Found My Niche: Changes In Amazon Affiliate Program

If you're an Amazon.com affiliate, be sure to read your notices and newsletters. This doesn't apply to me but I felt I should pass it on for those who don't keep up with their e-mail - as if I always do, hehe...

I received this on April 6th:

After careful review of how we are investing our advertising resources, we have made the decision to no longer pay referral fees to Associates who send users to www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, or www.endless.com through keyword bidding and other paid search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search engines, and their extended search networks. If you're not sure if this change affects you, please visit this page for FAQs.

As of May 1, 2009, Associates will not be paid referral fees for paid search traffic. Also, in connection with this change, as of May 1, 2009, Amazon will no longer make data feeds available to Associates for the purpose of sending users to the Amazon websites in the US or Canada via paid search.

This change applies only to the Associates programs in North America. If you are conducting paid search activities in connection with one of Amazon’s Associates Programs outside of the US and Canada, please refer to the applicable country’s Associates Program Operating Agreement for relevant terms and conditions.

I didn't even know that associates were allowed to do that. I've been an associate for several years and all I've earned are some very nice gift certificates, which has helped me buy books and DVD's I really want without feeling guilty about spending money.

I love a-stores even though I'm not sure I've made anything from them. They're fun to set up and it makes it easier to find a product link on items you've included in your store. Simply link to either the category page or product page. When your store has a specific topic and related products, visitors are more likely to stay awhile and browse the rest of your store, resulting in sales.

Here's a list of the stores I've created:

The Online Money Store

Creature Comforts Central

Living Green

The Dreams and Visions Shoppe

Amazon allows you to create up to 100 stores and they have an endless number of products to fill them up with. So, if you love virtual shopping or are really bored, try creating your own little online mall.

Thanks for reading!
Parthena

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