Adwords direct to Amazon: Kosher?

Are direct Google AdWords links to Amazon acceptable?

[BriGuy]

I've recently started a little side project buying targeted ads on Google and linking directly to Amazon with them (as an Affiliate). I'm just wondering -- is this kosher with Amazon?

I can't seem to find any material in the Associates FAQ that says one way or another.

[steverose]

Maybe it's an editor's call. As a distributor connected to a company, I indicate the affiliation in my GAW text, in response to an editor's instruction. "Do nothing til you hear from them." Which could be a while, as the site is down Best, S

[Shak]

[webmasterworld.com...]

was a discussion a few days ago.

I dont think Google has a problem if you include the affiliate bit in the creative, as for Amazon, who knows?

Shak

[Equiano]

I do not know if it is within the terms and conditions of the Amazon Associate Aggreement, but you do see quite a few adwords of this nature and I am sure Amazon are aware of these and if it were a problem for them, would have acted by now.

Generally for Books, CDs and lot of over Amazon items it isn't worth the bother considering the conversion rates involved, unless you run a very tight operation and can generate substantial volumes of clickthrough traffic. Effectively a 'low margin high volume operation'.

[BriGuy]

Eq:

I run mostly high-priced items (Box Sets for DVDs, some ~$300 electronics items), so it ends up working out.

Unfortunately, my biggest seller hiccuped the past couple of days, so now I'm out quite a bit.

I'm chalking it up as a learning experience -- It's taught me the value of diversity. :)

EDIT:

It's nice to know that its kosher with Google. I do list Affiliate (or a shortened form thereof) in all my ads, so I don't feel I'm being at all deceptive about it.

Hopefully Amazon doesn't have a problem with it, because I just sent $1,500 worth of shipped sales their way over the past 4 days.

[ukstages]

amazon does indeed allow you to advertise, but they do not allow you to purchase any keywords that include "amazon" or any misspelled variation of "amazon."

not sure how amazon feels about the direct link, although, as noted, google allows it provided the destination URL shown in the ad is the actual destination.

[BriGuy]

UK:

I actually noticed that Amazon doesn't allow keywords with its name because I had one for a short time. Google has it as one of their non-allowed trademarks, however, so it was quickly disapproved and subsequently removed.

[eWhisper]

Amazon does not allow a link from any ppc or ad to go directly to their site. You can link it to your own website, and from your website, the visitor can goto amazon. But if an AdWord links directly to Amazon with your affiliate id, it's against their terms of service.

(I've got an email from them about this very thing, which I can't post, but if anyone wants the details, they can sticky me)