Short answer
Amazon's Creators API takes over from the Product Advertising API (PA-API). To set it up, go to Associates Central > Tools > Creators API, create an Application, then create a Credential. You'll get a Credential ID and Credential Secret; together with your Partner Tag (your tracking ID, e.g. yourstore-20) that's everything a tool like AffiliateBoxes needs.
What changed from PA-API to the Creators API
For years, WordPress plugins and affiliate tools fetched Amazon product data through the Product Advertising API, version 5.0. Amazon has since introduced the Creators API for the same job. For you as an affiliate, the practical differences are:
- Different credentials. Instead of an Access Key and Secret Key, you create an Application and a Credential, which give you a Credential ID and Credential Secret.
- A new place to manage them: Tools > Creators API in Associates Central.
- Your tools need to support it. A plugin that only speaks PA-API won't work with Creators API credentials — something to check, especially for plugins that are no longer maintained.
What didn't change: you still need an Amazon Associates account, and Amazon may still only grant API access once your account has made qualifying sales.
How to get your Creators API credentials
- Sign in to Amazon Associates Central for the marketplace you promote (for example amazon.com or amazon.co.uk).
- Open Tools > Creators API.
- Create an Application. Give it a recognisable name, such as your site's name.
- Create a Credential for that application and copy the Credential ID and Credential Secret. Store the secret somewhere safe — treat it like a password.
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Note your Partner Tag. This is your Associates tracking ID, which ends in a hyphen and two digits, like
yourstore-20.
Connecting the Creators API to AffiliateBoxes
- In AffiliateBoxes, open Affiliate Networks and add or edit your Amazon network.
- In Amazon API Settings, enter your Credential ID, Credential Secret and Partner Tag.
- Choose your Amazon Marketplace — the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, India, Australia and many more are supported.
- Click Test API connection to confirm everything works, then save.
Once connected, AffiliateBoxes can:
- Fetch product titles, images and prices automatically.
- Keep prices and stock information up to date in every box and table.
- Create a product from just its ASIN.
No API access yet?
You don't have to wait. Import Amazon products with the AffiliateBoxes browser extension instead — see how to add Amazon products to WordPress without an API key. When your API access comes through, add the credentials and your existing boxes start updating automatically; nothing needs rebuilding.