How to Use Amazon Blocks on Your Squarespace Site
TL;DR:
- Amazon blocks let you showcase products directly from Amazon on your Squarespace site
- Only available on US-based Squarespace sites for products from amazon.com
- Works with all plans except Personal
- You can add your Amazon Associates ID to earn commissions
- Each block displays one product but you can add multiple blocks per page
Amazon blocks are a built-in Squarespace feature that lets you display Amazon products without messing about with third-party embed codes. They're particularly useful if you're reviewing products, running affiliate campaigns, or just want to recommend items to your audience.
Setting Up Amazon Blocks
Check Your Eligibility First
Before you start, make sure you meet the requirements. Your Squarespace site needs to be US-based and you'll need at least a Basic plan. Personal plans don't support Amazon blocks. The products you want to feature must be from amazon.com – other Amazon country domains won't work.
Adding Your First Amazon Block
Open the page editor and click where you want to add the block. Hit the plus icon to add a new block and select 'Amazon' from the list.
You can find products in three ways:
- Paste the Amazon product URL
- Enter the ASIN (Amazon's product ID)
- Search by product name or description
Once you've found your product, you can choose what information to display. You can show or hide the product image, title, author (for books), and the Buy button. Pick an alignment that works with your page layout.
Customizing the Look
The Amazon block will inherit your site's general styling, but you can make adjustments in the Site Styles panel. Depending on your template, you might be able to change text size, colour, and font family. The Buy button can usually be styled to match your other buttons.
Adding Your Amazon Associates ID
If you're part of the Amazon Associates program, you can earn commissions on purchases made through your blocks. Here's how to connect your account:
Go to Settings > Developer Tools > External API Keys. Enter your Amazon Associates ID in the appropriate field. This automatically adds your affiliate tracking to all Amazon blocks on your site.
Double-check you've entered the ID correctly – mistakes here mean you'll miss out on commissions.
Using Multiple Amazon Blocks
Each Amazon block can only display one product, but there's no limit to how many blocks you can add to a page. This works well for comparison posts or round-up articles where you're featuring several related products.
Common Issues and Solutions
Block Not Displaying
If your Amazon block isn't showing up, check that the product is actually available on amazon.com. Some products are region-restricted or might have been discontinued.
Associates ID Not Working
The most common issue is entering the Associates ID incorrectly. Make sure you're using the exact ID from your Amazon Associates account, including any hyphens or numbers.
Styling Problems
If the block looks off compared to your site design, check your template's documentation. Some older templates have limited styling options for Amazon blocks.
FAQs
Can I use Amazon blocks on a UK Squarespace site?
No, Amazon blocks only work on US-based Squarespace sites. If your site is registered in another country, you'll need to use manual affiliate links instead.
Do Amazon blocks work with all Squarespace templates?
Yes, but styling options vary between templates. Newer templates generally have more customization options.
Can I track clicks on my Amazon blocks?
Squarespace's built-in analytics won't track clicks on Amazon blocks. You'll need to check your Amazon Associates dashboard for performance data.
What happens if an Amazon product goes out of stock?
The block will still display but the Buy button may show "Currently unavailable" or similar messaging from Amazon.
Jargon Buster
ASIN – Amazon Standard Identification Number. Every product on Amazon has a unique ASIN, usually found in the product URL.
Amazon Associates – Amazon's affiliate program that lets you earn commissions on products you recommend.
External API Keys – The section in Squarespace settings where you connect third-party services like Amazon Associates.
US Domain – Refers specifically to amazon.com, as opposed to amazon.co.uk, amazon.de, or other country-specific Amazon sites.
Wrap-up
Amazon blocks make it straightforward to add product recommendations to your Squarespace site without any technical setup. The main limitation is that they only work for US sites and amazon.com products, but if you meet those requirements, they're much cleaner than embedding manual affiliate links.
Remember to add your Associates ID if you want to earn commissions, and test your blocks regularly to make sure the products are still available and displaying correctly.
Ready to take your Squarespace skills further? Check out our comprehensive courses at Pixelhaze Academy.