What is Amazon Associates?
Amazon Associates is Amazon’s traditional affiliate program. Anyone with a blog, website, or social media following can apply to become an associate and earn a commission by linking to Amazon products.
Once accepted, you can:
Create affiliate links to any Amazon product
Share those links on your blog, YouTube description box, or social posts
Earn a small commission if someone clicks and buys within 24 hours
It’s simple and widely used—but it has its limits.
What is the Amazon Influencer Program?
The Amazon Influencer Program is an extension of the Associates program, built specifically for creators with an established presence on platforms like:
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Facebook
Influencers in the program get:
A personalized Amazon storefront to showcase favorite products
The ability to post shoppable videos that live on actual Amazon product pages
Access to Creator Connections, a bonus commission program for sponsored campaigns
So while both programs let you earn money by recommending products, Influencer Program members get more tools, better placement, and higher earning potential—especially if you create video content.
Which One Should You Join?
If you’re a content creator with a visual platform and an engaged audience, the Amazon Influencer Program is hands-down the better option. You’ll get all the benefits of the Associates program plus features tailored for social creators.
If you don’t meet the Influencer Program’s requirements yet (we’ll cover those in the next post), starting with Amazon Associates is a great first step.