If you’re getting started with the Amazon Associates Program, you’ve probably run into the term "24-hour cookie" and found plenty of conflicting or confusing explanations. Let’s clear up every doubt with real-life examples and answers to the actual questions new affiliates ask.
When a visitor clicks your Amazon affiliate link, Amazon places a small tracking cookie in their browser. This cookie allows Amazon to know YOU sent that visitor, so you’ll earn a commission on their purchases. But, and it’s a BIG but: this cookie is only active for 24 hours after they click.
The 24-hour timer starts when the visitor clicks your affiliate link, not when you create or post the link. If someone clicks your link after a week or even a year, the cookie starts for them right at that moment.
-
:
You publish your blog and an affiliate link. A user visits and clicks the link 3 days later — your 24-hour cookie begins when they click, not before. -
:
Someone clicks your link, doesn’t buy anything in 24 hours, and then returns to your blog and clicks the link again. What happens?
A brand new 24-hour window starts each time they click. You’re eligible for commission on anything they buy in the new window. -
:
They click your link, add items to their Amazon cart within 24 hours, but buy them a week later. You still get the commission, as long as the items were in the cart (and not removed) and are purchased within 90 days. -
:
The shopper clicks someone else’s Amazon affiliate link while your 24-hour cookie is still active. The newest affiliate link overwrites yours. Only the last click gets the commission for whatever is bought next.
| Action | Am I eligible for commission? |
|---|---|
| User clicks my affiliate link, shops within 24 hours | Yes |
| User buys after 24 hours (no new click) | No |
| User clicks my link again after 24 hours | Yes (new 24-hour cookie starts) |
| User adds to cart within 24 hours, buys later | Yes (if purchase within 90 days) |
| User clicks another affiliate link in-between | No (their cookie replaces yours) |
-
Always encourage your users to click your link right before buying.
-
For time-sensitive or impulsive purchases (like electronics, gifts, flash sales), the shorter cookie isn’t a big problem.
-
Remind repeat visitors to “click before you shop” for maximum tracked sales.
-
Use clear calls-to-action:
“Buy now on Amazon”
“Check today’s deal — click here!”.png)
.png)
Q: Does my affiliate link stop working after 24 hours?
A: No! The link remains valid. Any time a user clicks, a new 24-hour window begins for them.
Q: Can I earn from purchases made days or weeks later?
A: Only if the person added the products to their cart within the first 24 hours after clicking your link, and completes the purchase within 90 days.
Q: What if my blog’s link is clicked months after posting?
A: You still get the 24-hour cookie for that user from the time they click.
Q: Do I lose my commission if they click someone else’s affiliate link?
A: Yes; the last link clicked always gets the credit.
The Amazon Affiliate 24-hour cookie can be confusing at first, but once you understand that the timer always starts at the moment of the click, things get much simpler. Keep this cheat sheet handy, encourage visitors to always click your links, and you’ll make the most of every commission opportunity.
Happy blogging and bigger earnings ahead!
