The Think Media Podcast – Episode 481

Amazon Influencer 2026: How to Start & Get Approved Fast
Host: Sean Cannell
Guest: Kathleen Coble (Amazon Selling Expert)
Date: January 22, 2026

Overview

This episode dives deep into the 2026 landscape of the Amazon Influencer Program. With expert guest Kathleen Coble, Sean Cannell leads an information-rich conversation centered around getting approved quickly, leveraging powerful new features, unlocking on-site commissions, and scaling to $100/day and beyond through tactical content creation and storefront optimization. The episode is packed with actionable strategies, insider tips, and the latest updates directly from a top-earning Amazon influencer.

1. Amazon Influencer Program: What and Why?

(01:32–02:22)

• Amazon Influencer vs. Affiliate:

  • Similar to the Amazon Affiliate/Associates program: share links, earn commissions.

  • Key Difference: Influencers upload content directly on Amazon. Amazon markets that content to engaged shoppers (01:32).

  • Kathleen:

    "Once you get into that side of this program, you are actually able to create and upload content directly to Amazon... Amazon does a lot of the legwork... putting your content in front of their customers." (01:39)

2. Getting Approved: How to Qualify and What Amazon Looks For

(02:22–04:38)

• Eligibility is NOT black-and-white:

  • Exact numbers not published; high engagement is key, not necessarily follower count.

  • Consistency and genuine interaction matter more than size.

  • Kathleen:

    "I've had people who have 10,000 YouTube subscribers that haven't gotten in. But then I have people who have 150 TikTok followers who have gotten in because they are posting consistently and they have that engagement that Amazon is looking for." (02:38)

• Defining Engagement:

  • Frequent posting + authentic interaction; prompts and responses to audience.
  • Engagement also means reciprocation—comment back, ask questions (03:02).

• Apply as Many Times as You Want:

  • No penalty for reapplying; adjust your content and try again (03:32).

• Supported Platforms (03:58):

  • YouTube, TikTok, Facebook (business page), Instagram.

  • TikTok highly effective for smaller/newer accounts, but apply with YouTube first if possible.

  • Kathleen:

    "Even if you have a YouTube channel... just go ahead and apply with your YouTube channel first because you could get in." (04:13)

3. Unlocking On-Site Commissions: First Content Steps

(05:23–09:16)

• First Three Video Tips (05:23):

  • One product per video: Select three you already own and love.
  • Avoid risky/claim-sensitive products (supplements, medical items); stick to home goods, kitchen, clothing, etc.

• Content Routine & Production:

  • Research easily: Use your Amazon order history for authentic product picks (06:53).
  • Keep it simple and authentic: 30 sec–2 min, minimal editing; no music, minimal to no text on screen.

• Horizontal v. Vertical (07:48):

  • Horizontal preferred for YouTube compatibility and traditional Amazon listings, but vertical acceptable for TikTok-focused creators.

  • Kathleen:

    "I recommend horizontal... that's the orientation that seller videos are. That's the orientation that YouTube likes." (08:21)

• Editing Tools:

  • Desktop: Camtasia
  • Mobile: CapCut, Canva (09:11)

• Camera Presence:

  • On-camera builds trust especially for higher-cost items, but not required for every video.

  • Kathleen:

    "When I'm filming videos for, you know, items that are $50, 100, anything over a hundred dollars, I'm going to put my face in there because they can see the person who's using it." (09:24)

4. Conversions, Commissions & Optimizing Content

(10:14–12:24)

• Qualifying Purchases:

  • Exact algorithm unknown, but 50%+ video watch likely triggers commission credit (10:26).

  • Amazon calls it a “qualifying purchase,” tied to video view time and item buy.

  • Kathleen:

    "We speculate... a customer has to watch your video for at least 50% of the time, buy the item, and then you get credit for that sale." (10:40)

5. Building & Maximizing Your Amazon Storefront

(11:00–13:53)

• Storefront Basics:

  • Your content hub on Amazon: curated lists, all uploads, relevant video/photos.

• Curation & Ideals Lists:

  • Create themed lists—seasonal gifts, holiday collections, favorite finds.
  • Smart tip: link idealist in YouTube video descriptions for relevance and discoverability (11:40).

• Shoppable Photos:

  • Quick win: snapshots paired with each video.

  • Amazon continually tests different placements for photos, can add additional exposure (12:32).

  • Kathleen:

    "It's a small amount of time for potentially a few extra sales." (13:39)

6. Scaling to $100/Day and Driving Off-Site Traffic

(13:53–15:59)

• YouTube:

  • Main focus for both Kathleen and Sean; great for discoverability, longevity, and SEO.

  • Repurpose Amazon review videos for YouTube, include affiliate links and idealists.

  • Kathleen:

    "YouTube is my first and foremost or my best platform for posting off site because of the searchability, because the videos... they're ideally there forever." (15:09)

• Cross-Platform Growth:

  • Leverage both YouTube and Amazon for mutual growth—use each to drive traffic to the other.

7. Tracking, Optimizing & Learning from Your Best Content

(16:24–17:41)

• Monthly Analysis:

  • Regularly review which videos drive the most views and revenue.

  • Reverse-engineer what works (structure, hooks, product selection).

  • Kathleen:

    "I would say... go look at your own videos and what's converting well for you... How did you hook people to make them watch for at least 50%?" (17:14)

8. Hidden Tools and Advanced Earning Opportunities

(17:41–22:30)

• Stay On Top of Amazon Emails:

  • Search inbox weekly for Amazon Influencer/Associate promos—new tools/initiatives often communicated this way (18:10).

• Creator Ads Boost:

  • Link Instagram to Amazon Influencer account; Amazon can use your IG content in their ads, you still get affiliate credit.

• Creator Connections:

  • Special campaigns offer bonus commissions (e.g., 15% instead of 2–4% on certain products).
  • Recent rule changes simplify campaign participation—just accept, no need to reclaim links (20:33).

• Bounties and Bonuses:

  • Amazon offers seasonal/threshold-driven bonuses on top of affiliate commissions.

  • Example: hitting a sales threshold triggers extra payout (21:10).

  • Sean:

    "One month we earned $11,500, just extra. And I was like, we're already getting our affiliate commission. But like, hey, we hit that threshold and now they're sending us extra money." (21:34)

9. Mindset and Commitment for Success

(22:30–23:24)

• Treat it as a Business:

  • Regular, strategic action unlocks consistent income and extra opportunities.

  • Stay proactive to catch incentives, brand deals, and fresh tools.

  • Kathleen:

    "You get what you put into it, right. If you treat this like a hobby... you're going to miss those emails, you're gonna miss those extra opportunities. But if you really wanna make serious income and you treat this opportunity as the business opportunity that it is, there are so many ways that you can not only earn, but that you can grow this opportunity into a business." (22:33)

10. Final Thoughts & Resources

• Kathleen offers a free, in-depth class at VideoReviewClass.com (23:24) — covers platform deep-dives, step-by-step earning systems, and access to her full course/community.

Notable Quotes

• Kathleen:

  "Engagement is definitely more important than followers." (02:27)

• Kathleen:

  "The reason why I bought it... must have resonated with the customer base." (16:54)

• Sean:

  "Which one should I focus on? Well, both... they can so work together." (15:59)

• Kathleen:

  "Now brands, because they see videos... brands will start contacting you." (23:01)

Key Timestamps Guide

• 01:32 – What is the Amazon Influencer Program
• 02:26 – How to qualify/eligibility explained
• 03:45 – Platforms Amazon accepts (YouTube, TikTok, etc.)
• 05:23 – First three videos; unlocking on-site commissions
• 06:53 – Content routine: product picking, script, video length
• 07:48 – Horizontal vs vertical filming advice
• 09:11 – Editing tools recommendation
• 10:26 – How commission is earned (video watchtime, qualifying purchase)
• 11:06 – Building Amazon storefront & curated lists
• 12:32 – Shoppable photos: why and how
• 14:34 – Driving off-site traffic (emphasis on YouTube/SEO)
• 16:24 – Content optimization: monthly review tactics
• 18:10 – Catching hidden tools, incentives, Amazon promos
• 20:17 – Creator Connections bonus structure update
• 21:10 – Amazon bounties and extra incentives
• 22:30 – Treating Amazon Influencer as a business for maximum results

For a step-by-step, actionable start-to-finish guide—with deep-dive examples, platform navigation, and expert Q&A—visit VideoReviewClass.com.