Table of Contents
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- Key Takeaways
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- Amazon Associates Policy Changes in 2024
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- Compliance Checklist for Newsletter Publishers
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- Implementing Affiliate Links in Email Campaigns
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- Additional Best Practices
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- The Future of Email-Based Affiliate Marketing
Key Takeaways
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- Yes, as of March 1, 2024, you can include Amazon affiliate links in emails, as long as your subscribers have opted in to receive emails with affiliate offers.
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- You must use Special Links with your Amazon Affiliate ID, clearly disclose your affiliate relationship, and have an unsubscribe link.
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- Amazon’s SiteStripe tool and third-party options like DataDyno make link and product box creation seamless.
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- Apply A/B testing, audience segmentation, and geo-redirecting for the best results with conversion rates.
By following Amazon’s updated terms and conditions and using the right tools, newsletter creators can unlock a great way to generate affiliate income and deliver product recommendations that convert.
Amazon Affiliate Program Policy Changes in 2024 – Then and Now
A. The Old Rule: No Email, No Offline Promotions
Before 2024, the Amazon Associates Program strictly prohibited affiliates from sharing product links via email or other “offline” channels. Their policy on the Amazon site stated:
“…you will not engage in any promotional… activities in any offline manner, including by… email… printed material… or oral solicitation.”
This restriction limited the reach of email marketing campaigns.
Because of the rule, many newsletter publishers couldn’t use email for their affiliate marketing, their most reliable, high-converting channel. However, the tides are changing once again as AI disrupts landing page traffic and affiliate marketers are scrambling to figure out how to recoup lost revenue.
B. The New Rule: Email Is Now Allowed (With Conditions)
As of March 1, 2024, Amazon’s Operating Agreement was updated to allow affiliate links in email newsletters:
“You may include Special Links in emails… provided, that such communications are solicited (i.e., opted into by the receiving customer).”
What this means:
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- Email subscribers must opt-in to receive affiliate content to their email address.
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- You must offer an easy opt-out.
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- Only use Special Links that include your affiliate tag and track performance.
For affiliate marketers, especially those heavily reliant on their affiliate website or blog posts, this is a major win that helps them at a time when they need it the most.
How to Make Sure Your Newsletter is Compliant with the Amazon Associates Program
To meet Amazon’s rules and ensure your Amazon affiliate account remains in good standing:
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- Use Special Links only: Generated via SiteStripe, PA API, or tools like DataDyno.
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- Get explicit consent: Your opt-in form must mention affiliate emails. Use sign-up forms that explain you’ll be sending occasional affiliate promotions.
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- Add a clear unsubscribe link: “Click here to unsubscribe.” This helps lower your Unsubscribe Rate and increase your email deliverability.
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- Disclose your affiliate relationship: Include the line “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” Transparency builds trust with your email subscribers.
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- Link directly to product pages: No link cloaking or indirect redirects (except via geo-tools like Geniuslink).
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- Follow trademark rules: Only use the Amazon Brand assets as permitted by the Associates Program Policies.
Violations may result in account termination, withheld affiliate commissions, or removal from the Amazon affiliate marketing program.
Using Amazon Affiliate Links the Right Way in Your Affiliate Marketing Emails
A. SiteStripe
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- SiteStripe: Go to any amazon.com product page, click “Get Link” from the SiteStripe bar at the top of the page, and copy the link.
Although using SiteStripe is simple to use, it can become cumbersome if you’re dealing with multiple affiliate products at a time. Not to mention the time it takes to format images, copy product descriptions, and checking product information. Because of this, there are options that offer a both ease of use and automation.
B. Using the DataDyno App
The DataDyno App (currently only for Kit.com users) allows you to add Amazon affiliate product boxes in your newsletters so you can save time and increase your affiliate revenue. The app is for both existing and new affiliate marketers and no programming knowledge is required:
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- Add product boxes with images, descriptions, and more. No more text links.
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- Automatically add your Amazon Associates Account ID to every product box.
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- Ensure product boxes are optimized for mobile viewing and real-time price accuracy.
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- Integrate directly with your email service provider (via Kit.com).
Step-by-step guide: How to use DataDyno on Kit.com
Visit our Webpage for more information
With these product boxes, you can enhance design and trust but while increasing click-through rates, conversion rates, overall campaign performance, and affiliate sales.
C. Best Practices for Deliverability & Engagement
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- Limit to 1-3 product boxes per email to avoid the spam folder.
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- Personalize offers using subscriber segmentation and data or product categories.
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- Test placement for higher click-through rates using A/B testing tools.
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- Optimize for mobile: over 50% of affiliate clicks come from smartphones.
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- Pair with compelling calls to action that clearly state what the subscriber should do next.
More Best Practices
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- Geo-redirecting: Use tools like Geniuslink to send readers outside the US to their local Amazon store ID.
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- Audience segmentation: Organize your audience into segments and send affiliate offers that make the most sense to those segments.
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- Track performance: Monitor affiliate link clicks and purchases inside your Amazon Associates account. If you use an email platform, you can receive even more detailed click-through rate data for each link.
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- Keep affiliate product offers fresh: Use seasonal trends or timely discounts to help keep affiliate product offers fresh.
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- Combine with blogs and social media platforms: Share the same product recommendations in your blog posts, facebook groups, instagram stories, youtube video descriptions, youtube channel descriptions, or any other social media platform you use.
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- Create comparison tables: Compare product features for similar affiliate products to increase affiliate engagement.
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- Use email sequences: Include affiliate product mentions in your welcome email sequence or follow-up email sequence to new subscribers to get more out of doing less.
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- Add social proof: Let your subscribers know how many other people have purchased the item or include a write up of your own experience with the product.
Can Email Really Drive Affiliate Sales in 2025? Short Answer: Yes
With Amazon allowing affiliate links in emails, newsletter creators can now utilize a high-quality, high-intent channel for regaining affiliate income. The updated Amazon affiliate program terms allow for:
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- Email newsletters to further harness their email lists
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- More accurate product recommendations
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- Opportunity to offset affiliate revenue loss due to changing traffic trends as a result of AI
As affiliate marketing continues to expand, projected to reach $14.8 billion in U.S. spend by 2028, email is expected to remain one of the best ways to connect with a target audience and promote affiliate products in a way that feels personalized and genuine.
Over 80% of affiliate marketers earn more than $20,000 annually—and email is a top traffic source.
Whether you’re an influencer, blogger, or online business owner, there’s never been a better time to include affiliate links in your emails the right way.
By combining tools like DataDyno, compliance checklists, and email marketing strategy, you’ll be able to create a successful affiliate email marketing campaign that delivers real results, and helps you offset revenue loss from AI and algorithm changes.