Navigating the world of Amazon affiliate marketing is an adventure, and deep linking platforms are your trusty tools to unearth hidden treasures (aka clicks and conversions). Let’s explore the top three options out there: LinkTwin, PostTap, and Geniuslink. I’ve spent 6 months jumping between these 3 and there are definite pros and cons to each.
TL;DR – Geniuslink (paid link) is HANDS DOWN the best deep linking tool for so many reasons. It’ll more than pay for itself and saves you a TON of time and stress. See below for more reasons.
The Magic of Deep Linking
Before we dive in, let’s understand what deep linking is. It’s basically a process of creating links that will launch the related app or external browser instead of staying within the in-app browser. So if someone clicks on an Amazon affiliate link on YouTube or Facebook, instead of going to that link within YouTube or Facebook on the in-app browser that they aren’t signed in on, the link will open in their Amazon app where they are signed in and ready to buy.
Deep linking not only enhances the user experience but also significantly boosts your chances of earning commissions.
Moreover, deeplinking is compliant with Amazon’s Terms of Service, provided that all FTC and Amazon disclosure guidelines are followed. You will treat these links just as you would any Amazon affiliate with all of the proper disclosures. One key difference with using deeplinking of standard Amazon affiliate links is that you will need to make it clear that the link is an Amazon link as these links don’t always look like they’ll send you to Amazon.
LinkTwin: Your Steady Companion
LinkTwin (paid link) is like that reliable deep linking friend who’s always there when you need them. If you’re just starting out or have a smaller audience, you’ll love that it’s free for up to 1,000 clicks each month. Need more? For $19 a month, you get unlimited clicks, plus some pretty neat tools for tracking and targeting your audience. It’s a solid choice if you want to keep things straightforward but effective.
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Free for up to 1,000 clicks per month, making it ideal for beginners or those with smaller audiences. The $19/month plan for unlimited clicks is a bargain when you start really building an audience.
- Solid Reporting: Offers detailed insights into your link performance, helping you understand your audience better.
- Geo-Targeting: Directs users to the right Amazon store based on their location, enhancing the likelihood of a sale. *Only available with the paid plans.
Cons:
- Limited Features Beyond Basics: While it covers the essentials, it may lack advanced tools for more complex campaigns and adapting.
- Newer on the Scene: Being relatively new, it might not have the same level of trust or recognition as more established platforms.
- Tracks Bot Clicks – It often counts bot clicks. While this is fine one you are paying for unlimited clicks, it can add up fast when you are trying to use the free version.
PostTap: The Sleek Pathfinder
PostTap by Button has partnered with Amazon to provide Amazon deeplinks for free. What’s cool about PostTap is that it makes your links look just like Amazon’s own short links. While it’s a bit simpler on the features front, its sleek link style might just be what you’re looking for.
Heads up that it asks for your Amazon credentials to sign up. This is just like when you sign up with your Google credentials: you are actually signing into an Amazon portal and then Amazon is giving PostTap your information.
Pros:
- Free (For Now): I joined when it was in Beta, but it is now being officially released as Amazon’s recommended deep-linking tool (in July 2024). There was rumor that it will remain free for those who are grandfathered in, but I haven’t seen any news of new pricing in the future.
- Amazon-like Shortlinks: Creates links that mimic Amazon’s own, potentially increasing trust and click-through rates from your audience.
- Simplicity: Its straightforward approach is perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss, easy-to-use platform.
Cons:
- ONLY For Amazon: Unlike the other two, this is specifically designed for Amazon and will not accept links that aren’t Amazon links.
- Limited Reporting: While it provides basic insights, the depth of analytics may not satisfy data-hungry marketers.
- Uncertain Future Pricing: With no clear pricing structure post-beta, there’s a bit of uncertainty for long-term planning.
- Basic Feature Set: Lacks some of the more advanced features that competitors offer, which might limit scalability.
Geniuslink: The Master of Realms
Geniuslink (paid link) is like having a Swiss Army knife for your affiliate links. Free for up to 2,000 clicks a month with affordable plans beyond that, it’s packed with features. From fixing broken links to geo-targeting and even integrating with third-party platforms, Geniuslink does it all. It’s especially handy if you’re juggling links for a global audience and want to make sure everyone gets where they need to go. Plus, their customer service is top-notch, making you feel like a VIP.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Feature Set: From fixing broken links, geo-targeting, detailing reporting, and integrating with third-party platforms, Geniuslink offers a robust toolkit.
- Dynamic Linking: GeniusLink automatically adapts links based on user location and current affiliate campaigns, optimizing every click.
- Editable Links: Not only will Geniuslink alert when when any of your links break, but you can change the target URL of any Geniuslink at any time. Saving you so much time not having to find and update all of your links on your various channels.
- Time Saving – It has a one-click extension AND a very friendly API that you can use to automate link creation on your spreadsheets.
- Global Earnings: Allows you to enter all your Amazon associate IDs for global platforms, maximizing your earning potential.
- Exceptional Support: Known for its stellar customer service, making you feel supported at every step of your journey.
- Free Tier Available: Offers a generous free tier for up to 2,000 clicks per month, with affordable plans for higher volumes.
- No Bot Clicks: You won’t pay for bot clicks, which I found was a large % of my clicks once I switched off of TwinLinks. GeniusLinks is much smarter at link tracking.
- Not Limited to Amazon Links – You can use GeniusLink for ALL of your affiliate links and it also has a great deal of programs built into it. So you can promote Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, Ebay, you name it, automatically!
Cons:
- Cost for Higher Volume: While it offers a free tier, costs can add up as your needs grow, which might be a consideration for those with high traffic. But I have found this to be a far better deal than Twinlink as it is getting me a LOT more conversions with localization, catching broken links, additional choice pages, and earning me extra with the secret I lay out below.
- Complexity: With its wide range of features, there might be a steeper learning curve for beginners or those who prefer simplicity.
The Secret Geniuslink Bonus
Geniuslink will automatically add tags for your third party affiliate links after your official Amazon affiliate link to your deeplinks (if the product is also on a third party platform). Meaning you can earn commissions on the same sale from both Amazon and 3rd party platforms. That alone seals the deal for me! You can currently join and get extra commissions on the same sales with Archer (paid link) and Levanta Platforms.
Charting Your Course
Each deep linking platform offers its unique blend of tools to aid your affiliate marketing quest. LinkTwin (paid link) is your steadfast friend, offering simplicity and a fixed price. PostTap, the sleek pathfinder, brings style and a streamlined URL. Geniuslink (paid link), the master of realms, provides a powerful arsenal of tools for those ready to truly conquer the affiliate marketing world.
Your choice depends on your journey’s nature—whether you’re starting small or ready to dive deep into the realm of affiliate marketing with all the tools at your disposal. Choose wisely and may you see great success in your affiliate journey!