2026 is shaping up to be a powerful year for Amazon creators, especially those who don’t rely on flashy gadgets or viral product trends. While many creators focus on physical products, Amazon has quietly introduced a new way to monetize taste, trust, and curation: Media Lists.
For creators who love books, podcasts, films, audiobooks, or cultural commentary, this feature opens a new storefront surface, one that rewards niche expertise over big budgets.
Early creators are experimenting with Media Lists, and Amazon often gives new formats extra visibility before they become saturated. That makes this a smart time to explore.
What Are Amazon Media Lists?
Amazon Media Lists are a newer storefront feature that allows creators and brands to curate recommendations across entertainment and educational media , including books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music. They’re an evolution of the classic “favorites” list, designed for today’s content-rich world where trust drives clicks and conversions.
Rather than presenting endless options, Media Lists make discovery easier by grouping content around clear, meaningful themes. These lists are visually browsable, simple to update, and built to help shoppers quickly find recommendations that feel intentional and personally curated.
Creators can use Media Lists to spotlight focused collections such as “Short Audiobooks for Busy Mornings,” “True Crime Podcasts Worth the Hype,” or “Kids’ Adventure Audiobooks for Road Trips.” These lists can be shared through creator storefronts and links, supporting both direct promotion and organic browsing.
The goal isn’t to include everything, it’s to recommend the right things. In Media Lists, relevance matters more than volume.
Why Creators Are Paying Attention
Fast, Low-Friction Setup
Creating an Amazon Media List takes minutes, not hours. There’s no complicated workflow or technical setup, which means creators can quickly test ideas, publish themed lists, and focus their time on content and strategy rather than admin.
Early-Mover Visibility
Media Lists are still a relatively new format, and early adopters are already seeing increased exposure. Amazon tends to surface new features more prominently, especially when there’s limited competition within a niche. For creators, this creates an opportunity to stand out before the space becomes crowded.
Clear but Limited Monetization Opportunities
Not all media categories are commission-eligible. Currently, earnings are concentrated in specific areas such as books, Audible, movies, and select digital media. Creators who understand these incentives early can build more strategic lists and position themselves to benefit as the Media List ecosystem continues to evolve.
What Actually Earns Commissions?
Not every media item included in an Amazon Media List generates affiliate income and being transparent about this is essential for building long-term trust with both creators and audiences.
Currently Incentivized (Subject to Amazon Policy Updates)
Certain media categories are currently eligible for commissions, including:
- Kindle eBooks
- Audible audiobooks
- Eligible physical or digital books
- Select movies or TV titles available through Prime or direct purchase
These categories form the foundation of Media List monetization and are where creators typically see measurable earnings.
Not Consistently Incentivized (As of Now)
Other media types may appear in Media Lists but do not reliably generate commissions:
- Music streaming
- Podcast streams
That said, non-incentivized items still play an important role. Including them helps establish taste, authority, and credibility, which increases trust and can lead shoppers to purchase paid items within the same list.
Smart creators use Media Lists to strike a balance between audience value and earnings, combining monetizable recommendations with content that strengthens their voice and curatorial expertise.
Why Niche Lists Outperform Broad Ones
“Because they’re so easy to create, it makes sense to do super-niche and smaller lists. If somebody’s looking for something to read, they don’t want menus that go on forever. A niche list feels more curated.”
Ileane Smith, Amazon & Logie creator
This insight captures exactly why Amazon Media Lists work best when they’re focused.
Rather than overwhelming shoppers with dozens of generic recommendations, niche lists solve a very specific problem. When someone searches on Amazon, they already have intent and the more precisely your list matches that intent, the more likely it is to be discovered, clicked, and trusted.
For example, a list like “Modern African History Books Under 6 Hours” will often outperform a broad list such as “Top Books to Read.” It speaks directly to a defined audience, faces less competition, and feels intentionally curated.
In practice, 5–10 carefully selected items are usually enough.
The result is a clear win on both sides:
For shoppers: speed, clarity, and confidence
For creators: discoverability, authority, and repeat engagement
With Media Lists, specificity isn’t limiting, it’s a growth advantage. Each focused list becomes a building block of trust, helping creators grow visibility across multiple micro-niches over time.
Tactical Tips for Media List Success
1. Start With What You Genuinely Enjoy
Audiences can sense authenticity. Only recommend media you’ve actually consumed and would confidently suggest to a friend. Passion drives trust.
2. Anchor Lists With Incentivized Items
Include commission-eligible books or audiobooks as the foundation of your list. Then complement them with culturally relevant or trending picks to boost engagement and audience value.
3. Use Search-Friendly Titles
Titles should match what your audience is actually searching for. Examples:
- “Best Cozy Mysteries for Winter 2026”
- “Audiobooks Under 5 Hours for New Listeners”
Avoid vague labels like “My Favorites” specificity improves discoverability.
4. Write Short, Helpful Descriptions
A one or two sentence intro explaining who the list is for and why you curated it makes a big difference. Clear descriptions improve shopper confidence and click-through.
5. Share Beyond Amazon
Promote your Media List links across social platforms to drive early engagement:
- Instagram Stories
- TikTok bio links
- Pinned Facebook posts
Early engagement signals relevance and can increase visibility on Amazon.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Creating overly broad lists , find your unique angle.
- Ignoring Amazon’s commission eligibility updates , check terms regularly.
- Copy-pasting generic descriptions, add value, not clutter.
- Treating Media Lists as “set and forget”, refresh content to keep it relevant.
Media Lists work best when treated as living content, not static pages.
Final Takeaways for Creators
Amazon Media Lists give creators the ability to:
- Monetize knowledge and taste
- Build niche authority
- Reach audiences without paid ads
- Experiment with low risk and high creative control
You don’t need inventory, massive ad spend, or viral reach , just clarity, consistency, and thoughtful curation.
Next Step:
Create two Media Lists today:
- One hyper-niche list
- One broader list with 5–8 carefully selected items
Track clicks, saves, and purchases, then refine. Early experimentation positions you to succeed as Amazon continues expanding creator-focused features in 2026.
Pro Tip: Stay curious, stay authentic, and let your unique curatorial voice shine. Each focused Media List becomes a trust signal and a building block for your creator authority.
Note: Amazon features and commission eligibility may change. Always refer to Amazon’s official terms for the most up-to-date information.
