Amazon discontinues OneTag, Prompting Affiliates to Transition to SiteStripe and API Alternatives Starting September 18, 2024

Amazon’s decision to discontinue the OneTag feature starting September 18, 2024, is part of an ongoing effort to streamline its affiliate marketing tools and improve user experience. OneTag was initially introduced to facilitate auto-tagging, geo-redirection, and provide insights into content performance for Amazon Associates.

However, feedback from users indicated that these features were not meeting expectations, leading Amazon to pivot towards more effective solutions.

Reasons for Discontinuation

• User Feedback: The feedback from beta testing indicated that the auto-tagging and Content Insights features were not as effective as anticipated, prompting Amazon to focus on enhancing existing tools instead.
• Simplification of Tools: Amazon aims to simplify the linking process for affiliates. The OneLink tool, which allows for automatic redirection of international traffic without the need for OneTag, is being promoted as a more efficient alternative.

Current Ramifications for Users

• Loss of Functionality: Users currently leveraging OneTag for auto-tagging and insights will need to remove OneTag scripts from their sites, as these links will become non-functional post-discontinuation.
• Transition to Alternatives: Affiliates will need to adapt by using SiteStripe or the Product Advertising API to create links, which may require adjustments in how they manage their affiliate marketing strategies.

Who is Affected?

• Affiliate Marketers: The primary users of OneTag are affiliate marketers who rely on Amazon’s affiliate program to monetize their content. This group will need to transition to alternative methods for linking and tracking performance.

Best Alternatives Post-OneTag

• SiteStripe: This tool allows for easy link creation directly from Amazon product pages, making it a straightforward alternative for affiliates.
• Product Advertising API: For those who require more robust linking and data capabilities, the Product Advertising API provides a way to programmatically create links and access product data.
• OneLink: This tool will continue to function independently of OneTag, allowing for automatic redirection of international users to their respective Amazon storefronts without needing additional scripts.

What is SiteStripe and Why is it Changing?

SiteStripe is a toolbar that appears on top of Amazon pages, allowing affiliates to generate links and image codes directly from the site. However, Amazon has decided to discontinue two key features of SiteStripe: the “Image” and “Text+Image” options. These features will no longer be available, and any existing codes using these options will stop working.

Impact on Affiliates

The discontinuation of these features means that all image codes generated with SiteStripe will cease to function. This change is critical for affiliates who have used these image codes on their websites, as they will need to replace them to avoid displaying broken images. Standard text links generated via SiteStripe will continue to work, but image-based links must be updated.

How to Replace Amazon Image Codes

To replace the outdated image codes, affiliates have a few options:

Using Lasso Affiliate Plugin

One of the most recommended solutions is to use the Lasso affiliate plugin. This plugin allows you to import and replace SiteStripe image codes in bulk, saving you hours of manual work. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install Lasso: Download and install the Lasso plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Import SiteStripe Codes: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Lasso > Import, select “SiteStripe” from the drop-down, and click on “Bulk Import”.
3. Connect Amazon API: To ensure seamless integration, link your Amazon API key to Lasso. Go to Settings > Amazon > Access Key ID, paste your key and secret key, and add your tracking ID.

Using Amazon API Directly

Another option is to generate image codes using the Amazon API. This involves:

1. Obtaining an API Key: Get an API key from Amazon and set up the Amazon Scratchpad software.
2. Generating New Codes: Use the API to generate new image codes for your products.

Alternative Tools

For those looking for alternatives, the AAWP (Amazon Affiliate WordPress Plugin) is another viable option. While it is specifically designed for Amazon links and does not offer the versatility of Lasso, it can be a cost-effective solution for affiliates who only need to manage Amazon product images.

Best Practices for Updating Your Site

When updating your site, consider the following best practices:

• Bulk Import: Use tools like Lasso to import and replace image codes in bulk to save time.
• API Integration: Ensure your plugin is integrated with your Amazon API to maintain functionality.
• Monitor Product Availability: Use plugins that alert you when products are out of stock or unavailable to keep your content up-to-date.

By following these steps and using the recommended tools, you can efficiently update your website to comply with Amazon’s changes and maintain a seamless user experience for your visitors.