers a unique edge.
A Way to Stand Out in Competition
Whether you’re a seller on Seller Central, Vendor Central, or a B2B seller, you know that competition is fierce. Nowadays, simply using the right keywords, top-notch images, and amassing positive reviews may not be enough to gain a competitive advantage.
This is where the Amazon Influencer Program can be a powerful way to reach a broader audience. This exposure will help you drive more sales and get the distinction you very much need to stand out on Amazon.
A good thing is that the Amazon influencer program is not only beneficial for sellers. Influencers can earn up to 10% in commissions, so it’s a great way for people who want to monetize their social media skills.
Understanding the Amazon Influencer Program
Though Amazon has been leveraging its affiliates since the 90s, this Amazon influencer program is less than a decade old. Launched in the Amazon Influencer Program allows content creators to earn commissions through personalized storefronts and trackable product links. Here are the top benefits influencers can expect:
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Earnings from Short-Form Video Content
Amazon often invites influencers to create short-form videos for specific product categories. Approved content can earn influencers between $25 and $100 per video. This content may even be featured on Amazon Inspire, Amazon’s in-app, shoppable feed that displays user-generated content (UGC).
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Easy-To-Create Commissionable Links
Influencers can create commissionable links through an admin toolbar, which simplifies link creation while browsing the Amazon website. These links track all sales generated by the influencer’s recommendations.
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Personalized Influencer Storefronts
Influencers can set up their own storefronts on Amazon. This gives them a platform to showcase products they love, all in one place. These storefronts can be customized with profile and banner images, curated product lists, and a personal bio. Followers can easily find all the recommended products by visiting a single storefront link, often in the format amazon.com/shop/(username).
How the Program Works
The Amazon Influencer Program targets social media creators with sizable, loyal followings. Amazon influencer program requirements are different from Amazon Associate Program.
The Amazon Associates Program is more suited for bloggers and niche website owners. However, the Influencer Program is for those who directly engage with audiences on social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
Here are the main differences between the two programs:
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Amazon Associates
Users share links to individual products on their websites or social channels.
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Amazon Influencers
Members promote their custom Amazon storefront, which aggregates all their product recommendations.
Influencers can share storefront links across platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and their own websites, allowing easy access for followers.
Who Can Join the Amazon Influencer Program?
Amazon’s requirements for this program are more selective, assessing follower count and engagement metrics. You’ll need an active Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook account preferably a business account for Instagram or Facebook for an Amazon influencer program sign-in. Meeting Amazon’s criteria increases your chance of acceptance but doesn’t guarantee entry.
Amazon also performs periodic reviews to ensure influencers remain eligible and meet the program’s standards. If you’re accepted, you’ll have the chance to start earning through commissions and content-related bonuses.
New for 2024: Amazon Creator Stars Tiered Rewards
In August 2024, Amazon introduced Creator Stars, a tiered rewards system for influencers. As influencers drive more traffic and sales, they earn points and progress through different tiers, each with unique perks:
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Bronze
Content placement on Amazon, Creator Connections access, exclusive shopping event opportunities, and access to Amazon Private Brands Handbook.
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Silver
Includes Bronze perks plus free Kindle Vella stories and early deals from Amazon Private Brands.
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Gold
Bronze and Silver benefits, plus promotional codes for Amazon Private Brands.
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Platinum
All previous perks plus seasonal gift boxes, event invites, photo shoots for Amazon Private Brands, and even the chance to create custom product colors.
How to Apply
Want to become an Amazon influencer and ready to leverage your social media influence? Here’s how to apply to the Amazon Influencer Program:
- Visit the Amazon Influencer Program page and sign up.
- Connect an existing Amazon customer or associate account, or create a new one.
- Link your preferred social media account, then submit your application. From there Amazon will assess your application based on the factors like follower count and engagement factor for eligibility.
- For YouTube and Facebook, you’ll receive instant approval or denial. Instagram and TikTok applications may take up to five days to review.
- Once approved, set up your storefront by adding images, a bio, and curated product lists. Start promoting your storefront link across your social platforms.
Conclusion
Transform your social media skills into a source of income through the Amazon influencer program. Start building your Amazon storefront and position yourself to earn through the booming world of influencer marketing.
FAQs
How many followers do you need for the Amazon influencer program?
Although Amazon hasn’t revealed any specific number for them to assess the applicant for their influencer program, still influencers should have a minimum of 1000 followers to apply for the program.
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