Amazon Affiliate India Review + My Real Earnings!
Can you really make money with the Amazon Affiliate Program in India, or is it just overhyped clickbait?
If you’ve ever found yourself asking that question while scrolling through flashy YouTube thumbnails or over-promising blog posts—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
That’s exactly why I decided to write this brutally honest review—backed by real numbers, real experience, and zero fluff. I’ll walk you through how the program works, what nobody tells you upfront, and most importantly—how much I actually earned after one full year.
Whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, or just someone exploring affiliate marketing for the first time, this post will give you the raw truth (with screenshots) so you can decide if it’s really worth your time. Let’s dive in.
Amazon India: The Undisputed Leader in Online Shopping
Amazon India, also known as Amazon.in, is the Indian version of Amazon.com. It’s a massive online marketplace where you’ll find almost everything-from electronics, books, and household goods to groceries, clothing, cosmetics, and more. Nearly every category of product is available under one roof.
In India, Amazon and Flipkart are the top choices when it comes to online shopping. But according to SimilarWeb data from June 2025, Amazon.in recorded a whopping 423 million monthly visits, while Flipkart received 182 million.
That means Amazon got nearly double the traffic-a clear sign that it’s dominating the Indian e-commerce space by capturing a huge share of the country’s online shoppers.
What is the Amazon Affiliate Program?
Amazon runs its own affiliate program for each region, including India. To join the Amazon India Associates Program, just head over to affiliate-program.amazon.in. Once you sign up, you can start generating affiliate links for any product on Amazon.in and share them through your traffic sources—like your blog, YouTube channel, or social media. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a small commission from that sale.
Who Can Join the Program?
Anyone with an online presence can join the Amazon Affiliate Program. Whether you have a website, blog, app, YouTube channel, or even just active social media accounts, you’re eligible. What really matters is genuine traffic and loyal followers.
Many influencers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn already use Amazon affiliate links to earn passive income by recommending products they trust.
A Deep Dive into How the Amazon Affiliate Program Works
Can You Really Make Lakhs with Amazon Affiliate?
Let me be honest—Amazon Affiliate Program is not a get-rich-quick scheme. If you’re just starting out in your online journey, you can expect to make around ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 in the first six months.
But if you’re already an established content creator—maybe a popular YouTuber, a well-known Instagram influencer, or you own a high-traffic blog or website—then yes, there’s a genuine chance to earn ₹1 lakh or more per month.
But here’s the truth no one tells you: if someone promises you’ll make lakhs every month within a year, they’re either trying to sell you a course or not telling the whole story. For a beginner with no existing audience or traffic, that’s almost impossible.
From what I’ve seen, only those with a million+ followers or consistent high traffic can realistically achieve that kind of income. And even then, they must know how to strategically create content, recommend the right products, and optimize their links properly.
The Benefits of Joining the Amazon Affiliate Program in India
Free to Start & Super Easy Setup
You can join the Amazon Affiliate Program for free – no hidden costs or setup fees. Just sign up, share your links, and start earning. But remember, you must make 3 sales within 180 days to keep your account active. So start strong and stay consistent!
Massive Product Range
No matter what your website or channel is about—tech, fashion, books, kitchen stuff—you’ll find matching products on Amazon to promote. With over 550 million items across all categories, there’s always something for your audience.
So whatever your niche is, you’ll never run out of things to recommend and earn commission from!
Trusted Brand = Higher Sales
People already know and trust Amazon. When they see your link, they feel safe – and more likely to click and buy. That trust translates into higher conversions for you .
Decent Commissions + Seasonal Boosts
You can earn anywhere from 1% to 9%, and sometimes even up to 10% on special product categories or deals. Big sale days like Summer Bonanza, Great Indian Festival, Prime Day, and festive seasons like Diwali or Holi are total jackpots—people shop like crazy, and your commissions shoot up too.
Personally, I’ve noticed I get more sales during the start of the month and on Amazon’s special deal days – so timing really does matter!
24‑Hour Cookie & Whole-Basket Sales
When someone clicks your affiliate link, you earn commission on anything they buy within the next 24 hours-even if it’s not the product you shared. And if they add it to the cart and buy later, you still get credit.
But be careful-sometimes you miss out on commission if they click another affiliate link after yours or buy it the next day after the cookie expires. So the sooner they buy, the better it is for you!
Smart Tools & Insightful Analytics
Amazon gives you tools like SiteStripe, widgets, banners, plus click and sales reports. You can see what’s working and tweak for better results
Passive Income That Scales
Write a helpful blog post—like a review, comparison, or alternatives—and add your affiliate links. Once it’s live, it keeps working for you, even while you sleep. Just publish, promote, and let it earn on repeat!
Support & Stability You Can Count On
Amazon’s affiliate program is backed by clear Policies and responsive support. Plus, it’s built on Amazon’s rock-solid infrastructure – Security, Uptime, and Reliable Payouts
Steps to Sign Up for the Amazon Affiliate Program
This guide is based on Amazon India’s Affiliate Program, so I’ll walk you through the India Associate Program signup process.
👉 If you’re from a different region like the USA, UK, France, or anywhere else, make sure you’re signing up with the correct regional Associate Program — the one that matches where your website/app traffic is coming from.
🔴 For example, if most of your visitors are from India but you’ve used Amazon USA affiliate links, you won’t earn any commission. That’s a big mistake many beginners make.
Also, click here to read the Amazon Application Review Process in detail to understand their compliance policies before getting started.
What You Need Before Signing Up:
Make sure you have these details ready:
- Email address
- Mobile number
- Your full name and address
- Bank account details (your own or your parent’s)
- PAN number (Tax ID)
- GST number (optional)
You’ll be signing up using your email and mobile number, which helps keep your account secure.
Step 1: Filling Account Information
Once you sign up, you’ll land on the Account Information page. This is where you need to enter the payment details — that is, who should receive the commission.
✅ If you don’t have a bank account, you can use your parent’s or guardian’s bank account. But the name and details you enter must match the bank account. If there’s a mismatch, your payment may fail and your account might go under payment review — which means you’ll have to go through the process again. So double-check everything before submitting!
Then you’ll be asked:
“Who is the main contact for this account?”
- If the Payee details are yours, just select “The Payee listed above”
- If you used someone else’s bank info (like your parents), choose “Someone else, I need to enter their information”
Finally, for tax purposes, you’ll be asked:
“Are you a U.S. Person?”
If you’re from India, click No (that’s what I did too).
Step 2: Adding Website & Mobile App List
Now it’s time to add your website or social media profile links to your Amazon Associates account.
Under “Enter Your Website(s)”, type your domain name (like yourblog.com). If you’re using Instagram, Facebook Pages, or LinkedIn to promote, paste those links under “Enter Your Mobile App URL(s)”.
You can add as many links as you want—just make sure you include every platform where you plan to promote Amazon products. Amazon doesn’t allow you to use affiliate links on websites or profiles that aren’t listed, so double-check and add all the URLs you’re planning to use for promotions.
Don’t Rush—Build Traffic First Before Signing Up
Before jumping into the Amazon affiliate program, make sure your website gets some traffic or your social media profile has active followers. Many beginners get excited after watching affiliate marketing videos and sign up right away—but here’s the truth: to keep your account active, you need to make at least 3 qualifying sales within 180 days.
If you sign up on a burst of motivation and forget about it, chances are your account will be shut down for not meeting that target. So here’s my honest advice—build a website and publish SEO-optimized articles, or grow your social media by posting niche content regularly and gaining followers.
Without real traffic or followers, those first 3 sales won’t happen. But once you start getting some traction, you can confidently apply for the program and add affiliate links to your existing posts that already get views. That way, hitting your sales milestone becomes a lot easier.
Complete Your Profile & Set Up Payout
After submitting your website or social media links, you’ll reach the Profile section. Here, you need to enter your Preferred Associates Store ID and fill out the other required details. Just give them accurate information and explain your platforms clearly where asked. Once done, click Finish—and your signup process is complete
Now, it’s time to set up your payout method. You’ll need to enter your bank account details and PAN card information. Make sure the Payee Name you entered earlier exactly matches the name on your bank account. If they don’t match, your payments could get delayed or rejected.
When Will You Get Paid? From the image above, you might have noticed that the minimum payout threshold is ₹1,000. Once your earnings reach ₹1,000 or more, Amazon will release the payment after a 30-day holding period.
For example, if you hit ₹1,000 on April 1, you’ll receive that amount on May 1. This 30-day delay exists because buyers may return products, and Amazon needs to confirm your final commission. If someone returns a product after purchase, the commission you earned on that item will be deducted from your pending payout.
Eligibility Requirements for the Amazon Affiliate Program
Amazon Affiliate Program: Eligibility & Rules You Must Follow
To become an Amazon Associate, you need to meet a few basic conditions. Even if you have a brand-new website or social media profile, you can still apply and get approved. But make sure to follow these key rules:
You can include the following paragraph on your Affiliate Disclosure page—just make sure to replace my website name with yours before publishing
DigitalKarthik.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.in
This agreement (“Agreement”) describes the terms and conditions for participation in the (DigitalKarthik.com By Karthik M) Affiliate Program. The terms “Affiliate,” “you,” and “your” are referring to Amazon Affiliate Program, the person who is applying to participate in our affiliate program. “We” and “our” refer to (DigitalKarthik.com By Karthik M).
Always keep your traffic sources updated in the account settings to avoid getting flagged. Amazon takes compliance seriously, and staying clean helps you grow safely in the long run.
Understand Commission Rates & Use the SiteStripe Smartly
Amazon offers commission rates ranging from 1% to 10%, depending on the product category. For example, beauty products offer the highest commission at 10%, while mobile phones give you just 1%. However, not all products are eligible for commission. Some fall under the excluded 0% commission category—like Apple products, Xiaomi products, and electronic accessories under ₹3,000.
Amazon keeps updating this excluded products list, so it’s important to check it regularly. That way, you’ll know which products to promote and which ones to avoid. Also, since commission rates can change at any time, it’s smart to focus on high-commission products that are not excluded.
To make this easier, use the Amazon SiteStripe. It shows up at the top of every Amazon page once enabled and allows you to generate affiliate links instantly. Even better-it tells you which commission slab the product falls under, helping you choose wisely.
To enable SiteStripe, go to your Amazon Associates Dashboard → Account Settings → Associates SiteStripe Option. From there, you can toggle it on or off. Once it’s enabled, you’ll start seeing it on every Amazon product page—just like shown in the image below.
The Shocking Truth: No Commission for Best Sellers!
I’m going to share a secret that most Amazon Affiliates either don’t talk about—or probably haven’t even realized yet.
It’s not just the excluded products listed in Amazon’s commission structure that earn you zero commission…
Even best-selling products don’t give you any commission!
Yes, you heard that right. Amazon doesn’t pay commission for many Best Sellers.
I didn’t know this myself until recently. I always thought only the excluded products (as mentioned on their Commission Structure page) wouldn’t earn you commission.
But one day, I tried to generate an affiliate link for a Sotrue Derma Roller—which is a best-seller in its category. And guess what? I couldn’t get the link. Amazon showed me a message saying:
“This product is one of the Amazon Associates Program excluded products. We do not support direct linking to this product. Please direct customers to another product or the category for this product instead.”
Then I started checking more best sellers—and to my surprise, most of them were excluded!
So here’s my advice!
Always check whether a product is excluded from the Amazon Affiliate Program before creating content or promoting it. Otherwise, you might be driving traffic and making sales—but earning zero commission in return.
Strategies for Success: Tips to Maximize Your Earnings as an Amazon Affiliate
Let me be real with you—just joining the Amazon Affiliate Program won’t make you money overnight. But if you follow the right strategies and stay consistent, you can turn it into a solid stream of passive income. I’ve been doing this for a while, and here’s what works (and what most people online won’t tell you).
1. Promote What You Truly Believe In
People aren’t stupid. They know when you’re recommending something just for the sake of it. So, promote products you’ve used or genuinely trust. Your honesty builds credibility, and trust = clicks.
2. Focus on High-Commission & Low-Return Categories
Some categories like beauty, fashion, and home decor offer higher commissions. At the same time, avoid products with high return rates or those in the 0% commission slab like Apple or Xiaomi. Always check the updated list on Amazon Associates.
3. Use Long-Tail Keywords in Your Content
Top-ranking affiliates don’t chase broad keywords like “best laptop.” They target long-tail terms like “best laptops under 30,000 for students in India”. It’s easier to rank and attract people ready to buy.
4. Embed Affiliate Links Naturally
Don’t just dump links everywhere. Place them where they naturally fit—like in product reviews, how-to guides, listicles, or comparison posts. And always use clear call-to-actions like “Check Price on Amazon” instead of just hyperlinking random words.
5. Use Amazon SiteStripe Smartly
This tool helps you create links straight from the product page and shows you the commission slab instantly. It saves time and helps you avoid promoting zero-commission items.
6. Create Evergreen Content
Write blog posts or videos that stay relevant for years – like “Top Budget Gadgets for Students” or “Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Indian Homes.” These can bring you affiliate earnings passively for a long time.
8. Stay Updated with Amazon’s Policies
Amazon changes commission rates and rules from time to time. Keep checking your dashboard, read their emails, and stay in the loop. Promoting a product with 0% commission wastes your effort.
💬 Final Tip: Focus on helping, not selling. When people trust you as a guide, the clicks (and commissions) will follow. Stay consistent, keep learning, and optimize your content regularly – you’ll start seeing the results.
At the end of the day, what really matters is Quality traffic. You might write the most valuable, well-researched article – but if the right people don’t see it, you won’t make any sales. Content alone doesn’t convert. It’s the people reading that content – the ones who are genuinely interested – who end up buying through your affiliate links.
So, always focus on writing content that delivers real value to your readers. Then, don’t just stop there – promote that content actively. Share it on social media, post it on LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Facebook groups that are relevant to your niche. That’s how you get your article in front of the right audience-people who are already interested and more likely to convert.
Common Challenges Faced by Affiliates and How to Overcome Them
Let’s be honest—affiliate marketing isn’t as easy as some YouTubers or course-sellers make it sound. If you’ve already started, you might feel stuck, confused, or even demotivated. That’s normal. I’ve been there too. Here are some real challenges most affiliates face—and how you can overcome them without giving up.
1. Struggling with Low or No Traffic
You can’t earn if no one’s visiting your content. Most beginners write a blog and wait for magic to happen. Instead, be active – share your content in niche communities, Facebook groups, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Learn basic SEO and target low-competition long-tail keywords to rank faster.
2. No Clicks on Affiliate Links
This happens when links are hidden or placed awkwardly. Make your links natural and clickable. Use clear CTAs like “Check Price on Amazon” or “See Full Features Here.” Also, don’t overload your content with links—just place them where they help the reader.
3. Traffic Comes, But No Sales
This is a big one. It usually means your content isn’t attracting the right audience. Make sure your article solves a problem or answers a specific query. Promote products that match the intent of your content. And always check if the product offers commission and isn’t excluded.
4. Returns and Commission Reversals
Sometimes, even after you make a sale, your commission gets taken back if the product is returned. You can’t fully avoid this—but you can focus on product categories with fewer returns like books, household items, or beauty products.
5. Demotivation and Giving Up Too Early
Affiliate success takes time. Most people quit before they see results. But the few who stay consistent—writing, promoting, learning—are the ones who eventually succeed. Keep going, even if your first payout takes months.
💡 Quick Reminder: Every top affiliate you admire today also started with zero traffic and zero sales. The difference? They kept going. So keep learning, keep experimenting, and don’t give up too soon.
Earnings Report: Real-Life Success Stories and Income Potential
Now comes the part you’ve all been waiting for-how much I actually earned from the Amazon Affiliate Program. Especially for those of you from India, I know this part matters a lot. You’re probably curious because if I made money, you believe you can too. And yes, it is possible.
But let me be completely honest with you – I didn’t make much money with Amazon’s Affiliate Program.
I used it for about a year, but not on my own blog. I used it on one of my client’s websites. I can’t disclose the site’s name, but it was a PDF downloading website. I didn’t even add the affiliate links to drive sales – they were just there to support the content, like a reference. So naturally, visitors weren’t coming to click on “Buy Now” buttons or search for Amazon links.
Still, despite that, I managed to make a few sales and earn a little money.
I’ll share my earnings report below-but please don’t let it demotivate you. My content wasn’t designed for affiliate income. If you’re writing product reviews, comparisons, or alternatives. Trust me ! Your Click-Through Rate(CTR) and conversions will be way better than mine.
The screenshot above shows my Amazon Affiliate Income Report for the entire year—from January to December 2024.
In that whole year, I made just ₹5,444 from around 24,300 clicks. That brings my overall conversion rate to just 1.4%, which is clearly on the lower side.
Why My Amazon Affiliate Earnings Are Low
I know many of you might feel that the income from the Amazon Affiliate Program is too low to be worth it. And honestly, I get it.
In my case, I didn’t use Amazon affiliate links with the goal of making money. None of my articles were written to promote products. I just added the links here and there—mainly to test them out or because they felt like a natural fit for the content.
That’s why my conversion rate was only 1.4%, which is way below the industry average.
But here’s the thing, I wasn’t actively trying to make money with Amazon affiliates. So if you are writing with intent like product reviews, comparisons, or best-of lists – your conversion rate could be completely different.
So, don’t judge Amazon affiliates just based on my numbers. Try it for yourself. Experiment. Then decide whether it’s the right program for you or not.
A Comparison with Other Affiliate Programs Available in India
In India, Amazon and Flipkart are the Leading Giants in Ecommerce Marketplace. But, Amazon only right now offers Amazon vs Flipkart Affiliate Program – My Take
In India, Amazon and Flipkart are the two leading giants in the eCommerce space. But when it comes to affiliate marketing, only Amazon currently offers a proper affiliate program under its own platform.
Flipkart paused its official affiliate program a while ago. I’m not exactly sure why, but I’ve heard they now partner with third-party networks like Admitad or Cuelinks to manage their affiliate system.
In my personal experience, Amazon is far better than Flipkart in almost every aspect of affiliate marketing.
The biggest reason? Cookie duration.
Amazon gives you a 24-hour (1-day) cookie window, while Flipkart gives only 30 minutes. That’s extremely short—and most people in affiliate marketing will agree that making a sale in such a short time frame is nearly impossible.
So for me, Amazon wins—at least for now.
Also, I’ve just written a detailed review of the Flipkart Affiliate Program too—go check it out if you’re curious!
Is the Amazon Affiliate Program Worth It?
For me and for all of you who follow my content—I strictly recommend not depending entirely on the Amazon Affiliate Program.
Sure, you can join the program and promote Amazon products you’ve actually used or needed. That’s fine. But don’t rely on it as your main income stream. Why?
Because Amazon offers some of the lowest commission rates and the shortest cookie duration in the market.
Even if you put in a lot of effort and get good conversions, the earnings will still be disappointing.
Now, imagine putting the same effort into promoting other affiliate products – like digital tools, software, or AI products. Many of these offer 20–30% commission rates, 30-day cookie durations, and in some cases, even recurring commissions. That means if someone subscribes through your link, you’ll keep earning month after month as long as they stay subscribed.
Also, don’t forget—Amazon already slashed their commission rates in both 2017 and 2020, and it’s now down to a max of 10%. Honestly, they could cut it further anytime.
So, don’t trust Amazon Affiliates blindly. Use it smartly—but never put all your eggs in that tiny basket.
Let it be one of your affiliate sources—not the only one you depend on.
Conclusion
So, that’s my full take—no sugarcoating, no unrealistic promises. Just real-world experience from someone who tested the Amazon Affiliate waters in India and came out a little wiser.
Now I want to hear from you👇
- Are you currently using the Amazon Affiliate Program?
- How much have you earned so far—or are you still figuring it out?
- Do you think it’s worth the effort, or have you switched to other programs?
Drop a comment below and let’s share our journeys. Your story might just help someone else make a smarter choice today.
FAQs — Discover Answers That Transform Now
Amazon India Affiliate Program
4/5⭐
🔑Feature:
⚒️Ease of Use:
💰Pricing:
🤝Support:
