Amazon Announces Advertising Partner Network

    July 15, 2021|
    Media-Advertising Industry

    The world of digital advertising moves fast. Amazon recently launched the Amazon Advertising Partner Network, a new ecosystem designed to help advertisers of all sizes navigate the company's advertising products more easily. This initiative is more than a simple feature update. It shows Amazon's ongoing push to challenge the dominance of Google and Facebook in digital advertising while giving brands better tools to connect with consumers.

    Amazon sits at a unique intersection for brands today. Shoppers come to the platform with commercial intent, looking to discover and buy products. This makes advertising on Amazon especially valuable when compared to social platforms where users might not be ready to make a purchase. For advertisers who want a direct link between ad activity and sales outcomes, this intent-driven environment is an advantage.

    Why the Advertising Partner Network Matters

    The Advertising Partner Network is Amazon's response to several industry trends and challenges.

    First, Amazon recognises that its powerful advertising tools have not always been easy for advertisers to learn and use. Google and Facebook have invested heavily in intuitive interfaces and comprehensive education resources. This has made it easier for advertisers at every level to get started and grow. Amazon's advertising ecosystem, by contrast, has historically been more difficult to navigate, especially for smaller businesses.

    Second, while Amazon's advertising revenue has grown rapidly, adoption has been uneven. Larger advertisers with dedicated e-commerce teams have taken full advantage of Amazon's offerings. Smaller brands, however, often find it hard to build the expertise needed to manage campaigns effectively. The Partner Network aims to solve this problem by providing structured support pathways.

    The Partner Network also acknowledges that modern platforms succeed when they build ecosystems around their core products. By formalising networks of agencies, tool providers, and service partners, Amazon is creating the infrastructure needed to support advertiser education, campaign execution, and ongoing platform innovation.

    What the Partner Network Offers

    Centralised Resources

    At the heart of the Partner Network is a centralised library of resources. This includes best practice guides, product videos, and detailed documentation on application programming interfaces (APIs). These resources help advertisers and partners quickly understand the tools available and how to use them.

    Best practice guides outline campaign structures, targeting methods, optimisation strategies, and measurement approaches tailored for Amazon's advertising environment. These guides help teams avoid common mistakes and adopt proven strategies without guesswork.

    Product videos support visual learning and make complex features easier to understand. This is especially helpful as Amazon's advertising products continue to grow in sophistication.

    API documentation supports developers and technology partners building integrations and tools that extend Amazon's platform capabilities. This documentation encourages a broader ecosystem of third-party applications that add value for advertisers.

    Partner Directory and Visibility

    One major feature of the network is an enhanced partner directory where agencies and tool providers can list their services. Advertisers can search this directory to find verified partners with the skills and expertise they need.

    This directory helps reduce the cost and effort of finding qualified support. It also provides credibility signals that give advertisers confidence when selecting a partner. Verified partners appear with badges indicating their expertise, which can help them attract new clients.

    Tiered Partner Status

    Amazon has introduced partner tiers, including verified and advanced partner status. These tiers give partners clear goals to aim for and reward deeper expertise with additional benefits.

    Advanced partners gain early access to product features, specialised training, invitations to beta programs, and opportunities to engage more deeply with Amazon's product teams. These benefits help partners stay ahead of the curve and deliver better results to advertisers.

    What It Means for Advertisers

    Easier Access to Expertise

    One of the biggest challenges for advertisers is finding experts who know how to navigate Amazon's advertising environment. The Partner Network brings these experts together in one place and makes it easier to find the right match for your business needs.

    Better Campaign Performance

    By working with certified partners who understand Amazon's tools and best practices, advertisers can improve campaign performance. This includes optimising targeting, improving return on ad spend (ROAS), and growing overall sales. Partners also provide insights and reporting that help advertisers make informed decisions.

    Scalable Support

    As businesses grow, so do their advertising needs. The Partner Network supports scaling efforts across products, marketplaces, and advertising objectives. Whether you are launching a new product or expanding to new markets, partners can help you manage and scale your campaigns efficiently.

    How Agencies and Tool Providers Benefit

    Agencies and technology providers also gain from the Partner Network.

    • Training and development: Partners get access to education, webinars, and product updates.
    • Credibility and leads: Directory listings and partner badges make it easier for agencies to attract new clients.
    • Advanced tools and API access: Partners can link API integrations and automate workflows, saving time and improving performance.

    These benefits help partners grow their expertise and business while delivering better outcomes for advertisers.

    Looking Ahead

    The launch of the Advertising Partner Network is a big step in Amazon's broader advertising strategy. It reflects Amazon's commitment to building a more accessible, expert-driven advertising ecosystem. As the program continues to evolve, both advertisers and partners will benefit from deeper resources, stronger support, and new opportunities to grow.

    This shift signals a future where Amazon not only captures more advertising dollars but also empowers a community of experts and brands to succeed together. Learn more by contacting an ADMATICian.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Amazon Advertising Partner Network is a structured ecosystem of agencies, consultants, and technology providers that support advertisers using Amazon Ads. It provides partners with access to education, technical documentation, marketing tools, and a partner directory where advertisers can find verified expertise. The network is designed to improve advertiser outcomes and make Amazon advertising more accessible.

    Amazon launched the Advertising Partner Network to support the growing complexity of its advertising products and to accelerate adoption across advertisers of all sizes. By formalising its partner ecosystem, Amazon makes it easier for advertisers to access trained specialists while improving education, usability, and confidence in the platform.

    Advertisers benefit by gaining easier access to accredited partners with proven Amazon advertising expertise. Through the Amazon Ads partner directory, advertisers can find agencies and technology providers based on services offered, certifications, and specialisations. Working with a partner can help improve campaign performance, reduce learning time, and support more effective use of Amazon Ads.

    The Partner Network includes advertising agencies, consultancies, and technology providers that support Amazon Ads. These partners may specialise in areas such as media planning, campaign optimisation, creative development, retail strategy, measurement, or software integrations. Some partners also achieve verified or advanced status by demonstrating expertise and performance.

    Amazon's Partner Network is similar in structure to partner programs run by platforms like Google and Facebook, which have long relied on agency and technology ecosystems to scale adoption. However, Amazon differentiates itself by connecting advertising directly to commerce and purchase intent. This allows advertisers to link media investment more closely to transactional outcomes.

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