What You’ll Learn in this Post

• The current policies on Amazon links
• The difference between a direct link and one to your site
• How to add an Amazon link to your Pins

There’s been some confusion for many bloggers and pinners about using Amazon links directly onto Pins. It’s not surprising. Up until last year, Pinterest said it was a big no-no. But that changed in May 2016.

However, that didn’t mean you could add Amazon links. At the time, the big online retailer wasn’t too sure about it.

And, there’s where the confusion has been.

Until now.

Current Pinterest and Amazon Policies

The first thing you need to do is take a look at the current Pinterest Acceptable Use Policy. The best practice is to keep Pinterest happy. What’s that? Well, they don’t want anything spammy.

I know that’s not the best answer, and even Pinterest can’t completely describe what they mean. I think it’s more like, “I know spammy when I see it.” You know, the gut feeling that makes you feel like a used car salesmen or that you’re helping solve a problem for your audience.

The best advice I have is to follow your instincts and always lean on the latter.

Now here’s the good news. Amazon is now okay with adding their links to social media sites. That includes Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc. See the full Associates Program Operating Policy here.

Yeah!!!

But there’s a catch. You need to use their “Special Links.”

That means they want you to only use their links so you can’t use a 3rd-party link shortener or pretty up the link somehow.

But you don’t have to. If you go to your Amazon affiliate account you can use the text link app, you can use their shortener. Easy peasy.

Also,  take note that you must have a legitimate website and be signed up for the Amazon Affiliate Program.

The Difference In Linking From Pinterest or Your Site

The Amazon affiliate program is one of the easiest to start and can be very profitable. They pay you a commission when you direct someone to Amazon and a purchase (or purchases are made). Their cookie is 24-hour. Not bad.

But in the past, those links had to be on your site.

So if you wanted your Pinterest followers to learn about a product you loved, it was a three-step process.

Pinterest Pin ⇒ Your Blog ⇒ Amazon Link

Now you can eliminate the “Your Blog” step and guide your audience directly to Amazon.

Pinterest Pin ⇒ Amazon Link

Nice!

That gets your audience to Amazon faster, where they can make their buying decision.

Now here’s a big caveat: If you have a Business Account and use Rich Pins, you lose the big, bold headline when you directly link to Amazon. But you can make up for that by having a detailed description.

And here’s the second caveat and it’s important. You must let your audience know that this new Pin is an affiliate link. That’s and FTC rule and it keeps everyone happy. You can, just the word “affiliate link” at the end or the description, or “#affiliate” or say something within the best about “using my affiliate link for more information.” The choice is yours, but it’s necessary.

How to Add an Amazon Link to a Pin

First, decide if you linking to a full Pin that you create or just to an image to the product. You already know the benefits of a tall Pin, so the choice is yours.

• Create the pin or…
• Download the Amazon image to your computer.

• Open Pinterest and click on the red circle with the white plus side in the upper right hand of your screen.

• In the drop-down box, chick “Upload Image.”
• In the new window, use “Upload Image” to find and… well, upload your image.
• Go to Amazon to get your product link. If you haven’t downloaded the Amazon Associates Site Strip, do that ASAP. Once you’re on the catalog page, use the “Text” choose in the “Get Link” box in the upper left-hand corner. Use the radio button to choose the shortened link and click “Get Link.” (If you have multiple Tracking ID, make sure to choose the correct one.)

• Copy the line and then…
• Return to Pinterest. The “Saved From Device” window should still be added. Add the Amazon link to the Destination URL box. Click continue.
• Add your description. Don’t skimp on the details. Oh, and make sure to add your affiliate info to keep right with the FTC.
• Choose a board and then upload.

If you pin an image from your blog, you’ll have to go back Pinterest and change the destination URL.

You can also, go back and edit the pin if you need to make changes.

It is easy as that. You can scatter Amazon linked products throughout your boards or add a new board that is just about the product. There’s no right or wrong.

I hope this little tutorial has helped you discover an additional way to monetize your blog by using affiliate links on Pinterest.

Now, let’s go make this an amazingly profitable day,