All About the Amazon Influencer Program (AIP)
An Amazon influencer has a customized Amazon storefront to promote Amazon products through reviews and recommendations. As an Amazon influencer, you can make substantial commissions. But only some people can qualify as an Amazon influencer.
To learn more, this guide to Amazon’s influencer status in 2024 provides details on:
- The Amazon Influencer Program (AIP)
- How Amazon Influencers Earn Commissions
- Difference between Amazon influencers and Amazon affiliates
- Amazon influencer requirements
- How to apply to become an Amazon influencer
- How to succeed as an Amazon influencer
The Amazon Influencer Program (AIP)
First launched in 2017, the Amazon Influencer Program provides established social media influencers—those who promote products on various platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and X with large followings—with their own customized Amazon storefronts. When Amazon influencer followers click on the unique storefront link, they can shop for products the Amazon influencer has tested, reviewed, and endorsed.
Amazon influencers can customize their storefronts to reflect their branding. This provides a seamless extension of their branding on their other social media platforms; followers can remain confident that the Amazon influencer is the same one they rely on for recommendations via other channels.
How Amazon Influencers Earn Commissions
Purchases made through the Amazon influencer’s storefront earn a commission. How much an Amazon influencer stands to make depends in part upon the products they are recommending as an extension of their brand (i.e., a fashion influencer and a pet food influencer are reviewing different products that carry different commission rates) as well as the engagement rates of their followers as well as how many followers they have.
With that qualification, Amazon influencers generally report earnings somewhere in the neighborhood of $5,000 per month, with commission rates varying from 1% to 20%, with an average of around 10%. That’s no guarantee, of course, but it is to say becoming an Amazon influencer, and putting the work into posting attention and getting recommendations on the Amazon influencer storefront, does represent significant potential earnings.
One possible drawback to note is that commissions are paid out 60 days after a promoted product is bought. So you need to be aware of cash flow. Also, if a customer cancels an order, the commission is canceled.
Difference Between Amazon Influencers and Amazon Affiliates
While similar, there are differences between Amazon influencers and Amazon affiliates. Both use the same commission rates, account management features, and various reporting functions. The major difference is that Amazon influencers operate from a unique Amazon storefront. That provides Amazon influencers with a slight advantage in terms of higher traffic and engagement.
Amazon Influencer Requirements
Amazon does recruit social media influencers for its Amazon influencer program. But anyone can apply, regardless of a particular niche. However, you must have a social media presence. Facebook and Instagram influencers must have a designated business profile Amazon can access to determine eligibility.
Apply to become an Amazon influencer through any of your social media accounts; it’s recommended to use the account where you have the most influence and followers. Amazon reviews the account for:
- Number of followers (though there is no minimum, but the more you have, the better your chances; not having a lot of followers doesn’t necessarily disqualify you; Amazon accepts niche micro- and nano-influencers as long as engagements are valuable connections.
- Engagement with followers, e.g., click-through and conversion rates
- Audience niche and demographics
- Influencer strengths and expertise
- History of brand collaborations
- Your brand’s alignment with Amazon’s branding
How to Apply to Become an Amazon Influencer
When you apply to the Amazon influencer program, provide:
- URL link and username for one of your social media sites, preferably one with the highest follower account; note, you must have a YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok account
- Your name and a profile picture to be associated with your Amazon influencer account
- 350-word bio
- Address to send Amazon reports
If accepted, you’ll receive an email verifying that you are now a registered Amazon influencer, with your customer storefront line. You can begin creating content and listing your favorite products.
How to Succeed as an Amazon Influencer
Amazon influencers succeed by building strong relationships with an audience that puts trust in their opinions and recommendations. To do that:
- Develop a brand strategy that connects with your followers and builds trust. Only promote products you believe in that reflect your brand.
- Look for niches that are not already oversaturated with other Amazon influencers. It’s better to be the proverbial big fish in a small pond.
- Design an Amazon storefront page that reflects your branding and provides content that engages your followers.
- Leverage your other social media accounts to promote your Amazon storefront.
- Take advantage of Amazon Live, a live streaming platform to provide product information and demonstrations to your followers; chat features allow followers to interact; clickable links lead to product purchases
Amazon FBA and Getida
You could make the case that Amazon FBA sellers can make as much if not more than Amazon influencers. You do you.
If you are an Amazon influencer curious about moving to selling on Amazon, the FBA program is a quick and easy way to get started, at least as far as handling the logistics end. Many FBA sellers also rely on Getida to ensure they get the FBA refunds owed to them. At Getida, we influence how many FBA sellers get back money owed to them.
