Are There Any Non-Compete Agreements With Amazon Affiliates?

Amazon is a leader in online book sales, and its affiliate program is one of the Internet's oldest.

Amazon's affiliate program offers website owners an opportunity to earn referral fees by advertising Amazon products on their own sites. The program has a set of rules and regulations, but it does not have any non-compete restrictions.

Amazon Associates

Amazon's affiliate program is called Amazon Associates. It is one of the Web's first affiliate marketing programs and is still one of its largest. Associates get paid when someone visiting their site, clicks on the Amazon link and makes a qualified purchase. Amazon also owns the audiobook website Audible.com and the specialty rare and out-of-print books website Abebooks.com. Those sites have separate associate programs, but it is possible to simultaneously affiliate with either, or both, of them.

Exclusivity Agreements

The terms of the Amazon Associates Operating Agreement do not prohibit affiliates from also linking to competitors or other websites. The agreement does not specify any exclusivity restrictions nor are any non-compete conditions in place.

Other Restrictions

Website operators should be aware that the affiliate program is prohibited in some states. Hawaii, North Carolina, Colorado and Rhode Island have legislation that requires companies to collect sales taxes from marketing affiliates. Amazon has discontinued its Associates program in those states.

References

• AmazonAssociates: Associates Program Operating Agreement
• Audible: Audible's Affilate Program
• AbeBooks: The Abebooks Affiliate Program
• Wall Street Journal: Amazon Cuts Ties to Affiliates in Hawaii
• 9News (NBC): Amazon Cuts off Colo. Affiliates Because of Tax

Resources

• Motley Fool: Death of Affiliate Marketing?
• Washington Post: Make off your Blog