How to Become an Amazon Influencer and Get Paid (My Experience)

If you’re someone who has a social media following or are in the affiliate marketing space, then adding ‘Amazon Influencer’ to your title is something you may want to do. 

It’s the opportunity to partner with the largest e-commerce company in the world and a chance to earn affiliate income through a customizable Amazon Influencer storefront. 

When you consider the over 200 million Amazon Prime accounts worldwide, up from 150 million in 2019, it’s no wonder creators are interested in learning how to become an Amazon Influencer.

Not long ago, I also found myself curious to learn more about how to apply and get into the program. I’m happy to report that I have since been accepted into the program and am now a paid Amazon Product Tester Influencer.

If you’re interested in details about my experience and how the program works, then I’ve laid it all out for you here. 

Who Can Become an Amazon Influencer

If you want to become an Influencer for Amazon, then there are some things you need to know about before you apply. Knowing these eligibility requirements will ensure you give yourself the best chances of getting accepted into the program quickly. 

Eligibility Requirements for Amazon Influencer Program

Amazon accepts applications from all types of influencers. Though they do have a preference for the social media channels they want their influencers to be a part of in order to apply. I’ve listed these below. 

Other than that, Amazon has been very vague in giving exact criteria for what is needed in order to become an eligible influencer.

Here is what we know so far:

• Must have a YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok account.

• If you are applying using an Instagram or Facebook account, you are required to use a business account.

• Must meet Amazon qualitative and quantitative thresholds (although no exact follower count or metrics are given)

• Must complete the registration process

• Must comply with the Associates Program Operating agreement and Influencer Program Policy.

Twitter used to be an accepted social channel, but they have since taken this option away.

Also, while no metric is given for the specific follower count needed to apply, the rule of thumb here is to follow the recommended social media follower count stated in Amazon’s Associate program.

In this instance, Amazon states:

“Your social network page or group must be established, with a substantive number of organic followers/likes (in most cases, at least 500). It must also be publicly available (for example, no closed or hidden group pages) and you may not apply with a social media page where either your posts or the number of followers/subscribers are hidden from non-followers.”

How to Become an Amazon Influencer

The Amazon Influencer application process is straightforward and doesn’t take long to complete. When I went through this, it took me about 15 minutes to apply from start to finish!

Step 1: Apply on the Amazon Influencer Page 

The first step is to apply via the Amazon Influencer application page. Here, you’ll be directed to choose an existing Amazon account to associate with your Influencer content. 

If you’re already part of the Amazon Associates program, then use your existing Associate account to sign up.

If you prefer to keep your Amazon shopping history separate for some reason, then you’ll also have the option to create an entirely new account.

Step 2: Connect Your Social Media Account

Part of the application process is to connect your social media account to Amazon and grant them access to data connected to that account. If you’re ok with that, then go ahead and connect one of the four eligible social media accounts to Amazon.

In my case, I granted Amazon permission to my YouTube channel, which is owned by Google. At the time, my channel had 9,000 subscribers and lots of engagement on the videos. Once I connected my YouTube account, Google alerted me to the change via email.

Almost immediately after that, Amazon instantly approved me for the Influencer program. 

If you get denied for any reason, don’t get discouraged. 

Try applying with another social media account where you have at least 500 followers and that gets good engagement. If you still find yourself needing help to get approved, then this program shows you how to quickly build a following and start earning Amazon Influencer commissions.

Step 3: Create an Amazon Storefront

After getting approved, the last step is to create your Amazon Storefront. This is where you’ll be able to customize your little corner on Amazon and where your followers can see your Amazon recommended products. 

Unlike Amazon Associates, you’ll have a vanity Amazon URL storefront link (mine looks like this: www.amazon.com/shop/pilarnewman) to share on your social media channels. Many influencers, such as TikTokers add these to their link in bio.

With TikTok emerging as the next favorite social selling platform, you’ll find a slew of Influencers sharing short reels of their favorite Amazon products under the hashtag #AmazonFinds and #FoundItOnAmazon.

Amazon Influencer Storefront

Every influencer will customize and create content for their Amazon storefront differently. Some people will suggest you only add products that’s closely aligned to your brand, while others recommend you add products based on your personal and professional interests.

In my case, I decided to cast a wider net that was mainly driven by watching another Amazon Influencer earn over $20k per month with on-site commissions. It’s a commissions program that Influencers can take part in, and one that I’ll go over when I discuss how much Amazon pays their influencers.

First, let’s go over the 4 different types of content you can create on Amazon to earn affiliate commissions.

• Shoppable Photos – Shoppable photos are images displayed on your storefront with a tagged link to Amazon products featured in the photo. Here’s an example of one I did for Clickfunnels books.

• Idea Lists – Idea lists are shoppable product lists that revolve around a similar topic or line of products, such as ‘best gadgets to use in your kitchen.’ Here’s an example of one I did for TikTok Amazon Finds.

• Live Streams – Amazon Livestreams are QVC-like broadcasts where Influencers curate their must have Amazon products and top deals on Amazon Live broadcasts.

• Video Product Reviews – Video reviews are Amazon product reviews you record and showcase in your store. These can also appear on product detail pages. You can check my storefront to see examples of videos I created.

Amazon Storefront Commission Rates

Your Amazon storefront commissions are separated into two categories, ‘off-Amazon’ and ‘on-Amazon’ earnings. Each category has its own commission schedule with varying commission rates based on the sold items designated product category and referral traffic origination.

Off-Amazon Earnings

Off-Amazon earnings capture earnings from referrals from your content outside of the Amazon retail website such as publisher websites, blogs, social media sites, and includes product links, and bounties.

These are earnings from referral traffic you send to Amazon from outside of the Amazon website.

Off-Site Commissions

Off-Amazon earnings are paid out according to the ‘off-site’ associates program commission rate schedule. Pay rates for ‘off-site’ traffic vary between 1 – 20% commissions. Additionally, you can earn upwards of $25 commission per bounty event.

See the updated Amazon off-site commission schedule.

On-Amazon Earnings

On-Amazon earnings capture earnings from referrals from your published content (i.e. articles, livestreams, photos, lists, and videos) on Amazon inclusive of your Influencer storefront.

These are earnings from referral traffic that is already on the Amazon site shopping and who come across your shoppable content on Amazon.

On-Site Commissions

On-Amazon earnings are paid out according to the ‘on-site’ associates program commission rate schedule. Pay rates for ‘on-site’ traffic vary between 0.50 – 5% commissions. Onsite Commission Income will not include Bounty Events.

See the updated Amazon on-site commission schedule.

The earnings potential is massive if your shoppable content gets selected for placement on Amazon product detail pages. This essentially allows Influencers to earn affiliate commissions on purchases from shoppers who are already browsing through the Amazon website. It’s one major earnings difference from Influencer pay vs Amazon Associates program.

This is exactly how one Amazon influencer I follow earned $20k per month in ‘on-site’ commissions doing Amazon video product reviews. It’s also how I quickly earned $500 within my first few weeks as an Amazon Influencer!

Demystifying Amazon Influencer Commissions

When I joined the Amazon Influencer program, I was really confused about the commission rate schedule in terms of how it related to my referral traffic. I use both my blog and social media channels to promote my Amazon storefront. 

So if I sent people from my blog to my Amazon storefront, would that count as ‘on-site’ or ‘off-site’ commissions on eligible purchases? How about if I sent referral traffic to my Amazon store from my second YouTube channel? 

I went searching for answers and below is what I found directly from Amazon’s website via the help section.

I am an Amazon Influencer, and I drive traffic directly to product detail pages and to my storefront. How will this help me? 

Any traffic you drive directly to Amazon product detail pages will be classified as “off Amazon” and any traffic you drive to your storefront will be classified as “On Amazon”. With this new consolidated summary, you can see how on and off Amazon placements are performing as soon as you click “Reports”

I am an Amazon onsite associate, and I drive traffic to Amazon through my website’s articles and publish content onsite to Amazon. How will this help me?

Any traffic you drive directly to Amazon from your website or with tags from your standard associate store ID will be classified as “off Amazon” and any referrals that result from your published content being featured in Amazon placements will be classified as “On Amazon”. Previously, you would have to switch between store IDs to view reporting details, and now we have simplified this with a consolidated view across your store IDs.

What is the Amazon Bounty Program?

The Amazon Bounty program is a subset of commissionable purchases that have a fixed payout amount. Examples of bounty events are new sign-ups or registrations to services and programs such as Amazon Business, Amazon Prime Free Trial and more.

Bounty Eligible Program	Bounty Action	Bounty Rate
Amazon Business	Successful registration for an Amazon Business account	$15.00
Amazon Prime Free Trial	Successful registration for Amazon Prime Free Trial	$3.00
Amazon Wedding Registry	Successful creation of, and addition of at least 1 item to, an Amazon Wedding Registry	$3.00
Audible Gold Digital Membership	Successful registration for an Audible Gold Digital Membership on Amazon.com	$10.00
Kindle Unlimited Free Trial	Successful registration for Kindle Unlimited Free Trial	$3.00

How Amazon Influencers Get Paid

Amazon Influencers can get paid via Direct Deposit, Amazon.com gift card, or have a check sent to them. Each method requires a minimum of $10 in order to receive a payout.

Commission income is paid approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which you earn the commission. You will not be paid for returns or ineligible orders (these are products you purchase on Amazon using your own affiliate link, purchases made by an influencer’s friend, relative, contractor, employee or who you have other business relations with).

How Much Does Amazon Pay Their Influencers

Amazon on-site associates earn between 0.50 – 5% commissions on eligible purchases. Influencers also have the ability to earn off-site commissions and earn on bounty events. 

To-date, I’ve received two Amazon Influencer paychecks. My first Influencer paycheck was for $97.90, while my second payment was much higher at $482.64. I elected for my payments to be sent via direct deposit to my bank account.

Become an Amazon Influencer Conclusion

Here, I shared my personal experience on how to become an Amazon Influencer and get paid for product reviews. My hope is that it’s helped you get a better understanding of how the Amazon Influencer program works, so you can determine whether it’s the right program for you.

I’ve found success with the Influencer program in recording Amazon product reviews and earning on-site commissions. It’s a strategy that has earned me over $1,000 to date with the Influencer program.

To learn more about how to quickly build an audience and start earning as an Amazon Influencer, check out the Faceless video reviews program.