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Amazon PA API Configuration

The Amazon Product Advertising API (PA API) 5.0 is what powers AmzLinkr's product search, data import, and automatic price sync. This guide walks you through setting it up.

1. Creating an Amazon Associates Account

Before you can access the PA API, you need an active Amazon Associates account. If you already have one, skip to step 2.

  1. Go to affiliate-program.amazon.com.
  2. Click Sign Up and log in with your Amazon account (or create one).
  3. Follow the registration steps: provide your website URL, describe your traffic, choose your preferred Associate Store ID (tag), and select product categories.
  4. Complete the identity verification process.

Note that Amazon requires new Associates to generate at least three qualifying sales within the first 180 days of registration. Until your account is fully approved, you can still use the PA API for testing and development.

2. Requesting PA API Access

PA API access is separate from the Associates program. Amazon grants API access based on your Associates performance and account standing.

  1. Log in to your Amazon Associates account at affiliate-program.amazon.com.
  2. Navigate to Tools → Product Advertising API.
  3. Click Sign Up or Manage Your Credentials if you already have access.
  4. Review and accept the PA API License Agreement.

If you are a new Associate, you may need to wait until you have generated some revenue before API access is granted. The threshold varies by marketplace but is typically quite low. Amazon may also grant access immediately in some marketplaces.

3. Getting Your API Keys

Once API access is granted, you will be able to generate your credentials:

  1. From the PA API management page, click Add Credentials.
  2. Amazon will generate two values:
    • Access Key ID — A 20-character alphanumeric string (e.g., AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE).
    • Secret Access Key — A 40-character string. This is shown only once, so save it securely.
  3. Download or copy both keys and store them in a secure location.
Important: The Secret Access Key is displayed only once when you create it. If you lose it, you will need to generate a new set of credentials. Never share your Secret Access Key publicly or commit it to version control.

4. Entering Keys in AmzLinkr

With your credentials ready, configure AmzLinkr:

  1. In your WordPress admin, go to AmzLinkr → Settings.
  2. Select the API tab.
  3. Enter your Access Key in the Access Key field.
  4. Enter your Secret Key in the Secret Key field.
  5. Enter your Associate Tag (e.g., "yoursite-20") in the Associate Tag field.
  6. Select your Amazon Locale (the primary marketplace for product searches).
  7. Click Save.

AmzLinkr validates your credentials by making a test request to the PA API. If the validation succeeds, you will see a green success message. You can now search for and import products.

The API keys are stored encrypted in your WordPress database. They are never transmitted to AmzLinkr servers -- all API requests go directly from your WordPress server to Amazon.

5. Troubleshooting Common API Errors

"InvalidAccessKeyId" or "SignatureDoesNotMatch"

These errors indicate that your Access Key or Secret Key is incorrect. Double-check that you copied the full key without extra spaces. If you are unsure, generate a new set of credentials from the PA API management page and try again.

"TooManyRequests" (429)

The PA API has rate limits that vary based on your Associates revenue. New accounts start with a low limit (typically 1 request per second). As you generate more sales, Amazon increases your rate limit. AmzLinkr includes built-in throttling to stay within these limits, but if you see this error frequently, it means your site is making more requests than your account allows.

"InvalidPartnerTag"

Your Associate Tag does not match the selected Amazon marketplace. Each marketplace has its own Associate Tag. Make sure the tag you entered corresponds to the locale you selected in the settings. For example, a "yoursite-20" tag is for Amazon.com, while "yoursite-21" might be for Amazon.co.uk.

"RequestExpired"

The PA API requires that the timestamp in each request is within 15 minutes of Amazon's server time. If your WordPress server's clock is significantly off, you will see this error. Contact your hosting provider to ensure your server's time is synchronized via NTP.

"AccessDenied" or "UnauthorizedAccess"

Your Amazon Associates account may not have PA API access yet, or your API access may have been revoked. Log in to your Associates account and check the PA API section under Tools. You may need to re-apply for API access.

Need More Help?

If you are still experiencing API issues after following this guide, contact our support team at support@amzlinkr.com with your error message and we will help you resolve it.