Affiliate Selling On TikTok Or Amazon. Which One Should You Start?

Affiliate selling on TikTok and Amazon has come to light because of influencers stating how much they make on both platforms.

But like with all selling, they miss out a ton of steps:

• They already had an audience
• Highly likely the products were checked out first. If not then the trust factor of future recommendations is low
• To make a stable income you need to be doing a little more than just posting 1 video or 1 link on a content page
• The processes for both are fast and stable- but they are still platforms that rely on traffic to be funnelled into their online machines.

To not understand these points first is not going to get you far.

Also remember one crucial point. Be careful to depend too much on one system. Affiliate selling on TikTok might be better but those same techniques could also be effective using Amazon. Taking one tactic from one system and trying it somewhere else can actually lead to better conversions.

But enough of caution. Lets look at the pros and cons of TikTok first with some nice examples.

Affiliate selling on TikTok positives

Apart from the (possible) politcal issues of if TikTok is still going to be present. It is a huge platform for short video. So influential that Youtube created Shorts to compete. And what does TikTok offer the affiliate?

Massive Engagement and Reach

TikTok has over 1 billion active users worldwide, offering vast exposure to affiliate marketers.
Viral potential can amplify product promotions, even with a small follower base.

Short-Form Content Appeal

Quick, creative, and visually appealing content tends to drive higher engagement rates.
Users are more likely to make impulse purchases after seeing authentic, entertaining product demos or reviews.

Influencer Marketing Synergy

Collaborations with TikTok influencers can lead to powerful affiliate marketing campaigns, especially in niches like beauty, fashion, and tech. Many influencers already embed affiliate links in their profiles or use TikTok's built-in shopping features. Check out the Instagram viral strats or how MrBeast generates millions of views.

Ease of Targeting Niche Audiences

TikTok's algorithm is highly effective at identifying user interests, allowing marketers to reach niche audiences quickly.

Emerging Affiliate Tools

TikTok Shop and other e-commerce integration let creators link directly to products, reducing friction for buyers. TikTok Live allows direct selling opportunities in real-time.

You can also check out products which are trending up (note though if it is already trending it might not be increasing in trend- step forward fidget spinners)

The negatives...

The negatives are actually very similar to other "quick short" platforms like X.com

Short Content Lifespan

TikTok videos often have a brief window of virality, making consistent posting essential for sustained affiliate income.

Limited Link Opportunities

TikTok restricts clickable links to bio sections unless a creator has reached a certain follower threshold. Non-shop-enabled posts require creative CTAs to guide users off-platform.

Dependence on Algorithm

The success of content visibility is highly dependent on TikTok’s algorithm, which can be unpredictable.

Monetization Rules

Not all creators are eligible for TikTok's in-platform monetization tools, and affiliate links may be less straightforward compared to other platforms.

Niche Restrictions

Certain niches (e.g., financial services or explicit content) may struggle due to platform policies or user preferences.

Affiliate selling on Amazon. The positives

Amazon has had much love in the affiliate department. And it is still a powerhouse full of affiliate tools and forums for their Amazon Associates. But Amazon offers a lot:

Trusted Brand

Amazon's global recognition and trust make it easier to convert clicks into purchases.
Customers are already familiar with the checkout process, reducing friction. Its affiliate program is well-suited to blog posts, product reviews, and lists that can bring in traffic over time. Whereas TikTok is quick.

Diverse Product Range

With millions of products available, affiliates can target nearly any niche. Amazon's "frequently bought together" and upsell algorithms can increase cart value.

Ease of Joining

Amazon Associates (Amazon’s affiliate program) is beginner-friendly, with straightforward signup and linking processes. You do need to obtain a certain amount of sales within a month to progress, so it is wise to start with a plan before signup.

Conversion Power

Amazon’s recommendation engine often leads to additional purchases, for which affiliates earn commissions. Amazon also has some great analytical software allowing affiliates to check out conversions, earnings and clicks

Cookie Window Advantage

Amazon’s 24-hour cookie allows affiliates to earn commissions on all qualifying purchases during that period, even if the buyer clicks away from the original product.

The negatives...

You could argue that Amazon, over time, has pushed its affiliates to one side. However, regardless of the following negatives Amazon is still an affiliate force.

Low Commission Rates

Amazon's affiliate rates are relatively low, ranging from 1% to 10% depending on the category. This is a positive (its a huge range of products) but also a negative. Affiliates need high traffic or high-ticket items to generate substantial income. Due to this you also need to do more work for that commission. In the end, is it worth it?

Short Cookie Duration

The 24-hour cookie window can be restrictive compared to platforms with longer duration.

Strict Rules and Penalties

Violating Amazon’s affiliate terms (e.g., improperly sharing links on social media) can lead to account bans. Affiliates must avoid practices like link cloaking or misleading promotions. But even when followed, Amazon can come back and bite you with another update. If they change their rules or commission structure then your finances will be affected.

Limited Control Over Listings

Affiliates cannot influence product pages, pricing, or availability. Sudden price changes or negative reviews can deter conversions.

Highly Competitive

Amazon affiliate marketing is saturated, making it difficult for new marketers to rank or stand out in competitive niches.

Amazon affiliate example

There are plenty of examples of Amazon affiliates (Amazon Associates). Wirecutter being a popular blog. We wrote about it here and how they use affiliate marketing within their content.

Check out our blog here

Affiliate selling can be found here

Amazon selling is a link away

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