Amazon has announced that it will be removing SiteStripe images and text+images from its tool, on December 1, 2023. This move has left many bloggers wondering what this means for them. This decision comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the widespread popularity of images for product marketing purposes. But what does this mean for Amazon affiliates? Let’s look into the reasons behind Amazon’s move and explore the potential impact on affiliate marketing strategies.
The Added Burden on Bloggers
The removal of images from SiteStripe has undoubtedly added a significant workload to bloggers who rely on this tool for product promotion. The task of manually removing these image links, which will no longer function after December 31, 2023, is not only time-consuming but also tedious. I know this firsthand as I’ve spent most of the day removing these images and still have a long way to go.
Bloggers like myself have invested countless hours into creating content, incorporating product links, and utilising images to enhance the visual appeal of our blogs. Now, with the impending removal of SiteStripe images, this painstaking work is essentially rendered obsolete.
Why is Amazon Removing Images from SiteStripe?
Amazon has not officially stated the exact reason for removing SiteStripe’s image and text+image features.
They may be removing them to encourage affiliates to use other tools, such as Amazon Product Advertising API. These tools provide more advanced features and capabilities for creating product links and widgets.
What Should Bloggers Do Now?
Bloggers will first need to remove all SiteStripe image and text+image codes from their blog posts, or their blogs will appear messy and unprofessional with broken images and text links throughout. Subsequently, they will need to seek alternative methods for obtaining Amazon images.
Here are some plugins that might be worth exploring:
AAWP (Amazon Affiliate WordPress Plugin): AAWP is a plugin that allows you to create product links, widgets, and banners directly from your WordPress website. It also provides a variety of features for tracking clicks, managing commissions, and optimizing your affiliate marketing efforts.
AzonPress: AzonPress is another popular WordPress plugin for Amazon affiliates. It offers a similar feature set to AAWP but also includes some unique features, such as the ability to create product carousels and comparison tables.
WooZone: WooZone is a WordPress plugin that allows you to integrate Amazon products into your WooCommerce store using API. I’ve been using this plugin for some years and it’s particularly useful if you want to create a store quickly.
Lasso: Lasso is an all-in-one affiliate marketing tool that integrates with Amazon to help you monetise your blog.
Affi.Ai: An all-in-one affiliate marketing plugin for WordPress that uses AI to pull images from Amazon.
Amalinks Pro: I have spent some time looking at all the plugins for Amazon Associates, and this is the plugin that I chose for my websites. What I like about Amalinks Pro is that you can search for Amazon products within your WordPress dashboard as you’re writing your post, so you don’t need to leave the blog editor page.
You can insert tables, links, call-to-action buttons, and product showcases in no time. It’s really good. I recommend you try it. There’s no trial, but they do offer a money-back guarantee.
Ultimately, the best plugin is the one that fits your workflow, meets your needs and feels intuitive to use. It’s always a good idea to try out a few different options before making a final decision. Remember, many plugins offer money-back guarantees or free trials, so you can test them out risk-free.
In conclusion, the choice of a plugin is a personal one, influenced by your specific requirements, preferences, and the nature of your websites. It’s all about finding the right tool that helps you achieve your goals effectively and efficiently.
Are you affected by Amazon’s changes? Share your thoughts and any solutions you might have in the comments.
