If you’re using Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest, social media or your blog, or thinking about trying it, chances are you’ve already realized two things:
- Amazon is one of the easiest places to start monetizing content
- The real money doesn’t come from just dropping links anywhere you can
I started exactly where most creators do which is Amazon Associates. I started with sharing links in blog posts, on social media and Pinterest. Over time, I realized Amazon has built an entire space for creators, and affiliate links are just the entry point.
This post walks through what I’ve learned about transitioning from Amazon affiliate links into the Amazon Influencer Program, how sharing links helps you qualify, and how creators actually scale their Amazon income using storefronts, onsite videos, rewards, and brand connections.
This post is an overview of Amazon’s affiliate options, meant to give you the big picture, not overwhelm you. You don’t need to do all of this at once.
What Is the Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is designed for content creators—not just website owners.
Instead of earning commissions only when someone clicks your link and buys, influencers can earn money when Amazon places their content directly on Amazon itself.
Here’s the key shift:
Amazon Associates = you send traffic to Amazon
Amazon Influencer Program = Amazon sends traffic to you
As an influencer, you get:
- A customizable Amazon storefront
- The ability to qualify to earn from onsite ads (video reviews)
- Access to creator-only bonuses and programs
- More ways to earn without constantly driving your own traffic
This is where Amazon income stops being “side hustle money” and starts becoming scalable.
Amazon Influencer vs Associates: What’s the Difference?
This distinction matters a lot, especially if you’re building traffic through SEO, Pinterest, or long-form content and wondering why some creators seem to earn way more from Amazon without constantly pushing links.
I didn’t understand this difference at first, and it kept me thinking Amazon income had a ceiling. It doesn’t, but the two programs work very differently.
Amazon Associates
The Amazon Associates program is where most people start and honestly, where they should start. This program is all about you driving traffic to Amazon.
- Anyone can apply (bloggers, Pinterest users, niche site owners)
- You earn a commission when someone clicks your link and makes a purchase
- Your income is directly tied to how much traffic you personally send
- Once the traffic stops, so do the commissions
This is why Amazon Associates is such a good fit for Pinterest creators and bloggers. Search-based traffic compounds over time and one strong post or pin can earn commissions for months (or years).
The downside? There’s a natural limit. If you’re always responsible for bringing in the traffic, scaling means creating more content and figuring out changing algorithms.
Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program is where Amazon shifts from you working for traffic to Amazon working with your content.
Approval is based on your social media presence, not your website. Amazon wants to see:
- Consistent posting
- Real engagement
- Content that naturally features products
Once you’re approved for the Amazon Influencer Program, the way you earn from Amazon changes and opens you up to more opportunities.
You Get a Public Amazon Storefront
Instead of only sharing individual product links, you’re given a public Amazon storefront on Amazon. This storefront becomes a central place where followers can shop everything you recommend. You get one clean link you can share across social media, email and anywhere else you share content
What I’ve learned is that storefronts increase trust. When someone clicks through and sees curated lists instead of random products, they’re far more likely to keep shopping, which increases commissions without you needing to send multiple links.
You Can Earn Commissions From Amazon Traffic
This is one of the biggest differences between Amazon Associates and the Influencer Program.
As an influencer, you can earn commissions from onsite traffic – meaning shoppers who are already on Amazon and never clicked your link in the first place. When Amazon places your content in front of its own customers, you earn without relying on the reach of your posts and click through rate of your links.
Your content can be placed on product pages, search results and Amazon Inspire (Amazon’s internal discovery feed – kind of like scrolling on social media).
This is powerful because your content shows up at the exact moment someone is ready to buy. Instead of convincing someone to shop, you’re helping them decide what to buy—and Amazon rewards that.
You Unlock Onsite Video Commissions
Once your videos are approved for Onsite Earnings, the content you share has the potential to become a completely separate earning stream.
Onsite videos are placed in the product information section of the listing page (not the customer reviews). When someone watches your video then decides to purchase the item, you earn commission on that item on top of your regular affiliate income.
One well-placed video can outperform dozens of affiliate links because it’s working inside Amazon’s listings instead of trying to drive people to the product.
You Become Eligible for Creator Rewards and Bonuses
Amazon regularly runs Creator Rewards programs for influencers.
These bonuses may reward you for a variety of things, but most commonly they will be flat-rate bonuses based on your sales generated. You will also begin to see increased commission rates for certain categories or for certain periods of time. It is important to take advantage of these by focusing on creating content to meet these requirements.
While they’re not guaranteed year-round, they can significantly boost income when available and they reward consistency over going viral.
You Gain Access to Brand Partnerships Through Creator Connections
Finally, influencer approval unlocks Creator Connections, Amazon’s internal platform that connects creators with brands.
This allows you to:
- Partner with brands already selling on Amazon
- Earn higher commissions or bonuses
- Create content that blends affiliate income with brand deals
This is where Amazon influencer income starts to overlap with traditional influencer marketing, without having to pitch brands yourself. I have found that many brands simply odder increased commissions, while others will offer free products in exchange for content. This can also be a great lead into UGC or User Generated Content.
In short, approval for Amazon Influencer doesn’t just add one new way to earn. It adds the opportunity to create multiple income streams on top of the foundation you’ve already built. Once you begin to expand your content on Amazon, that’s where you income can really start to grow.
How to Apply for the Amazon Influencer Program
Amazon doesn’t publish exact numbers, but from experience they seem to look for an active social media account (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook – Pinterest alone does not qualify).
Follower count alone doesn’t guarantee approval. Amazon cares more about the quality and consistency of your content and the interactions you have with your audience.
Tips That Increase Approval Odds
- Post content regularly before applying
- Have clear niches (home, fashion, lifestyle, etc.)
- Show that you already share product-based content (my “fake it ’til you make it” strategy)
- Avoid spammy or low-effort posts
If you’re denied, you can reapply later. Many creators are approved on their second or third attempt.
Where to Share Amazon Affiliate Links to Get Sales
Before influencer status, this is where the real groundwork happens. Here’s where I’ve consistently seen Amazon links perform best.
- Search-based traffic (huge advantage)
- Content lasts months or years
- Ideal for product roundups and inspirational posts
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Blogs
- SEO traffic compounds over time
- Higher trust with readers
- Perfect for tutorials, reviews, and comparisons
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YouTube
- Long-form videos + Shorts
- Strong buyer intent
- Great for demos and “Amazon finds” content
Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
- Share items that are trending
- Build influencer eligibility
- Let your audience know that your intend to recommend products (so make sure it fits with your niche)
LTK & Shopping Platforms
- Built-in shopping audiences
- Works well alongside Amazon links
- Adds credibility for brand partnerships
The point isn’t to be everywhere, it’s to build consistent proof that your content has the ability to drive sales.
How Sharing Amazon Links Helps You Qualify for Influencer Status
This is the part most people miss—and it’s usually why they struggle to get approved or don’t earn much once they are.
Before Amazon gives you influencer tools, they want proof that you already understand how product-based content works. Amazon affiliate links quietly do a lot of heavy lifting here.
When you consistently share Amazon links, you’re doing more than earning small commissions. You’re building a track record.
Amazon affiliate links help you:
- Build a product-based content history
- Show Amazon you understand buyer intent
- Train your audience to trust your recommendations
Every click, conversion, and piece of content is essentially proof that you know how to help people make purchasing decisions.
Why Pinterest and Blogs Matter (Even Though They Don’t Qualify You Directly)
Pinterest and blog traffic are especially powerful supporting tools.
Even though Pinterest and blog content don’t qualify you for the Influencer Program, they help to grow your personal brand and drive traffic to your affiliate links and eventually to your storefront. These may also increase your chances of being accepted to other affiliate and creator programs down the road.
When Amazon looks at your social presence, they’re not just seeing follower numbers. They’re evaluating whether you already function like a product-focused creator. Affiliate programs wants creators who are ready to sell.
Methods That Actually Increase Amazon Earnings
Once your Amazon links start converting, this is where strategy matters more than volume.
Early on, I find the best way to nail down what is working is by creating more content and getting as many links out as possible. Once you find those links that are converting best, hone in on what it is that makes them different.
Here are some things that help content convert best over time:
- Focus on evergreen products, not just trends
Trend content spikes and dies. Evergreen products sell quietly for months or years. Trends can also mean seasonal posts, like holiday gift lists. - Rotate products seasonally instead of creating new content
One post can work multiple times a year with small updates – think “spring cleaning” repurposed to “winter home refresh”. - Use analytics to identify top-converting items
Double down on what’s already working instead of guessing. Always check in with your analytics across platforms (I like to check my stats daily). - Repurpose one product across multiple platforms
A single product or post can live on Pinterest, a blog post, a Reel, a Short and a storefront. - Create comparison-based content
“This vs that” content converts better than generic recommendations because many shoppers are trying to make that distinction in order to make the correct purchase – especially when it comes to big ticket items.
The biggest lesson here: More content doesn’t always mean more money, it means more visibility to find what works. Better-positioned content is more likely to convert.
Amazon Onsite Commissions
Onsite commissions are earned when Amazon places your storefront content around the site. Anyone with an Amazon Influencer storefront can qualify for these opportunities. Your content may be shared on product pages, Amazon Inspire and in shopping suggestions.
To qualify, you’ll need:
- Product-focused videos – think reviews and how-to style
- Clear audio and good quality video
- Compliance with Amazon’s guidelines
Amazon Creator Rewards, Connections and Stars
Once you’re inside the Influencer Program, Amazon unlocks additional programs that reward creators who stick with it consistently.
Creator Rewards
- Bonus programs Amazon runs periodically
- Rewards for posting content and driving sales
Creator Connections
- Amazon’s internal brand-creator matchmaking system
- Brands offer commissions and bonuses for promoting their products in your content
Creator Stars Program
- Tier-based recognition system
- Higher tiers unlock better perks and visibility
These programs are why creators who stick with Amazon long-term see exponential growth. I have seen my best earnings through Amazon when leveraging all of these perks at the same time.
The Smart Amazon Monetization Path (What I’d Do Again)
If I were starting over, I wouldn’t rush influencer approval until I determined my niche. Throwing content at the wall to see what sticks is not a sound strategy. Nail down what you want to be known for and then work through these steps:
- Start with Amazon Associates
- Share links on Pinterest, blogs and social media
- Build proof of conversions and consistency
- Apply for the Influencer Program
- Add storefront lists, images and onsite videos
- Crosspost the same content to your social media
- Layer in bonuses, connections and brand deals
Each step builds on the last.
Is the Amazon Influencer Program Worth It?
Yes—but only if you treat it like a system, not a shortcut.
It’s best for creators who:
- Already share products naturally
- Want scalable, long-term income
- Prefer evergreen content over constant launches
It’s not ideal if you’re looking for instant results or “set it and forget it” passive income. Amazon rewards consistency far more than hype.
How to Get Started
If you’re still getting started with growing your platforms, that’s okay. You don’t need influencer status to begin building momentum.
Consistency should be your main focus. Choose one main niche, one main platform and share daily. Create content that is useful and, though growth may be slow at first, it will eventually start to gain traction. Pay attention to what is getting the best results and lean into that content.
These things apply not only to Amazon affiliate income, but really any side hustle we talk about here.
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This Is How Amazon Income Actually Grows
One of the most important things I’ve learned through this process is that Amazon income rarely looks impressive in the beginning and that’s exactly why so many people quit too early.
Most creators start with a few clicks and a few cents per day – or per week. But those early earnings aren’t the point. What you’re really building is infrastructure.
Every Amazon link you share, every product you test and every piece of content you publish compounds over time. What starts as low, inconsistent income can grow exponentially once multiple pieces are working together: traffic, trust, content and platforms.
That’s the part most people never stick around long enough to see.
How One Amazon Income Stream Leads to Another
Amazon is often the entry point, not the final destination.
Here’s how the growth typically unfolds:
- Amazon affiliate links teach you what sells and how people buy
- Influencer storefronts and onsite videos turn content into passive income
- Creator Connections introduce you to brands that want to pay creators
- Brand relationships open the door to UGC opportunities
- UGC partnerships lead to other income opportunities – for example you may apply to a UGC opportunity that offers increased earnings when you post the content to your personal TikTok shop account
Each income stream builds credibility for the next. You’re not starting over with each one (this is something I got wrong many times) you’re stacking them to build your personal brand with multiple earning opportunities.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Income
When you rely on a single platform or monetization method, income is fragile. But when you build systems that support each other, income becomes more stable and more scalable.
Amazon is a great jumping off point because it rewards consistency, pays for helpful content and creates opportunities beyond affiliate links.
If you’re earning very little right now, that doesn’t mean this isn’t working. It usually means you’re still early in the growth phase. And for creators who stay consistent, that’s the phase that eventually changes everything.
Want Support While You’re Building This? Join My Free Community
If you’re reading this and thinking “Okay, this makes sense…but I don’t want to figure it all out alone,” that’s exactly why I created the Side Hustle Studio.
Side Hustle Studio is my free community on Skool for creators and side hustlers who are working on building real income streams starting with things like Amazon, content and product-based monetization and expanding from there.
It is a space to ask questions and get feedback and support from people who are building alongside you (not competing with you).
And if you want to see more content about side hustles that I have tried you can subscribe to my channel on YouTube and follow me on TikTok and Facebook!
