Every Amazon Associate knows they have to use the official statement: "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases."
But did you know that where you put that statement is just as important as the statement itself?
Many experienced affiliates—even the big ones—make small mistakes that break Amazon’s rules and the government’s rules (the FTC), putting their entire business at risk of being shut down. Amazon doesn't give many warnings; they just take action.
If you fix these five common mistakes, you can protect your income and keep your account safe.
Mistake 1: Hiding Your Disclosure Below the "More" Button
This is the fastest way to break the rules on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and long YouTube descriptions.
The Problem:
Both Amazon and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) require your disclosure to be conspicuous. That means it must be "impossible to miss."
On Instagram or Facebook, if your caption is long, the platform hides the rest of the text behind a little button that says "See More" or "...more." If your required disclosure (#ad or the full statement) is after that button, it is considered hidden.
The Simple Fix:
Your disclosure must be in the first one or two lines of your caption or description.
- Wrong: (10 lines of text)... See my favorite outfit of the week! (10 lines of text)... Click the link. #ad
- Right: #ad My outfit is linked! I'm trying this new style for fall... (continue with your 10 lines of text)
The reader needs to know you are getting paid before they even choose to read your post.
Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Disclosure on Social Media
The official statement is too long for a quick tweet or an Instagram story. Many affiliates use shorter tags, but some of those tags are not safe.
The Problem:
Amazon and the FTC require "Clear" language. Some hashtags are too vague or confusing for the average person.
- Vague/Bad Tags:
#collab,#affiliate,#ambassador,#thanks- Why they are bad: These don't clearly tell the customer that you will earn a commission if they buy something.
The Simple Fix:
Stick to the tags Amazon and the FTC specifically recommend because they are crystal clear about money changing hands:
- Safe/Clear Tags: #ad, #sponsored, or (paid link).
- Pro Tip: For a YouTube video or TikTok, you should do all three: state it clearly at the top of the description, verbally mention the disclosure in the video, and check the "Paid Promotion" box in the platform's upload settings.
Mistake 3: Putting Amazon Links Where Amazon Can't See Them
Amazon has a strict policy: they must be able to verify where every single one of your affiliate links is located. If they can't see it, they assume you are cheating.
The Problem:
Amazon strictly forbids using your Special Links in any place that is considered "offline" or "gated" (behind a barrier).
- Forbidden Places:
- Emails and Newsletters
- PDFs and Ebooks (even free ones!)
- Private, password-protected membership areas
- Closed Facebook Groups or private messages
The Simple Fix (The Workaround):
Never place the direct Amazon link in those forbidden spots. Instead, link to a public page on your website that then contains the affiliate link.
- Example (for an email): Instead of linking directly to the product, link to a sentence that says: "Read my full review of the product on my blog here." The link in the email goes to your public blog post, and the link in the blog post goes to Amazon. Amazon can see your blog post, so you are safe.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to List Every Single Platform
When you first signed up for the Amazon Associates Program, you had to provide a list of your websites and social media channels. If you start using a new one, you must update your list.
The Problem:
If Amazon finds your affiliate links on a channel (like a new TikTok account or a second blog) that is not listed in your Associates Central dashboard, they consider that a violation.
The Simple Fix:
Log into your Associates Central Dashboard today. Go to the "Account Settings" and find your "Website and Mobile App List."
- Make sure every single place you put an affiliate link is listed there, including your specific YouTube channel URL, your Facebook page URL, and every blog or website you use.
- If you stop using a platform, it is best to remove it from the list.
Mistake 5: Copying Amazon's Own Reviews or Star Ratings
You know you can't download and re-upload product pictures, but the rules are just as strict about Amazon's customer reviews and star ratings.
The Problem:
You are not allowed to display or use Amazon's customer reviews, star ratings, or any quote from a customer review on your website or social media. Amazon owns that information.
This includes things like:
- Saying, "This product has 4.5 stars on Amazon."
- Copying and pasting a customer review onto your blog.
The Simple Fix:
Only use review content that you wrote yourself. If you want to talk about how popular a product is, use your own words:
- Safe Language: "This product is extremely popular with thousands of great reviews," or "The people who bought this love the battery life."
- The Tool Fix: You can use Amazon's official widgets or SiteStripe tool to pull in dynamic product information—these are safe because Amazon controls the data and updates it constantly.
Protect Your Earnings Now
Fixing these five common mistakes will immediately make your affiliate business more professional and more secure. Don't wait for Amazon's email—I'd look at these things now if I were you.