Amazon Influencer vs. Affiliate Program –  Which One Is Made For You?

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to make money with Amazon as a content creator, you’ve probably come across these two options: the Amazon Influencer Program and the Amazon Affiliate Program. At first, they might seem pretty similar because they both let you earn commissions by promoting Amazon products. But there are some pretty significant differences in how they work, who they’re best for, and how much money you can realistically make.

So whether you’re posting reels about Amazon products, writing product reviews, or just starting your social media journey, this article has everything you need to know about the Amazon Influencer Program vs Affiliate Program and gives you the insight to pick the one that fits you and your audience.

Key Differences Between the Two Programs

Amazon Affiliate Program (also known as Amazon Associates)

Amazon has its own affiliate program named Amazon Associates. It’s designed in a way that makes it very easy for you to get started. You just need to sign up, create personalized links to any Amazon product and then share them on your website, blog, YouTube channel, or social platforms. Every time someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission –  it’s as simple as that. 

Amazon Influencer Program

This is a newer branch of Amazon’s affiliate program, built specifically with content creators in mind. If you have a lot of followers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you can monetize this by creating your own Amazon storefront to display products you love and recommend to your audience. This way, you don’t have to link the products one by one, because your followers are directed to your page immediately.

Creating product review videos and getting them featured directly on Amazon product pages is a way to expand your audience and increase your sales.

If you’re not really sure which one is right for you, comparing the Amazon influencer program vs affiliate program should help you. Both allow you to earn money by promoting products, but the influencer program is better suited for creators with big social media presence.
So, if you’re a blogger or have a niche website, then the affiliate program is the way to go.

Application Requirements

Amazon’s Affiliate Program is relatively easy to join, however the Influencer Program has stricter criteria. Here’s a quick look at the key requirements:

Affiliate Program:

Influencer Program:

If you’re just starting your journey, the affiliate program is much easier to get into, but if you have a bigger audience in social media, then the influencer program is built for you.

Promotion Methods and Content Fit

How you promote products – and the type of content you create – plays another big role when choosing between the Amazon Affiliate and Influencer programs.

Affiliate Program:

Influencer Program:

You mainly write product reviews and produce SEO content? Then the Affiliate Program is right for you. If you’re comfortable on camera and have a bigger following, choose the influencer program. When comparing the Amazon Influencer program vs Affiliate Program, this is where you’ll find the biggest differences, depending on what kind of creator you are.

Global Reach and Localization

As an Amazon affiliate or influencer, you will be creating content for multiple regions. Have a look at how the two programs fare in comparison to one another.  

Affiliate Program:

Influencer Program:

Global flexibility is, as you can see, a key difference in the Amazon Affiliate Program vs Influencer Program. Amazon Affiliates have it much easier and convenient in that regard as their influencer counterparts.

Commission Rates and Earning Potential

When it comes to commission structures, both programs have the same rates, offering between 1% and 20% depending on the product you’re promoting.

But here’s the catch:

Influencer Program members usually get better conversion rates because their content reaches people already browsing on Amazon. That said, affiliates can build long-term SEO traffic, target seasonal search trends, and grow their business without needing a personal brand or even showing up on camera. This is where the Amazon Affiliate Program vs. the Influencer Program really starts to show different earning strategies.

While there aren’t official studies comparing who earns more, most evidence from creators and agencies suggests that Amazon Influencers tend to earn more per creator than standard Affiliates. Influencers often have larger audiences on visual platforms like TikTok or YouTube and benefit from features like having their videos appear directly on Amazon product pages. Affiliates, on the other hand, usually rely on blogs or SEO content and earn through higher traffic volume. 

In general, influencers have higher earning potential per person, while affiliates can succeed through scale.

Payment System and Payout Schedule

No matter which program you join, the payments work similarly:

Amazon takes care of tracking, payments, and customer service for you, so all you have to focus on is creating content.

Risks and Termination Policies

There’s a few reasons why your account could get removed by Amazon, so it’s important to stick to the rules.

Here’s what could happen with your affiliate account:

And here’s what might get your influencer account taken down:

In terms of risk, the Affiliate Program gives you more freedom. You’re not tied to maintaining a storefront or getting content approved, and your links can live in evergreen content like blog posts or YouTube descriptions.

Amazon Affiliate Program vs Amazon Influencer – Ready to Choose?

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you find which one is more befitting to your needs and style:

If You Are…	Best Fit
A blogger or SEO content creator	Affiliate Program
An active influencer on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube	Influencer Program
A beginner with a small audience	Affiliate Program
Comfortable on camera, good with video content	Influencer Program
Trying to reach a global audience?	Affiliate Program

If you’re thinking, “Surely there are people who do both” – you’re absolutely correct. Many people start with the affiliate program and, once they grow their audience, upgrade to the influencer program, thereby expanding their revenue stream.

Final Thoughts: Amazon Influencer vs Affiliate Program

Both programs help you make money by recommending Amazon products, but they work a bit differently depending on how you like to create and where your audience is.

In the Amazon influencer program vs affiliate program comparison, there’s no one option that fits everyone. It’s all about what’s the best fit for you and your needs.

Now that you know how all of this works, go ahead and choose your own path.

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