Amazon Launches Mobile Associates API For Game & App Developers

The new Amazon Mobile Associates API allows  developers to sell products available at Amazon from within their apps and games. The API is an extension of the Amazon’s long-standing affiliate program, Amazon Associates, which launched in 1996.

After initiating the API, developers can select a specific set of products, search terms when choosing what Amazon-fulfilled products to sell. Items can be digital or physical. They can opt to sell a single item from Amazon that ties into the game or app; show a category of items related to app or game content; or bundle a physical purchase from Amazon with digital content.

The makers of Days of Wonder integrated the API into their game “Ticket to Ride” , telling Amazon, “Customers are now able to purchase a physical expansion pack of our board game and then are delighted to get the digital version now for free. We can do this through the digital bundling functionality provided by the Amazon Mobile Associates API.”

Developers earn 6 percent of the total purchase initiated from within their apps and games. Customers can purchase either in-app or via a link to Amazon.com and check out using Amazon’s 1-click purchasing.