Amazon and mobile affiliates

[GijsZePa]

I just received this email. (in German)..
It seems that Its not allowed anymore to use Amazon as a 'mobile' affiliate without special permission from them:

I hope that Bernd can make a perfect translation of this:

"wir wenden uns heute an Sie, um Sie über eine Ergänzung der Amazon.de Partnerprogramm Teilnahmebedingungen zu informieren, die am 14.10.09 in Kraft tritt. Diese Ergänzung betrifft die Integration von Speziallinks / Partnerprogramm-Links in Applikationen, die für mobile Endgeräte, wie z. B. Smartphones, konzipiert sind. Ab dem 14.10.09 ist in solchen Fällen eine Verwendung der Partnerlinks nur noch mit unserer vorherigen schriftlichen Genehmigung erlaubt. "

WTF...?

Martin

[gogo]

and they apparently won't give the special permission even if you ask -

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/07/amazon-killing-mobile-apps-that-use-its-data/


Here’s the official wording (https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/advertising/api/detail/agreement.html) that killed the app:
You will not, without our express prior written approval requested via this link , use any Product Advertising Content on or in connection with any site or application designed or intended for use with a mobile phone or other handheld device.
Developer Wil Shipley tried to reach out to Amazon to see about getting permission, but Amazon apparently said no exceptions were being made. Not only that, “they [Amazon] told me to remove it today, or they’d shut me down,” Shipley tweeted outhttp://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.10/t.gif (http://twitter.com/wilshipley/status/2518626788).


But how on earth do you decide something has been intended for a mobile phone or handheld device? This isn't just saying that you get no commission if you refer someone from a mobile device... so what about a site that has both mobile and pc version and uses a mobi domain - wtf?

[Tim]

I've posted this here about three months ago. Amazon will not comission any sales derived via mobile. I discovered this the hard way with many clicks and no sales.

[gogo]

I've posted this here about three months ago. Amazon will not comission any sales derived via mobile. I discovered this the hard way with many clicks and no sales.

So does this depend on them detecting the device used to buy as being a mobile one?

[Tim]

Amazon probably has a way to detect where the visitor originated. Amazon has a VERY POOR reputation for screwing their associates. I had a beautiful and expensive amazon mobile site CMS built. I abandoned it. I had a beautiful and expensive Wii site built, and Amazon pulled that product (recently and temporarily reinstituted to the commission schedule). The Kindle is another product that Amazon pumped to their associates and then in the middle of the night pulled the comissions on.

F with Amazon at your own risk. They really don't give a sh it about you as an associate.

[gogo]

Hi thanks for the info Tim. I'm not depending on Amazon, but what bothers me is them saying they ban sites "designed or intended" for mobile - that could mean anything at all, unless you put a message on your pc site saying "we do not want mobile users, ever, please go away if you are on a mobile device".

Or just "This site has been optimised for the PC experience and may not work on mobile devices"...




Yes, I noticed that Kindle ebooks are not covered by the associate scheme.

[blitzpotz]

I hope that Bernd can make a perfect translation of this:

"wir wenden uns heute an Sie, um Sie über eine Ergänzung der Amazon.de Partnerprogramm Teilnahmebedingungen zu informieren, die am 14.10.09 in Kraft tritt. Diese Ergänzung betrifft die Integration von Speziallinks / Partnerprogramm-Links in Applikationen, die für mobile Endgeräte, wie z. B. Smartphones, konzipiert sind. Ab dem 14.10.09 ist in solchen Fällen eine Verwendung der Partnerlinks nur noch mit unserer vorherigen schriftlichen Genehmigung erlaubt. "The last sentence is interesting. It is said that the affiliate partner needs Amazon´s permission in written form before using affiliate links in applications for mobile handsets. This new rule will start on Oct. 14th.

[Scandiman]

The last sentence is interesting. It is said that the affiliate partner needs Amazon´s permission in written form before using affiliate links in applications for mobile handsets. This new rule will start on Oct. 14th.

In applications?

[Tim]

amazon does not plan on sharing the mobile market with its associates. that is why they have the mobile app in the appstore.

[blitzpotz]

In applications?Yes, that´s the translation. Could mean that they include apps and web sites in this term.


Diese Ergänzung betrifft die Integration von Speziallinks / Partnerprogramm-Links in Applikationen, die für mobile Endgeräte, wie z. B. Smartphones, konzipiert sind."This addition [to participation conditions] concerns the integration of special links /affiliate links in applications which are created for mobile handsets, e.g. smartphones."

[Scandiman]

amazon does not plan on sharing the mobile market with its associates. that is why they have the mobile app in the appstore.

If that remains their policy it will open some doors for competitors. Mobile is too big to be a pig and get away with it forever.

[newdomainer]

Unless they wake up & smell the coffee.mobi Amazon will end up like it's namesake!

Cut off at it's roots!!

[miellas]

Quick question, out of all members utilizing amazon affiliate codes within a pc or mobile site have ever earned a nice sum of affiliate commission through amazon? I have been an affiliate for many years and have only made a couple of bucks off a sale of some bbq sauce. Has anyone had any success? On the other hand ebay, has been the opposite with great potential for earnings.

[Tim]

I earned $1,000 - $2,000 month with a gaming site until the Fu ckers did a midnight changeru.

Besides that nothing

[developmy.mobi]

Ebay offers an affiliate program for rss feeds.....

[gogo]

This guy says he earned over $50,000 in twelve months:

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/08/19/amazon-associates-tips/