Over the past almost 20 years, I've used a multitude of different email addresses to sign up for affiliate programs and affiliate networks.
In 1997, I used the address linked to my first Internet service provider, which became unusable when I left Prince George, B.C. a couple of years later and signed up with a new provider in Calgary, Alberta.
I then picked up an online email account with Bigfoot because I was traveling a lot and could access it anywhere at anytime. However, their service went by the wayside pretty darned quickly. Fortunately, I hadn't signed up for many affiliate programs or networks, so changing the email address on those accounts wasn't too tedious.
Not long afterward I started using CPanel, and got the bright idea to use a different email address for each affiliate program, i.e. clickbank@rosalinds.com, cj@rosalinds.com and so forth.
That setup worked especially well while I was using Eudora, a computer-based email client. I created separate mailboxes for each program, which would ‘light up' when a new email had arrived.
Sadly, Eudora went the way of the dodo, and I signed up for my Gmail account which I've now had for over a decade.
It took awhile to change all those affiliate-program@mydomain.com email addresses to my Gmail account email address.
Then, during one of my server moves, I decided to ‘clean up' the ‘extraneous stuff' on the server and deleted most of those affiliate-program@mydomain.com forwarding email addresses.
BIG mistake.
When you are working with a lot of programs and different networks, you might not notice if you don't receive an email from one of them for awhile — months even. This is especially true if you don't do much business with a particular program and don't check your stats regularly.
And when you're not receiving the affiliate program emails, you might miss one or more that can affect your affiliate relationship status with that program… to the point of termination.
Imagine the surprise / shock when you finally log in to an affiliate account that you've had for years and read a statement:
“This account is closed and will not generate referrals. Access to this site is for historical purposes only.”
Yup, that's what happened to my Amazon account.
Duh.
Apparently, back in October 2015, the Amazon Associates Program sent out a number of emails requesting affiliates to confirm that they were in compliance with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which is mandatory for participation in the Amazon Associates Program.
I didn't get those emails, so my Amazon Associates Program account was closed on November 1, 2015, which I didn't know, because I still wasn't getting any email from the Amazon Associates program.
Between then and now, I created a number of affiliate links to various products on Amazon, such as books I was reading and products I'd purchased and did NOT see a notice that those referrals wouldn't generate commissions. Their bad.
It was only when I went into the associates program interface that I say the notification about the account being closed.
I sent a few queries through the a portal asking why the account had been closed – with no reply. It was only when I phoned that I got some answers and action.
Unfortunately, the original account couldn't be re-instated, so I had to re-apply for a new account (and a new ID) in order to participate in the Amazon Associates Program again.
And THAT is why I spent my weekend changing links…
TWO Moral to this story:
- Use ONE email address for your affiliate programs and affiliate network sign ups.
- READ the emails those affiliate programs and affiliate networks send!!
Did you find this post informative and useful? If so, please share it with others! If you have a comment, question or suggestion, please leave a comment below!
Cheers,
P.S. Want to make your links easier to track? Use Pretty Link!
Jonny says
It’s always a good thing to have a separate spreadsheet for all the logins you have on the different websites. The thing which I do because I usually create a password for any websites to which I sign up so that if that ends up hacked, the won’t have access to the other accounts of mine.
Rosalind Gardner says
Very good point, Jonny. Thanks!
Sally Jenkins says
Hello,
I came across your website and you have a lot of great ideas.
Iโm wondering if you have an email subscriber list I can opt into.
If so, can you email me the link to your opt in page?
Thanks,
Sally Jenkins
Rosalind Gardner says
Sally,
The newsletter opt-in is located in the right sidebar of every page on this site.
Tiawanda Grace says
Thank you so much for the information. I am so happy I am with GMail also.
Rosalind Gardner says
You’re most welcome, Tiawanda. ๐
Jon says
Been there before and it really stinks! Best to keep that stuff on one account or in a spreadsheet.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Jon,
Sorry to hear that you got caught that way too. You’re right about the spreadsheet. I use a spreadsheet, but failed to input the email addresses that I was using to sign up for different programs. UGH!
Cheers,
Ros
Alvin says
Hi Rosalind
I lost my Amazon account for the same reason. I felt really bad because I had it since 1997. Incidentally I believe that’s the same year I join your list or not too long after. I ignored the email from Amazon and lost my ID which was my domain name. It hurts.
Alvin
Greg says
Hi Rosalind,
I feel so overwhelmed. I have been told that affiliate marketing does not work anymore
and only a few percent make all the money. So I have been learning about developing my
own products etc.
But with all the things like customer service and other things I feel like affiliate
marketing would be a better thing to start with plus I have made no real money ye.
Should I just start with affiliate marketing or create my own products?
Is Affiliate marketing dying out? thanks!
Vikiana says
I’m so sorry that happened to you Rosalind! I have taken your information and called them to make sure I didn’t forget. You are totally correct when you said you deleted many of those emails โ I am very guilty of 1. saying that I’ll get back to it and/or 2. cleaning up my email box and disposing of emails that don’t look too important.
Like you said โ BAD IDEA!
I’m going through a similar situation with HostGator and hope to have it cleared up soon.
I’m happy that you’re back in the saddle again Rosalind!
Vikiana
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Vikiana,
Sorry to hear you’re experiencing a similar type of issue with HostGator.
You make a really good point about not dealing with the emails right away. Too often, I look at one that needs attention and because I don’t handle it then, I forget all about it. UGH!
Cheers,
Ros
Irene Anum says
Many thanks for this very important tip. I had my amazon associate account cancelled because i was not active during their six month period. I intend re-apply when i am ready. but to know the consequencies of not reading their emails is really handy info. thanks Ros
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Irene,
You’re most welcome. Good luck starting your new Amazon associate account!
Cheers,
Ros
Valerie says
Hi Rosalind,
Thanks very much for sharing your experience.
I have been guilty of not immediately reading affiliate emails with the intention of dealing with them later, and often later doesn’t eventuate!
Knowing of your experience I will certainly deal with affiliate emails immediately from now on.
All the best,
Valerie
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Valerie,
You’re most welcome and glad to hear that my article helped!
Cheers,
Ros
May says
The exact same thing happened to me. Was it easy to get another account. I have not done it yet.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi May,
No problem at all. Just phone them up and let them know what happened. They’ll send you another link so that you can sign up with the same email address, linked to your Amazon shopping account.
Cheers,
Ros
Andrew says
Just recieved your email -thanks for that if you pardon the pun.
I think because it is so easy for this to happen with so many accounts and email adreeses logins etc ans with all the years of hard work and then-boom!
Let this be a warning to all of us so i really appreciate this message Rosalind
thanks again. keep up the good work as usual.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Andrew,
Thanks kindly for the kudos.
Cheers,
Ros
Marie says
Thank you so much for the information. I’m a newbie and would very much like to make money on amazon, but I have soooo much drama going on in my life that things like the Amazon program have gone by the wayside thus hindering my profitability. I truly need help in stepping up my game to become the successful marketeer I know that I can be. Thanks again for the timely advice.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Marie,
You’re most welcome. Good luck getting rid of the drama… I know what that feels like. ๐
Cheers,
Ros
mike says
Thats good to know!!
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Mike,
Glad you think so! ๐
Cheers,
Ros
Monna Ellithorpe says
Hi Rosalind,
I would have a heart attack if I had found that out. I have to admit that sometimes I don’t read those emails but you can bet I will be paying more attention from now on.
I’m happy to hear they did allow you to sign up but you have a lot of work ahead to change your existing links.
A good lesson for all to remember. Have a great day.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hey Monna,
No point in having a heart attack over having an affiliate account cancelled… not like they’d send you a get well card or anything. ๐
Cheers,
Ros
Stephen says
Hi Rosalind: Thanks for the warning. I just went to my Amazon Affiliate account and saw the same message: โThis account is closed….” My primary email is the contact email for that account. I received no email call to action that I recall. I also saw no email when a used book I had listed recently sold. Live and learn. Thanks for all your helpful advice over the years. Best wishes, Steve
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Steve,
Sorry to hear that about your Amazon account. Give them a call, they’ll send you a link to set up account using the same email address, but you’ll still have to change your links.
Cheers,
Ros
Trent Brownrigg says
Thanks to this post, I just decided to check my amazon affiliate account and it looks like the exact same thing happened to me. Darn! I guess it’s time to sign up for a new one and start switching links.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hey Trent,
So sorry to hear that happened to you too, but at least you know now and can get started again.
Cheers,
Ros
Stacia says
ughh I just looked and this happened to me too! I wouldn’t even have an idea how to go back and find all my links. Good thing for my other sites I use pretty link and I could go back and change them. But in this case I wasn’t really making any amazon commissions anyway. But that is really slimy of them to make that change and not give people a chance to get it back. They are getting free advertising all over the place.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Stacia,
I agree… and you make a good point about using Pretty Link to make changing those links easier.
Cheers,
Ros
Michele says
Ironic. I just checked my Amazon affiliate login and it says the exact same thing! I guess I need to create a spreadsheet so I don’t lose track of anything again! Thanks for the info – Lord knows how long this may have gone on without your post!
Rosalind Gardner says
Hey Michele,
Glad this article helped you! ๐
Cheers,
Ros