Amazon.co.uk Associates Blog

Self-Optimizing Links and Content-based Advertising Platforms

We are occasionally asked by Associates "Can I run Amazon Associates' context-based tools, such as Self-Optimizing Links, on the same page as other content-based advertising such as Google AdSense™?"

The short answer is "Yes." For more details read on…

We are aware that some advertising platforms include exclusivity clauses that restrict site owners from using other 3rd party advertising products on their sites. However, Amazon Associates is an affiliate program focused on providing tools that allow website owners to refer their site visitors to purchase Amazon's own products. We are not a 3rd party advertising provider, nor do our ads make any attempt to mimic such programs. As such, Amazon.co.uk Self-Optimizing Links are not in direct competition with contextual advertising networks, which means they can be placed on the same page.

Amazon.co.uk asks for no comparable exclusivity from our Associates. Our perspective is that website owners should control how they monetize their sites to be able to select the best mix of advertising links and affiliate programs. We realize that it can be tricky to navigate the various exclusivity clauses from other companies and wanted to clarify our position. If you receive feedback from other advertising providers that you are not permitted to put Amazon's affiliate links on your site please contact us.

Do you have questions or comments on this topic or others? Please join us on our Associates discussion boards!

Create tracking IDs for your new aStore or for your Amazon.co.uk advertising campaign

Do you want to monitor the success of your various links to Amazon.co.uk quickly and simply? Then take advantage of a great feature for Amazon.co.uk Associates and create tracking IDs for your campaigns and aStores.

With tracking IDs you can analyse the performance of various websites, link placements or advertising strategies and at the same time accumulate referral fees under a single Associate ID. Any tracking ID created in your Associate account will be assigned to your Associate ID.

Example:

An Amazon.co.uk Associate with the Associate ID “your-assoc-id-21” can analyse two different aStores by creating additional tracking IDs using “your-assoc-id1-21” and “your-assoc-id2-21” and can analyse the performance of individual title links that contain this tracking ID using “your-assoc-id3-21”. All tracking IDs generate referral fees for the Associate account “your-assoc-id-21”.

As an Amazon.co.uk Associate you can display the clicks, orders or referral fees for all tracking IDs together in the Associate Central reports or filter the reports according to individual tracking IDs. The tracking ID summary report is particularly useful as it displays the results for all tracking IDs in the form of a summary.

It couldn’t be simpler to create new tracking IDs:

http://affiliate-program.amazon.co.uk/gp/associates/network/store/add-tracking-id.html/

(Amazon.co.uk Associate Login required)

New Self-Optimising-Link Feature: Discount Stickers

As a user of Self-Optimising Links, you may want to know that the Amazon Associates program recently enhanced the display of these links. Product images in Self-Optimising Link ads now include discount stickers showing the percentage that our price has been discounted from the regular list price for Amazon products. Amazon.co.uk customers appreciate this added information, and we believe your site visitors will as well. This feature was requested by many Associates worldwide, and we thought it was a great idea.

This feature has been applied to all active Self-Optimising Link ads on the bottom right corner of the product images where the discount sticker is shown on Amazon.co.uk as well. Here is an example:

We have also enabled you to turn this feature off by going to the Build Links page for Self-Optimising Links and selecting the “Remove Discount Sticker” pulldown from the Amazon Discount menu option.

Remember that all items referred through Self-Optimising Links between November 14, 2006 and December 31, 2006 earn an extra 5% (double the base rate).

Earn Double the Base Rate using aStore and Self-Optimising-Links!

Between November 14, 2006 and December 31, 2006 you can earn additional 5% for units referred via Self-Optimising-Links and aStore.

Use these new features to improve the content on your Website and increase your referral fees now!

New Self-Optimising Links

Self-Optimising Links feature products chosen automatically based on the content of your site. To create Self-Optimising Links simply modify the template and appearance elements and copy the resulting code on to your site. With Self-Optimising Links, you do not need to choose which product, product line or even keyword that best fits a page. Our algorithm will take care of reviewing your site and selecting relevant product offerings.

Amazon.co.uk is now offering new features: You can choose which categories (e.g. DVD and Music) should be used when selecting items to show in your ads. You can also provide keyword feedback about your site to the Self-Optimising Links system. Words and short phrases entered here will be prioritized when looking for products related to your page.   

We very much hope you enjoy using this new technology.  Go to the Self-Optimising Links page to build your links today!