The Amazon Associates Program is one of the largest and most successful online affiliate program had decided to end the referral fees to all Associates that send users to Amazon via PPC ads such as paid search on Google. In short, there should no more direct linking from paid search ads to Amazon site by May 1, 2009 or you will face the risk of having your account closed.

As per email sent to all Amazon Associates :

Dear Amazon Associate:

We’re writing to let you know about a change to the Amazon Associates Program. After careful review of how we are investing our advertising resources, we have made the decision to no longer pay referral fees to Associates who send users to www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, or www.endless.com through keyword bidding and other paid search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search engines, and their extended search networks. If you’re not sure if this change affects you, please visit this page for FAQs.

As of May 1, 2009, Associates will not be paid referral fees for paid search traffic. Also, in connection with this change, as of May 1, 2009, Amazon will no longer make data feeds available to Associates for the purpose of sending users to the Amazon websites in the US or Canada via paid search.

This change applies only to the Associates programs in North America. If you are conducting paid search activities in connection with one of Amazon’s Associates Programs outside of the US and Canada, please refer to the applicable country’s Associates Program Operating Agreement for relevant terms and conditions.

We appreciate your continued support and participation in this advertising Program. If you have questions or concerns, please write to us by using the Contact Us form available on Associates Central.

Sincerely,

The Amazon Associates Program

Even though I tried Amazon Associates Program many years ago, it is still not a very viable program for me. So for those that are making money from Amazon via Google Ads, it is time to say bye bye.