Amazon affiliates query

[alex]

I've set up a site and literally copied some photos and descriptions from Amazon and placed a link to them from my site through their affiliates program.

The site isn't live yet because I just want to make sure this is okay?

I intend to work with the API which will do exactly the same, but for speed I've done it the way mentioned. I'm looking through the Ts & Cs to make sure I'm not in breach, but if anyone knows for sure then I'd appreciate it. My main worries are that the photos and content are property of the users selling the goods and therefore shouldn't be used unless directly using the API.

 

[stevebrowne]

i thnk that if you are using them to link ONLY to the amazon link, then they should be OK. To be honest, if you look around other sites, you will get a feel for what are website specific shots that they (ie. Amazon) own, and what are generic product shots issued by the manufacturer.

I can't imagine any manufacturer complaining about using their product shots to link to that product - unless it's in a bad or derogatory manner.

 

[expertc]

I've set up a site and literally copied some photos and descriptions from Amazon and placed a link to them from my site through their affiliates program.

The site isn't live yet because I just want to make sure this is okay?

I intend to work with the API which will do exactly the same, but for speed I've done it the way mentioned. I'm looking through the Ts & Cs to make sure I'm not in breach, but if anyone knows for sure then I'd appreciate it. My main worries are that the photos and content are property of the users selling the goods and therefore shouldn't be used unless directly using the API.

Shouldn't be a problem at all. You always have an option that says "get a link" on the Amazon site and that includes photo and description. As far as the link is on your site it's OK. I use API so it copies content + photos from Amazon.

 

[alex]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think there should be a problem.

Having studied the Ts & Cs the only things I've found is you can't include the price unless it's the real time price (hence API or provided by an Amazon feed) since prices regularly change. The other thing is that the listing must not be an 'excluded product'; I'm not entirely sure what that is, but I assume banned product? You can't advertise products for rival sites, i.e. eBay, and there is a limited license that says I can copy pretty much anything, with limits, for affiliate purposes.

I use API so it copies content + photos from Amazon.

I'm just about to explore the API, did you find it pretty straight forward?

 

[digitalquill]

refresh every 23 hours

Problem with copy and paste is that the Amazon Affiliate terms state that content on your site can only be held for 23 hours without updating, hence the API on some automated script to refresh content is required.

 

[alex]

Problem with copy and paste is that the Amazon Affiliate terms state that content on your site can only be held for 23 hours without updating, hence the API on some automated script to refresh content is required.

Thanks for letting me know. I must have missed that, but the site isn't live yet so no problems. I've just signed up with the API so hopefully that will solve any issues with their terms.

 

[digitalquill]

Thanks for letting me know. I must have missed that, but the site isn't live yet so no problems. I've just signed up with the API so hopefully that will solve any issues with their terms.

I suspect that 99% of affiliates break that rule though

 

[expertc]

I'm just about to explore the API, did you find it pretty straight forward?

It’s a bit messy, but OK. After doing some coding myself, parsing, etc, I’ve decided to go for a commercial parser Associate-O-Matic. But it use to be free software available, called “magnik”. It’s opensource and if you Google it up, then you can go through their code.

Hope this helps.

Mike