6 Steps to Get Amazon Affiliate Approval for a Cashback Programme

Diagram of a compliant Amazon affiliate flow from article to Special Link to product page — Lead with content, disclose clearly, keep incentives out of Amazon links.

Getting into Amazon Associates feels straightforward on paper, yet it trips up a lot of publishers. If you run a cashback or rewards platform, the bar is even higher. There is a simple reason: Amazon’s policies restrict incentives tied to affiliate links. That does not mean you cannot work with Amazon. It does mean you need a clear, compliant plan and a site that looks credible from the first visit.

Below is a practical, no-nonsense playbook. You will learn what Amazon checks during review, how to shape your site so it passes comfortably, and how a cashback-focused business can still partner with Amazon without risking policy violations. Everything here is written for affiliate marketers who want accuracy, not myths.

First, the hard truth about cashback and Amazon

Cashback, loyalty points, or any consideration tied to using your Amazon affiliate links is disallowed under standard Associates rules. That policy applies across regions unless you have a separate, explicit written agreement. Most publishers therefore work with Amazon as content affiliates rather than offering cashback on Amazon purchases. Many successful cashback brands keep Amazon in their catalogue for product discovery and editorial, then show a clear notice that cashback is not available for Amazon.

This matters for your approval strategy. Go in expecting to be reviewed as a content publisher first. Treat cashback as a model you use with other merchants, not with Amazon, unless you later secure a formal exception.

What Amazon typically checks before approval

You have an established site with original, helpful content. Thin pages or scraped feeds will be rejected.
Your site can make real sales. New Associates are expected to drive a small number of qualifying orders within a set time window.
Your use of Special Links is correct and transparent. No cloaking, no misleading redirects, and no links posted where they are not allowed.
You follow basic advertising and disclosure rules. Pricing displays, reviews, and endorsements meet specific standards.
You do not offer incentives to click or buy through your links. That includes cashback and loyalty rewards.

Keep those themes in mind as you apply the six steps below.

The 6 steps to get Amazon affiliate approval if you run a cashback business

Step 1. Set your positioning for compliance

Goal: present your site as a trusted content publisher that also runs cashback for non-Amazon merchants.

Create a clean, public site that passes the blink test, at least ten strong editorial pages that would still make sense with all adverts removed.
Separate your Amazon experience from cashback mechanics. On templates, include a visible line that Amazon purchases are not eligible for cashback.
Add transparent trust pages: About, Contact, Editorial Policy, Affiliate Disclosure. Make privacy/cookie choices easy to find.
Fix low-quality signals: no placeholders, no broken links, no lorem ipsum.

Quick checks: unique copy on home/category pages; author + last-updated on articles; fast mobile load; clear navigation/breadcrumbs.

Step 2. Apply correctly and list every property

Goal: present a complete, professional application that aligns with your content-first approach.

List all domains, subdomains, apps, and social profiles that will carry Special Links.
Describe your plan plainly: independent buying advice and deals content; cashback with eligible merchants; Amazon is editorial-only.
Match contact, company, and tax info to the public site.
Document a one-page runbook for building Special Links and allowed placements.

Avoid: half-built sites, restricted channels, vague answers.

Step 3. Earn your first qualifying sales the right way

Goal: secure a few legitimate sales quickly without cutting corners.

Publish 3–5 buyer-ready articles with comparisons and pros/cons.
Target products with natural urgency (seasonal essentials, small electronics, household basics).
Do not buy through your own links.
Promote via permitted channels, link to your article, not directly to Amazon.
Price mentions: use PA API/widgets; source reviews correctly.

Week-one plan: Days 1-2 publish; Day 3 newsletter to articles; Days 4-7 post on approved socials; Day 7 fix broken links/disclosures.

Step 4. Make your Special Links bulletproof

Goal: ensure your linking and data handling follow the letter of the rules.

Build links with official tools (SiteStripe, Associates Central, PA API). Avoid cloaking/opaque shorteners.
Show pricing/availability only from Amazon-served sources with required freshness/attribution.
Keep Special Links out of prohibited locations (offline PDFs, push notifications, gated spaces without disclosures).
Use a consistent SubID format (page, placement, campaign), never personal data.

Pre-publish validation: click-test each link; confirm price widgets; check visible disclosures near first links; re-read for accuracy.

Step 5. Act like a long-term partner from day one

Goal: be the sort of affiliate Amazon wants to keep.

Write for customers first; include “what not to buy” and honest alternatives.
Refresh top pages monthly; rotate OOS products; replace weak picks.
Improve UX: speed, no intrusive interstitials, mobile-friendly tables/buttons.
Maintain link hygiene: fix 404s/redirect chains; preserve affiliate parameters.
Keep a clear editorial stance and consistent tone.

Optional accelerators: Influencer Program content; templatized product cards fed by approved sources.

Step 6. Want Amazon plus cashback anyway? Plan the right way

Goal: understand the only legitimate path to offering any incentive.

Under standard rules, you cannot offer cashback, rebates, loyalty points, or other benefits for using Special Links. The only way to change that is a separate written agreement with Amazon rare, volume-dependent, and compliance-heavy.

If seeking an exception, prepare: brand-safety proof, anti-incentive fraud controls, incremental sales projections, and a formal proposal through official channels. For most publishers, keep Amazon content-only and use cashback with merchants that allow it.

What to publish on your site before applying

A short guide explaining your cashback for eligible merchants and a clear notice that Amazon is excluded.
3-5 buying guides or comparisons with pros/cons where Amazon products make sense.
A deals/new arrivals section you can refresh daily.
A help-centre article on disclosures and how you make money.
A page listing your social profiles for readers to follow.

Common mistakes that cause rejections

Applying with a thin site and expecting to fix it later.
Posting Special Links on channels where they are not allowed.
Cloaked/shortened links that disguise the destination.
Incentivising clicks or purchases in any form.
Copying product descriptions or reviews without commentary.
Quoting prices manually and letting them go stale.
Buying through your own links to hit the threshold.

Frequently asked questions

Can a cashback site ever work with Amazon?

Yes, as a content affiliate. Many cashback brands include Amazon for discovery and buying advice, but do not offer cashback on Amazon purchases. Publish clear notices so customers are not misled.

How many sales are needed for full approval?

New accounts are typically reviewed after a small number of qualifying sales within a fixed period. Personal orders do not count. Drive early sales via helpful content and permitted channels.

Do I need the Product Advertising API (PA API)?

No to start. It becomes useful for dynamic pricing/availability. If you show price, follow official rules and attribution.

Can I add Special Links to emails or PDFs?

Link emails to your article (with disclosure), not directly to Amazon. Avoid embedding Special Links in formats where disclosures cannot be shown clearly.

What if I only publish deals and coupons?

Deals pages can work if you add real commentary and curation. Thin lists that mirror a feed tend to fail review.

A simple compliance checklist for your team

Amazon purchases marked as not eligible for cashback across templates.
At least ten original, useful articles live and updated.
All Special Links built with official tools and tested.
No cloaking, no static price copy/paste, no offline promotion.
Affiliate disclosures visible and unambiguous.
Early sales from real readers, not staff/friends.
Runbook exists for Special Links, pricing, and content updates.

Summary

You can get Amazon affiliate approval as a cashback publisher when you position your site correctly. Lead with helpful content, set clear expectations that Amazon is excluded from cashback, and build your first sales through honest, allowed channels. Keep Special Links clean, pricing compliant, and disclosures visible. If you ever seek an incentive exception, treat it as a serious business negotiation. Most publishers will do better keeping Amazon content-only and letting cashback shine with merchants that explicitly allow it.

Buying guide layout showing clear affiliate disclosure and dynamic pricing block — Clarity wins: visible disclosure, official price widgets, clean Special Links.

For tailored advice on implementation details and risk controls OR if you would like to develop a robust & scalable cashback & reward platform, feel free to contact Cusenware.