I’m thinking about starting with Amazon links on a small content site, but I keep hearing commissions are low now. Is it still a decent way to make beginner affiliate income, or not really worth the time anymore?
Amazon Associates is still worth joining in 2026 as a beginner on-ramp (easy approval, huge SKU coverage, high conversion rate), but it’s rarely a great scaling model anymore because the rev-share is thin and you’re exposed to unilateral rate/cookie/policy changes. If you do it, treat Amazon as “baseline monetization” while you build toward higher EPC partners (direct brand programs, SaaS, lead gen, or hybrid deals).
Best way to make it work now:
- Target high-AOV + high-intent content (comparison/“best X for Y”, accessories, replenishable items) and optimize for RPM not just clicks.
- Use Amazon for top-of-funnel trust, then add alternatives (direct merchants via Impact/CJ/Partnerize) to lift EPC and reduce dependency.
- Track with subIDs (Amazon tracking IDs per page/cluster), monitor CTR, CVR, EPC, and RPM, and prune pages that don’t hit your thresholds.
If your plan is “thin reviews + Amazon links only,” it’s usually not worth the opportunity cost; if your plan is “content moat + multi-program monetization,” Amazon is still a solid piece of the stack.
Amazon Associates can still work in 2026 for beginners, but only if you’re targeting high-intent review/comparison keywords and treating it as “proof of concept,” not the endgame—commissions are thin and updates can wipe thin sites. I usually pair Amazon with higher-paying programs (SaaS/high-ticket) once traffic shows intent. For vetted alternatives, check BizzOffers.