WordPress Amazon Associate now supports multiple locales!
Yesterday, 11-20-2010 we released version 1.2 of the WordPress Amazon Associate plugin. This release was a major milestone to the plugin as it know supports multiple locales. This means that individuals that have associate ids for multiple amazon locales can insert them all into the plugin. In addition we integrated ip2nation support so that Geo Localization is available if desired to render amazon links per the amazon locale of the visitors country.
We release that everyone may not be an associate for every locale, so we give you the ability to disable locales. This allows you full control over your content and maximizes your returns from the Amazon Associate network. To get the latest version of the plugin you can update through your WordPress admin or download it here.
Stay tuned, as many new features are currently in development.
I have been using your plugin for quite some time and it has worked great, but when I was making updates on my site today, I noticed that the carasol widgets I have in a couple of my posts are missing. I tried updating the code, but even when doing that nothing shows up in the preview mode. I have not changed anything on my site other than updating plugins as needed. Do you know what the problem could be?
I can’t get my plugin to work with my theme. It causes my slider to display incorrectly. Any ideas to make it work with this theme, I love my site design and your plugin.
Christy, what functionality of the plugin is not working with your theme? I need further details to assist with resolution.
Matthew, I emailed you through this site, so not sure why it didn’t go through. I found several other pages where Amazon links have changed to text and I’m emailing to the address you posted. Sorry I meant to respond sooner but have been sidetracked past week…
Matthew, just wondering if you got my email? If not I can resend. Thanks!
Michael, I got your email and as it turns out not all products are supported by the API. I’m currently reviewing what options are available to ensure that links to unsupported products still function however it isn’t going to be a quick fix.
Matthew,
Okay just keep me posted on what you discover.
Thanks!
Michael
Hello, I tried using your plugin. Everything works great except for one thing. I’m having difficulty getting the price to show. It is just blank.
Hi Ronald, please share the content (ShortCode, etc) that is not working correctly for you so I can review. Not all products have the same information returned from the Amazon Product API and I may need to update the code appropriately.
Matthew,
Kudos on your great plugin. Had a question; I’m noticing some of my amazon image links are missing (only text is shown). I just did the new update. Could that be an issue, or does that come from Amazon’s end?
Majority still are visible, but I’m perplexed on the rest?
Thanks!
Michael
Michael, The new version didn’t change any code with the products. Can you send me your page content from the editor via email? I can run some tests on it from my test environment and see if there is a bug.
Thanks,
Matthew J. Denton
Matthew,
Thanks for your reply! Well last night I deleted the broken links and put up new ones, so I don’t have an example. Most were MP3′s. Do those links expire? I had trouble with the Blu-ray for ‘Batman Begins’ as well.
If I see any more pop up I’ll send them to you asap.
Thanks!
Michael
Matthew I just found another one pop up again. Emailing it to you shortly.
Thanks!
Michael
Michael, did you send the content to matt@mdbitz.com or a different email address?
Hi Matthew
Hoping you can help me out! Have just installed, entered AWS & Secret keys (copy & pasted) but have error msg:
“Warning: Quick Links and Product Searches are disabled. To enable please enter your valid AWS Access and Secret Keys”
Have checked and they are valid, any ideas?
Many thanks!
Claire
Hi Claire, did you click the validate button? If so it should display a valid message. Once you get the valid message save your configurations and the error should go away. If you still get the above message send me a screen shot of the settings page.
Hi Matthew,
I’ve just discovered your great plugin. I just have one question. How do I know that that my affiliate ID has been successfully set. There is no box in the Settings page which asks for one’s affiliate ID. I have entered entered both my AWS access and Secret keys but I keep getting the following message:
Validate Credentials: InValid
Code: InvalidClientTokenId
Message:
The AWS Access Key Id you provided does not exist in our records.
Please advise as to how I can get my credentials validated and my affiliate ID properly set.
Many thanks!
Gloria:
The message you are receiving means that the AWS Access Key you entered is invalid. Please make sure you copied the values correctly and that there are no extra spaces. If you send me the access/secret keys via email to (matt@mdbitz.com) I can test them out and ensure that it isn’t due to server settings.
Hi there, great plugin but a tiny problem.
It seems to be adding links to this CSS file to my pages:
http://z-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/browser-scripts/uk-site-wide-css-beacon/site-wide-8168710091._V1_.css
This CSS file, in turn, includes this line which has been messing up my layout:
body{margin:0 8px!important}
I’ve worked around it by tweaking my own CSS file, but wonder what this amazon CSS file is used for – all the elements the plugin puts on my site are in iframes where this css file wouldn’t apply.
Could we have the option of suppressing it?
This css file is pulled in for Product Preview functionality and I’ll see about adding an additional option to suppress the file import.
Thanks for pointing this out to me.
Hi Matthew!
Trying to install the MP3 Clips Widget. The Amazon page say “Add to my Page” and copy to website. I can’t seem to find where to do this? I can add one widget but only on one page. The widget player should be next to each individual album review. Not working at all… Please, please help. Thank you!
Bill:
The WPAA Plugin allows you to integrate the different Amazon Widgets directly into your WordPress page. You can do so by either the Plugin Manager in your site’s WordPress Admin or you can use the “a” Amazon editor button in the post/page editor. The widgets and controls allow you to select all appropriate settings of the widgets and add them to your site.
I installed the plugin BUT I dont have the SETTINGS option.!!!!!!!!!!!111
In the WordPress Admin screen look for WP – Amazon. All settings are found in that option.
Dear friend, my name is Romi Saputra, I have install this plugin into my wordpress, but how to set my amazon affiliate id in this plugin? thank you
Romi, when you access your wordpress admin panel you should see a menu option called WP – Amazon. If you open that item and select “Settings” you will be able to set your affiliate id.
Dear Friends, Just uploaded plugin. Could you advise if this adds a “nofollow” to each of the amazon links. I looked but don’t see any “nofollow” item in the url.
Blessings
Tony
Tony how are you creating the amazon links. If you are using ShortCode by default it will add rel=”nofollow” to the links. Please let me know the exact functionality you are using so I can verify I did not overlook any areas it is needed.
Hello,
I have a site http://www.sauderdesks.net and I’m trying to get the Amazon Plugin to center on my sidebar instead of being on the left. Would anyone care to help me out? Thanks.
Once logged in as Admin, and I enable “Enable Locale Viewing for Administrators” how view content as if from another country?
Thanks !
John
John, when you enable “Locale Viewing for Administrators” in the Admin options the plugin will set the locale to the selected “view as” locale when you view a page of your website when logged in as an Administrator. There is a bug with WordPress where this feature does not work for all users. I have it as a to-do to modify the plugin to correct the bug in a future release.
I’ve enabled the Amazon Associate Filter, however, from what I can tell (trying a proxy from the UK), links are not getting updated.
There are four static links to Amazon products on the right sidebar, each is 125×125, you’ll see each is a link to a book on Amazon.
Any ideas?
Thank you.
John
Hello,
My name is Scot and I have been using this plugin for about 6 months will no problems then I updated it and now i receive the following error:
Fatal error: Call to a member function set() on a non-object in /home/mikelbro/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-amazon-associate/AmazonProduct.php on line 119
upon looking at your pervious support tickets i turned off all of my plugins and turn on only WPAA and i still receive the fatal error. Any ideas on this?
Thanks
Scott
Hello,
Sorry to reply to my own comment but I have a new problem. Through a series of deleting the plugin and uploading. I have now got the fatal error to stop but i now have a new problem.
I have the current plugin running on the current version of wp. On the WordPress Amazon Associate: Settings page I have the following two messages appearing:
Success: Settings successfully updated.
Warning: Quick Links and Product Searches are disabled. To enable please enter your valid AWS Access and Secret Keys
The warning is weird as I have Valid credentials. I have deleted them and entered them once again to ensure correctness. Any ideas what could be happening here?
Thanks
Scott Whittle
Scott sorry for taking so long to reply I have been tied up in work and other matters leaving little time to work on the plugin. Can you let me know what locales you have set so I can look into the Credential Validation logic.
Matthew,
I totally understand. Thanks for answering. This is becoming stranger and stranger. I just looked at the blog and now I am getting the fatal error again:
Fatal error: Call to a member function set() on a non-object in /home/mikelbro/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-amazon-associate/AmazonProduct.php on line 119
I guess we still have to deal with this first. What do you need from me?
thanks
scott
Matthew ,
Are you able to help me with this? My site is down at this time due to this plugin. Help me please.
Scott
Scott, I’m looking at the code and I think i have found the issue will send you the details on how to resolve shortly.
Matthew,
It works perfect now. Thanks for your help.
SW Whittle
I am seeing exactly the same problem Worse though, it’s causing any page with Amazon links to display no content at all -a 500 error. Could you please publish the fix you came up with for the other Scott?
Why cannot I see this plugin on Wp? I have installed it on one of my website but when I am trying to search it to install it on the second one I just cannot find this plugin. Any specific reason?
Hi, the plugin was un-listed due to previously mentioned reasons. As of yesterday evening it is once again listed on WordPress.org
Hi Matthew,
thank you for your plugin. I’m trying it out and like it very much. Easy to use, selfexplaining. I have two questions:
1. How can i get rid of the target”_blank”?
2. Is there any way to mask links? I would rather have a link to example.com/id_xyz instead of http://www.amazon?xyz&ref=mysite
Or does it work with other plugins which mask link=
Stefan:
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I’ve been tied up with other matters unfortunately.
1) use the target ShortCode Property to set it to the value you want e.g [amazon_link target="_self" /]
2) Not currently. I have the masking capability as a very low priority item for a future enhancement. In my opinion there is no reason to mask urls to other websites as it is misleading to visitors. Depending on how other plugins work if they have set their filter to run after the shortcode has been parsed then they could mask the outputted links.
I’m getting an error on my homepage if i activate Amazon plugin
Fatal error: Call to a member function isSuccess() on a non-object in /hermes/bosweb/web152/b1528/ipg.watchersnplayerscom/watchersnplayerscom/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-amazon-associate/AmazonProduct.php on line 101
Hi, what other plugins are you utilizing on your website as there appears to be a conflict.
Hi Again Matt:
I got some help from a friend. When I use your plugin from the HTML tab it does not work.
When I use it from the “Visual” tab it does; therein lays the problem: User error.
I’m sure you get that all the time…
Happy Fourth!
Catherine
Catherine, sorry couldn’t respond to you sooner I was on a business trip and didn’t have time to check my sites as usual. The plugin should work for both the HTML and Visual editor, I’ll review and find out what the issue is.
Catherine:
I took a look at the code and thank you for pointing this issue out to me. During the last update of the Quick Links module I failed to update the code to grab the selection from the text area. I’ve updated the code and it will be included in the next version of the plugin.
Hi Matt:
I am having the identical problem that I had the last time I contacted you. Apparently, there is something seriously wrong – somewhere. The plug-in is replacing my words (that I highlight in order to insert the Amazon product hyperlink) with the title of the book/DVD, etc. For example, “Colombo” became “Just One More Thing” the title of his biography.
The following 2 paragraphs were copied directly out of my post from the HTML tab:
Most movie and stage actors who are considered talented by today’s standards usually have their audiences captivated and unable to tell the difference between what is improvised and what is scripted. In 1995, Terry Gross, host of National Public Radio’s Fresh Air interviewed actor [amazon_link id="0786719397" target="_blank" ]Just One More Thing[/amazon_link], who addressed improvisation and [amazon_link id="1575250128" target="_blank" ]The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods (Career Development Series)[/amazon_link].
Falk, who was known for his portrayal of the “rumpled” detective [amazon_link id="1932009949" target="_blank" ]The Columbo Collection[/amazon_link], died at 83-years old on June 23, 2011 and Gross re-aired his interview on June 27, 2011. She asked Falk about the long association that he had with the actor and director [amazon_link id="0571201571" target="_blank" ]Cassavetes on Cassavetes[/amazon_link] (1929 – 1989) which began with the film [amazon_link id="B0024FAG2Q" target="_blank" ]Husbands (Extended Cut)[/amazon_link] released in 1970. Falk told this story about Cassavetes’ expectations of method acting:
Here is how they are supposed to read:
Most movie and stage actors who are considered talented by today’s standards usually have their audiences captivated and unable to tell the difference between what is improvised and what is scripted. In 1995, Terry Gross, host of National Public Radio’s Fresh Air interviewed actor Peter Falk, who addressed improvisation and method acting.
Falk, who was known for his portrayal of the “rumpled” detective Columbo, died at 83-years old on June 23, 2011 and Gross re-aired his interview on June 27, 2011. She asked Falk about the long association that he had with the actor and director John Cassavetes (1929 – 1989) which began with the film Husbands released in 1970. Falk told this story about Cassavetes’ expectations of method acting:
Do you have any idea what is wrong here? I am baffled as to why it is happening randomly as well. It only occurs on new posts that I am working on in the draft mode. The older posts all appear normal and function normally as well.
Just so you know I did not install the new version of WordPress 3.14.
Thanks,
Catherine
I seem to be having some problem.
When editing a post, the Amazon widgets pop up as a 404 for my own site. The Amazon quick links seems to give no results for the search.
On the widgets page, I get the same results if I try to preview a widget (4o4 error from my site). In this case, I can still place the widget on a sidebar and it does show correct on page.
James:
Do you have a caching/redirect plugin enabled on your website? I ask in that the plugin makes use of a servlet.php script that is in the plugin directory to handle AJAX requests to get products and display the previews. When I access the locale of the servlet script I see the 404 error page.
If possible please let me know what plugins you are using or any special configurations you have and I’ll debug further.
Is there any reason you can think of that the WordPress Amazon Associate plugin widgets will not work with the Duotive three theme sidebars?
If you wouldn’t mind contacting the Duotive guys at duotive@yahoo.com and see if you can nail down whats causing the frustration. I would certainly appreciate it as it stands the widgets do not work with the sidebars. they have looked and cant seem to solve it.
Hi, I can take a quick look at the theme styling for you.
If you put a widget in the sidebar and send me the source code for the rendered page I can load it up locally and debug. I’ll also contact the Duotive theme owners and see if they don’t mind giving me a copy of the theme so I can test it out with the plugin.
Thanks.
Here’s a page with the widget loaded in the sidebar.
http://www.bargainsatoz.com/725/the-perfect-phone-for-seniors/
If you need anything else let me know.
Thanks again
Hi, I looked over your page and found the underlying issue.
For some reason the mootools inclusion is causing the Amazon JavaScript to error out. If the mootools include is moved into the header than the widgets in the sidebar function as expected.
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://www.bargainsatoz.com/wp-content/themes/duotive-three/js/mootools.js'></script>
I do not know what functionality in the theme is using mootools so you will need to verify that no other functionality is broken by moving the script include.
Also once the script is moved the widgets won’t display nicely until you modify the theme css.
#sidebar div {
padding:19px;
}
The above css causes every div in the sidebar to have a 19px padding adding additional spacing inside the amazon widgets.
Matthew,
great plugin, I’ve also been reading your code to learn techniques for my own stuff.
One thing I’ve noticed on Amazon is that there are redirections for certain countries.
e.g. http://www.amazon.at and http://www.amazon.dk
I’ve not tried all countries so I suspect that some of the other smaller european countries might have a redirect
http://www.amazon.es redirects to a kind of generic page.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/gateway-eu
Cheers,
Andy
Andy, thanks for that heads up about the locale redirects. I’ll have to try some other country codes so I can update my Geo-Locale module to match Amazons.
Hi Matthew
Great Plugin!
Haven’t found any info on how to use the containers. I’d like to write a bit of custom css to align the images left. Do you have any info on how to do that somewhere?
Thanks!
Edward
Edward, sorry about the lack of documentation. I haven’t found the time to get it all updated. Below is a short example of using the container and container_class properties to float the enhanced ads and can be applied to amazon_image ShortCode as well.
[amazon_enhanced asin="B0032Z751C" ... container="div" /]Will output the enhanced ad wrapped in div tags
<div>...</div>The container_class adds a css class to the container element for styling purposes
[amazon_enhanced asin="B0032Z751C" container="div" container_class="float-left" /]This will modify the output to:
<div class="float-left" >...</div>Of course for this to work you need to have the css class “float-left” defined in your website’s css.