Amazon's Product Advertising API, formerly Amazon Associates Web Service (A2S) and before that known as Amazon E-Commerce Service (ECS), is a web service and application programming interface (API) that gives application programmers access to Amazon's product catalog data.
Accessible via either the SOAP or REST protocols it enables products to be listed and/or sold through third-party websites and applications.
[2] Amazon.com developed the Product Advertising API toward three classifications of users: The API allows clients to search or browse Amazon.com's product catalog; to retrieve detailed product information, reviews, and images; and to interface with customer shopping carts.
Purchases at Amazon through a third-party website or application allows the operators of that site to earn up to 8.5% in referral fees.
[3] The motivation behind the free Product Advertising API is to give partners the opportunity to earn money by promoting for Amazon products.