Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I trust and believe will provide value to you.
Introduction
If you love writing and want to earn money online, Amazon affiliate marketing on Medium might be your perfect side hustle. Medium is a free platform with a built-in audience, and Amazon’s affiliate program allows you to earn commission on millions of products. Even better? You don’t need your own website to get started.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to combine these two powerful tools — Medium + Amazon Associates — to start earning passive income just by sharing helpful product recommendations. Whether you’re writing gift guides, product reviews, or how-to articles, you can monetize your content and reach readers who are ready to click and buy.
Let’s learn how to earn money with Amazon Affiliate Marketing on Medium and break it down step by step.
What Is Amazon Affiliate Marketing?
Amazon affiliate marketing, officially known as the Amazon Associates Program, is one of the easiest ways to get started with affiliate marketing. When you sign up as an Amazon Associate, you receive special tracking links (called affiliate links) for any product listed on Amazon. You can then share these links in your blog posts, articles, social media, or emails. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
The commission rates vary depending on the product category, ranging from 1% to 10%. For example, you might earn 4% on electronics, 3% on home improvement items, and up to 10% on luxury beauty products. While the rates may seem small, remember that Amazon’s vast product catalog and brand trust make it more likely people will actually buy.
One of the best parts of the Amazon affiliate program is the 24-hour cookie window. If someone clicks your link and purchases anything on Amazon within that time (even if it’s not the product you linked), you still earn a commission.
Why Medium Is Great for Affiliate Marketing
Medium is a blogging platform with a twist: it already has an engaged audience that visits the site to discover interesting, well-written content. Unlike starting a blog from scratch (which takes time to build traffic), publishing on Medium gives you access to thousands of potential readers without worrying about SEO or social media marketing right away.
Here’s why Medium and affiliate marketing work well together:
- Built-in audience: Your article can show up in readers’ feeds if it matches their interests.
- No website needed: Save the time and money of building a blog.
- Easy-to-use editor: Write, format, and publish your content with ease.
- Free to use: Medium doesn’t charge you to post articles (though you can upgrade for more features).
Whether you’re reviewing your favorite products or sharing tips that naturally include affiliate links, Medium gives you the platform to get discovered.
How to Get Started with Amazon Associates
Here’s a quick guide to joining the Amazon Associates program:
- Visit affiliate-program.amazon.com and click “Sign Up.”
- Log in with your Amazon account or create a new one.
- Enter your website or profile info. Since you’re using Medium, you can use your Medium profile URL.
- Choose your niche. You’ll be asked to describe how you plan to promote links.
- Create your custom affiliate links. Once approved, you can begin sharing links.
Important: You must generate at least three qualified sales within 180 days to keep your account active. Qualified sales mean people clicked your links and made a purchase.
To stay compliant:
- Always disclose your affiliate relationship (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”)
- Don’t cloak or shorten affiliate links.
- Only promote on platforms allowed by Amazon (Medium is okay).
What Types of Posts Work Best on Medium
Not all content performs equally when it comes to Amazon affiliate marketing on Medium. The best-performing articles provide value first, and subtly recommend products as part of the solution.
Here are some proven formats:
- Product Roundups
- Example: “10 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets Under $25”
- Why it works: These posts give readers multiple items to consider, increasing chances of a click.
- How-To Guides
- Example: “How to Set Up a Cozy Home Office (With Links to My Favorite Budget Finds)”
- Why it works: You’re solving a problem, and affiliate products are part of the solution.
- Product Comparisons or Reviews
- Example: “Logitech MX Master 3 vs. Apple Magic Mouse: Which One Wins for Productivity?”
- Why it works: Buyers often search for comparisons before purchasing.
- Gift Guides
- Example: “Best Gifts for New Dads in 2025 (That They’ll Actually Use)”
- Why it works: People are in a buying mindset, especially around holidays.
How to Write a High-Converting Medium Article
To succeed with Amazon affiliate marketing on Medium, you need more than just product links. Your writing must be engaging, helpful, and trustworthy.
Here’s how to craft a high-converting article:
Write a Compelling Headline
Use clear, specific, and benefit-driven titles to grab attention and entice readers to click. Your title should highlight the value the reader will gain by reading your article—whether it’s saving money, solving a problem, or discovering something new. Instead of vague or generic headlines, focus on outcomes and clarity. For example, a title like “5 Budget-Friendly Travel Essentials That Saved My Vacation” instantly tells the reader what they’ll learn and hints at a personal benefit, which increases the chances they’ll keep reading.
Use a Friendly, Honest Tone
When writing affiliate articles on Medium, your tone plays a big role in building trust with your audience. Readers can tell when you’re genuinely trying to help versus just trying to make a quick sale. Aim to write as if you’re recommending a product to a friend—be conversational, approachable, and transparent about why you’re suggesting something. Share your personal experience or honest opinions, including both the pros and any potential cons. This kind of authenticity makes your content more relatable and trustworthy, which in turn increases the likelihood that readers will click your affiliate links and follow your recommendations. Avoid sounding overly salesy or robotic; instead, focus on being helpful, informative, and real.
Format for Readability
Use:
- Subheadings – Break up your article into clear sections using descriptive subheadings. This helps guide readers through your content and makes it easier to find the information they’re most interested in.
- Bullet points – Use bullet points to present lists or key takeaways in a simple, digestible format. They improve clarity and allow readers to quickly scan for important details.
- Short paragraphs – Keep paragraphs to 2–4 sentences max. Large blocks of text can feel overwhelming and discourage readers from finishing your article.
- Bold for emphasis – Use bold text strategically to highlight important points, product names, or calls-to-action. It draws the eye and helps key information stand out without overloading the reader.
Include Your Affiliate Links Naturally
Avoid forcing affiliate links into your article—integrate them in a way that feels seamless and relevant to the content. Mention products when they genuinely enhance your point or solve a problem you’re discussing. For example, if you’re writing about working from home, you might naturally recommend a noise-canceling headset you personally use. Make sure the link fits the flow of the sentence and doesn’t interrupt the reader’s experience. The more authentic and useful your recommendation feels, the more likely readers are to trust your suggestion and click through.
Instead of listing a bunch of links, weave them into your story:
“I used this portable power bank every day on our trip, and it never let me down.”
Add Images (Optional)
While not required, adding images can enhance your article’s appeal and help illustrate your points. A relevant product image, lifestyle photo, or even a simple screenshot can break up text and make your post more engaging. Just be sure to use high-quality visuals and avoid cluttering your article. If you use product images from Amazon, make sure you follow their affiliate image guidelines or use Amazon’s SiteStripe to stay compliant.
Always Include a Disclosure
Transparency is key when using affiliate links. Always include a clear disclosure near the beginning of your article—something simple like: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.” Not only does this build trust with your readers, but it’s also a legal requirement under FTC guidelines and Amazon’s affiliate program rules. Failing to disclose can lead to account suspension or loss of earnings, so don’t skip this step.
Tips for Promoting Your Medium Articles
Medium has internal traffic, but promoting your content on social platforms can take it further and give you the extra amount of exposure. Try these tactics:
- SEO for Medium: Use long-tail keywords like “Amazon affiliate marketing on Medium” in your title, subheadings, and throughout the post.
- Pinterest: Create vertical pins linking to your Medium article. Great for product roundups and guides. Tools like Tailwind can help automate the process and drive more traffic.
- Facebook Groups: Share in relevant community groups (as long as self-promo is allowed).
- Reddit: Participate in subreddits where your content is genuinely helpful.
- Email Newsletter: If you have one, send your articles to your list.
How to Track Clicks and Optimize
Once your articles are live, track how they’re performing.
Amazon Dashboard:
- See how many clicks, items shipped, and earnings each link generates.
- Identify which articles or products perform best.
Medium Stats:
- View read time, views, and engagement.
- See which headlines or topics attract more clicks.
A/B Test Headlines or Product Placement:
- Test different title styles (e.g., listicle vs. how-to).
- Try moving product links earlier or later in the article.
Scaling Your Efforts
Once you’ve found a rhythm and have a few successful articles under your belt, it’s time to think about scaling for more potential affiliate marketing sales. Start by analyzing which posts are performing best—look at views, engagement, and which affiliate links are getting clicks or generating sales. Then, double down on what’s working. Create more content in similar formats, explore related product niches, or expand on popular topics with follow-up posts. You can also repurpose your articles into different content types, like turning a blog post into a social media carousel, an email newsletter, or a YouTube script.
As you build momentum, consider using tools like Trello or Notion to plan your content calendar and stay organized. Collaborate with other Medium writers or guest post in publications that align with your niche. Eventually, you might even explore building an email list or launching your own blog to diversify traffic sources and income streams. The key is to treat it like a long-term business—track results, stay consistent, and keep improving your strategy over time.
Here are my favorite tips:
Publish Consistently
The more quality content you publish, the more chances you have to earn commissions. Aim to post at least 1–3 well-researched and helpful articles per week. Consistency builds momentum, attracts returning readers, and signals to the Medium algorithm that you’re an active and valuable contributor.
Re-use Winning Templates
If you notice a certain article type performs well—like product reviews, listicles, or gift guides—double down on that format. For example, if a “Top 10 Gifts for New Moms” post gains traction, create similar articles like “Top Gifts for Father’s Day,” “Holiday Tech Gifts Under $50,” or “Back-to-School Essentials.” This helps you scale faster by following proven patterns.
Use Medium Publications
Submitting your articles to popular Medium publications (like Better Marketing, Start it Up, or niche-specific ones) can dramatically increase your visibility. Publications often have thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of followers. Getting published in one can boost your traffic, clicks, and affiliate sales. Always read their submission guidelines and tailor your content accordingly.
Consider Collecting Emails
While Medium is a great platform, you don’t “own” your audience there. Start collecting email addresses using a simple email marketing tool like ConvertKit or MailerLite. Add a call-to-action at the end of your articles offering something valuable—like a curated product guide or exclusive affiliate tips—in exchange for their email. Over time, this list can become a powerful asset for promoting future articles and affiliate products directly.
Track and Optimize Your Links
Use Amazon’s tracking IDs or tools like Pretty Links (if you ever start a website) to see which links are converting. Understanding what products resonate with your audience helps you recommend more of what works—and avoid what doesn’t.
Scaling your efforts takes time, but it’s the key to turning small wins into a steady and growing income stream.
Final Thoughts
Amazon affiliate marketing on Medium is a beginner-friendly way to start earning online income without a website, technical setup, or up-front investment. By creating helpful, well-written articles that feature affiliate products, you can turn your free time into a passive income stream.
Whether you’re looking to make an extra $100 a month or scale into a full-on affiliate business, this method is low-risk and high-reward. The key is consistency, authenticity, and providing value to your readers.
So grab your laptop, sign up for Amazon Associates, and start writing on Medium today. Your first affiliate commission might be just one post away!
Ready to take action? Start brainstorming article ideas, find useful products to recommend, and focus on building trust with every piece you publish. The sooner you start, the sooner you can earn.
