AmazonSmile FAQs for Associates

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to eligible charitable organizations selected by customers.

Can I earn advertising fees by sending traffic to smile.amazon.com?

Yes. Amazon Associates can earn advertising fees for Qualifying Purchases completed on smile.amazon.com. Amazon Associates do not need to register separately for AmazonSmile - Amazon Associates can use the same Associates ID they use for affiliate links to www.amazon.com. If your organization is an eligible 501(c)(3) public charitable organization, you may register for both programs and earn AmazonSmile donations as well as Amazon Associates advertising fees. To learn more about registering for AmazonSmile as a charitable organization, visit the AmazonSmile Org Central.

How do I create affiliate links to AmazonSmile?

You can create affiliate text links to AmazonSmile by changing the domain in an affiliate link URL from “www.amazon.com” to “smile.amazon.com” while keeping everything else in the URL exactly the same as your standard affiliate links. Currently, all links created using Associates Central tools send traffic to pages on www.amazon.com. Many of the links created using our tools can be edited to point to smile.amazon.com, though some cannot. Associates can’t edit a destination URL for Widgets, Banners and Text and Image product links—URLs created by these tools can’t be changed to send users to AmazonSmile at this time.

Can charitable organizations participate in both AmazonSmile and the Amazon Associates program?

Yes. You can participate in both programs if you are a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization and meet the AmazonSmile program eligibility criteria. For complete details, visit the AmazonSmile Org Central.

Why should I register my charitable organization for AmazonSmile?

By registering your charitable organization for AmazonSmile, you can earn donations when customers shop at smile.amazon.com and select your organization. AmazonSmile will remember the charitable organizations selected by customers so every time customers return to AmazonSmile, they will be shopping to support their chosen organization.

What are the eligibility requirements for charitable organizations to participate in AmazonSmile?

Organizations must be registered and in good standing with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) to be eligible to participate. Organizations must be public charitable organizations (not private foundations) and must meet the charity eligibility criteria set forth in the AmazonSmile Org Central.

How is AmazonSmile different than the Amazon Associates program for non-profits?

Non-profits that are Amazon Associates earn advertising fees by sending online traffic from the non-profit’s website to www.amazon.com or smile.amazon.com. Eligible non-profits can receive donations from the AmazonSmile Foundation equal to 0.5% of the purchase price of all eligible items purchased on AmazonSmile by customers that have chosen to support the non-profit. AmazonSmile customers have the option of making all their Amazon purchases via AmazonSmile to provide an ongoing benefit to the public charitable organization of their choice. To learn more about the eligibility requirements for the AmazonSmile program, see the AmazonSmile Org Central.