Jeff Bezos Is Evil

Summary

Jeff Bezos's decision to cut Amazon Associates' commission rates for pet products from 8% to 3% has significantly impacted the income of hundreds of thousands to millions of people, including freelance writers and website owners in the pet niche.

Abstract

The article discusses the recent changes in the Amazon Associates affiliate program, specifically the reduction in commission rates for pet products from 8% to 3%. This decision by Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon and the world's richest man, is expected to more than halve the income of many websites that rely heavily on these commissions. The author, a freelance writer in the pet niche, has already experienced the loss of clients due to this change and anticipates further difficulty in obtaining work. The Amazon Associates program is a significant source of revenue for numerous websites, with estimates suggesting up to a million websites participate. The impact of the commission cut will be felt directly by website owners and indirectly by freelance writers, SEO experts, and others who depend on these sites for income. The article highlights the stark contrast between the financial struggles faced by these individuals and Jeff Bezos's increasing wealth, particularly during a time when many businesses are cutting back due to economic challenges.

Opinions

The author views Jeff Bezos's decision as detrimental and unfair, considering Bezos's status as the world's richest individual who has not suffered financial losses in 2020.
The article conveys a sense of injustice, with Bezos taking more money from hardworking people who have been instrumental in promoting Amazon products.
The author expresses anger and frustration over the situation, emphasizing the negative impact on the livelihoods of many individuals, including the loss of a successful dog website run by one of their clients.
The opinion is clear that this change is not just a business decision but a personal and financial blow to those affected, with the author needing to express their anger and dismay over the situation.

Changes to the Amazon Associates affiliate programs will affect hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of people.

The richest man on earth just screwed me over. And not just me, but hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people around the world.

If you haven’t heard of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, it’s a way for websites to get paid for recommending Amazon products. When people make a qualified purchase by clicking on an affiliate link, the website earns a commission on the sale.

I don’t know about other niches, but I know that many pet websites are funded primarily, if not entirely, by those commissions. How do I know this? I’m a freelance writer, and the bulk of my work is in the pet niche.

Today, Amazon let their associates know that they are changing the commission rates. Pets products used to pay 8% commission. That will be dropping to 3%. That means websites that survive primarily on commissions from Amazon are going to lose MORE THAN HALF of their income.

I’ve already lost one of my best clients, and it looks like I’m about to lose another. I’m certainly going to struggle to get much more work in my primary niche.

Just how big is the Amazon Associates program? As of 2018, there were up to a million websites involved with the program. Only Amazon knows the real numbers, but it’s fair to say this will affect hundreds of thousands of people directly, through lost revenue, and hundreds of thousands more people indirectly, because those websites won’t be able to afford to pay writers or SEO experts anymore.

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, is the richest man in the world. And he apparently decided he needs to take more money out of the pockets of hardworking people around the world who’ve been promoting Amazon products. It’s hard to imagine a more messed up scenario.

I can’t begin to imagine how many people’s livelihoods that man has just destroyed. Hopefully, I can find clients in other niches. But the clients I’m losing?

One has spent the last several years building a successful dog website funded primarily by the Amazon Associates program. He was already losing money because people haven’t been buying as much stuff thanks to the economy. Now? He’s totally screwed.

I’m angry beyond belief right now. I’m sure I’ll get a bunch of comments about how it was a wise business decision or something. I don’t care. I just need to be angry right now.