In 2025, affilaite programs have come out of a niche and become a widely used additional revenue stream by reputable brands. This makes sense because in affiliate marketing everybody wins: brand owner, because they get a chance to present their product or service to a wider and sometimes otherwise inaccessible audience, marketers, as they earn money virtually risk-free, and users, that get to see carefully placed ads for relevant products.
Turning affiliate offers into whole programs is a testimony to the maturity of this business. If behemots such as Microsoft run their own affiliate programs, they simply must work for everyone.
If you are unfamiliar with a concept but are looking into a way to earn some money, if you’ve already heard about affiliate marketing and affiliate programs a while back and want to know the state in 2025, or if you simply want to cut to the chase and quickly find the most profitable programs, this article is for you.
No banner with provided ID foundWhy should one become an affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn extra cash, even if you don’t have any previous experience. You only need to be able to learn quickly. And get this, affiliate marketing isn’t just doing okay, it’s absolutely exploding! Recent stats show the whole affiliate marketing scene is worth well over $17 billion globally. And it’s not stopping there – it’s set to grow to anywhere from $27.78 billion by 2027 to maybe even $31.7 billion by 2031. Just in the U.S., they’re expecting to spend nearly $12 billion in 2025, and that’s likely climbing to $15.8 billion by 2028.
As for ways of promoting affiliate products: Want to use your social media, blog, or even set up a quick website to talk about some products? You totally can.
So, what does this mean for your wallet? Real chances to make money. Now, not everyone makes the same, but the average affiliate marketer can pull in something like $8,000 a month. Plus, a big chunk of them – around 81.2% – make over $20,000 a year. And the real go-getters? They’re hitting six-figure annual incomes! With over 80% of brands now using affiliate programs, they’re definitely looking for people to help promote their stuff, and this way of marketing is behind about 16% of all e-commerce sales.
But here’s the deal: you gotta pick the best programs to actually make good money. That means finding programs that are easy to get into, sure, but also ones that pay well so you get the most bang for your buck. At the end of the day, you want to build a steady online income, right? So, you need to be smart about finding good offers and dodging the shady ones. You’ll find awesome programs on big affiliate networks, but some companies run their own great programs too. Networks can be handy, but a good independent program from a company you trust can be just as good, or even better. Just make sure you’re teaming up with solid, honest companies, and promoting their products or services can seriously pay off in this booming industry.
What Are Affiliate Marketing Programs?
This is an awesome tactical flashlight, and in my opinion, you should buy it.
To do so, click the following affiliate link for the most updated prices.
Once you complete the purchase, I will get a small commission from the flashlight producer. I didn’t make it myself, I’m not that crafty. But by sharing my opinion about this flashlight I’ve helped the producer. So they pay me money.
These are affiliate programs in a nutshell.
Affiliate marketing programs, similarly to affiliate networks, provide you with offers you can promote online. Unlike the latter, affiliate programs serve as additional sales channels for big companies. People can just sign up to these programs, get a link, and convince others to click it on their blog/videos/review sites.
You can identify these links because of the ‘ref=’ or ‘referrer=’ part embedded in them. Hover over such links with a mouse button on landing pages and you will easily identify this type of links.
This parameter tells the product owner who they owe this sale to. Like any good businessmen, the product owner has to track sales to manage their business effectively.
P.S. Don’t buy this flashlight. And that is a dummy link to prove a point.
Or is it?
Disclaimer: There are no actual affiliate links in this article.
Types of Affiliate Marketing Programs
Affiliate programs vary in terms of how and where they are advertised. Based on that, we can distinguish the following types of affiliate programs:
- Social – These programs work best when advertised on social media either via paid traffic or influencers.
- Search – Affiliate offers are discovered via the search engine, organically or by paid advertising.
- Content – This type of affiliate program is advertised on articles, review sites or blogs, hidden in a text.
- Coupon – Many sites gather coupons and discounts, and an affiliate program may offer exactly that.
- Email – You have probably received hundreds of these. Email affiliate programs are still a big contender.
Everything that I have just described should be taken into consideration to make a fully informed decision.
Or you can simply read my ranking.
The Ranking of the Best and Highest Paying Affiliate Programs
Feeling a bit lost? Not sure where to start? Want the best recommendation that fits the most cases? No problem. Below you will find the list of the best affiliate marketing programs for beginners. They are very profitable and easy to run.
Best affiliate program for beginners
- Amazon Associates. If you don’t know where to start, start with Amazon. They have millions of products, so you will surely find a niche that fits you.
- ClickBank. Another well-known platform hosting thousands of offers that you can advertise. ClickBank hosts mainly digital offers, which usually have higher commission rate that physicall products.
- Eharmony. Dating vertical is a typical starting point for most affiliates. Offers from this niche are easier to promote than, for example, web hosting services that may require using some tech language. And Eharmony is a recognizable brand.
- Coursera. The reasons for choosing this affiliate program are the same as above. Easy vertical and a recognizable brand, what more a newbie may ask for?
- Udemy. An online learning platform with the biggest number of courses available. You will surely find a course that you can comfortably ad
- Clickbank. Although their UI falls behind the current design standards and may be hard to master, they have a lot of tools that are helpful for newbies. On top of that, the offers are all newbie-friendly.
- CJ Affiliate. They are not the easiest platform to start with, for sure, but a lot of interesting offers should justify a steeper learning curve.
- Nvidia. The recent AI boom had elevated Nvidia to become one the biggest tech companies in the world. But for many, it is still a gaming company beloved by many. Nvidia has product that all gamers (a numerous group often capable of spending big money) want, no persuasion is needed. They just need to want Nvidia products from your links.
- Lemonads. With over 10,000 partners that include most recognizable high-tech companies, lemonads is a platform that is a great place to start for beginners that haven’t decided yout on the niche or vertical.
- WordPress. WordPress offers one of the easiest ways to create and publish content online. It’s a well-known and trusted tool that is actually useful. The marketing is almost done for you.
Want more details? Go over our list of affiliate marketing programs divided by category and described in detail below.
E-commerce Affiliate Programs
1 – CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate is one of the largest and oldest affiliate marketing networks, connecting affiliate marketers with a vast array of brands and offers. Many programs from other verticals partner with CJ Affiliate. While CJ promotes a network capability of an extended cookie lifetime (up to 400 days mentioned historically), it’s crucial for affiliates to check the specific cookie duration offered by individual merchant programs, as these are often shorter.
Cookie duration: Varies by merchant (typically 30-120 days; always verify per advertiser)
Minimum payout: $50 (Direct Deposit) / $100 (Check)
When you get paid: 20th of each month, following a Net 30 model (commissions are processed about 30 days after the end of the month they are locked in).
Average Commission Rates: Varies significantly by advertiser; includes percentage per sale, flat fee per lead or sale, and sometimes recurring commissions.
Pros:
- Large network of advertisers: Access to thousands of brands across numerous niches, including many Fortune 500 companies.
- Reputable Platform: Long-standing presence in the industry with reliable payment processing.
- Diverse Commission Structures: Offers include pay-per-sale, pay-per-lead, and sometimes pay-per-call, with potential for high-ticket items.
- Robust Reporting Tools: Provides detailed analytics to track performance, though there can be a learning curve.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: The platform can be complex for complete beginners to navigate.
- Advertiser Approval: Approval for individual advertiser programs can be competitive and may take time.
- Cookie Duration Variability: Actual cookie duration is set by individual merchants, not a universal network-wide period for all offers.
2 – Awin
Awin is a major global affiliate marketing network connecting advertisers with over a million publishers worldwide. It hosts a vast number of merchant programs across diverse sectors and has incorporated platforms like ShareASale (which it acquired) and Commission Factory, further expanding its reach. There is a small, refundable sign-up deposit (e.g., $1 or €1) for publishers to verify their account, which is credited back with the first payout.
Cookie duration: Varies by merchant (typically 30-90 days; always verify per advertiser)
Minimum payout: $20 / €20 / £20
When you get paid: Twice a month (on the 1st and 15th) or once a month (on the 15th), selectable by the publisher, for approved and cleared commissions.
Average Commission Rates: Varies significantly by merchant; typically a percentage of the sale, but can also be flat fees or lead-based.
Pros:
- Extensive Advertiser Network: Access to over 30,000 advertisers globally, including well-known brands and niche retailers.
- Low Payout Threshold: Makes it easier for new affiliates to receive earnings.
- Frequent Payment Options: Choice of bi-monthly or monthly payments.
- User-Friendly Tools: Offers helpful tools like “Convert-A-Link” and a browser extension (“MyAwin”) to simplify link creation.
Cons:
- Interface Can Be Complex for Some: While offering many features, some users find the dashboard takes time to master.
- Variable Merchant Quality & Approval: As with any large network, advertiser program quality and approval times can vary.
- Customer Support Experiences Vary: Some users report excellent support, while others have faced challenges.
- Small Sign-up Deposit: Though refundable, the initial verification deposit might be a minor hurdle for some.
3 – Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the largest and most well-known affiliate programs globally, allowing marketers to earn commissions by promoting any of the millions of products sold on Amazon. Its vast product catalog makes it easy to find relevant items for almost any niche.
Cookie duration: 24 hours. If a user adds a product to their cart within this 24-hour window, the cookie for that specific item is extended to 90 days for the purchase to complete. However, for any other items purchased, the 24-hour rule applies.
Minimum payout: $10 (Direct Deposit or Amazon Gift Card) / $100 (Check) – As of early 2025, these are the common thresholds.
When you get paid: Monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the revenue was earned.
Average Commission Rates: Varies by product category, typically ranging from 1% to 20% (e.g., Amazon Games up to 20%, Luxury Beauty up to 10%, many physical product categories 3-5%). Rates are subject to change.
Pros:
- Universal Brand Recognition & Trust: High conversion rates due to customer familiarity and trust in Amazon.
- Massive Product Selection: Virtually limitless products to promote across all niches.
- Easy to Use: Simple link creation tools and a user-friendly interface.
- Commissions on Entire Cart: You earn a commission on almost everything the customer buys within the 24-hour cookie window, not just the product you linked to (some exclusions apply).
Cons:
- Very Short Cookie Duration: The 24-hour universal cookie is a significant limitation.
- Low Commission Rates in Many Categories: Some popular categories offer very low percentages.
- Frequent Policy and Commission Changes: Amazon can change its terms and commission rates with little notice.
- Account Closure Risk: Accounts can be closed for policy violations or if sales quotas aren’t met early on.
4 – Ebay Partner Network
eBay’s affiliate program allows you to earn commissions by driving traffic and sales to one of the world’s largest marketplaces, featuring both new and used items across a vast array of categories, including auction-style and “Buy It Now” listings.
Cookie duration: 24 hours
Minimum payout: $10 (for most payment methods like Direct Deposit and PayPal)
When you get paid: Monthly, typically around the 10th-22nd of the month for the previous month’s locked commissions.
Average Commission Rates: Typically 1% to 4% of eBay’s revenue share from the sale, depending on the product category. Rates can sometimes be higher for specific promotions.
Pros:
- Huge Product Variety: Billions of listings across countless categories.
- Strong Brand Recognition: eBay is a globally recognized and trusted marketplace.
- Promote Unique & Collectible Items: Opportunity to tap into niches for used, vintage, and hard-to-find products.
- Low Payout Threshold: Easy to reach the $10 minimum payout.
Cons:
- Very Short Cookie Duration: The 24-hour cookie is challenging, especially for auction items that may last longer.
- Low Commission Rates: Percentages are relatively low compared to some other programs.
- Focus on Revenue Share: Commissions are typically a percentage of eBay’s earnings from the sale, not the total sale price, which can sometimes be confusing.
4 – ClickBank
ClickBank is a popular affiliate network specializing primarily in digital products like e-books, online courses, and software, although they also feature some physical products. It’s known for offering some of the highest commission rates in the industry.
Cookie duration: Typically 60 days, but can vary by vendor.
Minimum payout: Default is $100, but can be adjusted by the affiliate (e.g., down to $10).
When you get paid: Weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your chosen payment threshold and method (e.g., direct deposit, wire transfer).
Average Commission Rates: High, often 50% – 75% or even higher on digital products, as vendors have lower overhead.
Pros:
- High Commission Rates: Potentially very lucrative, especially for digital products.
- Wide Range of Digital Products: Many niches covered, particularly in self-help, online marketing, and health.
- Recurring Commissions: Many subscription-based products offer ongoing monthly commissions.
- Relatively Easy to Join: Lower barrier to entry compared to some other networks.
Cons:
- Variable Product Quality: The platform has a mix of high-quality and lower-quality products; due diligence is required.
- High Competition in Popular Niches: Successful products often attract many affiliates.
- Customer Service Issues: Support is more focused on vendors than affiliates at times.
- Refund Rates: Digital products can sometimes have higher refund rates, which can affect commissions.
Crypto Affiliate Programs
1 – Binance Affiliate Program
Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, offering a vast ecosystem of crypto products and services. Their affiliate program is designed for individuals and businesses with significant reach to earn commissions by referring new users.
Cookie duration: Primarily direct referral link/code tracking, effectively lifetime for referred user’s eligible trades once registered. Some sources mention a 90-day cookie for initial link clicks.
Minimum payout: No explicit minimum for regular commission payouts (paid in crypto); bonus payouts have their own terms.
When you get paid: Trading fee commissions are often credited in real-time or daily. Bonuses are typically paid monthly.
Average Commission Rates: Up to 50% on Spot trading fees and 30% on Futures trading fees from referred users. Commissions are tiered and can be for the lifetime of the referred active user. Significant monthly bonuses (up to $72,000+) possible based on referral performance.
Pros:
- High Commission Rates & Lifetime Value: Potentially very high and long-lasting recurring commissions from active traders.
- Industry-Leading Platform: High brand recognition and trust, massive user base, and extensive product range.
- Generous Bonuses: Substantial bonus opportunities for high-performing affiliates.
- Dedicated Support & Resources: Affiliates often get dedicated managers and marketing materials.
Cons:
- High Eligibility Requirements: Often requires a substantial social media following, community, or website traffic.
- Complexity: The vast array of products and commission structures can be complex to navigate. Regulatory Scrutiny: Being a large exchange, Binance faces ongoing regulatory attention in various jurisdictions, which could indirectly impact promotions.
2 – Bybit Affiliate Program
Bybit is a popular cryptocurrency derivatives exchange that has rapidly expanded its spot trading and other crypto financial services. Their affiliate program offers lifetime commissions and daily payouts.
Cookie duration: Lifetime account association once a user signs up through a referral link/code.
Minimum payout: No specific minimum mentioned for daily commission payouts.
When you get paid: Commissions from trading fees are typically calculated in real-time and disbursed daily (e.g., by 4 AM UTC).
Average Commission Rates: Offers a share of the trading fees generated by referrals, often cited to be between 25% to 50% (taker volume). Sub-affiliate commissions also available.
Pros:
- Lifetime Recurring Commissions: Earn from your referrals’ trading activity indefinitely.
- Daily Payouts: Highly attractive feature for consistent cash flow.
- Strong Focus on Derivatives: Appeals to active traders interested in futures and options.
- Dedicated Affiliate Support: Provides account managers and marketing assistance.
Cons:
- Primarily for Active Trading Niches: Best suited if your audience is interested in active crypto trading and derivatives.
- Newer than Some Competitors: While growing fast, it may not have the same level of established brand history as the oldest exchanges.
3 – Coinbase Affiliate Program
Coinbase is one of the most well-known and user-friendly cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly popular among beginners. Their affiliate program offers a commission on the trading fees of new users.
Cookie duration: 30 days for a user to sign up and make their first trade.
Minimum payout: $10 (or local currency equivalent).
When you get paid: Monthly, payouts are typically processed 30 days after the end of the invoice month.
Average Commission Rates: 50% of your referral’s trading fees for their first 3 months on the platform.
Pros:
- Strong Brand Recognition & Trust: Highly reputable and easy to promote, especially to newcomers.
- User-Friendly Platform: Appeals to a broad audience due to its simplicity.
- Decent Initial Commission: 50% of fees for 3 months can be lucrative if referrals are active early on.
- Low Payout Threshold.
Cons:
- Commission Limited to 3 Months: No lifetime recurring commissions on trading fees beyond the initial period.
- Short Cookie Window: 30 days is standard but requires timely conversion.
- Fiat-Only Payouts: Some crypto-native affiliates might prefer payouts in cryptocurrency.
4 – Trezor Affiliate Program
Trezor is another highly reputable pioneer in the hardware cryptocurrency wallet space, offering devices like the Trezor Model One and Model T. They provide a direct affiliate program.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: €100 for payouts in BTC / €200 for wire transfer (payouts also mentioned in BTC, e.g., 0.1 BTC threshold by some sources).
When you get paid: Monthly.
Average Commission Rates: 12% to 15% revenue share from each sale (net sale amount, excluding VAT and shipping).
Pros:
- Trusted and Established Brand: Strong reputation in crypto security.
- Good Commission on Premium Products: Similar to Ledger, offers decent earnings per sale.
- Direct Affiliate Relationship: Dedicated affiliate team support.
- Payouts in EUR or BTC: Offers flexibility for affiliates.
Cons:
- One-Time Purchase Focus: Commissions are generally tied to the initial sale.
- Niche Audience: Targets users prioritizing cold storage security.
5 – LedgerWallet
Ledger is a leading company in hardware cryptocurrency wallets, offering products like the Ledger Nano S Plus and Nano X, designed to securely store private keys offline.
Cookie duration: 30 days (managed via Impact or their direct program).
Minimum payout: €50 (or BTC equivalent if paid in crypto).
When you get paid: Monthly.
Average Commission Rates: 10% flat commission on the net sale amount of Ledger hardware wallets and accessories. Sometimes offers higher tiers or bonuses.
Pros:
- Market Leader in Hardware Wallets: High brand trust and product demand in the security-conscious crypto space.
- High-Ticket Items: Wallets can be relatively expensive, leading to decent commission per sale.
- Promotes Crypto Security: Aligns well with educational content on safe crypto practices.
Cons:
- One-Time Sale Commission: Primarily earn from initial hardware purchase, not recurring unless they offer other services.
- Niche Product: Appeals to users specifically looking for hardware security solutions.
- ID Verification for Affiliates: The original list noted proof of residence may be required.
Dating Affiliate Programs
1 – Cupid Media
Cupid Media operates a diverse network of over 30 niche international dating sites, catering to various ethnicities, lifestyles, and special interests (e.g., Muslima, ChristianCupid, InternationalCupid). This allows affiliates to target specific demographics.
Cookie duration: 30-45 days (verify on the platform for specific sites)
Minimum payout: $50 (payouts are typically processed via their affiliate platform, which may have this as a standard threshold; the original list mentioned “no minimum” which may apply once on the platform with certain payment methods).
When you get paid: Monthly (e.g., around the 12th of each month for previous month’s locked commissions).
Average Commission Rates: Up to 75% of the initial membership fee (e.g., for Gold or Platinum subscription upgrades).
Pros:
- High Commission on Initial Sales: 75% is a very competitive rate.
- Wide Range of Niche Sites: Allows for highly targeted promotions and potentially higher conversion rates with the right audience.
- Global Reach: Many sites cater to international dating.
- Established Network: Long presence in the online dating market.
Cons:
- Focus on Initial Sale: Commissions are primarily for the first subscription payment.
- Brand Recognition Varies: While the network is large, individual niche sites may have less brand recognition than mainstream platforms.
- Cookie Duration Standard: 30-45 days is decent but not exceptional.
2 – Eharmony
eHarmony is a well-known online dating service focused on helping users find serious, long-term relationships through its compatibility matching system. It generally targets a more mature audience seeking committed partnerships. The affiliate program is often managed through networks like CJ Affiliate.
Cookie duration: 45 days
Minimum payout: $50 (standard for CJ Affiliate; some sources previously mentioned no minimum for certain payout methods like PayPal if direct).
When you get paid: Monthly (typically per the affiliate network’s schedule, e.g., around the 20th for CJ Affiliate, after locking period).
Average Commission Rates: Around 20-30% per paid subscription. Some promotions may also offer a small flat fee (e.g., $5-$10) for completed relationship questionnaires, but subscription sales are the primary earner.
Pros:
- Strong Brand Recognition and Trust: High credibility in the serious relationship space.
- Decent Commission Rates: 20-30% on subscription plans can be profitable.
- Good Cookie Duration: 45 days provides a reasonable window for conversion.
- Targeted Audience: Clear focus on serious relationships makes it easier to target content.
Cons:
- Higher Subscription Cost: eHarmony’s plans can be more expensive, which might lead to a longer decision-making process for users.
- Focus on Specific Demographics: May not appeal to all segments of the dating audience.
- Managed via Networks: Terms are subject to the affiliate network’s policies.
3 – Match.com
Match.com is one of the pioneers in online dating, offering a broad platform for singles to find dates and relationships. It has a large user base and significant brand recognition globally. Its affiliate program is typically available through networks like CJ Affiliate.
Cookie duration: 30-45 days (standard for programs on CJ Affiliate).
Minimum payout: $50 (standard for CJ Affiliate).
When you get paid: Monthly (per CJ Affiliate’s schedule).
Average Commission Rates: Typically 20-50% per paid subscription. Rates can vary based on promotions and affiliate network.
Pros:
- Very Strong Brand Recognition: One of the most recognized names in online dating.
- Broad Appeal: Caters to a wide range of singles looking for various types of relationships.
- Large User Base: Increases the potential pool for referrals.
- Often Provides Promotional Materials: Banners and links are readily available through the network.
Cons:
- Highly Competitive: Due to its popularity, there’s significant competition among affiliates.
- Commissions on Par with Industry: Rates are good but not always the absolute highest.
4 – EliteSingles
EliteSingles caters to educated and professional singles looking for serious, long-term relationships. The platform uses a personality test to match compatible individuals. Their affiliate program often operates on a pay-per-lead or pay-per-sale basis, available through networks like Awin or CJ Affiliate.
Cookie duration: 45 days
Minimum payout: $50 (as per typical network thresholds).
When you get paid: Monthly (per the affiliate network’s payment cycle).
Average Commission Rates:
- Pay-per-sale: Can offer a percentage or flat fee for new subscriptions (e.g., up to $50 or a percentage). Specifics vary by network and region.
- Pay-per-lead: Around $7 / £5 for each valid completed personality test.
Pros:
- Targets a Specific, Valuable Niche: Educated professionals can be a lucrative demographic.
- Pay-Per-Lead Option: Earning from a completed personality test can convert more easily than a full subscription sale.
- Good Cookie Duration: 45 days is a solid timeframe.
Cons:
- Smaller Target Audience: Niche focus means a more limited pool of potential referrals compared to mainstream sites.
- Lead Qualification: Leads (personality tests) need to be valid to earn commission.
- Commission on Lead is Moderate: The per-lead amount is modest, so volume is key if focusing on that model.
Web Hosting Affiliate Programs
1 – WPengine
Like with all programs from this vertical, commission is fixed for every subscription plan they have. The minimum 200$ payout value is nothing when compared to the staggering 7,500$ maximum. The half-year cookie lifetime is very good and the brand is recognizable.
Cookie duration: 180 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- It provides a lot of flexibility for setting up your affiliate program exactly as you want it to be.
- You can earn a 10% commission for every referral for the lifetime of that referral.
- It has a comprehensive number of tracking connectors.
Cons:
- While it offers one-click integrations with popular plugins, if you’re not using one of those platforms, you have to set up tracking yourself using the affiliate conversion script shortcode.
- Some users might find the number of features overwhelming and the setup process complicated.
2 – Liquid web
It has slightly worse conditions than the winner (still rather impressive $150 – $3,000) but it’s still a very good and popular affiliate program.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- LiquidWeb offers some of the biggest affiliate earnings potential in the web hosting industry.
- They have a fantastic 90-day cookie window with a strong sales funnel and support.
- The program provides multiple referral channels and top-notch creative & management.
Cons:
- The pricing of LiquidWeb is way higher than most competitors, which could potentially deter some customers.
- They have fewer customers and managed sites under management, which might limit the potential for referrals.
3 – Cloudways
Another solid affiliate program with much more modest commission ($50) but a very long cookie lifetime.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: $250
When you get paid: 10th of each month
Pros:
- The CloudWays Affiliate Program aims to provide greater flexibility for earning higher commissions, access to resources, and dedicated support to affiliates.
- It offers a 90-day cookie window which is quite long compared to many other programs.
- The program provides multiple referral channels and top-notch creative & management.
Cons:
- The actual commission rate might not be as high as some other affiliate programs.
- While it provides access to resources and dedicated support, the effectiveness of these resources and the quality of support can vary.
4 – Siteground
The fourth and fifth place should be shared ex aequo between Siteground and Kinsta affiliate programs. The thing that elevated Siteground a tad higher are customer-friendly weekly payouts.
Cookie duration: 60 days
Minimum payout: no minimum
When you get paid: weekly
Pros:
- SiteGround offers high commission rates. You can earn up to $125 per sale if you referred 21+ customers per month.
- The program has a high conversion rate.
- Commissions are paid weekly.
- There’s no minimum monthly sale threshold.
- SiteGround has a very good reputation since they’ve been offering decent web hosting for a couple of years now.
Cons:
- The hosting prices are a bit high, which is why some people might be wary of trying SiteGround.
- In November 2020, SiteGround suspended a huge number of affiliate accounts based on the account’s country. That means many affiliates who have invested time and money promoting their service and publishing content on their websites will make ZERO return on that investment.
5 – Kinsta
Last but not least but not first. Same commission (50$) and a cookie lifetime (60 days) as Siteground, but you have to wait a whole month to receive your payout.
Cookie duration: 60 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Kinsta offers high commission rates. As an affiliate, you can earn a one-time commission of $50 to $500 for each referred customer. In addition, the company also provides its affiliates with 5% to 10% commissions for each successful sale.
- The program administers a generous and lengthy 60-day duration and last-touch attribution to their tracking cookies.
- Kinsta offers lifetime recurring commissions. The churn rate for Kinsta is very low, with a rate of only 2%. As a result, lifetime recurring commissions of 5% to 10% hold real value.
- They offer support for all commonly used frameworks and languages, such as PHP, NodeJS, Python, Ruby, and more.
Cons:
- There is a lack of payment method diversity as they only offer PayPal withdrawals.
- The response of the affiliate support team can be slow at times.
Educational Affiliate Programs
1 – Coursera
Sometimes the most recognizable are the best, and that is the case of Coursera. The average 32.5% commission rate is the best in the industry and a cookie life is a reasonable 30 days. They don’t have as many courses as Udemy, but I will stick with a more generous commission structure.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The Coursera affiliate commission rate is one of the first that we can mention. There are not a lot of similar services that can pay you a 45% rate.
- The 30-day cookie is another reason to join the program.
- All transactions done through your Coursera affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
Cons:
- The Coursera affiliate program offers single-tier commissions, which means the affiliates earn commissions only on sales they generate.
- The affiliate program offers a fixed commission structure, with a minimum payout of No minimum payout.
2 – Udemy
The online platform with the biggest number of courses available. Shame that they couldn’t outbid Coursera’s commission. 20% is still ok though.
Cookie duration: 7 days
Minimum payout: N/A
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission rate of 15-20% per online course sale.
- The cookie duration is 7 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- All transactions done through your Udemy affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
Cons:
- The courses you will recommend aren’t that expensive, so even if the rate is, at 20%, pretty generous, you run the risk of earning just 1-2 dollars per generated purchase.
- Some affiliates feel that they’d probably earn more money if the cookie were longer than 7 days.
- Udemy pays a low commission. Gone are the days where it paid affiliates 40-50% per sale. It has lowered its commission rate to 20%.
The skill-learning platform with fixed commissions, $10 per signup. It doesn’t sound like much but the big number of courses makes it easy to advertise.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $10
When you get paid: 16th of each month
Pros:
- Skillshare is a reputable education platform and it is easy for the affiliates to convince referrals.
- Affiliates can take advantage of the deep links to send their referrals to different Skillshare’s pages.
- It offers a high commission with a 30-day cookie duration.
- Being among the top online learning platforms, it has a lot of courses which means a lot of keywords you can target.
Cons:
- The range of course subjects is much smaller compared to Udemy.
- The Skillshare subscription might be too expensive for many people.
4 – DIY.org
Formerly known as Jam, this platform hosts courses aimed at kids. It’s a smaller market than, for example, Coursera, but it’s also a less explored one. You get $5 for every sign-up.
Cookie duration: 14 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission of $5 per sale.
- The cookie duration is 14 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- DIY.org provides data on your referrals, conversions, and earnings.
Cons:
- If you don’t have a website, it will be difficult to be a successful DIY.org affiliate.
- To get a more comprehensive view of your performance, you might need to use a third-party tool like Voluum.
5 – Teachable
This platform actually targets teachers. If you feel comfortable with this market, you will get 30% commission for every signup done within 90 days.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: N/A
When you get paid: daily/weekly/monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission rate of 30% for all sales generated via their affiliate link.
- The Teachable affiliate cookie lasts for 30 days.
- Recurring commissions are paid for one year if the user’s subscription remains active.
- The built-in payment processing system handles transactions for you.
Cons:
- For sales funnel building, you will need to use a third-party platform (e.g., ClickFunnels or LeadPages).
- Email is the only way to reach Teachable support.
Gaming Affiliate Programs
1 – Razer
If you are a gamer, there is not much to say. The company that is synonymous with gaming accessories and equipment. For every purchase you facilitate, you get a 5% commission. And those gaming products are not cheap. It’s a 5% slice of a big cake.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: N/A
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The Razer program is very flexible and a great fit for gamers.
- It offers tiered commissions, paying more for higher performers.
- It has a huge, high-quality product catalog with a massive install-base.
- Affiliates can earn commissions of up to 10% on the sale of Razer products.
- No fees are required to join the Razer Affiliate Program.
- Special incentives such as offers and promotions are provided to help you drive traffic.
Cons:
- Commissions are capped at 1% if referrals are incentivized.
- Higher-end commissions are for software, not hardware products.
- If a customer returns a product, requests a refund, cancels an order, or if credit card charges are reversed due to dispute or credit card fraud, that transaction will not be eligible for a commission payout.
2 – Logitech
Known mainly for manufacturing gaming mouses and keyboards, yet they do so much more. Logitech is a more mainstream company than a specialized Razer, which should make promoting their offer easier. Their commission rate is only one percent lower than Razer’s.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: N/A
When you get paid: 45 days after the end of each calendar month
Pros:
- Logitech is a well-known brand with a broad catalog of products, which makes it easier for affiliates to promote.
- Affiliates earn a commission rate of 4-10% for all sales generated via their affiliate link.
- The cookie duration is 30 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- Affiliates have access to a robust product catalog, seasonal promotions, and specially-designed banners and text links.
- All transactions done through your Logitech affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
Cons:
While the Logitech Affiliate Program offers a variety of benefits, it might not be suitable for all affiliates. For instance, if you don’t have a website, it might be difficult to be a successful Logitech affiliate.
3 – Alienware
Part of the Dell empire, this company specializes in making gamer-oriented laptops. Very, very expensive laptops. 4% of the 3,000$ makes it worth the trouble. This program can be found on CJ Affiliate.
Cookie duration: 3 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission rate of 1% – 6% per sale.
- The cookie duration is 3 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- All transactions done through your Alienware affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
Cons:
If you don’t have a website, it will be difficult to be a successful Alienware affiliate.
4 – Nvidia
If you’ve never heard of Nvidia, then you must be a Muggle. Or a console player. They are willing to share with you 2% of their revenue for a sale. The 90-day cookie lifetime leaves plenty of wiggle room to finalize a deal.
Cookie duration: 45 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The cookie duration is 45 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- All transactions done through your Nvidia affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
- Nvidia provides data on your referrals, conversions, and earnings.
Cons:
- A website is needed.
5 – Microsoft
Their gaming affiliate program offers similar conditions to Nvidia’s but a longer cookie lifetime (60 days). But everyone knows the brand for sure.
Cookie duration: 60 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The commission rates for the Microsoft Affiliate Program are generally competitive, ranging from 1% to 10%, depending on the product and the country.
- The program helps distinguish partners through public recognition and enables their growth through exclusive training, technical, marketing, and sales resources.
- All transactions done through your Microsoft affiliate link are tracked within 24 – 48 hours, and your commission can take up to 60 days to get confirmed.
Cons:
- You can’t promote their flagship Windows products as a Microsoft affiliate.
Online Marketing Tools Programs
1 – GanttPRO
A tool for project management and team collaboration offers great terms for their affiliates. Their commission is solid and recurring (50% for the first purchase, 20% for the recurrent ones). The 90-day cookie lifetime, support, and training for all new affiliates make it a noteworthy program to try.
Cookie duration: unlimited
Minimum payout: no minimum
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission of 50% from a purchase.
- The cookie duration is unlimited, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase, no matter when it happens.
- GanttPro provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- You can track the results of work and withdraw money in your personal account.
- You can choose from 70 different payment methods including PayPal, Credit card, Trustly, etc.
Cons:
- The GanttPro affiliate program offers single-tier commissions, which means the affiliates earn commissions only on sales they generate.
- The affiliate program offers a fixed commission structure.
2 – PromoRepublic
It’s a platform for managing social media channels that offers over 100,000 post templates. The average commission rate is 25% and they claim that affiliates typically reach between $40-$1500/month.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: no minimum
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- PromoRepublic’s affiliate program offers a lot of perks for those who decide to join, such as a 30% commission as soon as you join.
- You can also earn anywhere from $110-1,500 a month as a partner, as well as extra bonuses for those who are top performers1.
- The cookie duration is unlimited, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase, no matter when it happens.
- PromoRepublic provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- You can track the results of work and withdraw money in your personal account.
- You can choose from 70 different payment methods including PayPal, Credit card, Trustly, etc.
Cons:
- The PromoRepublic affiliate program offers single-tier commissions, which means the affiliates earn commissions only on sales they generate.
- The affiliate program offers a fixed commission structure, with no minimum payout.
3 – Combin
This Instagram-focused marketing platform offers a 50% commission of its revenue for the first 6 months of membership.
Cookie duration: 180 days
Minimum payout: $400
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates earn a commission of 50% from a purchase.
- The cookie duration is unlimited, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase, no matter when it happens.
- Combin provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- You can track the results of work and withdraw money in your personal account.
- You can choose from 70 different payment methods including PayPal, Credit card, Trustly, etc.
Cons:
The Combin affiliate program offers single-tier commissions, which means the affiliates earn commissions only on sales they generate.
4 – 4K Video Downloader
This simple tool proposes simple terms. you get 50% of what the platform’s earnings are. Refer a more expensive solution, get more money. Simple as that.
Cookie duration: 180 days
Minimum payout: $500
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The 4K Video Downloader affiliate program offers a high commission rate of 50% This commission is much higher than many other affiliate programs, making it a great opportunity for those who want to earn a significant amount of money promoting the software.
- The cookie duration is unlimited, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase, no matter when it happens.
- 4K Video Downloader provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- You can track the results of work and withdraw money in your personal account.
- You can choose from 70 different payment methods including PayPal, Credit card, Trustly, etc.
Cons:
- The 4K Video Downloader affiliate program operates on a single-tier commission structure, meaning that affiliates earn commissions solely on the sales they generate.
- The commission structure of the affiliate program is fixed and does not have a minimum payout threshold.
6 – Canva
Canva is a popular online graphic design platform, and its affiliate program offers an opportunity for affiliates to earn commissions by promoting the service’s features and benefits. With a user-friendly interface and a variety of design tools, Canva is an attractive option for those interested in graphic design and marketing.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
Canva’s affiliate program provides affiliates with a commission for each successful referral, earning a percentage of the sale amount.
The program offers a 30-day cookie duration, allowing affiliates to earn commissions on user conversions within that timeframe.
Affiliates can promote Canva’s diverse range of design tools, making it suitable for various creative and marketing niches.
Canva provides ready-to-use promotional materials, including banners, videos, and text, in multiple languages.
Cons:
The Canva affiliate program operates on a single-tier commission structure.
Affiliates are subject to a minimum payout threshold of $50.
VPN Affiliate programs
1 – NordVPN
Probably the most recommended VPN service on the web. Affiliates can earn a percentage of what the company gets after a user subscribes. 1-month plans are even rewarded with 100% commission rate! Commissions on renewals also apply. Having access to over 5,000 servers scattered around the globe, NordVPN affiliate program can be advertised globally. The affiliate cookie lifetime is industry’s average 30 days.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- NordVPN is a top-rated VPN with a high affiliate acceptance rate.
- Affiliates can earn high recurring commissions. NordVPN pays 100% on monthly plans and 40% on term plans. Renewals generate a 30% commission.
- The cookie duration is 30 days, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase within that time frame.
- NordVPN provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- You can track the results of work and withdraw money in your personal account.
- You can choose from 70 different payment methods including PayPal, Credit card, Trustly, etc1.
Cons:
The NordVPN affiliate program offers single-tier commissions.
2 – PureVPN
PureVPN boasts over 6,500 servers that ensure global coverage, and by implication, global conversions. The company makes sure that you won’t be left empty-handed by providing you with plenty marketing materials and a support from dedicated affiliate managers. The commission rate is 40% of the price of each sold plan.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: for payment via PayPal is $100 and for payments via bank wire transfer is $500
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates receive a flat 35% recurring commission for lifetime on all plans.
- The program offers special commissions and bonuses for high achievers.
- Affiliates can multiply their earnings by referring more affiliates with PureVPN’s two-tier program.
- The cookie duration is 90 days, providing more opportunities for conversion.
- Real-time tracking with last-click contribution is available.
Cons:
The affiliate program offers a fixed commission structure, with a minimum payout of threshold for payment via Paypal is $100 and for payments via bank wire transfer is $500.
3 – ExpressVPN
The company’s 3,000 plus servers located in 94 countries are enough to ensure, that you can use and market ExpressVPN in all GEOs. The average commission rate is 24$ and it depends on the volume of traffic you send and the type of a subscription plan your visitors will choose. A 90-day cookie lifetime is a great outlier in the industry.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: $100
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- The program offers competitive commissions with fast payouts. The base commission can go up to $36 per sale.
- The commission structure is flexible and can vary depending on sales volume.
- ExpressVPN provides affiliates with marketing collateral and specialized landing pages tailored for their campaign.
- The cookie duration is 90 days, providing more opportunities for conversion.
Cons:
- The ExpressVPN affiliate program offers single-tier commissions, which means the affiliates earn commissions only on sales they generate4.
- The affiliate program offers a fixed commission structure, with no minimum payout.
4 – Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the slightly lesser known but still popular VPN providers that puts a strong emphasis on user’s privacy and the unlimited number of devices you can use its services on. For its affiliates, Surfshark offers help in the form of tips and optimization support. 40% commission rate and 30-day cookie lifetime are industry’s standard.
Cookie duration: 90 days
Minimum payout: $100
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- Affiliates can earn a commission of 50% from a purchase.
- The cookie duration is unlimited, which means you’ll still receive a commission if a user clicks your link and makes a purchase, no matter when it happens.
- SurfShark VPN provides ready-to-use banners, videos, and texts in several languages.
- Affiliates can track their performance and withdraw money in their personal account.
Cons:
The program accepts traffic from all sources except incentivized and barring some promotional approaches.
5 – PrivateInternetAccess
The ‘globally-scattered-but-US-focused’ VPN provider is another company that relies heavily on affiliates to promote its services. They offer a decent 33% commission plus recurring commissions that last the whole lifetime of a consumer. It also provides its affiliates with banners and other marketing materials.
Cookie duration: unlimited
Minimum payout: for payment via PayPal is $100 and for payments via bank wire transfer is $500
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- High commission rates: PIA offers up to 80% commission on monthly plans.
- Long cookie duration: The affiliate program has a cookie duration of 90 days.
- Free to join: The affiliate program is free to join.
- Integrates with Affilimate: Data integrates with Affilimate.
Cons:
Dubious business perspective: The parent company of PIA, Kape Technologies, has come under scrutiny for its business practices.
1 – CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN is a well-known player in the VPN industry, offering a user-friendly and feature-rich service. Affiliates can earn competitive commissions by promoting CyberGhost VPN to users concerned about their online privacy and security. The commission rate is structured to reward both new sign-ups and recurring subscriptions.
Cookie duration: 45 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
CyberGhost VPN provides affiliates with a generous commission structure, offering a percentage of the sale for both initial subscriptions and renewals.
The cookie duration is 45 days, providing ample time for users to make a purchase after clicking on your affiliate link.
Affiliates have access to a range of marketing materials, including banners, videos, and text, to help promote the VPN service effectively.
The program supports a variety of payment methods, including PayPal, Credit card, and other options.
Cons:
The CyberGhost VPN affiliate program operates on a single-tier commission structure.
Recurring affiliate programs
1 – SEMrush
Semrush is a leading digital marketing toolkit for SEO, PPC, SMM and Content Marketing professionals worldwide.
Through the Semrush Affiliate Program, you can promote a reliable and in-demand solution while earning substantial commissions for each successful referral: earn $200 for the initial sale and $10 for trial activations, with additional avenues to enhance your earnings also accessible.
Cookie duration: 120 days
Minimum payout: $10 (PayPal or Electronic Funds Transfer)
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- High commission rates: SEMrush offers up to 80% commission on monthly plans.
- Long cookie duration: The affiliate program has a cookie duration of 90 days.
- Free to join: The affiliate program is free to join.
- Integrates with Affilimate: Data integrates with Affilimate.
Cons:
- Limited payment options: Payments are limited to PayPal or wire transfer.
- First cookie wins: The “first cookie wins” cookie could lead to snipped commissions.
2 – LongTailPro
Loved by marketers and SEO specialists, LongTailPro is a useful tool for anyone that wants to make their presence in an online world. Its affiliates get an easy to understand commission scheme: you get 30% of all sales and recurring transactions.
Cookie duration: 1 year
Minimum payout: $100
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- High commission rates: LongTailPro offers up to 30% commission for every person who subscribes through your affiliate link and for all future recurring payments.
- Long cookie duration: The affiliate program has a cookie duration of 90 days.
- Free to join: The affiliate program is free to join.
- Integrates with Affilimate: Data integrates with Affilimate.
Cons:
- Limited payment options: Payments are limited to PayPal or wire transfer.
- First cookie wins: The “first cookie wins” cookie could lead to snipped commissions.
3 – Shopify
If you work in ecommerce, you know Shopify. A powerful solution for anyone that wants to set up an online store in minutes, it rewards an affiliate with 20% recurring commissions, or up to $2,000 per sale.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $25
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- High commission rates: Shopify offers up to $2,000 per sale for their enterprise plan.
- Long cookie duration: The affiliate program has a cookie duration of 30 days.
- Free to join: The affiliate program is free to join.
- Integrates with Affilimate: Data integrates with Affilimate.
Cons:
Low commission rates for basic plans: Shopify offers only $58 per sale for their basic plan.
4 – SocialPilot
A budget option for social media management software, SocialPilot is also a great fit for its affiliates who can earn up to 30% on all sales.
Cookie duration: 30 days
Minimum payout: $50
When you get paid: monthly
Pros:
- High commission rates: SocialPilot offers up to 20% commission for every person who subscribes through your affiliate link and for all future recurring payments.
- Long cookie duration: The affiliate program has a cookie duration of 90 days.
- Free to join: The affiliate program is free to join.
- Integrates with Affilimate: Data integrates with Affilimate.
Cons:
- Limited payment options: Payments are limited to PayPal or wire transfer.
- First cookie wins: The “first cookie wins” cookie could lead to snipped commissions.
Affiliate Program FAQ
If you are not sure what cookie lifetime or affiliate commission is and how do these things matter, I will go over some affiliate program characteristics to address any doubts.
What is Affiliate Programs Commission?
The commission itself is usually a percentage of a sale. On some occasions, especially for web hosting products, the commission is a fixed price per sale.
There may be several additional factors that shape a commission of an affiliate marketer:
- The commission may increase if you sell more.
- There may be some promotions for new program joiners.
- The commission rate may be different for each product within one program: harder-to-sell products may have a higher commission.
Here’s the catch I’ve mentioned earlier: sometimes, often for metasearch engines such as Booking.com, the affiliate commission is calculated as a percentage of what this intermediary company (Booking.com in this example) earns, and not of what a customer pays.
It’s not such a sweet deal anymore. Think about it:
If Booking.com brags about the 20% average commission rate, it is not of the $2000 price for a 5-star hotel in Bali, but of the percentage that this hotel pays to Booking.com.
Booking.com takes 15% of their partners’ earnings. In this example, it would be $300. Your final commission of the price a customer pays is around 3%.
But I’m not mad.
3% of the $2000 hotel is still $60 just for putting one link on a web page. I can live with this, so can other affiliates and so can you.
What matters in my ranking is the final percentage of what a customer pays.
What is Cookie lifetime?
The second crucial factor of each program is the referral cookie lifetime. This rather technical term describes the time window from the initial click to the purchase in which you are eligible for the commission.
The rule of thumb is: the longer the time window the better for affiliates
A short cookie lifetime can make any program less appealing.
Take eBay.
An affiliate marketer can promote any product they have for a solid 5% commission.
Sounds good?
Not with the absurd 1-day cookie lifetime.
It’s eBay, they have auctions. The majority of them last for 7 days. It means that someone would have to click your affiliate link and make a purchase on the last day of the auction. Otherwise, you don’t get any commission.
Affiliate programs still tend to use the cookie technology, not like trackers such as Voluum that has introduced the direct tracking method. A method that is immune to:
- clearing cookies
- changing browsers
- cookie dying out.
eBay is an exception from the average lifetime of 60 days. Pay close attention to the cookie lifetime policy when choosing an affiliate program. I know I did in my ranking.
Why do payout conditions of affiliate programs matter?
Companies usually pay their affiliates on a monthly basis, with a few exceptions. If cash flow is a problem, you may be interested in joining an affiliate program that pays up more often than the rest.
The other condition for a payout is the requirement to reach a certain amount of money.
Yep, you not only have to earn something (and some companies even charge you if you don’t earn anything for a few months) but you have to earn above a certain threshold (usually $100) to access your money.
Companies don’t want to be bothered with small few-dollar payouts.
My ranking of the best affiliate programs rewards companies that make payouts more than once a month with extra points.
Take that, the majority of companies!
What are acceptance criteria?
Most companies welcome all affiliates. You just have to have any thematically-related web page that you may post their affiliate links on. But when some companies do impose restrictions they may do it with a bang.
The prime example is Airbnb. Their initial requirement for affiliates is to own a website that has at least one million visitors per month.
One million or they won’t even talk to you.
That’s where their generous (10% allegedly, although the exact value is kept a secret) comes from.
As I think that companies should give all affiliates a shot at promoting their stuff, I deducted some points based on the severity of acceptance criteria.
What business criteria I should take into consideration?
The points made above shine a light…
…shine… like the flashlight…. Get it? Here’s the link again: BUY NOW
Ok, moving on.
There are other things that matter but are harder to measure. The general business stuff such as:
- The size of a market. Most of the markets’ are worth millions or billions on a global scale. YoY growth is a much better indicator of market’s potential profitability. It’s not the size that matters, it’s the number of niches with low competition.
- The competition. Some competition is good, it is an indicator of a healthy market. But strong competition… yeah, you don’t need strong competition.
- Average EPC. This depends heavily on the market. For example, gaming computers and accessories cost a lot of money, so even a small percentage of commissions are worth a lot.
How to track affiliate programs?
Even top paying affiliate programs need to be tracked to make sure that the audience you target responds well to the program you promote.
Affiliate ad trackers such as Voluum can put your marketing efforts into hyperdrive mode, as they record and present all the important data that allow you to fine-tune:
- Traffic targeting options
- Ads and landing pages
- Campaign funnels
Moreover, Voluum allows you to automate various tasks to save you time to get more offers from our ranking. If you think that you don’t need an affiliate ad tracker, check out the article on how Voluum can help marketers with various use cases and scenarios.
What about referral programs?
A referral program is like an affiliate program. The goal is also to advertise a service, but this time, an advertisement is done by a service or product user, not by an external marketer.
Think about the platforms, services and applications affiliate marketers use. Many of them have referral programs. You can advertise them to your fellow marketers for some extra cash.
How do I create an affiliate marketing program?
It’s easy. If you have a product or a service of your own, you only need a way to track its success. You can use Voluum to create a partner network of your own. We know a thing or two about tracking!
Affiliate program opportunities to choose from
There are of course many more affiliate programs than just the ones I’ve listed. But the point was not to list them all but to find you the best affiliates programs from niches that are profitable even during or after pandemic.
All programs still should be tracked to correctly count your payouts. For that, I recommend Voluum – the best affiliate ad tracker on the market.
No banner with provided ID found
Facebook
Telegram
9 comments
What partner would work best for Newitts.com seller of Sports Equipment in the UK
I am always amazed at the useful information you provide on this site. I have been considering affiliate marketing on my blog and this would be a good place to start. Thanks!
I am always amazed at the useful information you provide on this site.
Thank you Michal – excellent and informative blog post!
I found this affiliate that I like… cestlavieprints.goaffpro.com Only because the product is cool and I like to feel something about the products I promote…
Their products sell for up to $2500 USD… and with 10% commission, it seems pretty sweet and easy product to sell these days with everyone stuck at home… lol!
Do you recommend sticking to the tried and test global leaders (such as Amazon), or is it worth taking time to promote up and coming businesses?
thanks for the information brother
Great list here. Would love to see a business software affiliate program list in here!
Great information! Thank you for sharing. I’m trying to find a good affiliate program for my website. I currently have Amazon Associates but was looking to see what other opportunities may be out there. Thanks again.
Thank you Michal for the resources. I never really considered E-commerce affiliate programs when I made a list of 100+.
Again, Voluum was in top as one of the best software affiliate programs to promote and make money with decent commissions.
Will be looking forward to adding a little bit more from your resources.
Great listing! Thank you for such helpful info. I’m a blogger in ecommerce field and I’m constantly looking for new but trusted affiliate programs. My latest findings are Alidropship affiliate program and Divi. The first one is about software, second – themes.