Can you bid on Amazon keywords for affiliate pages outside Google Ads?

Short answer: generally no, don’t bid on Amazon-branded or trademarked keywords for affiliate traffic, and don’t use Amazon affiliate links directly in paid search ads.

What to keep in mind:

• Amazon trademark keywords: Avoid terms like Amazon, Kindle, Prime, and confusing misspellings/variants in your paid search campaigns unless you have clearly confirmed they’re allowed under the current Amazon policy and the ad network’s trademark rules.
• Direct-linking to Amazon from ads: In practice, this is usually not the right approach for Amazon Associates traffic. Send users to your own site or landing page first if you’re using paid traffic.
• Generic keywords: These can be allowed, but you still need to comply with Amazon’s operating agreement and the ad platform’s rules, and profitability is often tough because commissions are low relative to ad costs.
• Ad copy and display URL: Don’t present your ads or landing pages in a way that implies Amazon endorsement, affiliation, or that your site is official.

A practical rule of thumb: if the keyword is brand/trademark-driven, avoid it; if it’s generic product-intent traffic, it may be usable if your campaign and landing page fully comply with Amazon’s current rules.

Also note that Amazon policy details and enforcement can change, so it’s smart to check the current Amazon Associates Program Operating Agreement and the ad network’s trademark policy before spending money.

One caution: Amazon’s cookie duration and related attribution rules can vary by program and region, so verify the current terms on Amazon’s official documentation before relying on them.