Apple Affiliate Program

Official Websites

• https://performance-partners.apple.com/home
• https://www.apple.com
• http://www.apple.com

Brand Guidelines

2016

Brand Summary

Mission

• To enable affiliates to promote Apple products online in a manner that accurately represents the Apple brand and directs customers to apple.com or the Apple Store app, while maintaining Apple’s standards and identity [^1].

Core Values

• accuracy
• brand integrity
• compliance
• innovation
• clarity

Target Audience

• Companies and publishers participating in the Apple Affiliate Program who promote Apple products and link directly to apple.com or the Apple Store app [^2].

Personality Traits

• professional
• innovative
• trustworthy
• consistent

Visual Identity Overview

• Apple’s visual identity for affiliates emphasizes the use of official Apple-provided assets (banners, logos, product photography) in their original form, clear layouts, and strict adherence to Apple’s guidelines regarding placement, size, and background. Affiliates must not imitate Apple’s proprietary typography or alter Apple assets, and must ensure Apple assets are subordinate to their own corporate identity [^3].

Categories

Brand Voice

• Do not incorporate Apple assets (Apple banners, the Apple logo, or Apple product photography) in headlines or body copy. Exceptions will be made upon review and written approval.
• Do not use headlines, copy, or images from Apple’s website.
• Do not suggest ownership or customization of apple.com. For example, do not say “Use points to shop at apple.com.” Instead say “Use your points to shop at apple.com.”

Brand Imagery

• Every aspect of Apple photography, from framing and composition to lighting and camera angle, is carefully controlled by Apple. When your company is approved to use Apple product photos it is important to use them as shown in these guidelines.
• The Apple-provided product photographs shown in these guidelines are for use only by Apple Affiliate Publisher partners (affiliates) that have agreed to the terms and conditions of the Apple Affiliate Publisher program and have been approved to participate in the program. The photos can also be used by third-party companies that have permission from Apple. You must follow these guidelines whenever Apple-provided product photographs are used.
• Apple reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the photographs anytime their use is inconsistent with these guidelines or is otherwise deemed inappropriate by Apple.
• Use only current product photos designated for use by Apple affiliates and provided through the program platform and data feed.
• Never download or copy images from apple.com. Do not produce your own photos of Apple products for merchandising use; use only the assets provided by Apple when linking to apple.com. Never use Apple’s lifestyle or other promotional imagery.
• For editorial purposes, use photography provided by Apple Public Relations (PR) at www.apple.com/pr/products.
• Apple product photos must not dominate your web page. They must always be subordinate to your company or store identity and cannot take the place of that identity. Photos are provided to supplement content that is clearly related to Apple products. Always use Apple product photos at the size provided and show the products in their entirety. Apple products should be presented in correct proportions to one another. Never enlarge or reduce product photo files.
• Apple continually updates the product photos that are available to affiliates. Do not show outdated Apple products. Use only the most current Apple product photos provided by the approved affiliate vendor in your region.
• Each Apple product photo must be placed near content related to that product. For standard sales and merchandise listings, use only one photo of a particular Apple product on a web page. Only shopping comparisons can display an additional photo of the same product in each vendor listing.
• Avoid these common mistakes when using Apple product photos. • Do not place an Apple product photo on a busy, colorful, textured, or patterned background. Apple product photos can be placed only on a white, off-white, light gray, or black background. • Do not alter Apple product photos or add type, violators, or other graphics. • Do not animate or enhance Apple product photos. • Never place a product photo from the Apple Affiliate Program within editorial content. Apple product photos obtained through the affiliate program are for use only with sales and merchandising content. • Use only the screen shots (images shown on the screen of the featured product) provided by Apple; do not alter them or create your own screen images and place them on Apple product photos.
• Apple product photos provided to affiliates feature a solid white or solid black background to make it easier for customers to see the product.
• Do not place Apple product photos on a busy, colorful, or cluttered background. Use the background provided by Apple as part of the photo.
• Make sure you use Apple product photos at the size provided. Do not enlarge them. The photos should appear crisp and clearly legible.

Typography

• All headlines and body copy on your website that refer to Apple or to any Apple product should be formatted in a manner that is consistent with your company’s identity. Do not imitate Apple typography. Apple uses a proprietary version of the Myriad font. Apple affiliates are not permitted to use this font in their communications. To avoid customer confusion, do not use other versions of Myriad, such as Adobe Myriad, in your communications.

Logo Usage

• Only Apple and its authorized/approved licensees may use the Apple logo in advertising, promotional, and sales materials. The Apple logo may only be used as follows.
• Use the Apple logo in the size provided.
• Use one Apple logo in a collection of logos identifying companies related to the affiliate offer.
• One Apple logo can be used on a page dedicated to Apple product promotions.
• Do not place the Apple logo within a banner.
• Do not use the Apple logo as part of your menu options.
• Do not use the Apple logo as a navigation device.
• Do not place the Apple logo within editorial content.

Tone And Messaging

• When describing shopping with Apple, the following phrases can be used: Shop apple.com Shop the Apple website Shop Apple online Shop the Apple Store app Shop with Education Pricing The name of the company, Apple, should always remain in English, independent of the language in which it appears.
• Do not incorporate Apple assets (Apple banners, the Apple logo, or Apple product photography) in headlines or body copy. Exceptions will be made upon review and written approval.
• Do not use headlines, copy, or images from Apple’s website.
• Do not suggest ownership or customization of apple.com. For example, do not say “Use points to shop at apple.com.” Instead say “Use your points to shop at apple.com.”

Visual Style

• Do not incorporate Apple assets (Apple banners, the Apple logo, or Apple product photography) in headlines or body copy. Exceptions will be made upon review and written approval.
• Do not use headlines, copy, or images from Apple’s website.
• Do not suggest ownership or customization of apple.com. For example, do not say “Use points to shop at apple.com.” Instead say “Use your points to shop at apple.com.”
• Use the Apple logo in the size provided.
• Use one Apple logo in a collection of logos identifying companies related to the affiliate offer.
• One Apple logo can be used on a page dedicated to Apple product promotions.
• Do not place the Apple logo within a banner.
• Do not use the Apple logo as part of your menu options.
• Do not use the Apple logo as a navigation device.
• Do not place the Apple logo within editorial content.

Layout And Composition

• Do not incorporate Apple assets (Apple banners, the Apple logo, or Apple product photography) in headlines or body copy. Exceptions will be made upon review and written approval.
• Do not use headlines, copy, or images from Apple’s website.
• Do not suggest ownership or customization of apple.com. For example, do not say “Use points to shop at apple.com.” Instead say “Use your points to shop at apple.com.”
• Use the Apple logo in the size provided.
• Use one Apple logo in a collection of logos identifying companies related to the affiliate offer.
• One Apple logo can be used on a page dedicated to Apple product promotions.
• Do not place the Apple logo within a banner.
• Do not use the Apple logo as part of your menu options.
• Do not use the Apple logo as a navigation device.
• Do not place the Apple logo within editorial content.

Email Marketing Guidelines

• Email marketing content promoting Apple products must be pre-approved. Content should link to your site. Apple does not allow affiliates to use email and newsletters to link directly to apple.com.
• Apple affiliates must adhere to the criteria below when developing content for their website, email, and apps. • Content including articles on the publisher website should show new information and current articles. • Cannot contain any rumors regarding Apple. • Cannot contain any article encouraging jail breaking content for Apple products. • Cannot have content that supports a specific religious group or a political party. • No sexual or violent content. • No illegal software or content download sites.