Empowering Kids and Generating Revenue: Creating a Monetized App for Amazon Kids
Published: 2024-04-11 04:00:28

## Introduction

The Amazon Kids platform was launched in 2012 as a subset of the larger Amazon Appstore, specifically designed for children ages 3–12 to access age-appropriate apps and digital content. It provides a safe and controlled space for kids to explore and discover new apps, games, and educational content, while also giving parents the ability to control and monitor their children’s usage and purchases.

In recent years, the Amazon Kids platform has seen significant growth and popularity, with a wide selection of apps and content from popular brands and developers such as Disney, PBS Kids, and National Geographic. This has made it a highly attractive platform for both parents and developers, with the potential for substantial revenue generation.

One of the main ways developers can make money on the Amazon Kids platform is through the sale of their apps and in-app purchases. Once the app is approved and listed on the platform, developers can set the price for their app or offer in-app purchases for additional features or content. Amazon handles all payments and transactions, taking a percentage of the revenue generated, and then pays the remaining amount to the developer.

Another source of revenue on the Amazon Kids platform is through the use of in-app advertisements. While all apps on the platform are required to be age-appropriate and comply with strict guidelines, developers can choose to monetize their apps through the use of advertisements. These advertisements are carefully screened and only shown to users who are deemed appropriate for the content being advertised.

Additionally, developers can also participate in the Amazon Coins program, which allows developers to offer digital currency in their apps that can be purchased by users. This creates an additional revenue stream for developers and also encourages users to spend more time and money within the app.

One unique aspect of the Amazon Kids platform is the Amazon Appstore Small Business Accelerator program, which was launched in 2020 to support small and medium-sized businesses that are developing content for kids on the platform. This program provides resources, marketing support, and funding opportunities to help developers grow their business on the platform and reach a wider audience.


## Understanding Monetization Options

1. In-App Purchasing: Amazon offers in-app purchasing for developers to monetize their apps and games on the Amazon Appstore. This allows users to make purchases within the app, such as buying virtual goods or unlocking premium features.

Benefits:

- Easy integration: Amazon provides a simple integration process for in-app purchasing, making it easy for developers to implement.

- Reliable payments: Amazon manages all aspects of payment processing, ensuring a secure and reliable payment experience for users.

- Global reach: Amazon’s Appstore is available in over 200 countries, providing developers with a large potential customer base.

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2. In-App Advertising: Developers can also monetize their apps and games through in-app advertising on the Amazon Kids platform. This allows developers to display ads within their apps and earn revenue based on ad impressions or clicks.

Benefits:

- High user engagement: With a dedicated audience of kids and parents, the Amazon Kids platform offers a highly engaged user base for advertisers.

- Targeted advertising: Amazon offers advanced targeting tools to deliver relevant ads to users based on their age, gender, interests, and more.

- Multiple ad formats: Developers can choose from various ad formats, including banner ads, interstitial ads, and video ads, to best fit their app’s design and user experience.

3. Developer Promotions: Amazon offers developers the opportunity to promote their apps on the Amazon Kids platform through various promotional programs. These programs help increase app visibility, attract new users, and ultimately drive revenue.

Benefits:

- Increased visibility: By participating in promotional programs, developers can get their apps featured on the Amazon Appstore, increasing its visibility to potential users.

- Higher discoverability: Amazon’s curation and recommendation algorithms can help surface apps to relevant users, increasing their discoverability.

- Discounts and free promotions: Developers can offer discounts or make their app available for free for a limited time as part of promotional programs, which can attract new users and drive downloads.

## Creating a Kid-Friendly App for Amazon Kids

1. Age-appropriate content: The Amazon Kids platform is designed for children aged 3–12 years. As such, any app developed for this platform must have content that is suitable for this age group. Ensure that all text, images, videos, and audio in the app are age-appropriate and do not contain any violence, profanity, sexual content, or other mature themes.

2. Educational value: Apps on the Amazon Kids platform should have an educational aspect to them. This could include teaching a new skill, promoting a concept, or improving a child’s cognitive abilities. Apps that are purely for entertainment purposes may not be suitable for this platform.

3. Family-friendly: The Amazon Kids platform emphasizes family-friendly content. This means that the app should have a positive message and promote values such as kindness, respect, and teamwork. Avoid any content that could promote negative behaviors or beliefs.

4. Safety and security: As a platform for children, safety and security are of utmost importance. Make sure your app does not collect any personal information from children without obtaining parental consent. It should also not include any links or advertisements that could lead children to inappropriate content. Test your app thoroughly for any potential security or privacy issues before submitting it to the Amazon Kids platform.

5. User interface: The user interface of the app should be simple and easy for children to navigate. Use age-appropriate language and visuals to make the app more engaging and accessible for young users. Avoid complicated menus or small buttons that could be difficult for children to use.

6. No in-app purchases: Apps on the Amazon Kids platform should not have any in-app purchases. This includes both virtual items and real money purchases. All features of the app should be available to users without the need for additional purchases.

7. No third-party advertising: The Amazon Kids platform does not allow any third-party advertising. This includes pop-up ads, banners, and video ads. Your app should not promote any other products or services within the app itself.

8. Parental controls: The Amazon Kids platform provides parents with parental controls to manage their child’s use of the platform. Your app should adhere to these controls and allow parents to set limits on usage or restrict certain features if they choose to do so.

9. Testing and certification: Before submitting your app to the Amazon Kids platform, it must pass a rigorous testing and certification process to ensure it meets all the platform’s guidelines and requirements. Make sure to thoroughly test your app and fix any issues before submitting it for certification.

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## Implementing Monetization Models

Step 1: Create a Developer Account

To start integrating in-app purchasing and/or in-app advertising into your app on the Amazon Kids platform, you first need to create a developer account. Go to the Amazon Developer portal and click on “Sign In” at the top right corner of the page. If you already have an account, sign in using your credentials. If not, click on “Create your Amazon account” and follow the instructions to create a new account.

Step 2: Enroll your App in Amazon Kids

Once you have a developer account, you need to enroll your app in the Amazon Kids program. This program allows you to have your app featured on the Amazon Appstore for Kids and be eligible for in-app purchasing and/or in-app advertising features. To enroll your app, go to the Apps & Services tab and click on “Amazon Kids”. Then click on “Enroll your app now” and follow the instructions to submit your app for review.

Step 3: Integrate the Amazon In-App Purchasing SDK

To enable in-app purchasing in your app, you need to integrate the Amazon In-App Purchasing (IAP) SDK. This SDK provides the necessary APIs for your app to communicate with the Amazon Appstore and handle in-app purchases. Follow the instructions in the Amazon IAP Developer Guide to integrate the SDK into your app.

Step 4: Enable In-App Purchasing in Your App’s Product Page

After integrating the IAP SDK, you need to enable in-app purchasing in your app’s product page in the Amazon Developer Console. Go to the Apps & Services tab and click on “In-App Purchasing”. Then select the app you want to enable in-app purchasing for and click on “Manage”. Click on “Enable In-App Purchasing” and follow the instructions to set up your in-app purchase items.

Step 5: Implement In-App Purchasing in Your App

Now that in-app purchasing is enabled, you need to implement it in your app. This involves using the APIs provided by the Amazon IAP SDK to display the available in-app purchase items and handle the purchase flow. You can refer to the Amazon IAP Developer Guide for detailed information on how to implement in-app purchasing in your app.

Step 6: Integrate the Amazon Mobile Ads SDK

To enable in-app advertising in your app, you need to integrate the Amazon Mobile Ads SDK. This SDK enables your app to display Amazon ads and earn revenue from clicks and impressions. Follow the instructions in the Amazon Mobile Ads API Reference to integrate the SDK into your app.

Step 7: Configure the Advertising Settings in Your App’s Product Page

After integrating the Mobile Ads SDK, you need to configure the advertising settings for your app in the Amazon Developer Console. Go to the Apps & Services tab and click on “Mobile Ads”. Then select the app you want to enable advertising for and click on “Manage”. Follow the instructions to set up your advertising settings.

Step 8: Implement In-App Advertising in Your App

With the Mobile Ads SDK and the advertising settings configured, you can now implement in-app advertising in your app. This involves using the APIs provided by the Mobile Ads SDK to display ads in your app. Refer to the Amazon Mobile Ads API Reference for detailed information on how to implement in-app advertising in your app.

Step 9: Test and Submit Your App

Before submitting your app for publishing, it is important to thoroughly test the in-app purchasing and/or advertising features to ensure they are working properly and compliant with the Amazon Kids program policies. You can use the Amazon App Tester tool to test your app’s functionality and ensure it meets the guidelines. Once you are confident that your app is ready, you can submit it for review and publishing on the Amazon Appstore for Kids.

Step 10: Manage Your In-App Purchasing and Advertising

After your app has been published, you can use the Amazon Developer Console to manage your in-app purchasing and advertising. This includes tracking sales and revenue, managing advertising campaigns, and making updates or changes to your in-app purchase items.

## Testing and Compliance

1. Familiarize Yourself with Amazon’s Monetization and Advertising Policies Before testing the app on the Amazon Kids platform, it is crucial to understand and comply with their monetization and advertising policies. These policies ensure a safe and appropriate environment for young users. Some key points to keep in mind are:

- Apps must be age-appropriate for children aged 5 and above.

- Monetization methods such as in-app purchases and advertisements must be clearly disclosed and appropriate for the age range of the app.

- Ads cannot include adult content, violence, or other inappropriate material.

- Ads must be clearly marked as advertisements and should not be misleading.

- In-app purchases must be clearly labeled and should not trick children into making purchases.

2. Test Monetization Implementation Once the app is optimized for the Amazon Kids platform, the next step is to test the monetization implementation. This includes ensuring all in-app purchases and advertisements are functioning correctly and in compliance with Amazon’s policies. Some key points to consider while testing are:

- Verify that all in-app purchases are working as intended and are clearly labeled.

- Verify that the app does not have any hidden or misleading advertisements.

- Test the flow of the app to ensure that advertisements do not disrupt the user’s experience.

- Check for any technical issues that may interfere with monetization, such as crashes or bugs.

3. Address Common Issues During the testing process, it is possible to encounter common issues that can arise with monetization on the Amazon Kids platform. Some common issues to look out for are:

- Ads that do not adhere to Amazon’s policies and may need to be removed or modified.

- Technical issues that may affect the user’s ability to make in-app purchases.

- Issues with the monetization implementation that may require further troubleshooting.

4. Troubleshoot Monetization Implementation If any issues arise during testing, it is important to troubleshoot and resolve them before the app can be approved for the Amazon Kids platform. Some steps to troubleshoot monetization implementation are:

- Check Amazon’s Developer Portal and Support pages for any known issues or updates that may affect the app’s monetization.

- Test the app on multiple devices and operating systems to see if the issue is specific to a particular device or OS.


- Consult with Amazon’s support team or other developers on the platform for assistance with troubleshooting.

## Publishing and Promoting the App

As a developer, one of your main goals is to get your app onto the Amazon Kids platform and reach your target audience. The Amazon Kids platform is a marketplace specifically designed for children, providing a safe and age-appropriate environment for them to discover and engage with digital content. To ensure your app is successful on this platform, here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Understand the Amazon Kids platform: Before publishing your app on the Amazon Kids platform, it’s important to understand the guidelines and requirements. This includes the content policies, pricing, and technical specifications. Familiarize yourself with these to ensure your app meets all the necessary criteria.

2. Meet the Eligibility Criteria: Your app must meet the eligibility criteria set by Amazon to be considered for the Amazon Kids platform. This includes creating original content, demonstrating prior experience in building interactive and child-directed digital products, and adhering to all necessary copyright laws.

3. Submit your app for review: Once your app meets all the eligibility criteria, you can submit it for review. The review process may take up to 7 business days. Amazon will review your app’s content, design, and functionality to ensure it complies with their guidelines and policies.

4. Prepare for localization: The Amazon Kids platform is available in multiple languages and countries. If you wish to reach a wider audience, you will need to consider localizing your app. This includes translating your app’s content and making sure it’s culturally appropriate for your target audience.

5. Optimize for discovery: As with any platform, discoverability is crucial for your app’s success on the Amazon Kids platform. Make sure to use relevant, child-friendly keywords in your app’s title, description, and metadata to increase its visibility.

6. Leverage Amazon’s marketing tools: Amazon offers a range of marketing tools to promote your app and reach your target audience. These include banner ads, detailed analytics, and customer reviews. Utilizing these tools can help increase your app’s downloads and visibility.

7. Consider parental controls: As the Amazon Kids platform is designed for children, parental controls are an important aspect to consider. Make sure your app is easily accessible for children and provides parents with the necessary controls to monitor their child’s activity within the app.

8. Engage with the community: The Amazon Kids platform has a vibrant community of parents, teachers, and content creators. Engage with this community by participating in forums, responding to customer reviews, and collaborating with other developers to promote your app.


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