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As a seasoned SEO consultant, I’ve helped numerous sites tackle their EEAT issues, and I’m here to share some insights with you.

Here are a few sites I’ve helped to recover from traffic loss. While EEAT wasn’t the only thing I focused on, it was part of the strategy.

In a nutshell, if your website’s user experience is subpar and doesn’t seem to be a trustworthy source, Google may view your site as unreliable and limit your ability to rank — even if you’re following all other “best practice” SEO guidance.

With the rise of AI-generated content, simply spinning up authority sites and bombarding them with links might not cut it anymore, at least not as a long-term strategy.

As such, EEAT is becoming an increasingly important element in ranking well. It’s likely one of Google’s ways to combat the flood of spammy content. After all, it’s harder for a bot to fake years of experience and a solid track record.

That’s why you need to optimize your site for it. This guide will help you do that.

What Does EEAT Mean?So, what does EEAT stand for? Let’s break it down:

  • E – Experience: Does your content demonstrate genuine experience, like using a product, visiting a place, or sharing personal insights?
  • E – Expertise: Is your content created by an expert with years of industry experience?
  • A – Authoritativeness: Are you a well-known industry leader with a strong online presence?
  • T – Trust: Is your content trustworthy, factually accurate, and not just spun up info minutes?

Our video on the topic breaks these down in great detail:

EEAT is mentioned 121 times in the Google Search Quality Rater Guidelines – a document Google uses to train people to give feedback on websites to train future algorithms. So you know it’s worth paying attention to.

A common misconception is that EEAT is a direct ranking factor. It isn’t. Instead, it indirectly affects the algorithm because search quality raters evaluate sites for it.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Identifying how to optimize for these ranking factors can feel subjective and opinion-based. Many people in the industry share opinions on EEAT without data to back them up, which has caused a whirlwind of recycled misinformation.

But fear not! We’ve done the legwork – including reading the search quality rater guidelines cover-to-cover – and have practical tips to boost your website’s trust and authority.

TrustAccording to Google, Trust is:

***"the extent to which a page is accurate, honest, safe, and reliable."*** It’s the most crucial aspect of EEAT, and there’s a significant overlap between trust and the other three components.

To determine your Trust score, quality raters try to understand who is responsible for your website. The more information available that proves a real person or company is behind the site, the higher your Trust score will be.

Gone are the days of running anonymous websites with fake author profiles. You need to step up and share genuine information about who’s responsible for your site, or risk getting penalized with every Google algorithm update.

But sharing contact information is just the beginning. Google also looks at what other websites say about you to gauge your reputation.

In fact, the search rater guidelines show exactly how they use search operators to check your reputation: they search for your brand name and exclude results from your own website.

Here’s an example from their guidelines: christian science monitor -site:csmonitor.com

If we look at the search results, we can see people legitimately talking about this newspaper without their website being included.

These signals demonstrate that the site is trustworthy. They have an active Twitter account, social media presence, a Wikipedia page, and other sites writing about them.

To assess Google’s perception of your site’s trust, run the same search operator on your own website. If there are no articles, social media accounts, or other pages mentioning your brand name, that’s a red flag.

The number of brand searches you get also plays a role. This is when people search directly for your brand name on Google. Popular brands like Walmart and Amazon have high trust scores partially because many people search for “Walmart” or “Amazon” to reach those sites directly.

Brands with enough Trust and popularity will get their own knowledge graph, another indication that Google sees them as legitimate and trustworthy entities.

How To Boost Your Trust ScoreHere are a few tried and true ways to increase Trust.

Add Genuine Contact InformationThe first step is to build a comprehensive contact page.

Think about what a real company would do when creating contact information. They would showcase their staff and make it easy for people to reach them.

Even a big site like Forbes makes it super simple to find the right contact:

On your contact page, include:

  • A registered address
  • A phone number that matches the address location
  • Email addresses for different “departments” in your business
  • An FAQ section answering common questions about contacting you

You can register an address using a service like iPostal1 and a phone number using Skype. Make sure the area code of the number matches your address location.

💡 Pro tip: If Skype isn’t available in your country, look for a location-specific alternative.To make your site seem more like a business, set up different “department” email addresses for various inquiries, such as:

  • Info@domain.com
  • Advertising@domain.com
  • Press@domain.com
  • Partnerships@domain.com
  • Feedback@domain.com

You can do this for free in Google Workspace using the “Aliases” feature.

Step 1: Click on Directory > Users once you’re logged in.

Step 2: Click on your main email.

Step 3: Click “Add Alternate Emails”.

Step 4: Add new emails for each suggested inbox.

Step 5: After adding all that info, make an FAQ section explaining how people can contact you based on their inquiry type.

Create an Extensive About PageNext, build an About page that answers key questions about your business, such as:

  • Who is behind the business?
  • Why did you start it?
  • What does your company stand for?
  • How do you create your content?

The Broke Backpacker does a fantastic job with their About Us page:

Here are some key takeaways:

  • They show they’re real people who do what they say
  • They clearly state their website’s mission
  • The numerous images demonstrate their travel expertise

👉 See also: Killer About Me Page Examples

Build Essential Legal PagesThe next step is to create a Privacy Policy and a Terms & Conditions page.

This is something a real company would take very seriously. They would want to be in compliance with all regulations and not end up in court over a piece of content.

You can easily generate a standard Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions page at PrivacyPolicies.com. However, I recommend consulting a legal professional if you’re running a large business.

Another legal requirement is a proper affiliate disclosure, which the Federal Trade Commission requires and Google looks for to determine trust. Check our list of affiliate disclosure examples to find a suitable one for your site.

Display these pages in your footer, like RTINGS.com does:

Explain Your Review GuidelinesIf you publish reviews, create guidelines explaining your process to show transparency and build trust. This not only boosts Google’s trust in your site but also helps your reputation with readers.

NapLab’s review methodology page is a great example to follow.

Is the Website a Recognized Entity?When a website gains enough trust and user interest signals, Google starts to treat it as an entity.

An easy way to determine if a website is a brand is to Google them. They’re likely an entity if they have a knowledge panel or a Wikipedia page.

For example, if we search for Walmart, we see they have both:

Legitimate brands will often have a Wikipedia page. This is one of the factors Google reviewers look for – does the Wikipedia page or other listings match what the company actually does? You can’t just “pretend” a fallen brand is your Wikipedia page.

Creating a company Wikipedia page for your brand can be extremely difficult and is often taken down by Wikipedia editors, especially if you’re not a long-standing company. Over the years, I’ve noticed that clients I’ve built Wikipedia links for are likelier to have a knowledge panel pop up.

The advantage is that Google officially recognizes your brand as an “entity” and a recognized topic rather than just a keyword.

Use sameAs SchemaSchema markup is a great way to help search engines, particularly Google, understand your content. It clarifies different aspects of your website that would otherwise be difficult for them to interpret, pointing out in the code where and how they can identify you as a reputable source.

💡 Pro tip: If coding JSON isn’t your thing, use the WordPress plugin RankMath to implement much of this.sameAs schema signals that you are related to another object, making it clear that your website and profiles are linked.

It’s common to use sameAs schema to connect your social profiles to your website (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).

This should be implemented on all the articles on your website. You can use Authority Hacker’s schema as an example:

This makes it easy for search engines to understand that these are YOUR social media accounts. Plus, all these social media accounts link to your website, creating a reciprocal relationship that crawlers can easily follow.

💡 Pro tip: Include official government data about your company in your sameAs schema.The goal is to create trust by listing a government entity that links back to your business or mentions it officially, signaling that you are a legitimate business.

Use publishingPrinciples SchemaThe publishingPrinciples schema allows you to reference your publishing principles, making it clear to search engines that you follow legitimate guidelines. It shows that your content is accurate, safe, and reliable.

Verywell Health does a great job with this by mentioning their guidelines within their schema:

Right within the schema, they direct search engines to the page that explains how they produce content:

Schema is endless, and it can get confusing quickly.

If you’re just starting out and want to research how to implement schema on your website, simply study your competitors.

Use the Schema Markup Validator and input your competitors’ articles to see what’s under the hood and generate ideas to outdo them.

ExpertiseA common way to demonstrate that your content is produced by experts is to leverage authors who are (or will be) well-known in the space. Your goal is to make it clear to Google and readers that your authors are legitimate.

Here are a few ways to do that:

Display More Information About Your AuthorsVerywell Fit again does an excellent job of this. They go the extra mile to showcase their authors’ knowledge and qualifications.

They include the author’s name, photo, job or function, and links to their profiles. Each author has a dedicated page that tells readers exactly WHY they are qualified to write this content.

Their author pages are quite detailed, providing a wealth of information at a glance about who they are and what they do. They even highlight the author’s work and education.

They also list all the articles the author has written at the bottom of the page:

Within the articles themselves, they provide ample information to show who wrote the piece and link to the individual author page:

The goal is that if someone reviewed all this information, they would conclude, “Okay, this person is clearly qualified and has invested a lot into learning this information.”

Find Reputable Authors in Your NicheIf your site is just starting out or hiring credible people isn’t currently part of your process, you can research your competition and hire their writers to borrow their credibility.

There are a couple of ways to approach this:

Have them write a handful of articles on your website. Since they are already credentialed writers, you’d have them produce fresh content with their expert input.

Have them review existing content on your website. A common practice is to have experts review your writers’ work. For example, in the medical niche, it’s unlikely a doctor will write your content, but they might be willing to review it. For example, Healthline has doctors review their medical content:

Boost Your Authors’ Credibility With SchemaTo further strengthen the connection between your authors and search engines, you can set up author schema markup to clarify who they are and that they are legitimate people.

Within your schema, you can make it very clear who wrote the article and even link to their social media profiles, such as LinkedIn.

NerdWallet does a good job of this. Their schema is clean and makes it easy for Google to understand. They essentially do the work for Google by tying the connections together.

Take this snippet – they link to the writer’s LinkedIn, university, information about them, author page, and even how to contact them:

Use Author Schema To Establish an Expertise HierarchyIf you really want to go all out, use author schema to clarify who your entire team of writers and editors are.

Since Healthline is in a highly competitive industry, they take trust to the next level with their schema markup.

They make it very clear who the author is and who reviewed the content. In this case, the author was likely not an expert, but they had a doctor verify the content:

This is powerful because experts are often not the best writers. You can have a freelance writer produce a piece of content and then have a professional review it and put their stamp of approval on it.

ExperienceThere are three main ways to show Experience:

  • Author history and reputation (already covered above)
  • The language used within your content — did you actually try the product or demonstrate expertise?
  • Showing unindexed media in your content — are you using the same images as 100 other websites, or are they unique and original?

Let’s explore the last two in more detail.

Use Descriptive Language for Your ExperienceWithin your content, express that you have actually used the item you are discussing or that you have experience in the topic.

Modern Castle does a great job of this. They clearly convey that they tried the product and structure their language around expressing their experience.

If you read the content, nearly every sentence describes their experience and how they felt about the product:

Use Original MediaRather than using the same images as everyone else, use unique images.

If Google has indexed an image and sees that you and 500 other websites are using the same one, you will lose credibility and be lumped in with the other sites using this image.

AuthoritativenessWith Authoritativeness, Google spells it out for us:

***"...the extent to which the content creator or the website is known as a go-to source for the topic."*** Essentially, make it clear that you are the “go-to” source for the information you are targeting.

There are several ways to approach this.

Find Authors Who Are Authorities on the TopicAs discussed above, if you or the authors you hire are credited writers in your niche, you’ll have a leg up in this department.

To find experts, consider making job posts on industry-relevant job sites or a “Write For Us” page to source writers from your readership.

Cover Trending TopicsGo where your niche hangs out and write about trending topics, even if they have low search volume.

Are you currently or regularly ranking for trending topics in your niche? If so, you would be viewed as a topical authority in your niche.

Research trending topics on social media where your audience is active. If most of your audience is on TikTok and you notice a certain topic getting a lot of views, research it further.

Often, trending topics are not well represented in keyword research tools. If something becomes popular quickly, Ahrefs or your favorite keyword tool will likely show a very low monthly search volume.

One such keyword would be “apple vision pro” when it was launched.

Just because Ahrefs shows a low search volume and hasn’t caught up to the trend doesn’t mean people aren’t searching for it like crazy.

If we check the Ahrefs data now, it shows a much different story:

You can also use Google Trends to find trending topics. Check the related queries for a topic to find similar topics that are trending.

From the perspective of search engines, it would be weird if you didn’t cover a topic like this. After all, if you are a true authority on the subject, you should be writing about the latest info in your niche.

ConclusionHopefully, this sheds some light on how to implement EEAT properly. As you can see, there are quite a few ways to address each of the aspects Google looks for.

Keep in mind that each factor has a lot of crossover.

Most importantly, focus on conveying to search engines and people that your content is legitimate and comes from an authoritative source.

By implementing these strategies, you can boost your website’s Trust, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Experience, and overall EEAT score, leading to better search engine rankings and more organic traffic.

Remember, building EEAT is a long-term process, but the effort you put in now will pay off in the form of a stronger, more reputable website that both Google and your audience will trust and appreciate.

So, roll up your sleeves, dive into your website, and start optimizing for EEAT today! Your future self (and your website’s traffic) will thank you.

Happy optimizing!

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If you want to start a blog for affiliate marketing, you’re in the right place.

We’ve built many affiliate blogs in the past 10+ years – and have generated a ton of commissions in the process. Here’s a small sample of our earnings:

To help you get your successful affiliate blog up and running, we’ve poured our knowledge into this 10-step guide.

What Is Affiliate BloggingAn affiliate blog is a blog that earns money through affiliate marketing.

On an affiliate blog, you’ll create content around a certain topic and promote affiliate offers related to that content. You earn a commission when someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase.

The great thing about affiliate blogging is that you can write about any topic that interests you. As long as people are searching for information about your niche – and there are affiliate programs to promote – you’re in business!

👉 See also: How To Become an Affiliate Marketer? A Beginner’s Guide

Why Start a Blog for Affiliate MarketingThere are many reasons you should start a blog for affiliate marketing.

The first is money. Our affiliate marketing statistics show that successful affiliate marketers earn an average of over $8,000 per month. You can run your blog from anywhere, giving you the freedom to earn a location-independent, passive income.

An affiliate blog also allows you to immerse yourself in a topic you love: cooking, fitness, travel, or anything else. You can explore your interests and share your knowledge with others.

You can also build a community. An affiliate blog is the perfect vehicle to connect with other bloggers and readers interested in the same topics.

Examples of Successful Affiliate BlogsHere are three affiliate blogs pulling in readers and making money from their content.

Mr. Money MustacheMr. Money Mustache is a popular personal finance blog run by a 30-something retiree. He’s used his expertise and passion for finance to build a strong following. He monetizes his content with affiliate offers and by selling digital products.

Visit the siteFit Men CookFit Men Cook began as a personal journal for Kevin Curry to tell his weight loss story, but it has grown over several years to cover several aspects of fitness. He makes money through affiliate offers and selling books and courses.

Visit the siteShaverCheckShaverCheck writes comprehensive, experience-based reviews of electric shavers and shaving accessories.

Visit the site


How To Start an Affiliate Blog in 11 StepsHere’s our in-depth guide to starting your own affiliate blog.

1 Narrow Down Your NicheThe first thing you need to do when starting an affiliate blog is to pick a niche.

Here are some characteristics to look for when deciding on a good affiliate niche:

  • Evergreen: You should look for a niche with a long history of people searching for information about it. Topics with steady or growing search volume give you the best chance of building long-term success.
  • High-paying affiliate programs: Since you’ll monetize your blog with affiliate marketing, you should look for niches with multiple high-paying affiliate programs to promote.
    👉 See our guide to high-paying affiliate programs for some great examples.
  • You have interest or experience in the niche: You will be creating a lot of content for your blog, so it’s important that you stay interested to follow through over the long haul. That’s much easier if you have a genuine interest or experience in your niche.

For inspiration, check out our list of the best niches for affiliate marketing. You can also browse our other blog articles for tailored advice about specific niches.

👉 Niche-specific “How To Start a Blog” GuidesHow to Start an Anonymous Blog

How to Start an Art Blog

How to Start a Beauty Blog

How to Start a Book Blog

How to Start a Christian Blog

How to Start a Craft Blog

How to Start a DIY Blog

How to Start a Fashion Blog

How to Start a Finance Blog

How to Start a Food Blog

How to Start a Gaming Blog

How to Start a Health and Wellness Blog

How to Start a History Blog

How to Start a Home Decor Blog

How to Start a Lifestyle Blog

How to Start a Mental Health Blog

How to Start a Mom Blog

How to Start a Movie Blog

How to Start a Nutrition Blog

How to Start a Personal Blog

How to Start a Pet Blog

How to Start a Photography Blog

How to Start a Poetry Blog

How to Start a Political Blog

How to Start a Review Blog

How to Start a Sports Blog

How to Start a Teacher Blog

How to Start a Tech Blog

How to Start a Travel Blog

How to Start a True Crime Blog

How to Start a Wedding Blog

How to Start a Weight Loss Blog

Once you’ve decided on a broad niche – fitness is a good example – you must narrow your focus further.

That’s because readers expect content focused on their specific interests. Think about it – if you wanted bodybuilding advice, which blog would you rather read?

  • A blog that only writes about bodybuilding
  • A blog that writes about all kinds of fitness topics

The first option is what most people prefer.

Picking a sub-niche also makes it easier to build a core audience, as you can focus all content on their needs.

To pick a good sub-niche, start by considering the topics you’re interested in, then investigate.

Sticking with the fitness niche, here are some sub-niches you might consider for your affiliate blog:

  • Bodybuilding: Reviews of bodybuilding supplements and training gear, plus informational articles about diet and workouts.
  • Fat loss: Diet and exercise advice, along with reviews of supplements, books, and other related products.
  • Hot yoga: Guides to performing yoga, how to set up a workout area, etc. Reviews of books, mats, yoga clothes, and similar products.
  • Strength training: Program and equipment reviews, guides to picking a gym, and nutrition for strength training.
  • Home gym: Guides for building a home gym in the attic, basement, or garage. Equipment reviews.

Passion for your blog niche will keep you interested in your new site, but you must also ensure that your sub-niche is popular enough to build a following and make money.

The best way to do that is to choose a focus area with successful blogs.

Here is our recommended approach for finding sub-niches with a history of affiliate blogging success:

Make a list of successful blogs in each book sub-niche you’re considering. Use a blog aggregator like Detailed or AllTop to find blogs in your sub-niche. You can also search Google for keywords related to your niche or use the “Organic Competitors” tool on Ahrefs to find websites similar to a blog you already know about.

Check traffic levels. High traffic levels are a sign of a successful blog. You can use a free trial of SE Ranking to check how much traffic the blogs on your list are receiving. Just type in the URL and then check out the Competitive Research section.

Compare prospective sub-niches with Google Trends. Google Trends can help you compare the relative traffic levels of several potential sub-niches.

If you’re still not sure which sub-niche you want to focus on at this point, watch our detailed video on selecting a blog niche:

Take a day or two to pick a sub-niche, but don’t get too bogged down on this step. It’s better to make a decision and move on than to over-analyze.

2 Choose a Blogging PlatformNow that you have a niche for your affiliate site, you must pick a platform for your blog.

A blogging platform is a service that hosts your content online and serves your site to visitors

There are a few free social blogging options, like Medium and Blogger. Beginners sometimes choose these platforms because they’re free and easy to use, but they have some serious drawbacks:

  • You don’t own your site, so you must comply with the platform’s standards. Some of the content you want to publish might not be supported or even allowed.
  • You have limited control over the design and functionality of your site.
  • It’s hard to monetize a blog running on a free platform.

For these reasons, building your own website is the best choice for most bloggers. Here are a few of the benefits of a self-hosted blog:

  • You control what your blog looks like and what content you publish.
  • No one can shut down your blog or your blogging platform.
  • A self-hosted blog makes earning money with affiliate products, display ads, and your own products and services much easier.
  • You can use social media and SEO to drive traffic to your blog.
  • You can build an email list to give you another revenue stream and to help protect your traffic from algorithm changes.

The best self-hosted platform for most blogs is WordPress – specifically WordPress.org (not WordPress.com).

WordPress.org gives you free access to the WordPress platform, and you can customize your blog with thousands of themes and plugins.

WordPress is the best choice in most cases, but there are other options.

👉 See our list of the best blogging platforms for alternatives.

3 Choose Your Domain NameYou’ve picked a niche and decided on WordPress for your platform, so now you must choose a domain name for your new blog.

A domain is the unique web address for your site. It includes the actual name of your site, plus an extension, like .com or .net.

Your domain name should be memorable and related to your niche so readers know what to expect from your content.

Here are some tips for picking a domain name:

  • Choose a .com domain. No other extension is as trusted as .com. However, you can use a .com alternative if you have a particularly good name with an unavailable .com.
  • Match it to your niche. Your domain name should give readers at least a hint about your niche.
  • Keep it broad – Don’t make your domain name so specific that you can’t expand your content down the road. For example, you might start reviewing yoga pants, but your domain name should be broad enough to add content about other aspects of yoga later on.
  • Keep it short. Short domain names are easier to remember and type, so you should keep your name to three words or less.
  • Make sure it’s not trademarked. Once you have a domain name you think will work for your blog, do a trademark search to ensure no one else owns the name.

If you need help finding a good domain name that’s still available, you can use an AI domain generator like Brandsnap to help.

Once you pick a domain name, you need to buy it. We recommend Namecheap – it does everything you need for ~$10 annually.

4 Buy Web HostingIt’s time to set up web hosting for your new affiliate blog.

A web host is a service that provides the infrastructure to store, manage, and serve your site to users.

Inexpensive options like Bluehost are popular with beginning bloggers, but SiteGround is our recommended host for most bloggers. It provides superior speed, reliability, and support.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide to setting up hosting on SiteGround:

Step 1: Go to Siteground’s WordPress hosting page.

Step 2: Choose the StartUp plan. It’s the least expensive and perfect for a new blog. Note that the price does increase after the first year.

Step 3: Select “Existing Domain” and enter your domain name:

Step 4: Fill in your account and location details:

Step 5: Add payment info and choose the subscription length. The best deal is usually the 12-month option.

Step 6: You don’t need extra services for a new blog, so skip them for now.

Step 7: Point your domain to SiteGround. If you bought your domain from a registrar like Namecheap, you need to change the DNS settings to point to SiteGround. You can use this DIY guide or ask SiteGround support for help with this.

And you’re done! Your hosting is set up — now it’s time to start building your blog.

5 Choose a Theme for Your Affiliate BlogWith web hosting in place, you can move on to choosing a WordPress theme.

A blog theme provides the visual framework your visitors see when they land on your site. As much as possible, match it to your niche and brand to help you make a strong connection with your readers.

For example, yoga blogs often feature soft color schemes with lots of white space and clean, legible text. They also showcase big, rich images.

As with your platform, you can pick a free WordPress theme or pay for a theme with more features.

While it’s OK to use a free theme when starting, ensure it also has the option to upgrade later. Most free themes have limitations that will slow you down as your affiliate blog takes off.

Here are our 3 favorite “freemium” themes that have a paid upgrade option:

Most TemplatesComes with lots of templates to help you design your site, and it’s super fast.

Get AstraEasy to UseFlexible and lightweight. It’s also easy to customize, even if you can’t code.

Get KadenceFastestA fast theme that comes with amazing documentation and strong support.

Get GeneratePressOnce you’ve chosen your theme, you need to install it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Go to the left sidebar and select Appearance > Themes.

Step 3: Click “Add New”

Step 4: Upload your theme file and click Install.

Step 5: Activate your theme.

That’s all there is to it! Now you have your WordPress theme and can start customizing your site.

6 Decide on Design & BrandingThe WordPress theme you choose gives your blog a basic layout and design, but you should also fine-tune your site to match your brand and niche.

The first step is to pick a color palette — the set of colors you will use on your site. This choice will impact every aspect of your blog’s design, so take time to get it right.

Luckily, you don’t have to be a design expert to make the right choices here. Instead, you can use Coolors to create a color palette that fits your niche and looks great.

Once you pick a set of colors, you can design your site’s logo. This is another critical part of your brand identity because it’s one of the first things readers see when they land on your site.

Like your colors, your logo should match your niche and the tone you’re trying to set with your blog. For example, many yoga blogs have round logos that feature the silhouette of a person stretching.

But here again, you don’t need any design experience to create a great logo. We recommend using a Canva logo template and customizing it to fit your blog.

Here are some examples of Canva templates for yoga blog logos:

7 Create Essential PagesAlright! Your blog has the building blocks of a strong brand identity, so now it’s time to add the pages that every blog needs.

All of these are essential, so don’t skip any!

HomepageThis is the “front page” page of your blog, and it should immediately let visitors know what your site is about. Use links, menus, and other navigation elements to help readers find what they want.

About PageYour About page is your chance to show your audience who you are and why they should listen to you. Talk about your background in your niche and explain why you started the blog and where you plan to take it.

👉 See our list of awesome About page examples if you need some inspiration.

Contact PageTell your readers how to get in touch with you. Include a contact form, email address, and any social media accounts associated with your brand.

Privacy Policy + Terms and ConditionsThese legal pages tell your readers about the information you collect and how they can use your site. Your site needs both pages, and you can generate them for free at PrivacyPolicies.com.

Creating new pages in WordPress is easy. Log in to your dashboard, click the “Pages” menu, and choose “Add New.”

8 Join Relevant and Reputable Affiliate ProgramsAffiliate revenue will be the primary income stream for your new blog, so it’s important to join reputable affiliate programs relevant to your niche. That will give you the best chance of finding offers to help your audience and boost your bottom line.

Here are some things to look for in a good affiliate program:

  • Products that are relevant to your audience. You should only review and promote products and services your audience is interested in.
    👉 See more: Best Products for Affiliate Marketing
  • High commission rate. The higher the commission rate a program pays you, the fewer conversions you need to make good money.
  • Long cookie duration. The cookie duration determines how long you can make commissions after someone clicks your affiliate link. The longer the cookie duration, the better.
  • High conversion rate. Look for programs that consistently deliver a high conversion rate, which measures the percentage of your readers who click an affiliate link and buy something. Industry-average conversion rates run around 0.5% to 1%, but you should look for products that convert higher than that.
  • High product quality. You want to build a long-lasting relationship with your readers, so you should only recommend great products and services. Look for affiliate programs that feature products with strong ratings.
  • Good customer support. Make sure the affiliate programs you pick have good customer support to help you get set up and to help with any issues that might pop up down the road.

Affiliate marketing will be the bread-and-butter revenue source for your new blog, so do some research and pick the best programs for your new site. Your audience and your blog will love you for it!

👉 See also: Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2024

9 Start Creating ContentWhew! You’ve done a lot of work to set up your blog, but now you finally get to start creating content about the niche you love.

It’s an exciting moment, but don’t just jump in and start writing about the first topic that comes to mind.

That might sound fun, but it’s not the smartest approach to your content.

Instead, I recommend adopting a keyword-focused content strategy to drive traffic to your blog. That means writing posts about keywords people search for on Google and other search engines.

You should create a nice mix of commercial and informational content for your affiliate marketing blog.

Commercial content includes product reviews, product roundups, and product comparisons. Informational content, on the other hand, doesn’t explicitly promote offers but instead helps readers learn more about your niche.

However, you should still include contextual affiliate links in your informational content. Just make sure the products you link to are directly related to your posts.

Look for keywords related to your niche with a decent monthly search volume but not much competition.

Ahrefs can help you with this keyword research. Just type a “seed keyword” into the Keyword Explorer, and Ahrefs returns a list of relevant related search terms along with their estimated search volumes. Look for keywords with volume above 150 and keyword difficulty of less than 25.

For example, here are some of the related terms that Ahrefs returns for the seed keyword “hot yoga”:

| Keyword | Search Volume | Keyword Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | How hot is hot yoga | 1100 | 20 | | calories burned in hot yoga | 700 | 15 | | hot yoga classes | 300 | 12 | | best hot yoga mats | 200 | 14 | | hot yoga for beginners | 150 | 8 |

Use these keywords to come up with some blog post titles. Here are a few examples:

  • “10 Best Hot Yoga Mats for Beginners”
  • “5 Reasons Why Calories Burned in Hot Yoga Don’t Stop in the Gym”
  • “7 Best Online Hot Yoga Classes When You’re in a Hurry”

Once you make 10 post titles, it’s time to write.

Here are some tips for creating top-notch affiliate blog posts:

  • Understand search intent. Ensure you know what your audience wants to discover when they search for your target term, and then write your content to answer their questions.
  • Consider your audience. Write with your audience in mind and use language that makes sense to them. For example, people interested in hot yoga don’t want a formal essay, but they expect you to use the yoga-related lingo correctly.
  • Stay on topic. Don’t stray too far away from the keyword that your content is targeting. Instead, stay focused on satisfying the reader’s intent without adding fluff.
  • Share personal stories. Readers want to know that you’re a real person with experience that can help them. Share personal stories that show you know what you’re talking about and help them relate to you.
  • Link to other posts on your blog. Make sure to link to other relevant posts on your blog. That helps your readers learn more about your niche and can also help with SEO.
  • Buy the products you review. It’s hard to write an authentic review if you’ve never used a product, so buying and using whatever you’re reviewing is always best.
  • Take photos/videos of you using the product and add them to your post. Buying the products you review also allows you to include first-hand images in your posts. Using images to illustrate your words helps you connect with your audience and drive home your points.
  • Look for niche-specific information hubs to find further inspiration. Most niches have online communities that are rich sources of information and inspiration. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are hotbeds for yoga, for example.

In addition to these tips, the FTC requires you to tell readers that your content contains affiliate links. Ensure you include an affiliate disclosure at the top of each blog post.

You can read more details about satisfying this requirement in our post about affiliate disclosures.

The ultimate success of your affiliate blog depends on the quality of your content and how well you satisfy user search intent. Focus on answering your audience’s questions as thoroughly as possible with each post you publish.

10 Promote Your Affiliate BlogWriting great content is vital to the success of your blog, but your posts won’t show up in Google search results right away. You should promote each post online to start getting traffic in the meantime.

Here are some tips for promoting your blog and helping readers find your content:

  • Share posts in online communities and on social media: Almost every niche has a strong online community across various social media platforms. Figure out where your readers hang out and share your content with them there.
  • Email list: Offer your readers a freebie related to your niche in exchange for their email address. Then send them an email update when you publish new content.
  • Optimize your website for SEO: Target search intent and answer your readers’ questions with each post. It’s one of the best long-term strategies for building traffic since Google and other search engines can send new readers to your posts for months or even years.
  • Collaborate with other bloggers in your niche. Work with other bloggers to promote each other’s content to your existing audience. This approach works well with complementary niches. For example, a yoga blogger might collaborate with a meditation blogger.
  • Look for local promotion opportunities. Try to find a way to promote your blog offline, in your local community. For example, you might start a niche-specific club, write a guest column for the local newspaper, or set up at local fairs and hand out information about your niche.

However, you approach promotion, make sure it’s genuine. Spamming links to your blog won’t help you build a devoted audience.

11 Monetize Your Affiliate BlogYou’ve posted the first content to your affiliate blog and decided on a promotional strategy. Now it’s time to get paid for your work by monetizing your blog.

Since the primary monetization strategy for your new blog is affiliate marketing, you must ensure you promote your affiliate links in as many places as possible.

Here are some tips to make your affiliate offers as visible as possible:

Add affiliate links to your posts. Make sure to include affiliate links for each product you review or include in a roundup, and look for places to include your affiliate links, even in informational posts, naturally. For example, if you’re writing about a specific yoga technique, you can link to a book or course that teaches more about the same topic.

Add product feature boxes to your posts. Make the products and services you’re reviewing stand out by including product feature boxes in your posts. You can do this with GenerateBlocks, which lets you easily create eye-catching product summaries and include affiliate links.

Create banner display ads for your links. Draw attention to your affiliate links by creating banner display ads for the offers you’re promoting. Most affiliate programs provide ready-made banners you can use, so you won’t need to design them yourself.

Create a Resource page. Gather all of the products and services you recommend onto a single page. It’s convenient for your readers because they can find everything they need all in one spot, giving you another place to include your affiliate links. Check out our list of the best online marketing tools as an example.

Even though you’re building an affiliate blog, you should also take advantage of other monetization strategies:

Display AdsAds are automatically served to your readers through an ad network or direct sponsorships.

Why It’s Great: You’ll get paid whenever someone views or clicks on an ad. Unlike affiliate offers, you don’t have to actively do any promotion since the ad network does all the work for you.

Get Started: Beginners can sign up for Ezoic to get ads on their site immediately. Once you have more traffic, you can join a higher-paying network like Mediavine (minimum 50,000 monthly sessions) or Raptive (minimum 100,000 monthly sessions). Direct sponsorships are another option and offer more control and potential profit.

💡 Pro tip: Display ads work well in conjunction with affiliate marketing. Our affiliate marketing survey shows that 82% of affiliate marketers who run 6-figure blogs use both display ads and affiliate marketing.Sell Your Own ProductsCreate digital or physical products and sell them directly to your readers.

Why It’s Great: You can create products you know your audience will love, and you get to keep all the profits instead of just earning a small commission.

Get Started: First, identify your audience’s problems and determine how to solve them. For a yoga blog, that could mean writing an ebook about setting up a home yoga studio or producing a short video course illustrating various workouts. You can also make your own version of your top-performing affiliate offers.


Summing UpYou’ve learned the fundamental steps to launch your affiliate marketing blog and start earning passive income.

However, there’s still a wealth of knowledge to uncover that can supercharge your success.

Blogging and affiliate marketing have steep learning curves, and I couldn’t include all the necessary information in this blog post.

That’s why we’ve created a free training that reveals the most effective secrets and tactics we’ve discovered over a decade of profitable blogging.

This training is designed to give you a significant advantage. On average, bloggers who implement these techniques are 83% more successful than those who don’t.

If you’re serious about maximizing your affiliate income, you won’t want to miss out on this valuable resource.

Join the free training now.

FAQAre Blogs Good For Affiliate Marketing?Blogs are great platforms for affiliate marketing because they allow you to connect directly with an audience who’s already interested in your niche and looking for information. Blogs with solid SEO also draw a steady stream of traffic from search engines.

How Do Affiliate Blogs Make Money?Affiliate blogs make money by promoting affiliate offers for products and services related to their niche.

By publishing commercial-intent content like reviews, buying guides, and product comparisons, along with informational content that includes contextual affiliate links, blogs have plenty of opportunities to promote affiliate offers.

Besides their affiliate marketing efforts, blogs also make money through advertising and selling their own products.

View Details

Starting a wedding blog is a great way to build a passive income stream using your wedding planning expertise and passion.

Take it from us – we’ve earned substantial revenue from our own blogging projects over the years. Here’s a small sample of our blog earnings:

We’ve also taught over 14,000 students how to build similarly successful and profitable blogs.

If you’d like to follow in their footsteps with a wedding blog, check out our 10-step guide below.

Why Start A Wedding BlogIf you’re passionate about weddings and want to share your knowledge and experiences with the world, starting a wedding blog is an excellent idea.

Not only can it be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can also be a lucrative venture.

You can monetize your wedding blog in various ways, such as promoting services, selling wedding-related products, or partnering with affiliates. Our affiliate marketing statistics show the average affiliate marketer earns over $8,000 monthly, and the wedding industry offers many high-value products to recommend.

A wedding blog also lets you connect with other industry professionals, such as photographers, caterers, and dress designers, which can lead to valuable collaborations and partnerships.

As your blog grows in popularity, you may even have the opportunity to attend exclusive wedding events and share your experiences with your audience.

Examples Of Successful Wedding BlogsBefore we cover how to start a wedding blog, let’s check out some examples of what successful wedding blogs look like:

RuffledRuffled is an informative blog with wedding ideas, planning tips, and vendor recommendations. Readers can submit their wedding experiences to be featured on the site.

Visit the siteA Practical WeddingA Practical Wedding is a blog started in 2008 by Meg Keene that offers realistic wedding planning tips and promotes equality and diversity in the wedding industry.

Visit the siteLove IncOne of the most inclusive wedding blogs around, Love Inc. focuses on celebrating couples in many forms. The site has a podcast, galleries for inspiration, and a comprehensive vendor guide.

Visit the site


How to Start a Wedding Blog in 10 Easy StepsReady to launch your wedding blog? Follow this step-by-step guide to boost your chances of success.

1 Narrow Down Your NicheWedding bloggers can write about many topics related to weddings and marriage.

After all, the wedding industry is vast and diverse. Your blog can focus on anything, from helping couples plan their dream wedding to sharing tips for a happy and healthy marriage.

However, you’ll want to narrow your focus to maximize your chances of success.

Think about it – if you’re looking for inspiration and advice for a beach wedding, which would you prefer to visit?

  1. A blog exclusively dedicated to beach weddings
  2. A generic wedding blog that covers all types of weddings

Most people would prefer the first option.

By niching down, you can attract a more focused audience, and it’ll be easier to establish your blog as a go-to resource in that area.

Here are a few potential sub-niches:

  • A vendor-focused wedding blog: Many wedding blogs focus on couples, but what about vendors? Create a blog with tips for photographers, caterers, and new wedding planners.
  • Wedding planning and prep: Help couples handle the stress of preparing for the big day with wedding blogs covering everything from seating charts to color palette selection.
  • Wedding style: Look at everything from dress styles to shoes and accessories for wedding party members, table decorations, and wedding themes.
  • Wedding themes: Concentrate on specific themes, such as vintage, retro, or outdoor weddings for nature lovers.
  • Honeymoon tips: Focus on what happens after the wedding, helping readers to plan honeymoons and even write “thank you” cards for attendees.

To ensure you’re picking a niche with profit and traffic potential, use a blog aggregator like Detailed or Alltop. These may not have wedding categories, but you can hunt for wedding blogs in adjacent niches like fashion and food.

Once you find a relevant blog, you can use the “Organic Competitors” report on Ahrefs to find similar blogs.

Next up is finding traffic levels. Sign up for a free trial of SE Ranking and use the Competitive Research report to see how many monthly visitors each blog gets.

If you’re stuck between a few niches, you can compare their potential with Google Trends.

You want to choose a niche you’re passionate about that also has an audience hungry for more content. Look for that sweet spot — not too crowded with competition, but still popular enough to attract a dedicated following.

It’s also important to choose a niche that genuinely interests you. Your enthusiasm will shine through and make your blog posts more engaging for readers.

If you need extra help selecting a niche, check out our guide here:

When you’re ready to tie the knot with your choice, move on to the next step.

2 Choose a Blogging PlatformNow you know your niche, you need a platform to host and promote your content.

While free social blogging sites like Medium or Blogger may seem appealing, they come with limitations. It’s hard to make money, and you have less control over what you can say. The platforms can even remove your posts if you don’t adhere to their content guidelines.

You also can’t customize your blog’s design – you’re stuck with the platform’s design.

Creating your own website is the best option, as it comes with some key advantages:

  • You’re in full control – no one else can alter or remove your posts
  • You can monetize your content with ads and affiliate links to generate income
  • You can use SEO tactics and relevant keywords to attract free traffic from search engines
  • An eye-catching design is just a few clicks away – easily change colors and layout to engage readers
  • Growing your blog also boosts your social media presence, keeping you connected with fans
  • You can build an email list for direct audience access, insulated from algorithm changes
  • Your blog is a valuable asset you can sell for a hefty profit. We’ve sold multiple blogs for six-figure sums ourselves

I’ve used many blogging and website-building platforms, but I always go back to WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com).

With WordPress.org, you can build your site for free (though you do need to pay for hosting and a domain name). WordPress is also easy to use and extremely flexible. You can customize your site with plugins and unique themes.

3 Choose Your Domain NameThere are already thousands of wedding blogs. Even if you choose a specific niche, you need a memorable brand to outshine the competition.

This starts with selecting an iconic domain name for your site.

A domain name is the digital address for your wedding blog, made up of your website name and a TLD extension, like “.com”:

You need something easy to remember and spell (so people can find you) and something that makes your blog stand out.

Here are a few tips to boost your chances of success:

  • Be descriptive: Your wedding blog domain name doesn’t have to tell people exactly what you write about but should offer a hint. People searching for wedding planning tips are more likely to visit “weddingplanning.com” than “loveandrings.com.”
  • Consider using keywords: Give your wedding blog an SEO boost by adding relevant keywords to your name, such as “wedding,” “marriage,” or “honeymoon.”
  • Choose a .com domain: There are many domain TLDs, including .love. But a .com domain is still the most authoritative and recognizable choice. If you have a great name but an unavailable .com, consider a .com alternative.
  • Make it memorable: Have fun with your name. Experiment with rhyming, alliteration, or metaphors, like “TheKnot” or “WeddingWonders.”
  • Check originality: Always do a trademark search before choosing a domain name. You don’t want your blog to be associated with a pre-existing company.

If you’re struggling to find a great domain name, an AI domain name generator like Brandsnap is great for getting your creative juices flowing.

Once you’ve chosen your name, you’ll need to buy it. We recommend Namecheap, which costs as little as $10 annually.

4 Buy Web HostingYou’ll need hosting if you use a WordPress.org site for your blog. This means paying for the infrastructure you need to deliver content on the web.

There are plenty of great hosting providers out there. Many beginners recommend Bluehost because it offers cheap plans.

However, we recommend SiteGround. They provide a faster and more user-friendly service for around the same price.

Here’s a step-by-step process for getting SiteGround hosting:

Step 1: Go to their WordPress Hosting page.

Step 2: Select the cheapest plan (StartUp). This plan has everything a new wedding blog needs. Note that this is an introductory price, and the cost will increase when your subscription renews.

Step 3: Add the domain name you bought in the previous step.

Step 4: Add account and location details.

Step 5: Add payment info and pick your subscription period. The 12-month plan is the best value.

Step 6: Skip the extra services — you don’t need them for a new blog.

Step 7: Point your Namecheap registered domain name to your new SiteGround hosting server. This DIY guide will walk you through it, or you can contact SiteGround support.

Congrats! You’ve now got hosting for your wedding blow. Now, it’s time to flesh out your design.

5 Choose a Theme for Your Wedding BlogNow it’s time to select a WordPress theme for your new wedding blog. This theme will define your site’s look, feel, and structure, so choose one that matches your preferred style.

When starting, I recommend using a free WordPress theme that offers a premium upgrade. Free themes work well for beginners, but you may run into limitations as your blog grows if you can’t upgrade.

To avoid this, consider one of my top three theme suggestions below. They all have excellent template options and provide free versions with the ability to upgrade:

Most TemplatesLightweight and customizable, with sleek, fast-loading pages.

Get AstraEasy to UseProvides handy drag-and-drop sections and pre-built components.

Get KadenceFastestCombines speed and stability with block-based customization tools.

Get GeneratePressOnce you pick your theme, follow these steps to install it:

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Go to Appearance > Theme in the left sidebar

Step 3: Click “Add New.”

Step 4: Search for the theme you want to use.

Step 5: Click “Install Now” and “Activate.”

Now that the theme is added, you must add some basic design elements.

6 Decide on Design & Branding A good theme gives you the foundation for an attractive wedding blog. However, it’s still up to you to differentiate your website with the right branding and design.

You need a few things for a great brand, but a color palette is one of the most important things to start with.

For a wedding brand, you might choose romantic colors like pink, purple, and red, or experiment with classic colors like white and gold. Think carefully about your target audience and what kind of personality you’re trying to convey.

I recommend using Coolors to find a matching color scheme.

Once you have your color palette, you can look into logo design. Canva is a great logo creation tool, even if you’re not skilled at graphic design.

Open Canva and search for “Wedding logo” to get started. You’ll see many design options you can customize with your colors.

Once you’ve found a logo, you can use it across your website, social media posts, and even your packaging if you sell products.

7 Create Essential PagesNow you’ve got your website, theme, domain name, and even your logo, it’s time to create a few essential pages for your site.

HomepageYour homepage is often the first page visitors see, so it should share the content of your wedding blog and ensure visitors can easily navigate to important sections.

About PageA good “About” page is crucial for a wedding blogger. It tells your audience why they should trust your opinions and advice. Here, you can provide insights into your experience in the wedding industry or accompanying niche.

You can also tell a story that helps you connect with your audience more deeply. Talk about how you fell in love with wedding photography, planning, or catering and why you decided to become a blogger.

👉 Check our list of great About page examples for inspiration.

Contact PageEnsure your contact page includes a basic contact form, links to your social accounts, and an email address at a minimum.

Privacy Policy + Terms & Conditions pagesThese are legal pages that every blog needs. You can generate these for free using PrivacyPolicies.com.

To add these pages, go to your WordPress dashboard, click “Pages” in the left-hand menu, and select “Add New.”

8 Start Creating ContentWhile writing about anything that comes to mind may sound fun, I recommend using a keyword-focused content strategy.

Targeting the right keywords is essential for attracting readers and monetizing your wedding blog. The goal is to create content around search terms that engaged couples frequently use.

When you optimize your posts effectively, search engines like Google may display them to users looking for those keywords, driving targeted traffic to your blog.

However, simply writing about the most popular wedding topics won’t guarantee immediate results.

High-volume keywords also face fierce competition in the search rankings, making it difficult for new blogs to rank highly.

The smarter approach is to target less competitive wedding-related keywords. This improves your odds of getting traffic and generating income. Look for keywords with lower competition but still many monthly searches.

Ahrefs Keyword Explorer is the perfect tool for this research.

Enter a “seed keyword” relevant to your wedding blog niche. This will reveal keywords that strike the optimal balance between search volume and competition level.

For instance, if you search for “wedding planner” in Ahrefs, you’ll see results like:

| Keyword | Monthly Volume | Keyword Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | How to become a wedding planner | 2,700 | 10 | | How much does a wedding planner cost | 2,800 | 22 | | Wedding planning spreadsheet | 1,200 | 18 | | How to find a wedding planner | 200 | 25 |

Use these keywords to make blog post titles. Here are some examples:

  1. A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Wedding Planner
  2. How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost? We Did The Math
  3. The Ultimate Wedding Planning Spreadsheet: Streamline Your Process and Impress Clients
  4. How to Find a Wedding Planner in 10 Easy Steps

Once you have 10 blog post titles, it’s time to start writing! Use these tips to ensure you’re crafting great content:

  • Research your audience: Learn as much as you can about your audience and the questions they ask. You can even check out the “People Also Ask” section on Google for insights into possible subheadings for your articles.
  • Understand intent: Think about the intent of your audience when they’re searching for your target keyword. The more relevant information you can give, the better your post will do.
  • Share personal experience: Tell your own stories and share anecdotes. This will differentiate your content from other, more generic blogs.
  • Be cautious about copyrights: Don’t assume they’re free to use because a caterer or vendor shares photos on their website. Ensure you have permission to use any multimedia content you’ll show in your blog.
  • Be visual: Most wedding blogs are packed with inspirational images. Include images if you’re writing about wedding themes, dress styles, or color palettes. Create your own, or use tools like Pixabay and Flickr to find stock photos.
  • Use internal links: If you mention something you’ve covered in another article, link to it. This makes navigating connected posts easier for customers and search engines.
  • Stay focused: Don’t stray into different, unrelated topics. Stay focused on your keyword. If you’re writing about wedding color palettes, don’t start discussing venue options too. You can always create a different article later.

Feeling overwhelmed? Remember the golden rule for great blogging: deliver value. Your blog posts should be more informative, engaging, and experience-driven than anything else on the search results.

9 Promote Your Wedding BlogArticles optimized for search engines should eventually gain traction, but it won’t happen overnight.

Fortunately, there are many other ways you can promote your wedding blog. Here are some of our favorite options:

  • Post on community forums: Share your wedding blog posts on community forums and “group” channels on Facebook. You can even check out subreddits like r/Wedding or r/WeddingPlanning.
  • Create shareable resources: Get your audience to do your promotion for you with resources they’ll want to share, such as color palette generators, wedding-themed quizzes, or directory lists for vendors.
  • Collaborate: Work with other experts in the wedding industry. Post guest blogs on high-authority websites, or interview wedding vendors and planners and share their insights on your blog.
  • Use visual social channels: The wedding niche is perfect for visual social media channels like Instagram and TikTok. Promote your content with trending hashtags, or participate in hashtag challenges to attract more followers.
  • Attend wedding events: Get involved with local wedding fairs and events in your industry. This is a great way to find new customers, promote your blog, and even form relationships with future partners.

Remember to avoid being spammy or aggressive. You should focus on connecting with your audience, not just driving traffic.

10 Monetize Your Wedding BlogOnce you have traffic coming to your wedding blog, it’s time to think about monetizing your blog.

There are many ways you can boost your income with a great blog. For instance:

Use Affiliate MarketingJoin an affiliate program and promote another company’s wedding-related products or services. You earn a commission on each sale referred through your affiliate links.

Why It’s Great: Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to monetize a wedding blog. You can promote a wide range of products and services, from catering and photography to bridesmaid dresses and wedding decorations, without handling inventory or customer service.

Get Started: Read our guide on how to start affiliate marketing and find products to promote in our list of the best wedding affiliate programs.

Try Display AdsShow display ads on your blog and earn money based on views or clicks.

Why It’s Great: Display ads can provide a passive income stream with minimal effort on your part. You can work directly with wedding industry companies or use an ad network to streamline the process.

Get Started: Start with a user-friendly platform like Ezoic. You can explore more advanced ad networks like Mediavine or Raptive as your traffic grows.

Sell Physical ProductsPartner with dropshipping or print-on-demand companies to sell customized wedding products without handling inventory or shipping.

Why It’s Great: Selling wedding products allows you to offer tangible value to your audience while earning a profit. Dropshipping and print-on-demand services minimize your upfront costs and logistical responsibilities.

Get Started: Research popular wedding products and identify reliable dropshipping or print-on-demand partners. Integrate their products into your blog, showcasing them through engaging content and product pages.

Create Paid CoursesCreate premium courses teaching vendors how to manage a schedule, price their products, or update their marketing strategies.

Why It’s Great: If you’re targeting a B2B audience, paid courses can be lucrative. Wedding vendors and business owners are often willing to pay for insights to improve their services and capture more clients.

Get Started: Identify the key challenges and knowledge gaps among wedding vendors. Create comprehensive courses addressing these topics using platforms like Teachable or Thinkific and promote them to your audience.

Sell Spots on Vendor DirectoriesSell spots on a comprehensive “vendor directory” list to local wedding-related companies.

Why It’s Great: If your website has substantial traffic, vendors will happily pay for the opportunity to get more exposure for their business. It’s a win-win situation, as you earn income and provide a valuable resource for your audience.

Get Started: Create an attractive, user-friendly vendor directory on your website. Reach out to reputable local vendors and offer them paid listings.

Promote and Sell Your ServicesShowcase your expertise as a wedding professional and use your blog to promote and sell your services.

Why It’s Great: If you’re already skilled in a wedding-related field, such as planning, photography, or catering, your blog can be a powerful marketing tool to attract clients and grow your business.

Get Started: Highlight your services prominently on your blog, creating dedicated pages with detailed information and pricing. Share case studies, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content to demonstrate your expertise and build trust with potential clients.


Summing UpWe’ve covered the essential steps toward starting a successful wedding blog…

…but there’s so much more I couldn’t cover.

Blogging has a deep learning curve, and if I tried to cover every important tip and strategy to maximize your chances of success, I’d probably have to write more than a million words.

That’s why we created a free training – it covers some of the best secrets and tactics we’ve learned in over 10 years of profitable blogging.

Our tests have found that bloggers who use this free training are 83% more successful than those who don’t.

Get the free training now.

FAQDo Wedding Blogs Make Money?Wedding blogs can make money in various ways, including display ads, promoting wedding products or services, or selling wedding-related products. You can also use your wedding blog to promote your own services.

What Do You Write on a Wedding Blog?On a wedding blog, you can write about many things, including venues, wedding day style tips, beautiful bridesmaids, destination wedding locations, and wedding favors. Cover a variety of topics to keep your content engaging and informative for readers.

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Starting a blog is an exciting adventure. You get to share your knowledge, grow a following, and earn a significant income while at it.

But to create a blog that attracts readers, you have to do it right.

We’re here to help. Over the past decade, we’ve built (and sold) many successful blogs and have guided over 14,000 people in creating their own. Check out a small sample of what our blogs have earned:

To help you achieve similar results, we’ve put together this 11-step guide to launching a profitable blog.

Why Start A BlogThere are plenty of good reasons to start a blog, but the most exciting one is that you can make money blogging.

How much can you earn? Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to monetize a blog. Our affiliate marketing stats show that the average affiliate marketer makes over $8,000 monthly.

We’ve also sold a few blogs for six figures. Many people don’t realize you’re creating a valuable asset you can sell when you build a blog.

You’ll also build a community by establishing trust and loyalty with your readers. You’ll be the leader of your own tribe – a thought leader in your niche or topic. How cool is that?

Plus, it’s just plain fun! If you love writing, it’s a great way to channel your passion, discover new things, and connect with like-minded people.

Examples Of Successful BlogsBefore starting your blog, it’s a good idea to see what successful blogs that make money are doing so you can emulate their tactics.

Here are a few examples of popular blogs in various niches to inspire you:

Fresh Off the GridFresh Off the Grid is a blog for outdoor enthusiasts. Most of its posts are about camping recipes, but it also covers hiking, camping, and backpacking.

Visit the siteThe Hawaii Vacation GuideThe Hawaii Vacation Guide is an authentic travel blog that helps people plan every aspect of their visit to Hawaii.

Visit the site👉 For similar blogs, check our list of travel blog examples.

Cup of JoCup of Jo is a lifestyle blog started by Joanna Goddard in 2018. She writes about style, culture, food, travel, relationships, and parenting.

Visit the site


How To Start A Blog In 11 StepsReady to start a blog of your own? Here’s our step-by-step guide to starting a blog in any niche:

1 Narrow Down Your NicheIt might sound fun to write about any topic that comes to mind. But you must pick a niche to build a real audience and earn money.

Start by thinking about what you’re passionate about. While it’s important to evaluate your niche for traffic and earning potential – which we’ll do in a bit – passion and knowledge are key for starting a blog in 2024.

If you need some inspiration, check out our list of the best niches for affiliate marketing.

You can also read one of our guides on how to start a blog in specific niches:

👉 Niche-specific “How To Start a Blog” GuidesHow to Start an Anonymous Blog

How to Start an Art Blog

How to Start a Beauty Blog

How to Start a Book Blog

How to Start a Christian Blog

How to Start a Craft Blog

How to Start a DIY Blog

How to Start a Fashion Blog

How to Start a Finance Blog

How to Start a Food Blog

How to Start a Gaming Blog

How to Start a Health and Wellness Blog

How to Start a History Blog

How to Start a Home Decor Blog

How to Start a Lifestyle Blog

How to Start a Mental Health Blog

How to Start a Mom Blog

How to Start a Movie Blog

How to Start a Nutrition Blog

How to Start a Personal Blog

How to Start a Pet Blog

How to Start a Photography Blog

How to Start a Poetry Blog

How to Start a Political Blog

How to Start a Review Blog

How to Start a Sports Blog

How to Start a Teacher Blog

How to Start a Tech Blog

How to Start a Travel Blog

How to Start a True Crime Blog

How to Start a Wedding Blog

How to Start a Weight Loss Blog

Once you have a few ideas, it’s time to start qualifying them. This is a crucial step – without it, you could spend years building a blog with little chance of success.

First, consider how broad each topic is. Broader topics are generally harder to succeed with because they compete more with established blogs.

If you think your topic might be too broad, break it into more achievable sub-niches.

This can also boost your earning potential. Sub-niches tend to be easier to rank for on Google and can attract a more targeted audience that is more likely to spend money.

Let’s use the travel niche as an example. Writing about topics most travelers are interested in — like reviews of popular destinations or common travel tips — will have you competing against huge websites like Nomadic Matt or Lonely Planet.

When you get more specific, ranking on search engines like Google gets easier.

Here are some sub-niches that have more potential:

  • Budget travel: A blog about finding affordable accommodations, flights, and activities.
  • Solo travel: Cover the latest trends and tips for traveling alone safely.
  • Off-the-beaten-path destinations: Discuss unique, lesser-known places to visit around the world.
  • Backpack reviews: Analyze the latest travel packs for factors like durability and practicality.
  • Travel photography: Share stunning photos and tips for capturing amazing shots while traveling.

Once you’ve identified a promising sub-niche, check for user interest and earning potential. The best way to do this is to look for other thriving blogs in that sub-niche.

Here’s a simple step-by-step process:

List successful blogs in the niche. You can find popular blogs using a blog aggregator like Detailed. Or plug a blog into the Ahrefs Site Explorer to see its “Organic Competitors” report.

Analyze their traffic. You can do this with a free trial of SE Ranking. The Competitive Research report will show you how much traffic it gets.

Compare interest with Google Trends. Enter the sub-niches you’re considering to see how they stack up against one another.

For more help choosing a niche, watch our niche selection video:

It’s OK to spend a few days weighing your options. But don’t take too long – it’s better to pick something and get started than to overthink it for weeks.

2 Choose a Blogging PlatformWith your blog’s niche selected, you’re ready to choose a blogging platform.

A blogging platform is a service that provides the tools needed to create, publish, and manage a blog online.

There are plenty of blogging platforms out there. Many beginners gravitate toward free blogging platforms like Medium or Blogger because they’re easy to use and set up.

However, these free platforms also have some drawbacks:

  • The customization options are limited. Your blog’s design and functionality will be similar to all the other blogs on the platform, making it hard to stand out.
  • It’s challenging to monetize with a free blogging platform.
  • The platform decides what you can and can’t post.

You’re better off building a website for maximum control over your blog and its success. Here are some of the benefits:

  • You have total control of how your blog looks, feels, and works.
  • Nobody can shut your blog down. Your blog content is yours.
  • A self-hosted site is easier to monetize than a free blogging platform. You can earn money by displaying ads, adding affiliate links to blog content, selling products, etc.
  • You can drive free traffic via social media and search engine optimization (SEO). SEO gives you some control over your blog’s visibility on search engines.
  • By building an email list, you can diversify your traffic sources, which can help protect your traffic from the volatility of search engine algorithms.

When building a website, we recommend WordPress.org. (FYI: This is not the same as WordPress.com.)

Not only is it free, but building a self-hosted WordPress blog also gives you access to thousands of themes and plugins. You can use these to customize how your site looks and functions.

3 Choose Your Domain NameNext, you’ll choose a blog domain name.

A domain name is a unique address with your blog name and a domain extension. For example, our domain name is “authorityhacker”, and we use the .com extension.

Your domain name will be the first thing people see in the search engine results pages (SERPs) and will set your brand identity. So, make it count! It should be catchy and memorable and make a good first impression.

Here are a few tips for picking a domain name:

  • Make it short and simple: Limit it to 6–14 characters, and avoid hard-to-spell words.
  • Choose something memorable: Create a blog name that’s catchy and easy to pronounce. This will come in handy with word-of-mouth advertising.
  • Avoid hyphens and numbers: These can be confusing, especially if someone is trying to share your blog with someone else.
  • Select a .com domain: .com domains provide a sense of familiarity and trust. If you’ve found a great domain that isn’t available as a .com, you can consider a .com alternative.
  • Consider branding: For consistency, ensure your blog’s name is available on each social media platform. Use Brandsnag to do this quickly.
  • Think long-term: Abroader name can open the door to expanding later,even if you’re going with a specific sub-niche.

The right domain can make or break your brand. So, if one doesn’t come naturally, you can use an AI tool like Brandsnap to help you generate ideas.

This video explains how it works:

Once you decide on a domain name, you need to buy it. We recommend Namecheap. It provides everything you need for an affordable $10/year price.

4 Buy Web HostingNow that you have a domain name, you can buy web hosting.

A web host provides the necessary infrastructure to store, manage, and show your WordPress blog online.

Many people recommend Bluehost because it’s affordable. However, SiteGround offers much more value at a slightly higher price.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to securing web hosting through SiteGround:

Step 1: Go to SiteGround’s WordPress Hosting page.

Step 2: Select the cheapest web hosting plan (StartUp). It has all the basics that a new WordPress blog needs.

Note: As a new SiteGround customer, you’ll save ~80% on web hosting during your first year. They’ll bill you at the normal rate when your plan renews.

Step 3: Choose “Existing Domain” and enter your domain.

Step 4: Enter your account and location information.

Step 5: Add payment info and choose a subscription period. The 12-month plan will give you the best deal.

Step 6: Skip the extra services offered. You won’t need any of these for a new blog.

Step 7: Point your domain to your SiteGround server. This tutorial walks you through how to do this.

It’s really that simple. Your WordPress site is now live and ready to go!

5 Choose a Theme for Your BlogWith web hosting secured, it’s time to decide how you want your site to look. That means choosing a WordPress theme to customize your blog’s framework and layout.

Your blog’s theme should match its niche and your brand, but it should also be user-friendly. So, look for one with simple navigation, quick load speeds, and a responsive and customizable design.

Many beginners start with a free blog theme, but I don’t recommend this. While their basic features are fine initially, you’ll encounter limitations as your site grows, and switching themes can be challenging.

That’s why we recommend free themes with an upgrade option. When you need more features, you can easily upgrade to premium.

Our favorite freemium themes are Astra, Kadence, and GeneratePress.

All three are great choices for beginners. They all come with free versions and vast template libraries and are easy to tailor to any blog niche.

Most TemplatesA lightweight and fast WordPress theme with simple and effective customization options.

Get AstraEasy to UseA user-friendly WordPress theme featuring a code-free drag-and-drop header + footer builder.

Get KadenceFastestA clean, high-speed WordPress theme plus an extensive library of pre-built demo sites.

Get GeneratePressOnce you’ve decided on a theme, install it on WordPress. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Sign into your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: In the left sidebar, select Appearance and then Themes.

Step 3: Click Add New.

Step 4: Search for the theme, and then click Activate.

Congrats! You’ve successfully installed your theme! Play around with the settings and tweak them to your liking.

6 Install Necessary PluginsPlugins are extra add-ons that improve your site’s functionality and aesthetic.

You don’t need plugins, but they make elevating your WordPress website’s performance easy.

Here are some essential plugins for starting a WordPress blog:

  • RankMath: A powerful SEO plugin that optimizes your website for search engines, offering features like keyword optimization, schema markup, and content analysis.
  • Lasso: An efficient affiliate marketing plugin that streamlines the management and presentation of your affiliate links and products, making it easier to monetize your content.
  • WPRocket: A high-performance caching plugin that improves your website’s loading speed, enhancing user experience and search engine rankings.
  • LinkWhisper: An innovative AI-driven tool that simplifies creating internal links, saving you time and effort while improving your site’s structure and SEO.

👉 To find more helpful tools for your new blog, check out our list of the best online marketing tools.

7 Decide on Design + BrandingThe next step on your blogging journey is establishing your branding and taking care of some site design basics.

You’ll focus on two key design elements — a color palette and a logo. Both will determine how others see and remember your blog. They also establish your “identity,” add aesthetic appeal, and ensure consistency.

First, choose 3–5 colors that go well together and tie into your niche. For example, a soccer blog could use green and white, while a mom blog would mesh better with pastels. Try to avoid clashing colors that are tough on the eyes.

I recommend using a color palette generator like Coolors to create a color scheme for you.

Next comes your logo.

Your logo should fit your blog’s theme, color scheme, and niche. Not only will it be how users remember your brand, but it’ll also hint at the blog topics you cover and who your audience is.

One of the simplest ways to design a logo is with Canva. Search “[your niche] logo” to discover thousands of options.

Once you find a template you like, don’t forget to edit it to include your blog name and color palette!

8 Create Essential PagesIt’s time to get a few mandatory pages on your site.

HomepageThis is the first blog page users see when they type in your domain. It should convey what your site is about, direct readers to the content they need, and show your latest blog posts.

About PageThis is where you’ll introduce yourself to and connect with readers. Use this page to detail why you started your blog and your expertise in the niche.

👉 Check out our list of About Me page examples for inspiration.

Contact PageThis is where visitors can learn how to connect with you. At a minimum, it should include a contact form, email address, and social media links.

Privacy Policy + Terms & Conditions PagesThese blog pages explain to readers how they can use your site and how you’ll use their data. You can generate these pages for free on PrivacyPolicies.com.

Creating blog pages in WordPress takes just a few clicks. From your WordPress dashboard, select Pages in the left sidebar and then Add New.

9 Start Creating ContentIt’s finally time to begin writing and publishing blog content.

It’s tempting to write about whatever you want in your niche. However, just like niche selection, there’s a process you can use to qualify your blog post ideas for traffic potential.

This strategy is called creating keyword-focused content.

A keyword-focused strategy involves targeting keywords people are already searching for on search engines like Google.

If you cover the topic well, search engines will “reward” you with higher rankings in the search engine results pages. This drives more organic traffic to your site and helps your blog articles rank early.

However, you can’t just pick any niche topic and expect tons of visitors.

The most popular keywords are highly competitive and dominated by well-known sites. Since Google prefers established sites over new blogs, your blog post will not see much traffic.

Luckily, you can get around this by targeting low-competition keywords that still have decent monthly volume.

Brainstorm blog topics by doing keyword research on Ahrefs’ Keyword Explorer. Here’s what we get when we plug in “solo female travel” and search for related keywords:

| Keyword | Search Volume | Keyword Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | Best places to travel solo female in us | 1800 | 4 | | Best places to travel solo female | 600 | 24 | | Ireland solo female travel | 100 | 1 | | is new orleans safe for solo female travel | 70 | 1 | | solo female travel over 50 | 70 | 12 |

Looking at these keywords, we already have a few new blog post ideas:

  • 15 Best Places In The US For Solo Female Travel
  • Is New Orleans Safe For Solo Female Travel?
  • Solo Female Travel Over 50: The Complete Guide

Use this process with different seed keywords until you have 10 blog post ideas. Then, you’re ready to show off your writing skills and publish your first blog post!

When writing, remember these tips to ensure you create the best possible content:

  • Create a catchy title. Write a headline that grabs attention and clearly shows what your blog post is about, so people want to click and read more.
  • Stay on-topic. Stick to your main idea without going off-topic, so readers and Google can easily understand what your post is focused on.
  • Talk to your audience. Use a friendly, easy-to-read writing style that sounds like you’re conversing with your reader.
  • Add visuals. Add pictures, videos, or graphics to your post to make it more interesting and help explain your points.
  • Make it skimmable. Make your post easy to scan using bullet points, headings, and short paragraphs, so readers can quickly find the parts they want.
  • Learn SEO basics. Use important keywords in your title, headings, and post, and link to other pages on your site to help your post appear in search results.
  • Foster user engagement. Ask a question or suggest an action at the end of your posts to get readers to leave comments, and reply to their comments to build a friendly community around your blog.

The most important rule of all: be helpful. Google prefers to rank posts that provide genuine value to readers, so ensure your blog content is informative and engaging.

10 Promote Your BlogAs you keep creating content, traffic will start to flow to your blog. But you can speed things up by actively promoting your site.

Here are some smart strategies to drive more visitors:

  • Get social. Create social media profiles for your blog to reach a wider audience. Link to your social accounts from your blog and share your blog posts on social media. This two-way traffic funnel can boost your readership.
  • Be a guest blogger. Reach out to successful bloggers in your niche and offer to write a guest post. They get free content, and you get exposure to their audience by including a link to your blog. It’s a win-win!
  • Join the conversation. Hop on popular forums like Reddit and Quora and share your knowledge. Create an account using your name, and provide helpful, insightful answers to questions in your niche. This showcases your expertise and draws interested readers to your blog.
  • Get involved locally. Attend or host events and meetups related to your blog’s topic. This helps you build a local following and encourages people to visit your site to learn more.

Just remember, keep your promotion tactics authentic. Spamming links will only turn people off.

Focus on providing genuine value, and you’ll naturally attract a loyal audience to your blog.

11 Monetize Your BlogNow that you’ve got a steady flow of visitors to your blog, it’s time for the most rewarding part — turning your hard work into cash.

There are many ways to monetize a blog, but I’ll focus on the four most popular methods.

Affiliate MarketingRecommend products or services you’ve used and enjoyed. When readers click your affiliate link and purchase, you earn a commission.

Why It’s Great: You get paid for your recommendations, and your audience gets curated product suggestions from someone they trust.

Get Started: Learn the basics with our beginner’s guide to affiliate marketing. We also have a list of the best affiliate programs for new bloggers.

Display AdsAllow ads to be shown on your blog and get paid a small amount each time they’re viewed or clicked.

Why It’s Great: You earn passive income from every visitor, even if they don’t click the ads. It’s the easiest form of monetization and a great way for a new blog

Get Started: New blogs should start with beginner-friendly ad networks like Ezoic. Once you get more traffic, you can join higher-paying networks like Mediavine or Raptive.

Sell Your Own ProductsThere are two main ways to sell products on your blog.

Create and sell physical products, like branded merchandise. Or develop digital products like online courses, ebooks, memberships, subscriptions, or services.

Why It’s Great: Selling products maximizes your income, and your readers get an awesome product.

Get Started: Consider what types of products your target audience would be most interested in buying. One option is to make a version of your top-performing affiliate product.

Sell Sponsored PostsPartner with companies to create sponsored content that promotes their products or services to your audience.

Why It’s Great: Sponsored posts allow you to earn income by creating content that aligns with your blog’s niche and provides value to your readers. It’s a win-win situation where you get paid, and your audience discovers relevant products or services.

Get Started: Make a “Work With Us” page that explains your partnership requirements. Pinch of Yum has a great Sponsored Content page you can emulate. You can also reach out to companies in your niche and offer to create sponsored content featuring their products or services.


Summing UpWe’ve covered a lot of information here, and it’s enough to get you started.

But there’s so much more I wasn’t able to cover.

There’s a lot of nuance involved in building a successful blog, and there wasn’t room in this post to cover some of the most effective tactics for growing your traffic and making money.

But don’t worry. We made a free training to ensure you can still get that info.

This training covers 7 hard-won secrets and strategies we’ve learned in our 10+ years of building blogs. Our tests show it can make your new blog 83% more successful.

This is the next step if you’re serious about building a thriving, profit-generating blog.

Join the free training now.

FAQHow Can I Start a Blog for Free?To start a blog for free, you can use a free platform like WordPress.com, register a free sub-domain, and select a free WordPress theme.

Write your first blog post and share it with people on social media to generate initial traffic.

Do Beginner Bloggers Make Money?Beginner bloggers can make money if the blog generates a decent amount of traffic and they implement effective monetization strategies.

Two popular ways for new bloggers to start earning are through display advertising (such as Google AdSense) and affiliate marketing.

As you grow your audience, you can explore other income streams like sponsored posts, digital product sales, or even physical product offerings.

How Long Does It Take to Make $100 Blogging?The time it takes to earn your first $100 from blogging can vary greatly, ranging from a few months to over a year.

Your blog’s earning potential is influenced by factors such as your niche, the monetization methods you use, the amount of traffic you receive, and the quality of your content.

For new bloggers, displaying ads and promoting affiliate products are often the quickest paths to generating income.

How Long Does It Take to Make $1,000 Per Month Blogging?On average, it takes bloggers 1-2 years to reach the milestone of earning $1,000 per month. However, the timeline can vary depending on your niche and how quickly you can grow your traffic.

With the right knowledge, strategies, and resources, it’s possible to scale your blog to $1,000 per month faster. But realistically, most beginners will need at least a year of consistent effort to achieve this monthly income level.

View Details

Starting a true crime is a great way to shed some light and share your theories on interesting cases. It’s also a proven way to earn money online.

We’ve taught over 14,000 people how to build profitable blogs, and some of our proteges have gone on to build successful true crime blogs.

We’ve also found success in starting our own blogs. Here’s a small sample of what we’ve earned over the years through our blogging efforts:

This 10-step guide will help you find similar success with your own profitable true crime blog.


Why Start a True Crime BlogStarting a true crime blog can be extremely rewarding.

For starters, it’s a great way to make money. Our affiliate marketing statistics show that bloggers in the entertainment sector – including the true crime niche – earn an average of $4,416 per month.

Launching a true crime blog can also help you share your passion with a huge audience. According to one poll, half of all Americans love true crime stories, and 13% define it as their favorite genre.

True crime writers can also help to raise awareness of lesser-known cases that haven’t received much media attention. This can launch discussions, debates, and campaigns that bring justice to victims and their families.

Examples of Successful True Crime BlogsBefore you start your new venture as a true crime blogger, it’s worth checking out some of the blogs already thriving in this niche. Here are three examples:

Canada UnsolvedCanada Unsolved writes about cold cases for murders and missing people in Canada.

Visit the siteThe Innocence ProjectThe Innocence Project takes a unique look at the world of true crime and focuses on sharing the stories of the wrongly accused. The blog is managed by a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongly convicted individuals.

Visit the siteStories of the UnsolvedStories of the Unsolved has been raising awareness for unsolved murders and disappearances since its launch in 2018.

Visit the site


How To Start a True Crime Blog in 10 StepsHere are the steps you’ll need to follow to launch your own true crime blog.

1 Narrow Down Your True Crime NicheThe first step is to choose the area of true crime you want to focus on.

While writing about all things true crime is tempting, this approach is less likely to bring you success.

It’s easier to build a brand in a sub-genre of true crime rather than cover all aspects of the topic.

Some people are primarily interested in unsolved murders. Others want the drama of covering ongoing murder trials. Others still want true crime stories about well-known celebrities.

Trying to cater to all those tastes will spread you thin and make it harder to satisfy any particular audience.

Focusing on a specific niche also gives you more scope to select highly focused keywords and topics for your true crime articles, which can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and make it easier to get organic search traffic.

The easiest way to choose a niche is to choose something you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. Passion will help you stay motivated during the blog-building process, and knowledge will improve the quality of your content.

Here are some potential true crime niches you can write about:

  • Forensic science. If you have a scientific background, bringing your forensic knowledge into discussions of popular and recent cases can give your writing an edge.
  • Recent true crime cases. Discuss the latest events and crimes in your country, city, or state, and share your opinions on the case details.
  • Famous cold cases. Dive into the research and case studies of famous serial killers and mysteries throughout history.
  • Unsolved mysteries. Discuss many unsolved cases, from kidnapping and human trafficking crimes to murders and break-ins.
  • Murders and serial killers. Write articles and case studies about some of the most horrific serial killers in the world, with insights into their crimes and psychology.

Once you know what topics you want to write about, you must qualify your ideas for traffic. Without a sufficient number of people looking for content in your niche, you won’t be able to grow a following or make money.

The first step in niche qualification is to make a list of successful blogs in your niche. You can do this by searching Google for keywords you might write about or checking a blog aggregator like Feedspot.

Once you find a relevant blog, you can also use the Organic Competitors section in Ahrefs to find other websites that write about similar topics.

Once you have your list of blogs, you can get a free trial of SE Ranking to see how much monthly traffic each one receives.

If you’re stuck between a few niches, you can compare their popularity with Google Trends.

If you’re still struggling, check out our video on niche selection for more guidance.

While picking a niche is important, don’t get caught up in over-analysis. Once you’ve found a topic that gets good traffic, proceed to the next step!

2 Choose a Blogging PlatformNow you have your niche, you need to find a home for your content. A blogging platform allows you to publish, promote, and share your content on the web.

Many bloggers opt for free social blogging platforms like Medium or Blogger. While the ease of use is nice, these platforms have a lot of limitations:

  • They can restrict the content you produce, particularly when you’re covering sensitive topics like crime and murder.
  • Your monetization options are limited.
  • You have little control over the design and functionality of your blog.

Though it takes more work, building your own website is the smart option.

  • It gives you full control over your true crime content, branding strategy, and how you promote your pieces.
  • No one can shut down your site or remove your content.
  • Monetizing your blog through affiliate marketing, display ads, and other strategies is much easier.
  • You’re building an asset that you can sell. Take it from us — we’ve sold multiple blogs for 6-figure exits.

My favorite platform is WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com). It’s free, beginner-friendly, and has thousands of plugins and themes that let you customize your site however you want.

3 Choose Your Domain NameThe next step is choosing a domain name – the address visitors use to find your site. Your domain name includes your blog’s name and a domain extension (like .com).

When choosing a domain name, the most important thing you can do is check that your name is unique. Use a trademark search database to look for any companies with similar titles. Then, follow these quick tips for an effective name:

  • Make it descriptive. Help your readers understand what your blog is about with niche-focused words like “mystery”, “murder”, or “true crime”.
  • Keep it concise. Avoid long domain names. Shorter names (1-2 words) are easier to remember.
  • Stay simple. Choose simple words that are easier to spell. This will make it easier for your customers to find and share your blog with friends.
  • Get a .com domain. The .com domain name is still the most trustworthy, memorable, and authoritative option. If you have a great name with an unavailable .com, you can consider some .com alternatives.
  • Experiment with language. Linguistic strategies, like using alliteration in your domain name, can make your URL more memorable.
  • Leave room for expansion. Even if you’re starting with a specific focus, you should allow yourself to expand to broader topics.

If you’re struggling to find a domain name that captivates readers, an AI domain generator like Brandsnap can help.

Once you’ve chosen your name, you can purchase it from Namecheap for as little as $10 per year.

4 Buy Web Hosting Since WordPress.org is self-hosted, you’ll need to subscribe to a web hosting service. A web host provides the infrastructure to store, manage, and deliver content to online readers.

While many bloggers recommend companies like Bluehost for their low-cost plans, I’d suggest SiteGround instead. SiteGround offers affordable plans for beginners (though they can be more expensive when you renew). It’s also more reliable and faster than Bluehost.

Getting started with SiteGround is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Visit their WordPress hosting page and choose a plan. I recommend the StartUp plan as a cheap option for beginners.

Step 2: Enter your domain name: Click “I already have a domain” and enter the name into the form field provided.

Step 3: Enter account and location information.

Step 4: Enter payment information and choose a subscription duration. You’ll get a discount if you pay for at least 1 year upfront.

Step 5: Skip the extra services. You won’t need features like a site scanner on a new blog.

Step 6: Point your domain to SiteGround: Change the DNS settings on your domain registrar account to point your domain to SiteGround. This guide shows you how. If you have trouble, contact SiteGround’s support team.

Congratulations! Now, you have hosting for your true crime blogging venture.

5 Choose a Theme for your True Crime BlogTo be a successful true crime blogger, you must make your site stand out. A theme — a template for your site’s appearance and structure — will help you do that.

There are plenty of free and premium themes available for WordPress.

While you might prefer to use a free theme, make sure there’s an option to upgrade to a premium version of your theme when necessary. Premium themes offer more advanced features and capabilities, which can become crucial as your site grows.

Here are my top three freemium recommendations:

Most TemplatesAn attractive multifunctional theme; fast, lightweight & customizable.

Get AstraEasy to UseAn impressive theme with plenty of drop-in-ready components and sections.

Get KadenceFastestA lightweight theme with excellent stability and speed.

Get GeneratePressOnce you choose your theme, you can add it to your site in just a few clicks. Log into your WordPress dashboard, then click on Appearance > Themes.

Click “Add New” then search for your theme name.

Once you find your theme, click “Activate” to install it onto your blog.

After your theme is installed, you can edit the sections, fonts, color palettes, and other factors to make it unique to your true crime brand.

6 Decide on Design & BrandingIt’s time to make some foundational branding decisions: choosing your color palette and creating your logo.

Let’s start with the color palette. Your blog’s color scheme can directly impact your customers’ feelings about it, so it must match your site’s overall feel. Dark and mysterious shades like black, red, and purple are common on true crime blogs, and they can set expectations for what your customers can expect to see.

You don’t need to be an artist to create a compelling color palette. Sites like Coolors make it simple to generate harmonious color schemes in seconds.

Next up is creating your logo. I recommend using Canva for this process, as it’s extremely easy to use and affordable. All you need to do is search for “true crime logo template,” and you’ll find many options.

Click on a template you like, and you’ll be directed to the Canva editor to alter the colors, shapes, designs, and typography.

7 Create Essential PagesYou’re almost ready to write your first blog post. But before you start writing, you need to get some essential pages on your blog:

The HomepageEvery site needs a homepage. This page introduces readers to your true crime blog, highlights your latest posts, and showcases your brand.

An About PageAn “About page” is where you tell readers about yourself. It can be a great tool for validating your expertise and lets you tell your audience where your content ideas and passion come from.

👉 Check out our list of About Me page examples for inspiration.

The Contact PageA contact page lets your audience get in touch, whether requesting more information about a case, sharing praise, or exploring collaboration opportunities. Your contact page should include links to social media profiles, a contact form, and an email address.

Privacy Policy + Terms & Conditions pagesThese legal pages detail the information you collect from users and how people can use your website.

Although they might seem complex, you can generate these pages for free using a tool like PrivacyPolicies.com.

Adding new pages to your WordPress site is simple. Log into your admin account and click the “Pages” tab on the left-hand menu. Then click “Add New” to create a page.

8 Start Creating ContentFinally, it’s time to start writing your blog!

However, you shouldn’t just be producing pieces at random. Every blog post you create should elevate your site’s visibility in search engine results. That’s why I recommend a keyword-focused content strategy.

Producing keyword-focused content involves writing content that satisfies queries people are typing into search engines like Google.

Choosing the right keywords for your true crime blog can be tricky. While broader terms like “unsolved murders” might get a lot of traffic, they’re also targeted by a wider range of sites, which means more competition.

The trick is finding keywords with decent search volume and low competition. You can use the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer tool to find them – here are a few examples using “unsolved murders” as a seed keyword:

| Keyword | Search Volume | Keyword Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | Unsolved murders 1970s | 500 | 8 | | Unsolved murders in michigan | 300 | 8 | | Most famous unsolved murders | 250 | 26 | | Unsolved murders in kansas city | 200 | 2 |

Using these keywords, you can come up with ideas for blog titles, such as:

  • 5 Notorious Unsolved Murders in the 1970s
  • 10 Most Famous Unsolved Murders in the US
  • 7 Unsolved Murders in Kansas City

Once you have 10 blog titles prepared, you can start writing posts. Here are some tips to boost the quality of your content from day one:

  • Know your audience. Ensure you know what kind of content your audience is looking for and use language they’ll understand. Don’t use confusing jargon.
  • Access case files. Use databases like Uncovered and The True Crime Database to elevate your research.
  • Become an investigator. Research true crime cases and murders to develop unique theories to share with your audience.
  • Stay compliant. Ensure you have permission to use images from cold case files or statements from witnesses and law enforcement professionals.
  • Implement expertise. If you have experience with the criminal justice system, forensic science, or other relevant topics, implement that into your blog post.
  • Join forums. Join forums and subreddits to get insights into the unsolved mysteries and crimes people are already talking about.
  • Expand your education. Read case studies, listen to true crime podcasts, and watch true crime documentaries to present stories from multiple perspectives.

The golden rule? Any content you create should always be engaging and valuable. Don’t just regurgitate opinions from other sources. Bring your own thoughts and perspectives into your posts.

9 Promote Your True Crime BlogGenerating organic search traffic is the best way to get people to your blog, but the buildup can be slow.

You can get some early visitors to your blog through the following promotional tactics:

  • Collaborate with influencers. Work with other true crime bloggers and influencers in your space. They can share your work with their audience, and you can boost your profile by associating with more established brands.
  • Join true crime communities. Join social media groups, subreddits, and forums dedicated to true crime. Participate in discussions and share links to your posts when you can add value.
  • Start a podcast. True crime podcasts are wildly popular. Starting one can elevate your brand’s reach and build a new revenue stream.

However you promote your blog, make sure your efforts are genuine. Nobody likes a blogger who spams their content everywhere without offering real value.

10 Monetize Your True Crime BlogWhile starting a true crime blog might be a passion project for most, it can also be a lucrative way to earn extra income. Here are a few of the best monetization strategies:

Affiliate MarketingRecommend true crime books and audiobooks, apparel, and other relevant products. Get paid a commission if one of your referrals makes a purchase.

Why It’s Great: You can earn money from products without dealing with product creation and distribution hassles.

Get Started: Read our guide on how to start affiliate marketing. An easy way to start is by joining the Amazon affiliate program and recommending books on Amazon and audiobooks on Audible.

Display AdsShow ads on your website and earn money whenever someone views or clicks one.

Why It’s Great: You can earn money as long as you generate traffic.

Get Started: Join Ezoic to get ads on your site when starting. Switch to a higher-paying network like Mediavine or Raptive when you get more traffic.

Selling Your Own ProductsCreate and sell physical or digital products like books, courses, and true crime merchandise.

Why It’s Great: Selling your own products usually earns more than other monetization methods.

Get Started: Start by affiliate marketing and making your own version of your best-performing recommendations. Shopify and WooCommerce are good options for hosting physical products, while Teachable is a solid choice for courses.


Summing UpThis guide has covered the essential steps to starting a true crime blog…

…but there’s so much more you need to know to take your blog to the next level.

To help cover that gap, we’ve created a free training that shares our top strategies for building a profitable blog in [current_year].

These 7 blogging secrets are borne of 10+ years in the blogging game – and we’re giving them away for free.

Join the free training now.

FAQDo True Crime Blogs Make Money?True Crime blogs do make money. The average affiliate marketer in the entertainment industry earns about $4,416 per month. Plus, you can increase your income by selling ad space, or promoting and selling your own products, like eBooks and paid memberships.

How Do Bloggers Get Paid?As a blogger, you can get paid every time a customer purchases a product you recommend through an affiliate program or every time a customer interacts with a display ad. Other blog monetization options include selling your own products, offering consulting services, creating a course, and selling sponsored posts.

View Details

Starting a health and wellness blog is a great way to build a passive income stream using your health-related expertise.

We’ve earned substantial revenue from our own blogging projects – including one in the health space. Here’s a small sample of our earnings over the years.

We’ve also taught more than 14,000 students how to build similarly successful blogs.

If you’d like to follow in their footsteps, check out our 10-step guide to starting your own health and wellness blog.


Why Start a Health and Wellness BlogThere are a few reasons you might want to start a health and wellness blog.

Our affiliate marketing statistics show that health bloggers earn an average of $7,194 monthly. There’s a lot of potential to earn through affiliate marketing, display ads, selling products, and more.

A blog also allows you to share your journey through medical hardship. People facing similar challenges can find comfort, reassurance, and community on your blog.

Similarly, your blog can raise awareness surrounding uncommon or rare health conditions. This can help foster understanding and empathy within the broader public.

Examples of Successful Health and Wellness BlogsBefore launching your own health blog, it’s beneficial to draw inspiration from those who’ve successfully established their presence in the niche. Here are a few examples:

A Healthy Slice of LifeA Healthy Slice of Life is a family-run health and lifestyle blog that covers healthy eating, parenting, and travel.

Visit the siteNutritionFacts.orgThe doctor-run NutritionFacts.org blog provides science-driven food and diet recommendations.

Visit the siteThe Healthy MavenThe Healthy Maven was started by Davida Lederle to help women live healthy lives by sharing content about recipes, clean beauty, and overall wellness.

Visit the site


How To Start a Health Blog in 10 StepsIf you’re ready to venture into the world of health blogging, follow this step-by-step to hit the ground running.

1 Narrow Down Your Health Niche Health and wellness is a huge niche covering a wide variety of topics. As a new health blogger, you should prioritize one of the sub-topics or sub-niches and focus on producing content covering it in-depth.

Visitors are more likely to trust sites that specialize in a specific sub-niche rather than a general site glossing over every health topic. This demonstrates your experience & expertise in that area and portrays you as an authority.

Here are a few example health sub-niches that you can consider blogging on:

  • Holistic Nutrition: Think plant-based, paleo, or keto diets.
  • Mental Wellbeing: Explore meditation, stress management, or MBSR.
  • Sleep: Cover sleep hygiene, insomnia remedies, or delve into CBT-I.
  • Sexual Health: Touch on sex-ed, reproduction challenges, or STI prevention.
  • Child Wellness: Topics like adolescent mental health or pediatric nutrition.
  • Chronic Illness: Share life with conditions like diabetes or arthritis.
  • Alternative Medicine: Discuss herbal treatments, acupuncture, or aromatherapy.

Note: Since the 2018 medic update, Google closely monitors alternative medicine sites due to scant scientific evidence. Because of this, big names like DrAxe and Wellness Mama lost significant search traffic.

If you want to blog about alternative medicine, prioritize factual accuracy, cite authoritative sources, and avoid making definitive claims.

When picking a sub-niche, start by listing 5-7 topics that intrigue you. After that, qualify these niches by looking for high-traffic blogs covering that niche. A lack of high-traffic blogs indicates a lack of interest in the topic, making it less profitable for blogging.

Here’s a 3-step process for niche qualification.

First, brainstorm topics related to your sub-niche and search for them on Google. Make a list of relevant blogs that show up. A blog aggregator like Detailed can help you expand this list.

You can also insert a health blog into Ahrefs and use the “Organic Competitors” tool to get a list of all other competing blogs.

Next, you’ll need to see how much traffic each blog gets. Sign up for a free trial of SE Ranking, go to SEO Tools > Competitive Research, and input the blog names to see monthly traffic values.

You can also use Google Trends to compare interest between sub-niches. You can enter up to five topics and compare user interest over time.

You can also check out our detailed video guide on niche selection for further assistance:

Once you find a topic with decent traffic potential, move on to the next step. Choosing a good niche is important, but you don’t want to get stuck in a cycle of endless analysis.

2 Choose a Blogging Platform A blogging platform is the tool you’ll use to write, publish, manage, and share your health and wellness content online.

Check out this list of the best blogging platforms to make your pick.

Many beginners flock to free blogging platforms like Medium or Blogger. However, these have a few notable limitations:

  • The platform can decide what you can and cannot publish. This can be especially limiting if you discuss controversial health topics.
  • There’s limited monetization potential.
  • They have barebones designing and branding options. Your blog will look nearly identical to all the other blogs on the platform.

Therefore, I highly recommend setting up your own blog, especially if you’re looking to build a financially successful business from it. Here’s a quick look at some of the benefits:

  • Complete control over the content, including its presentation and visibility.
  • Build a distinctive brand by tweaking the layout, color scheme, and UI elements.
  • Countless monetization options include display ads, affiliate marketing, and selling branded products and courses.
  • Set your own editorial and publishing guidelines. No one can remove your content or shut down your blog.
  • Access powerful search engine optimization (SEO) features and strategically integrate social sharing options to drive more traffic.
  • Place email opt-in CTAs in your blog to build an email list, giving you direct access to your audience and safeguarding against Google algorithm shifts.
  • Over time, your blog will become an asset you can sell.

👉 See also: Read our case study on how we sold an 18-month-old blog for mid-6-figures.

Thanks to all the modern tools, you can build a new website in under an hour. We recommend using WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com). The core software is free and powers 43% of the web, including AuthorityHacker.com.

That said, you must purchase a domain and hosting to get your WordPress blog online. It’ll cost you around $45 for the first year ($10 for domain, and $35 for hosting), which is a steal considering all the benefits.

3 Choose Your Domain Name Your domain name is the name of your website followed by an extension like .com, .org, etc. It essentially functions as the address for your website, where someone types it into a browser’s address bar to land on your website.

For example, our domain name is authorityhacker.com – which is our site’s name, “Authority Hacker” followed by the .com domain.

You also want a .com extension whenever possible. It’s one of the most familiar domain extensions which makes it the most trusted. But, if it’s unavailable, you can consider these popular .com alternatives as well.

When naming your website, you’ll want to pick something catchy, easy to read, and memorable since it’ll function as your brand identity. Here’s a checklist to help you choose the perfect name:

  • Keep it short. 6-14 characters is best.
  • Focus on readability. Don’t use consecutive letters, numbers, or hyphens.
  • Include a niche-related word. A prefix or suffix like “med”, “doc”, “health”, or “nutri” can help with branding.
  • Don’t use spammy names. Most people won’t trust a blog titled SuperHealthHacksProMax.info.
  • Avoid domain names with registered trademarks. You can check using this trademark search tool.

Brainstorming a name that checks all these boxes can be hard. That’s why we developed our AI domain name generator – Brandsnap.ai – to help you find unique and available domains for your new website.

After choosing a domain name, you need to register it. All domain registrars offer the same basic service, so we recommend saving your money and picking Namecheap. You can get a .com domain registered for $10 per year.

4 Buy Web Hosting Web hosting is a service that lets you rent server space to install WordPress and manage all your health and wellness content.

You have a ton of web hosting providers to choose from – Bluehost is one of the most affordable and popular among beginners.

However, our top recommendation is SiteGround. It costs a little more but delivers noticeably better performance and reliability – crucial for any reputable health blog on the rise.

Here’s a quick guide on setting up SiteGround and launching your health and wellness blog:

Step 1: Go to SiteGround’s WordPress hosting page.

Step 2: Get the StartUp Plan – it’s powerful enough for a new WordPress blog.

Note: New customers enjoy a highly discounted rate on their 1st 12-month hosting plan. But you will be rebilled at the higher standard rate after that.

Step 3: Enter your registered domain name into the field and select “I already have a domain” option.

Step 4: Provide account information and location details.

Step 5: Enter payment info and pick a subscription period. The 12-month plan is the best value for money.

Step 6: Don’t select the extra services. They are unnecessary for new blogs.

Step 7: Point your Namecheap registered domain name to your new SiteGround hosting server. You can follow this DIY guide or contact SiteGround tech support for help.

And that’s it! Your health blog is now live and accessible to anyone searching for the domain name. In the following section, I’ll show you how to design your health blog and fill it with content.

5 Choose a Theme for Your Health Blog In the WordPress ecosystem, themes determine your blog’s visual design and layout. In fact, many of them are tailored for health and wellness blogs, allowing you to set a professional-looking design with a few clicks.

That said, looks aren’t everything, and you should prioritize the following features when choosing a theme:

  • Fast loading speeds
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Clean and uncluttered design
  • User-friendly navigation
  • Intuitive customization options
  • Quality after-sales support

You may find some of these features with free WordPress themes, but they generally have poor performance and flexibility. It might not feel like a big deal at first, but as you grow your blog with more health-related content, you’ll see your site slowing down.

Many are “freemium,” letting you start free and upgrade later for advanced features. Here are three standout options – GeneratePress, Kadence, and Astra:

Most TemplatesMix and match pre-built designs to quickly create a visually appealing layout.

Get AstraEasy to UseOffers drag-and-drop header and footer builder with detailed design control.

Get KadenceFastestA performance-focused theme with a minimalistic design.

Get GeneratePressOnce you pick your theme, follow these steps to install it:

Step 1: Login to your WordPress dashboard.

Step 1: Go to Appearance > Theme from the left-hand sidebar.

Step 3: Click “Add New.”

Step 4: Type the name of the theme you want to install.

Step 5: Click “Install Now” followed by “Activate.”

After installing the theme, you can tweak colors and add a logo. Up next, we’ll dive into these branding specifics.

6 Decide on Design & Branding After installing your WordPress theme, it’s time to start designing it. Here are a few health-specific design tips:

  • Choose a soft, neutral backdrop: think white, beige, or muted gray.
  • Embrace a minimalistic layout with limited UI clutter.
  • Integrate nature-inspired visuals like leaves or water droplets.
  • Try rounded UI elements over angular ones.

After creating the design and layout, you’ll need to configure a color scheme. Much of your blog’s personality will come from the colors you use. For example, a blog centered on nutrition and healthy eating can use a color palette that includes fresh greens, vibrant fruit-inspired hues like orange or berry, and earthy browns.

To create a cohesive color scheme, I recommend using Coolors. It’s an intuitive tool that generates complementary colors.

Next up is creating the logo. I suggest using Canva for this. There are hundreds of health and wellness logo templates that you can mix and match to create something unique.

Search for “health logos” or “wellness logos” and make your pick. You can edit the logo to reflect your brand name and color scheme.

7 Create Essential Pages With your blog’s design ready, it’s time to populate it with some content. Start with these essential pages every health blog must have.

HomepageThe homepage is the main hub of your website. It should clarify what your website is about and feature your latest posts and most popular content.

About PageThis page lets you educate your audience about who you are and why you started this health blog. To help readers and search engines trust you, share your background in the health and wellness space along with any relevant certifications.

👉 If you need inspiration, check out these killer About Me page examples.

Contact PageThis page should contain a contact form to allow users to get in touch with you. You can also include your business address, phone number, and email address to help boost SEO.

Legal PagesNecessary legal pages include the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions pages. Use these to define the user rights, data handling practices, and expected site behavior. They should also emphasize your content is for informational purposes and not medical advice.

To set up your legal pages, you can use a tool like PrivacyPolicies.com.

Quick Tutorial: To create new pages on WordPress, simply log in to your WordPress dashboard and select Pages > Add New from the left sidebar.

8 Start Creating Content As your health blog takes shape, we are off to the next crucial step – creating content.

To generate consistent traffic, you need to use a keyword-focused content strategy. Here’s how that works:

  1. Find health and wellness keywords users type into search engines.
  2. Understand the search intent of those keywords.
  3. Analyze top-ranking articles for those keywords and understand what’s working.
  4. Craft comprehensive blog posts addressing the search intent and offering more value than existing content.

After writing and publishing a blog post, Google will eventually scan it. If it’s relevant and better than other posts, they’ll show it on the search results page, bringing free organic traffic to your blog.

Now, to get the best results, target keywords with high search volume but limited coverage.

You can manually do this by brainstorming keywords, googling them, and analyzing ranking articles for potential gaps. Alternatively, use an SEO tool like Ahrefs to find these keywords with a few clicks.

For example, here are a few keyword recommendations I got from entering “yoga” into Ahrefs’ Keyword Explorer tool.

| Keyword | Monthly Volume | Keyword Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | Yoga Blocks | 7.9k | 13 | | Yoga Wheel | 7.5k | 7 | | Yoga Shorts | 6.6k | 7 | | Two People Yoga Poses | 6.5k | 13 | | Couples Yoga | 5.5k | 20 |

Once you have a few keywords, use them to create some blog post titles. Here are a few examples:

  • 7 Ways to enhance your yoga sessions using yoga blocks
  • How to use yoga wheels to build core strength
  • Couples yoga basics: 10 best two people yoga poses

Continue this process with different “seed keywords” until you build a list of 10 blog post ideas.

Once you have a list of ideas, you can focus on writing SEO articles. Here’s a simple checklist of best practices for writing health and wellness blog posts:

  • Mention your content is for informational purposes and not a substitute for medical evaluation.
  • Avoid offering treatments, solutions, or diagnoses. Encourage readers to consult a doctor if they fear they have a problem.
  • Back up everything you say with credible authoritative sources, preferably from medical institutions.
  • Avoid medical jargon and make the content accessible to the general public.
  • Provide clear, actionable steps. Health content can be hard to understand, so make the content as clear as possible.
  • Follow a professional tone while practicing empathy. Share personal experiences wherever applicable.
  • Include visual aids like infographics and images whenever possible.
  • Try to follow and include content guidelines from health authorities like the FDA or WHO.

I understand these rules can be overwhelming for a new health and wellness blogger. If I had to boil it down to one guideline, it’d be to provide content that is as helpful and direct as possible.

Have Medical Professionals Write or Review Medical ContentMany health and wellness topics fall under Google’s YMYL (Your Money Your Life) label, which includes topics that directly influence a person’s health or financial stability.

As such, when a user searches for medical queries, like “how to manage diabetes,” Google only shows posts written or reviewed by medical professionals.

Right now, if you want to write on YMYL topics but you’re not a doctor, you have two options:

  1. Hire a doctor to write blog posts
  2. Write it yourself and have a doctor review it

Remember to give the doctor a dedicated author or reviewer page showcasing their credentials. This will ensure your article gets a fair chance to rank – provided it’s still quality content.

To further increase your chances of ranking your content, you should also optimize your posts for E-E-A-T – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust.

Google uses these metrics to determine the trustworthiness of your website, and it’s especially important for sites in YMYL niches.

Our video will tell you everything you need to know about E-E-A-T optimization:

9 Promote Your Health BlogWhile your blog posts might not instantly appear in search results, you can still drive traffic to them early on. Here are a few effective promotion tactics for health blogs:

  • Engage in health forums. Dive into Facebook groups, subreddits, and Quora spaces. Answer questions and offer insights.
  • Craft and share infographics. Use tools like infogr.am, create visuals, and post on Pinterest and Instagram, linking back to your blog.
  • Collaborate with other health bloggers. Competitors can be friends, and writing guest posts on their blogs can bring traffic to yours.
  • Attend health events. Network with other attendees and discuss how you use your blog to help others.

Remember, it’s not about outright promotion. Focus on offering genuine value, and readers will naturally be drawn to your blog.

10 Monetize Your Health Blog With your health blog getting visitors, you can now think about monetizing this traffic. Here are some practical monetization strategies for health and wellness blogs:

Affiliate MarketingRecommend health supplements, wellness courses, and other health products you’ve reviewed and loved. If someone purchases using your affiliate link, you’ll earn a commission.

Why It’s Great: Health products like supplements and courses offer high commissions due to their high margins.

Get Started: Read our guide on how to start affiliate marketing and our list of the best health affiliate programs.

Selling Your Own Courses or Health ProductsCreate and sell your own health courses or products catering to your target audience.

Why It’s Great: You get complete control over pricing and marketing, and it also helps boost your brand’s authority. Google has also been favoring blogs that sell products since the September 2023 Helpful Content Update.

Get Started: Design courses using Teachable or Thikific. For creating health products, partner with local manufacturers and sell them under your brand.

Pro Tip: Promote an affiliate’s courses or supplements first. Understand what works, then roll out similar products under your brand.

Offer Coaching ServicesBecome a certified health coach and help others achieve their health goals.

Why It’s Great: You can build a career out of health coaching with your website as the foundation.

Get Started: Get a health coaching certification and begin advertising your services on your website. This can work especially well if you make a personal blog to build a stronger connection with your audience.

Display AdsShow ads to blog visits and earn money for the total number of views or clicks on the ads.

Why It’s Great: It’s a no-effort passive income stream where you don’t have to ask users to spend money.

Get Started: You can quickly set up ads using Ezoic. But it can slow down your site, so pivot to a better ad network like Mediavine (>50,000 monthly visitors) and Raptive (>100,000 monthly visitors) when you get more traffic.


Summing UpWe’ve covered the essential steps toward starting a successful health and wellness blog…

…but there’s so much more I couldn’t cover.

Blogging has a deep learning curve, and if I tried to cover every important tip and strategy to maximize your chances of success, I’d probably have to write more than a million words.

To help you learn the deeper tactics that will make you more likely to succeed, we created a free training that covers some of the best secrets and tactics we’ve learned in over 10 years of profitable blogging.

On average, bloggers who use this free training are 83% more successful than those who don’t.

Get the free training now.

FAQHow Much Do Health Bloggers Make? On average, health bloggers make $7,194 per month using affiliate marketing alone. AdThrive display ads will also pay you $15-$50 per 1,000 visitors. However, the exact figure will depend on your blog’s traffic, the specific health sub-niche you’re blogging in, and how well you engage visitors.

What Should a Health Blog Include? A health blog should include topics like nutrition, mental well-being, disease management, etc. Posts can spotlight awareness, and personal stories, and should cite credible sources like the FDA or WHO. It should also have a disclaimer noting the content isn’t a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis.

View Details

You can use lifestyle affiliate programs to monetize a wide range of consumer niches, from travel to fashion to beauty to home decor.

But with so many lifestyle brands out there, it’s hard to know which are worth promoting.

Fortunately, you’re in the right place. At Authority Hacker, we’ve built high-converting affiliate sites in various niches, so we know what the best affiliate marketing programs look like.

We’ve analyzed the top affiliate programs across multiple lifestyle-related categories, from massive marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy to niche advertisers like Food52 and JOANN Fabrics.

Let’s get into it.

Lifestyle Affiliate Programs & Networks1. Amazon Associates 2. Etsy 3. Lululemon 4. JOANN 5. Ulta Beauty 6. Sephora 7. Food52 8. Target 9. Skillshare 10. MasterClass 11. Nordstrom Rack 12. ShareASale 13. Awin 14. Rakuten 15. CJ

1 Amazon AssociatesLifestyle covers a broad range of affiliate niches. And Amazon sells products in pretty much all those niches, from health and beauty to fashion to interior decor (and much more besides).

Another reason for the online marketplace’s popularity is its trustworthiness: Amazon regularly appears toward the top of “most-trusted brands” lists. So if a consumer clicks your affiliate link and lands on an Amazon product page, they won’t think you’re scamming them.

This high trust factor, coupled with affordable prices and reliable shipping, also helps the retailer achieve superb conversion rates — meaning there’s a good chance of your clicks turning into sales.

Still, if you’re going to earn decent affiliate income through the Amazon Associates program, you need to promote the right niches.

In some lifestyle-related categories, Amazon pays terrible commissions (like 1% on health and personal care products). In others, it’s super competitive — think 4% on fashion and jewelry and a cool 20% on luxury beauty. Things can change, so make sure you check out Amazon’s latest commissions.

The only other downside is the stingy 24-hour cookie window. But Amazon converts so well that it shouldn’t be a big problem.

  • URL: Amazon Associates affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 20% per sale, depending on product category
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Products/Services sold: Pretty much everything
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, check, Amazon gift card
  • Market(s): Multiple

👉 See also: Amazon Affiliate Program Review (Is It Worth It?) and How to Become an Amazon Affiliate

2 EtsyEtsy made its name as a marketplace for one-off creative goods, making it a popular choice for buying unique gifts.

While it doesn’t have Amazon’s range, it still stocks over 60 million products across 40+ categories, many of which are relevant to the lifestyle niche — such as jewelry, clothing, and party supplies.

The platform runs on 100% renewable energy, so it’s a good choice for any affiliate marketer with an audience that cares about sustainability and the environment.

Etsy runs multiple country-specific affiliate programs through the Awin affiliate network, all offering a standard 4% commission rate and a 30-day cookie window. That cookie duration is pretty generous by the standards of a big ecommerce marketplace.

| Program | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Etsy US | 4% | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | Etsy ROW | 4% | 30 days | Everywhere else | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer

👉 See also: Etsy Affiliate Program Review – Can You Make Money With Etsy?

3 LululemonLululemon began life as a yoga store in Canada in the late 1990s and has played a big part in helping yoga become a mass-market pursuit.

Since then, the brand has diversified into other active lifestyle-related categories, from running and training to cycling, Pilates, dance, and more. So, it’s a good fit for lifestyle bloggers focusing on health and fitness topics.

Lululemon’s affiliate program has a 30-day cookie window and pays a flat 5% on all sales generated through your referral links. With an average order value of $100+, expect to make around $5 per conversion.

The retailer also runs a separate influencer program for content creators, called the Lululemon Creator Network, which could be the perfect choice if you’ve got one or more social media accounts with big followings.

  • URL: Lululemon affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Athletic apparel, shoes, and accessories
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US, CA

👉 See also: Lululemon Affiliate Program Review (Is It Worth It?)

4 JOANNLaunched in 1943, JOANN started life as a fabric retailer, before expanding into multiple other arts and crafts-related niches, including crocheting, knitting, and sewing. It sells products from a host of big brands, including Eddie Bauer, Juicy Couture, and Singer.

The retailer has superb brand awareness in the US thanks to its extensive network of brick-and-mortar stores, covering approximately 850 locations across 49 states. So you shouldn’t have any trouble convincing people to buy from JOANN.

Want to sign up for JOANN’s affiliate program? You’ve got a choice of two affiliate networks: FlexOffers and Skimlinks.

Unfortunately, the commission rate is pretty low at just 0.8% – 1%, so don’t expect to get rich promoting JOANN. But it’s still worth considering if your audience is full of arts and crafts hobbyists.

| Affiliate Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | FlexOffers | 0.8% | 7 days | US only | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 1% | Unlisted | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Fabric, arts and crafts supplies

👉 See also: Arts and Crafts Affiliate Programs (Top Offers)

5 Ulta BeautyYou’ll find more than 500 beauty brands at Ulta Beauty, from household names like Benefit and Too Faced to up-and-comers like CurlMix and Pound Cake.

Like JOANN, Ulta has superb recognition across the US, with 1,200+ store locations across 50 states, making it the country’s biggest beauty retailer. Whether you want to write about skincare, fragrances, makeup, or pretty much any other beauty category, you’ll find plenty of relevant products.

When it comes to promoting Ulta, beauty bloggers can choose from four different affiliate networks (although the Impact affiliate program is only available to US-based affiliate marketers).

At the time of writing, you’ll get the highest commission rate on Skimlinks.

| Affiliate Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Impact | 2% | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 6% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 1% | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 10% | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Beauty products and services

👉 See also: Beauty Affiliate Programs for Bloggers & Influencers (Top Offers)

6 SephoraAnother one for all you beauty bloggers, Sephora stocks over 13,000 skincare, health, and beauty products from 200+ well-known beauty brand names, including its own in-house collections.

As well as its vast product catalog, the retailer stands out by offering free standard shipping and product samples with all orders. You’ll definitely want to mention this in your content.

Sign up for Sephora’s global affiliate programs through Skimlinks and Sovrn, or choose country-specific offerings on the Rakuten and Impact affiliate networks. Impact and Sovrn both pay commissions of up to 10% per sale, which compares favorably with other affiliate programs for lifestyle bloggers.

Be sure to use the brand’s marketing resources and collateral — including product reviews and professional-quality creatives — to support your affiliate marketing efforts.

| Affiliate Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Skimlinks | 5% | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten | Up to 5% | 30 days | BR, SK | Sign Up | | Impact | Up to 10% | 30 days | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2.5% – 10% | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Makeup, skincare, fragrance, health, and beauty products

👉 See also: Best Makeup Affiliate Programs (Top Offers)

7 Food52Food52 began life as a recipe inspiration resource. It still does that today, with the website containing thousands of recipes submitted by readers and tested by editors.

But it also has an online store now, selling a wealth of culinary-themed products, from cookware to table linens to pantry essentials.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Food52 from an affiliate marketing perspective is its online presence. The brand has almost four million followers on Instagram, so if you’re recommending products for foodies, chances are they’ll know about Food52.

The brand’s standard affiliate program pays a solid 9% commission rate on all sales and has a seven-day cookie window.

Alternatively, if you have a big social media following (or you’re a member of the Food52 community), you can sign up for the dedicated influencer program.

  • URL: Food52 affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 9% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Cookware, appliances, table linens, ingredients
  • Payment methods: PayPal, electronic funds transfer
  • Market(s): US

👉 See also: Best Cooking Affiliate Programs (Top Offers)

8 TargetOne of America’s best-known retailers, Target sells more than a million products across dozens of categories, including lifestyle niches like beauty, fashion, and home.

While it’s not the most glamorous retailer in this roundup, Target remains a consumer favorite thanks to its focus on affordable prices. If your audience loves lifestyle-adjacent bargains, this could be one of the best affiliate programs for you.

Speaking of which, Target’s affiliate program pays up to 8% per sale, with volume-based commissions giving high-performing affiliates the chance to earn more on certain product sales. It also has a seven-day cookie window — not great, but way better than Nordstrom and Amazon.

Target cites an EPC of $12 – $13, so there’s clearly decent money-making potential here.

  • URL: Target affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Groceries, fashion, furniture, kitchen & dining, and more
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US

👉 See also: Target Affiliate Program Review

9 SkillshareOf course, as a lifestyle blogger, you’re not restricted to recommending physical products. Online courses are another attractive lifestyle-adjacent product — and Skillshare is one of the biggest names in the niche.

Skillshare’s library contains 34,000+ classes covering a wealth of creative niches, from web design to digital illustration to creative writing. So if your audience cares about self-improvement and creativity, this is a great affiliate program to promote.

The platform offers a seven-day free trial. Even better, it has a 30-day cookie window — so as long as your referrals upgrade to a paid plan after their trial expires, you’ll earn a commission.

This brings us to another attractive feature: Skillshare’s commission rate. You’ll earn an impressive 40% of any sales you generate, which is far higher than the other affiliate programs in our roundup.

With annual memberships costing $168, you’ll be earning just over $67 per sale. Not bad.

  • URL: Skillshare affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 40% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online courses
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global

👉 See also: Personal Development Affiliate Programs

10 MasterClassSticking with the self-improvement theme, MasterClass is a streaming service specializing in online training videos.

Where MasterClass really stands out is the quality of its instructors: we’re talking heavyweight experts and household names. Gordon Ramsey shares cooking tips; Serena Williams helps you improve your tennis game; Christina Aguilera teaches singing.

All that educational content can be accessed on mobile, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku devices for an annual membership of $180+.

While MasterClass isn’t quite as generous as Skillshare when it comes to commissions, its affiliate program still pays a healthy 25% per sale, equivalent to $45 or more from a single conversion.

To help you seal the deal, MasterClass gives you access to a dedicated affiliate manager and its exclusive affiliate newsletter, containing banners, text ads, and information on course updates.

  • URL: MasterClass affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Video training
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global

👉 See also: Best Education Affiliate Programs

11 Nordstrom RackNordstrom Rack is a powerhouse in the world of off-price designer fashion, offering savvy shoppers discounts of 30% to 70% on high-end items.

Affiliate marketers looking to tap into this lucrative program have two main options: the FlexOffers affiliate network, which offers a 3.2% commission rate, and the Rakuten affiliate network, which boasts a more impressive 4% rate.

While the individual commissions may be lower due to Nordstrom Rack’s already discounted prices, the retailer’s strong brand recognition and reputation can work in your favor. You can expect higher conversion rates compared to lesser-known stores, which can help make up for the smaller commissions and the 7-day cookie window.

As a subsidiary of Nordstrom, a company with over 120 years of history in the fashion industry, Nordstrom Rack benefits from high consumer trust. This brand familiarity is a powerful tool for affiliate marketers, making it easier to convert sales and build long-lasting relationships with your audience.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Rakuten | 4% | 7 days | US, AU | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 3.2% | 7 days | US, AU | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Discount designer fashion

12 ShareASaleStill not found your perfect affiliate program? You’ll want to check out a B2C-focused affiliate network like ShareASale, which contains thousands of lifestyle affiliate programs across 39+ consumer niches.

While ShareASale specializes in smaller brands, a few household names are be found here — think Allbirds and Reebok.

If none of them appeal to you, relax, because the network adds 260+ new affiliate programs every month.

ShareASale is happy to work with all types of affiliate marketers, from website owners to fashion bloggers to influencers to podcasters.

However you reach your audience, ShareASale gives you the tools to monetize your content, including custom affiliate tools, real-time click reports, and support from an expert publisher management team.

  • URL: ShareASale affiliate network
  • Brands: Reebok, Claire’s, Dossier
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer

👉 See also: ShareASale Review

13 AwinAwin is an affiliate network in its own right. And it also owns another of the networks on this list, ShareASale.

In all, the Awin group has more than 25,000 brands on its books. While the vast majority are smaller merchants, there are also some massive names — like Ted Baker and Warby Parker — using the affiliate marketing platform.

As well as its “standard” offering, Awin has a dedicated model for influencers, including a revolutionary “payment on influence” scheme that offers fixed commissions for all sales involvements, not just the final click. So if someone saw your social media post at any stage in the buying journey, you can still get paid.

There’s lots more to like about Awin, too, including a dedicated publisher success team who’ll help you get to grips with the platform’s wealth of affiliate marketing tools.

  • URL: Awin affiliate network
  • Brands: Warby Parker, Ted Baker, Boux Avenue
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer

👉 See also: Awin Review

14 RakutenJapanese advertising and technology company Rakuten runs one of the world’s largest affiliate networks.

It specializes in retail, finance, travel, and direct-to-consumer niches, with 150,000+ advertisers using the network. As if that wasn’t enough, its team of network development specialists is constantly looking for new merchants to join the platform.

Rakuten is big on personalization. It helps affiliate marketers find the most relevant brands, products, and services to promote — so if you’re only interested in fashion or beauty, you’ll only be shown fashion or beauty affiliate programs.

The platform offers tons of useful tools, including one that automatically converts standard product links into trackable, commissionable affiliate links.

Given its wealth of features and affiliate programs, it’s easy to see why Rakuten has been named the world’s best affiliate network for 12 years in a row.

  • URL: Rakuten Advertising affiliate network
  • Brands: AllSaints, Backcountry, Benefit
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check

👉 See also: Rakuten Affiliate Network Review

15 CJCJ (previously known as Commission Junction) has been in the affiliate marketing game for over two decades.

The affiliate network specializes in big names like Barnes & Noble and Hello Fresh. But there are also plenty of niche advertisers on the platform, so don’t worry if you’d prefer to deal with smaller brands.

Affiliate marketers receive a combined $1.8 billion in annual commissions through the network, so there’s plenty of earning potential here.

In part, that’s down to the quality of CJ’s affiliate marketing tools and resources. You’ll find everything you need here, from expert support to simple affiliate linking tools.

In addition to the super diverse range of brands and products, you also get all the tools successful affiliate marketers need — from excellent support to simple affiliate link creation to easy-to-understand metrics that help you understand whether a particular program is profitable.

  • URL: CJ Affiliate network
  • Brands: Barnes & Noble, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer

👉 See also: CJ Review (Commission Junction)

Summing UpIf you’re looking for sky-high commission rates and lengthy cookie windows, the lifestyle niche isn’t for you.

But it’s perfect for affiliates who want to reach the largest possible audience. Because everyone buys lifestyle-related products sometimes.

Still, having a massive target audience is no guarantee of success. You still need to build a consistent traffic source. And, as far as we’re concerned, the best way to do that is through running your own website, possibly with a lifestyle blog.

At Authority Hacker, we’ve built and sold several six-figure affiliate sites, and we’ve also shown affiliates how to do the same. Many of them have been in lifestyle-related niches.

In our free authority site training course, we reveal seven tried-and-trusted tactics that make new websites 83% more successful.

Join the free training now.

View Details

The best products for affiliate marketing have certain characteristics: high demand, evergreen appeal, tons of search volume, and a bunch of quality affiliate programs paying attractive commissions.

We’ve built and sold three profitable, six-figure affiliate sites and guided over 14,000 students to achieve similar success, so we know all about finding affiliate products that sell.

Read on to discover 19 of the top products for affiliate marketing. I’ll also share some expert tips for finding the diamonds in the rough.

Best Products for Affiliate Marketing1. Web Hosting 2. VPNs 3. Gym Equipment 4. Gaming 5. Email Services 6. Accounting Software 7. Mattresses 8. Baby Care & Parenting 9. Home Automation 10. Pet Care 11. Online Education 12. Insurance 13. Jewelry 14. Supplements 15. Travel 16. Fashion 17. Financial Products 18. Outdoor 19. Photography

1 Web HostingAbout 10,500 new websites are created every hour, so there’s a constant demand for web hosting, enabling websites and apps to be published online.

Web hosting solutions appeal to a broad audience — businesses, website owners, web developers, agencies, freelancers, and more — making it a good fit for affiliate marketers across a wide range of niches.

Hosting providers can afford to pay high commissions because people rarely switch to a different provider. This makes it worthwhile for the hosting companies to pay big commissions to whoever can give them new customers. These high commissions make web hosting a very appealing product category to promote.

You can promote hosting products for specific platforms, such as WordPress hosting, which is optimized to meet WordPress’s performance and security needs.

Or, if you’re targeting larger brands, you can recommend managed hosting solutions, in which businesses lease an entire server to themselves.

Why Promote Web Hosting Products? Global monthly search volume: 87,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Cloudways, Kinsta, WP Engine, SiteGround, A2 Hosting * Average commission rate:* $100+ per sale

The web hosting niche offers many opportunities for upselling and cross-selling complementary products like business email, website security, and website design.

👉 See also: Best Web Hosting Affiliate Programs

2 VPNsVirtual private networks (VPNs) protect your internet connection and privacy online by hiding your IP address and allowing you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely.

Consumers’ growing concern about (lack of) online privacy has turned VPN services into a $50 billion industry with a massive target audience. Basically, anyone who uses the internet could be interested in a VPN solution. But they’re particularly appealing to gamers, media streamers, and frequent travelers.

Want to learn more about the insane competition in the VPN industry? Check out our breakdown of the niche.

Why Promote VPNs? Global monthly search volume: 4.8 million (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish * Average commission rate:* 40% – 100% per sale

Because the VPN market is so crowded, prices are cheap, which makes the products easier to promote and sell. The big players are locked in an intense battle for market share and survival, so they pay big bucks to affiliates who can generate sales.

At the same time, commissions are comparatively high, so you earn more per sale. Plus, many programs pay recurring commissions, while top-performing affiliate marketers can sometimes negotiate their commission rates. The advertised rates can easily be doubled or tripled for the best affiliates.

👉 See also: Best VPN Affiliate Programs

3 Gym EquipmentHome gyms surged in popularity during the pandemic, but there’s still a ton of demand as ever-more fitness enthusiasts realize the benefits of building their own home gym to work out without leaving the house.

Here’s the great thing about promoting gym equipment: once someone starts building a home gym, they’ll inevitably want to keep expanding it with new equipment and accessories. There’s lots of scope for repeat sales.

Why Promote Gym Equipment? Global monthly search volume: 163,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Horizon Fitness, Life Fitness, TRX Training, Titan Fitness * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10% per sale

While gym equipment commission rates are lower than in many niches, you’re promoting high-ticket products, so you can still earn a solid return from each sale. For instance, the suspension weight training equipment brand TRX has an average order value of $200+.

👉 See also: Best Fitness Affiliate Programs

4 GamingGaming has grown from a niche pursuit to a mainstream hobby in recent years. In 2022, there were an estimated 212 million gamers in the US, spending an average of $23.87 per month on video games.

Of course, games aren’t the only opportunity here.

Gaming products range from consoles to gaming laptops to peripherals to gaming chairs. There are even dedicated clothing brands and dating websites for gamers, so it’s an extremely diverse and lucrative market.

Why Promote Gaming Products? Global monthly search volume: 380,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Alienware, Nvidia, Razerware, Logitech * Average commission rate:* 1% – 5% for hardware, 10%+ for accessories

Gamers are prepared to pay top dollar for quality products, so although commission rates in the gaming industry are pretty low, there’s still solid earning potential. For instance, an Alienware gaming laptop will set you back at least $1,400. What’s more, the wealth of gaming products means there’s limitless cross-sell potential.

👉 See also: Best Gaming Affiliate Programs

5 Email ServicesEmail marketing software like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign allows marketers to reach their audiences and drive sales. It’s one of the most effective marketing channels, delivering an average return of $36 for every $1 spent, helping to fuel constant demand for email services.

Don’t worry if you’re not a B2B affiliate marketer because email products have broad appeal. You can sell email services to content creators, freelancers, and even other affiliates.

Why Promote Email Services? Global monthly search volume: 131,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: ActiveCampaign, MailerLite, MooSend, Constant Contact * Average commission rate:* 30%+ recurring

Most email marketing services offer recurring commissions, meaning you keep earning for as long as your referrals keep paying. You can earn $10+ per sale every single month. Even if an email marketing affiliate program doesn’t offer recurring commissions, it’ll almost certainly offer a substantial bounty payment instead—often as high as three figures.

👉 See also: Best Email Marketing Affiliate Programs

6 Accounting SoftwareBusinesses and freelancers spend a ton of time on dull, repetitive, low-value financial tasks like sending invoices and filing tax returns. So it’s no surprise many of them buy accounting software to do some of the legwork.

By 2030, the market for accounting software is expected to exceed $70 billion, so there’s a huge opportunity to make money here.

The industry is dominated by a handful of big brands with excellent brand awareness, which makes life easier for affiliates. It’s not hard to persuade people to buy from a household name like QuickBooks.

Why Promote Accounting Software? Global monthly search volume: 54,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top software affiliate programs: FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho * Average commission rate:* 10%+ per sale

Some accounting software affiliate programs pay recurring commissions, giving affiliates a share of ongoing subscription revenue. There are also a few pay-per-lead programs in the accounting niche, meaning you get paid even if your referrals don’t buy anything.

👉 See also: Tax Preparation Affiliate Programs

7 MattressesWe all enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep and are happy to pay for the privilege. That’s why mattresses are such an attractive affiliate product.

Case in point: in the US, queen-size innerspring mattresses sold for an average price of $1,050 in 2021. So, it’s easy to see why the global mattress market is expected to reach $73 billion by 2030.

The only downside is that mattresses have a long lifespan, so don’t expect many repeat purchases.

Why Promote Mattresses? Global monthly search volume: 613,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Spindle Mattress, DreamCloud, Bear Mattress, Nectar Sleep * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10% per sale

Mattresses are big-ticket products. A 10% commission rate could easily earn you $70+ from a single sale.

Want to learn more about the sleep industry? Check out our breakdown of this lucrative affiliate niche.

👉 See also: Best Mattress Affiliate Programs

8 Baby Care & ParentingKids are expensive. In fact, the average US family spends over $310,000 raising kids to the age of 18.

That helps to illustrate why baby care and parenting is one of our favorite affiliate niches.

Understandably, parents want the best for their little ones and are always looking for advice on products, so there’s a wealth of high-intent keywords to target in this niche. And with 267 babies born every minute, the target audience is huge.

Why Promote Baby Care & Parenting Products? Global monthly search volume: 96,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Newton Baby, Bloom Baby, Organic Baby Foods, BABYBJÖRN * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10% per sale

The baby and parenting niche offers the dream combination for any affiliate marketing business: high-ticket products and lots of repeat purchase potential. Products like cots and strollers are expensive, and parents need a constant supply of essentials like baby food, clothes, diapers, and more.

👉 See also: Best Baby Products Affiliate Programs

9 Home AutomationFrom TVs and fridges to washing machines and security and surveillance equipment, an increasing number of household products can be connected to the internet and automated to make our lives easier — so much so that revenue in the smart home market surpassed $117 billion in 2022.

The industry is huge, and it’s only just getting started: by 2028, more than one-quarter of households will incorporate some form of home automation technology.

Why Promote Home Automation Products? Global monthly search volume: 41,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Kuna, Lenovo, Logitech, Revo * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10% per sale

Some home automation products can be bundled with subscriptions, giving you an attractive upsell opportunity. For instance, Kuna charges a monthly fee of $5+ for its premium home security service.

👉 See also: Best Home Security Affiliate Programs

10 Pet CarePet owners are prepared to spend anything on pet care products to keep our animal friends happy — and when they immediately get bored of their latest fancy toy or luxury treat, we’ll buy them a different one.

US pet owners dropped over $100 billion on their furry, feathered, and scaly friends in 2020 alone, including $42 billion on pet food and $22 billion on accessories and medicines.

There’s also a growing demand for pet supplies like food, collars, leashes, bedding, and medicine, not to mention emerging product lines like dog GPS trackers and CBD pet products.

Why Promote Pet Care Products? Global monthly search volume: 21,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Petco Supplies, Holista Pet, Ollie, Chewy * Average commission rate:* 5% – 20%

Like the baby care and parenting niche, pet products like food and medicine are frequent purchases, representing lots of repeat buying potential. There’s also a growing number of pet subscription services like BarkBox that pay recurring commissions.

Many pet products also have high margins, leaving companies room to pay high commissions to affiliates.

👉 See also: Best Pet Affiliate Programs

11 Online EducationThe days when learning a new skill meant sitting in a dusty night school classroom are long behind us. Today, there are online courses for everything from art history to zookeeping, with the global e-learning market expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2027.

One of the best things about the online education niche is that you can target two distinct audiences: people looking to acquire a new skill and teachers who want to sell their online courses. More audiences mean more potential sales.

Why Promote Online Courses? Global monthly search volume: 82,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Coursera, Teachable, Thinkific, Udemy * Average commission rate:* 10% – 20% per sale

Some programs in the online education space — including Teachable and Thinkific — pay recurring commissions. For instance, with Thinkific, you can theoretically earn up to $1,700 per year when someone buys via your affiliate link.

That’s why education is the most profitable affiliate niche. The average monthly earnings are more than $15,500, according to our affiliate marketing statistics.

👉 See also: Best Education Affiliate Programs

12 InsuranceInsurance is a classic evergreen niche. It’s always in demand because it’s essential for many elements of our lives, from driving to health to travel.

By 2025, the global insurance industry will be worth a massive $6.4 trillion — higher than the GDPs of any country bar the US and China. The diversity of products also means there’s a vast target audience for insurance-related affiliate sales.

Why Promote Insurance Products? Global monthly search volume: 653,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Lemonade, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Allianz * Average commission rate:* $10 – $30 per lead

Many insurance providers run pay-per-lead affiliate programs that reward you for actions like form submissions rather than sales, so there’s the potential to earn commissions without having to close the deal yourself.

👉 See also: Best Insurance Affiliate Programs

13 JewelryWhether you’re promoting cheap costume jewelry or marquise diamonds, jewelry is very much a luxury purchase.

Yet demand is still exceptionally high. And so are sales, with the global jewelry industry expected to be worth over $480 billion by 2030.

Most jewelry is purchased as a gift for someone else, so while there’s demand throughout the year, you can expect big spikes in sales around events like Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

Why Promote Jewelry Products? Global monthly search volume: 550,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: James Allen, Blue Nile Jewelry, Etsy, Angara * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10%

At the upper end of the market, jewelry products carry big price tags. So, despite the comparatively low commission rates, you could still be raking in $50+ per sale (if your audience has the money).

👉 See also: Best Jewelry Affiliate Programs

14 SupplementsSupplements are incredibly popular – more than 86% of Americans take them. That’s why there are supplements for everything from health to joint pain to sleep. There are even supplements for dogs, cats, and other pets.

This massive target audience explains why the global dietary supplements industry will reach almost $330 billion by 2030.

Why Promote Supplements? Global monthly search volume: 104,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Rootine, Life Extension, Bulk Supplements, The Vitamin Shoppe * Average commission rate:* 10% – 20%

For most customers, supplements are a recurring purchase — they won’t buy them once and then give up. This allows you to earn multiple commissions from the same customer. Some supplement brands also offer a subscription model, opening the door to higher commission rates and recurring commissions.

👉 See also: Best Supplements Affiliate Programs

15 TravelTravel is an enormous niche. Global spending on leisure travel is closing in on $3 trillion, and most people travel at least once every year.

That gives you the opportunity to “niche down” by specializing in one tiny corner of the travel industry, such as business travel, family vacations, cheap flights, or luggage.

And you’ll need to find a sub-niche, because the travel industry is highly competitive. From first-time bloggers to massive media brands, it seems like everyone wants to promote travel destinations and their favorite travel and tourism companies.

Why Promote Travel Products? Global monthly search volume: 595,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Viator, Travelpayouts * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10%

There are plenty of opportunities for cross-selling in the travel niche. Someone booking a vacation might need flights, accommodation, car hire, luggage, clothes, insurance, and much more. With so many different products to recommend, you can earn substantial revenue by referring just a few people to all of these different vendors.

Travel was also the second-most profitable niche in our affiliate marketing survey, earning more than $13,000 per month.

👉 See also: Best Travel Affiliate Programs

16 FashionYou don’t need to be an avid Vogue reader to care about the fashion industry — after all, everyone needs clothes and shoes.

And because fashion trends come and go in the glimpse of an eye, shoppers are always searching for advice and inspiration on what’s hot. All of this makes the fashion niche a potential high-earner for your affiliate marketing website.

Just be sure you know what you’re talking about — fashionistas can spot a faker a mile off.

Why Promote Fashion Products? Global monthly search volume: 511,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Zappos, PrettyLittleThing, SHEIN, RewardStyle * Average commission rate:* 5% – 20% per sale

While traditional fashion purchases are a one-and-done transaction, there are also plenty of fashion subscription box brands, offering the potential to earn recurring commissions in the fashion niche.

👉 See also: Best Fashion Affiliate Programs

17 Financial ProductsFinancial products are used in many niches, from budget planning to loans and credit cards to stocks, shares, and crypto trading.

Therefore, you don’t need an audience full of Wall Street Journal readers to promote financial affiliate programs — they’re relevant to pretty much anyone. And there’s huge earning potential here, with the consumer finance industry valued at well over $1 trillion in 2022.

Why Promote Financial Products? Global monthly search volume: 1.2 million (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: Robinhood, Wise, Coinbase, Credit Karma, Augusta * Average commission rate:* $10 – $50 per lead, 5% – 50% per sale

The financial niche offers various payment models, including plenty of pay-per-lead options that offer commissions without forcing you to close the deal. Meanwhile, some trading platforms pay lifetime commissions on qualified trades, meaning a single customer could net you thousands of dollars.

👉 See also: Best Financial Affiliate Programs

18 OutdoorFrom occasional campers to hardcore runners, the outdoors industry encompasses a wide range of audiences and sub-niches. So, you don’t need to be a veteran mountaineer to generate affiliate sales in this niche.

Whether your audience is interested in family activities, walking holidays, or any other part of the outdoor niche, there’s big money to be made here, with the global market for outdoor gear and equipment set to reach $72 billion in 2028.

Why Promote Outdoor Products? Global monthly search volume: 28,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: REI, Backcountry, Patagonia, North Face * Average commission rate:* 5% – 10% per sale

From walking boots to camping gear to mountaineering equipment, there’s no shortage of high-ticket products in the outdoors niche. And once customers have been bitten by the outdoors bug, they invariably spend more and more on products, giving you the chance to earn repeat commissions from your audience.

👉 See also: Best Outdoor Affiliate Programs

19 PhotographyIt’s fair to say photography is one of the more expensive hobbies. A comprehensive photography kit for beginners could easily run $2,000+, while a high-end mirrorless camera costs even more.

With so many products to choose from and technical jargon to decode, amateur enthusiasts are hungry for expert advice — which is fantastic news for any affiliate marketer who knows their aperture from their elbow.

Why Promote Photography Products? Global monthly search volume: 449,000 (per Ahrefs) * Top affiliate programs: B&H Photo Video, GoPro, Adobe, Adorama * Average commission rate:* 2% – 10% for hardware and accessories

Many photography products are big-ticket items. So, while commission rates in the photography niche are pretty low (just like for all consumer electronics products), you can still earn decent money from a single sale.

Photographers also need many other products, from stands and lights to bags and editing software, offering tons of cross-sell potential. And speaking of software, some of those affiliate programs pay recurring commissions.

👉 See also: Best Photography Affiliate Programs


How to Find the Best Affiliate Marketing ProductsGreat affiliate products share a few common characteristics:

  • Genuinely good products
  • High commissions
  • Much of your audience is interested in it
  • Excellent sales page

Bonus points if it’s an urgent product that someone needs immediately, making them more likely to buy. For instance, no one’s browsing for the best car insurance deals for fun; they need to purchase a new policy.

Now you know how to qualify the best affiliate marketing products, use these tips to track them down:

Look for In-Demand ProductsPromoting products that people already want to buy is easier — there’s less work required to close the deal.

Fortunately, there are lots of tools to help you find top-selling products in lucrative niches. For instance, EverBee shows you the highest sellers on Etsy related to a given keyword:

Or simply search for any keyword on Amazon and filter the results by “best sellers”:

Find Growing TrendsFinding niche products on the cusp of mainstream success is a dream for affiliate marketers.

Getting in on trends early can reward you with more attractive terms, like higher commissions, longer cookie durations, and volume-based bonuses. So, it’s no surprise that marketers who choose products based on market research earn 47.16% more than those relying on commissions or personal experience.

In our experience, the best way to identify growing trends is to look at related topics and queries in Google Trends rising topics, which can be found at the bottom of any Trends page.

Take golf clubs as an example:

New models are typically released in January, so golf affiliates can check out rising trends at the start of the year to steal a march on competitors who rely on keyword tools, which take a few months to update.

Dig Into Forums and CommunitiesAffiliate marketers are often happy to share their insights on forums and community pages.

There are thousands of threads and discussions dedicated to the best affiliate products in countless niches in common locations like:

  • Facebook groups
  • Subreddits
  • Discord communities
  • YouTube comments sections

Be sure to look out for niche-specific communities, such as DogForum, for pet product recommendations.

Search By HashtagAn ever-growing number of shoppers use social media for buying advice and product inspiration, so try searching by hashtags on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to find recommendations in your niche:

Research Your CompetitorsDon’t fancy doing all the legwork yourself? Learn from the affiliate marketing efforts of other sites in your niche.

If they’re all promoting the same product, that’s a good sign that it sells well and offers attractive terms.

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The rapid proliferation of AI has brought about new and concerning dangers. In an attempt to mitigate the harmful aspects of AI, governments worldwide are responding with various laws and regulations.

To understand the public’s concerns and expectations about governmental AI regulation, we surveyed 2,000 US residents and performed an in-depth analysis of the regulatory landscape across 195 countries.

By examining the effectiveness of current measures and gauging the desire for stricter regulations, our research seeks to provide valuable insights that can inform policymakers, industry leaders, and the public as we navigate this uncharted territory.

Why We Conducted This StudyWe performed this research to understand two things:

  • How governments are progressing with AI regulations
  • How the public wants governments to react to the growing perils of AI

This survey is in response to the growing risks of AI.

Some perils are already occurring – such as using AI to scam people, create inappropriate deepfakes, and spread disinformation – while other potential threats lay on the horizon, including widespread job loss, autonomous weapons, and uncontrollable self-aware AI.

As a result, calls for governmental regulation of AI have come from many sectors – including leaders in AI development.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said of AI, “I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong… We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening.” And Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “Congress should engage with AI to support innovation and safeguards.”

Governments have responded with varying degrees of urgency.

The European Parliament is leading the charge with their recent passage of the AI Act – the world’s first major set of regulatory ground rules to govern artificial intelligence.

The UN, led by the United States, adopted its first resolution on AI shortly after, though President Biden is yet to make progress in Congress despite pushing for regulations.

This environment of fear, uncertainty, and disjointed government response prompted us to investigate how US residents feel about governmental regulation of AI.

Most Americans Want Strict AI RegulationsOur survey revealed a significant level of concern and a desire for stricter AI regulations.

A striking 79.8% of respondents believed governments should implement strict AI regulations, even if it means slowing down technological innovation. This highlights the public’s prioritization of safety and ethical considerations over rapid advancement.

When asked about the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks in managing AI risks, 55.5% of respondents considered them effective, with only 14.55% regarding them as “very effective.” This suggests that while some progress has been made, there is still room for improvement in the eyes of the public.

Furthermore, 82.3% of respondents expressed support for either international standards (41.35%) or a mix of international standards and local laws (40.95%) in AI regulation, emphasizing the need for a coordinated global approach.

Privacy emerged as a major concern, with 82.45% of respondents expressing unease about the use of personal data in training AI systems. This figure rose to an alarming 91.96% among respondents in the IT and software industries, with 48.28% indicating the highest level of concern. This underscores the urgent need for robust data protection measures and transparency in AI development.

Lastly, an overwhelming 83.9% of respondents believed that AI companies should pay royalties for copyrighted content used in training AI models. This sentiment reflects the growing debate around intellectual property rights and reveals a desire for creators to receive fair compensation in the age of AI.

AI Regulation Analysis – Current State of the WorldOur analysis reveals that nearly two-thirds of the world’s countries are actively working on regulating AI, with differing levels of progress.

To categorize countries’ progress on AI regulation, we developed a four-tier system:

  • Comprehensive Regulation Enacted: Countries that have fully developed, enacted, and implemented comprehensive AI regulations. These regulations are broad, covering ethical concerns, privacy, transparency, security, and the societal impact of AI. This level signifies the highest degree of regulatory development.
  • Active Regulatory Development: Countries with legislation in progress or those with frameworks or guidelines established. It includes nations actively working towards creating, revising, or finalizing AI-specific laws, as well as those that have set non-binding principles, frameworks, or guidelines to guide AI development and use.
  • Initial Regulatory Efforts: Countries that have recognized the need for AI regulation and have begun preliminary efforts, such as research, stakeholder consultations, or the formation of advisory committees. This category highlights an early stage of engagement without substantial legal or formal guidelines.
  • No AI Regulation: Countries that have not made discernible efforts towards AI regulation, either due to a lack of action, absence of information, or reliance solely on existing laws that do not specifically address AI.

Of 195 countries, 32 have already enacted comprehensive AI regulations, while 29 are actively working on implementing and finalizing laws. 53 countries are in the initial or drafting stages of their own AI-related regulations.

The European Union and China have taken the lead in AI regulation, albeit with different objectives.

The EU’s AI Act prioritizes minimizing social harms through a comprehensive, risk-based approach, while China’s regulations focus on reasserting state control over information.

Neither approach is likely to favor AI innovation, presenting a challenge for other nations to develop their own unique strategies that balance innovation, safety, and ethical considerations.

The United States and the United Kingdom are currently in the stage of active regulatory development.

The UK government plans on targeted legislative interventions to address gaps in the current regulatory landscape, particularly concerning complex general-purpose AI systems.

In the US, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to protect Americans from the potential risks of AI systems.

However, a broader US response hasn’t come to fruition. While some US agencies have completed short-term actions and advanced longer-term directives, the progress of proposed bills in Congress remains uncertain.

Implications of StudyOur survey results show that Americans want strict, comprehensive, and globally coordinated AI regulations. Policymakers and industry leaders must address these concerns and create frameworks that ensure safety, privacy, and ethics while still allowing for innovation.

Our analysis of current AI regulations found that progress is being made, but much work remains. Only 32 out of 195 countries have comprehensive AI laws, meaning most nations are just starting to tackle this critical issue. The lack of a unified global approach makes it hard to ensure consistent standards and reduce risks.

The study also underscores the need for international collaboration in AI regulation. As AI crosses borders, countries must work together to establish global standards and best practices. This requires open communication, sharing knowledge, and a commitment to addressing AI challenges cooperatively.

AI Regulation Findings: Country-By-CountryHere are our complete findings from our analysis of 195 countries:

| Country | AI Regulation Status | More Information | | --- | --- | --- | | Andorra | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | EU’s comprehensive AI law known as the Artificial Intelligence Act. | | Austria | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Comprehensive AI strategy aiming for human-centric AI. | | Belgium | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI strategy focusing on technological impact, social and economic benefits, and ethical aspects. | | Benin | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Adopted a national strategy for AI and megadata. | | Brazil | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Comprehensive legal framework for AI, including LGPD and the National AI Strategy. | | Bulgaria | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI strategy focusing on infrastructure, research capacity, and building trust in society. | | Canada | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Introduced the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), focusing on preventing harm and biased outputs. | | China | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services, shaping multilateral AI governance frameworks. | | Cyprus | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI strategy approved by the Council of Ministers, focusing on talent, research, and ethical AI. | | Denmark | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Published its national AI strategy focusing on economic growth and responsible AI development. | | Estonia | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Over 80 AI use-cases in government, approved its second national AI strategy with significant investment. | | Finland | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Over 80 AI use-cases in government, approved its second national AI strategy focusing on societal challenges. | | Germany | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed a comprehensive national AI strategy, ratified the EU AI Act. | | Hungary | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed its National AI Strategy focusing on various aspects including education and regulatory frameworks. | | Ireland | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed National AI Strategy including an AI Standards & Assurance Roadmap, aligning with the EU AI Act. | | Japan | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Actively regulating AI, including guidelines for AI ethics and safety. | | Jordan | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed an AI Strategy and Implementation Roadmap for 2023-2027, focusing on capacity-building and scientific research. | | Latvia | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI strategy aiming to promote AI uptake and growth, focusing on education and legal frameworks. | | Liechtenstein | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Implemented comprehensive AI regulations including the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act. | | Lithuania | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed National AI Strategy focusing on research, education, innovation, and ethical AI deployment. | | Luxembourg | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI Strategy aiming to position the country as a leading digital society, focusing on research and ethical framework. | | Malta | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National AI Strategy aiming for leadership in AI, focusing on investment, innovation, and adoption. | | Monaco | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Implemented UNESCO recommendations on AI ethics, focusing on ethical AI deployment. | | Netherlands | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Analyzed the EU draft AI Act and its overlap with existing regulations. | | Norway | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence focusing on ethical principles. | | Poland | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Adopted its national AI strategy “AI Poland 2030” focusing on education and specialization. | | Qatar | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Qatar has enacted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. | | Romania | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National Strategic Framework for Artificial Intelligence focusing on reliable infrastructure and trustworthy AI. | | Saudi Arabia | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence focusing on research, innovation, and ethical AI adoption. | | Singapore | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Singapore has launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to establish Singapore as a leader in developing and deploying scalable, impactful AI solutions. | | South Korea | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | Developed and enacted comprehensive AI regulations, expected to take effect soon. | | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Comprehensive Regulation Enacted | AI Strategy 2031 aims to become a world leader in AI, aligning with UAE Centennial 2071. | | Albania | Active Regulatory Development | EU accession negotiations with Albania includes discussions on AI regulations. | | Australia | Active Regulatory Development | Intention to regulate AI, considering AI risk classifications. | | Bangladesh | Active Regulatory Development | Developing national AI strategy for social and economic growth. | | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Active Regulatory Development | Progress toward EU accession, European Commission recommends opening EU accession negotiations. | | Chile | Active Regulatory Development | Discussing a Bill for incorporating legal and ethical considerations into AI development. | | Costa Rica | Active Regulatory Development | Legislators introduced a bill to regulate AI, emphasizing transparency, privacy, and data security. | | El Salvador | Active Regulatory Development | Passed a bill exempting AI companies from certain taxes to attract tech companies. | | France | Active Regulatory Development | Agreed to ratify the EU’s AI Act, marking a breakthrough in the regulation of AI technologies in Europe. | | Georgia | Active Regulatory Development | Debating specific AI legislation, recognizing the significance of AI. | | Haiti | Active Regulatory Development | Facing political challenges, but EU approved comprehensive AI legislation applies based on risk categories. | | Iceland | Active Regulatory Development | Published its National AI Strategy focusing on AI ethics and societal challenges. | | India | Active Regulatory Development | Oscillates between non-regulatory and cautious approaches, considering the Digital India Act for AI regulation. | | Italy | Active Regulatory Development | Draft AI strategy focusing on education, research, ethical frameworks, and public services. | | New Zealand | Active Regulatory Development | New Zealand has introduced its Model Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework and is partnering with the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. | | Peru | Active Regulatory Development | Introduced a bill for AI use and regulation, focusing on ethical advancements. | | Philippines | Active Regulatory Development | House Bill No. 7396 aims to promote the development and regulation of AI. | | Portugal | Active Regulatory Development | Presented “AI Portugal 2030” to foster AI use in public and private sectors. | | Russia | Active Regulatory Development | Implemented a special legal framework for AI in Moscow, with concerns on military AI due to brain drain. | | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Active Regulatory Development | UNESCO Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Initiative which aims to develop a sub-regional strategy on the ethical, inclusive and humane use of AI in the Caribbean SIDS. | | Serbia | Active Regulatory Development | Adopted Ethics Guidelines for AI, shaping its AI policy and governance framework. | | Slovakia | Active Regulatory Development | Aiming to build a trustworthy AI ecosystem as part of its digital transformation strategy. | | Slovenia | Active Regulatory Development | Developing a National Programme promoting AI development and use by 2025. | | Spain | Active Regulatory Development | Prepared its market for EU AI regulation, aiming to finalize the AI Act. | | Sweden | Active Regulatory Development | Proposed a Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI. | | Switzerland | Active Regulatory Development | Taking a cautious approach to AI regulations, likely to follow EU regulations. | | Turkey | Active Regulatory Development | Turkey has proposed a National AI Strategy (2021-2025), focusing on research, talent development, education, ethics, standards, and infrastructure. | | Ukraine | Active Regulatory Development | Leading AI innovators, supporting growth without over-regulation. | | United Kingdom | Active Regulatory Development | Proposed a Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI, leading in private investment in AI. | | United States of America | Active Regulatory Development | Biden-Harris Administration strengthening AI safety, security, privacy, and civil rights. | | Algeria | Initial Regulatory Efforts | National strategy on research and innovation in AI. | | Angola | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Regulation on the Law on Video Surveillance, need for further AI regulation development. | | Antigua and Barbuda | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Active work on AI strategies and policies, UNESCO Caribbean AI Initiative. | | Argentina | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Lacks specific AI legislation but adheres to the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. | | Armenia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Active technology ecosystem, comprehensive national AI policies still evolving. | | Azerbaijan | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Preparing legal framework for AI use, working on policies and initiatives. | | Bahamas | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Data Protection Act addresses AI risks related to data privacy. | | Bahrain | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Active work on AI strategy, focusing on economic growth using AI. | | Barbados | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Hosted consultation on the draft Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. | | Belarus | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Follows current legislation for AI activities, ESA-AI operates within legal framework. | | Bhutan | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Recognizes AI’s potential for development, encouraging AI research labs. | | Bolivia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Exploring AI’s potential, specific regulations not yet established. | | Brunei | Initial Regulatory Efforts | High rank in Government AI Readiness Index, focusing on data and infrastructure. | | Cabo Verde | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Advancing digital development and connectivity, promoting Internet access and digital transformation. | | Cambodia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Embracing AI and digital transformation, interest in AI adoption across businesses. | | Colombia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Launched an Ethical Framework for AI, advancing in trustworthy AI development. | | Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) | Initial Regulatory Efforts | ARCAI aims to advance research through AI with a human-centered approach. | | Côte d’Ivoire | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Limited information on specific AI regulation, actively working on digital development. | | Croatia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Working on its national AI strategy, focusing on ethical, legal, and macro development aspects. | | Cuba | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Scientific community with relevant AI research, developing a strategy for AI. | | Czechia (Czech Republic) | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Actively working on AI governance, part of EU’s efforts to regulate AI. | | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Establishing the first African AI Research Centre, collaboration with UNIDO and ITU. | | Dominican Republic | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Actively working on its AI strategy, aiming to exploit AI technologies for development. | | Ecuador | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Recognizes AI’s potential in healthcare, security, and environmental protection, preparing with connectivity and tech. | | Egypt | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Adapting to AI complexities, existing laws indirectly govern aspects of AI. | | Eswatini (fmr. “Swaziland”) | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Finalizing a draft national AI policy to promote responsible and sustainable AI implementation. | | Ethiopia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Ministry finalizing a draft national AI policy to create an environment for AI innovation. | | Ghana | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Debating the need for AI legislation, focusing on potential inequality and machine errors. | | Greece | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Developing a comprehensive policy document to regulate AI use, focusing on ethical and cultural aspects. | | Guyana | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Exploring the AI revolution, launching a national digital transformation strategy. | | Holy See (Vatican) | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Released an AI ethics handbook in partnership with Santa Clara University. | | Indonesia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Evolving AI policies, National AI Strategy addressing challenges in various sectors. | | Israel | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Unveiled a comprehensive policy on AI regulation and ethics, addressing challenges and fostering innovation. | | Jamaica | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Forming an AI Task Force to develop a National AI Policy, recognizing the need for responsible innovation. | | Kazakhstan | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Defining legal AI definitions, aiming to develop AI framework based on globally accepted approaches. | | Lebanon | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Developing a national strategy on AI to safeguard fundamental rights. | | Malawi | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Preparing to harness AI for development, existing policies like PDPA can serve as foundation. | | Malaysia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | No specific AI regulations, relying on existing policies like PDPA for ethical AI use. | | Mauritius | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Published an Artificial Intelligence Strategy, exploring AI adoption and aiming for a balance between innovation and regulation. | | Mexico | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Lacks specific AI regulations, utilizing AI in various sectors. | | Mongolia | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Receiving a boost in AI development, aiming to promote AI and marketing synergies. | | Morocco | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Implementing UNESCO recommendations on AI ethics, working on AI development. | | Nigeria | Initial Regulatory Efforts | General and sector-specific laws apply, with data privacy relevant for AI. | | Rwanda | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Launched Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Initiative for ethical and inclusive use of AI. | | Senegal | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Working on AI governance, part of the global conversation on regulating AI. | | South Africa | Initial Regulatory Efforts | South Africa has not yet formalized any policy documents or entered bills to parliament for the regulation of AI. However, the country has appointed a Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to position South Africa as a competitive global player in the digital industrial revolution. | | Tajikistan | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Aiming for 1% of GDP from AI by 2026, forming an AI Council to contribute to long-term development. | | Thailand | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Proposed Draft Royal Decree on Business Operations that Use Artificial Intelligence System. | | Trinidad and Tobago | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Exploring ways to establish a dedicated task force for AI strategies and policies. | | Uganda | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Presented a national roadmap for AI regulation, balancing innovation and security. | | Uruguay | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Substantial progress in AI readiness, developing an AI Strategy for the Digital Government. | | Uzbekistan | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Council to develop a National AI Strategy. | | Vietnam | Initial Regulatory Efforts | Proposed National Strategy on AI (2021-2030). | | Afghanistan | No AI Regulation | NATO Review’s article on An Artificial Intelligence Strategy for NATO outlines NATO’s approach to AI adoption and use. | | Belize | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Botswana | No AI Regulation | Open to AI’s potential for development, specifics not widely documented. | | Burkina Faso | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Burundi | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Cameroon | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Central African Republic | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Chad | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Comoros | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Djibouti | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Dominica | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Equatorial Guinea | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Eritrea | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Fiji | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Gabon | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Gambia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Grenada | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Guatemala | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Guinea | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Guinea-Bissau | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Honduras | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Iran | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Iraq | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Kenya | No AI Regulation | Relies on existing laws like the Data Protection Act of 2019 for AI-related issues. | | Kiribati | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Kuwait | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Kyrgyzstan | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Laos | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Lesotho | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Liberia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Libya | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Madagascar | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Maldives | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Mali | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Marshall Islands | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Mauritania | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Micronesia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Moldova | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Montenegro | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Mozambique | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Myanmar (formerly Burma) | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Namibia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Nauru | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Nepal | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Nicaragua | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Niger | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | North Korea | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | North Macedonia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Oman | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Pakistan | No AI Regulation | Existing laws address aspects related to AI and cybersecurity. | | Palau | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Palestine State | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Panama | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Papua New Guinea | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Paraguay | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Saint Lucia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Samoa | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | San Marino | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Sao Tome and Principe | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Seychelles | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Sierra Leone | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Solomon Islands | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Somalia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | South Sudan | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Sri Lanka | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Sudan | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Suriname | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Syria | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Tanzania | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Timor-Leste | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Togo | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Tonga | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Tunisia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Turkmenistan | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Tuvalu | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Vanuatu | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Venezuela | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Yemen | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Zambia | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. | | Zimbabwe | No AI Regulation | No specific information on AI regulation. |

Methodology 🧪 How did we get these numbers and data?

To gauge public sentiment on AI regulations, we conducted a survey of 2,000 individuals in the United States, aged 18-55. The survey focused on five key areas:

  • Effectiveness of current AI regulations
  • Need for stricter measures
  • Importance of international standards
  • Privacy concerns
  • Royalties for copyrighted material used in AI training.

To categorize each country’s progress on AI regulation, we identified four categories of progress:

  • Comprehensive Regulation Enacted
  • Active Regulatory Development
  • Initial Regulatory Efforts
  • No AI Regulation

We then reviewed each country’s recent legislative achievements and upcoming priorities to see where each ranked in this framework.

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Forex affiliate programs are the perfect way to turn your knowledge of finance and trading into a consistent passive income stream.

With high commission rates, revenue-sharing, and multi-tier commissions, there’s a big opportunity to earn money in the forex niche.

At Authority Hacker, we’ve built high-performing affiliate websites in countless niches, so we know how to spot attractive affiliate programs.

To help you maximize your earning potential, we’ve analyzed the top forex brokers and trading platforms to bring you a definitive list of the 12 best forex affiliate programs.

Forex Affiliate Programs 1. Vantage 2. AvaTrade 3. Exness 4. Admiral Markets 5. XM 6. RoboForex 7. Eightcap Partners 8. FxPro 9. XTB 10. eToro 11. BlackBull 12. easyMarkets

1 VantageVantage is a global CFD broker that allows clients to trade 1,000+ products across forex, commodities, stocks, and more. The platform has over 900,000 clients and a monthly traded volume north of $200 billion.

As a forex trading platform, Vantage gives customers access to 40+ currency pairs through its liquid global foreign exchange markets. Clients can start trading with $0 deposit fees and buy or sell any time, anywhere via Vantage’s trading platform and mobile app.

Members of Vantage’s forex affiliate program include fund managers, signal providers, influencers, and website owners from more than 150 countries.

The platform’s traditional CPA affiliate program, designed for affiliate marketers, pays up to $800 for successful referrals. It also runs an introducing broker program, aimed at anyone with a strong trader audience, which pays up to an $8 rebate for referred traders.

Either way, you get a 30-day cookie window in which to close the deal.

Vantage pays $5+ million in monthly commissions, so there’s plenty of earning potential here.

  • URL: Vantage affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $800 CPA per referral
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: CFD trading
  • Payment methods: Wire transfer or direct to your trading account
  • Market(s): Multiple

2 AvaTradeA highly trusted global CFD and forex trading platform, AvaTrade offers trading websites in 20+ languages and is regulated across nine jurisdictions, including the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission.

Over one million returning clients use AvaTrade to take advantage of 1,250+ trading instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, stocks, commodities, and indices.

Users can choose from a whole suite of desktop, tablet, mobile, and web-based trading platforms, including the hugely popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, and the proprietary AvaTradeGO mobile app.

Unfortunately, AvaTrade is tight-lipped about the financial specifics of its forex affiliate marketing program, but it offers a lifetime cookie window and promises the “most competitive commission structures in the industry”. To date, AvaTrade has paid $250+ million in commissions.

AvaPartner affiliates can leverage three different payment models:

  • CPA
  • RevShare
  • Hybrid commission

To help you drive clicks and conversions, AvaTrade provides a library of affiliate marketing tools and educational resources and employs multilingual sales and retention teams.

  • URL: AvaTrade affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Lifetime
  • Products/Services sold: CFD and forex trading
  • Payment methods: Wire transfer, PayPal, Moneybookers, WebMoney, Neteller, Ava Debit Card, or directly into your trading account
  • Market(s): Global

3 ExnessExness is a trusted CFD, crypto, and forex broker regulated by the likes of the UK’s FCA and South Africa’s FSCA.

The brokerage is highly regarded for its ultra-low trading fees and choice of trading platforms (including MetaTrader and two proprietary alternatives). It’s also highly accessible, allowing traders to get started with a minimum first-time deposit of just $10.

Exness runs one of the highest-paying forex trading affiliate programs on the market, offering up to $1,850 for each referred user who becomes an active client, with extra bonuses for top performers.

While it isn’t a global affiliate program, Exness does accept traffic from more than 130 countries, which is a big plus for any forex affiliate marketer with an international audience.

Another attractive feature of the Exness affiliate program: it offers daily payments, whereas most other programs make you wait at least a month to get hold of your earnings.

Exness also provides various marketing materials to help you attract clients.

  • URL: Exness affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $1,850 for successful referrals
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

4 Admiral MarketsAdmiral Markets enables clients to trade and invest in more than 8,000 markets, including 80+ CFDs on currency pairs.

Traders can take advantage of the platform’s tight spreads, fast deposits and withdrawals, and choice of trading platforms — MetaTrader 5 and the browser-based WebTrader.

A popular choice among newbie traders, Admiral offers a wealth of educational tools, including videos explaining the basics of forex trading and a free demo account to practice with.

Admiral Markets pays forex affiliates commissions of up to $600 for each referred client.

To help you turn more clicks into sales, Admiral provides a suite of marketing tools, including conversion-optimized banners, widgets, email templates, and landing pages. You’ll also get access to a dedicated account manager to guide your strategy and answer questions.

  • URL: Admiral Markets affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $600 per referral
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Forex brokers
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

5 XMSign up for XM to trade forex, CFDs on stocks and metals, and access over 1,000 trading instruments, all of which are compatible with the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms.

Forex traders can choose from more than 50 currency pairs — including majors, crosses, and exotics — and enjoy tight spreads and no requotes.

The regulated forex broker offers a host of tools to help clients discover their next trading opportunity. Study advanced charts, analyze 90+ trading indicators, and get free access to forex market research and daily forex webinars.

XM’s CPA program pays up to $650 when you refer clients who sign up and make a deposit, with no maximum payments. Not only that, but high-volume affiliates earn up to $10,500 in bonuses. All commissions are paid weekly.

Forex affiliates and independent brokers in more than 190 countries have signed up for the XM affiliate program. This program offers access to a personal account manager and promotional resources in over 25 languages, making it a fantastic choice for affiliates with global audiences.

  • URL: XM affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $650 CPA
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Forex market and CFD trading
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

6 RoboForexWith 0% commissions, instant withdrawals, and a choice of eight asset classes, RoboForex offers a simple, reliable way to invest in financial markets.

Clients can buy and sell more than 40 currency pairs, with tight spreads and execution speeds as fast as 0.1 seconds. They can trade through MetaTrader 4 and 5 or the proprietary MobileTrader and StocksTrader platforms.

Whereas most forex broker affiliate programs pay fixed cash commissions, RoboForex rewards you with a percentage-based revenue share scheme.

It actually has two different forex affiliate programs.

The first, a traditional affiliate marketing program, offers an attractive revenue share of up to 70% and has a built-in “loyalty program” that pays up to 20% more based on monthly revenue generated.

RoboForex also runs a multi-level “expert” affiliate program, which pays a flat 35% revenue share on direct referrals plus 10%—20% of commissions earned by any affiliate marketers you recruit. This program is perfect for affiliates with big networks who want to build a significant passive income stream.

Both programs offer daily payments.

  • URL: RoboForex affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Revenue share up to 70%; up to 20% bonus through their loyalty program
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

7 Eightcap PartnersEightcap is a leading CFD provider, offering clients access to 800+ trading instruments with low spreads and zero commissions.

One of the platform’s most exciting features is its AI-powered economic calendar, which uses a custom, AI-powered big data engine to help users unearth trading ideas based on over 1,000 macro-economic events. Its user-friendly visualizations make it easy (or, at least, easier) to understand the likely repercussions of daily developments from across the world’s financial markets.

Like many of the best forex affiliate programs, Eightcap doesn’t publish too many finer details about its affiliate terms, but it does tout commissions of $6 per lot plus additional revenue share earnings.

The platform boasts an impressive 40% conversion rate, so almost half of the people you refer will end up opening an account with Eightcap.

It also has a dedicated program for social media influencers. So, if you have a big following on one or more social media platforms, Eightcap could be the affiliate partner you’ve been looking for.

  • URL: Eightcap Partners affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $6 per lot plus revenue share
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Forex and CFD trading
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

8 FxProFxPro claims to be the world’s top forex broker. With 20+ years of experience, a client base spanning over 170 countries, and more than 105 international awards, it might have a point.

Amateur and professional traders alike can use the platform to trade CFDs on 70+ currency pairs while enjoying rapid order executions and tight spreads.

What’s more, the FxPro mobile app—with over five million downloads—allows users to trade on the go and benefit from the platform’s ultra-low-latency trading infrastructure.

FxPro’s forex affiliate program pays up to 55% of spread revenue, allowing affiliates to earn as much as $1,100 for referring new clients.

To help you out, you’ll get access to a host of exclusive marketing materials, including website banners and widgets.

Just bear in mind that you’ll need an active FxPro account to take part in this affiliate program.

  • URL: FxPro affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 55% of spread revenue
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Forex brokers
  • Payment methods: Wire transfer, FxPro wallet
  • Market(s): Multiple

9 XTBXTB is a leading European CFD and forex broker with 847,000+ clients. It offers more than 5,500 trading instruments, including forex, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

The platform prides itself on its array of educational assets. Whether you’re a seasoned forex trader or a total newcomer, use XTB’s video library to further your knowledge and (hopefully) make more successful trades and investments.

XTB’s standard forex affiliate program pays up to $600 CPA for every client who creates an account after clicking your unique affiliate link.

Alternatively, affiliate marketers outside the EU region can take advantage of the Spreadshare model, which pays a flat 20% commission on all non-European client referrals.

Whatever model you choose, you’ll have access to a dedicated account manager who can help you craft more effective marketing strategies.

  • URL: XTB affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $600 CPA
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: CFD and forex broker
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer
  • Market(s): Multiple

10 eToroOne of the world’s best-known trading platforms, eToro gives clients the tools to trade everything from forex to cryptocurrencies to stocks to commodities. It supports over 19 languages, offers more than 3,000 trading instruments, and has a global network of more than 30 million users.

Like all forex brokers, eToro allows customers to buy and sell a wide range of major USD pairs, plus other currency crosses. In total, it works with 51 different currencies.

It’s tough to compare eToro to the other top forex affiliate programs directly because its commission rates vary between different countries and affiliates. You’ll need to sign up to discuss a custom deal.

However, we can tell you that eToro provides a wealth of resources to help you run more successful affiliate marketing campaigns, including advanced tracking systems and high-converting promotional tools.

All eToro affiliates also get access to a personal account manager.

  • URL: eToro affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Varies
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Forex, stock, and crypto trading
  • Payment methods: Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer
  • Market(s): Multiple

11 BlackBull MarketsTraders looking for a speedy forex broker should strongly consider BlackBull Markets, which CompareForexBrokers.com rates as the #1 broker for execution speeds.

It’s not only slick; it’s also comprehensive. The platform gives users access to 80+ markets and features more than 26,000 tradable instruments.

Best of all, new clients don’t need a ton of money to get started as BlackBull doesn’t have a minimum deposit amount. That removes a major potential barrier to conversion.

BlackBull’s forex affiliate program pays CPAs of up to $1,000, so it’s hardly surprising that the platform has more than 20,000 active partners.

It also offers two-tier earning potential, rewarding partners who refer new affiliates to BlackBull. You earn a standard 10% of sub-affiliate earnings — so if they get paid $100 for a referral, you’ll pick up $10 without doing anything at all. That’s what we call passive income.

On top of that, BlackBull offers incentivized bonuses for top performers and has no payout limits.

All affiliate partners get access to a range of multilingual marketing materials and their own dedicated account manager.

  • URL: BlackBull Markets affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $1,000 CPA
  • Cookie duration: 365 days
  • Products/Services sold: Forex, shares, CFDs, commodities
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Multiple

12 easyMarketsBack in 2001, easyMarkets became one of the world’s first brokers to offer online forex trading and credit card funding.

The platform offers various features that make it an attractive choice for would-be foreign exchange traders. These fixed spreads ensure you know precisely what you’ll pay when you trade, and dealCancellation, which allows you to cancel losing trades for a small fee within a fixed time — kind of like trading insurance.

Forex is one of 275+ trading instruments available through easyMarkets, with other options including bitcoin, gold, and oil.

The easyMarkets affiliate program provides multiple payment models, including CPA — paying up to $1,000 per referral — and spread share, which offers recurring commissions of 40%.

Become a second-tier affiliate, and you’ll earn 10% of revenues generated by other affiliates you refer to the platform. You can also choose pay-per-lead and pay-per-install models, but you’ll have to contact the platform’s partner consultants for more information.

To help boost your earnings, easyMarkets provides an extensive library of landing pages, videos, and banners, all of which feature automatically generated tracking.

Affiliates also get access to a dedicated account manager.

  • URL: easyMarkets affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $1,000 CPA or 40% recurring commission
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: CFD trading
  • Payment methods: Wire transfer
  • Market(s): Global

Summing UpIn a world where money makes money, it’s no surprise that forex is such a lucrative niche, with some of the best forex affiliate programs paying four-figure commissions for a single conversion.

But trust is everything in the financial industry. If you can’t reassure your audience that you know what you’re talking about, you can kiss goodbye to your dreams of passive income.

And the best way to build trust is to have your own website to showcase your expertise.

We know because we’ve built (and sold) multiple six-figure affiliate websites.

Not only that, but we’ve shown affiliates — many of them in finance-related niches — how to build their own high-performing businesses from scratch.

Learn some of our top tried-and-trusted tactics on our free authority site training course, where we explain seven secrets that make new sites 83% more successful.

Join the free training now.

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In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and economic uncertainty, we embarked on a comprehensive survey to gauge the sentiments of the American workforce regarding job security over the next five years.

Drawing from a meticulously screened pool of 1,200 U.S. residents with full-time employment, we aimed to uncover the underlying anxieties and perceptions shaping the current employment landscape.

Why We Conducted This StudyOur investigation was spurred by the alarming wave of layoffs sweeping across industries — particularly in tech — the speculative yet tangible impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work, and uncertainty surrounding the global economy.

According to Layoffs.fyi, there have been more than 296,000 tech layoffs since 2023, with 33,000 coming in the first 5 weeks of 2024.

Hundreds of large companies — including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Spotify — have made headlines for reducing their workforce by up to 25%.

Part of the cause is excessive hiring during the pandemic. Roger Lee, the founder of Layoffs.fyi, told CNN that many tech companies are trying to “correct for their over-hiring during the pandemic surge.”

However, over-hiring isn’t the only cause. Dataminr CEO Ted Bailey — who laid off 20% of staff in November 2023 — states that AI is playing a role in their personnel decisions.

According to a memo shared with TechCrunch, Bailey says that ”recent rapid advancements of their AI platform” contributed to the layoffs.

The uncertainty surrounding the economy is also impacting public perception. While Brian Rose, a senior U.S. economist at UBS, told the New York Times that he predicts a “soft landing” for the U.S. economy after years of COVID-induced inflation, the inflation rate remains high compared to the last decade.

This reality isn’t lost on Americans — a Gallup poll reveals 63% of Americans say the economy is getting worse, with the same amount saying inflated prices pose a moderate or severe financial hardship.

This environment of post-pandemic cuts, uncertainty surrounding the impact of AI, and economic fears prompted us to seek answers: how do full-time U.S. workers feel about their job security amidst these changes?

Unveiling American Workers’ Growing AnxietyFear of job loss has rippled across the American workforce — 54.58% of full-time workers have increased concerns about job loss, with 27.08% feeling significant concern.

Our survey cross-referenced these results with a variety of demographic factors, including age, gender, education, income levels, industry, job role, and company size. Here are the most interesting findings:

Men are more concerned than women. Men expressed greater concern (62.87%) than women (47.53%), possibly reflecting the 3:1 male-to-female gender distribution in tech firms.

Higher earners are more concerned. Individuals in the highest income brackets feel most vulnerable, with 75% of those making 125k to 150k and 72.48% of those making 150k and above expressing concern. This may be swayed by the higher salaries in the volatile tech industry.

There’s a generational divide. The concern was most palpable among the 25 to 44 age group, with 62.2% expressing concerns. This showcases a generational divide in job security perceptions, as less than 50% of those 45 and older share their sentiment. Younger people may be more aware of the capabilities of AI and are also more likely to hold less senior positions that may be at increased risk of being cut.

More education = more job security anxiety. Individuals with at least four years of college education express more concern (61.02%) than those with less, possibly due to the higher stakes associated with their roles.

Executives are very concerned. Out of all job roles, high-level roles such as C-level executives (85% concerned) and Directors (78.38% concerned) express the highest levels of concern, which may indicate the visibility people in these roles have regarding the future of their industries.

Workers in larger companies feel particularly vulnerable. Those working in larger companies (500 – 1000 employees) feel particularly at risk (74.33%). This sharply contrasts with the lessened concerns of self-employed workers (42.47%) and those in smaller companies (below 25 employees, 45.38%).

The global economy weighs heavily on most. 73.61% of respondents have increased concerns due to recent global economic trends.

Job Security Concerns By IndustryWhen we break down job security fears by industry, it’s clear that the tech sector is most concerned. Information — Services And Data (89.66%) and Software (74.42%) are the industries where workers are most concerned about job loss.

This is significantly higher than less tech-centric sectors like Fashion/Apparel (30%), Transportation and Warehousing (41.35%), and Personal Services (42.93%).

This infographic provides a full breakdown of each industry’s level of concern:

AI’s Looming ShadowA significant portion of respondents (54.58%) anticipate that AI will impact their job security within the next five years.

Sectors that have a high reliance on computer use — like Software (67.44%), Finance (67.57%), and Human Resources (64.29%) — express the highest levels of concern.

In contrast, people in sectors that involve more human-to-human interaction — such as education (43.04%) and real estate (44.68%) — are least concerned about the impact of AI on their livelihoods.

People in IT are noticeably more worried than anyone else. 72.42% of people in IT positions are concerned, with nearly half (48.28%) completely agreeing that AI will affect their job security. Less than 7% believe it won’t have any impact.

These fears may be warranted, as the nature of how we work is quickly shifting. A study from OpenAI estimates that 19% of U.S. workers could see 50% of their workplace tasks impacted by publicly available GPT-4 technology, and the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs report predicts that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted between 2023 and 2028.

In addition, these shifts are likely to impact job security. A report from McKinsey states that 30% of hours currently worked could be automated by 2030, and a Goldman Sachs report suggests that 300 million full-time jobs may be exposed to automation in the coming years.

Recovery From Job LossWe also asked respondents about their ability to recover from job loss.

If faced with job loss, 42% of full-time workers don’t have enough savings to support them until they find a new job, and 38.58% are not confident in their ability to secure new employment within 3 months.

According to Statista, there are 132.59 million full-time employees in the United States, which means 55.68 million Americans — and their dependents — would have immediate financial struggles if faced with job loss.

This aligns with recent data on the decline in Americans’ emergency savings. According to Bankrate’s 2023 Emergency Savings Report, 49% of adults have fewer savings compared to a year ago, and 22% have no emergency savings at all.

The financial impact of job loss seems less severe in the tech-related industry sectors, where only 29.17% feel financially unprepared for potential unemployment. However, with Statista reporting 3 million U.S. residents working in tech, that still constitutes a million people. 38.89% feel unconfident about finding a new job within 3 months, similar to the other industries’ respondents.

It’s clear that sudden unemployment would cause immediate financial problems for many Americans, and threats to job security from many fronts are causing a majority of workers to feel the weight of that stress.

Potential Paths ForwardThe widespread concerns about AI replacing human workers raise an important question: what can Americans do now to AI-proof their careers?

It’s important to note that the proliferation of AI isn’t only set to eliminate jobs — it should also create new opportunities. A World Economic Forum report states that while it may disrupt an estimated 85 million jobs by 2025, the new technology may simultaneously create 97 million new jobs. Workers who learn to use AI now may have an easier time taking advantage of these new positions.

While the rapid advancement of AI technology makes it hard to provide concrete guidelines for AI upskilling, Harvard Business Review and Fast Company have a few suggestions:

  • Become familiar with available AI tools and integrate them into your workflow.
  • Hone soft skills that machines strive to emulate, such as communication and empathy.
  • Build strong relationships with colleagues and peers.
  • Cultivate unique expertise and develop your personal brand.

An IBM study also found that 87% of executives believe job roles are more likely to be augmented than replaced by generative AI, lending further credence to AI upskilling as a safeguard against unemployment.

For those who are still choosing a career — or are open to a change — it may also be worthwhile to explore careers that are least likely to be automated. The U.S. Career Institute has compiled a list of 65 jobs with a projected 0% risk of being automated, with options including careers in medicine, social services, engineering, public service, and education.

Methodology & Participants 🧪 We surveyed 1,200 vetted US full-time employees spanning a diverse range of industries to capture a comprehensive snapshot of the American workforce’s sentiments on job security.

Our survey also captured full demographic profiles of all respondents, allowing us to cross-reference data with a variety of demographic data, including:

  • Gender
  • Education level
  • Income level
  • Ethnicity
  • Age
  • Job role
  • Industry
  • Company size

Here is a demographic breakdown of the survey participant:

Gender

  • Male: 46%
  • Female: 54%

Age

| 25 – 34 | 26.50% | | 35 – 44 | 23.83% | | 45 – 54 | 16.50% | | > 54 | 20.42% |

Ethnicity

| Asian | 3.50% | | Black | 12.50% | | Hispanic | 3.58% | | Latino | 1.67% | | White | 67.42% | | Multiracial | 2.75% | | Other | 4.00% | | Prefer not to say | 3.42% |

Education

| High school | 30.25% | | Vocational/Technical college | 18.00% | | University | 29.17% | | Post-graduate | 16.58% |

Income Levels (Per Year)

| Between $25,000 and $49,999 | 22.33% | | Between $50,000 and $74,999 | 18.58% | | Between $75,000 and $99,999 | 15.42% | | Between $100,000 and $124,999 | 9.33% | | Between $125,000 and $149,999 | 8.67% | | $150,000 or more | 9.08% | | Prefer not to say | 2.25% |

Company Size

| 2-5 | 7.17% | | 6-10 | 6.42% | | 11-25 | 7.17% | | 26-50 | 9.08% | | 51-100 | 9.25% | | 101-250 | 7.25% | | 251-500 | 10.50% | | 501-1000 | 12.33% | | 1001-5000 | 8.83% | | Greater than 5000 | 11.33% | | Prefer not to say | 1.67% |

Implications of StudyOur study shows the American workforce has widespread concerns about job security, especially among tech workers, younger workers, higher earners, and those at larger companies.

These concerns are fueled by recent layoffs, the prospect of widespread AI automation, and a perception of instability underpinning the global economy.

AI automation is a particularly concerning threat to job security, with prominent companies predicting AI will be able to automate many tasks and roles. Computer-based jobs seem particularly vulnerable to augmentation or replacement.

Coupled with the inability of many Americans to cope financially with a loss of employment, it’s clear that potential hardship may lie ahead for the average American.

However, early movers who adapt their skills to include AI use or switch to careers unlikely to be affected by AI will likely have a smoother transition into the new era of work.

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The power of social media is growing year by year – 5.04 billion people around the world are now using social media, with 266 million new users coming online within the last year.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we set out to discover who the most popular female influencers are on major social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube – and how they are using their influence and wealth to help others.

Most Followed Female Celebrities on Social MediaOur research found that women listed in the top 100 accounts per social network have over 10 billion followers in total.

As of 2024, the most followed women on social media (across all major platforms) are:

| Rank | Influencer | Followers | | 1 | Selena Gomez | 589.8M | | 2 | Ariana Grande | 553.3M | | 3 | Kylie Jenner | 507.5M | | 5 | Taylor Swift | 458M | | 6 | Kim Kardashian | 451.1M | | 7 | BeyoncĂŠ | 367.5M | | 8 | Katy Perry | 365.4M | | 9 | KhloĂŠ Kardashian | 347.9M | | 10 | Kendall Jenner | 332.9M | | 11 | Jennifer Lopez | 332.6M | | 12 | Rihanna | 312.8M | | 13 | Kourtney Kardashian | 258.4M |

Here are some interesting insights with regard to popularity and wealth:

  • The Kardashian/Jenner clan holds 6 of the top 12 spots, with a combined follower count of 1.897 billion.
  • The remaining 6 spots are held by female musicians, who have a combined follower count of 2.979 billion.

And here’s a breakdown of female influencer popularity on each social media platform:

InstagramInstagram is a female influencer stronghold. Women hold 42 out of the top 100 Instagram accounts, with a cumulative total of 6.4 billion followers.

Male influencers only hold 34 spots, with brands/companies holding 24 accounts.

According to our research, these are the top 10 most influential women on Instagram:

  1. Selena Gomez: 429.8M followers
  2. Kylie Jenner: 400.5M followers
  3. Ariana Grande: 380.3M followers
  4. Kim Kardashian: 364.3M followers
  5. BeyoncĂŠ: 320.0M followers
  6. KhloĂŠ Kardashian: 310.9M followers
  7. Kendall Jenner: 294.7M followers
  8. Taylor Swift: 281.7M followers
  9. Jennifer Lopez: 253.6M followers
  10. Kourtney Kardashian: 224.4M followers

A surprising fact – the Kardashian family has a combined total of approximately 1.194 billion Instagram followers!

TikTokTikTok is not as popular as Instagram for female influencers, with only 1.56 billion followers across the top hundred accounts. Out of 100 top accounts, female influencers hold 32 spots. Their male counterparts hold 47 spots in total, with the remaining 21 going to brands and companies.

According to our research, these are the top 10 most influential women on TikTok:

  1. Charli D’Amelio: 152M followers
  2. Bella Poarch: 93.8M followers
  3. Addison Rae: 88.6M followers
  4. Kimberly Loaiza: 80.8M followers
  5. Domelipa: 72.7M followers
  6. Selena Gomez: 59M followers
  7. Dixie D’Amelio: 56.4M followers
  8. Kylie Jenner: 54.9M followers
  9. Loren Gray: 53.9M followers
  10. Karol G: 51.4M followers

YoutubeYouTube is mainly dominated by brands and company accounts, which hold 58 out of 100 top-followed account spots.

Female influencers hold 15 out of the top 100 spots, with a total of 879 million followers. Their videos reached 488 billion views in total.

These are the most popular female influencers on YouTube:

  1. BLACKPINK: 92.9M followers
  2. Taylor Swift: 56.5M followers
  3. Ariana Grande: 53.5M followers
  4. Billie Eilish: 49.1M followers
  5. Shakira: 45.5M followers
  6. Katy Perry: 44.7M followers
  7. Kimberly Loaiza: 44.3M followers
  8. Ricis Official: 42.9M followers
  9. Rihanna: 22.8M followers

Twitter (X)On Twitter, female influencers have a total reach of 1.38 billion followers and hold 27 out of the top 100 positions.

These are the most influential women on Twitter:

  1. Rihanna: 108.2M followers
  2. Katy Perry: 106.8M followers
  3. Taylor Swift: 95.3M followers
  4. Ariana Grande: 85.3M followers
  5. Lady Gaga: 83.6M followers
  6. Kim Kardashian: 75.2M followers
  7. Ellen DeGeneres: 74.7M followers
  8. Selena Gomez: 66.5M followers
  9. Britney Spears: 54.9M followers
  10. Shakira: 53.7M followers

Net Worth, Charities & Impact on The WorldOf course, social media following isn’t the only way to gauge the power and impact of these female influencers. Net worth and charitable work play a big role as well!

The most influential women in the top 100 accounts per social media network have an estimated total net worth of over $13.6 billion. This list has some overlap with our list of most-followed influencers, though there are some newcomers, including Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, and Lady Gaga.

| Influencer | Net Worth | Charities Supported | | Oprah Winfrey | $2.8 billion | 31 | | Kim Kardashian | $1.7 billion | 24 | | Rihanna | $1.4 billion | 24 | | Taylor Swift | $1.1 billion | 33 | | BeyoncĂŠ | $800 million | 37 | | Selena Gomez | $800 million | 16 | | Kylie Jenner | $680 million | 1 | | Ellen Degeneres | $380 million | 52 | | Katy Perry | $330 million | 33 | | Lady Gaga | $300 million | 76 | | Shakira | $300 million | 12 | | Adele | $240 million | 3 |

Let’s take a look at the good these celebrities are doing with all that reach and money. Here are some takeaways with regard to their charitable giving:

  • Of the top 12 most popular female mega-stars, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry support the most charities.
  • Top influencers who have supported women-focused charities include BeyoncĂŠ (Women’s Fund for Scotland), Taylor Swift (DonateMyDress, Hero in Heels), Katy Perry (Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, Keep-a-Breast, ), Jennifer Lopez (Every Mother Counts, Janie’s Fund, Lopez Family Foundation), Kim Kardashian (Breast Cancer Research Association, I Heart My Girlfriends, We Advance, WomenHeart), and Selena Gomez (10×10, Malala Fund).

On average, the top female influencers and celebrities are supporting around 19 charities and humanitarian causes, according to data from looktothestars.org.

The most popular causes that top female influencers support include AIDS/HIV (19 influencers), Health (18 influencers), Children (18 influencers), Human Rights (17 influencers), and Education (17 influencers).

Some of the most supported charities include Stand Up To Cancer, Red Cross, and UNICEF, with almost 50% of top female influencers supporting these organizations.

In terms of causes and charities supported, Lady Gaga is the most charitable female influencer, with over 76 charities and 37 humanitarian causes supported over the years. She is closely followed by Ellen DeGeneres (54 charities and 31 causes supported) and Miley Cyrus (44 charities and 31 causes).

When looking at monetary support, Oprah leads the way – her charitable foundation alone has donated over $400 million in grants for various humanitarian causes.

Beyoncé and Rihanna have also made a substantial impact. Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation has donated over $100 million to various causes over the year, and Rihanna has donated $15 million through her Clara Lionel Foundation to support climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean.

More recently, Taylor Swift contributed $1 million to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee – located in the county she grew up in – after tornadoes left hundreds of buildings damaged.

Taylor has also made many generous donations to food banks along her Eras tour route. No specific sum of money that Taylor donated was reported. However, a food bank in Tampa said the star donated enough cash to “place over 125,000 meals on tables.” Another food bank in Arizona was able to purchase 40,000 pounds of fresh produce thanks to her donation.

If you’re interested in furthering the cause of female empowerment, here’s a full list of the women-focused charities that celebrities mentioned in this article have supported:

  • 10×10 (Selena Gomez)
  • Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (Katy Perry)
  • Breast Cancer Research Association (Kim Kardashian)
  • Cool Girls (Oprah, Lady Gaga)
  • DonateMyDress (Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus)
  • Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (Lady Gaga)
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver (Lady Gaga)
  • Every Mother Counts (Jennifer Lopez)
  • GEANCO (Oprah)
  • Girls Rock Camp Alliance (Lady Gaga)
  • Global Campaign for Education (Shakira)
  • Hero In Heels (Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus)
  • I Heart My Girlfriends (Kim Kardashian)
  • Janie’s Fund (Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus)
  • Keep-a-Breast (Katy Perry)
  • Libby Ross Foundation (Miley Cyrus)
  • Lopez Family Foundation (Jennifer Lopez)
  • Lower East Side Girls Club (Oprah)
  • Malala Fund (Selena Gomez)
  • Oprah’s Angel Network (Oprah)
  • Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa (Oprah)
  • Peace Over Violence (Oprah)
  • (RED) (Lady Gaga)
  • Somaly Mam Foundation (Oprah, Lady Gaga)
  • V-Day (Oprah)
  • We Advance (Kim Kardashian)
  • WomenHeart (Kim Kardashian)
  • Women’s Fund for Scotland (BeyoncĂŠ)
  • Women for Women International (Oprah)
  • Women in the World Foundation (Oprah)
  • YWCA (Miley Cyrus)

Methodology 🧪 How did we get these numbers and data?

We collected data available from online sources and social media profiles to create a list of the top 100 followed accounts for all 4 major social media platforms – Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and YouTube.

We sorted these accounts into ones run by women, male influencers, and brands/companies. Note that any account run by multiple people was counted as a brand.

Data was then cross-referenced with the Look To The Stars celebrity charity database and Forbes reports, as well as other online resources.

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In a world of affiliate programs, UK brands have launched some of the best and most successful.

From 2018 – 2020, affiliate marketing spending in the UK increased by one-third, from £471 million to £627 million. And there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon.

Affiliate marketing spending in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2018 to 2020Want to earn your cut? You’re in luck, because we’ve rounded up the top programs and networks for UK affiliate marketers, bloggers, influencers, and social media users. Whether your digital audience is interested in consumer products or B2B services, you’re sure to find the perfect fit.

😎 Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingUK Affiliate Programs and Networks1. Amazon Associates UK 2. eBay Partner Network 3. Shopify 4. Fiverr 5. Etsy 6. Awin 7. CJ Affiliate 8. Rakuten Advertising 9. ShareASale 10. Skimlinks 11. FlexOffers 12. Impact

1 Amazon Associates UKIt’s fair to describe Amazon as a “leading online store.” In fact, it’s damning the company with faint praise.

Amazon UK is Britain’s biggest ecommerce platform, with net sales of over $17 billion in 2021. That means the UK is Amazon’s second-biggest European market, behind Germany.

Over 66,000 UK SMEs sell via the platform, with the number of products on Amazon UK standing at more than 600 million. Those products are available across countless categories, from beauty and fashion to home and garden.

Sure, Amazon is a massive deal. But does it run the best affiliate program for UK affiliates?

The company’s affiliate program, Amazon Associates, pays varying commissions across its product categories. Currently, rates range from 1% on games consoles to 20% on Amazon Games (click here for an up-to-date list of Amazon’s UK commission rates).

Technically, Amazon Associates only offers a 24-hour cookie window, which is pretty poor. However, if a customer clicks your affiliate link and adds a product to their cart within 24 hours, you’ll still earn a commission if the order is placed within the next 90 days.

Commissions are paid via direct deposit, Amazon.co.uk gift certificate, or check roughly 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale occurred.

(Like the sound of Amazon’s affiliate program? Check out our in-depth Amazon Affiliate Program review and our step-by-step post on How to Become an Amazon Affiliate.)

  • URL: Amazon Associates UK
  • Commission rate: 1% – 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, gift certificate, check
  • Products sold: Pretty much anything you can imagine

2 eBay Partner NetworkeBay is a veteran of the ecommerce world, starting way back in 1995 as an online auction website.

Things have changed a little since then. Today, eBay has 1.4 billion product listings at any given time, 80% for totally new merchandise. In total, the company has 183 million registered buyers across 190 markets.

While it’s pretty small fry compared to Amazon, eBay is massive by anyone else’s standards, with annual net revenues in the UK hitting $10.4 billion in 2021.

Similar to Amazon Associates, eBay has a tendency to alter its commission rates, which can vary depending on the product category. At present, eBay partners are able to earn a commission of 1% on real estate purchases and 4% on fashion and cars. Other product categories fall between these two rates.(Click here for an up-to-date list of eBay Partner Network commissions.)

Also like Amazon, eBay has a stingy 24-hour cookie window. On the plus side, eBay’s Partner Network tools offer various ways to boost sales, including category-specific creatives, regular deals and promotions, and detailed sales reports.

(Want to get paid for promoting eBay? Read our review of the eBay Partner Network.)

  • URL: eBay Partner Network
  • Commission rate: 1% – 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Payment methods: Electronic Funds Transfer, PayPal
  • Products sold: New & used B2C products

3 ShopifyShopify is a commerce platform that helps customers grow and manage their businesses. Merchants in over 175 countries use it to build an online store and drive sales through multiple channels, including web, mobile, and even in-person.

According to Store Leads, there were 151,547 live Shopify stores in the UK as of Q4 2022, with the number increasing by 50% year on year.

An international network of affiliate marketers called Impact Radius oversees the Shopify affiliate program. It has a 14-day cookie window and pays a fixed $150 commission for each online sale.

Shopify provides a range of resources and tools for affiliate marketing, such as pre-made lead magnets and creatives. A personal affiliate dashboard with comprehensive performance insights is also included.

Before applying, be aware the program is only open to people who:

  • Own and run an active website
  • Have an established audience
  • Can create original content, such as blog posts and online courses

You should also have experience using Shopify or another ecommerce platform.

Beyond this, Shopify is open to working with all types of affiliates, including course creators and educators, influencers, and review sites.

Applications are manually reviewed by Shopify’s affiliate team and are typically processed within five business days.

(Do you have what Shopify’s looking for? Learn more in our Shopify affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Shopify affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $150 per online sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal
  • Products sold: Ecommerce technology

4 FiverrFiverr is a marketplace for freelancers selling digital services, from content creation and graphic design to branding and web development. It’s used by a bunch of massive brands, including Facebook, Google, and Netflix.

As of September 2022, the number of active buyers using Fiverr stood at 4.2 million — up by 3% year on year.

The Fiverr affiliate program has a 30-day cookie window and two main commission structures:

  • Fiverr CPA pays fixed commissions of $15 – $150 per sale, depending on what category your buyer purchases from.
  • Fiverr Hybrid pays a $10 CPA plus a 10% revenue share for 12 months.

Fiverr offers three further ways for affiliate marketers to make money online. Fiverr Business pays a $100 CPA once the account hits $100 in spend plus a 10% RevShare for 12 months, Fiverr Learn offers a 30% commission for online course sales, and Fiverr Affiliate pays a 10% share of every referred affiliate’s earnings for a lifetime.

The platform also has a dedicated affiliate program for influencers, which pays up to 100% more commission than the “standard” program. But you need at least 5,000 subscribers to join.

The company pays commission balances of under $1,000 via PayPal and Payoneer, while commissions of $1,000+ are paid through wire transfer. It has a minimum payment threshold of $100.

(Think Fiverr could be the affiliate program for you? Find out in our Fiverr affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Fiverr affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $15 – $150 CPA, or $10 CPA + 10% RevShare
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer
  • Products sold: Digital services

5 EtsyEtsy is basically eBay for unique creative products, with a marketplace full of vintage pieces and handcrafted items. It’s used by approximately 7.5 million active sellers, including about 960,000 in the UK.

Committed to sustainability, Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity, right down to the energy that powers its global offices and remote worker employees.

Etsy’s UK affiliate program pays a flat 5% commission for publishers and has a 30-day cookie window.

Affiliate partners get access to various tools and resources, including category-specific banners, curated pages, affiliate newsletters, and tracked links to any product or page on Etsy. It offers multilingual affiliate support in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German.

(Think Etsy could be the perfect fit for your digital audience? Check out our Etsy affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Etsy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Check, international wire, ACH
  • Products sold: Unique creative goods

6 AwinAwin is one of the world’s largest affiliate networks. It’s also one of the most popular, having won Publishers’ Choice of Network at the Performance Marketing Awards 14 times in the past 16 years.

The Awin group comprises Awin — formerly Affiliate Window and Zanox — plus Affilinet and ShareASale, another big affiliate network. The group has amassed 241,000+ active publishers, with 260 affiliates joining the network daily, and paid out £920 million in commissions in 2022.

Awin is home to 21,200 advertisers across dozens of B2B and B2C product and service categories, including finance, fashion, computing, and web hosting.

Awin has a dedicated offering for influencers. This includes a “payment on influence” model that pays a fixed commission for every sale you’re involved in — even if you didn’t deliver the last click. The network is open to all types of publishers, from bloggers and vloggers to social media users and even mass media partners.

The platform employs a publisher success team dedicated to helping affiliate marketers improve performance, including offering support for Awin’s various publisher solutions and tools.

  • URL: Awin affiliate network
  • Payment methods: BACS, international wire transfer, ACH
  • Brands: MyProtein, LookFantastic, Marks & Spencer, Clarks, The Hut Group, Asos, Glossybox, Boots, boohoo

7 CJ AffiliateCJ Affiliate — formerly known as Commission Junction — is another popular affiliate network. Founded in 1998, it’s also one of the oldest affiliate networks. The platform is favored by some of the world’s largest advertisers, attracting twice as many IR500 brands as its closest competitor.

CJ’s figures make for impressive reading. The network reaches over one billion customers monthly, drives 14+ billion “meaningful interactions” annually, and pays out more than $1.8 billion in yearly publisher commissions.

Once you sign up for CJ Affiliate, you can join individual affiliate programs with a single click, so it’s quick and easy to start promoting your favorite products.

The affiliate network welcomes various types of publishers, including bloggers, social media users, email marketers, vloggers, and more.

CJ offers various tools to boost performance, including a deep link generator that creates tracking links directly from a brand site. Alternatively, the platform can auto-detect and convert an existing URL into a trackable referral link.

(Find out more about the network in our in-depth CJ Affiliate review.)

  • URL: CJ Affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Brands: Sainsbury, Argos, Puma, Dell

8 Rakuten AdvertisingRakuten is a Japanese advertising and technology company that runs one of the world’s largest affiliate networks. It clearly does it well, because Rakuten has been voted the industry’s top affiliate marketing network for 11 successive years.

Rakuten specializes in retail, D2C, finance, and travel-related affiliate programs. It has over 150,000 active publishers and a team of network development specialists who actively reach out to potential affiliates and partners.

The company’s innovative technology allows affiliates to offer a personalized experience to website visitors by linking to the most relevant products and services. It can also automatically convert standard advertiser links into trackable — and commissionable — affiliate links.

Rakuten offers a host of educational tools and training materials, helping affiliates start earning straightaway.

(Learn more in our Rakuten affiliate network review.)

  • URL: Rakuten Advertising affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit, check
  • Brands: Fully, OPI, Virgin Wines, Udemy, COS, NARS Cosmetics

9 ShareASaleShareASale is another of the big affiliate networks. Unlike other affiliate networks, it specializes in retail-related affiliate programs across over 39 consumer categories.

The network often works with smaller, lesser-known brands — although it still partners with some high-profile advertisers, such as Allbirds and Reebok.

As we’ve already noted, ShareASale is part of the Awin group. Over 260 new affiliate programs join the network every month, so it’s worth checking back regularly to keep up with all the latest offers.

The ShareASale network accepts applications from traditional affiliates, bloggers, vloggers, influencers, podcasters, and website owners. However you plan to reach your audience, ShareASale gives you the tools to monetize your reach.

ShareASale affiliates can access various performance-driving resources, including:

  • An expert publisher management team
  • Custom affiliate tools
  • Real-time reporting that tells you when someone has clicked a link or made a purchase

(Could ShareASale be the network for you? Find out by reading our ShareASale review.)

  • URL: ShareASale affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Brands: Rockford Collection, Plus CBD Oil, Harber London, Smart Nora

10 SkimlinksSkimlinks is a little different from other affiliate networks. Describing itself as a content monetization platform, it works with over 50 networks — including Awin, Rakuten Advertising, and CJ Affiliate — to bring you a massive selection of merchants in one place.

According to its figures, Skimlinks works with 60,000 publishers and 48,500 merchants worldwide, generating ÂŁ1.9 million in sales daily.

In 2021 its parent company, Connexity, was acquired by Taboola — a global content discovery platform.

As you’d expect, Skimlinks offers various tools to help affiliate marketers.

When you browse any merchant website, the Skimlinks Editor Toolbar highlights their commission rate and automatically generates affiliate links. Moreover, its affiliate hub includes real-time reports showing clicks, revenue per merchant, and your top-performing content.

Another key point: Skimlinks negotiates exclusive deals with merchants, often offering higher commission rates than other affiliate networks.

  • URL: Skimlinks affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal
  • Brands: Hello Fresh, Sephora, Dream Cloud

11 FlexOffersFlexOffers is — you guessed it — an affiliate network. It works with over 10,000 advertisers through 65 networks and more than 75,000 publisher programs, with new brands added daily across 25+ categories and 27 geographies.

Affiliate partners can use FlexOffers’ various data feeds to access a database of more than 650 million products, while the company’s product feed tool delivers up-to-date information daily via API or FTP. Promotions are displayed in a dedicated feed, helping affiliates find the latest deals and coupons from all advertisers on the platform.

FlexOffers offers preferential terms for top performers, such as paying affiliates weekly. It also provides live affiliate support and strategic account management.

Want to earn more money through FlexOffers? The FlexRev-Share program offers a revenue-sharing model for affiliates who refer new businesses and concepts to the platform.

(Learn more about the network in our in-depth FlexOffers review.)

  • URL: FlexOffers affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, wire transfer, check, PayPal
  • Brands: Audible, Cult Beauty, Antropologie

12 ImpactImpact is one of the best affiliate marketing platforms, connecting affiliates with 2,500+ partners across multiple product and service categories, including retail, travel, beauty, fitness, and financial services.

While it’s primarily an affiliate network, Impact also allows bloggers, publishers, and influencers to work with advertisers through brand campaigns and sponsorships.

Impact’s tracking technology allows affiliates to earn commissions through various actions, from travel bookings and retail sales to application installs and even phone calls.

Affiliates can access exclusive promotional codes through the platform. Once generated, you’ll earn commissions from all sales via your unique code — even if it originates from another website.

Commissions can be withdrawn on a set day or once your balance hits a predefined amount.

  • URL: Impact Radius affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct transfer, BACS
  • Brands: Lenovo, TransferGo, Nectar, Dyson, HelloFresh

How to Start Affiliate Marketing in the UKStill, want to earn money as an affiliate marketer in the UK? You’ve got two options:

  • Dive in blindly, promoting the first affiliate programs and products that spring to mind.
  • Plan your approach to help you reach an engaged audience interested in the products you recommend.

I don’t know about you, but option #2 sounds best to us.

“Planning your approach” means finding the best way to earn money from your chosen niche and audience. Building your own website is the most effective approach, but it’s not the only approach.

You can also do affiliate marketing on social media. Just be aware that social accounts typically don’t generate much traffic unless they have a large established following. Some affiliate programs offer special terms for social influencers, while many affiliate networks are created with influencers in mind.

Not sure about the right approach for you? Learn more in our in-depth guide on how to start affiliate marketing.

How to Find the Best UK Affiliate ProgramsWe’ve already done (some of) the hard work for you by listing 12 of the best affiliate programs and networks for UK affiliates. But there are thousands of other affiliate programs.

Broadly speaking, there are two main ways to find them:

Join Affiliate NetworksAffiliate advertisers can change their terms and conditions — or even shut down their affiliate programs — overnight. So you’ll want to diversify your portfolio by promoting a handful of different programs.

The quickest way to find and join a bunch of different programs is to join an affiliate marketing network like CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers, and ShareASale.

These networks connect affiliate marketers with advertisers. Each has thousands of programs segmented across dozens of categories, making it comparatively simple to find the top-performing affiliate marketing program in any given niche.

When you join an affiliate network, you can also feel confident that you’ll get paid on time. The only real downside is that each network charges advertisers a fee for its services, which could eat into your commissions.

When you join an affiliate network, you can feel confident that you’ll get paid on time. The only downside is that each network charges advertisers a fee for its services, which could eat into your commissions.

Research Individual Affiliate ProgramsAlternatively, you can bypass the affiliate networks by researching affiliate programs individually.

There are pros and cons to this approach. First and foremost, it takes more time to find each program. Also, if you join an in-house program, there’s a higher (but still pretty slim) chance you’ll get scammed out of your commissions. So you’ll need to do your due diligence to ensure the advertiser is legit.

On the flip side, you might be offered better affiliate marketing terms — including higher commission rates, more attractive promotions, and longer cookie windows — by joining directly rather than through an affiliate network.

👉 Read more: Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners

ConclusionAs you can see, there are several factors to building a successful affiliate marketing venture in the UK.

Fortunately, your pals at Authority Hacker are here to help. We’ve spent the past decade building and selling affiliate websites across countless niches. Along the way, we’ve taught 14,000 students how to become better affiliate marketers. And we can do the same for you.

Sign up for our free training, and we’ll spill the beans on seven pro tips for building high-performing affiliate sites, including how to find profitable hidden niches.

FAQIs affiliate marketing legal in the UK?Affiliate marketing in the UK is 100% legal. It is governed by the CAP Code, which requires that all marketing communications are “obviously identifiable as such.”

For the blogging industry, this typically requires affiliate marketers to add an affiliate disclosure to their content, ensuring readers can easily identify it as a form of marketing.

Can you make money with affiliate marketing in the UK?Affiliate marketing can be an extremely effective way to earn money online in the UK. Some top-performing affiliate marketers make seven-figure sums from their activity.

Commission rates vary from one affiliate program to another. However, they typically range from around 5% to 50% or more.

As an affiliate marketer, you earn money each time website visitors click your affiliate link and complete a specified “action” within a given time frame. Actions can include making a purchase or completing a form.

Does affiliate marketing work in the UK?Affiliate marketing is a legal and profitable business model in the UK, where online marketers promote products or services of other businesses and earn commissions for each sale or action. Affiliate marketing spending in the UK increased by one-third from 2018 to 2020, reaching ÂŁ627 million1. To succeed as an affiliate marketer in the UK, one must follow the rules and regulations of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. These policies ensure that affiliate marketing is ethical, transparent, and compliant with the law.

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If you’re searching for the best affiliate programs for bloggers, you’re likely looking for ways to monetize your blog.

You’re in the right place. Here at Authority Hacker, we’re seasoned blog owners who’ve spent years exploring and honing various monetization strategies. Along the way, we’ve earned valuable commissions promoting dozens of affiliate programs in more niches than we care to remember.

But not everyone does quite so well. In fact, 63% of bloggers make <$100 per month from their blogs. Hardly a job-replacement income.

That’s why we’ve listed the essential affiliate programs for bloggers like you. These programs can provide solutions to help your audience to start their own blog (if that’s your niche) — think web hosting platforms and email marketing tools — or simply entice them to purchase something great.

24 Best Affiliate Programs for Bloggers1. Amazon Associates 2. Fiverr 3. eBay 4. ExpressVPN 5. Etsy 6. ConvertKit 7. MailerLite 8. Buzzsprout 9. Astra 10. Cloudways 11. OptinMonster 12. Authority Hacker 13. Namecheap 14. Kinsta 15. Teachable 16. Skillshare 17. SiteGround 18. FlexJobs 19. Notion 20. Semrush 21. Canva 22. FreshBooks 23. QuickBooks 24. Nordstrom

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 Amazon AssociatesWhen consumers form relationships with brands, they’re more likely to buy from them. And what are the most significant factors in building those relationships? Trustworthiness and reliability. According to one survey, they’re even more important than convenience and product quality when it comes to winning over shoppers.

Which brings us nicely to Amazon, consistently recognized as one of America’s most trusted ecommerce brands:

The online marketplace sells tens of millions of products. So it’s a fantastic fit for affiliates in multiple niches (although it works best if you’ve got a B2C audience).

Amazon Associates, Amazon’s affiliate program, pays varying commissions based on your location and the product category you’re promoting. In the US, rates start at a paltry 1% on video games and consoles, but climb as high as 10% on luxury beauty and 20% on Amazon Games.

Find an up-to-date list of Amazon’s US commissions here. And if you’re looking for more information, check out our in-depth Amazon Associates review.

  • URL: Amazon Associates affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 1% – 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Products/Services sold: Basically everything
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, check, Amazon gift certificate
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Customized linking tools

2 FiverrWe’re in the midst of a freelance boom, with over 20 million freelancers joined between 2017 and 2022. But this creates a problem for businesses: with so many freelancers out there, how can you find the best ones?

Fiverr — the world’s biggest and best-known marketplace for freelancer services — is the ideal solution. Household names like Google, Meta, and Netflix use the platform to source trusted freelancers across dozens of service areas, including product design, data science, and web development.

Fiverr’s affiliate program offers multiple ways to earn money, from promoting its business management tools to selling Fiverr Learn, the company’s online learning platform.

However, the simplest solution for most affiliates is to sell freelance services, known as gigs. Affiliate sales pay $15 – $150 per gig. Or choose Fiverr’s hybrid model to earn recurring income worth 10% of the contract value for 12 months, plus a $10 bounty payment.

There’s just one small catch: Fiverr only pays commissions on sales to first-timer customers. So don’t expect any repeat sales here. For more tips, tricks, and insights, check out our Fiverr affiliate program review.

  • URL: Fiverr affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Various
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Freelance services, online learning, business management tools, collaboration tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Custom link generator, banners, gifs, video banners, gig ad and search box widgets, prewritten ebooks and emails

3 eBayWith 138 million active buyers worldwide, eBay provides excellent potential for B2C affiliates, even alongside major players like Amazon Associates.

Wondering why to choose eBay over Amazon? Here’s why: Bloggers thrive in niche markets, and so does eBay. For example, it pays 3% on food and alcohol sales, while Amazon only offers 1% on groceries and zero on booze.

Check out eBay’s rate card here and compare it to Amazon’s to see which makes most sense for you (but be aware that all commission rates are subject to change). And read our eBay affiliate program review for a deeper dive into the ins and outs of the eBay Partner Network.

  • URL: eBay Partner Network affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 1% – 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Products/Services sold: Fashion, electronics, garden & DIY products, health & beauty, and more
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Custom graphics & banner ads, branded creatives & logos, deals & events, reporting tools

4 ExpressVPNPrivacy matters to online users and 40% of Americans are concerned about their data. That’s music to the (metaphorical) ears of the VPN industry, set to hit $76 billion by 2027.

One of the market’s biggest players is ExpressVPN, with four million active subscribers. And according to our research, it’s also one of the most popular VPN affiliate programs.

You’ve likely seen ExpressVPN on YouTube thanks to high-profile sponsorships with 1,500+ YouTubers. This impressive brand recognition simplifies selling for bloggers.

As an affiliate marketer, you can join ExpressVPN’s program through multiple networks, with FlexOffers currently paying the highest commissions.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | CJ Affiliate | Up to $36 | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to $54 | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | Up to $73.60 | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten | Up to $50 | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | Impact | Up to $36 | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: VPN services
  • Additional resources: Dedicated account managers, marketing materials, specialized landing pages, affiliate newsletter, optimization advice

5 EtsyVintage has never been more popular, with 60% of Americans regularly buying vintage items.

For many of those shoppers, Etsy is the obvious go-to platform. It specializes in vintage, handmade, and custom goods — from clothing and shoes to interior decor. Its active buyers also tripled from 2017 to 2021, hitting $2 billion in yearly revenue.

Etsy’s affiliate program is managed by Awin, offering a 4% commission per sale. That’s competitive with Amazon and eBay. But Etsy outshines with a far longer 30-day cookie window.

For bloggers with an impressive social media presence, consider Etsy’s creator program too.

  • URL: Etsy affiliate program
  • Managed by: Awin
  • Commission rate: 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Handmade items and vintage products
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Native ads

6 ConvertKitIf you promote your blog through a newsletter, you’ll already know about the power of email marketing, which delivers an estimated return of $36 for every $1 spent.

However, the vast majority of email marketing tools are aimed at businesses. What if your readers are content creators who want to leverage email to reach and engage their audiences?

That’s where ConvertKit comes in. It provides email marketing tools and resources designed with coaches, authors, podcasters, and musicians in mind, including eye-catching landing pages and beautiful email templates to help creators showcase their best work. The platform claims to have a 99.8% delivery rate, giving users the best possible chance of avoiding the spam folder.

ConvertKit runs one of the highest-paying affiliate programs for bloggers, offering recurring commissions of 30% for up to 24 months. With the platform’s standard Creator plan priced from $9 per month, you could earn $86+ from a single sale.

  • URL: ConvertKit affiliate program
  • Managed by: LinkMink
  • Commission rate: 30% recurring commission for up to 24 months
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Email marketing software
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Graphics, video assets, webinars, affiliate dashboard

7 MailerLiteOf course, content creators aren’t the only people using email marketing. If you’re looking to recommend email tools to a more business-y audience, you’re better off promoting a more generalist option like MailerLite.

The platform prides itself on delivering superb customer support, with its average live chat response time of five minutes and a 97% satisfaction rate.

MailerLite integrates with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. So if your audience includes a lot of retail brands and direct-to-consumer merchants, this affiliate program feels like a good fit.

Like ConvertKit, MailerLite offers attractive affiliate partner terms, paying 30% recurring commissions for as long as your referrals keep using the platform. So a single sale could secure you a lifelong passive income stream.

There’s much to like here, but if we had to be critical, the 30-day cookie length is a little short by the standards of the email marketing industry, where 365-day windows aren’t unheard of.

  • URL: MailerLite affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 30% recurring lifetime commissions
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Email marketing software, website and landing page tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Branding and marketing assets, dedicated partner support, custom partner dashboard

8 Buzzsprout It’s hard to explain the appeal of podcasts. But there’s no denying their popularity, with about half of Americans tuning in last year, and one-fifth listening almost daily.

Enter Buzzsprout, a podcast hosting platform that offers vital tools for launching a podcast. It also helps podcasters reach major directories like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Around 4,000 people join Buzzsprout to start a podcast weekly, so it’s clearly in-demand.

Buzzsprout’s affiliate program pays a flat $20 commission for every sale you generate. Unusually, it also offers a $20 credit to the person you refer, which should help your conversion rate. Best of all, it has a lifetime cookie window — so even if a customer takes five years to buy after clicking your unique referral link, you still earn a commission.

  • URL: Buzzsprout affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: $20 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Lifetime
  • Products/Services sold: Podcasting tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Deep linking

9 Astra Bafflingly, over one-quarter of small businesses still don’t have a website. That’s good news for Astra, which sells the world’s most popular WordPress theme, used by 2.3+ million websites.

Part of its success is down to speed. The Astra theme takes up less than 50 kb of space (compared to 300 kb or more for many themes), helping it load super-fast. That’s a major selling point, given that over half of internet users expect pages to load in three seconds or less.

If your audience is interested in building a website and you want to earn passive income consistently, Astra’s affiliate program is a fantastic fit. It pays 30% recurring commissions, equivalent to up to $375 per sale, with leading Astra affiliates earning $5,000+ monthly.

  • URL: Astra affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 30% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: WordPress theme, website templates
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Images and banners, social media posts, email copy, videos, blog ideas, dedicated affiliate manager

10 Cloudways The website hosting market is expected to be worth over $267 billion by 2028. And while Cloudways might not be the biggest player in the niche, it is one of the most highly rated for excellent customer service.

Given its comparatively high pricing, Cloudways isn’t an obvious fit for hobbyists who just want to start a blog. But it’s an excellent match for small businesses, with G2 naming it the #1 hosting provider for SMBs. So if you write about topics like business advice and entrepreneurship, this affiliate program is a strong choice.

The Cloudways affiliate program has two earning models: Slab (up to $125 per sale) and Hybrid ($30 upfront payment and lifetime 7% recurring commissions). Unless you’re driving 50+ sales monthly, Hybrid delivers the best income potential for most bloggers.

  • URL: Cloudways affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $125, or $30 per sale + 7% lifetime commission
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Cloud hosting
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Dedicated affiliate support, promotional banners, exclusive deals, seasonal campaigns, landing pages

11 OptinMonsterNine in 10 marketers cite “lead generation” as their #1 marketing goal, while 37% say generating quality leads is one of the biggest challenges.

That’s fantastic news for businesses like OptinMonster, a powerful lead-generation solution for bloggers, e-commerce stores, and businesses. It has 1.2+ million users, including heavyweights like McAfee, Pinterest, and Tripadvisor.

OptinMonster’s affiliate program pays 20% per sale, meaning you could earn up to $118 from a single conversion. And it boasts superb conversion rates of 12.7%. This means about one in eight people who click through become customers. So there’s a high chance your referrals will convert — resulting in more commissions.

And when it comes to closing the deal, be sure to mention the 14-day, no-quibble money-back guarantee.

  • URL: OptinMonster affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Lead generation software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Banner ads, coupons and deals, affiliate marketing tips

12 Authority Hacker Authority Hacker… Where have I heard that name before?

The fact you’re reading this article means you’re at least somewhat aware of the benefits of affiliate marketing. And you might also be aware that it takes a lot of work to make it as an affiliate marketer.

That’s basically why Authority Hacker exists.

Mark and Gael (the two handsome devils in the above screenshot) spent years building successful affiliate websites in dozens of niches. They made a bunch of mistakes along the way — and they got a lot of stuff right, too. Today, they share their learnings and growth strategies with students through our flagship affiliate marketing courses, The Authority Site System and Authority Hacker Pro.

If you send customers our way, we reward you with commissions of up to $1,979 per sale, making this one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in any niche. You also get a 60-day cookie window to give your traffic the best chance of converting.

Our top affiliates achieve EPCs of $10+, so there’s some serious earning potential here. But we don’t work with just anyone. Check out our affiliate page to see if we’re a good match.

  • URL: AuthorityHacker affiliate program
  • Managed by: ThriveCart
  • Commission rate: Up to $1,979 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Affiliate marketing training
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Shared webinars and joint promotions, retargeting ads, high-quality educational resources (blogs and podcast episodes)

13 NamecheapWe’ve already noted that a staggering number of businesses still haven’t built a website. And what’s the first step toward building a site? Registering a domain name.

That’s where Namecheap comes in. It helps customers register their own domain, find the right hosting, add professional email, and enhance site appearance through web and logo design tools. In other words, everything you need to kickstart a website.

While there are tons of companies out there offering similar services, Namecheap comes highly recommended, with a 4.7 rating on Shopper Approved from over two million customer reviews. It’s even used by big brands like Figma and Imgur.

You can find the company’s affiliate program on various networks, with the most attractive terms currently available through Impact.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | 20% – 50% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | ShareASale | 30% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | CJ Affiliate | Up to 35% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Domain name registration, web hosting
  • Additional resources: Banners, text links, referral offers, dedicated support team

14 Kinsta Another of the big hosting providers, Kinsta is trusted by over 55,000 developers and 25,000+ businesses, including Hootsuite and Tripadvisor.

The company is clearly proud of its customer service, touting technical support response times as low as 1 minute 27 seconds, and boasting a satisfaction rate of 97%. It’s also highly rated on Trustpilot, giving you the confidence that you’re recommending a quality service.

Kinsta’s affiliate program pays out $1 million in yearly commissions and has three different referral models: WordPress hosting, app hosting, and database hosting. All pay recurring commissions, offering the chance to build a long-lasting revenue stream from each referral.

Pleasingly, Kinsta also boasts a super low 2% churn rate, so there’s a good chance your referrals will keep paying — which means you keep earning. It also has a longer cookie duration than many web hosting affiliate programs.

  • URL: Kinsta affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 5% – 10% per sale (plus possible bounty payments)
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Managed cloud hosting platform
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: In-depth guides, banners, dedicated affiliate support, custom link generator, multilingual dashboard

15 TeachableWe humans are on a constant quest for self-improvement, as demonstrated by the fact that learning a new skill is consistently named one of America’s top new year’s resolutions.

That’s why online learning platforms like Teachable have become a consistent earner for many affiliate marketers.

Teachable helps creators build and promote online courses, digital downloads, and coaching content without any coding knowledge. And, unlike some similar platforms, creators retain full control over their course materials.

With Teachable’s affiliate program, you earn 30% of each plan purchased by creators you refer to the platform. So if they choose a recurring price plan, you receive recurring commissions, helping you build a regular stream of affiliate income. The average Teachable affiliate partner earns $450 monthly, while top performers are pocketing $1,000+ per month.

  • URL: Teachable affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: 30% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tools for education creators
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking,

16 SkillshareIf you think of Teachable as a B2B online learning affiliate program, Skillshare is its B2C equivalent: you’re promoting the service to learners rather than course creators. So if you write about topics like self-improvement and career advice, this program is a natural fit.

Skillshare offers over 34,000 classes across dozens of creative niches, from digital illustration to creative writing to UX design. So there’s a good chance you’ll find a skill or course that’s relevant to your audience.

It even offers a bunch of free courses and a seven-day free trial, so would-be customers can try it out before committing. That should make it easier to close the deal.

Skillshare’s affiliate program pays 40% per sale, equivalent to up to $67 for each customer you refer. However, despite the comparably high commission rate, the platform actually has a lower EPC than Teachable, at $0.47 (vs. $1.11).

  • URL: Skillshare affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: 40% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online learning
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog

17 SiteGroundWe’ve made no secret of the fact that we <3 SiteGround, even naming it as our #1 hosting provider for beginners.

It’s cheap, fast, and reliable, as demonstrated by its 98% satisfaction rating. And it’s also extremely popular, with figures from W3Techs revealing that SiteGround hosts over 2% of all websites.

(Find out what else we love about the hosting provider in our SiteGround affiliate program review.)

SiteGround’s affiliate program pays commissions of up to $100 per sale and has a solid 60-day cookie window, giving plenty of time for your referrals to convert. However, you need to drive 11+ sales per month to hit the top-tier commission rate; you start at a less impressive (but still respectable) $50 per sale.

  • URL: Siteground affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $100 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Web hosting
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Banners, screenshots, custom landing pages, detailed performance tracking, dev tools

18 FlexJobsIt’s fair to say the world has embraced flexible working. According to McKinsey & Company, it’s one of the top three motivators for Americans looking for a new job, only behind better pay or hours and better career opportunities.

For many jobseekers, FlexJobs has become the go-to portal for flexible roles, with every opportunity on the site offering some degree of flexibility — such as freelancing, working from home, and part-time hours. It features jobs across 50+ career categories and is used by several high-profile employers, including Apple, Salesforce, and United Healthcare.

On the face of things, the FlexJobs affiliate program looks pretty… meh. It pays $7 per membership sale, rising to $10 if you refer 50+ sales per month. And it only has a one-day cookie window, which sucks.

Still, CJ Affiliate shows a three-month EPC of $8.55, so there’s clearly decent earning potential here.

Note: At time of writing, FlexJobs isn’t reviewing applications from outside the US. This will presumably change at some point, so check their listing on CJ Affiliate before applying.

  • URL: FlexJobs affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: Up to $10 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Employment services
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Promotions and discounts, affiliate newsletter, dedicated affiliate manager

19 NotionThe global market for productivity software will be worth an estimated $88 billion by 2028, so it’s well worth considering as an affiliate niche (provided you have a B2B audience).

One of the current belles of the productivity tool ball is Notion, an all-in-one platform combining documents, note-taking, task management, and collaboration. Unlike a lot of similar tools, it’s actually good. So good, in fact, that we use it here at Authority Hacker for all our content planning needs.

It even has some jazzy AI functionality, allowing you to rewrite chunks of text or generate copy from scratch. So it’s kind of like ChatGPT plus Trello plus Asana plus Google Docs.

If you’re looking for high-paying affiliate programs, Notion is a solid choice. It offers recurring commissions of up to 50% per sale for the first 12 months of the customer’s subscription, so a single sale could translate to hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in commissions.

  • URL: Notion affiliate program
  • Managed by: PartnerStack
  • Commission rate: 50% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Productivity and collaboration tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Stripe
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Best practices, guides, videos

20 SemrushIf you’ve ever worked in digital marketing, you’re probably familiar with Semrush, an SEO and content marketing platform that combines 40+ tools, covering everything from keyword research to competitor analysis.

At first glance, Semrush looks pretty expensive, with pricing starting at ~$100 per month. But don’t let that put you off, because it’s a lot cheaper than subscribing to a bunch of standalone SEO tools that offer a fraction of Semrush’s functionality.

Either way, the price point clearly isn’t putting off customers, because over seven million marketers use the platform — including one in four Fortune 500s.

Semrush regularly appears on lists of popular affiliate programs because it offers commissions for free trials. That’s right: you earn $10 per referral, even if the customer never pays Semrush a cent. Unsurprisingly, you’ll earn a lot more if your referrals choose a paid Semrush; $200 per sale, to be precise.

  • URL: Semrush affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: Up to $200 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Up to 400 days
  • Products/Services sold: Digital marketing tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog, exclusive creatives, experienced account managers

21 CanvaNeed to design a social media banner, a slick company presentation, or a wedding invitation? Don’t have an InDesign license? Chances are you’ll head straight to Canva, which is fast becoming the world’s favorite graphic design tool. Over 100 million monthly active users log on to Canva to bring their ideas to life.

In part, the platform’s immense popularity stems from its simplicity. With thousands of templates and millions of photos, graphics, videos, fonts, and audio files available, it’s (relatively) easy for non-designers to create beautiful assets, fast.

Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of Canva users choose the platform’s free product tier. Your task as an affiliate partner is to promote its paid packages. For each sale you refer, you’ll pocket up to $36.

  • URL: Canva affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: Up to $36 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Graphic design software
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Email and live chat support, ad templates

22 FreshBooksServing customers; dealing with suppliers; planning for the future; small business owners are busy people. The last thing they want is to spend days on end sending invoices.

So they turn to FreshBooks, an accounting and invoicing platform built with small businesses in mind. It claims to help users save up to 553 hours and $7,000 in billable time a year on repetitive paperwork. It’s no surprise then that over 30 million businesses have used FreshBooks.

Like Semrush, FreshBooks is one of those rare affiliate programs that pays for free trial signups; for each trial you refer, you’ll earn up to $10. And if those trialists become paying customers, you’ll be rewarded with upgrade commissions of up to $200.

Best of all, the program has a 120-day cookie window, leaving plenty of time for trialists to explore the platform and sign up for a paid account.

  • URL: FreshBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: Up to $200 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting & invoicing software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Creative assets, coupons and deals, affiliate marketing newsletters, dedicated affiliate team, article ideas, social media tips & strategies, email & newsletter ideas, performance tracking & insights

23 QuickBooksQuickBooks is the yin to FreshBooks’ yang; another accounting platform designed to save small business owners a bunch of time and stress on dull-but-essential tasks. More than 4.5 million customers globally use QuickBooks, giving the platform superb brand awareness (making for a comparatively easy “sell”).

Joining the QuickBooks affiliate program is kind of like joining two separate programs, because you’ve got two distinct products to promote: QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Payroll. The former is the most popular accounting software in the US, while the latter is a low-cost payroll service used by over one million businesses.

Commissions are fractionally higher for sales of QuickBooks Payroll, at up to $55 per sale (vs. up to $50 per sale for QuickBooks Pro).

Figures from CJ Affiliate, QuickBooks’ affiliate network, show a three-month EPC of $190.51 — the second-highest in the network’s productivity tools category. That’s impressive, but it’s lower than FreshBooks’ 30-day EPC of $247.47 (albeit they’re on different affiliate networks, so the figures aren’t totally comparable).

  • URL: QuickBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: Up to $55 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Up to 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting & payroll software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

24 NordstromFigures from YouGov show that Nordstrom is one of America’s most popular department stores. It has a brand recognition rating of 92% and a higher popularity level than rivals like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks.

The retailer sells a vast selection of brands and products across multiple price points, from affordable fashion to luxury names like Valentino. That makes it a good fit for any fashion-related affiliate marketer; if your audience is interested in clothes, shoes, and accessories, they’ll find something for them at Nordstrom.

That’s the good news. The less-good news is that Nordstrom’s affiliate program has a lousy 1% base commission rate. For comparison, Amazon pays 4% on apparel. Still, maybe the Nordstrom name carries a little more cachet for higher-end audiences.

  • URL: Nordstrom affiliate program
  • Managed by: Rakuten
  • Commission rate: 1% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, homeware
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Creative banners, exclusive offers, affiliate marketing newsletters

What is Affiliate Marketing and How Does it Work for Bloggers?Affiliate marketing is a strategy where bloggers and content creators earn commissions by promoting products and services to their audiences. It involves three key players:

Now we’re clear on who’s involved, let’s consider what a typical affiliate marketing buyer journey might look like for an imaginary dog food review blog you’ve started:

  1. A consumer searches on Google for “best dog food for fussy eaters” and clicks on one of your posts.
  2. They read your recommendations and like the sound of The Farmer’s Dog, so they click your affiliate link through to the advertiser’s site.
  3. The Farmer’s Dog stores a tiny file called a cookie on the consumer’s device, identifying your blog as the referrer.
  4. Life gets in the way and the shopper ends their browsing session.
  5. The next day, they return to The Farmer’s Dog and purchase a subscription.
  6. Because they converted within the cookie window, you earn a commission for referring them. Way to go!

How Affiliate Marketing Works (a 5-Step Process)Part of the reason affiliate programs for bloggers are so popular is because the barrier to entry is so low. Getting started basically involves these steps:

  1. Choosing a product: Identify a product or service that’s relevant to your audience, that they want to buy, and that they can afford.
  2. Joining a program: Find brands selling those products or services, then sign up for their affiliate programs on the advertiser’s website or through an affiliate network.
  3. Creating content: This part should be second-nature to all bloggers! Informational content (like how-to guides and explainer videos) helps you generate top-of-the-funnel traffic, while commercial content (like buying guides and product reviews) is your opportunity to promote specific products and add your affiliate links…
  4. Adding affiliate links: Use a unique URL containing your affiliate ID or username to direct the audience to the advertiser’s website.
  5. Earning commissions: This is the easy part, because it’s totally passive income! When a purchase is made via your link, the sale is traced back to you, and you receive a commission.

Find out more in our step-by-step guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.


Why Websites are the Best Platform for Affiliate MarketingWebsites aren’t the only way to make money from affiliate marketing. There are lots of other options, including:

Social media: From Facebook to TikTok to Twitch, every social platform offers some way to add affiliate links. They often make it difficult though (e.g. you need a business account to add a link to your TikTok bio).

Email lists: Email marketing is unmatched when it comes to ROI. However, you need to leverage at least one other channel to encourage people to join your list in the first place.

Podcasts: Almost two in three US adults have listened to at least one podcast, so they’re a fantastic channel for reaching your audience. But because podcasting is an audio medium, you’ll have to stick your link in the show notes, where it’s easily missed.

So it’s totally possible to make money from affiliate marketing without a website; it’s just a lot more difficult.

Fact is, websites offer various advantages over other potential affiliate channels, such as:

Full ownership. With a website, you own all the content you create, ensuring its longevity. In contrast, third-party platforms could shut down, forcing content migration or loss. Just ask users of Posterous or Storify.

Control. Social media platforms can change their terms overnight, potentially damaging your affiliate business. However, a website allows you total control over your content and promotions.

SEO. Organic search targets high-intent traffic from users actively searching for information, like “best dog food for fussy eaters.” Ranking for such keywords increases the likelihood of commissions, while social media traffic is less qualified.

Analytics. Google Analytics helps understand user behavior across platforms and create better content. Social media analytics are limited to single-platform insights.

Trust. Consumers trust blogs (65%) and websites (76%) more than social media (51%) for brand information. This increased trust in websites can lead to more clicks and sales from product recommendations.

For those reasons (and more), even affiliate publishers with big social followings — like ThisIsWhyImBroke, which has 277,000 Facebook followers — tend to steer audiences toward their own website rather than sending them straight to the advertiser:


How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your BlogThere are two ways to choose affiliate programs: find them directly when you’re looking for a product or service to recommend to your readers, or sign up through an affiliate network to find multiple relevant advertisers on a single platform.

(Most) affiliate programs are run by a single brand, and allow you to promote only that brand’s products or services. Affiliate networks, on the other hand, might work with thousands of individual brands, making it quick and easy to find offers in your niche. However, you’ll often find more attractive terms and conditions — like higher commission rates and longer referral windows — by working directly with advertisers.

Here’s how both approaches work in practice:

  1. Join Affiliate Programs DirectlyAffiliate programs are run by advertisers (e.g. brands, retailers, and service providers).

You can find individual programs in your niche by simply Googling: {niche} + “affiliate program” (e.g. gaming + “affiliate program”).

That’ll likely bring up roundups of the best affiliate programs within that niche…

…as well as the occasional advertiser:

Alternatively, analyze other bloggers in your niche to see which programs they’re promoting, then join them yourself.

  1. Sign Up Through An Affiliate NetworkJoining an affiliate marketing network is a fast way to identify hundreds of programs at once.

These are exactly what they sound like: networks of multiple affiliate programs managed through a single platform, typically offering tools to help both publishers and advertisers generate a higher return from their affiliate marketing strategy.

Examples of affiliate networks include:

  • CJ Affiliate
  • ClickBank
  • FlexOffers
  • Pepperjam
  • Rakuten
  • ShareASale

All offer search functions that make it easy to track down advertisers that align with your audience:

Factors to Consider When Choosing Affiliate Programs for BloggersNew affiliate marketers often sign up for affiliate programs that are run by the biggest names in their niche or that pay the highest commissions, without first considering if those programs are a good fit.

Before joining a program, we recommend considering the following factors:

*Relevance*. In other words, would your audience buy products or services from this brand? And can you promote them naturally in your content without radically changing the direction of your blog?

Commission rate. Affiliate marketing is all about making money, so commission rates are kind of important. Rates typically range from around 5% — 50%, although lower (and higher) rates exist. Learn more in our roundup of high-paying affiliate programs.

Conversion rate. Not all affiliate programs or networks publish this information. But if you can find it, it’s an invaluable way to identify the best affiliate programs. Even if a program pays low commissions, you might still be an attractive option thanks to their sky-high conversion rate.

Cookie duration. Think of this as your window to seal the deal. For instance, if a program has a 30-day cookie duration, you’ll earn a commission if the customer buys within 30 days of clicking your affiliate link.

Payment method. Simply put, do their commission payment methods work for you? Not all advertisers pay via PayPal, so be sure to check this out.

Affiliate support. Most affiliate programs offer some support. But this might range from providing a couple banner ads to giving you access to a dedicated contact who’ll help optimize your affiliate marketing strategy.


ConclusionAffiliate marketing is one of the most attractive ways for bloggers to monetize their content.

It lets you build a passive revenue stream without forcing you to do anything that interrupts your audience (like bombarding them with ads).

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We gathered 149 of the top AI statistics for a data-driven glimpse into AI and its future.

Our own verified statistics from our recent AI survey and reliable third-party sources provided the foundation for this list. It covers everything from AI adoption and usage to its perceived dangers in 2023 and beyond.


Top AI Statistics (Editor’s Pick)This hand-picked shortlist of the most compelling AI statistics include key metrics on adoption, personal & business usage, impact on jobs and sentiment towards AI.

  • 35% of businesses have adopted AI.
  • 77% of devices in use feature some form of AI.
  • 9 out of 10 organizations support AI for a competitive advantage.
  • AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
  • By 2025, AI might eliminate 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 12 million jobs.
  • 85.1% of AI users use the technology for article writing and content creation.
  • 81.6% of digital marketers think content writers’ jobs are at risk because of AI.
  • 50% of consumers are now optimistic about AI.
  • 33% of consumers think they are using AI platforms (actual usage is 77%).
  • 43% of businesses are concerned about technology dependence.

AI Adoption and Implementation Across IndustriesAI has been around for a while, but it ChatGPT’s public launch in November 2022 propelled its adoption among the general public. ChatGPT set the record for the fastest app growth to 100 million users.

According to IBM, 35% of businesses have already embraced AI. It is clear from the statistics below that most leaders are excited about AI’s potential for enhancing capabilities and lowering costs. Netflix has already saved a reported $1 billion by utilizing machine learning, and AI can boost business performance by as much as 40%.

It’s clear from the following 39 AI adoption statistics that companies are bullish on AI.

  • 35% of businesses now use AI.
  • Nine out of ten leading businesses invest in AI technologies, but only 14.6% have deployed AI capabilities in their operations.
  • 52% of telephone companies now use AI chatbots.
  • 72% of companies that use AI believe it simplifies their jobs.
  • 59% of executives are convinced that AI applications will enhance big data in their companies.
  • 9 out of 10 organizations support AI for gaining a competitive edge over rivals.
  • 54.9% of people suspect they’ve received undisclosed AI content from a service provider.
  • 80% of retail executives plan to adopt AI automation by 2025.
  • In 2022, large companies were twice as likely as small ones to use AI.
  • In 2022, 53% of global IT companies reported accelerated AI adoption over the previous two years.
  • 77% of currently used devices feature some form of AI.
  • 25% of travel and hospitality companies use chatbot technology.
  • 64% of business owners believe AI will boost productivity.
  • Machine learning at Netflix saves $1 billion.
  • About 4 out of 10 organizations plan to implement AI.
  • Approximately 4 out of 5 companies consider AI a top priority in their business strategy.
  • AI technology is expected to increase banking industry revenue by $1 billion within the next three years.
  • 72% of executives think AI will become the most significant business advantage in the future.
  • 75% of top executives believe AI will help their organization grow.
  • 47% of companies have integrated AI into at least one business function.
  • 63% of organizations intend to adopt AI globally within the next three years.
  • 68% of healthcare organizations employ AI.
  • 63% of IT and telecom sector organizations utilize AI.
  • 44% of automotive organizations implement AI.
  • AI technology increases business productivity by 40%.
  • Businesses with over 100,000 employees are more likely to have a strategy implementing AI.
  • Machine learning has grown by 48% in the automotive sector.
  • The retail industry leads in AI implementation, with 72% of retailers using AI.
  • 47% of organizations have a defined mobile AI strategy.
  • 84% of global business organizations believe AI will give them a competitive advantage.
  • 85% of business-customer relationships will be managed without human interaction.
  • 97% of business owners think ChatGPT will benefit their business.
  • 35% of businesses worry about the technical skills needed for AI use.
  • The primary goal for incorporating AI is optimizing internal business operations, according to 36% of executives.
  • 20% of C-suite executives use machine learning.
  • Oxford University’s AI system can read lips with 93% accuracy using machine learning.
  • Google processes 6.9 billion daily search queries using global AI technologies.
  • WhatsApp generates over 100 billion AI-processed messages each day.
  • By 2035, 75% of vehicles will be equipped with AI technology.

Sources: Authority Hacker, IBM, NewVantage Partners, Gartner, PwC, MIT Sloan Management, Statista, Forbes, Accenture, McKinsey, Tractica, Harvard Business Review, Flexis, Google


Impact of AI on Jobs and EmploymentData from our own AI survey was clear: AI does pose a risk to some jobs. Content writers and creators jobs are among the most at risk today, with many already reporting significant drops in orders as companies try cheaper AI alternatives.

Many more IT and customer service-based jobs could be at risk in the future, though there is also reason to be optimistic about new jobs being created too.

  • 32.9% of businesses have already replaced some human tasks with AI solutions.
  • 81.6% of digital marketers think content writers’ jobs are at risk because of AI.
  • AI is predicted to boost local GDPs, with China experiencing the largest gain of 26% by 2030.
  • AI will add 15.7 trillion dollars to the world’s GDP by 2030, boosting it by 14%.
  • By 2025, AI will eliminate 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 12 million jobs.
  • 10% of nursing tasks could be automated by 2030.
  • By 2030, intelligent robots may replace 30% of the global workforce.
  • 375 million people may need to change careers by 2030.
  • A high risk of automation affects 38% of US jobs, 35% in Germany, 30% in the UK, and 21% in Japan.
  • Cognitive technologies, such as AI and ML, will replace 16% of US jobs by 2025.
  • AI and other technological changes could displace 75 million jobs by 2025.
  • 20 million manufacturing jobs could be lost to automation by 2030.
  • Nearly 30% of UK jobs could be replaced by AI in the early 2030s.
  • 52% of experts believe automation will displace jobs but also create new ones.
  • 43% of businesses plan to reduce their workforce due to technological integration.
  • In the UK, AI could displace retail and wholesale trade workers, manual laborers in manufacturing and construction, and administrative and secretarial workers.

Sources: Authority Hacker, PwC Global, World Economic Forum, EIT Health, McKinsey&Company, Forrester Research, Blumberg Capital, Pew Research Center


AI Impact on Marketing, Customer Service, and SalesMarketers are among the fastest AI adopters to date. The vast majority are confident in their ability to learn to utilize the tech. Customer Service and sales are two other areas where significant efficiencies can be gained with AI.

  • 75.7% of digital marketers now use AI tools for work.
  • 49.5% of marketers use AI tools multiple times per week or more.
  • 67.7% of marketers say that lack of knowledge and time are the two biggest reasons against using AI tools.
  • 69% of digital marketers actively use ChatGPT.
  • 85.1% of AI users use it for blog content creation.
  • 65.8% of people find AI content equal to or better than human writing.
  • A mere 14.03% of users trust keyword data from AI tools.
  • Only 32.5% of users trust AI-generated search results.
  • 98.1% of digital marketers acknowledge that some understanding of AI is important for their jobs.
  • 90% of marketers are confident in learning and adapting to new AI tools and technology.
  • Over 50% of marketers have some concerns about AI replacing them in their own jobs.
  • 60% of marketers feel positive about the rise of the AI industry.
  • Less than 20% of marketers think AI tools will have a negative impact on content quality.
  • Only 30.1% of marketers think AI will negatively impact search traffic in 5 years.
  • 72.6% of people are concerned about AI content becoming indistinguishable from human-written content.
  • 37.4% of digital marketers are using AI detection tools.
  • 59.5% of marketers oppose mandatory AI content disclosures.
  • 26% of B2B marketers using chatbots saw a 10-20% increase in lead generation volumes.
  • In an October 2022 US survey, 57% of B2B marketers used chatbots to understand their audience better.
  • The chatbot market is forecast to reach around 1.25 billion US dollars in 2025, a significant increase from the market size in 2016, which stood at 190.8 million US dollars.
  • 43% of American marketers found that chatbots helped educate prospects.
  • 59% of marketers believe AI will revolutionize the marketing industry.
  • 70% of consumers expect a chatbot response within 5 minutes.
  • 74% of consumers demand instant answers to their questions.
  • 67% of people expect to use messaging apps to communicate with businesses.
  • 75% of consumers are comfortable with chatbots handling routine customer service tasks, while only 33% approve of chatbots managing complex inquiries.
  • 38% of consumers globally prefer to use chatbots.
  • 80% of consumers prefer using chatbots for simple tasks like checking account balances or booking appointments.
  • Over 60% of business owners (64%) think AI will improve customer relationships.
  • AI tech can increase revenue by over $15 trillion in the next decade.

Sources: Authority Hacker, Accenture, Gartner, Forbes


AI Market Size and GrowthMass consumer adoption of AI, largely driven by ChatGPT, has skyrocketed the outlook around AI growth. Companies are investing more into AI solutions across industries such as healthcare, security and education.

  • AI is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
  • The autonomous vehicle industry could be worth $667.7 billion by 2026.
  • The global AI market is predicted to hit $1.81 trillion by 2030.
  • The AI software market’s global annual revenue currently exceeds $50 billion.
  • The wearable AI market is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025.
  • Worldwide AI chip revenue will surpass $80 billion in the next five years.
  • The US AI market size is estimated to reach nearly $300 billion by 2026.
  • AI-powered self-driving vehicles generate over $170 billion in annual revenue worldwide.
  • AI telecommunications is valued at $2.5 billion and rising.
  • By 2024, the global AI market will grow to over half a trillion US dollars.
  • The number of AI startups has increased 14 times since 2000.
  • AI in the healthcare market grew by 41.2% from 2018 to 2023.
  • AI in the security market is expected to reach $19.5 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 40.6% from 2018.
  • AI in the education market is projected to reach $2.0 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 42.9% from 2018.
  • The global AI market is currently worth $136.6 billion.
  • Global AI is growing at a CAGR of nearly 40%.
  • AI service revenue will increase by over 6x in five years.
  • The AI market is set to grow by 38% in 2023.
  • AI in the transportation market is expected to reach $6.8 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 21.5% from 2018.
  • AI in the manufacturing market is projected to reach $7.2 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 42.2% from 2018.
  • AI in the energy and utilities market is predicted to reach $1.5 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 38.3% from 2018.

Sources: PwC Global, GrandViewResearch, Omdia, Global Market Insights, The Insight Partners, Markets and Markets, Statista, Forbes, Tractica


Consumer Perspectives on AIWhile the rapid adoption of AI speaks volumes about how people feel, it’s not without its faults. AI sounds very convincing, even when it makes up facts. This can pose serious issues in a world where polarization, fake news, and biases dominate the political landscape.

  • AI-generated content concerns 63% of individuals due to potential bias or inaccuracies.
  • AI is viewed optimistically by 50% of consumers.
  • A majority, two-thirds of modern consumers, are open to AI enhancing customer engagement.
  • Private information protection by AI is doubted by 52% of consumers.
  • Half of the consumers perceive job loss to computers as a current reality.
  • Four out of every ten consumers believe AI usage will make companies more cautious with customer data.
  • A mere 7% of individuals trust chatbots for claim-making.
  • The AI market’s limited transparency worries approximately 75% of CEOs.
  • Around 41% of consumers from India, China, Western Europe, and the US see AI as a life-improving tool.
  • Chatbots have a positive image among 38% of consumers.
  • Significant attention towards generative and conversational AI (especially ChatGPT) was observed from 48% of the public in 2023.
  • Understanding AI is claimed by fewer than half of consumers.
  • Nearly half (49%) of consumers question the safety of automation in healthcare.
  • For 28% of people, the value of human touch in tasks is irreplaceable.
  • AI is believed to enhance their lives by 41% of consumers.
  • AI platform usage is believed to be at 33% by consumers, whereas the actual usage is 77%.
  • Dependency on technology is a concern for 43% of businesses.
  • A survey revealed that 57% of consumers prefer chatbots, leaving 43% preferring human interaction.
  • AI’s impact on website traffic worries nearly a quarter (24%) of business owners.

Sources: Authority Hacker, Blumberg Capital, Salesforce, PwC, LivePerson, Forbes, Accenture


AI Voice Assistant and Smart Speaker StatisticsVoice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri have shown remarkable improvements in their capabilities and accuracy. And the adoption rate of these AI-powered assistants worldwide is truly unprecedented. AI’s ability to understand and process natural language makes it perfect for voice interaction.

  • Siri from Apple ranks last in commerce-related accuracy, only giving correct answers 68% of the time.
  • In 2021, Amazon’s Alexa had roughly 80,000 skills within the US and over 100,000 globally.
  • Google has a 17% share of the global smart speaker market.
  • Google Assistant ranks first in accuracy among voice assistants.
  • Over half of all Americans use voice assistants to gather information.
  • By 2024, there will be 8.4 billion digital voice assistants in use globally, outnumbering the world population.
  • The most popular voice search tasks include checking the weather (42%), setting alarms (36%), and playing music (34%).
  • While multitasking, 60% of people use voice search.
  • Over 70% of voice search users find local business information through it.
  • Purchases are made using voice-activated devices by 40% of owners.
  • Nearly half of Americans (46%) use voice-controlled virtual assistants.
  • Google Assistant is considered the “smartest” voice assistant, with an impressive 98% accuracy rate.
  • Amazon’s Alexa is present in more than 60,000 devices globally.
  • A large majority of both Android (96%) and iPhone (98%) users use AI voice assistants.
  • Daily, 55% of consumers use voice search to find local business information.
  • Companies offering a voice-activated assistant are preferred by 62% of voice search users.
  • About 40% of US internet users make use of voice search on a daily basis.
  • 66% of voice search users make weekly purchases through their devices.
  • Voice search is used daily by 41% of adults and 55% of teens.
  • 20% of mobile searches are voice-based.
  • Voice-activated device owners use their devices daily (70%) and multiple times a day (40%).
  • 60% of consumers prefer using voice search over typing on a mobile device.
  • A whopping 97% of mobile users utilize AI-powered voice assistants.
  • As of the end of 2020, 30% of web browsing and searches were conducted without a screen.

Sources: Statista, Edison Research, Pew Research Center, Gartner


ConclusionCurrent data suggests that AI adoption will keep soaring in the coming years.

There are numerous significant issues to overcome, such as the impact on jobs, technology dependence, and security. But given the scale of AI adoption, these problems can and will be solved.

FAQWhat percent of the population uses AI?Determining the exact percent of the global population using AI is challenging as there is no verifiable data available at the moment. However, based on the Global AI Adoption Index study conducted by IBM, it’s evident that about 35% of businesses have incorporated AI into their operations.

What is the most advanced AI technology right now? Several cutting-edge AI technologies currently stand out, such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and computer vision. Notably, the recent emergence of Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) models, known for their capabilities in NLP, represents a significant advancement in the realm of AI.

Which industry uses AI the most?The sector that extensively deploys AI the most is the supply chain and manufacturing industry. Based on data from Statista, the rate of AI adoption within global supply chain enterprises is projected to reach 55% by the year 2025.

What are the different types of AI?AI comes in various forms, and as per an article by Forbes, there are four distinct categories of AI or AI-based systems. These include reactive machines, machines with limited memory, AI with a ‘theory of mind’, and self-aware AI systems.

What is the future of AI?The recent advancement in AI is expected to pave the way for more sophisticated, efficient, and helpful AI applications, potentially revolutionizing patient care, human-computer interaction, technological infrastructure, and financial transactions. Overall, the future of AI looks promising.

What is the difference between AI, machine learning, and deep learning?AI, machine learning, and deep learning represent a nested hierarchy of progressively specialized fields.
AI is the broadest concept, encompassing any machine or software that mimics human intelligence.
Machine learning is a subset of AI, involving systems that improve performance through exposure to data without explicit programming.
Deep learning is a further subset of machine learning, focusing on complex neural networks capable of processing vast amounts of data, often exceeding the capabilities of traditional machine learning models.

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Singapore affiliate programs have never been more popular as the side-hustle generation finds new ways to bring in earnings.

OCBC Bank reveals two-thirds of Singaporean 21 to 29-year-olds and over half of those aged 30 to 39 have some kind of side gig.

No doubt many of those eager rise-and-grinders are making money online through affiliate programs, the ultimate passive income generator.

But with so many brands and affiliate niches, where should you start?

We dived into the data to round up the top-converting, highest-paying programs to help you make money from affiliate marketing in Singapore.

Singapore Affiliate Programs & Networks1. Amazon Associates 2. Lazada 3. AirAsia 4. eBay 5. Castlery 6. Zalora 7. Secretlab 8. Sephora Singapore 9. CHARLES & KEITH 10. JD Sports Singapore 11. SHEIN 12. InvolveAsia 13. Cuelinks 14. Commission Factory 15. Indoleads.com

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1 Amazon AssociatesUnlike in most of the world, Amazon isn’t the top dog among ecommerce websites in Singapore.

But don’t feel too bad for Bezos, because it’s still at #3 on the list, generating close to five million monthly visits:

The ecommerce giant’s own research reveals that 53% of Singaporeans want to see more items from local brands in ecommerce stores. So Amazon stocks a wide range of products from local favorites like Hush Candles, PRISM+, and Epitex via its small business store.

As any experienced affiliate marketer will tell you, Amazon’s affiliate program — Amazon Associates — is regularly updated, but commission rates currently range from 2.2% – 12% per sale, depending on the product category.

It also runs short-term “bounty events” that pay fixed commissions for specific actions, like driving Amazon Prime free trial signups.

Amazon Associates is open to bloggers, publishers, and content creators with qualifying websites. Got a social media account with a big following? Sign up for Amazon’s separate influencer program.

Want to learn more about promoting Amazon’s vast library of products? Check out our Amazon Associates review.

  • URL: Amazon Associates Singapore affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 2.2% – 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Products/Services sold: More like what don’t they sell?
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, check, Amazon gift certificate
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Customized linking tools

2 LazadaNot many companies can claim to be bigger than Amazon, making Lazada.sg a rare exception (at least in a solely Singaporean context):

How has it knocked the big “A” off its perch? In part because it’s backed by another of the world’s ecommerce behemoths, Alibaba.

The marketplace is used by 130 million annual active consumers and over 920,000 sellers, so Lazada is a household name in Singapore. That makes for a comparatively easy “sell”.

Lazada is pretty coy about the terms and conditions of its affiliate program. But it does tout a cookie duration of 30 days and a commission rate of up to 40% per sale — both of which are massively higher than Amazon Associates.

  • URL: Lazada affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to 40% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Electronics, health and beauty, home decor, groceries, and more
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Unlisted

3 AirAsia How’s this for an obscure stat: Singaporeans are the world’s 14th most frequent flyers, taking an average of 4.21 flights per year. That’s twice as many as the average American. So travel affiliate programs are an ideal fit for would-be affiliates targeting audiences in Singapore.

Which brings us nicely to AirAsia, one of Southeast Asia’s leading budget airlines. They’re extremely well regarded, being named the world’s leading low-cost airline at the World Travel Awards for 10 years in a row.

The airline flies direct to eight Malaysian locations from Singapore’s Changi Airport, including to Kuala Lumpur — the second-busiest international route on the planet.

Like Lazada, AirAsia hasn’t published a ton of details about its affiliate program, but it does quote commission rates of up to 9% per sale.

If you’ve read our roundup of the best airline affiliate programs, you’ll know that’s way higher than most operators (Etihad, for instance, pays a measly 1.6%).

  • URL: Airasia affiliate program
  • Managed by: Partnerize
  • Commission rate: Up to 9% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Flight tickets
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Banner ads, product feed, deep product linking

4 eBayHistorically, eBay hasn’t seen the same success in Singapore that it’s enjoyed in North America and Europe. Indeed, it’s only the 10th biggest Singaporean ecommerce store in terms of traffic.

But there are signs of a brighter future for eBay. The marketplace tops YouGov’s 2021 list of Singapore’s “big brand movers”, a ranking of brands that have seen “statistically significant” upticks in consumer perception.

eBay saw increases across several categories, including customer satisfaction, quality, and overall reputation — all of which are attractive selling points.

The ecommerce giant’s affiliate program pays commissions of up to 4% per sale, with rates varying across product categories. The biggest rewards can be found in fashion and motors, while real estate sales only pay 1% (although honestly, who’s buying a house on eBay anyway?).

The only real downside is the cookie window, which is the same as Amazon’s: a measly 24 hours.

Learn more about promoting eBay in our eBay Partner Network review.

  • URL: eBay Partner Network affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 1% – 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Products/Services sold: Fashion, electronics, garden & DIY products, health & beauty, and more
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Custom graphics & banner ads, branded creatives & logos, deals & events, reporting tools

5 Castlery Singaporeans are among the world’s biggest spenders on interior design, shelling out almost US$630 per person on home decor products per year. That’s about as much as the rest of Southeast Asia combined.

This makes direct-to-consumer furniture brand Castlery a compelling proposition for affiliate marketers targeting Singaporean shoppers.

Castlery is all about modern furniture at competitive prices. And its messaging clearly works, because Castlery’s website attracts the fifth-highest traffic levels of any ecommerce store in Singapore. All that brand awareness will be a big help when it comes to turning traffic into clicks and sales.

Speaking of sales, the brand cites commission rates of up to 20%, adjusted monthly based on performance.

However, Impact, Castlery’s affiliate network, only mentions a 5% commission rate. Presumably you start at the base level but have the potential to earn more if you generate a ton of sales.

  • URL: Castlery affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: Up to 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Furniture, bed & bath products, accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Personalized marketing support, unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog

6 ZaloraWe’ll let you in on some bad news about ecommerce in Singapore: two-fifths of Singaporeans are less than satisfied with online shopping sites. Blame it on high shipping costs, steep product prices, and slow delivery times.

But there’s a silver lining in Zalora, an ecommerce store bucking the trend. Indeed, one survey revealed they have a higher customer satisfaction rating than any other ecommerce business in Singapore:

Pleasingly, Zalora also generates a ton of traffic. They’re the seventh-biggest Singaporean ecommerce site by traffic levels. High traffic volumes and lots of satisfied customers are a dream combination for affiliate marketers.

With the Zalora affiliate program, Singapore affiliates earn commissions of 6% for new customer sales and 4% for returning customers, with the opportunity to earn higher amounts for top performers and during campaign seasons.

Zalora also runs a separate influencer program, paying up to 10% in cash commissions or up to 15% in Zalora vouchers. So if you’ve already got a large audience, this affiliate program could be the perfect fit.

There’s just one problem. According to affiliate network Involve Asia, Zalora only has a conversion rate of 1.19%. For comparison, global fashion ecommerce conversion rates range from 1.35% – 2.24%, depending on the month, so Zalora could use some work here.

  • URL: Zalora affiliate program
  • Managed by: InvolveAsia, Optimise Media, ACCESSTRADE
  • Commission rate: 4% – 6% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Apparel & accessories
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Deep product linking, banner ads, vouchers, product feed

7 SecretlabYou’ll be shocked to learn that Singaporeans like gaming.

Okay, that’s not exactly breaking news. But you might not know that 41% spend 15+ hours a week playing video games, while the vast majority — over nine in 10 — spend money on games every month. One-third spend at least $100 per month on console, mobile, or PC games.

All of which means gaming-related programs are a fantastic opportunity for affiliates in Singapore.

Enter Secretlab, regularly recognized as the world’s best gaming chair brand. Its chairs carry a five-year guarantee and are used by some of the biggest names in esports, including Valorant Champions and LoL Esports.

Those brands are instantly recognizable to anyone who’s obsessed with gaming (AKA precisely the type of person who’s prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on a gaming chair).

Secret claims its affiliate program sees average conversion rates that are five times higher than other gaming chair affiliate programs. Obviously, we have no way of verifying that, but the commission rates of up to 12% are certainly appealing.

  • URL: Secretlab affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gaming chairs, gaming desks
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Personalized affiliate dashboard, remarketing campaigns

8 Sephora Singapore Beauty and personal care is big business in Singapore. The market is expected to reach US$1.1 billion in 2023, while the average Singaporean woman spends about S$270 per month on beauty and wellness.

It’s safe to say Sephora dominates the market in Singapore. Sephora stores are comfortably the most popular destination for Singaporeans to buy makeup, while its website is at #3. The retailer’s stores also rank #2 for skin care purchases, with its website coming in fifth place.

In other words, pretty much everyone in Singapore knows Sephora, and many have already bought from them. So you shouldn’t have to work too hard to close the deal.

Sephora’s affiliate program pays commissions of 7% for new customer sales and 2.5% for returning customers. It also offers a 30-day cookie window, which is pretty generous for such a well-established brand.

  • URL: Sephora Singapore affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: 2.5% – 7% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Makeup, skincare, fragrances, bath & body products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog

9 CHARLES & KEITHSingapore’s fashion market is projected to reach almost US$3.2 billion by 2027, by which time the average consumer will spend an estimated $915 on fashion-related purchases.

Seems like Singaporeans really love to shop, huh?

One homegrown brand that’s ready to ride this wave is Charles & Keith. They’ve got everything a fashion-forward Singaporean could want, from chic shoes to fab bags and accessories.

Remember how over 50% of locals are craving more local goods from online shops? Charles & Keith is perfectly poised to cash in on that trend.

Sign up for Charles & Keith’s affiliate program to earn 6% on sales to new customers, dropping to 3% for existing customer sales. In other words, more or less identical to Zalora — but it does offer a slightly longer cookie window.

C&K also runs an ambassador program for content creators, so consider joining that instead if you’ve got an established audience.

  • URL: Charles & Keith affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: 3% – 6% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 10 days
  • Products/Services sold: Women’s shoes, bags, accessories, sunglasses, kids’ shoes
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog, banner ads

10 JD Sports SingaporeIf you’ve been paying attention to the last 2,500-ish words, you’ll know Singaporean consumers love buying stuff, and trainers are no exception. Revenue in the footwear market is set to surpass US$1 billion in 2023, with the average customer expected to purchase nearly five pairs of shoes throughout the year.

That’s where JD Sports Singapore comes in. Its parent company is one of the biggest names in the UK footwear market, and it’s been a fixture in Singapore since opening its first local store at Jurong Point Shopping Centre back in 2018.

Managed through the Rakuten affiliate network, JD Sports Singapore offers flat commissions of 4% per sale and a 14-day cookie window. Given Singaporeans’ predilection for buying lots of shoes, there’s a solid opportunity to earn repeat commissions here.

  • URL: JD Sports Singapore affiliate program
  • Managed by: Rakuten
  • Commission rate: 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Shoes
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): Singapore only
  • Additional resources: Unlisted

11 SHEINChinese-owned and Singapore-based SHEIN has been a runaway success story in the fast fashion world in recent years, and has ambitious plans to hit annual revenues of $58.5 billion in 2025. That’s more than the annual sales of H&M and Zara combined.

With their ultra-aggressive pricing, regular promotions, and catalog of 2+ million products, who’d bet against them? But they’ll need plenty of help from their network of affiliates if they’re going to succeed.

This is reflected in the attractive terms of SHEIN’s affiliate program, which offers a lengthy 30-day cookie window — three times longer than Charles & Keith — and sky-high commissions of up to 20% per sale. They even pay extra monthly cash bonuses on certain promotions.

On the face of things, this makes SHEIN one of the very best Singapore affiliate programs. However, there are signs that consumers are turning away from fast fashion — so if you’re looking to ride the gravy train, you’d better get onboard fast.

  • URL: SHEIN affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house, Admitad, Awin, CJ Affiliate, Pepperjam, ShareASale
  • Commission rate: 10% – 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Fashion, shoes, accessories, beauty products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Regularly updated banners & coupons, affiliate newsletters featuring new activities & promotions

12 InvolveAsiaEnough affiliate programs; let’s take a look at Singapore’s top affiliate networks.

First up is InvolveAsia, which — as the name suggests — is a network focused on Asian markets. It works with 500+ brands across ASEAN countries. It includes big names like Love Bonito and Reebonz.

The network offers a wealth of tools to help affiliates drive sales and track conversions. Its data feed makes it simple for users to promote products from multiple retailers.

It also provides an Express Withdrawal option, allowing affiliates to pocket their commissions within 15 days of a conversion (although various terms and conditions apply).

As well as “traditional” affiliates, InvolveAsia is open to working with content creators and social media influencers, whether your audience is on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or anywhere else online.

  • URL: InvolveAsia affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer
  • Brands: Love Bonito, Reebonz

13 CuelinksOne of the more time-consuming (and annoying) things about affiliate marketing is going through your content and using an affiliate link generator to monetize your product recommendations.

Cuelinks solves this issue by allowing members to simply copy-paste a snippet of JavaScript code into their website footers. Just like that, all your links become monetized, regardless of when you wrote the content.

And unlike with most networks, you don’t have to constantly update your links when advertisers change their affiliate programs. You only need to use the original URL — Cuelinks takes care of the rest.

The platform has partnered with all the major affiliate networks and also works directly with some advertisers, giving affiliates access to 1,000+ campaigns.

The only slight downside here is that Cuelinks works on a strictly Net 60 payment basis, so you’ll need to wait a couple months to receive your commissions.

  • URL: Cuelinks affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer
  • Brands: Pomelo Fashion

14 Commission FactoryA common complaint of affiliate marketers based outside the US is the difficulty of finding local programs on big affiliate networks. For instance, of the 3,257 total programs on CJ Affiliate, only about 12% are available in Singapore.

That’s why it makes sense to choose a more regional network like Commission Factory, which specifically serves Asia-Pacific. It works with over 600 brands, including global names like Airbnb, Etihad Airways, and Samsung.

The platform’s tools and resources — including banners, links, coupon codes, and clickless tracking — work whether you have a blog, mobile app, website, Facebook fan page, or pretty much any other means of reaching your audience.

Pleasingly, Commission Factory pays commissions weekly via multiple methods, including bank transfer and PayPal. Plus its tracking and reporting features help you understand exactly where your commissions are coming from.

  • URL: Commission Factory affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, check, prepaid Mastercard
  • Brands: Future Light, WantitAll

15 Indoleads.comIndoleads.com started out as a Southeast Asian-focused affiliate network, but has since expanded into a global concern, working with partners in 180+ countries.

The platform pays an average CPA of $9.7, which is pretty respectable. It also has various other payment models, including cost per lead and cost per sale. So whatever types of traffic you drive, you’ll find an affiliate program to fit.

Members can access a host of tools and resources, including coupon feeds that help affiliates showcase discounted products and services without worrying about adding tracking links.

Indoleads.com also offers a deep affiliate link builder, which makes it easy to point your audience toward any page on an advertiser’s website, helping you streamline the user journey and boost conversion rates.

  • URL: Indoleads.com affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer
  • Brands: Pomelo Fashion, Nike, Foreo

How To Start Affiliate Marketing in SingaporeOne of our favorite things about affiliate marketing is that you don’t need a ton of financial or material resources to get started.

Instead, you just need to:

  • Find a profitable affiliate marketing niche.
  • Track down relevant programs selling reputable, desirable products.
  • Add an affiliate link or two to your blogs, social media accounts, or email newsletters (or whatever channel you use to reach your audience).

Of course, while it sounds simple on paper, in reality getting started as an affiliate is a lot of hard work. In our experience, many affiliates give up before they build anything approaching a job-replacement income.

So do yourself a favor: before you dive in, check out our in-depth guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.

How To Find the Best Affiliate Programs in SingaporeHere are two quick-and-easy strategies for finding the best affiliate programs for your audience:

  1. Research Individual Affiliate ProgramsThe first method is to track down relevant affiliate programs with a simple Google search for “[your niche] + affiliate programs”:

Alternatively, let other affiliates do the leg work by checking out their websites and seeing which brands they’re promoting. Then you can do the same. Easy, right?

  1. Join Affiliate NetworksAnother approach is to start by joining an affiliate network.

Most big global networks — like CJ Affiliate, Impact, and ShareASale — have search filters that make it easy to find affiliate programs targeting customers in Singapore:

The majority of networks accept all “flavors” of affiliate marketer — including bloggers, website owners, and social media affiliates — while many provide preferential terms for affiliates with established audiences.

ConclusionOf course, finding a great affiliate program that resonates with your audience is only one piece of the puzzle.

Building a constant stream of traffic, clicks, and sales is a whole other kettle of fish.

While some affiliates have built audiences and revenue streams through social media platforms, podcasts, and email newsletters, your safest bet — at least in our opinion — is to launch your own website. That way, you can leverage multiple promotional channels, including:

  • SEO
  • Social media
  • Email marketing

Building a website and writing a bunch of converting content is no easy task. We should know; in the past decade or so, we’ve built successful authority sites in dozens of niches. And we’d love to share our learnings with you.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven insider secrets that make new sites 83% more successful, including one juicy tactic for finding profitable hidden niches.

Is affiliate marketing legal in Singapore?Yes, affiliate marketing is legal in Singapore.

As with other forms of social media marketing, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore requires anyone engaged in affiliate marketing to ensure their content is “clearly distinguishable from personal opinions and editorial content”.

In practice, that means clearly disclosing your affiliate activity. Learn how by reading our article on affiliate disclosure examples and best practices.

How to be an affiliate marketer in Singapore?You can be an affiliate marketer in Singapore by finding a profitable niche with a substantial audience.

Then it’s about joining affiliate programs to promote products and services your audience wants to buy, either by signing up to an affiliate network (like Commission Factory and InvolveAsia) or partnering directly with individual brands.

Write some relevant content, add some affiliate links, and you’re poised to start making money from Singapore affiliate programs. For a more comprehensive answer, read our guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.

Can you make money with affiliate marketing in Singapore?Yes, affiliate marketing is a legit way for Singaporeans to make money online.

At Authority Hacker, we’ve seen examples of affiliate marketers who’ve built successful businesses and sold them for hundreds of thousands of (US) dollars. People like Shane Dutka, one of our students, who made US$50,000 per month from his content site.

Just don’t bank on becoming an instant millionaire; plenty of affiliate marketing scams are out there waiting to ensnare anyone expecting to get rich quick.

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ClickBank has been around for a long time.

In fact, the affiliate network launched way back in 1998.

That means ClickBank is one of the oldest affiliate marketing networks out there.

A garage start-up run by three friends who built their own website has grown to become a business with an annual turnover of US$1 billion.

ClickBank is also slightly different from most affiliate marketing networks because it focuses primarily on digital products.

It’s predominantly a marketplace where digital product creators upload their products, although they do also feature some physical products these days.

But I know all you new affiliates are wondering: how does ClickBank work? And is it still worth using today over different affiliate networks?

Let’s get started with our ClickBank review to find out.

Is ClickBank Legit?Clickbank affiliate marketing is 100% legit. That’s all there is to it. But because you’re likely hoping for a more detailed answer, I’ll go into a little more depth.

As we’ve already pointed out, ClickBank is one of the oldest affiliate networks out there, having been in the affiliate marketing game for more than two decades now.

In that time, it’s built a network of almost 100,000 affiliate marketers, from digital content creators to bloggers and influencers.

Based in over 200 countries, they’ve leveraged ClickBank to rake in more than $4 billion in commissions. And they clearly like it, because the company has a 4.5-star rating from more than 2,300 reviews on Trustpilot.

Vendors love it too, with more than 4,000 products listed in the ClickBank marketplace.

Honestly, with numbers like that, there’s simply no way ClickBank is a “scam network”. Someone would have noticed by now!

Signing UpTheir signup process for new affiliates is very straightforward.

Simply enter your location, name, telephone number, and email address:

The signup page is also available in six languages, so that’s a nice touch.

Once you’ve entered your personal details you then click on ‘Continue to Terms and Conditions’.

This is the usual scroll quickly and click the ‘Accept Terms and Conditions’ button.

And then once that’s done you can finally click on ‘Join ClickBank!”

Note: You must live in a country that ClickBank can make a direct deposit to.

It’s a sad fact of life but affiliate networks can’t operate in certain countries because of the risk of fraud and/or legal restrictions.

So if you’re an affiliate marketer living in one of those countries you’re SOL I’m afraid – always review the TOS for any service before signing up.

The next step is being offered some free training.

You also get a “Welcome” video to watch…which subtly tries to upsell ClickBank vendors on a monthly membership.

You’re then encouraged to complete your publisher profile, including payment and contact details.

It was bizarre to see my home province listed in Irish Gaelic here, but it shows they’ve made a real effort with localization.

Then the final step is to ‘Optimize your performance’ by telling them if you’re an affiliate, a seller, or a researcher.

Now, this might sound a little odd, but you need to create an account within your main account for certain features to work.

This is what ClickBank refers to as your ‘Nickname’.

Which will also be part of your referral URL, so it can’t be any longer than ten characters.

You can be clever here and use something related to your niche e.g. pets100.

It’s annoying to have to do this as a secondary step – it used to be part of the actual signup process.

But once you do that you’re now free to roam the ClickBank marketplace and start promoting digital products.

Wait…they don’t ask for any SEO metrics or traffic details during the sign-up process?

Nope.

That’s part of the attraction of ClickBank – there’s a very low barrier to entry here.

What brands can you promote with Clickbank?This is where you find out you’re dealing with a different type of affiliate network.

Basically, this ain’t Kansas, Dorothy.

ClickBank sells both digital products and some physical ones too.

But the thing is these are all brand names you probably won’t recognize. If you’re exclusively looking to work with a high-profile online retailer, ClickBank probably ain’t the one.

You might have seen some of them in your social media feed or in pop-ups via retargeting campaigns, but that’s it.

Here’s a random sampling of the top-converting products on ClickBank to show you what I mean:

Do any of these products look familiar to you?

Probably not.

But that doesn’t stop products just like these selling by the truckload.

And earning the average affiliate marketer a very nice chunk of change in the process.

One interesting finding is that many of the best selling products on ClickBank are now health supplements.

That’s a big change from even a decade ago.

Ease of UseI’ve been in the affiliate marketing game for about 20 years and it appears — praise all the Gods — that the ClickBank website is finally getting a facelift.

It’s still not the prettiest affiliate dashboard out there.

But it keeps things simple.

And it does that by using WordPress for its backend. As with a lot of WordPress sites, that means it’s fairly easy to use.

Most affiliate dashboards come with their own training tutorials…so you know you’re in for a UX nightmare.

Not so with ClickBank – it’s basically a blank canvas with a handful of functions:

  1. Dashboard
  2. Tickets
  3. Transactions
  4. Reporting
  5. Accounts
  6. Users
  7. Affiliate marketplace
  8. Profile
  9. Support

The only one that really needs any explanation here is ‘Transactions’ – this is very, very useful for tracking down serial refunders.

But the one that’s of most interest to us is the ‘Affiliate Marketplace’ button.

Because this is where you’ll find ClickBank offers to promote.

Finding affiliate programs on ClickbankThe ClickBank Marketplace is where all the action happens.

It’s also a sign of just how old this platform is:

Yup, it looks like one of those clipart sites you thought was cool.

When you were 10 years of age.

But there’s also a certain logic behind the lack of change evident here.

Mostly the approach that if something isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.

And although their interface is horrendous by modern standards…it’s still doing the same job it has for 22 years.

Which is helping you find profitable offers and join programs with lots of earning potential.

You can do this by using either keyword searches or browsing individual categories and filtering the results.

So if we wanted to find all the ClickBank affiliate programs for fat loss, we’d simply enter that keyword:

And you get the following:

It’s worth mentioning here that ClickBank’s ability to sort results by ‘Keyword Relevance’ usually drops off a cliff after the second or third page of results.

Basically, their keyword search functionality is a bit shit.

But the ability to filter by a number of different metrics such as ‘Popularity’ and ‘Gravity’ work just fine.

Wait…what has ‘Gravity’ got to do with affiliate marketing?

Even if the movie was awesome.

ClickBank, in its divine wisdom, decided to simply not use the same EPC metric as every other affiliate network on the planet.

Well, they did, but they decided to call it ‘Gravity’ instead.

So now is as good a time as any to look at the various ClickBank metrics you can use to filter keyword or category search results.

Gravity – this is an approximate measurement of how well an affiliate product converts – a higher number is better.

Initial $/sale – How much an affiliate makes for the initial sale, minus any monthly recurring payments

Avg %/Sale – The amount of commission an affiliate marketer earns per sale

Avg Rebill Total –For a recurring billing product, this is the amount the vendor charges customers each month

Avg %/Rebill – The percentage of recurring commissions you get

Now let’s review the different categories in the ‘Marketplace’:

| | | | | | |

Some of these categories are obviously going to be more popular and profitable than others.

Like ‘E-business & E-Marketing’ for example, or ‘Health & Fitness’.

So if we drill down into the ‘Health & Fitness’ category on ClickBank it automatically populates with a list of available programs.

You can add a variety of filters to your search query to narrow things down a bit.

In the above example, I set it to only show me affiliate products with a (1)‘Gravity’ score of 20 or above and a minimum (2) ‘Initial sale’ value of $20.

Why choose a ‘Gravity’ score of 20?

That’s explained in our in-depth article on how to make money with ClickBank.

But there’s an additional set of attributes you can use to refine your results even further:

  • Required Product Type(s)
  • Required Language(s)
  • Required Billing Type(s)
  • Required Attribute(s)

So, you can also filter by ‘Rebill’ if you’re only looking for an affiliate program that offers recurring commissions, for example.

But you can also tweak your results to only feature products available in specific languages.

Or that actually ship physical products to customers i.e. ‘Shippable Media’.

From a product-finding point of view, the ClickBank platform has most of its competition licked.

If only the interface wasn’t so damned ugly…first world problems though, right?

The flipside of this is that most ClickBank affiliates only search for products with a high ‘Gravity’ score and/or initial sale value.

Most of the other features are really only window dressing.

Creating affiliate linksClickBank has made the process of creating affiliate links stupendously simple.

Basically, you find a product you want to sell and click on ‘Promote’:

A pop-up window appears where you simply add the account nickname you created during the setup process:

And click ‘Generate Hoplinks’ to create your link, which will look like this:

Why are they called ‘Hoplinks’?

That’s very much a “…just because” answer.

Somebody obviously thought it was a clever way to differentiate a ClickBank link from any other type of affiliate link.

But what about banner links and graphics for your site?

Well, the thing is…there’s no guarantee there’ll be any.

It’s down to the vendor.

And you’ll have to navigate to what are basically affiliate resource pages to find banners.

But there’s absolutely no guarantee your vendor will have one of these pages.

This means you’d need to actually email vendors asking them for banners or other sales material.

Which is sillier than an inebriated bear trying to knit itself some mittens.

In their defense, the better vendors do a pretty good job of supplying affiliates with all the promotional materials they need.

And that often goes beyond just banners to include swipe files filled with articles, autoresponder sequences, etc.

The affiliate link creation process is very decentralized…but it works.

ClickBank is one of the only networks to manage affiliate links this way.

But, on review, it’s still far less convoluted than what you have to put up with on other affiliate networks.

Getting PaidYes, promoting ClickBank products is fun.

But it’s also fun to make money and line your bank account.

That’s what affiliate marketing is about, after all.

So let’s review how that works with this particular affiliate network.

Payment timeframeThe vast majority of affiliate networks operate on a net 30 payment schedule.

ClickBank, on the other hand, offers weekly or bi-weekly payments.

But you won’t actually receive your payment for an additional two weeks after your payout date.

Basically, it will take 4 – 6 weeks for your ClickBank payments to start overlapping with each other until you feel like they’re weekly or fortnightly.

But I never once had a problem getting paid by ClickBank – they always paid on time.

Payment methodYou can choose to receive payments either by check or direct deposit.

But that’s it. No other payment method is permitted.

An additional note here for international affiliates is that ClickBank checks don’t arrive overnight.

So you can tack up to seven days onto your payment timeframe.

This isn’t as complete a set of payment options as some of you might like.

There’s no option to get paid via Payoneer, PayPal, or wire transfer, for example.

While this might be annoying for some, ClickBank obviously has a reason for doing this.

But it’s probably down to a lack of demand i.e. most affiliates are happy with payments by check or direct deposit.

Payment thresholdYou need to earn the tiny amount of $10 in commissions to trigger a ClickBank payment.

But I’d suggest keeping your threshold set a lot higher if you can only receive payments by check.

Bank charges will decimate checks under $100 in value.

So, keeping your ClickBank payment threshold set to at least several hundred dollars is a better move.

Note: You do also need to generate at least 5 sales before you can receive a payment.

This was to help prevent something we discuss in the next section.

RefundsClickBank’s real Achilles Heel is that they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee.

This is great news for customers because they can return anything they’re not happy with.

But there are unscrupulous people who will use this same money-back guarantee to get stuff for free.

They basically order digital products, download them, and then ask for a refund.

And the sick thing is that it’s mostly affiliate marketers who do this.

Well, it’s really just scammers pretending to be affiliates.

But it is an ongoing issue with the platform that can eat into your ClickBank affiliate commissions.

Publisher HelpClickBank keeps their publisher support system to a bare minimum.

You can choose between using their ticketing system or the knowledgebase.

But that’s as far as things go.

There is a ‘ClickBank University’ but this costs money, and is only suitable for vendors/advertisers.

It looks like they’re attempting to put together a ‘Community’ section, but it’s blank so far.

They’d probably be far better off setting up a Slack channel instead.

Their knowledgebase is pretty comprehensive.

I just wish they’d use more mixed media like screenshots and tutorial videos.

The blocks of text are fine, but again pretty dated looking.

So, there’s nothing actually wrong with their support options except that it feels a bit dated.

ClickBank ReviewsSo let’s look at some ClickBank reviews to see what the average Joe and Josephine think of this network.

Source: SiteJabber.comA user obviously making good money with ClickBank who’s happy with the site.

Source: QuoraFeedback from another affiliate who is still receiving checks from ClickBank for blogs he no longer updates i.e. the same products are converting eight years later!

But with the good, we must also accept the “bad”.

Like somebody getting their ClickBank account terminated for no apparent reason.

Source: BlackHat WorldBut there’s often a traceable online history to these “bad luck stories”. Read a little further and you realize that…his second account got canceled, plus he’s also permanently banned.

Which means he was buying digital products through his own ClickBank affiliate links to give himself a discount.

Affiliate marketers have done this for literally decades now.

So you have to be careful when reading any ClickBank reviews – they’re not always altruistic in nature.

Where ClickBank does kind of stand out from the crowd though is with their social media presence.

They have a very active Facebook page with 91k followers…and no visible negative feedback.

So it would appear they’ve nailed their customer service.

ClickBank Review SummaryURL: ClickBank

Year established: 1998

Number of merchants: 3,500+

Offer types: CPA/CPS

Weighing it upSo what’s our objective take on ClickBank?

Pros* The oldest network solely for digital products * Very high commission rates (up to 90%) * One of the few networks to offer recurring commission * ClickBank provides a 60-day cookie across the board * No approval needed to promote products – just click and go * Creating affiliate links is very easy * ClickBank offers weekly and fortnightly payouts * There are products to suit most niches

Cons* The dashboard is a clusterfuck of old and new interfaces mashed together * You have to trawl through hype to find decent products * ClickBank is no longer the only player in the digital product marketplace e.g. Udemy

ConclusionSo that brings us to the end of my ClickBank review.

ClickBank provides affiliates with a marketplace for finding a wide range of digital, and some physical, products to promote.

In fact, I remember the good old days of affiliate marketing when you could direct-link from AdWords to a ClickBank sales page and make money the easy way.

The real issue this network has this is that literally anyone can sell a product on ClickBank.

And that includes lots of products by “Get rich quick” and “internet marketing” gurus.

Which has given the platform something of a negative reputation by association.

But it’s not all crap.

There are lots of quality programs to be found on ClickBank (alongside a few poor quality ones).

You can make money there as an affiliate marketer.

You just need to do your research, read reviews, and look for legit products.

Yes, they have a lackluster interface, and teething problems. And sure, there are plenty of ClickBank alternatives out there. But lots of people still make money promoting their wares through ClickBank affiliate marketing.

And if you’re interested in making money online (and who isn’t?) why not check out our free training class on building your first affiliate site.

We teach new affiliates the basics of niche research and keyword rankings, as well as what it takes to actually get affiliate websites online, create high-converting sales pages, and drive organic traffic to your key landing pages.

And you don’t have to buy a damned thing from us.

Just let us know the best email address to send your invite to.

P.S. If you found this review helpful then why not share it on social media?

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The practice of meditation has been around longer than most organized religions.

In fact, the first examples of humans sitting in meditative poses date back to 5,000 BCE.

But it’s only in the last 200 years that meditation has become popular in Western countries.

Right now around 500 million people practice meditation – in one form or another – on a regular basis.

This is why the meditation niche in the US alone will be worth at least US$2 billion within the next 24 months.

And with 11% growth expected for the foreseeable future.

Basically, people are desperate for ways to unwind from the insane pace of our society.

So tapping into a need like that can be very profitable.

It’s how you can enjoy a monthly almost-passive income from affiliate marketing like this:

Meditation is one of those niches that isn’t going away any time soon.

It’s just a matter of positioning yourself in the market now and having the right set of meditation affiliate programs to promote via text links and banners.

There’s lots to choose from, but we’ve separated the wheat from the chaff.

Let’s look at what we found.

Meditation Affiliate Programs1. Shambhala Publications 2. Mindplace 3. Teal Swan 4. Mindfulness Meditation 5. Yankee Candle 6. BetterListen! 7. Jonathan Parker 8. Plant Therapy 9. Yoga Outlet 10. Bean Products 11. Brooklyn Candle Studio 12. Yoga Download 13. Bonus Program: Sura Flow

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

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Shambhala PublicationsMeditation isn’t an event so much as it is a lifestyle.

Which is why your visitors might enjoy what Shambhala Publications has to offer them.

This family-owned business has served fans of the esoteric and spiritual lifestyles since 1969.

But they don’t just stock any old books on meditation – each one is carefully curated and vetted to ensure readers only get high-quality reading material.

In terms of products to help you meditate, they sell a full range of books, as well as a number of online courses.

Just an FYI – their meditation courses (and many of their books) focus on Buddhist meditation techniques.

This won’t come as any real surprise if you know what Shambhala means.

So if your visitors are looking to get their Buddha groove on, point them in the direction of Shambhala Publications.

And everyone benefits when you promote this affiliate program.

Your readers get what they need and you get a 10% commission for every sale referred through your affiliate links.

Now, 10% of a book costing $15 isn’t going to set your world on fire.

But many of their courses cost at least $200.

So a handful of books and a single online course could easily net you $30 in affiliate marketing commissions.

URL: Shambhala Publications affiliate program

Commission: 10% per sale

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 30 days

MindplaceVarious depictions of “the future” typically show people wearing some kind of goggles or headset.

Google even tried this out with its ill-fated Google Glass product.

MindPlace though has been in the business of making and selling light and sound meditation devices since 1988.

Or what they refer to as ‘Mind Machines’.

One of the most difficult aspects of entering a meditative state is getting your conscious brain to play along.

You can meditate while conscious of distractions but it’s usually better not to.

These devices use a sequence of microprocessor-controlled sound and light pulses to allegedly help you achieve a meditative state faster.

And then stay in it for as long as you need to using their meditation training systems.

You can take a journey to inner space and inner peace naturally and safely…and without ever having to go on a Joe Rogan DMT trip.

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to this affiliate program.

The bad news is for the consumer because their cheapest system costs $259.

The good news for you is that you can earn up to 30% on all affiliate sales you refer through text links or banners.

So their top-end ‘Kasina DeepVision’ system would earn you at least $80 in affiliate marketing commission.

URL: MindPlace affiliate program

Commission: Up to 30%

EPC: $61.67

Cookie duration: 120 days

Teal SwanTeal Swan is a self-proclaimed spiritual guru, hailing from Utah in the United States.

Then again, she also claims to be an alien from the star Arcturus which is interesting.

Mainly because living on the surface of a super-massive red dwarf would be very….uncomfortable.

But her goal is to help individuals deal with the negative or destructive emotions in their life, the same ones she overcame after years of childhood abuse.

So let’s assume that she has the noblest of intentions.

Her online store contains a wide range of guided meditations that you can purchase individually or as a bundle.

Your visitors will also find a full range of other meditation accessories there, including mats, sweatshirts, comforters, pillows, etc.

But if your visitors need something a little more personal, then they can refer to her online courses on achieving self-love, and similar topics.

And now we come to the bit you’ve all been waiting for – how much you can earn in affiliate marketing monies.

As we stated above, her courses cost $149 each.

But the program has a performance bonus.

So, if you sell up to 9 courses via text links or banners you receive 20% commission.

Experienced affiliates who can sell more than 10 courses each month will get a 30% commission rate.

And pro affiliates who can move more than 25 courses per month will receive a whopping 40% commission on each sale.

So 25 courses @ $149 x 40% = $1,490 in affiliate marketing commission.

URL: Teal Swan affiliate program

Commission: Up to 40%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 45 days

Mindfulness MeditationIf you’ve never meditated before it’s easy enough to misunderstand what’s going on.

It might look like somebody is just sitting very still with their eyes shut.

But it’s actually more involved than that – especially when it comes to your breathing.

Because focused breathing is one of the best ways to make your meditation sessions more effective.

So along comes ‘Hack the Flow State’ to teach your visitors breathing techniques to help them deal with everything from weight gain to relaxation and improving athletic performance.

It’s about being “in the zone.”

When you’re focused but calm and anything seems possible.

A 747 could land on your lawn and you wouldn’t notice because your mind is fully engaged with something else.

Breathing techniques are taught as part of most forms of meditation, but maybe your visitors want to try alternative methods?

If so they might just enjoy this digital product.

So how does this program compare to the other meditation affiliate programs in our roundup?

For starters, we typically don’t feature ClickBank products with a ‘Gravity’ score of less than 20, but we made an exception here.

Firstly because effectively monetizing your affiliate website means being able to test multiple affiliate offers with the same audience, including digital products.

And secondly, in terms of money-making potential, you get paid $19.37 per sale.

But there’s also the opportunity to earn recurring affiliate commissions here.

There doesn’t appear to be any signup bonus, however.

URL: Hack the Flow state affiliate program

Commission: $19.37

Gravity: 17.05

Cookie duration: 60 days

Yankee CandleOkay, so Yankee Candles might smell great…but what have they got to do with meditation?

Well, that all depends on your approach to meditation.

The first time I was taught meditation it involved using a candle and focusing my attention on the flame instead of just keeping my eyes closed.

It worked remarkably well.

So the reality is that some meditation practitioners choose to use candles as an active part of their meditation practice, while others simply like to have scented candles around them while they meditate.

In fact, scents like jasmine and ylang-ylang apparently have direct benefits for helping you achieve and stay in a “flow” state.

The same demographic who will gravitate towards meditation also simply enjoy having candles dotted around their home.

And now for the not-so-good side of this affiliate program – the crappy 1% commission rate on sales.

The words “high commissions” and “candles” usually aren’t found in the same sentence when discussing affiliate programs.

With that said, their ‘Network Earnings’ score indicates their affiliate landing pages do a pretty good job of converting traffic, as does their EPC.

Your visitors are going to buy candles somewhere, so they might as well buy this element of their meditation supplies through your website.

But I did find another candle program for you to promote on another affiliate network – more on that later.

URL: Yankee Candle affiliate program

Commission: 1%

EPC: $21.30

Cookie duration: 10 days

BetterListen!Better Listen was first set up in 2013, so they’re a relative newcomer to the industry.

But they’ve carved out a very specific niche for themselves –audio and video courses on everything spiritual.

They’re also an independent publisher, so they can choose who they work with and give certain authors a voice and an audience they might not have elsewhere.

Their product library covers everything from monotheistic religious beliefs to science and gender studies.

But their meditation category is made up of over 200 different products, covering methods and practices from Buddhist to Kabbalist systems.

Basically, whatever type of meditation needs your visitors might have they’ll find a spoken-word audio or video product here to suit them.

You can even download their audio products in MP3 format, so you can take them around with you on your smartphone or tablet.

This is a pretty decent bolt-on affiliate program for an affiliate website in the meditation niche.

Another reason for saying it’s best viewed as one of those bolt-on affiliate programs is because you only make around $2.60 in affiliate commission per average sale.

Their products are attractive to a large audience, but when they cost $5 – $12 you’ll struggle to make a lot of money with this affiliate program alone.

So be prepared to promote other programs alongside this one.

URL: BetterListen affiliate program

Commission: 15%

EPC: $12.33

Cookie duration: 45 days

Jonathan ParkerJonathan Parker is a spiritual counselor who has spent the last 40 years of his life helping people deal with their personal issues.

Hundreds of thousands of them, according to his website.

And he does all of this using what he calls “non-conventional solutions” which involves changing thought patterns to stop you from repeating the same mistakes that cause you pain.

His book, “The Soul Solution”, is dedicated to the idea of using self-guided meditation to transform your life.

And to be fair, he’s received testimonials from some of the biggest names in the self-improvement industry.

But his store also sells a number of online courses ideal for anyone on the journey to self-enlightenment.

These cover everything from clearing your karma to self-hypnosis – making them ideal for an audience interested in meditation.

And the perk here for affiliates is that his courses aren’t exactly cheap – some of them retail for almost $500.

The average order value though for this program is a more realistic $98.

But with a 20% commission rate that still means you can earn around $19 per sale in affiliate commission on average sales.

That’s about as good things get in the meditation niche.

URL: Jonathan Parker affiliate program

Commission: 20%

EPC: $21.47

Cookie duration: 45 days

Plant TherapyAnd now we’re going to embark on an Authority Hacker tangent in our coverage of meditation affiliate programs.

Because we want you to make the most money from your efforts as an affiliate.

Which typically means promoting a variety of relevant products to the same audience.

And people who meditate just love the types of essential oils sold by Plant Therapy.

So this program fits neatly within this niche.

There’s a huge difference between pure essential oils and generic essential oils.

Basically, the cheaper products you’ll find online have been diluted with harsh chemicals.

Plant Therapy, on the other hand, only supply 100% pure USDA-certified organic essential oils.

Your visitors will find a full range of oils and blends, including all their favorites from Rose Absolute to Black Pepper.

Affiliates get paid 7.5% commission on every sale they make.

A basic 10lm bottle of essential oil costs around $10, so you’d make 75c in commission per sale.

Based on that an inexperienced affiliate might ignore this program.

But they’d be missing a trick here because meditation practitioners who use essential oils tend to buy them in bulk.

As they do with most meditation supplies.

URL: Plant Therapy affiliate program

Commission: 7.5%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 7 days

Yoga OutletThere’s an argument to be made that yoga could be regarded as a form of meditation.

But we’re not here to make that argument.

Instead, we want to share Yoga Outlet with you – a company that provides for your more physical meditation supplies.

Because it can be difficult to meditate if you’re uncomfortable or if your meditation space isn’t set up properly.

Set up in 2012, they obviously do specialize in yoga supplies, clothing, mats, etc.

But they also sell a pretty complete range of meditation essentials, including cushions, smudge sticks, incense, Malas (prayer beads), singing bowls, prayer flags, and altar accessories.

And no, the bowls don’t actually sing – they’re used to create harmonic frequencies that can trigger different states of consciousness.

Your visitors also get a low price guarantee on high-quality products, free shipping on orders over US$75 in value and can return any item they’re not happy with.

You’ll earn 7% in affiliate commission for each sale you refer to this meditation affiliate program.

People who practice meditation tend to want to have nice stuff in their meditation space to show off to their friends.

Basically, the average person is going to spend several hundred dollars on cushions, Malas, incense, etc.

You just need to position yourself in front of those purchases – via your text links and banners – to sweep up available sales.

URL: Yoga Outlet affiliate program

Commission: 7%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 7 days

Bean ProductsMeditation and the idea of “finding yourself” have become incredibly popular in Western countries over the last decade or two.

You can attract strange looks for not meditating or doing yoga at least a few times a week.

Bean Products has been around for a lot longer than the current trend, opening for business way back in 1987.

Several years before the Internet was even a thing.

They manufacture and sell a range of environmentally friendly health and wellness products.

Each item is made either from organic or recycled materials, including cotton, hemp, soda bottles, flaxseed, and kapok.

Their meditation category includes cushions, mats, bolsters, and even meditation benches.

So there’s something here for most practitioners of the contemplative arts.

So, getting down to dollars and cents – do they offer high commissions on product sales?

Well, they do offer a 10% commission rate, and with an average order value of $120, you stand to make around $11 per transaction.

They do have a somewhat limited range of products though, so you’ll really need to pre-sell the “organic” and “recycled materials” angle.

Bean Products also has the highest EPC of any of the meditation affiliate programs listed here.

URL: Bean Products affiliate program

Commission: 7%

EPC: $52.16

Cookie duration: 30 days

Brooklyn Candle StudioRemember when we promised we had a second candle affiliate program to share with you?

Well here it is – Brooklyn Candle Studio.

These candles are that little bit different because they’re hand-poured from soy wax and use essential oils for their scents.

Basically, they’re for the meditation practitioner who loves using candles but wants something more organic.

Something that’s ethically produced.

And they’re willing to pay handsomely to get into their Buddha “groove”.

Which, most of the time, they absolutely are.

A typical candle costs $24, so that’s roughly the same amount as a Yankee Candle…but with far more social clout.

They also sell ‘Discovery Kits’ which is a selection of small candles to see which ones your visitors might most like.

You’ll need to sign up for the Refersion Marketplace to get your hands on affiliate links for this offer.

And once you’re approved for that affiliate network you can start earning 10% on all sales.

This is a relatively new program, so there’s some benefit to be had in being an early adopter here in terms of how you make money online.

URL: Brooklyn Candle Studio affiliate program

Commission: 10%

EPC: $42.08

Cookie duration: 7 days

Yoga DownloadYoga Download has already been featured in Authority Hacker in our roundup of the best Yoga affiliate programs.

But we felt they deserved a mention here too.

Our reasoning behind that is because this company is about more than Yoga training and classes.

They also offer a 14-day meditation program that is suitable for both experienced and new practitioners and is very reasonably priced.

But your visitors can also attend any of several dozen meditation classes streamed to the comfort of their home.

And the neat thing is these meditation classes cover everything from relaxation and grounding yourself, to self-healing and manifesting what you want in your life.

You can even filter classes by the style, teacher, intensity, or duration of the meditation sessions itself.

They’re also extremely affordable and mean you never have to miss a yoga class no matter where you are in the world.

This meditation affiliate program pays 12% commission on all sales referred through an affiliate link.

Based on their average order value you can expect to earn around $12 per affiliate transaction.

This program has a 3% conversion rate, which although not huge is still above the affiliate industry average.

URL: Yoga Download affiliate program

Commission: 12%

EPC: $23.40

Cookie duration: 90 days

Sura FlowEach of the meditation programs we’ve covered so far focuses on the practice of meditation.

But what if your visitors want to go beyond that and be trained to teach people how to meditate?

Sura Flow is one of the most widely recognized providers of meditation training in the world.

This isn’t just some random online training course either – they only accept students every 4 – 6 months.

And each of their training courses costs several thousand dollars and takes several months to complete.

So they take what they do very seriously.

The good news for you affiliate marketers is that they pay 14% commission on every sale referred through text links or banners on your website.

Which could equal substantial payouts for you.

URL: Sura Flow affiliate program

Commission: 14%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: TBC

Over to YouLet’s take a few seconds to pause and answer some questions now that we’ve reached the end of our roundup of the best meditation affiliate programs we could find for you.

Firstly, the Headspace affiliate program seemed like an obvious choice to include as part of the meditation niche…but they don’t appear to have an active affiliate program.

Buddha Groove is another popular affiliate program but it didn’t meet our EPC requirements.

It looks great on the surface but their sales metrics fell short when compared to other meditation affiliate programs.

And the funny thing is that we know none of our competitors spotted this with Buddha Groove because they’re all too busy plagiarizing the shit out of each other.

Promote Buddha Groove if you want to, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Which is our way of saying you probably won’t make money online promoting their offers.

Because when you’re running an affiliate business that’s where your focus needs to be – return on investment.

If you’re going to invest time and money building an affiliate website you’ll need it to pay off.

Which is why we’re here – to stop you from making expensive and time-consuming mistakes.

We even offer 100% free training on the basics of getting your first affiliate marketing website up and running.

There’s nothing to buy and lots to learn.

We’ve even had people say our free class is better than some paid courses they’ve bought.

Anyways, if you’d like to reserve a seat, just tell us which email address you want us to send your invite to.

Cya there!

And if you like what you just read, don’t forget to share it on social media.

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The entire weight loss industry is a funny thing.

“Funny” as in it’s proof of how wealthy our societies have become in a few short decades.

We now have a surplus of high-calorie food, to the extent that morbid obesity is now an emerging health crisis in many developed countries.

The weight loss industry itself is worth an estimated $70 billion right now but is projected to grow by at least 2% every year for the foreseeable future.

And that makes even more sense when you realize that there are now an estimated 2.1 billion obese adults alive today.

That’s as big a demographic (no pun intended) as you could wish for, and an entirely profitable one too.

We know what it looks like when you tap into the right market with an affiliate site:

And weight loss is a typical example of a lucrative niche that could generate a 5 or 6-figure income for you.

Truly life-changing money.

Once you know the right weight loss affiliate programs to promote, of course.

So, here they are.

Weight Loss Affiliate Programs1. Weight Watchers 2. Weight Loss Evolved 3. Eat Sleep Burn 4. Bluefin Fitness 5. Mayo Clinic Diet 6. South Beach Diet 7. Medifast 8. Noom 9. Diet Direct 10. Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone 11. Bistro MD 12. ACE Fitness

Weight WatchersWeight Watchers (or WW for short) is one of the oldest weight loss programs out there, tracing its history back to 1963.

In a society where fad diets are the norm, Weight Watchers has weathered the storm of change.

That longevity really matters when you’re going to invest the time and effort in promoting a given affiliate program.

Basically, you’re allocated a certain number of points for meals, with the goal of losing around 1 – 2 pounds of fat each week.

So you can eat whatever you want (within reason) as long as you don’t go over your points limit.

But it mixes in a social element, where you can attend meetings to get weighed, but also get hints and tips from your meeting leader and other participants on the best ways to lose weight and keep it off.

In terms of affiliate income, you’ll earn $10 for everyone who subscribes to WW through your affiliate links.

Seasonality is sometimes a concern around programs like this (New Year’s resolutions, etc), but the EPC for this program indicates that year-round money is possible.

Plus, they have a huge amount of brand awareness, making this one of the easier programs to promote.

URL: Weight Watchers affiliate program

Commission: $10 per sale

EPC: $71.06

Cookie duration: 14 days

Weight Loss EvolvedWeight Loss Evolved positions itself as a “physician-designed and science-based way to lose weight”.

It runs a 14-week program designed to fit in around its customers’ busy lives and help them achieve their weight loss goals in a sustainable way.

The brand’s weight loss affiliate program pays a 30% commission, meaning it’s potentially one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in the weight loss category.

And the good news doesn’t stop there, because it also offers a lifetime cookie. In other words, when you refer someone to Weight Loss Evolved, you’ll earn a commission whether they sign up today, tomorrow, or a year down the line.

With an average sale of $397 and an average conversion rate of 16%, the earning potential here is huge.

URL: Weight Loss Evolved

Commission: 30%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: Lifetime

Eat Sleep BurnThere are those of us who understand that eating fewer calories and getting more exercise is the path to weight loss.

But there are lots and lots of others who want to be able to lose weight without any effort on their part at all.

And that’s the exact demographic that Eat Sleep Burn targets.

The idea is that you can promote fat burning in your body while you sleep.

Although there is real logic behind their claim – producing too much cortisol can result in a person gaining weight even when they’re exercising regularly.

So the core idea of the program is how poor sleep habits negatively impact your health.

The average payout per sale is $50.66, and there’s also the potential for recurring income here.

So between the high gravity score, high initial payout and potential for monthly residuals, you can see why this is one of the most popular weight loss products on ClickBank.

Note: We published a complete guide on how to make money with ClickBank. You can also read other post with in-depth Clickbank review.

URL: Eat Sleep Burn

Commission: $50.66

Gravity: 60.97

Cookie duration: 60 days

Bluefin FitnessEating a healthy diet can only get you so far on your journey to weight loss.

The truth of the matter is that the more lean muscle mass you have, the easier you’ll find it to lose weight.

But some people hate the gym.

I totally get that – there’s usually more posing and talking done than sweating and gaining.

The range of gym equipment available from Bluefin Fitness allows you to get a gym-quality workout session in the comfort of your own home.

So no more commuting to the gym, no more queuing for machines.

Or at least that’s how I’d pitch it to a fitness-focused audience

This is a program for UK and Ireland affiliates simply because Bluefin is based in the United Kingdom.

You’ll get 10% commission on every sale referred through your affiliate links.

So, with an average order value of ÂŁ259, that puts ÂŁ26 in your pocket.

They also have a 12% conversion rate, so almost 1-in-5 of your visitors will result in a commission payment to you.

URL: Bluefin Fitness

Commission: 10%

Cookie duration: 60 days

Mayo Clinic DietThe Mayo Clinic is one of the most respected non-profit sources for healthcare and health education in the world.

And they’ve been providing this service from their multiple locations since 1864.

So, the advice they provide through their ‘Mayo Diet’ program is based on what is medically proven to allow safe and consistent weight loss.

There are no “magic pills” on offer here, or anything other than a way for your visitors to learn how to eat a more balanced diet, cut out the crap, and add some exercise to their daily routine.

And it works – they have tons of success stories from clients who have lost 30, 40 and even 80 pounds.

This is a weight-loss program run by weight loss experts.

You’ll need an account with Rakuten Linkshare to promote this affiliate program – just an FYI.

Affiliates are paid $40 for each of their referrals that stay subscribed for at least 30 days.

That base commission rate increases to $50 per subscription if you refer more than 20 new clients to them in a given month.

Those facts make this one of the better weight loss affiliate offers in this roundup.

URL: Mayo Clinic Diet

Commission: Up to $50

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 30 days

South Beach DietThe South Beach Diet tackles the age-old problem faced by people who know they need to lose weight but struggle with that.

And that struggle is down to what they eat each day, which is mostly sugar or fat-filled junk.

So with this diet, you get Keto-friendly meals shipped directly to your door.

That means the excuse of not having time to cook and order takeout instead is gone.

Your audience simply selects the plan that best suits them and South Beach takes care of the rest.

And your leverage here is that South Beach claims people following their plan can experience 7 pounds of weight loss in their first 7 days with the program.

Affiliates get a 5% cut of all sales they generate for this weight loss affiliate offer.

So you’ll earn $13 for anyone who signs up for their ‘Silver Plan’ or $16 if they instead sign up for the ‘Platinum Plan’.

The only real annoyance with this program is the 10-day cookie – one of the shortest of all the weight loss affiliate programs listed here.

URL: South Beach Diet

Commission: 5%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 10 days

MedifastMost people have no idea how unhealthy their eating habits actually are.

Their meals are too big, too small, or completely missing.

Or the meals they do actually prepare are soaked in fat and have no real nutritional value e.g. frozen dinners.

Medifast solves that problem by shipping your meals to you.

And even better is that each serving is portion and calorie-controlled, and you eat up to 5 meals per day.

They even supply you with healthy snacks and there are gluten-free meal options available.

Of all the weight loss affiliate programs listed here, this one grabbed our attention.

Yes, the product and branding are solid…but they pay a 3% commission for orders from existing customers.

Which means the potential for recurring income i.e. work once and get paid several times.

URL: Medifast affiliate program

Commission: Up to 20%

EPC: $128.59

Cookie duration: 7 days

NoomYou may have noticed Noom popping up online over the last few months.

If not, I have – and it’s not the result of interest-based targeting either.

They’re literally everywhere, each of their ads talking about weight loss and living a healthier lifestyle…but cryptic enough to not give too much away.

Basically, what Noom does is helps your audience develop better habits so they can break out of the yo-yo dieting cycle.

This is why roughly 50% of people who lose weight through strict dieting alone end up putting all their previous weight back on, plus an extra few pounds.

Noom gets into the psychology of your lifestyle habits and helps you break through them with the help of their app.

It’s like carrying a tiny weight loss and nutrition coach around in your pocket all the time.

These guys have their online marketing nailed down, so you’re dealing with one of the few weight loss affiliate programs that takes its marketing as seriously as it does its product.

As an affiliate, you’ll get paid $15 for any of your referrals who sign up for a free trial of Noom.

But they do also offer bonuses for top-performing weight loss affiliates.

URL: Noom affiliate program

Commission: $15

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 30 days

Diet DirectDiet Direct is the home of the WonderDiet brand, which includes a number of high protein foods, shakes, bars, and weight loss supplements.

Basically everything you could possibly need for a calorie-controlled diet.

What this company is probably best known for though is their meal plans – your visitors sign up to have healthy meals and/or snacks delivered directly to their home.

This helps get around the emotional buying and eating that happens when people visit their local grocery store.

Customers can order a 4,8 or 12-week meal plan depending on their weight loss goal.

And now for the good stuff – how much you can earn.

Well, affiliates get a 10% commission on anything they sell to a brand new customer.

So, if somebody signs up for a 12-week ‘Basic’ plan then you’ll earn $48.

But you also get a 5% commission on any purchases made by returning customers.

This is one of the few weight loss affiliate programs we found with a recurring income model.

URL: Diet Direct

Commission: 10%

EPC: $65.57

Cookie duration: 30 days

Dr. Colbert’s Keto ZoneDr. Don Colbert is a board-certified physician with 30 years of experience in family health.

But he’s also the author of a number of best-selling books, including “Keto Zone Diet”, which is what we want to focus on here.

For those of you not familiar with the subject matter, a “keto” diet encourages you to eat fewer carbohydrates.

Or basically a low carb diet, the goal of which is always the same – to lose weight.

So in addition to his book, Dr. Colbert also sells a number of “Keto Zone” weight loss supplements and products.

This affiliate program has an average order value of $135.71 and a commission rate of 10%.

So each transaction should put $13 in your pocket, which isn’t a ton of money.

But they have a pretty high ‘Power Rank’ score and an 11% conversion rate.

Put simply, this indicates their affiliates are making quite a bit of money promoting this affiliate offer, while also helping their visitors with their weight loss.

URL: Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone Diet

Commission: 10%

EPC: $105.70

Cookie duration: 60 days

Bistro MDWhen you think about the phrase “diet food” you no doubt conjure up an image of a bland and tasteless meal fit for a trip straight to the bin.

But it doesn’t have to be that way thanks to Bistro MD.

Each of the meals that form the foundation of this weight loss program was designed by a doctor.

So that ensures that your audience gets meals that have the right balance of protein, carbs, and all that other good stuff.

Your visitors can choose between a “set menu” from Bistro MD or they can have a custom program designed for them instead.

Affiliates promoting this weight loss program will earn a flat $45 for every sale they make.

The strong ‘Network Earnings’ performance, along with an equally strong EPC, makes this a program you can almost definitely make money with.

URL: BistroMD

Commission: $45 per sale

EPC: $86.91

Cookie duration: 45 days

ACE FitnessThis weight loss affiliate program is a little different.

Rather than targeting people hoping to lose weight, ACE Fitness — or the American Council on Exercise — offers certifications to aspiring exercise professionals and health coaches.

Over the past three decades, it’s built up a network of more than 90,000 weight loss advisers, and become a trusted source of weight loss advice for millions of people worldwide.

The ACE Fitness weight loss affiliate program pays a 7% commission on course sign-ups within a 90-day cookie window. To make your life a little easier, ACE offers its weight loss affiliates access to a range of text links and attractive banners.

Sales are locked two months and two days after the end of the month in which they’re tracked, and are invoiced on the 4th of the month after they lock.

Like what you hear? Sign up through the Impact affiliate network.

URL: ACE Fitness

Commission: 7%

EPC: TBC

Cookie duration: 90 days

Over to YouAnd that brings us to the end of our roundup of weight loss affiliate programs.

There were some brands we’d liked to have included like UniSlim and Slimming World, alas they don’t have affiliate programs.

So that sucks.

After all, they’re two of the bigger names in the weight loss industry.

But we did find a broad enough selection of high-performing affiliate programs for you to start earning money from pretty much straight away.

You do know how affiliate marketing works…right?

If not, that’s no biggie – we’re more than happy to show you how to make money with affiliate websites.

All is revealed in our free training on affiliate marketing.

And it’s not nearly as complicated as some “gurus” desperately want you to believe.

Promise. Just let us know the best email address to send your invite to.

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Let’s get some groundwork out of the way before we get into the meat of this post.

In a typical affiliate scenario, one of your visitors clicks on a link, and if they make a purchase, you then get credited for the sale.

When you’re promoting a pay-per-call affiliate program your visitors dial a number created just for you, and you’re then credited for any sales that occur over the phone.

Another major difference is the commission rates involved – per call offers can pay several hundred dollars for a lead.

And focusing on more substantial commission rates means you can start seeing income statements like this:

Now the problem with pay per call programs is that the vast majority of them are hidden inside specialist affiliate networks.

But you can also find them on mainstream networks.

So we put together a list of the best pay per call affiliate programs and networks we could find for you.

Let’s get to it.

Pay Per Call Affiliate Programs & Networks1. Marketcall 2. Offervault 3. Astoria Company 4. Aragon Advertising 5. PX (ReviMedia) 6. ClickDealer 7. Goojibear 8. RingPartner 9. Palo Mobile 10. Digital Market Media 11. Paychex 12. National Debt Relief 13. Trampoline Parts and Supply 14. Learn & Master 15. eFax 16. CuraDebt

1 MarketcallMarketcall is a relative newcomer to the pay per call scene, opening for business in 2015.

They have offices in Palo Alto CA, Moscow, Kyiv, and Kazakhstan.

In terms of the types of pay-per-call offers you’ll find inside, they include home services, insurance, loans, medical services, real estate, travel, and even car dealers.

So there should be an offer that you can apply to almost any niche.

One of the perks is that apparently they’re very accepting of new affiliates because they’re trying to gain traction in the pay per call market.

So what do they have to offer an affiliate?

Well, they have dozens of advertisers, with multiple offers each, so it’s impossible to give approximate figures here.

But what we can tell you is that they have a rehab addiction offer that pays up to $400 for a lead, for example.

  • URL: Marketcall sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

2 OffervaultOffervault is an aggregator of pay per call affiliate networks and programs, but the only one I rely on to list legit pay per call offers.

Basically, Offervault provides you with a very quick (and free) way to scan multiple advertisers across dozens of different platforms.

It deserves to be bookmarked because it’s a huge timesaver when trying to find the most nichest-of-niche offers out there.

There are no commission rates to mention here – just a link to help you get signed up.

  • URL: Offervault sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

3 Astoria CompanyIs there a reason for taking Astoria Company seriously as a pay-per-call network?

For starters, they’re one of the fastest-growing private companies in North America according to Inc 500.

But enough of the accolades – what use are they to you as an affiliate?

You get ready-to-go offers to work with, including auto insurance, payday loans, domain parking, online college degrees, mortgages, and lawyers.

Now, you’re probably wondering how much affiliates can make working with this pay per call network?

That depends entirely on the product or service.

But you’re looking at around $5 for each lead at the low end, and $75 for each lead at the upper end of their advertisers.

  • URL: Astoria Company sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

4 Aragon AdvertisingAragon Advertising is one of the more popular networks on the pay-per-call scene.

And they were working in the lead generation sphere before it was cool – all the way back in 2012.

Once you’re signed up you’ll see that their interface is very similar to what you’ll find on a typical network i.e. you can sort and search for a variety of offers to match your niche.

You also get all the performance data you need to make an informed choice.

Aragon Advertising represents way too many pay per call advertisers to list here.

But the above are just examples we pulled from OfferVault.

As you can see, they’re happy to pay up to $100 for each lead you send them.

  • URL: Aragon Advertising sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

5 PX (ReviMedia)Formerly known as ReviMedia, PX has been around since 2010.

It’s the brainchild of two friends who wanted to offer companies a competitive edge when it came to lead generation.

So what types of advertisers can you expect to find on PX?

They appear to be very much focused on the “home” niche.

That means you’ll find mortgage, health insurance, pest control, windows, roofing, siding, stairlift, and home remodeling offers here, for example.

You can choose from any of the 500+ pay per call advertisers in their ‘Open Exchange’ directory.

But you also have the option of establishing direct buyer-seller relationships within their ‘Private Marketplaces’.

  • URL: PX sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

6 ClickDealerClickDealer is an award-winning pay per call network.

One that’s been around since 2012, when they first opened their virtual door to new clients.

This network will most likely appeal to a pretty broad cross-section of affiliate marketers reading this.

Why?

Because they represent advertisers in very popular (and profitable) niches such as dating, gaming, and casinos, for example.

But they also have offers in retail, software, and the always-popular vouchers.

So there’s plenty for affiliates to choose from.

They have no publicly available commission rates, which is fairly typical for networks of this type.

But pay-per-call campaigns in the dating niche alone tend to pay in the $50 – $100 range.

  • URL: ClickDealer sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

7 GoojibearAnd now we come to the affiliate network with the most memorable name in the roundup – Goojibear.

They’re a Tel Aviv-based company but with a global reach.

And most importantly, they specialize in pay per call marketing – they’re not a generalist network trying run a side hustle in pay-per-call.

As of right now, they can only have offers for the US and Canadian markets, but more geos will be coming online soon.

And those offers include the really juicy advertisers like finance, home services, and insurance.

But also the more day-to-day stuff like legal services, diet, education, and astrology.

Now, let’s talk about money – how much can you make?

Their payouts are actually on the low side of things, maxing out at around $25 for a lead.

  • URL: Goojibear sign-up
  • Commission: Up to $25

8 RingPartnerRingPartner is another of the more recent pay per call marketing networks, opening for business in 2013.

Why did so many agencies start specializing in call-only campaigns around this time?

Smartphones were becoming massively popular.

What types of pay per call campaigns do they represent?

You can choose from hotels and travel, legal services, pest control, home services, medical services, and business financing.

These guys are also responsible for patents in the pay-per-call industry, under the Google Patent Starter Program.

So they’re not just some fly-by-night operation.

Affiliates promoting their offers can earn up to $80 for a lead for their “water damage” campaigns, which is better than decent.

But the rest of their pay per call marketing offers pay an average of around $20 each.

  • URL: RingPartner sign-up
  • Commission: Up to $80

9 PaloPalo seems to be one of the very few PPC affiliate networks that understand how publishers operate.

That they can’t wait months to get paid.

That working with clued-in account managers works best for everyone.

And that timely tech support is invaluable when things do inevitably go wrong.

So they give you all of that, and a pretty diverse range of verticals to work in, including insurance, legal, healthcare, financial and more besides.

From what we can see, their public pay per calls campaigns pay $50 for each lead.

But the truly golden offers are usually hidden behind closed doors.

  • URL: Palo sign-up
  • Commission: Varies

10 Digital Market MediaWhich of these do you think is worth more to the average customer?

  • Somebody completing an inquiry form on their site
  • A potential customer calling them

If you’re still not sure, it’s the second one – people who go to the effort of picking up the phone want to complete their purchase decision.

This is something the team at Digital Market Media realized a long time ago.

Since then they’ve worked hard to become a leader in the pay per call industry.

And that shows in the types of offers they work with – some of them paying up to $400 for each lead generated.

But even their entry-level offers pay at least $11.50 on a “sale”, so there’s money to be made here.

  • URL: Digital Market Media sign-up
  • Commission: Up to $400

11 PaychexManaging payroll for a small to medium-sized business can be an absolute nightmare.

Back in 1971, the founder of Paychex spotted a gap in the market – outsourced payroll.

Most small businesses simply can’t afford to pay for a full-time payroll person.

So it falls to a random member of the management team – which is exactly where serious problems can start.

Paychex has also expanded to offer services in other key cost-center areas of a small business such as HR and online timekeeping solutions.

How much do affiliates get paid per call for promoting this program?

How does earning $75 in commission for every 2-minute or longer call sound?

  • URL: Paychex paypercall program
  • Commission: $75 per call

12 National Debt ReliefHaving unpaid debts hanging over you can be soul-destroying.

You’re waiting for the next phone call or past-due bill to drop through the letterbox.

National Debt Relief offers your visitors a way to stop the creditor phone calls, while also showing you how to get out of debt.

They achieve this by negotiating directly with your creditors on your behalf for unsecured debts.

Once that’s done they then combine debts into a single monthly payment, and that’s all their customers have to pay.

So how much can you earn by helping people manage and pay down their debts?

Well, this pay per call program pays you at least $41 in commission for every qualified call you send their way.

  • URL: National Debt Relief pay per call program
  • Commission: Up to $50 per call

13 Trampoline Parts and SupplyYup, I was as surprised as you are to find this one as you are to see it here.

Trampoline Parts and Supply does…well…they supply pretty much anything you could need for a trampoline.

That includes everything from full trampolines, to enclosures, springs, mats, pads, nets, and ladders.

Oh, and that foam padding for poles to stop yourself getting a concussion.

A big selling point here is that their program has been around since 2006 – the very early days of affiliate marketing.

You’ll need to enquire directly with your affiliate manager about their pay per call campaign.

They’ll be able to provide you with details on how much you can earn per call, and how you go about provisioning a toll-free number for your visitors.

  • URL: Trampoline Parts and Supply pay per call program
  • Commission: On application

14 Learn & MasterLegacy Learning Systems sells a whole range of DVD-based tutorials, teaching everything from learning to play the acoustic guitar, to painting and even ballroom dancing.

Now, while the idea of using DVDs might seem quaint, they do mean you actually own the product.

And considering some of the silly changes we’re seeing in online licensing for video downloads, DVDs might make a comeback yet.

So, for example, their award-winning acoustic guitar program contains over 40-hours of lessons, a 100+ page lesson book, and even has 5 CDs that you can jam along to.

You can earn money by following the traditional route here, earning a 20% commission rate.

But they do also offer a pay-per-call program, but you’ll need to become an affiliate to find out more.

  • URL: Learn and Master pay per call program
  • Commission: On approval

15 eFaxFaxing is still a thing?

Apparently so, and with good reason.

You see, not all documents sent by email are considered legal tender in most parts of the world.

That’s because they can be edited.

So, that’s why certain types of businesses still rely on fax machines.

And with eFax they can simply send a document to a fax machine from their desktop email account or through their smartphone instead.

This is a very niche service to promote, but there’s an obvious demand for it, or eFax wouldn’t have an $145.32 EPC.

Every call that turns into a sale will earn you $25 in commission.

  • URL: eFax pay per call program
  • Commission: $25 per call

16 CuraDebtCuraDebt is another debt management and reduction service that’s suitable for unsecured debts.

And to clarify, unsecured debts do not include mortgages or student loans.

But they do include all the other unnecessary debts people burden themselves with i.e. credit cards.

But this company takes things a step further than most other companies in this industry because they also provide you with debt relief when it comes to state and IRS tax debt issues.

Debt management and consolidation companies obviously get well paid for their services.

So it’s in their interest to get new customers over the doorstep as often as possible.

That’s why they’ll pay you $50 for every verifiable phone lead you send their way.

  • URL: CuraDebt pay per call program
  • Commission: $50 per sale

Are Pay Per Call Affiliate Programs Worth Promoting?Pay per call has always been the more mysterious side of affiliate marketing.

So hopefully, this article has helped lift that veil at least a little.

The truth is that there’s a lot of money to be made working with pay per call offers or networks.

But it’s also a competitive space – one where rookie affiliates can get ripped off.

So before you go making the leap into the murky waters of pay per call, we’d suggest first learning how foundational affiliate marketing works.

And we’re happy to teach you the basics free of charge in free training.

You’ll learn what it takes to build your first profitable affiliate site.

Interested?

Cool – let us know where to send your invite.

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Looking for new ways to boost your affiliate marketing?

Don’t overlook the power of Pinterest. With its wealthy users and eye-catching visuals, it’s a goldmine for affiliates. In fact, 45% of US households earning over $100K use Pinterest. At Authority Hacker, we’ve driven millions of blog visitors through Pinterest affiliate marketing campaigns.

In this guide, you’ll learn to craft attention-grabbing pins, optimize keywords, and engage with your audience. We’ll also unveil two techniques for incorporating affiliate links into your pins. Let’s explore how to maximize Pinterest for affiliate marketing success.

Why Use Pinterest For Affiliate Marketing? Pinterest is a popular website where people can find and share pictures, videos, and ideas. There are a lot of people who use Pinterest every month, over 445 million! This makes it a great place for people who want to sell things, like affiliate marketers.

Affiliate marketers can create and share pictures of things they want to sell, and when someone buys something through their link, they get a commission. Here are some reasons why affiliate marketers should use Pinterest:

People on Pinterest like to shop!

In fact, 75% of them say they’re always looking for things to buy. And 83% of people who use Pinterest have bought something they saw on the site. This means that it’s a good place to find people who might be interested in what you’re selling.

*Things you post on Pinterest stay there for a long time.*

On other websites, posts might disappear quickly, but on Pinterest, people can still see your posts and buy things from your link even after a long time has passed.

*Pinterest is also a search engine, like Google.*

This means that you can use keywords and other techniques to make sure your posts show up when people are searching for things related to what you’re selling. And sometimes, your posts might even show up on Google too!

For example, someone might search for “patio ideas” to find pictures and information that can help them with a project or a purchase. According to Ahrefs, 39,000 people search for “patio ideas” every month. Out of those 39,000 people, about 7,000 of them go to Pinterest to get inspiration.

This means that if you post pictures of patio ideas on Pinterest, there’s a good chance that some of those 7,000 people might see your post and use your link to buy things you’re selling.

One great example of Pinterest success is Lantern Lane Designs. This site specializes in DIY and home decor content. They have over 43,000 followers and receive more than 10 million monthly views.

Their visually appealing pins help users with home projects. When clicked, these pins often lead to blog posts containing affiliate links. The creator earns a commission each time someone makes a purchase after clicking their links.


How Does Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Work? 2 Distinct MethodsPinterest affiliate marketing is a powerful way to use your Pinterest pins and boards to drive traffic to affiliate offers. There are two main ways to use Pinterest for affiliate marketing:

Method #1: Link Directly to Affiliate OffersYou don’t need to build a website to harness the power of Pinterest affiliate marketing. Just put affiliate links as the attached URL in your pins, and you’ll earn money when people buy through them. Pinterest is cool with this, but make sure to be transparent about your intentions.

Case Study: CabyCades, an Amazon affiliate, uses video pins to sell products. When someone clicks the Amazon link in the pin and buys something, CabyCades earns a commission.

This profile sees 16.5k monthly views and is literally nothing more than a compilation of super short videos with Amazon links attached to it.

The point is, anyone can do this.

Here’s an example of a product they’re selling. It uses a real human voice to provide a “shushing” noise to a baby when they’re sleeping.

They’ve recorded a simple 14 second video explaining how the product works and each time someone purchases, they get their commission.

A $35 product at 3% commission per sale, they make around $1.05 each time someone purchases one of these.

That might not sound like a lot but CabyCades has hundreds of videos with products ranging from more expensive items (like an herb garden grow light), to cheaper stuff like lip balm.

Even if every video only makes one commission at an average of 50 cents, if they have 200 videos – that’s $100 per day for a bunch of 10-20 second videos.

Not bad huh?

While this method requires the lowest amount of effort and generates more traffic to your offers than indirect linking, it also has its downsides. It may result in lower conversion rates since you’re not providing your users with context behind the products you’re promoting.

Pros of direct affiliate linking on PinterestMinimal effort and cost to start

More traffic to your offers

Perfect for beginners dipping their toes in the affiliate marketing pool

Cons of direct affiliate linking on PinterestNo context clicks (users might not know they’re clicking an affiliate link)

Lower conversion rates

Reliance on a single traffic source

Method #2: Drive Traffic to An Affiliate Link in a BlogFor a long-term, trustworthy approach to Pinterest affiliate marketing, build a blog. Sure, it requires a bit more effort upfront, but it pays off when it comes to conversions.

Case Study: Stephanie’s Sweet Treats is a food blog that uses Pinterest traffic and social media to boost their content’s visibility and earn more commissions.

The profile has 15,000+ pins bringing in 7.7 million monthly views.

Stephanie’s blog uses visuals to get attention and spark enthusiasm in people who are looking for baking recipes.

Stephanie’s Sweet Treats even provides a 2022 food blog income report to help break down how she made $128,000 on her food blog.

She boasts throughout the report about how she’s used Pinterest to drive traffic to her blog with July being one of her best months.

A post on “s’mores cookies” went viral on Pinterest and Instagram resulting in a higher number of visitors from social.

If we hop over to the blog post we’re greeted with an extensive cookie recipe. Right at the top of the post is a disclaimer stating that the post “may contain affiliate links.”

As I scoured the post I was really surprised to only find one link to a cookie scooper.

You could soup up your affiliate strategy by including more links. You can create affiliate links for almost anything including the chocolate chips, marshmallows, cookie trays, parchment paper, cooling racks, and more.

The bottom line is that she is using Pinterest to get attention and sending that traffic to her blog to supplement other forms of traffic.

If you’re already creating content why not repurpose it and take snippets of video content to share on Pinterest?

Stephanie’s Sweet Treats has done exactly that and has made $128,000 and accumulated millions of views for her food blog. You can do the same thing too.

Pros of linking to your affiliate blog on PinterestWarms up traffic with engaging blog content

Higher conversion rates thanks to trust-building

The go-to method for professional affiliates

Cons of linking to your affiliate blog on PinterestMore work upfront (website and content creation)

Slower initial traffic growth

Pro Tip: Combine both methods for a winning strategy! Start with direct linking on Pinterest while building your blog on the side. This way, you’ll enjoy short-term gains while setting yourself up for long-term success.This is what Oh Joy did. This lifestyle and decor blog uses video and written content to promote a large variety of products ranging from beauty to artwork.

This board alone has over 3.5 million followers and is loaded with Amazon affiliate links, amongst others.

On the same board you’ll find pins like this.

This pin takes you to a post on their blog about creative Easter baskets where you can purchase some of the contents from Amazon and other sites.

I recommend deploying this strategy if you’re just starting out in affiliate marketing. Building a blog can take time and doing both is a great way to get quick wins while you work on your long-term strategy.

Best of all, you don’t even need to create new content, just repurpose your blog posts like Oh Joy does. She’s using the main photo from her blog in the Pinterest post. You can do that and take content from the post as well to create multiple pins pointing to the same post.

Doing this will help you make some commissions while you wait for your blog to gain traction in the SERPs.


How to Do Affiliate Marketing on PinterestMaster the art of Pinterest affiliate marketing with these killer tips.

1 Amp Up Your Pinterest ProfileDon’t just create a Pinterest business account (you’ll need this for access to analytics), optimize it. Make sure your profile attracts the right audience by choosing a niche that fits your interests and expertise.

Optimizing your profile doesn’t have to be complicated. Tell users what you do, what you’re interested in, and what they can gain by following you.

The Passionate Penny Pincher does this in her bio but I think she does it even better in her pins.

DIY easter bunny wreath and easy porch decor are both keywords that people might look up on Pinterest and find her.

Make sure you’re doing this with every pin and ensure that the headers and descriptions are congruent with what you’re actually providing your users.

2 Curate BoardsKeep your pins organized and easy to find by creating multiple, well-defined boards.

The Passionate Penny Pincher does a great job of this as well.

This not only improves user experience but also helps Pinterest’s algorithm find and share your content with the right crowd.

3 Get Your Affiliate Links ReadyApply to affiliate networks and programs that suit your niche. Some of the top affiliate programs include Wayfair, Priceline, Home Chef, BH Photo Video, Amazon Associates, and Walmart. But don’t limit yourself — you can often find a retailer’s affiliate program by checking the page footer for “Partner Program” or “Become a Partner.”

Keep in mind that commission rates vary, with Wayfair’s 7% commission being a standout. Stll, even though Amazon’s commissions may be lower than they once were, conversions are great, making this the best option for making money. Trusted retailers like eBay, and Home Depot are great options, too.

4 Design Show-stopping PinsGrab your audience’s attention with visually stunning pins. Experiment with various pin formats:

  • Static Pins: Showcase single products with high-quality images and text overlays.
  • Idea Pins: Perfect for sharing step-by-step DIY projects or recipes.
  • Video Pins: Get in on the billion videos watched daily on Pinterest with short, compelling videos.
  • Rich Pins: Provide more data and automatically update info from your website.
  • Collection Pins: Curate a set of products, ideas, or inspirations.
  • Try On Pins: Pinners are 5x more likely to purchase from Try-On enabled pins, which allows the user to see a product on themselves using AR tech!

Pinterest Marketing ToolsUsing Pinterest marketing tools can help you streamline your efforts, save time, and ultimately increase your success on the platform. These tools can help you schedule and automate your Pins, analyze your performance, optimize your content for search, and more.

With the right tools, you can effectively manage your Pinterest account, create engaging content, and grow your audience and reach on the platform.

Canva: unleash your creative geniusThe graphic design tool that boosts your Pinterest game. With its array of templates, fonts, and graphics, Canva lets you create eye-catching pins that stand out from the crowd. And the best part? A free plan that meets your needs. Want more features? Paid plans start at a reasonable $9.99 per month.

Tailwind: Stay on top of timingThe social media scheduling tool that optimizes your pin timing, Tailwind is designed for Pinterest and Instagram. And it helps you post your pins at the best times for reach and engagement. You can also join Tailwind tribes to boost your audience growth.

With analytics and insights to track your platform performance, you’ll master Pin-scheduling in no time. Starting at $9.99 per month, it’s a valuable tool for any Pinterest user.

Pallyy: The Type A Pinterest schedulerPallyy is a sweet option that puts the power of detailed scheduling in your hands. Best of all, you can use it for any platform so your options aren’t limited to Pinterest.

With Pallyy you can:

  • Manage multiple Pinterest boards
  • Use the visual planner to see your pins come to life
  • Track your performance with data-driven analytics

Pallyy also includes collaboration tools so you can work alongside VAs and assistants. I personally love the drag and drop calendar feature which makes the tool super easy to use.

You can experience Pallyy for free for 14-days. There is also a “free for life” plan for one single brand. If you upgrade to the premium plan it’s $15 per month.


Best Practices for Pinterest Affiliate MarketingSo, you’ve got your affiliate link and created your first pins to upload on Pinterest. But, like anything in affiliate marketing, there’s a right and wrong way to do things. The line between success and failure can be pretty thin, but don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with some best practices to keep your monetization strategy fresh and effective.

1 Rule #1: Play by Pinterest’s RulesSteer clear of dodgy tactics like cloaking links with bit.ly, neglecting FTC disclosure, or using multiple accounts to manipulate metrics. And always abide by your affiliate program’s guidelines — check out Etsy’s for example.

2 Trend-Spotting: Stay in the LoopIdentifying trends is an important part of affiliate marketing on Pinterest. Methods and strategies that worked years ago may not work today. Take hashtags, for example; this is a highly debated topic, but as you can see in the video below, search results are provided when you don’t use hashtags.

This shows how little importance hashtags have on the Pinterest platform these days.

Instead, focus on content quality, keyword research and most importantly engagement as this is what will determine the reach of your next pins.

Group boards were once popular, but Tailwind Communities are the new exclusive clubs for collaboration. You can join a Tailwind Community which functions much like a group board but is more exclusive so you know that the people there will be engaged and interested in collaborating.

3 SEO: Your Secret WeaponConnect the dots between your pins and trending keywords by optimizing for SEO. Use autocomplete to discover keyword opportunities and design pins accordingly.

Since Pinterest is a search engine at heart, the platform gives away what people are actually looking for. By putting “gardening” into Pinterest, we can see that people are looking for:

  • Tips for beginners
  • Ideas
  • Aesthetic
  • Hacks
  • Outfits

So, if you create content around some of those topics, you already know that people are looking for this so you’ll have more visibility.

4 Supercharge with Rich PinsElevate your pins to the next level with Rich Pins. These powerful pins provide additional context and information to users, making your content even more engaging. With three types available — article, product, and recipe – you can choose which best suits your needs, or even add all three for maximum impact.

Think about why this works. Someone comes to Pinterest for a recipe, you give them the recipe and a super short teaser video.

Then they click through to your blog for more information where you have affiliate links that take them to some of the products and ingredients mentioned. Bingo, commissions for you.

The best part is that using Rich Pins on Pinterest is simple with the Rank Math plugin. Just go to your Pinterest settings and click “claim.”

In the Rank Math dashboard in Wordpress you’ll go to General settings > Webmasters > Pinterest verification ID field. Save changes.
Once you’ve done that, you can use the Rich Pins Validator to validate the URLs and you’re good to go!

5 Create Multiple Pins to Promote a Single Blog PostDon’t be shy — create multiple pins for a single post. Trying to game the data by creating multiple accounts is against the rules, but you can make as many pins as you want. By creating multiple pins for each piece of content, you increase the chances of your content being seen by Pinterest users.

This also presents you with a great opportunity to test multiple pin types. Test videos against static images. Rich pins against basic description pins. Test strong CTA pins against info focused content.

It doesn’t cost you anything but your time and once you know what works you can run with it.

Important note: Be careful not to spam the same link over and over! Pinterest can flag your account as spammy or low-quality if you do. Instead, focus on creating valuable pins that are different from the others. 6 Streamline your Pinterest Strategy with TailwindBeing consistent is important in Pinterest marketing, but who has the time to post every day? That’s where Tailwind comes in. It’s the best tool for scheduling and posting pins. With Tailwind, you can quickly make and schedule pins for the whole week in just 20 minutes.

7 Focus on EngagementEngagement is the #1 metric by which most social networks decide on how much distribution they give to your content.

So you should focus on getting people to interact with your content (like it, repin it, comment, click, anything.) Ask questions and add clear call-to-actions. Adding a call-to-action to your pin can increase engagement by 80%. Don’t think you need to be super creative or subliminal with this either. You can come right out and ask people to take action.

Be clear and transparent about what you want them to do, and create a buzz around your content. And don’t forget to engage with other content creators to become an authority in your niche.

8 Data Tracking: Keep Tabs on Your PerformanceKeep a close eye on your impressions, engagement, and pin clicks. Analyze high-performing pins and replicate their success. Consider promoting top pins to give them an extra boost.

With your “business” profile on Pinterest, your dashboard should look like this:

If you click analytics > overview, you’ll land on this page:

This is where you can track your impressions, engagement, and pin clicks over a period of time. Impressions occur when someone sees your pin, engagement is a comment, and a pin click occurs whenever someone clicks and opens up the pin.

We recommend you set a date every month (like the first Monday of every month) and review the stats on your dashboard and take note of what pins worked best and worst for you.

So next time you plan Pinterest content, emulate the pins that worked best for you and you should see steady growth in your reach.

In a NutshellFollow Pinterest’s rules and your affiliate program guidelines

Stay on top of trends and embrace new features like Tailwind Communities

Optimize your pins for SEO and use Rich Pins for added value

Create multiple pins for each post and schedule them with Tailwind

Engage with your audience and other content creators in your niche

Track your data and promote high-performing pins


Pros and Cons of Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Alright, let’s settle this with some overall pros and cons.

Pros of Pinterest Affiliate MarketingVisual Appeal: Pinterest’s visual nature encourages user engagement with eye-catching content. High-quality images can drive more traffic to affiliate products.

Tip: Use tools like Canva to design standout images and emulate your competition’s design.

High Commercial Intent: Users often browse Pinterest to discover and purchase products, making it an ideal platform for affiliate marketing.

Tip: Showcase product benefits, features, and use relevant keywords in pin descriptions to reach users with high purchase intent

Micro-niches: Pinterest offers a wide range of specific interests and audiences to target.

Tip: Research your niche, find relevant Tailwind communities to join, and share your pins for a wider audience reach.

Direct Affiliate Links: Pinterest allows direct affiliate links, simplifying click-through and purchase processes for users.

Tip: Disclose your affiliate relationship in the pin description.

Enjoyable Niches: Pinterest is perfect for passion-driven niches, such as travel, fashion, and home decor.

Cons of Pinterest Affiliate MarketingGraphic Design Skills: Success on Pinterest requires visually appealing pins and images, necessitating graphic design skills or hiring a designer.

Tip: Use user-friendly design tools like Canva or hire a freelance designer.

Dependency on Pinterest: Relying solely on Pinterest for traffic can be risky due to platform changes affecting visibility and reach.

Tip: Diversify traffic sources by promoting affiliate products on multiple platforms (e.g., blog, social media, email marketing).

Competition: The popularity of Pinterest for affiliate marketing may lead to stiff competition in your niche.

Tip: Create high-quality, unique content and stay updated on Pinterest best practices and algorithm changes.

Time Investment: Maintaining visibility and reach on Pinterest requires consistent pinning and engagement.

Tip: Use a scheduling tool like Tailwind for automation and regularly analyze pin performance to optimize your strategy.

Slow Growth: Building a following and consistent traffic on Pinterest can take time, especially for new affiliate marketers.

Tip: Be patient, persistent, and focus on creating valuable content and engaging with your target audience. Your hard work will eventually pay off with increased traffic and affiliate revenue.


Final ThoughtsTo make Pinterest affiliate marketing as easy to manage as possible, use Tailwind to plan and schedule pins. Ensure a constant flow of quality content to engage your audience.

That’s why it’s essential to create engaging graphics with a clear call-to-action that will grab your audience’s attention.

Check out Food Fire Friends for inspiration on Pinterest and on their affiliate site. They create a lot of valuable grilling and BBQ content on Pinterest but they also lead you to their blogs which are incredibly valuable and authoritative.

Remember, only using affiliate links on Pinterest may be a good way to start if you are strapped for resources but in the long run, we recommend you create a blog to provide value, establish expertise, and build a loyal following.

And we’re here to help.

Our free training can guide you through the process of setting up your own blog that can be used to drive traffic from Pinterest while also ranking well on Google for a double Kiss Kool effect.

FAQsHow can I use affiliate marketing on Pinterest without a website?You can use affiliate marketing on Pinterest without a website by simply adding affiliate links to your Pinterest pins. This is allowed by the platform but some programs (like Etsy) have particular restrictions.

Does Amazon allow affiliate links on Pinterest?Yes, Amazon allows affiliate links on Pinterest. To use Amazon affiliate links, you need to join the Amazon Associates program and follow their guidelines for disclosing your links.

Can I post Etsy affiliate links on Pinterest?Yes, you can post Etsy affiliate links as long as they’re the links provided directly by Etsy and that you create your own images and do not repurpose product images from the platform. This rule is to protect the intellectual property of the content creators on the platform.

Is affiliate marketing on Pinterest worth it?Affiliate marketing on Pinterest is absolutely worth it because it’s a great way to capitalize on traffic that already exists from within the Pinterest search engine.

Which niche is best for affiliate marketing on Pinterest?The best niches for affiliate marketing on Pinterest are visual-heavy niches like beauty, home decor, home improvement, gardening, pets, and technology.

Can I make money on Pinterest?You can make money on Pinterest with affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, paid ads, and a variety of other avenues as well.

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Not so long ago, it seemed like every affiliate and his dog was focused – almost exclusively – on creating Amazon affiliate websites.

But with reduced commission rates – and product review related Google updates – Amazon’s program has lost some of its shine.

While it’s true that Amazon Associates may be past its heyday, it’s still one of the very best affiliate programs around. And affiliate marketing websites are continuing to make real money with it.

In this article, I’m going to take a look at seven Amazon affiliate website examples that are still crushing it in 2023 (and probably beyond).

But first, let’s address the elephant in the room…

Amazon Affiliate Websites AREN’T DeadThere is a general trend with larger affiliate programs: initially, the commissions start high and decrease over time as the company expands.

Why? Affiliate programs aim to attract new customers, especially in the early days. But as the company expands, they rely less on affiliate referrals. Eventually, someone crunches the numbers and suggests cutting commissions to save money. If the first cut doesn’t hurt the business, they’ll keep doing it.

And that’s exactly what’s happened/happening with Amazon. An excellent analysis by Geniuslink showed that the average commission rate on Amazon peaked in mid-2012 at 9.25% but had fallen to 3.14% in early 2020.

And while we can mourn the loss of such mountainous commission rates, we have to accept the fact that this is a trend that is likely to continue.

But despite this, Amazon Associates is not dead. Far from it.

In fact, there’s a case to be made that it is still the best affiliate program around.

Why?

Because it converts like crazy.

I use dozens of different affiliate programs for the niche websites I run and while Amazon is far from offering the highest commission rates, the conversion rate obliterates the competition.

Amazon Conversion Rate vs Other Affiliate ProgramsTo prove how good Amazon’s conversion rate is compared to other programs, here’s my actual data from 2022.

Amazon Associates (Top), Avantlink (Middle), Skimlinks (Bottom)In 2022, my Amazon affiliate links converted at an impressive 15.19%. To give that some context, the second and third most clicked affiliate programs I use frequently (Avantlink and Skimlinks) converted at a meager 0.89% and 1.09% respectively – which is pretty standard across the affiliate industry. That means Amazon converted 15x more sales than the rest of our affiliate programs.

So even if Amazon offered just a 1% commission rate, other programs would need to offer 15% just to make you the same earnings.

That’s why Amazon remains – arguably – the best affiliate program. And that’s before you even factor in other benefits such as their vast range of products, additional cart value (i.e. people purchasing items other than the products you recommend) and its global presence.

Amazon Affiliate Program: Pros and ConsPros:Highest conversion rates (by a mile)

Huge range of products

Multiple geos

Extremely easy to create links

Regular, automated payments

Cons:Not the highest commission rates

Short cookie life (24 hours)

Limited data and tracking capabilities for affiliates

PRO TIP: Use Amazon OneLink (free) or Geniuslink (paid) to ensure that people who click on your Amazon links are sent to their local Amazon store.

With all that in mind, you might be wondering: “Okay, so how do I start earning big with Amazon?”

A valid question, beautiful reader.

Luckily, we have plenty of real-life success stories to learn from about people actually making a killing on Amazon.

7 Amazon Affiliate Website ExamplesBelow, I’m going to run through seven sites that are absolutely crushing it with Amazon affiliates. We’ll explore their strategies and reveal insider tips that you can apply to your own business.

I’ll show you:

  • Traffic stats for each site
  • A breakdown of their Amazon game plan
  • Words of wisdom from the website owners on why they chose Amazon affiliates
  • Things you can apply to your own site

1 The Modest ManThe Modest Man is a fashion site dedicated to men on the shorter side. It’s one of my all-time favorite niche sites – and not just because I’m a “modest” 5’9 – but because this is beyond a “niche site”, this is a great example of a modern niche brand.

Ahrefs estimates the site attracts around 145,000 organic visitors per month (which I’d say is a hefty underestimation). But Similarweb paints a grander picture with 853,200 visitors in March 2023. About 72% of of those came from search traffic.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The site gets around 20% direct traffic (a good sign that this is a brand people actually like). The rest was made up from social channels, including a YouTube channel with over 400,000 subscribers.

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 450,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 250,000
  • Domain Rating: 61

How The Modest Man Uses Amazon AffiliatesFashion advice websites and affiliate marketing go hand-in-hand. While Amazon might not be your first choice for clothing, it’s perfect for accessories like watches.

Watches are a great e-commerce product – they’re high value, small (easy to ship), usually come in single sizes, the styles are pretty timeless (pun absolutely intended) and there’s a vast selection on Amazon. The Modest Man, unsurprisingly, has an article called “31 Great Watches for Small Wrists”, with Amazon affiliates playing a central role in this post.

The post uses lots of custom graphics (e.g. which type of watch for which occasion), as well as providing lots of helpful information in a 1700-word article. But The Modest Man has made sure the recommended products are presented in eye-catching Lasso product boxes near the top of the article, as you can see below:

I also spoke to The Modest Man founder, Brock McGoff, about why he uses Amazon affiliates and his tips for getting the best results from the program. Here’s what he said:

Amazon sells everything, so the conversion rate is really high. That, plus the share of other cart items makes up for the short cookie life. It’s still one of my favorite affiliate programs to this day.

But don’t just link to Amazon. Ideally you’re giving readers two or three places to buy every product you mention. Amazon makes sense as a top recommended merchant for some things, but not everything.

As a publisher, you should know your ‘affiliate hierarchy’. For me, it’s individual relationship (i.e. a direct partnership with a brand), then Amazon, then aggregators (e.g. Skimlinks). Look at your numbers, figure out which program is best and prioritize it. These days, you can buy the same products from many different shops, so link to all of them, in order of importance.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from The Modest ManBuild a brand, not an “affiliate site”: people can tell when they’re being sold to, so prove to people you care about your industry and you know what you’re talking about.

Don’t just link to Amazon: whenever possible, offer your audience multiple places where they can buy a product (ideally with the live price from each site). Google also recommends this, so it may even help your SEO.

Make your recommendations clear: often, people just want to jump straight to the products that you say are best, so make it easy for them. Product boxes with concise descriptions (and who the product is suited for) near the top of posts improves user experience and increase conversions.


2 Outdoor Gear LabGone are the days when you could whip up product round-ups and reviews without ever laying eyes on the actual product. Stock photos and generic text just won’t cut it anymore. Want to rank on Google for high-converting buying terms? You’ll need to step up your game.

Take a cue from Outdoor Gear Lab (aka GearLab). They’ve nailed the art of product round-ups by showcasing hands-on experience, rigorous testing, and data-driven results.

And the results are there for all to see…

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 2,500,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 2,000,000
  • Domain Rating: 73

How Outdoor Gear Lab Uses Amazon Affiliates“Outdoor gear” may sound relatively niche, but it’s a gigantic market with endless product round-up opportunities. It’s not just climbing and hiking, this website also covers cycling, skiing, water sports, fitness wear… you name it.

At the top of every page, GearLab has this note: “GearLab reviews are ad-free and entirely reader-supported.” This adds a huge trust factor for users and makes GearLab feel like a brand for the people.

But if readers keep going, they’ll see: “When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which helps support our testing.” Basically, they’ve managed to turn their compulsory affiliate disclaimer into a branding opportunity – and they’ve done it brilliantly, with a simple bit of smart copywriting.

We mentioned Outdoor Gear Lab has a huge niche at its disposal and having launched in 2010, it seems to be making the most of this, with over 7,000 articles on the site – almost all of which are product reviews or product round-ups. So make of that what you will, content ratio conspiracists.

This is an out-and-out affiliate site, but it leans into this fact with a clear brand – everything from the name (GearLab), tag line (“reviews you can rely on”) and each post screams that they are experts in testing outdoor wear.

But GearLab doesn’t bury the products in their articles, they still make it easy for the visitor.

Their product round-ups are very long, often coming in at around 5,000-10,000 words (this guide on “Best Ski Gloves” is a great example). But GearLab doesn’t bury their product recommendations, they still make it easy for the visitor.

Such articles are essentially broken up into two parts:

Part One – The key information for visitors:

  • Display box highlighting top products
  • Short introduction
  • Product list with images, links, and scores
  • Pros and cons to demonstrate impartiality
  • 100-word real-world experience description
  • Link to a full review and author image

This section accounts for around 25% of the total word count and may require frequent updates as products change.

The second part is more static. It can be written once and then essentially left as is indefinitely.

Part Two – Testing and additional information:

  • Dynamic product comparison table
  • “Why You Should Trust Us” section
  • In-depth test analysis with tables and graphics
  • “How to Choose [PRODUCT]”
  • Feature breakdown

While word count isn’t everything, it helps to have comprehensive information formatted for an optimal user experience.

GearLab’s approach creates an outstanding user experience, demonstrating their dedication to research and industry knowledge – it’s an approach all affiliate sites should take.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from Outdoor Gear LabDeep dive: make the effort to test products in a way that other websites simply won’t. Product review efforts can be repurposed into multiple product round-ups. Tables and graphs are easy to make, but can look very impressive to a visitor.

Branding: use every opportunity you can to cement trust in your brand (even affiliate disclaimers can be used to your advantage).

Don’t limit yourself: pick a niche that has a lot of room for growth.


3 VersusI’ve been banging on about brands creating real hands-on reviews and brands with a personal touch. Versus isn’t that. Not even in the slightest.

But this site is getting close to 10 million visitors per month.

And that’s by barely writing an article…

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 8,000,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 5,000,000
  • Domain Rating: 70

How Versus Uses Amazon AffiliatesVersus is an epic example of programmatic content.

As the name suggests, Versus helps people – in its own words – “Compare everything”. Whether that be tech, apps, travel, household items or even seeds (yes, seeds), Versus enables you to pit similar products head-to-head.

By creating a database of products with data, Versus scores products on a variety of factors, enabling it to easily compare products quantitatively.

It then collates products into product round-up-esque pages (although it’s all data comparison, rather than opinion (such as “Best Smartphones”) and head-to-head posts comparing one product directly against another (e.g. AMD Ryzen 5 5500U vs Intel Core i5-1135G7).

The real magic lies in the scale of content Versus produces. With over 150,000 indexed pages, that’s equivalent to writing a post every day for 410 years!

Let’s break it down: while some websites create a single round-up post featuring 20 products, Versus takes it to the next level. They create 20 individual product pages and an additional 190 pages just by comparing each product against the others. That’s 211 pages versus 1 – no wonder they’re generating so much traffic!

And at the heart of these product-focused articles? Amazon links. Versus offers price comparisons for every product, but they always highlight the Amazon link in bright red at the top – even if it’s not the best price. It seems Amazon is their go-to affiliate store.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from VersusUse tech to your advantage: programmatic content can produce epic results if well thought and done correctly.

People like data: in a world of empty opinions, Versus cuts through the noise by providing users just the data behind every product.

Amazon wins: with a website like this, you can bet Versus have run endless data experiments to determine which affiliate program to use. The fact that Amazon is recommended on every page speaks volumes.


4 Pack HackerPack Hacker is a website that triggers me.

I feel like I have unfulfilled OCD (in that I long to be organized and tidy, but I’m just not) so looking at this website has me purring with admiration at the organization that it has achieved (especially the pictures).

But triggers aside, this is an awesome example of an Amazon affiliate site for several reasons, and a lot can be learned from it.

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 600,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 300,000
  • Domain Rating: 53

How Pack Hacker Uses Amazon AffiliatesSome people can feel a bit dirty at the thought of “salesy” affiliate marketing. But Pack Hacker has its visitors gagging to click on its affiliate links.

It achieves this by triggering (yes, that word again) a hunt-and-discover emotion in visitors.

Every post has a featured image in which the contents of a bag are laid out in that minimalist Instagrammable flat lay style.

As you scan the image, you’ll likely spot a few items that grab your attention. Naturally, you’ll want to hunt down those items on the page and find out what they are. And when you do, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll click on the affiliate link to explore the product further.

Chances are, you’ll make an impulse purchase through that Amazon affiliate link. This is the perfect type of audience for an Amazon affiliate business, as these shoppers are likely to add even more products to their cart, earning you extra bonus commissions.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from Pack HackerCreate intrigue: let people hunt down links on your page by presenting an intriguing image at the start of your post

Additional recommendations: a product round-up doesn’t simply have to follow the “best X for Y” format, you can create round-ups based around an activity or experience, so people aren’t comparing one product against another, but instead look for additional products that can provide value.

Clean UI: be intentional with your page design, especially when you’re presenting affiliate links – make the products easy to find and ensure the links pop!


5 Epic GardeningYou might have caught the Authority Hacker podcast where we talked about a gardening niche site that now rakes in eight figures a year.

The site’s founder, Kevin Espiritu, has skillfully leveraged social media and YouTube to grow the brand, while the website serves as a hub for affiliate content.

Thanks to Kevin’s epic branding efforts, he’s built a solid reputation and authority in the gardening world, which has opened doors in the affiliate realm.

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 600,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 400,000
  • Domain Rating: 71

How Epic Gardening Uses Amazon AffiliatesWhile the Epic Gardening brand is pretty incredible, the site’s affiliate content is pretty standard.

Sure, the content has been laid out well and there’s nice product boxes (using AAWP) and tables – but it’s not the most unique affiliate content you’ll ever see.

If this was your everyday faceless affiliate content site, it might not do too well. But thanks to the incredible brand that’s been built, this site can easily rank for such content.

Diversification is also a key to the success of Epic Gardening. The site gets traffic from multiple sources (social media, YouTube, email), it provides a wide variety of content (how-to guides, informational content, affiliate content) and it’s also monetized in many ways (affiliates and its own e-commerce store)

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from Epic GardeningFront-load recommendations: use a table or summary box to present the best products and their key features.

Diversify: don’t just rely on a single monetization method. Affiliate marketing is great, but there are also ads you can embed and products/courses you can sell.

Make use of Amazon-related tools: Epic Gardening uses AAWP boxes to help make product recommendations really stand out. This is a quick and affordable way to increase your click-through rate (and hopefully commissions).


6 Swim UniversityIf you ever hear Swim University founder, Matt Giovanisci, talk about his business, you’ll know that affiliate marketing is far, far from the priority of his online business.

The focus of Swim University is selling digital maintenance courses and real pool products to pool owners – and it’s a great business. But that hasn’t stopped this website from, shall we say “dabbling”, with some Amazon affiliates.

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 160,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 100,000
  • Domain Rating: 67

How Swim University Uses Amazon AffiliatesAffiliate marketing may rank third in Swim University’s monetization methods, but it’s still a valuable asset to the business.

The site’s priorities are clear. Even product round-up pages (e.g. Best Chlorine Tablets) feature a primeabove-the-fold section dedicated to email list sign ups. The affiliate content on the site is actually very simple – but effective. There is little unique imagery but – a bit like Epic Gardening – an individual page can get away with this based on the overall strength of the brand.

The website design is very easy on the eye, though, and Lasso product boxes ensure that the product recommendations really pop.

Interestingly, only Amazon products are featured, likely because Amazon’s affiliate program is the most straightforward way to promote products with minimal hassle.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from Swim UniversityBuilding a brand gives you leeway: by having a strong and trusted brand behind you, you can enjoy producing simpler content that still converts

Don’t put your eggs in one basket: diversify your online business in any way you can, and if you can control your product offering – even better.

Amazon just works: if you’re looking for a simple solution for an additional monetization method for your website, Amazon affiliates is about as good as it gets.


7 Retro DodoThis is a wonderful example of the potential of a “one-man” niche website. There’s no big corporation here, Retro Dodo was created by Brandon Saltalamacchia in 2019 with the aim of “entertaining and educating retro games about the latest and greatest products within the niche”.

The site has done brilliantly since, with Brandon revealing Retro Dodo now gets over a million monthly visits and makes around $50,000 each month from the website. Plus it has a thriving YouTube channel (270k subscribers).

  • Total Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 1,000,000
  • Organic Monthly Traffic (Estimated): 800,000
  • Domain Rating: 46

How Retro Dodo Uses Amazon AffiliatesRetro Dodo has many different income streams, including affiliates, programmatic ads (from Mediavine), YouTube ads, plus its own range of products (primarily real books). Interestingly, only 20% of their $50,000 monthly revenue comes from affiliate commissions – a relatively low percentage for an authority site like this.

That’s largely because much of Retro Dodo’s traffic goes to news, tips and how-to guides. But they have also covered their affiliate bases, so you’ll also see things like “Best 80s Toys Every 80s Kid Remembers”.

The product round-up pages themselves aren’t particularly spectacular. There’s no fancy product boxes or tables and the images look like they’ve been lifted from the product’s website and then applied to a generic Retro Dodo background.

But Retro Dodo does two things really well in their product round-ups:

  • They kick off most round-ups with an informative, in-depth video from their YouTube channel, showcasing their expertise.
  • They cover a TON of products. Their “Best PSP Games” post, for example, mentions 60 games and boasts a whopping 12,519 words!

I spoke to Brandon Saltalamacchia, founder of Retro Dodo, and he had some valuable insights as to why the Amazon affiliate program is so valuable:

I use Amazon Affiliates because it’s where most of my community go to buy products within my niche. It’s a trusted source with fast shipping which increases the chance of my audience buying the product.

Amazon compares poorly compared to other affiliates we use if you look at the earnings per sale, but actually over time, I find that my audience trusts Amazon more, and are even happy to pay a premium on Amazon compared to other cheaper marketplaces because of the brand trust. There’s also the chance that the user adds more to their basket than just the product we recommended increasing the commission even more.
My tip would be to use third party plugins or tools that show the Amazon product’s details on your website, a button just doesn’t cut it any more and it’s something I am looking into on my projects to increase click throughs.

Overall, Amazon affiliates brings in around 5-10% of Retro Dodo’s total income, making up about 40% of our affiliate income.

It may have terrible commissions compared to other affiliate programs, but it’s the easiest solution for your readers, and that’s what you should prioritize – not which marketplace seemingly earns you more. Put the reader first and the revenue will follow.

3 Ideas to ~~Steal~~ Borrow from Retro DodoDemonstrate expertise: show that you really know and care about what you’re talking about. Retro Dodo excels at this by creating epic YouTube videos and even producing beautiful books on the topic.

Simple can work: Retro Dodo’s product round-ups aren’t particularly fancy, but they give the user what they’re looking for and make it easy and don’t add any unnecessary fluff.

“Put the reader first and the revenue will follow.”

7 Things We Can Learn From These Amazon Affiliate Sites1. Feature top recommendations: Showcase your top product picks as high as possible on your pages, most “readers” don’t read your content and click directly on these links. 2. Diversify retailer links: Don’t limit yourself to Amazon; provide links to various retailers for a well-rounded shopping experience. 3. Establish a solid brand: Boost trustworthiness by building a strong and recognizable brand that resonates with your audience. 4. Leverage tools that improve your CRO: Utilize tools like Lasso and AAWP they have field-tested designs that will improve your conversion rates and bottom line.. 5. Optimize for international visitors: Employ Amazon Link or Geniuslink to automatically redirect global users to their local Amazon stores, enhancing their shopping experience. 6. Scale with programmatic content: Scale your content output with smart, programmatic solutions to rank for ultra-niche low-competition keywords. 7. Diversify income streams: Don’t just rely on Amazon! Expand your revenue channels by exploring other affiliate programs, display advertising, and – even better – creating and selling your own physical or digital products.

I could have easily listed 100 things we could learn from these Amazon affiliate website examples, but these seven points are the most pertinent. That said, there are two broader guiding principles if you want to enjoy sustained success with – not just the Amazon affiliates program – but indeed any authority site you want to create:

  • Don’t be generic. Even if you rank for a “best X for Y” keyword, you won’t be there for long with boring product descriptions and stock photos.
  • Do go that extra mile. Put the user at the forefront of your mind and think about what will benefit them most. That can mean great photos. That can mean a great user experience. That can mean a personal recommendation. That can mean a new twist on data analysis.

Conclusion: Start Your Own Amazon Affiliate SiteThe evidence is clear: these Amazon affiliate website examples have shown it is still possible to make serious money with the Amazon affiliate program – if you do it the right way.

If that’s something you’d like to do, we can help you create or grow your on highly profitable authority site, by:

  • Uncovering obscure – but highly profitable – niches
  • Learning how to rank quickly
  • Start making real money while doing so

To get started, claim your 100% free Authority Hacker training today.

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We’re pulling back the curtain on blog income reports with a list of 153 real income reports to learn from.

What you’ll quickly realize is that while some bloggers cash in millions annually, others barely scrape by.

We’ll zero into three blog income reports to show you how you can dissect the details and learn from their progress and setbacks. Consider this your trusty guide to starting or scaling your blog and crushing your goals.

3 Blog Income Reports to Learn FromOne of the best ways to learn how to make money blogging is to read their income reports. The 153 blog income reports we collected were broken down by niche to highlight categories like business, making money, travel, food and more.

These aren’t random numbers. They’re real bloggers sharing success secrets, money-making methods, and lessons learned. We’re not just collecting data; we’re helping you master income report analysis.

By diving into these three income blog report case studies, you’ll learn how to:

  • Read income reports like a pro, finding strengths in each blogger’s strategy
  • Spot mistakes made by others, so you can sidestep potential pitfalls
  • Apply best practices and tips from successful bloggers to supercharge your own blog

Let’s take a plunge into our case studies and start learning.

TLDR: What These 3 Blog Income Report Case Studies Taught Us Network and diversify for audience growth: Collaborate with like-minded individuals and explore various platforms to attract new audiences and drive traffic. Boost your income with sponsorships, online courses, and product sales.

Retain people with consistency and engagement: Prioritize regular content production and interact with your audience on social media to expand your reach and funnel traffic to your blog.

Improve content quality to increase reach: Enhance your production skills and focus on your content’s visual appeal to captivate your audience.

Generate high revenue with products on low traffic blogs: Maximize your income by developing a range of offers and products, as high-priced items can offset low traffic numbers.

Case study 1: Entrepreneurs on Fire Meet John Lee Dumas, the force behind the successful blog and podcast, Entrepreneurs on Fire.

Since its launch in 2012, Dumas went from an unknown newcomer to an authoritative figure by interviewing top entrepreneurs. His approach not only grew his audience but also secured sponsorship deals, transforming his passion project into a thriving venture.

In February 2023, Entrepreneurs on Fire reported a monthly income of $145,734.

Breaking Down the Income ReportEntrepreneurs on Fire’s income report boasted the following sources of revenue:

  • Sponsorship: $126,593
  • Online Courses: $11,669
  • Affiliate Income: $7,430
  • Selling Own Product (Book): $42

These numbers reveal that Dumas has successfully diversified his income streams. Sponsorship contributes the lion’s share. That tracks because audience growth = sponsorship revenue and today, the podcast lists more than 10 sponsors. As of March 2023, the podcast had accumulated nearly 3,900 episodes and over 138 million listens.

The report emphasized the brand’s venture into podcast advertising. It aimed for a subscriber boost and Apple Podcasts ranking surge. Dumas had some reservations though: he wanted steady growth in quality subscribers who wouldn’t drop off.

The goal: The goal was to run 4 “subscriber campaigns” over 4 months to welcome new qualified subscribers to Fire Nation, increase the podcast’s ranking in the Business category (to #1), and improve visibility to attract more qualified subscribers.

What they did: They joined a network of podcasts called HPN and got a pretty good deal on podcast ads. They also hooked up with a company that helps podcasts grow. Over the four months, the blog spent $12k ($6k from HPN).

Result: Initially, they gained 25% more subscribers and hit #1 in Business three times over the course of the period. But they also faced budget mismanagement, big spikes and drops in subscribers, and targeting issues. In the end, the campaign confirmed their worries and they realized it was not a good fit for their show.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Bloggers1. Tap into the viral loop: By interviewing guests with existing audiences, Dumas expanded his reach. When guests shared their interviews, new listeners joined, creating a snowball effect that fueled his success. 2. Experiment and measure success: Dumas’ podcast advertising experience shows the importance of trying new strategies and learning from them. Even if a campaign doesn’t yield desired results, it can provide valuable insights to refine your approach. 3. Embrace volume and consistency: With nearly 3,900 episodes, Dumas demonstrates that producing content consistently is crucial for standing out. Jon’s first few hundred episodes didn’t achieve his current success – the thousands that followed did. 4. Diversify your platforms: Don’t limit yourself to blogging. Dumas combined podcasting with blogging to drive traffic and build his brand. Explore other mediums and repurpose content to reach new audiences and promote your work. Authority Hacker does this with podcasts, YouTube, Shorts, Reels, and TikTok. 5. Monetize strategically: Dumas’ income report highlights the importance of diversifying revenue streams. From sponsorships to online courses, affiliate income, and product sales, find the right mix for your blog and audience. 6. Learn from the best: Be inspired by successful bloggers like Dumas and apply their strategies to your own journey. When interviewed in 2016, he had grown his income from scratch to nearly $300,000 earned in May 2016 in just 2.5 years. Check out the conversation at authorityhacker.com/eofire/.

Case study 2: Midwest FoodieMidwest Foodie, a popular food blog run by Kylie, has come a long way since its inception in June 2017. After focusing on SEO, Pinterest traffic, and improving her photography skills, Kylie and her partner managed to quit their jobs in May 2020 to live off the blog’s income.

The blog’s December 2022 income report shows an impressive $35,723 in earnings, with around 1 million pageviews per month for a total fourth quarter earning of $95,907.

Breaking Down the Income ReportMidwest Foodie’s primary monetization method is AdThrive, which significantly boosts the blog’s revenue. Social media drives 27% of the blog’s traffic, with visually appealing content on Pinterest and Instagram attracting 48.8k and 11.7k followers, respectively.

The blogger cleverly markets her Pinterest e-book by showcasing its earning potential. This effective strategy highlights the e-book’s value while simultaneously converting sales.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Bloggers1. Focus on visual platforms for visual niches: Don’t just rely on Google for blog traffic; tap into the power of Pinterest and Instagram, especially for visual niches. Kylie’s well-organized Pinterest profile, with eye-catching images and ingredient lists, significantly drives traffic to her blog. 2. Stay patient and persistent: Building a full-time income from blogging requires time and dedication. It took Kylie three years of continuous effort to quit her job and live off her blog’s income. Success doesn’t come overnight – stay focused and keep pushing forward. 3. Boost your production value: Enhance your skills, like photography in Kylie’s case, to increase traffic and followers on platforms like Pinterest. Stunning step-by-step dish preparation images have become Midwest Foodie’s trademark, contributing to its incredible success. 4. Engage with your audience on social media: Actively connect with your readers on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to drive traffic to your blog and expand your reach. 5. Promote your products using income report numbers: If you’re selling a product to your audience, such as an ebook, course, or service, showcase your income report numbers to demonstrate its effectiveness. For instance, Kylie highlights her Pinterest traffic and income before promoting her ebook on Pinterest strategies, creating a strong incentive for readers to buy and learn from her experience.

Case Study 3: By Leah ClaireBudget travel blogger Leah Claire, who started her journey in 2019, has a strong social media following, with 27.7k Instagram followers and 69.8k TikTok followers. Although her blog’s organic traffic remains low, she made an impressive $16,955 in earnings as of December 2022. How did she achieve this?

Breaking Down the Income ReportThe majority of By Leah Claire’s income comes from promoting blogging affiliate offers on her travel site, where she teaches people how to start a travel blog. She also sells an ebook on starting a profitable blog, which made $1,695.65 in December. The $37 ebook serves as an excellent lead generation funnel for her course. In early 2023, Leah launched the Blogging Freedom Academy, further expanding her income streams.

In this month, Leah also included her social earnings thanks to a viral Tiktok that sparked a spike in ebook and affiliate sales.

Leah’s success isn’t limited to her primary blog. She also operates two other blogs in the lifestyle niche. One of them, started in September 2022, brings in over $10,000 in income from affiliate sales and ads revenue, thanks to high organic traffic.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Bloggers1. Diversify your blogging portfolio: Boost your success and income by running multiple sites, like Leah, whose lifestyle blog significantly contributes to her earnings. 2. Create a value ladder: Start with affiliate offers, then add products like a $37 ebook and a higher-priced course to increase revenue without needing more traffic. 3. Harness social media power: Drive traffic to your blog and affiliate links with engaging content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, in addition to relying on Google’s organic traffic. 4. Keep experimenting and innovating: Emulate Leah’s proactive approach to exploring new income streams and expanding her blogging empire to stay ahead in the competitive blogging world.

153 Blog Income ReportsWhy not do a little of your own analysis? Below, we’ve compiled a handy list of all 153 blog income reports that you can turn to to amplify your blogging strategy.

Lifestyle BlogsMonetizing a lifestyle blog can be challenging, as there are often many bloggers in the same space. One interesting trend that has emerged in the lifestyle blogging world is the practice of publishing income reports.

Many lifestyle bloggers have dedicated sections on their websites to share how they make money from their blogs and other passive income streams. By narrowing their focus and sharing their monetization strategies, these bloggers are able to stand out in a crowded space and potentially increase their earnings.

  • A Modern Homestead – $12,750 (per month 2021); ads, affiliate, physical products
  • Top Vincent – $1,200 (August 2021); affiliate marketing, services
  • The Debtist – $99 (November 2021); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Cassie Coggins – $7,914 (December 2020); affiliate, ads, info products
  • Lifestyle With Leah – $587 (March 2020); info products, ads
  • It’s A Lovely Life – $186,103 (December 2019); affiliate and info products
  • The Fab 20s – $5,187 (October 2019); ads, affiliates, info products
  • Fit Mommy In Heels – $11,562 (September 2019); sponsored posts, affiliates, services
  • Nikki’s Plate – $5,867 (October 2020); ads, affiliate
  • Heart’s Content Farm House – $4,292 (May 2021); ads, affiliates, physical products
  • Thrifts and Angles – $6,586 (June 2022); ads, affiliates, sponsored posts
  • Tory Stender – $1,264 (November 2020); ads, affiliate, digital products
  • Lovely Refinement – $1,003 (October 2019); ads, affiliate, digital products
  • Joanna Rahier – $3,278 (September 2020); ads, affiliate, digital products, services
  • Italian Polish Momma – $3,998 (March 2019); affiliates, ads
  • KaInspired – $896 (December 2019); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Sophia Patel – ÂŁ247 (April 2020); affiliates, advertising, sponsored posts
  • The Sunshine Suitcase – $105 ( June 2021); ads, sponsored content
  • The Keele Deal – $1,009 (November 2021); ads
  • The Huntswoman – $3,541 (September 2021); affiliate, ads
  • Imperfect Idealist – $1,387 (December 2021); affiliate, sponsored content, services, ads
  • Women Blazing Trails – $4,250 (January 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, digital products
  • Guitar And Lace – $7,723 (December 2021); affiliate, brand partnerships, product sales
  • Carley Schweet – $12,406 (June 2021); affiliate marketing, other
  • Beauty Brains Blush – $32 (December 2019); ads, affiliate, sponsored posts
  • Any Mommy Can Make Money – $89 (June 2022); affiliate

Travel BlogsTravel is bouncing back post-Covid, but it’s still 63% shy of pre-pandemic levels. Navigating the diverse travel blog scene, from budget getaways to globe-trotting families, can reveal untapped potential for sponsored content.

Stay ahead of the curve as you explore the ever-evolving trends, challenges, and opportunities in this dynamic niche.

  • Two Wandering Soles – $17,811 (June 2019); affiliate, advertising, sponsored posts
  • Monica Lent – $3,916 (December 2021); ads and affiliate
  • World Travel Family – $1,426 (December 2021); ads
  • Kara And Nate – $49,695 (September 2019); ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, info products
  • Amy Fillinger – $4,223 (June 2022); ads and affiliates
  • Fun Life Crisis – $10,445 (April 2022); ads, partnerships, affiliate marketing, digital products
  • Living The Dream TW – $8,625 (February 2023); ads mostly, little bit of affiliate marketing
  • The Atlas Heart – $6,598 (June 2021); ads, affiliate
  • Top Travel Sights – $539 (July 2021); affiliate, ads, sponsorships
  • Ashley Abroad – $760 (November 2019); ads, affiliate income, info products
  • Johnny Africa – $1,395 (December 2021); ads, affiliate, services, sponsorships
  • Travel By Maya – $686 (November 2019); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Affordable By Amanda – $4,475 (July 2019); affiliate, ads
  • Nomad Numbers – $125 (March 2022); affiliate marketing + advertising
  • Gathering Dreams – $1,292 (November 2020); ads + affiliate
  • Happily Ever Travels – $591 (November 2020); ads, affiliate
  • Nomad Life 101 – $8,650 (July 2022); affiliate marketing, ads, sponsors, info products
  • Travel Blog Stories – $1,560 (January 2020); affiliate marketing, digital products, display ads, sponsored posts
  • Mathers On The Map – $314 (April 2020); ads, affiliate, course
  • Local Adventurer – $41,003 (October 2019); affiliate, sponsorships, ads
  • Desk To Dirtbag – $4,376 (August 2019); affiliate + ads
  • Wander Her Way – $405 (December 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts
  • A Dangerous Business – $22,650 (August 2022); affiliate, ads, info products, partnerships
  • Indian Girling – $3,323 (February 2019); ads, affiliates, info products, services, sponsored content
  • Trekkn – $5,000 (July 2019); ads, affiliate marketing

Food and Recipe BlogsFood and recipe bloggers know how to turn visuals into blogging income. They reveal their traffic secrets in their income reports, showing how they dominate platforms like Pinterest and YouTube.

They also often share their wisdom with their readers through e-books or private strategy sessions which they plug in the income reports, helping aspiring bloggers level up their own game.

  • Get On My Plate – $7,744 (July 2022); ads, affiliates, sponsored posts
  • 40 Aprons – $31,225 (August 2019); ads, sponsored posts, services, affiliates
  • Thyme And Joy – $6,363 (September 2022); ads, affiliates
  • Hangry Woman – $8,600 (December 2021); ads, affiliate income, services, partnerships
  • The Fiery Vegetarian – $9,753 (December 2021); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Batternut Bakery – $7,896 (September 2019); ads, sponsored content, affiliates, services
  • The Bettered Blondie – $9,027 (January 2020); affiliate, ads, sponsored content
  • The Honest Spoonful – $787 (April 2019); info products, affiliates, services, ads
  • Fork In The Road – $3,917 (September 2021); ads, affiliates, other
  • The Win Cooking Project – $1,397 (June 2020); advertising
  • The Clean Eating Couple – $14,000 (December 2019); ads, affiliate, sponsored posts, info products
  • Stephanie’s Sweet Treats – $20,375 (March 2022); affiliates, sponsorships, food, services, ads
  • Went There Ate This – $4,510 (December 2019); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Midwest Foodie Blog – $23,381 (November 2022); ads, affiliates, info products, sponsored posts
  • Salted Mint – $406 (April 2019); ads, affiliate marketing
  • In The Kitchen With Matt – $1,015 (October 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts
  • The Fit Delish – $570 (January 2020); sponsored posts, affiliate marketing

Business of Blogging The business of blogging niche is a lucrative field, and the numbers speak for themselves. With an average monthly income of $28,500 among the 39 blogs in this niche, it’s clear that writing about blogging and business can be a profitable venture.

These income reports can reveal some unique strategies that other niches might not be able to replicate. For instance, Adam Enfroy makes over $100,000 per month by selling his own course on blogging, One Hour Professor earns anything between $5,000 and $18,000 per month by offering consulting services on online business, and Ryan Robinson earned almost $18,000 for his Built to Blog Course Sales. These strategies allow them to monetize their expertise, authority, network, and influence in their niche.

It’s no surprise that product sales and affiliate marketing are huge in this niche, so expect to be pitched on some products and services as you explore these reports.

  • Adam Enfroy – $281,776 (June 2021); affiliate marketing, courses, ads
  • A Self Guru – $78,000 (March 2021); affiliate marketing + selling her own info products
  • One Hour Professor – $20,144 (February 2023); multiple websites, affiliate marketing, services, courses, ads
  • Anastasia Blogger – $40,000 (December 2022); multiple sites, ads, affiliate, most of it course
  • Entrepreneurs On Fire – $182,899 (February 2023); sponsorships, info products, affiliate marketing
  • Boss Girl Bloggers -$8,621 (December 2020); digital products, affiliate marketing, display ads
  • Kevon Cheung – $4,175 (December 2021); info products, affiliate marketing
  • The Side Blogger – $6,000 (December 2020); affiliate marketing, info products
  • Perfection Hangover – $3,879 (October 2021); ad revenue, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, services
  • Crochetpreneur – $2,507 (December 2020); ads, affiliate, product sales
  • The Entrepreneur Ride Along – $16,146 (October 2021); affiliate marketing, digital product sales
  • BloggersPassion – $13,403 (December 2021); info products, affiliate marketing
  • BloggingForNewBloggers – $30,423 (May 2020); affiliate marketing, sponsored content, services
  • Full Time Blog – $35,633 (October 2021); affiliate marketing, advertising
  • The Tara Reid – $12,631 (March 2020); affiliate, digital products, but mostly services
  • SmartNancials – $6,017 (July 2020); ads, affiliates
  • FinSavvyPanda – $27,689 (March 2021); 3 sites, affiliate marketing, info products
  • Shannon Mattern – $7,462 (December 2021); digital products, affiliate marketing
  • Blog For Profit – $18,981 (January 2021); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Open Up The Cloud – ÂŁ242 (December 2021); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Ryan Robinson – $35,218 (March 2021); course sales, affiliate marketing
  • Carl Broadbent – $10,376 (January 2022); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Cheers To Blogging – $550 (December 2021); affiliate marketing, info products
  • By Laura Iancu – $246 (November 2021); affiliate marketing
  • Arielle Phoenix – $1,037 (December 2021); several sites, affiliate marketing, ads
  • Below Average Blogger – $1,833 (December 2021); affiliate marketing, ads
  • CraftOfBlogging – $31,292 (December 2021); 8 sites, ads, affiliate marketing
  • The She Approach – $16,719 (December 2022); affiliate marketing, info products, services, ads, sponsored content
  • Easy Blog Emily – $2,503 (August 2021); affiliate, advertising, info products, services
  • Fat Stacks Blog – $109,222 (June 2022); 15 sites, ads, and affiliate
  • Skip Blast – $3,130 (June 2022); 3 sites, ads and affiliate
  • Create And Go – $81,030 (December 2022); several sites, affiliate marketing, online courses
  • YoYao – $5,230 (March 2021); multiple sites, affiliates, ads
  • Helmi Hasan – $120 (December 2021); affiliate, display ads, services
  • Passive Income Superstars – $5,733 (February 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, digital products
  • Let’s Reach Success – $9,876 (April 2022); sponsored content, ads, affiliate marketing, info products
  • Simply Hatch – $2,884 (November 2020); advertising, affiliate marketing
  • Skip Blast – $3,925 (August 2021); multiple sites, ads, affiliates
  • Blog Blossom – $930 (July 2022); affiliate marketing, ads

Self-Improvement and Health BlogsHealth and self improvement blog income reports can reveal how bloggers in this niche use their personal stories and practical tips to connect and inspire their audience.

While many of them draw in significant revenue through ads and affiliate marketing, these income reports reveal just how important products can be to your earning potential.

With so many sub-niches in the self-improvement and health space, it can be challenging to stand out. However, sharing monthly blog income reports can provide an additional revenue stream and offer insights into how to monetize a blog in this niche.

  • About Social Anxiety – $2,097 (December 2021); affiliate, digital products
  • Ironwild Fitness – $754 (June 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, digital products
  • Lifting Motherhood – $394 (June 2020); affiliate, ads, digital products
  • A Natural Endeavor – $330 (June 2021); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Vigor It Out – $1,906 (December 2018); affiliate, ads, info products
  • Fit Mom Journey – $10,124 (December 2018); ads, affiliate, info products
  • Kath Kyle – $15,535 (January 2018); ads, affiliate marketing, digital products
  • Hot Beauty Health – $9,655 (September 2018); affiliate, ads, sponsored posts

Making and Saving Money BlogsContent about money makes money.

Money and saving money blog income reports can reveal how bloggers in this niche use their income and expense reports, budgeting and saving tips, and financial goals to help their audience manage their finances better.

They also show how they provide valuable resources and tools, such as calculators, templates, guides, etc. to grow their email list or earn affiliate income.

  • Dollar Sprout – $167,390 (February 2023); affiliate, digital products
  • Club Thrifty – $85,833 (December 2019); affiliate marketing, ads, digital products, services, sponsored posts
  • PassiveIncomeUnlocked – $50,750 (June 2022); several sites, display ads, affiliate marketing
  • BeeMoneySavvy – ÂŁ2,509 (May 2022); sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, ads
  • Money From Side Hustle – $3,626 (December 2021); ads, affiliate
  • The Money Ninja – $10,385 (March 2020); ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, services, digital products
  • My Money Yard – ÂŁ1,343 (December 2021); affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, ads, other
  • I Like To Dabble – $2,490 (December 2019); ads, affiliate marketing, digital and physical products, services
  • Project Financially Free – ÂŁ3,786 (August 2020); ads, affiliates
  • Side Hustle Directory – ÂŁ3,628 (April 2022); services, affiliate marketing
  • Swift Salary – $2,627 (October 2022); affiliate, advertising, info products
  • FinancialFlamingo – $938 (July 2020);affiliate marketing, info products, ad revenue
  • Frugal Mom Guide – $200 (March 2019); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Wallet Squirrel – $198 (May 2022); display ads, affiliate marketing
  • The Millenial Bull – $599 (April 2021); affiliate, display ads, digital products
  • Freedom In A Budget – $1,735 (September 2022); affiliate, digital products, display ads, services, donations
  • Money Q&A – $2,806 (November 2019); ads, affiliate, sponsored posts
  • On Budget Moms – $513 (January 2020); ads, affiliate
  • SadieSmiley – $17,521 (February 2022); affiliate marketing, ads, info products
  • This Online World – $7,717 (December 2021); advertising, affiliate marketing
  • Wealthy Nickel – $3,049 (December 2020); affiliate, display ads, sponsored posts
  • Budgeting Is A Challenge – $2,056 (June 2020); affiliate marketing, informational products
  • Single Moms Income – $3,013 (March 2019); ads, affiliate, sponsored posts
  • Lylia Rose – $6,111 (December 2021); ads, collabs, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts
  • The Female Business – $2,047 (April 2020); affiliate marketing, ads
  • Out Of The 925 – $1,182 (January 2021); affiliate marketing
  • My Income Nook – $351 (June 2022); affiliate, display ads, digital products
  • Money Dot Calm – $720 (December 2020); ads
  • Smart Pennies – $148 (November 2019); affiliate marketing
  • Minted Empire – $3,722 (September 2022); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Making Sense Of Cents – $37,878 (December 2022); total after 11 years of blogging, affiliate, info products
  • The Financial Cookbook – $6,836 (January 2022); affiliate marketing, info products
  • The Baller On A Budget – $3,802 (December 2019); sponsored posts, digital products, ads, affiliate
  • Pro Smartpreneur – $7,114 (September 2021); ads, affiliate marketing
  • Reverse The Crush – $183 (October 2021); affiliate, ads
  • Passively Wealthy – $2,097 (December 2021); affiliate, digital products

Hobby Blogs Brutally Honest Microstock – $480 (December 2021); services, digital products * Crochet 365 – $14,277 (September 2020); ads, physical products, digital products, affiliate income*

How do bloggers make money?When analyzing these 153 monthly blog income reports, we see that bloggers make money from display ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, services, and sponsored content. Regardless of what stage your blog is in, strategizing your monetization method is something you cannot ignore.

Display adsIf you want to get the best earnings with the least amount of work, your best chance is to join a premium advertising network. But, make sure you have significant traffic, as more views equal higher earnings, and top ad networks require at least 50,000 monthly visitors.

The best ad networks are AdThrive, Mediavine, and Ezoic, offering high-quality ads and premium rates. Keep in mind their traffic requirements:

  • AdThrive 100k traffic minimum
  • Mediavine 50k traffic minimum
  • Ezoic doesn’t have a traffic threshold but you can expect a drop in quality and payout at their lowest level.

Ad networks feature payout tiers, so as your traffic grows, your payouts increase. Most site owners can expect RPMs between $20 and $60.

Ads are your best bet if you don’t have any of the other 3 monetization methods in place as they tend to be the lowest earning form of monetization.

Affiliate marketingOne of the greatest perks of affiliate marketing? No need to create your own products. Simply earn a commission every time a reader clicks your affiliate link and buys a product.

Take a look at Get on my Plate’s income report in which the blogger plugs their affiliate link for Rank IQ alongside their insights.

While many bloggers opt for Amazon or popular affiliate networks, connecting directly with individual brands can boost your commission rates. Just remember, as a newbie, you’ll need to apply and be accepted into affiliate marketing programs.

The key to success: persuasive content and the right traffic (people already looking to buy or looking for a solution to a pressing problem). You will often do better with less traffic but better traffic so don’t just run after website visits, think about the motivations of the people visiting your site.

Digital productsThese blog income reports reveal a trend: those offering blogger courses or insider memberships have the potential to rake in serious cash. Take A Self Guru’s March 2021 income report for example.

The blogger and lawyer made $67,375 from her 25 DIY legal templates and services.

By launching your own digital product, you gain full control over pricing. And with a solid email list, your product’s earning potential spikes.

ServicesAre you a skilled writer who ventured into blogging? You can monetize your writing talent while working on your blog. Bloggers with expertise in areas like coding, social media, photography, and marketing can make bank by selling their skills. Some go it alone, while others have a crack team to deliver top-notch services. Either way, monetizing your know-how is a no-brainer.

Many food writers offer their SEO ghostwriting skills, such as Thyme & Joy, who at the time of writing was fully booked.

Services don’t have to be limited to writing however, as Johnny Africa proves with his blog income report. He makes money by crafting custom itineraries for travelers who want to explore the Southern Hemisphere.

Sponsored contentWhen your website starts attracting significant traffic, other websites and brands may come knocking, eager to publish sponsored content on your blog.

This could be in the form of reviews or partnership pieces, with payment structures ranging from one-time fees to commission-based deals.

In their income report, Local Adventurer reveals they make most of their income through sponsored content. Take this post for example, sponsored entirely by Pilot Flying J gas stations.

As a fledgling blog, you can proactively seek out sponsored content opportunities, showcasing the value your website offers to potential partners. Once you’ve established your blog and boast impressive traffic numbers, expect brands to come calling.

Why do bloggers publish blog income reports?If you want to fully understand why bloggers publish blog income reports, all you have to consider is this:

Why are you reading this?

As a blog owner or aspiring blogger, learning the money-making aspect is crucial.

Bloggers know this, and they capitalize on your curiosity to drive traffic, sell tools (think blogging classes and SEO software), and promote their own digital products. Blog income reports are more than just numbers – they’re a smart business strategy.

ConclusionWhen you really take a deeper look at the details, blog income reports can teach you a hell of a lot about success in the blogging world. We get that you’re here to see the numbers, which is why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of these income reports for your convenience. Bookmark it, learn from it, and keep it handy for your own site’s success.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to apply these valuable insights to your own blog…

  1. Implement proven strategies: Keep an eye out for successful bloggers sharing their winning tips and strategies. Adapt and tweak them to fit your unique situation and boost your success.
  2. Explore monetization methods: Blog income reports often detail various revenue streams like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or digital product sales. Identify new income sources and assess their potential for your blog.
  3. Be inspired by success stories: Blog income reports showcase real-life success, motivating you to work hard, persist, and apply the right strategies to achieve financial success through blogging.
  4. Don’t forget expenses: When assessing a blog’s profitability, consider expenses like web hosting, software subscriptions, SEO tools, and taxes. This helps you make informed decisions about your own budget and spending, ensuring a more accurate picture of your blog’s financial health.

Pro TipSet realistic expectations: While it’s great to be inspired by other bloggers’ success, remember that everyone’s journey is different. It can take years before you start earning excellent income. Want to speed that process up? Check out our free training.

We know it’s harder than ever out there to turn your blog into a success. That’s why we like to pick apart real-life scenarios and offer you the keys to what works and what doesn’t. Our training puts those tools right in your hands with seven secrets to make sites 83% more successful.

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On the face of it, B2B affiliate programs might not sound as enticing as their B2C counterparts.

Because business products are boring, right? Factor in longer sales cycles and it’s not hard to see why some affiliate marketers are put off.

But here’s something that might change your mind: in the US alone, business-to-business ecommerce sales are expected to reach $1.8 trillion by the end of 2023. That’s a considerable sum. And it’s just a fraction of total B2B sales.

Moreover, because B2B products and services tend to be expensive, commission rates are generally (much) higher than the average B2C affiliate program.

Got a business-friendly audience? Looking to turn your affiliate traffic into clicks and cash? Dive into our data-driven review of the best affiliate programs in the B2B world…

B2B Affiliate Programs1. Shopify 2. Cloudways 3. MailerLite 4. QuickBooks 5. Notion 6. HubSpot 7. Time etc 8. FreshBooks 9. Semrush

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1 Shopify There are an estimated 12 – 24 million ecommerce stores worldwide, with and the numbers keep growing every day. By 2026, those stores are expected to generate revenues of $8.1 trillion.

With so much business floating around, online retailers need a robust ecommerce platform. About one in four have selected Shopify, making it the second-most popular solution on the market.

Millions of ecommerce merchants across 170+ countries use Shopify to power their online stores, with the platform generating over $444 billion of global economic activity to date.

Shopify’s affiliate program pays commissions of $150 – $500, depending on the type of service you sell (learn more about commission rates in our Shopify affiliate program review). It has a 30-day EPC of $12.36 — higher than any other program in Impact’s B2B category.

But heads up – Shopify won’t just accept any affiliate marketer. To get in, you’ll need an active website with an established audience, create original and relevant content, and have experience using Shopify or another ecommerce platform.

  • URL: Shopify affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $150 – $500 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Ecommerce software
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Deep linking, creative assets, lead magnets,

2 CloudwaysIt’s hard to imagine a business that could thrive today without a website, which explains why the global web hosting market is expected to be worth $183.05 billion by 2027.

One of the industry’s leading players is Cloudways, a cloud hosting provider trusted by 80,000+ agencies, developers, and businesses. It’s rated as the #1 hosting provider for small and medium businesses by G2 and has an industry-leading NPS of 73, so it’s clearly good at keeping customers happy.

Cloudways operates one of our favorite recurring affiliate programs, with its “Hybrid” model offering a $30 bounty payment plus 30% lifetime commissions. Cloudways cites an “industry beating” churn rate of <3%, so there’s a good chance your referrals will keep paying — which means more recurring commissions.

Alternatively, affiliates can choose the “Slab” model, which pays $50 – $125 per sale, based on volume.

Experienced affiliate marketers who are confident of consistently driving high numbers of referrals (like 50+ per month) will be slightly better off with the Slab approach. But for everyone else, Hybrid looks the better option.

  • URL: Cloudways affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $125, or $30 per sale + 7% lifetime commission
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Cloud hosting plans
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Promotional banners, exclusive deals, seasonal campaigns, dedicated affiliate manager, onboarding emails and guides, monthly affiliate marketing newsletters, landing pages

3 MailerLiteEmail is a key element of almost every B2B marketing strategy. And it’s easy to see why, with the channel delivering an average ROI of 36:1.

That explains the popularity of tools like MailerLite, an email marketing platform that helps businesses create emails, landing pages, signup forms, and automations to supercharge their audience and revenue growth.

The good people at EmailToolTester rate MailerLite 5/5 for ease of use and also named it “one of the more affordable email providers on the market”, making it an ideal fit for businesses with smaller marketing budgets and limited technical expertise.

Join the company’s in-house affiliate marketing program to earn a 30% recurring commission on every sale, allowing you to turn consistent monthly sales into a decent passive income stream.

  • URL: MailerLite affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 30% recurring commissions
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Email marketing tools
  • Payment methods: Paypal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Professional branding and marketing assets, dedicated partner support, affiliate dashboard

4 QuickBooksSmall business owners spend almost five hours per pay period calculating, filing, and paying payroll taxes — equivalent to 21 days a year. So it’s easy to see why many businesses seek more efficient alternatives.

QuickBooks is one such alternative. With a 28% market share, it’s America’s most popular accounting platform, and it also owns QuickBooks Payroll — an affordable payroll service used by 1+ million businesses.

This is one of our favorite B2B affiliate programs because it allows you to earn commissions for free trials. That’s right: you get $5 per trial of the company’s payroll software, even if your referrals never pay QuickBooks a single cent. Of course, higher earnings are available if those free trialists convert into paying customers.

Speaking of which, QuickBooks boasts excellent conversion rates of up to 7% and a sky-high three-month EPC of $204, placing it firmly in the top five “productivity tools” on the CJ Affiliate network in terms of potential earnings.

  • URL: QuickBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: $5 per free trial signup, $50 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting and payroll software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Affiliate-exclusive discount codes

5 NotionIf you spend as much time in front of screens as we do, you’ll have noticed that practically every task requires a different tool (and a different browser tab). You might use Slack for communication, Google Drive for writing, and Trello for project management… and that’s just for starters.

Enter Notion, a productivity tool that aims to combine many of those elements into an “all-in-one workspace” incorporating product roadmaps, design repositories, task lists, and more. It’s been backed by prominent investors like AngelList founder Naval Ravikant and has even become an unlikely viral sensation on TikTok.

Notion is another brand operating a recurring affiliate program, offering affiliate partners a generous 50% cut of their referrals’ spending for the first 12 months.

With business plans starting at $15 per user per month, selling a 10-person Notion package will earn you monthly commissions of $75+ for a year.

  • URL: Notion affiliate program
  • Managed by: PartnerStack
  • Commission rate: 50% recurring revenue for 12 months
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Project management and productivity software
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Stripe
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Promotional best practices, guides, videos

6 HubSpotThe global marketing automation niche is expected to be worth over $12 billion by 2030 — and HubSpot is the single biggest player, with a market share of 37.35%.

But automation is only one of many feathers in HubSpot’s metaphorical cap. The platform also helps business users run email marketing campaigns, manage information on leads and customers through its CRM suite, and deliver better customer service.

Each of HubSpot’s sales, marketing, customer service, CMS, and operations tools can be purchased as standalone products. But they really come into their own when bought as a package, which means lots of upselling and cross-selling opportunities.

Like CloudWays, HubSpot’s B2B affiliate program offers two payment models — either 100% of the first month’s revenue or 15% recurring commissions for 12 months.

With price plans ranging from $50 – $3,000+ per month, HubSpot boasts an average payout of $276, making this one of the highest-paying B2B affiliate programs around.

  • URL: HubSpot affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: 100% of first month’s revenue or 15% recurring commissions for 12 months
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Email marketing software, marketing automation, CRM
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Deep product linking

7 Time etcAccording to Asana, the average business leader loses almost two-thirds of each workday to repetitive, mundane tasks.

That’s where Time etc comes in, connecting business owners and entrepreneurs with US-based executive assistants who can handle all those distracting, low-value activities — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time assistant.

To date, the company claims to have helped 22,000+ customers save over 1.5 million hours of lost productivity, freeing them up to play golf (or whatever executives actually do with their time).

For each customer you refer through Time etc’s affiliate program, you’ll earn $250. Best of all, payments are instant: as soon as someone becomes a paying client, you get your commission.

  • URL: Time etc affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: $250 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Virtual assistants
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Banners, bonus campaigns, coupons and deals, affiliate marketing newsletters, dedicated affiliate and publisher support team

8 FreshBooks Like QuickBooks, FreshBooks is one of the leading service providers in the accounting software market, with over 30 million customers using its tools to save up to $7,000 in billable hours per year.

FreshBooks prides itself on customer service, with its support team achieving a rating of 4.8/5 from more than 120,000 reviews.

The platform’s tools integrate with more than 100 other apps, helping businesses improve collaboration and streamline accounting and invoicing processes.

Want a helpful “hook” for your sales messaging? FreshBooks offers a free trial of its services, making it easier to close the deal. Best of all, you earn up to $10 for each trial you refer — and if those trialists go on to become paying customers, you’ll receive up to $200 per sale.

FreshBooks boasts one of the highest EPCs of any B2B affiliate program we’ve seen, at $258.32, so there’s plenty of earning potential here. It also offers a super-long 120-day cookie window, allowing plenty of time for your clicks to convert into sales.

  • URL: FreshBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: Up to $10 for free sign-ups, up to $200 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Creative assets, affiliate marketing newsletters

9 SemrushLast up is another digital marketing platform, Semrush.

Whereas the likes of MailerLite and HubSpot are built around automation and email marketing, Semrush is (largely) about search engine optimization, having won 21 international awards for “best SEO software suite”.

However, it also offers social media, PPC, content marketing, and competitive analysis tools — leading one reviewer to describe it as “like a keyword research tool, Google Trends, Moz, Hootsuite, and SimilarWeb in one”. Over 10 million marketing pros use Semrush as their go-to marketing tool, including 30% of Fortune 500s.

Semrush’s affiliate program theoretically boasts one of the longest cookie windows we’ve seen in any niche at 370 days, putting most affiliate programs to shame. In other words, even if someone takes a full year to convert after clicking your unique affiliate link, you still get paid.

Its commission rates are pretty generous too, at $10 per free trial and $200 per sale.

The only “catch” is that your referrals must sign up for a free account within 120 days — otherwise you’re ineligible for free trial or paid subscription commissions.

  • URL: Semrush affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $10 per free trial sign-up, $200 per subscription sale
  • Cookie duration: 370 days
  • Products/Services sold: Digital marketing tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Dedicated account managers, unique promo codes, deep product linking, detailed product catalog

ConclusionB2B sales are complex affairs.

For instance, Gartner research found the average buying team spends over 16 months planning and completing a new IT purchase.

To succeed in B2B affiliate marketing, you need to be seen as a trustworthy (and impartial) subject-matter expert who understands the needs and pain points of your target audience. In short, you need to build a website packed full of the types of information B2B buyers are searching for.

Sure, that takes time, effort, and money. But we can help.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets for creating high-converting affiliate websites — including one tried-and-trusted tactic for building fast sites that rank quickly.

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Wholesale affiliate programs aren’t the most obvious niche.

The buying process is a bit more complex than your standard B2C affiliate programs (for example, customers usually need to sign up as members to make purchases, sometimes even paying a fee). This inevitably leads to a smaller target audience.

Still, there’s lots to like about the wholesale industry — not least the earning potential. The market was valued at $46 billion in 2022 and is expected to exceed $65 billion by 2026.

Plus, a smaller audience can work in your favor. With fewer potential customers, there’s less competition, making it easier to rank high in search results and drive traffic to your site.

If that sounds appealing, read on for our data-backed roundup of the 10 best wholesale affiliate programs…

Wholesale Affiliate Programs1. BJs Wholesale Club 2. Wholesale2B 3. Global Industrial 4. Wholesale Chess 5. FiftyFlowers 6. Wholesale4Fashion 7. Microfiber Wholesale 8. SaleHoo 9. Global Crafts 10. NutriCargo

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 BJs Wholesale ClubGot a big audience on the Eastern Seaboard? BJs Wholesale Club could be the perfect wholesale affiliate program for you.

The retailer operates 230+ membership warehouses in 17 eastern states from Maine to Florida, giving it terrific brand awareness throughout the region — making your job as an affiliate marketer a cinch.

BJs members enjoy benefits like exclusive discounts and competitive prices on brand-name products. So it’s hardly surprising the company has signed up six million members to date.

Talking of memberships, they present the most attractive opportunity for affiliate marketers: for each BJs Wholesale Club membership you sell, you receive a 16% commission.

BJs also pays 1% – 2% on “regular” sales, allowing you to earn multiple commissions from the same customer.

  • URL: BJs Wholesale Club affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: 1% – 2% per sale, 16% per membership signup
  • Cookie duration: 14 days on memberships, 30 days on product sales
  • Products/Services sold: Groceries, furniture, electronics, books, jewelry, appliances, and more
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Dedicated affiliate management team, product feed

2 Wholesale2BDropshipping has quickly grown from a niche pursuit to an essential part of the global ecommerce industry. And sales are expected to double from $243 billion in 2023 to $476 billion in 2026.

Enter Wholesale2B, a platform that equips drop-shippers with over one million wholesale products — and the tools to sell them.

Drop-shippers can simply import Wholesale2B products to their store or marketplace. When a customer makes a purchase, Wholesale2B handles all the tricky stuff (like shipping), and the seller keeps the profits.

If you write about topics like entrepreneurship and how to earn money online, this affiliate program could be the ideal fit. Especially because the terms and conditions are so attractive: you get a lifetime cookie window and 30% recurring commissions for each customer you refer.

For context, if you send 500 signups to Wholesale2B with an average monthly fee of $39.99, you’ll pocket $4,000 in commissions every month.

There’s only one catch: ShareASale’s data shows the most recent transaction was back in 2021. Maybe Wholesale2B just isn’t working with the right affiliate marketers — or maybe the site has a major conversion rate problem.

  • URL: Wholesale2B affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house, ShareASale, UpSalo
  • Commission rate: 30% recurring monthly commissions
  • Cookie duration: Lifetime
  • Products/Services sold: Dropshipping products and selling tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Banner ads, text links, coupons and deals, affiliate marketing newsletters

3 Global IndustrialAdmittedly, Global Industrial sounds like a shadowy front for a comic book supervillain’s evil schemes. But it’s actually a major player in the world of industrial and commercial supplies, with a 70 year history and a catalog of over 1.7 million products across 21 categories.

Global Industrial memberships unlock a range of benefits, including the ability to create and manage multiple order lists, auto re-orders, and subscriptions.

Members also get a faster and more personalized checkout — a key selling point given that 61% of customers expect brands to tailor experiences based on their preferences.

Global Industrial pays 4% on wholesale purchases and offers a 60-day cookie window, which is longer than most wholesale affiliate programs we’ve seen.

The company boasts a high average order value of $300 — equivalent to an average commission of $12 per transaction.

  • URL: Global Industrial affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Industrial & commercial supplies, medical equipment
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, CA
  • Additional resources: Quarterly affiliate incentive promotions

4 Wholesale ChessOkay, we’ll admit that promoting wholesale chess club supplies isn’t for everyone. But hear us out, because interest in chess has surged since The Queen’s Gambit hit Netflix back in October 2020:

And with UN figures showing that 605 million adults play chess regularly, there’s clearly an opportunity here.

That brings us neatly to Wholesale Chess, which sells a giddying array of chess-related products, from pieces and boards to clocks and books. The company accepts purchase orders, making it an excellent fit for any affiliates targeting chess clubs, government entities, and other organizations.

The Wholesale Chess affiliate program pays a solid 10% commission on all sales originating from your affiliate link that convert within the 30-day cookie window.

  • URL: Wholesale Chess affiliate program
  • Managed by: Ascend by Partnerize
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Chess boards, chess pieces, chess club supplies, other chess products
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Banners, text links, coupons

5 FiftyFlowersFlowers are big business, with Americans splurging $2 billion on them just for Valentine’s Day.

There are also signs that it’s becoming more popular with younger consumers. One survey found that 14% of 18 to 29-year-olds in the US had purchased flowers from an online retailer in the previous 12 months.

FiftyFlowers is one such online retailer, shipping flowers direct from farms to the customer’s door (or to the object of their affection). It prides itself on delighting customers, helping the company be ranked by Newsweek as one of America’s top brands for customer service.

Sign up for the FiftyFlowers affiliate program through ShareASale to earn commissions of 2.5% – 5% per sale.

ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average sale of $278+, a strong conversion rate of 3.75%, and an EPC of $23.40 — higher than any other flower affiliate program on the network.

  • URL: Fifty Flowers affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: 2.5% – 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Flower delivery
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Banner ads, text links, videos, product data feed, bonus campaigns, coupons & deals, affiliate marketing newsletters

6 Wholesale4FashionAt first glance, Wholesale4Fashion doesn’t look too promising. Most glaringly, it hasn’t converted its website to HTTPS — what is this, 2015? And its homepage is riddled with typos.

But hear us out, because there’s still plenty for wholesale affiliates to like here.

As an online store selling wholesale fashion products, the company stocks thousands of items and caters to a wide range of customers, including personal buyers, store owners, resellers, and B2B wholesalers looking for suppliers. It also claims to be up to 90% cheaper than regular retailers.

Create an affiliate account through Wholesale4Fashion’s simple online form to earn a 5% commission on all referred sales.

  • URL: Wholesale4Fashion affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Wholesale apparel, shoes, accessories, home textiles
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, bank transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Unlisted

7 Microfiber WholesaleFinally, a cheaper way to buy microfibers!

I’ll level with you: I didn’t know what microfibers were until five minutes ago. Turns out they’re incredibly fine synthetic fibers with various characteristics (softness, strength, absorption) that make them superb cleaning products.

It also turns out that microfibers are a massive industry, with global sales expected to reach almost $750 million by the end of 2026. Who knew?

Microfiber Wholesale is the answer to all your microfiber needs, stocking professional-quality microfibers for everyday cleaning.

The family-owned business works hard to build relationships with pro cleaners, even offering limited free product samples to verified companies. So if your target audience includes a lot of cleaners (or you write about cleaning-related topics), this affiliate program is a great fit.

Microfibers Wholesale pays an attractive 10% commission rate on all sales. It offers discounts of up to 40% on bulk orders, so there’s plenty of upsell potential here.

  • URL: Microfiber Wholesale affiliate program
  • Managed by: Refersion
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Microfiber products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Trolley, gift card
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Discount codes, free product samples

8 SaleHooWe’ve already spoken about the immense size of the dropshipping industry. But it’s hardly a license to print money. Drop-shippers face any number of headaches — including the perpetual struggle to find high-quality products and reliable suppliers.

SaleHoo strives to tackle those problems by pre-vetting 8,000+ suppliers and more than 2.5 million products, giving would-be drop-shippers all the tools they need to succeed. And the message seems to be getting through, with over 137,000 entrepreneurs using SaleHoo to source suppliers and products.

The platform’s affiliate program pays a base recurring commission rate of 50%, although top-performing affiliates can earn up to 70% by hitting specific sales targets. That’s more than double the commissions of Wholesale2B, one of SaleHoo’s biggest competitors.

According to SaleHoo, it’s possible to make $500+ per year from a single sale, making this one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in the wholesale niche out there.

  • URL: SaleHoo affiliate program
  • Managed by: ClickBank
  • Commission rate: 50% – 70% recurring commissions
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Custom marketing materials, email swipes, example reviews, autoresponder sequence, PPC keyword list, dedicated affiliate manager

9 Global CraftsIn a world where three in four consumers have split up with brands over a conflict in values, it pays to work with ethical wholesalers.

Global Crafts is one such business, working directly with village artisans in countries like Haiti, India, and Kenya to source beautiful, handmade products for the wholesale market.

The company operates on the principles of Fair Trade, ensuring its artisan partners benefit from good working conditions, fair wages, and the opportunity to build a sustainable income. Purchases through the platform ultimately support a wealth of community projects, from schools to healthcare facilities.

Global Crafts pays commissions of 5% per sale and offers a generous 90-day cookie window. With typical wholesale orders totaling around $500, affiliates can expect to earn around $25 per transaction.

Before creating your Global Crafts affiliate account, be aware this is strictly a wholesale program, so you won’t get paid for retail orders. Commissions are also limited to one sale per customer, so there’s no opportunity for repeat purchases here.

  • URL: Global Crafts affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Wholesale handmade products & gifts
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Branded assets

10 NutriCargoThe wholesale food ingredients market was worth nearly $809 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass an eye-watering $1 trillion by 2026.

One of the niche’s many players is NutriCargo, which supplies a wealth of weird-and-wonderful natural ingredients and extracts, from bladderwrack to winged kelp.

Offering discounts of up to 10% on bulk purchases and free US shipping on transactions over $100, the retailer provides plenty of scope for affiliates to drive substantial orders. It also boasts a coveted A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau — a major trust factor to help you close the deal.

Speaking of which, NutriCargo’s affiliate program pays 5% per sale, which isn’t particularly inspiring. However, the website describes this as its “standard” rate, suggesting higher commissions may be available to top performers.

  • URL: NutriCargo affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, bank transfer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Unlisted

ConclusionWant to know our favorite thing about wholesale affiliate programs?

Because products are typically cheaper than regular retail prices, customers are encouraged to buy in bulk, which translates to higher average order values — and higher commissions.

But if you’re going to make it as an affiliate marketer in the wholesale space, you need a reliable traffic source. In short, you need a website.

That’s where AuthorityHacker comes in. We’ve built affiliate sites in countless niches, and we’re happy to pass on our learnings.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets for launching high-performing websites — including one sneaky tip for stealing your competitors’ best keywords.

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Pay-per-free trial affiliate programs offer a refreshing twist on traditional affiliate marketing. Instead of convincing your audience to spend their hard-earned cash for a product or service, you’re encouraging them to take that product for a spin — without paying a cent.

Sounds like money for nothing, right?

Of course, the advertisers running these programs are no fools. As FirstPageSage points out, conversion rates from free trials to paid subscriptions range from 17.4% – 51%, depending on traffic source and trial type:

In other words, one-sixth to one-half of free trialists will become paying customers.

In essence, the pay-per-free trial model is a clever spin on the pay-per-lead affiliate approach. No wonder big names like Grammarly and LinkedIn pay good money to affiliate marketers who generate free trials.

Want to be one of those affiliates? Consider promoting these high-quality pay-per-free trial affiliate programs…

Pay-Per-Free Trial Affiliate Programs1. Semrush 2. QuickBooks 3. Pluralsight 4. LinkedIn Learning 5. Audiobooks.com 6. Constant Contact 7. Sendinblue 8. Grammarly 9. FreshBooks 10. Noom 11. Buildium

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 Semrush Got an audience that’s interested in digital marketing-related topics and advice on how to optimize a website? Semrush is a perfect fit.

The platform combines various SEO, content marketing, social media, PPC, and competitor research tools. It’s the platform of choice for 10 million marketers, including 30% of Fortune 500 companies — among them Amazon, Tesla, and Walmart.

Semrush’s cookie window puts most affiliate programs to shame, regardless of niche. You’ll earn a $10 commission provided your referrals sign up for a free trial within 370 days of clicking your affiliate link, giving you a superb chance of turning clicks into cash.

Plus, if a customer you refer goes on to buy from Semrush within 400 days, you earn a cool $200.

There’s just one tiny catch:your referrals need to register for a (free) Semrush account within 120 days for you to be eligible for free trial or first-purchase commissions. But honestly, that’s still pretty generous.

  • URL: Semrush affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $10 per free trial sign-up
  • Cookie duration: 370 days
  • Products/Services sold: Digital marketing tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Dedicated account managers, unique promo codes, deep product linking, detailed product catalog

2 QuickBooksQuickBooks is America’s favorite accounting software, with a market share of almost 28%. The Intuit-owned platform also offers QuickBooks Payroll, an affordable and user-friendly payroll service trusted by over one million businesses.

With small business owners spending a mind-numbing 21 days a year calculating, filing, and paying payroll taxes, it’s easy to see why QuickBooks’ tools are in high demand.

The pay-per-free trial element of QuickBooks’ affiliate program focuses solely on the company’s payroll software.

While the $5 commission rate is pretty uninspiring, the company enjoys strong conversion rates of 4% – 7% (with the peak coming in Q1, in the run-up to tax season). That translates to a superb three-month EPC of $204, placing QuickBooks in the top five of all productivity tools on CJ Affiliate in terms of earning potential.

  • URL: QuickBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: $5 per Intuit QuickBooks Payroll free trial signup
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting and payroll software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Affiliate-exclusive discount codes

3 PluralsightA growing number of jobs demand at least some understanding of new technologies. Yet one in three Americans lacks crucial digital skills. To make matters worse, less than 20% of managers feel like they’re advancing their digital know-how in the workplace.

Enter Pluralsight, a technology learning platform that empowers individuals to level up their technical prowess and bridge skill gaps in business-critical fields like data, web development, and cloud computing.

Founded in 2004, Pluralsight is trusted by 70% of Fortune 500s to upskill their workforces.

Pluralsight’s affiliate program pays $5 for every referred user who signs up for a free trial.

Again, that might not sound spectacular, but the program has a 30-day EPC of $8.26, which compares extremely favorably to other learning-related affiliate programs on the Impact network.

For instance, it’s over 10 times more than Coursera and a staggering 413 times higher than LinkedIn Learning.

  • URL: Pluralsight affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $5 per free trial signup
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online tech training
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Optimized banner ads, monthly affiliate marketing newsletter, free trial to relevant Pluralsight courses

4 LinkedIn LearningSpeaking of LinkedIn Learning…

You likely already know that LinkedIn reigns as the world’s largest professional social network, with over 900 million members in 200+ countries and territories.

Its aptly named online learning platform capitalizes on all that brand recognition, which should make it a comparatively easy “sell”. LinkedIn Learning specializes in honing business, tech, and creative skills, with over 14,000 courses taught by subject-matter experts.

LinkedIn Learning pays a solid $10 commission, but the 30-day cookie window is a little stingy compared to other pay-per-free trial affiliate programs. And, as we’ve already noted, it has a far lower average EPC than another big player in the online learning niche, Pluralsight.

  • URL: LinkedIn Learning affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $10 per free sign-up
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online learning
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Dedicated affiliate program team, deep linking, product catalog

5 Audiobooks.comAbout half of all Americans have listened to at least one audiobook, while revenue from audiobook sales hit $1.6 billion in 2021.

That makes audiobooks a pretty attractive affiliate marketing niche — and Audiobooks.com is one of the biggest players, with a catalog of over 375,000 premium audiobooks.

As well as browsing classics and new releases in their favorite genres, members can access curated book lists such as Perfect First Listens and New York Times Best Sellers.

According to CJ Affiliate, the Audiobooks.com affiliate program pays a flat $4.50 per free sign-up.

However, the Audiobooks.com affiliate landing page also references a tiered commission structure based on sales volumes, with the ability to earn up to $25 per free trial. That’s a far higher commission rate than most pay-per-free trial affiliate programs, but you’ll have to refer a ton of free trialists (500+ per month) to unlock it.

  • URL: Audiobooks.com affiliate program
  • Managed by: CJ Affiliate
  • Commission rate: $4.50 per free trial sign-up
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: XX
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, PayPal, cash, check
  • Market(s): US, UK, CA, AU
  • Additional resources: Promotional images, banners, links, special offers, dedicated affiliate manager

6 Constant ContactEmail marketing is hard to beat when it comes to generating ROI, delivering an average return of $36 for every $1 invested.

So it’s easy to see why marketers are drawn to tools like Constant Contact, a digital marketing platform that helps brands engage their audiences and drive sales. It’s predominantly an email tool, but offers some social media and SMS marketing functionality.

With a massive library of hundreds of email templates, the platform makes it easy for marketers to create professional-quality emails without requiring any coding or graphic design skills.

Constant Contact’s affiliate program has a 45-day cookie window and pays $5 per email lead. And if your leads go on to convert within 75 days, you earn a tasty $105 per sale.

  • URL: Constant Contact affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $5 per email lead
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Digital marketing tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US, CA, UK
  • Additional resources: Deep product linking, product catalog, creative assets, support from experienced program managers

7 SendinblueSticking with the digital marketing theme, next up is Sendinblue, another platform that helps brands connect with potential customers through email, social media, and SMS.

Sendinblue’s major draw is its free product tier: without paying a single cent, users can send up to 300 emails a day to unlimited contacts. In comparison, Mailchimp — the world’s most popular email marketing platform — only offers 1,000 monthly sends to 500 contacts on its free tier, while Constant Contact doesn’t even have a free plan.

That should make it comparatively easy for affiliate marketers to generate free trial signups for Sendinblue. You’ll earn €5 for each free account signup you refer. And, similar to Constant Contact, if your referrals upgrade to a paid plan, you’ll bag an extra €100.

There’s just one catch: you won’t get paid for any free trial signups until you refer at least one paid subscription.

  • URL: Sendinblue affiliate program
  • Managed by: Tapfiliate
  • Commission rate: €5 per account signup
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Email marketing tools, digital marketing automation
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Affiliate marketing advice

8 GrammarlyDid you know 59% of recruiters reject candidates because of poor grammar or spelling errors? Or that three-fifths of consumers ditch companies with glaring typos in their marketing materials?

Fortunately, for those of us who don’t write words real good, there’s Grammarly. The platform helps users write confidently on 500,000+ websites and apps, including email clients and word processors.

Every day, Grammarly’s tools are used by over 30 million people and 50,000 teams, including us. So we can confirm it’s a great tool (and we’re not even getting paid for this).

We’ve got good news and bad with the Grammarly affiliate program. On the downside, it pays a measly $0.20 per free account signup, which is barely worth your effort.

Indeed, we wouldn’t have included them on this list without the $20 commission for each premium plan purchase. Coupled with high conversion rates of 20% – 30%, there’s decent earning potential here — just not from free trials alone.

Grammarly also offers cash bonuses, exclusive discounts, and increased payouts for top-performing affiliate marketers.

  • URL: Grammarly affiliate program
  • Managed by: HasOffers
  • Commission rate: $0.20 per free account signup
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Writing tools
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer
  • Market(s): Global
  • Additional resources: Affiliate links, banner ads

9 FreshBooksWe’ve already looked at one of the biggest names in the accounting software market, QuickBooks.

Next up is one of the market’s feistiest disruptors, FreshBooks. What it lacks in market share, it makes up for in functionality, with the tool enabling users to save up to $7,000 in billable hours every year.

(We should also note that while FreshBooks is a lot smaller than QuickBooks, it’s hardly an unknown, with over 30 million people using the platform.)

FreshBooks pays up to $10 per free trial signup, although the commission depends on your referral’s location. If they’re based in the US or Canada, you’ll get the full amount, but lower sums are paid for referrals in other markets like the UK, Australia, and South Africa. FreshBooks also rewards affiliates with commissions of up to $200 for paid plan sales.

Most attractive of all, this affiliate program has a 30-day EPC of $250.93, which is even higher than QuickBooks (albeit they’re on different affiliate networks, so it’s not a true side-by-side comparison).

  • URL: FreshBooks affiliate program
  • Managed by: ShareASale
  • Commission rate: Up to $10 for free sign-ups
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Accounting software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Various
  • Additional resources: Creative assets, affiliate marketing newsletters

10 NoomThe weight loss and weight management market hit $224 billion in 2021 — and is set to reach $405+ billion by 2030.

Which brings us nicely to Noom. More than just a stupid name, it helps users lose weight (and keep it off) through daily, psychology-based lessons, one-on-one coaching, and tracking tools for food and exercise.

Noom tailors its content to each user by having them take a quiz to evaluate their weight loss goals and health-related vital statistics.

Unlike many of the affiliate programs in our roundup, Noom only pays for free trial signups. The $10 commission is pretty decent, but with no possibility of upsells down the line, there’s limited earning potential here.

  • URL: Noom affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $10 per free trial sign-up
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Weight loss tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US, CA, UK, AU, NZ, IE
  • Additional resources: Unique promo codes, deep product linking, product catalog

10 BuildiumProperty management software is big business, with the market expected to be worth almost $5 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Buildium is one of the industry’s best-known names. And it claims to be the only solution of its kind that helps real estate pros win new business from community associations and property owners.

But it’s not all sell, sell, sell. The platform also assists with more mundane tasks like handling payments, updating financial information, and approving lease applications.

As well as paying $10 per free trial signup, Buildium’s affiliate program offers a $10 reward for demo requests and a 25% commission for each paying customer who buys a premium plan. All actions carry a generous 60-day cookie window.

The program is open to anyone with a relevant website, but Buildium is especially interested in partnering with affiliate marketers who promote its software through PPC campaigns or ads on real estate-related sites and blogs.

  • URL: Buildium affiliate program
  • Managed by: Impact
  • Commission rate: $10 per free trial
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Property management software
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Product catalog

ConclusionFrom audiobooks to weight-loss programs to digital marketing and accounting tools, there are pay-per-free trial affiliate programs to suit a vast range of audiences.

But finding relevant programs is only one piece of the affiliate marketing puzzle.

Creating a consistent source of traffic and clicks is a whole other issue. As far as we’re concerned, the most reliable option is to build your own affiliate site.

Not sure where to start? We can help.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll teach you seven tips for building high-performing affiliate sites, including our tried-and-trusted method for finding profitable hidden niches.

See you there!

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We surveyed 3,812 digital marketers to find out exactly how they’re leveraging AI. We asked them 27 thought-provoking questions to paint a detailed picture of this rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Takeaways From The SurveyHere’s a summary of the most interesting findings and key statistics:

75.7% of marketers are now using AI tools for work. This shows just how fast AI has been adopted in the industry.

AI is being used regularly too, with 49.5% of marketers using AI tools multiple times per week or more.

69% of marketers are using ChatGPT, largely due to OpenAI making it widely available for free to everyone.

AI content quality is already seen as really good. 65.8% of people think AI content is equal to or better than human writing.

63% of AI adopters cite inaccuracies in AI content as a major challenge. This is widely known but hasn’t put many people off using AI.

85.1% of marketers are using AI for article writing. This is a very large percentage and shows just how popular AI content creation has become in a short amount of time.

It is becoming incredibly important to know about AI for your job. 98.1% of marketers acknowledge that some understanding of AI is important for their job.

AI is putting some jobs more at risk than others. 81.6% of marketers think content writers’ jobs are at risk because of AI.

Companies are already replacing people. 32.9% of businesses have already replaced some human tasks with AI solutions.

60% of marketers feel positive about the rise of the AI industry. The sentiment is largely positive as marketers have lots to gain from using this technology.

Just recently, many marketers were worried about losing search traffic to AI. Now only 30.1% of Marketers think AI will negatively impact search traffic in 5 years.

There is concern about service providers not disclosing the use of AI in their work. 54.9% of respondents suspect they’ve received undisclosed AI content from a service provider.

About This SurveyWe created a 27-question survey to learn more about how digital marketers are harnessing AI technology. To reach a broad audience, we promoted the survey to our 100k email subscribers, shared it on Twitter, dropped it in our Podcast, and hit up our Facebook and Discord communities. We also ran a few paid ads on Facebook and Twitter to boost responses.

In just seven days, we collected 3,812 responses – five times more than any other survey we have run. No surprise there, given the surge in interest in AI right now.

Just over 50% of respondents were website owners, while freelancers made up one-fifth. The rest were a near even mix of agencies, in-house employees, and other marketers.

At Authority Hacker, our content caters to website owners. So it makes sense that half of the survey participants fall into this group.

We also tracked the geographic distribution of participants and found an impressive representation from 134 countries. We categorized these by region. North America, Europe, and Asia made up the majority of the participants.


75.7% of Marketers Are Now Using AI Tools for WorkWe’ve all seen the headlines that ChatGPT is the fastest growing app of all time. But our survey reveals that a staggering 75.7% of online marketers already use AI tools in their daily work.

Let that sink in for a moment. AI isn’t some future tech – it’s here, now, and actively being used by a vast majority of people in the online marketing landscape

We can only see this number increasing as more people unlock its potential at work.


49.5% Of Marketers Are Using AI Tools FrequentlyWe split out the respondents who said they are using AI and found that 30.3% use it daily. A further 33.8% use it several times per week.

When compared to all survey respondents, the combined total (64.1%) equates to 49.5% of all marketers.

It appears we’ve moved beyond early adopters just testing it out into an era where AI is becoming a core component of work for many professionals. It’s hard to imagine this trend slowing down any time soon either.


Lack Of Knowledge And Lack Of Time Are The Two Biggest Reasons Against Using AI ToolsWe wanted to understand why 21.1% of survey respondents haven’t embraced AI. Their main reasons?

The majority 45.2% cited a lack of knowledge as the barrier. The learning curve for using tools like ChatGPT is really small. Most users grasp it after just a few prompt-writing attempts.

Its natural language interaction also makes it very user friendly. I suspect that many people perceive the learning process will be more challenging than it actually is.

Lack of time held back others, which is ironic considering AI’s time-saving capabilities. It’s possible that people believe it will take too long to learn how to use it effectively. Anecdotally, I’ve seen technophobes like my mom pick it up in 15 minutes or so.

Lastly, 13.9% worried about the accuracy of AI data or content. This is a valid concern as AI frequently makes stuff up. And it sounds very confident when it does. To combat this, ask the AI to give you a confidence score for something it’s said. This will reveal its true position in a more objective manner.


69% Of Marketers Are Using ChatGPT, Making It By Far The Most Popular AI ToolChatGPT is 4 months old at the time of writing. Yet 89.3% of all AI adopters are using it already. That woks out to 69% of all marketers. This beats all other AI tools by a significant margin.

Why the rapid adoption? This is likely due to ChatGPT’s free basic account and affordable paid options, making it accessible to all. I’m personally glad OpenAI decided to go with this approach rather than gate it behind some exorbitant enterprise pricing.

While ChatGPT reigns supreme, other free and paid tools still thrive. Jasper (formerly Jarvis), Frase, and Copy.ai are a few of the notable commercial tools that have been around since the underlying GPT-3’s debut in 2020.

When we looked at just AI image-generation tools, Midjourney (54.4%) and DALL-E-2 (33.7%) were dominating that segment of the market.

Interestingly, ChatGPT and DALL-E are both owned by OpenAI, but it seems they still have some way to go in dominating the image-generation market.


85.1% Of AI Users Are Using It For Blog Content CreationWe asked our AI using respondents what they use AI for. A whopping 85.1% reported using it for article or blog writing, while 47.8% put it to work for copywriting. Admittedly there is some overlap between these two use cases, but it’s clear that AI tools are being used predominantly for content creation.

SEO keyword research is another AI favorite with 37.5% harnessing its power. AI is brilliant in generating seed keyword ideas, though in our experience it’s less adept at completing a full set of keyword research.

As users become more proficient with AI, it’s likely that we’ll see an increase in more complex prompts and use cases too.

Check out our recent podcast where we dish out 9 ChatGPT prompts for content creation, keyword research and link building.


65.8% Of People Think AI Content Is Equal To Or Better Than Human WritingWhen GPT-3 was first released, many commentators, myself included, claimed it couldn’t outwrite humans. Well, GPT-4 has proved us wrong. Indeed, nearly two-thirds of people in our survey now believe AI is just good or even better than humans at crafting content.

This is very significant.

The quality of the content ultimately depends on the quality of the prompt and guidance you feed the AI. But even a mediocre input can generate impressive AI output.

Recently, Google has changed its stance to declare it doesn’t care if content is AI generated or not, so long as it’s high quality. This has given publishers the green light to embrace AI with open arms.

But what does this mean for writers? Job security could be at risk in the very near future, although there is evidence that many writers are already enlisting AI to produce content (more on that later)…


63% Of People Are Worried About Bias Or Inaccuracies In AI-Generated ContentOur survey revealed that 63% of respondents identified bias and inaccuracies in AI-generated content as their biggest challenge.

AI’s convincing writing can be problematic when it gets basic facts wrong because it’s not obvious.

Most teams we’ve spoken to tackle this by incorporating checks to their editorial process. However even major publishers are getting it wrong. CNET.com famously created an AI article with wildly incorrect interest rate information.

While human editors also occasionally let mistakes slip, marketers seem to trust them more than AI tools.

Fortunately the vast majority 88.1% of respondents said they verified the accuracy of AI-generated content.

But having seen inside countless teams’ editorial processes, I can say for sure that the thoroughness of these checks will vary wildly from company to company.

It’s one thing to have a process to fact check. It’s another for that process to be robust and tightly followed.

What’s concerning is the 11.9% of marketers who are not fact checking their AI-generated content. AI is notorious for making up facts and this segment of people have no qualms about publishing that unchecked.

This may be a small percentage of users, but given their near unlimited ability to generate lots of content, this poses a risk for the industry.


Only 14.03% Of Users Trust Keyword Data From AI ToolsIn a previous question about AI uses, 37.5% of people were using it for keyword research. However, we found that only 14.03% of these users trusted the keyword data from AI tools.

This is understandable as it’s easy to replicate a scenario where AI simply makes up the data. Try asking AI to find keywords and their volumes for a number of keywords related to a topic. Check the numbers. Then repeat the process. Chances are, you’ll get completely different numbers each time.

While 100% accuracy is impossible, AI’s wild data variances leave users skeptical and rightfully so.


Only 32.5% Of Users Trust AI-Generated Search ResultsBing pioneered search integration but many doubt that AI can provide them with the information they need.

Google and other search engines have long utilized AI technology to improve organic search results. So this question focuses more on the switch from traditional search interfaces, to the perception of an AI interface.

Google has positioned its Bard AI service as distinct from Google Search, mitigating any initial trust issues that users may have when using it. If users dislike Bard, they won’t perceive traditional Google Search as declining in quality.


98.1% Of Marketers Acknowledge That Some Understanding Of AI Is Important For Their JobsThe vast majority of respondents (89.1%) said that it was at least slightly important for marketers to have an understanding of AI for their jobs.

But 79.98% said it was very important or extremely important. This is quite an extreme result and shows how marketers see AI becoming an integral part of their jobs.

AI is already becoming an entwined is popular business tools like Microsoft Office and Notion. I’d go as far as to say that most office jobs will require some basic AI skills in the near future.

For marketing, this is arguably more important. The zero-sum game nature of SEO, means that there are only 10 websites that can claim the coveted spots on the first page of Google. Not to ignore cost, but this competition may be the driving force behind the fast AI adoption we’re seeing in online marketing.


90% Of Marketers Are Confident In Their Ability To Learn And Adapt To New AI Tools And TechnologyThe good news is that 90% of marketers are confident in their ability to learn and adapt to new AI tools and technologies.

AI tools are easy to get the hang of. No coding or complex commands are required since all instructions can be given in plain English. So it makes sense that most marketers feel confident in their ability to use new AI tools.

Online marketers tend to be quite tech savvy and therefore should find it easier to pick up new technology faster than the general population.

Although basic tasks are simple with AI, it can very quickly get more complex. Long, detailed prompts require lots of experimentation to get right.

I think that we’ll quickly start to see two levels of AI usage. A basic level for simple tasks that everyone can do. And a far more advanced level for complex tasks that few can master. Think of Excel: you can use it for basic calculations, or you can use it for complex formulas and macros. Far fewer people have mastered everything it’s capable of.


81.6% Of Marketers Think Content Writers’ Jobs Are At Risk Because Of AIWe asked our respondents which jobs they felt were most at risk of being replaced by AI. 81.6% said that Content Writers’ jobs were at risk. That is significantly more than any other profession.

There are two tiers of writers in the marketing world. There are topic experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and command high prices. Then there are “SEO writers” who lack specialist skills and simply write on any topic with a quick Google search.

This second group is most at risk in the immediate future because they don’t often add value. They just rehash what’s already ranking. That is exactly what AI is doing behind the scenes when you ask it to write something. And while it gets some facts wrong, the end result is usually well-crafted. I think it will be a lot longer before topic specialists and expert writers are replaced by AI.

Smart writers are probably already using AI themselves to help them churn out content faster.

But it’s not just writers who should be on high alert: other roles involving content creation such as email marketing and social media marketing could see job losses too.


Over Half Of Marketers Have Some Concerns About AI Replacing Them In Their Own JobsHalf of marketers (50.6%) are concerned or somewhat concerned about AI taking their jobs. Though the number who are most concerned is lower at only 8.1%.

This could be because it’s just too early to say how this will impact jobs. While it’s almost inevitable that there will be an impact, and possibly a big one, it is less clear how exactly this will be felt.

If we look back to the later parts of the 20th century, the rise of computers and the internet led to job losses. However many more new jobs were created that could not have been predicted, including many of the jobs that the respondents of this survey now possess.

Those who are adaptable and embrace AI technology will stand the best chance of thriving in any AI influenced job market.


32.9% Of Businesses Have Already Replaced Some Human Tasks With AI SolutionsChanges to the job market could come much sooner than you think – 32.9% of respondents said their business had already swapped out some human tasks with AI solutions.

This shows just how quick businesses are at adopting AI tech. Big changes are already in motion here. We’d expect this number to increase significantly over the next 12 months too.

We’re also likely to see the scale of AI replacing human tasks increase as marketers get better at prompt engineering and getting AI to perform bigger tasks. We’re still in the Wild West phase of AI development, where everyone’s racing to figure out its potential. The future is still anyone’s guess.


60% Of Marketers Feel Positive About The Rise Of The AI IndustryWe surveyed people’s sentiments towards AI and discovered that 60% view AI positively, 32.2% have neutral feelings, and only 7.7% see it negatively.

This comes as a surprise, considering the AI-related doom often portrayed in the media. At least for now, few marketers share these concerns.

It’s likely because marketers and small publishers stand to benefit significantly from the use of AI technology in their businesses.

When AI search first emerged, we observed a level of anxiety in our community. The usual “SEO is dead” rhetoric reared its head. Yet as we move through 2023, AI’s impact on marketing has been mostly positive with search traffic remaining strong.

ChatGPT in particular has made AI accessible to all marketers. This is likely driving a lot of the positive sentiment.


Less Than 20% Of Marketers Think AI Tools Will Have A Negative Impact On Content QualityA previous question highlighted concerns about the accuracy of facts in AI content. We wanted to know how respondents thought AI tools will affect overall content quality in the next five years.

Almost half (49.7%) of marketers believe AI tools will boost content quality. A further 30.4% foresee no impact on content quality. And a mere 19.9% predict a negative outcome.

For those expecting a decline in quality, this is likely due to the potential flood of content. Throwing that out there without any kind of quality checks would result in a lot of bad content.

But the majority remains optimistic. Roughly half of the respondents see AI having a positive impact, likely due to its writing capabilities. Right now, you still need to hand hold it with certain facts and data. But it’s reasonable to assume its accuracy will only improve over the next five years.


Only 30.1% Of Marketers Think AI Will Negatively Impact Search Traffic In 5 YearsJust a few months ago, there were countless blog posts and videos (including ours) worrying about AI taking away a significant portion of search traffic. After all, if AI could give you the answer on the search results page, why would you need to click through to any website?

Anecdotally, we’ve seen fewer people worry about it in the past couple of months. There seems to be more of a positive attitude toward how AI will affect the world of online marketing.

Our survey confirms this. Almost half (49.1%) of marketers think AI will have a positive impact on search traffic. And one-fifth (20.8%) think it will be neutral. In both these cases, this could be because marketers are weighing up their increased productivity and output against any traffic that AI in search engines may take away from them.

However, a solid 30.1% still think that AI will have a negative impact on search traffic. That is understandable as we still don’t know what the full potential of AI in search is just yet.

Publishers can take comfort in the fact that AI will still need them to create content for quite some time. AI needs source material to learn from. If you take that away, the AI has worse answers and that would cause less people to use it. It’s clear there is a symbiotic relationship between publishers and AI, which according to Microsoft’s CEO would “live or die” based on its ability to drive people to publishers’ content.


72.6% Of People Are Concerned About AI Content Becoming Indistinguishable From Human-Written ContentEarlier we established that most people think AI content is at least as good, if not better than, human content. We wanted to understand if marketers were concerned about AI content becoming indistinguishable from human content.

While 72.6% of people expressed some concerns, only 20.2% were very or extremely concerned. As many publishers benefit from this, it’s understandable they are less concerned. We’d expect that if this question was run to content consumers, there would be a greater level of concern.

Google’s stance on this is to evaluate content based on its quality, not how it was made. But individuals are still concerned about not knowing what is and what is not produced by AI.


54.9% Of Respondents Suspect They’ve Received Undisclosed AI Content From A Service ProviderWhen AI content first emerged, there were numerous tutorials showcasing how to generate and sell AI-written articles. Back in September 2021, we did an experiment and discovered AI content outperformed many cheaper writers. And the technology has only improved since.

More than half of our survey respondents (54.9%) believed they’d received undisclosed AI-generated content from service providers.

This sparks debate on whether the content’s creation method matters. I’m sure service providers would argue that clients pay for the end product, not the time it takes to create it. This could have a downward pressure on prices if the supply of content can be ramped up considerably.

And a solid case could certainly be made for providers to disclose their use of AI-generated content. We’ll explore that later in this article.


37.4% Of Marketers Are Using AI Detection ToolsIt makes sense that managers and business owners would want to know if their employees or service providers use AI tools to do their work.

We found that 37.4% of marketers utilize AI detection. Tools such as Content At Scale and Originality.ai claim to be able to determine if content is written by AI or not.

OpenAI has its own AI classification tool too. However it only correctly identifies 26% of AI-written text correctly.

A recent article in NewScientist takes it a step further, stating that reliably detecting AI-generated text is mathematically impossible.

It is worrying that so many people are using AI detection tools which are known to be wildly inaccurate. We’ve spoken with agencies who have had clients use these tools and incorrectly claim that the work was carried out by AI when it was not.


59.5% of Marketers Oppose Mandatory AI Content DisclosuresA big part of the uproar when Gael broke the news that CNET generated AI-written content was how it obfuscated the fact it was written by AI. In some cases, disclosing it only after clicking through to the author page.

Understandably, readers want to know who’s behind the articles influencing their decisions..

Our survey participants were primarily creators, not readers. So it was interesting to see that a majority (59.5%) opposed mandatory AI content disclosures.

Of the 1,542 (40.2%) of respondents who supported mandatory AI content disclosures, we asked a follow-up question about whether they would disclose their own use of AI on their website.

While 71.2% said yes, a noteworthy 28.8% said they would not. Given that these were all people in favor of mandatory disclosures, it does look like there were some double standards here.

Quite how any such laws could be enforced is anyone’s guess.

Over to YouThe results of this survey surprised us. AI adoption and usage among marketers is far more prevalent than we anticipated.

While we can’t ignore the risks of AI, it seems that we are already in a place where most marketers are already making heavy use of it. There are clear benefits to businesses who are at the forefront of this revolution – cost savings, improved quality and speed of execution. But it may be some time before we know the true cost and impact of this technology.

Looking back, I’m reminded of the incredible article on Wait But Why published 8 years ago now. Author Tim Urban explained how AI was getting exponentially faster, and that perceiving its growth accurately was challenging for us humans.

In 2015, at the time AI was slightly smarter than an ant. This year we’ve seen AI pass the US Medical Licensing Exam and the bar exam. What happens next is anyone’s guess…

But what’s your take on our findings?

Share your thoughts on our Twitter thread.

How are digital marketers using AI in 2023?

We (at @authorityhacker) surveyed 3,812 of them to find out.

Here are some of the most intriguing insights we’ve uncovered. pic.twitter.com/VoQPNDncZQ

— Gael Breton (@GaelBreton) April 11, 2023

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Looking to make waves in the world of affiliate marketing? Turn your passion for all things nautical into hard cash with boating affiliate programs.

With the global leisure boat market valued at almost $43 billion and set to reach nearly $65 billion by 2030, there’s no shortage of opportunities in this niche.

North America leads the charge, with almost 12 million registered recreational boats in the US alone.

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Cast off into our data-driven analysis of the top boats and yachts affiliate programs to float your affiliate strategy.

Boating Affiliate Programs1. Wholesale Marine 2. West Marine 3. Marine Products 4. Lowrance 5. Waveinn 6. Cabela’s 7. Bass Pro Shops 8. Seal Skin Covers 9. Sea Eagle 10. BoatUS 11. Better Boat 12. Boatbookings 13. Sailing Europe

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1 Wholesale MarineWhen it comes to sourcing top-notch boating equipment, parts, and supplies at prices that won’t sink your wallet, Wholesale Marine is a true winner. Not only did it make Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Trending Online Shops, but it’s also a go-to source for budget-conscious mariners everywhere.

The site features known brands like Attwood, Bennett Marine, Interlux, and Solas — so hardcore boaters will see names they know and trust from your affiliate links.

Wholesale Marine’s affiliate program through AvantLink offers a sweet 14-day cookie window and commissions ranging from 2% to 5% per sale, depending on the item order. And with access to official banners, text links, product data feeds, and a dedicated affiliate support team, you’ll be ready to take your campaigns to the high seas in no time.

  • URL: Wholesale Marine affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% – 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Boat parts & supplies
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

2 West MarineThose in the market for a boating, sailing, fishing, or paddling fix, look no further than West Marine. This venerable brand has been serving up high-quality gear since 1968, when it started as a mail-order business called West Coast Ropes.

Today, it stocks over 100,000 products for every kind of water adventure. And with free shipping (no pun intended) on orders over $99, it’s a lure for enthusiasts looking to kit themselves out for their next aquatic escapade.

West Marine’s affiliate program is managed through the Pepperjam network and pays a flat commission rate of 5% per sale, with a generous 30-day cookie window to boot.

  • URL: West Marine affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Boat parts, sailing products, water sports equipment
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US only

3 Marine ProductsThe clue is in the name: Marine Products sells, you guessed it, marine products. It’s a specialist in water sports gear, wakeboards, waterskis, wake-foils, and more, plus marine hardware, boat parts, wet suits, and life vests.

The retailer has won four Dealer of the Year Awards from the Water Sports Industry Association, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.. Trust factors like this can be a valuable tool for turning traffic into clicks and sales.

Join their affiliate program on AvantLink, and you’ll get a 30-day cookie window, 5% commission rate on all sales.

The reported average order value of $250 means you could make around $12.50 per sale.

Marine Products provides various marketing materials and resources, including a monthly supply of fresh creatives and a price-match guarantee on all current model years.

  • URL: Marine Products affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Boating gear, water sports equipment, accessories
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

4 LowranceNow a staple in the angler’s marine arsenal, consumer fish finders were first invented by Lowrance, which introduced the Little Green Box in 1957.

Today, Lowrance is a trusted name in consumer marine electronics technology, with innovative products including a high-definition 4G-powered radar for enhanced navigation in tricky conditions. The company also manufactures and sells fish finders, chart plotters, trolling motors, and more.

The Lowrance affiliate program is managed through Awin. It has a 30-day cookie window, a 5% commission rate, and a high average order value of over $330 — so a typical conversion will net you an approximate commission of $16.50.

Lowrance provides various promotional resources, including a product data feed.

  • URL: Lowrance affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Fish finders, chartplotters, trolling motors, sonar, depth finders
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

5 WaveinnCombining nautical gear, equipment and apparel in one place, Waveinn has an inventory of 700,000+ products from top brands like Daiwa, Helly Hanson, and Shimano.

The company is part of Tradeinn, a network of 15 online sports equipment stores. So if you join this affiliate program, you also get to promote over a dozen other brands, helping you target a wider audience. All Tradeinn stores offer fast worldwide shipping and a 30-day returns policy.

Affiliate signup for Waveinn’s program is managed through the CJ Affiliate network. The program has a 30-day cookie window and a 6% commission rate.

An average order value of $150+ translates to a commission of around $9. However, only US, Canadian, and Latin American transactions are commissionable.

According to CJ Affiliate, Tradeinn’s combined affiliate program has a three-month EPC of $1.03.

Waveinn affiliates can access various marketing materials and tools, including a product data feed.

  • URL: Waveinn affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 6% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Fishing equipment, boating gear
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, CA, Latin America

6 Cabela’sFor outdoor gear that’s both rugged and refined, Cabela’s carries everything from motors to electronics to accessories.

The brand was founded by brothers Dick and James in 1961 and was acquired by outdoor gear giant Bass Pro Shops in 2017, Cabela’s is now backed by big business infrastructure.

Join the Cabela’s affiliate program through Impact Radius and take advantage of its sliding commission scale, which pays up 1% on firearms, 2% on ammunition, and 3% on all other products. Plus, with a 14-day cookie window, you’ll have plenty of time to reel in sales.

According to Impact, Cabela’s has a 30-day EPC of $0.41.

Cabela’s provides a wide range of marketing material, including high-quality creatives, affiliate newsletters, and pre-written content. It also employs a dedicated affiliate management team.

  • URL: Cabela’s affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Marine electronics, trolling motors, kayaks & canoes, boat accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

7 Bass Pro ShopsSpeaking of Bass Pro Shops…

BPS is a privately owned US retailer specializing in various outdoor gear categories, including hunting, fishing, and boating. Customers get free shipping on orders of $50+.

The company operates 177 stores across North America across the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s brands.

Like Cabela’s, the Bass Pro Shops affiliate program is managed through Impact and pays a 1% commission on gun sales, 2% on ammo, and 3% on other items. It also has a 14-day cookie window.

Bass Pro provides various marketing materials and assets, including a product catalog feed, constantly updated sales promotions, and a dedicated affiliate management team.

  • URL: Bass Pro Shops affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Outdoor gear, boating equipment & accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

8 Seal Skin CoversOne of the most important investments a boat owner can make: an all-weather boat cover, designed to withstand the elements.

Seal Skin Covers knows that protecting your boat from the elements is crucial, which is why they specialize in high-quality all-weather covers made from five waterproof layers. These covers are ultra-durable and come with a 10-year warranty, plus free shipping anywhere in the US.

The Seal Skin Covers affiliate program, managed through ShareASale, is a standout in the boating niche. With a generous 90-day cookie window and base commission rates starting at 12%, climbing as high as 15% based on performance, it’s a great opportunity for affiliates.

ShareASale’s 30-day stats show an average order value of $136.36, an EPC of $103.31, and a strong 6.78% conversion rate. Plus, affiliates with sizable audiences in the automotive or boating niches can access extra cash rewards, free product samples, and sponsored content opportunities.

Marketing materials include high-quality creatives, regular deals and coupons, affiliate newsletters, and a product data feed.

  • URL: Seal Skin Covers affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12%+ per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Boat & car covers
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

9 Sea EagleSea Eagle is a leading player in the inflatable boat, kayak, and paddle board niche, with over 50 years of experience under its belt.

Its impressive reputation is backed up by a 96% satisfaction rating from customers. With nine in 10 consumers reading reviews before making a purchase, this is a big selling point.

The online, family-owned business offers free shipping to the lower 48 states and a 180-day money-back guarantee.

Join the Sea Eagle affiliate program through AvantLink to access a 120-day cookie window and a generous 9% commission rate.

The program offers a great opportunity for affiliates, given the high average order value of over $650. You could earn over $58.50 from a single sale. Plus, Sea Eagle allows PPC campaigns as long as you follow the brand’s guidelines.

  • URL: Sea Eagle affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 9% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Inflatable boats, inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddle boards
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

10 BoatUSThe sea can be a cruel mistress. So safety is a key aspect of boat ownership — and BoatUS specializes in insurance and towing among its many benefits and services.

The organization offers various benefits and services to its 700,000+ members, including savings opportunities across more than 30 national partners and over 1,200 businesses.

BoatUS runs an in-house affiliate program with a sliding commission scale, paying…

  • $10 per Basic Membership
  • $20 per Unlimited Freshwater Towing Membership
  • $25 per Unlimited Saltwater or Gold Towing Membership sold

…plus a further $5 if customers add Trailer Assist to their membership purchases.

The affiliate program is open to anyone with an active marine or boating-related website.

  • URL: BoatUS affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $30 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Memberships
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

11 Better BoatBetter Boat is a family-owned online business specializing in boat care products, safety gear, and accessories. Better Boat’s soap, polish, wax, and cleaning tools are must-haves for every boat owner, ensuring repeat purchases for affiliates.

With over 500,000 satisfied customers, Better Boat has strong brand recognition and offers free shipping on orders over $25 and a 100% money-back guarantee.

Join the Better Boat affiliate program through Refersion and earn 12% commissions on all conversions that close within the 21-day cookie window.

Commissions are paid 30 days after the sale, provided you have a minimum balance of $10.

Better Boat is looking for affiliates with active audiences, including bloggers with traffic and YouTubers or social media influencers with 1,000+ followers.

  • URL: Better Boat affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 21 days
  • Products/Services sold: Boat care products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Trolley, gift card
  • Market(s): US only

12 BoatbookingsBoatbookings claims to be the world’s leading online broker for yacht charters, and with their fleet of luxury vessels, it’s easy to see why they’re trusted among boat lovers.

These guys organize crewed yacht charter vacations, experiences, and adventures for the elite, from motor yachts to sailing boats, and even static charters for corporate entertainment.

Join their in-house affiliate program with a 30-day cookie window and earn 20% commission on completed charters, with higher rates for top performers. Get paid one month after each successful charter.

To join the program, you must have an audience interested in chartering yachts or a related niche, such as luxury goods, concierge services, or travel.

  • URL: Boatbookings affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% of commissions earned by Boatbookings
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Bareboat and crewed yacht charters
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer
  • Market(s): Global

13 Sailing EuropeSailing Europe is one of the leading lights of the charter industry, offering customers access to 12,000+ character yachts in some of the world’s top sailing destinations, from Croatia to Cuba.

As well as operating its own charter agency, the company maintains its own fleet of sailing boats and catamarans based at the Croatian port village of Rogač.

Sailing Europe’s in-house affiliate program pays a flat €50 commission on all charter bookings, plus a bonus €50 payment for every fifth sale. Commissions are paid monthly for sales generated in the previous month, with a minimum threshold of €100.

You must have your own website to join the affiliate program. Once approved, you’ll get access to various marketing materials, including text links and banners.

  • URL: Sailing Europe affiliate program
  • Commission rate: €50 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Yacht charters
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

ConclusionWe could have listed dozens of boat affiliate programs, but we only recommend the best of the best.

So we analyzed the programs promoted by 10 of the most established sites in the boating and yachting niche, including Motor Boat & Yachting, DIVEIN, Ride the Ducks of Seattle, and Boat Safe.

These sites are cashing in, and so can you.

All you need is your own affiliate site, and that’s where we come in. At Authority Hacker, we’ve built successful sites in countless niches. We’ve learned a lot along the way. And because we’re decent folk, we’d love to share our insights with you.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets to creating high-performing affiliate sites, including one incredible tip for stealing your competitors’ best keywords.

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There’s a lot to like about home improvement affiliate programs. Global spending in the home improvement niche surpassed $333 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach almost $515 billion by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

Americans are particularly keen on home improvement, with the average household spending $3,000 a year on souping up their properties. According to Angi, the most popular US home improvement projects are:

Because home improvement work can be stressful and complicated, many search for advice online. That’s where you come in as an affiliate marketer: recommending the right tools and services for your audience.

But what, exactly, should you promote?

To help you out, we dived into the data to bring you the 14 best affiliate programs in the home improvement niche…

Home Improvement Affiliate Programs 1. Home Depot 2. Houzz 3. Lowe’s Home Improvement 4. Modern Bathroom 5. Build with Ferguson 6. HomeAdvisor 7. Acme Tools 8. Wayfair 9. Toolbarn 10. Harbor Freight Tools 11. Ace Hardware 12. Modernize 13. The RTA Store 14. LL Flooring

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 Home DepotThe Home Depot is a giant in the home improvement market in the US, with an extensive catalog of tools, construction products, appliances and services.

What’s more, it’s earned superb brand awareness and trust among its target market, which includes both home DIYers and professionals too. Morning Consult even named the company as one of America’s most trusted brands, making it one of only two retailers to make the top 10. In other words, you shouldn’t struggle to convince your audience to buy from Home Depot.

The retailer runs two home improvement affiliate programs through the Impact Radius network.

The “standard” Home Depot affiliate program has a one-day cookie window and pays flat commissions of 1% – 8% per sale, depending on the types of products purchased.

Meanwhile, the Home Depot Services program — covering services like HVAC maintenance and cabinet makeovers — offers a 30-day cookie duration. It pays commissions of up to $15 per appointment and $30 per web traffic lead.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | Impact (Home Depot) | 1% – 8% | 1 day | US only | Sign Up | | Impact (Home Depot Services) | $10 – $15 | 30 days | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Home decor products, tools, home improvement services
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer

2 HouzzHouzz describes itself as the “leading platform for home remodeling and design”, with products, materials, and services across a wide range of tastes and price points. However, it’s most popular with younger homeowners, with 25 to 34-year-olds representing one-fifth of the site’s audience.

The site offers various innovative features, including “View in My Room 3D”, which allows shoppers to virtually position an item in their house before they buy. Houzz also connects homeowners with local construction professionals, interior designers, roofers, and other home improvement professionals.

Sign up for the Houzz affiliate program through ShareASale to receive a 30-day cookie window and a 3% commission rate on all sales.

ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average order value of $704.60, a $17.45 EPC, and a 0.77% conversion rate.

Alternatively, agencies can choose the Houzz partner program to earn commissions from every client who purchases a Houzz Pro subscription.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | ShareASale | 3% | 30 days | US, CA | Sign Up | | PartnerStack (partner program) | Unlisted | 30 days | Unlisted | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Home improvement interior decor products & services

3 Lowe’s Home Improvement Like The Home Depot, Lowe’s is an industry leader in the home improvement space, operating 2,000+ stores across the US and Canada. As a large and trusted retailer, it should be a comparatively easy sell for your audience.

The company’s catalog features items in popular categories such as power tools, appliances, hardware, and home decor. It also provides professional installation services.

Find the Lowe’s affiliate program through two networks: CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers. The CJ Affiliate program offers better terms but specifically targets the Canadian market.

Whichever network you choose, you’ll get access to marketing materials and resources, including robust data feeds, exclusive affiliate promotions, and regular newsletters.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 2% | 1 day | CA | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.8% | 1 day | Unlisted | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Home improvement products and services

4 Modern BathroomFor bathroom focused blog posts or sites dedicated to bathroom remodeling, Modern Bathroom‘s online store features plenty of products to promote, from sinks and faucets to vanities and storage solutions.

The retailer stocks products from big names like Fairmont Designs, Design Element, Toto, MTI, and Danze, as well as its in-house Modern Bathroom and Wyndham Collection brands. Customers get free shipping on all orders.

Find the Modern Bathroom affiliate program on CJ Affiliate. The program has a generous 120-day cookie window and pays commissions of 4% – 8% per sale, depending on product type and brand. With an average order price of $1,500 and a three-month EPC of $62.54, there’s real earning potential here.

Modern Bathroom runs a monthly bonus program for top-performing affiliates and pays a $50 first-sale bonus.

Affiliate partners can leverage a variety of text links and banner ads, including mobile-friendly assets.

Modern Bathroom also offers regularly updated data feeds and dedicated affiliate management through affiliate marketing agency PartnerCentric.

  • URL: Modern Bathroom affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Bathroom remodeling products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, CA

5 Build with FergusonBuild with Ferguson has a huge selection of interior decor and design products, including lighting, fixtures, and doors. It’s owned by Ferguson Enterprises, a major distributor of construction and industrial products and services.

The brand is known for exceptional customer experience and expert advice, employing a team of US-based product specialists to help customers find precisely the right products.

Build with Ferguson’s affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius and pays a flat 2% commission rate, with a one-day cookie window. Impact cites a 30-day EPC of $1.32.

To partner with the retailer, you must have a website in the home improvement niche generating US traffic. The company is open to working with influencers and paying for content placements.

Affiliates can access various marketing materials and resources, including deep product linking, unique promo code tracking, and a regularly updated product catalog.

  • URL: Build with Ferguson affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Home improvement hardware and interior decor
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

6 HomeAdvisorWhen only a specialist will do, HomeAdvisor is a search engine for home repair and improvement services, connecting homeowners with vetted local professionals. You’ll get up to four recommendations per project, free of charge.

The platform’s database comprises 100,000+ contractors in various repair and improvement niches, from architects and remodelers to plumbers and landscapers. Once matched with a professional, homeowners can read reviews from previous customers.

Join HomeAdvisor’s affiliate program through the CJ Affiliate network. It offers a one-day cookie window and commissions of up to $16 per lead, dependent on the service category.

While the commissions aren’t spectacular, CJ Affiliate reports a three-month EPC of $59.55, indicating that customers often make multiple purchases through the platform.

  • URL: HomeAdvisor affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $16 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Home repair and improvement services
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 Acme ToolsAcme Tools is an authorized power tool and equipment retailer offering 70,000+ high-quality products from recognized brands like DeWalt, Honda, and Makita. It’s in an attractive niche, with global power tool sales projected to grow from $26.6 billion in 2022 to over $35 billion by 2029.

The company claims to provide the guaranteed lowest prices on cordless tools, generators, heavy equipment, and more. This pledge is backed by a price protection promise: if Acme drops its prices within 30 days of the purchase date, it will refund customers the difference.

The Acme Tools affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius and pays a standard 2% commission rate, with a 15-day cookie window. However, the Acme website references commissions of up to 3%.

As an approved affiliate marketer, you’ll get access to marketing materials, including exclusive promotions and coupon codes.

Acme Tools also provides custom text links, banner ads, remarketing images, and a complete data feed.

  • URL: Acme Tools affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Power tools and equipment
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

8 Wayfair As one of North America’s largest online furniture and decor retailers, Wayfair offers plenty of choice in its catalog of over 40 million products.

The company is well known and trusted, with 22+ million active customers, and generated net revenues of $12.2 billion in 2022. It also offers free shipping on orders of $35+.

Sign up for Wayfair’s affiliate program through FlexOffers or CJ Affiliate. You’ll get the best terms through FlexOffers, which has a seven-day cookie window and a decent 9.6% commission rate — way above the 2.8% average for the home goods and furnishings niche.

According to CJ Affiliate, the website boasts an average order value of $300, so expect to earn average commissions of around $21 – $29.

Wayfair provides various affiliate marketing materials and resources, including data feeds containing over two million products.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 9.6% | 7 days | US, CA | Sign Up | | CJ Affiliate | Up to 7% | 7 days | US, CA | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Furniture, home decor products, lighting, kitchen fixtures & appliances

9 ToolbarnToolbarn sells thousands of tools and replacement parts from major brands and specialist manufacturers, including fasteners, blades, and accessories.

The online retailer is owned by Japanese industrial products and electronics giant Kyocera and offers free shipping on most orders over $199. Its audience trends slightly younger than Acme Tools’, with 35 to 44-year-olds representing its largest demographic.

Sign up for Toolbarn’s affiliate program through Impact Radius. The program has a 45-day cookie window and pays a flat commission of 3% per sale, with Impact’s figures showing a 30-day EPC of $2.07.

The website has an average order price of $75, equating to an average commission of around $2.25 per action.

Toolbarn is open to working with influencers in the home improvement niche, so if you have an established social media following, this program could be a strong fit.

The retailer provides various marketing tools, including high-converting text links, banner ads, and a complete data feed containing all Toolbarn products.

  • URL: Toolbarn affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tools and replacement parts
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

10 Harbor Freight ToolsHarbor Freight Tools sells 7,000+ tools and generators at great prices, up to 80% cheaper than rival brands.

The company has been in business for 40+ years and has served approximately 40 million customers across its website and network of 1,100 store locations across the US.

Harbor Freight’s affiliate program is managed through CJ Affiliate. It has a 30-day cookie window, a 3% commission rate, and an average order value of $120+, resulting in an average commission of around $3.60 per sale.

CJ Affiliate says the website boasts a three-month EPC of $1.28.

Affiliate partners can access various marketing tools, including affiliate-only promotions and coupons.

  • URL: Harbor Freight Tools affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tools & power equipment
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

11 Ace Hardware There’s no shortage of products you can promote to your audience with Ace Hardware, the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative. Among the brands people will know and love are Weber, Tregar and Yeti — perfect for blog posts plugging outdoor entertainment improvements.

The company prides itself on delivering excellent customer service and was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailer stores by JD Power.

Find the Ace Hardware affiliate program on Impact Radius. The program has a 10-day cookie duration and a 2% commission rate, with Impact citing a 30-day EPC of $0.23.

Affiliate marketers can access all the resources they need through the Impact platform, including reporting tools, banner ads, and text links.

  • URL: Ace Hardware affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 10 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tools, paint, home decor products, hardware, lighting & electrical products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

12 ModernizeLike HomeAdvisor, Modernize helps people find home improvement and construction professionals in their area.

The platform connects 25,000+ homeowners with local professionals weekly and has helped more than two million customers complete their home improvement projects.

Modernize’s in-house pay-per-lead affiliate program offers commissions for HVAC, roofing, solar, window, and other trade-related leads. Payouts vary depending on the trade and the specifics of the project.

The program is open to all affiliate marketers, but Modernize prioritizes those with home improvement and/or design-focused websites. Approved affiliates can access a large selection of high-quality creative assets.

  • URL: Modernize affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Home repair and improvement services
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

13 The RTA StoreThe RTA Store specializes in ready-to-assemble bathroom and kitchen cabinets.

The family-owned business launched in 2009 as an alternative to big box stores, focusing on delivering excellent customer service. Since then, it has secured high-profile partnerships with home makeover shows on the DIY Network and other broadcasters, including Kitchen Crashers, The Vanilla Ice Project, and Kitchen Impossible.

Sign up for The Rate Store’s affiliate program through ShareASale. It offers a 30-day cookie window and a standard commission rate of 2% per sale, climbing to 25% on select deal creatives.

ShareASale’s figures show an average order price of $3,513.38 and a 30-day EPC of $42.05.

Affiliates can access tracking tools, text links, banner ads, and more via ShareASale’s affiliate dashboard.

  • URL: The RTA Store affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2%+ per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Bathroom and kitchen cabinets
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

14 LL FlooringLL Flooring — formerly known as Lumber Liquidators — is a large retailer of hard-surface flooring, with 400+ stores across the US and Canada. Turns out this is something of a growth niche, with the global market expected to grow at a compound rate of over 5% from 2022 – 2030.

The company serves professionals and DIY customers, and has a catalog of over 400 flooring products at comparatively low prices.

LL Flooring’s affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius and pays a flat 1% commission on all sales, with a 30-day cookie window. Impact’s figures show a 30-day EPC of $0.54.

Affiliates can access various marketing materials and resources, including deep product linking, a detailed product catalog, and unique promotional codes.

  • URL: LL Flooring affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Hard-surface flooring
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionThere are dozens more home improvement affiliate programs we could have recommended.

Our list doesn’t even include the ubiquitous Amazon, which sells 70,000+ products in its “tools and home improvement” category.

Fact is, we only wanted to showcase the best of the best. So we looked at the affiliate programs promoted by 20 of the most prominent authority sites in the home improvement niche, including Upgraded Home, Home Inspector Secrets, HomeTips, and Bob Vila.

All those sites (and lots more) are making a killing from the home improvement affiliate programs in our roundup — and so can you.

How? By building your own niche site.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll tell you exactly how to do it by revealing seven secrets that make new sites 83% more successful.

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Get behind the wheel of auto loan affiliate programs. Don’t let the somewhat dull name fool you — this niche is revving up to become one of the most profitable markets out there.

In fact, the global car loan market hit a staggering $1.9 trillion in 2021, and experts predict it’ll skyrocket to $5.6 trillion by 2031. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

We want you to tap into this high-octane market and make the most of your earning potential, so we dived into the data to bring you the eight best auto loan affiliate programs.

Auto Loan Affiliate Programs1. CarsDirect 2. myAutoloan 3. Caribou 4. AUTOPAY 5. Upstart 6. Consumers Credit Union 7. 1800FreshStart Auto Loan 8. LightStream

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

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**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 CarsDirectCarsDirect connects car buyers with trusted local dealers to guide negotiations and make it easier than ever to score a sweet deal.

And with its vast lender network and popular sister sites InstantCarLoan.com and Autos.com, there are plenty of avenues for affiliates to make money.

Sign up for CarsDirect’s car loan affiliate program through Rakuten to access a 30-day cookie window and earn a $7 fee for each successful referral you generate.

Need support promoting CarsDirect? The platform employs a dedicated affiliate manager who can help optimize your campaigns.

  • URL: CarsDirect affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $7 per referral
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: New and used car finance
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US only

2 myAutoloanTo be honest, we wouldn’t usually recommend a website that spells its own name wrong in its title tag:

But don’t be so quick to dismiss myAutoloan. Geared to car buyers with “fair” or better credit scores, this automotive finance market provides up to four loan offers from a single application, saving customers a ton of research time.

If you’re in the business of advising those with less-than-perfect credit, myAutoloan’s affiliate program through CJ Affiliate might be a smart choice. Sure, the $5 per lead commission rate may not seem impressive, but don’t be fooled — the three-month EPC of $37.98 puts myAutoloan in the top two auto loan programs on the CJ Affiliate network in terms of earnings per click. Plus, with a 45-day cookie window, there’s ample opportunity to earn.

  • URL: myAutoloan affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $5 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Car loan refinancing, new and used auto loans, lease buyouts
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

3 CaribouCaribou is a fintech platform that claims to help customers save an average of $100+ on their monthly car payments, which is a powerful selling point in a budget-conscious market.

This platform certainly looks the part, with a significantly slick website that outshines its dated competitors (cough Autos.com cough). And first impressions count for a lot in a world where 42% of consumers won’t buy from ugly or unprofessional-looking websites.

But it’s not just its good looks that stand out; Caribou also offers one of the most attractive auto loan affiliate programs out there, with a 30-day cookie window and a generous $100 commission per funded loan application.

What’s more, it supports deep linking and influencer partnerships, making it easy to boost conversions.

  • URL: Caribou affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $100 per funded loan application
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto loan refinancing, car insurance
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

4 AUTOPAYAUTOPAY connects prospective car loan and refinancing customers with a network of trusted lenders, who battle it out to offer APRs as low as 2.99%.

The company makes a big deal of using 128-bit encryption — the same security major banks use — to protect customer data. This is a significant trust factor, with 67% of consumers worrying about having their identity stolen and used fraudulently.

Strictly speaking, AUTOPAY doesn’t actually operate a car loan affiliate program. But it does run a referral program that pays an enticing $100 reward per successful loan fund.

The only downside is you need to provide AUTOPAY with the referral’s contact details via an onsite form:

So you can either capture your referrals’ contact details and submit them manually, or ask referrals to share your details with AUTOPAY when submitting their information.

  • URL: AUTOPAY affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $100 per loan fund
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Auto loan refinance services, new car loans, lease buyouts
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

5 UpstartUpstart provides personal finance services, including car refinance deals, offering customers average annual savings of $1,234. Would-be customers can check rates in minutes and access funding the very next day.

The platform delivers exceptional customer experience, as demonstrated by an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating based on 40,000+ reviews. That’s a key selling point for affiliates, considering 89% of consumers read reviews before they buy.

Join Upstart’s car loan affiliate program through the Impact network and earn 1% per funded loan, with a 30-day cookie duration.

Like Caribou, Upstart is happy for affiliates to leverage deep linking, allowing you to direct your audience to the most relevant page for their needs.

  • URL: Upstart affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per funded loan
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Car refinance deals
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

6 Consumers Credit UnionAs the name suggests, Consumers Credit Union (CCU) is a credit union. In other words, it’s kind of like a bank — but because it’s run for the good of members rather than shareholders, it offers cheaper loan rates and no-fee services.

Members get up to a 0.25% rate reduction. So if your audience contains some of the union’s 178,000+ members, this should be a pretty easy sell.

CCU’s car loan affiliate program is managed through performance marketing network Perform[cb]. Unfortunately, it doesn’t publish details on commission rates, so you’ll need to sign up to learn more — but we can tell you it offers a 30-day cookie window.

Affiliate partners also get access to a variety of regularly updated creatives and a dedicated affiliate management team to help improve campaign performance.

  • URL: Consumers Credit Union affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto loans
  • Payment methods: ACH, PayPal, check, wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

7 1800FreshStart Auto Loan Now for the most snappily titled company in our roundup: 1800FreshStart Auto Loan.

The auto loan provider helps people with no (or bad) credit access car finance — even if they’ve been declared bankrupt. So this program could be a good fit if you advise people with lower credit ratings.

Join the 1800FreshStart Auto Loan affiliate program through CJ Affiliate to access a 45-day cookie window and a $12 commission per valid loan application.

At the time of writing, the program has a three-month EPC of $76.95 — higher than any other auto loan affiliate program on the CJ Affiliate network. So there’s clearly decent money-making potential here.

  • URL: 800FreshStart affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $12 per valid loan application
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto loans
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

8 LightStreamLast but not least is LightStream, an online consumer lender specializing in low-interest finance packages for borrowers with good to excellent credit ratings. If that aligns with your audience, LightStream looks an ideal fit.

The company puts its money where its (metaphorical) mouth is by offering a satisfaction guarantee: if customers aren’t completely satisfied with their experience, they can complete a survey in return for $100. That’s a pretty strong differentiator.

LightStream also pledges to plant a tree for each loan it funds. This is another solid selling point, with 48% of consumers stating they want brands to take the lead on creating sustainable change.

Join LightStream’s affiliate program through the Impact network. Affiliates earn $60 per funded loan. And with a window that’s over twice the length of any other car loan affiliate program we analyzed, LightStream gives you the best chance of earning a commission from your referrals.

  • URL: LightStream affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $60 per funded loan
  • Cookie duration: 105 days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto refinance, new and used car loan deals, classic car loans
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionAll of these auto loan affiliate programs offer genuine earning potential.

But there’s more to affiliate marketing success than signing up for the right affiliate programs.

If you’re going to build a consistent revenue stream, you need a reliable traffic source. Social algorithms are too changeable, so we always recommend building an affiliate site (or optimizing your existing website to generate more visitors, clicks, and conversions).

Not sure where to start? We can help.

Sign up for our free training today to learn seven tried-and-trusted tips for building high-performing affiliate websites — including one super-effective strategy for generating links without paying a dime.

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Live streaming has never been bigger, and today you can monetize your online following and grow your revenue stream with affiliate programs for streamers.

With more than 15 million daily active users on Twitch (and dozens of alternatives out there), streaming has become a viable occupation for high-profile individuals like Casimito and xQc who earn six-figure monthly incomes from subscriptions alone.

But what if you’re not big enough to attract paying subscribers? Or perhaps you’re looking to diversify your revenue stream?

Either way, affiliate programs are the ideal solution. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 13 of the best streamer affiliate programs…

Affiliate Programs for Streamers1. Twitch 2. Newegg 3. Razer 4. Origin PC 5. NVIDIA 6. Logitech 7. GameStop 8. CORSAIR 9. Secretlab US 10. ExpressVPN 11. NordVPN 12. Nerd or Die 13. OneStream.live

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

1 TwitchTwitch dominates the live streaming world with a 73% market share. And while it’s best known for gaming, the Amazon-owned platform also runs music broadcasts, “IRL” streams, and a variety of other categories.

The Twitch affiliate program isn’t a traditional program. Most affiliate advertisers pay you for driving a specific “action,” like leads or sales. But with Twitch, you can’t monetize your profile through subscriptions, ads, or bits unless you’re a Twitch affiliate (or partner).

And there’s another key difference: unlike the vast majority of affiliate programs, Twitch is invite-only. Currently, to be eligible, you must have:

  • 500+ total broadcast minutes in the last 30 days
  • 7+ unique broadcasts in the last 30 days
  • An average of 3+ concurrent viewers in the last 30 days
  • 50+ followers

Twitch contacts newly eligible channels via email and the platform’s notification center within a few weeks.

Earnings are issued around the 15th of each month, provided you hit the threshold of $50 (or $100 for wire transfers).

  • URL: Twitch affiliate program
  • Commission rate: n/a
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Live streaming platform
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

2 NeweggNewegg specializes in tech gadgets and computer hardware, but the online store also stocks products in categories like gaming and esports.

The company is no stranger to recognition, having won multiple awards and landed a spot on Newsweek’s 2023 list of best online consumer electronics stores. This translates to high brand trust and better conversion rates.

Newegg’s affiliate program is managed through Rakuten and pays a flat 1% commission, with a seven-day cookie window. The commission might sound low, but remember: we’re dealing with a lot of high-ticket products here.

Affiliates gain access to a variety of tools and resources, including banner and text links, deep linking, and a detailed product catalog updated multiple times a day. Plus a dedicated affiliate team is on hand to provide additional support.

  • URL: Newegg affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Computer parts, gaming accessories, gaming laptops, consoles, console games
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US, CA, AU

3 RazerRazer is a powerhouse in the video game industry with a reputation to match. It’s won “Best of CES” an impressive nine times, after all.

From headphones to laptops, Razer offers a wide range of gaming products, and US customers get free standard shipping on orders over $79.

Join Razer’s affiliate program through Impact for a 30-day cookie window and commissions of 3% on peripherals and $5 per unit on gaming systems.

With a 30-day EPC of $0.83, it’s comparable to other gaming hardware brands on the Impact network.

Razer also offers a dedicated program for streamers, imaginatively called #RazerStreamer. Open to streamers with 50+ subscribers, it promises “exciting perks and benefits,” including a one-time 15% discount code for Razer products.

  • URL: Razer affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gaming peripherals, gaming laptops, gaming chairs
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various

4 Origin PCOrigin PC makes high-end custom PCs, predominantly for gamers. It’s got excellent brand recognition in the gaming niche, thanks partly to sponsorships with high-profile streamers like Bajheera, Towelliee, and LevelCapGaming. And, as we know, strong brand awareness often translates to higher conversions.

The company was founded by three former Alienware execs and acquired in 2019 by CORSAIR, which makes computer components for gamers.

Origin PC’s affiliate program, managed through CJ Affiliate, has a 30-day cookie duration and a 2% commission rate. Its three-month EPC of $53.02 puts it in the top 30% of gaming affiliate programs on the CJ network.

Origin is looking to partner with passionate PC gamers with social media accounts, Twitch or YouTube channels, or websites with gaming-related content.

It provides various marketing resources, including a detailed product catalog.

  • URL: Origin PC affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gaming PCs, gaming accessories
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, CA

5 NVIDIANVIDIA is a global technology company with a footprint in various fields, from robotics and self-driving vehicles to deep learning and professional design.

But from a gaming context, the brand is best known for graphics processing units (GPUs) and graphics cards. Its products are regularly recognized as the best on the market by tech publications like T3 and IGN.

NVIDIA’s affiliate program is managed through Rakuten. The program has a seven-day cookie window and pays a flat 0.5% commission on all sales.

Sure, that doesn’t sound too generous. But NVIDIA charges $1,500+ for a new graphics card, so you can still earn solid commissions from each transaction.

  • URL: NVIDIA affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 0.5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Graphics cards, graphics processing units, laptops
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US only

6 LogitechLogitech, the technology pioneer that brought us the infrared cordless mouse and the thumb-operated trackball, continues to innovate with its gaming and streaming products.

Creators like KarimCheese rely on its USB microphones and stream cams. The company also owns several sub-brands, including ASTRO Gaming, Ultimate Ears, and Blue Microphones.

Logitech’s affiliate program, powered by Impact Radius,has a 30-day cookie window and a default commission rate of 4%, but it pays anywhere from 3% – 10% per sale, depending on the product category. And here’s a unique perk: the company rewards self-referrals, meaning you can earn a commission on your own purchases through your affiliate link.

With an average order value of $125, you can expect to earn anywhere from $3.75 – $12.50 on a typical transaction.

The company is open to working with influencers, so if you’ve got an existing following, this program could be the perfect fit.

  • URL: Logitech affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% – 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Computer software, gaming peripherals
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US, CA, MX

7 GameStopGameStop is a major player in the video game and consumer electronics space, with 4,500+ stores, including over 3,000 in the US. Its broad appeal makes GameStop a comparatively easy “sell” for affiliate marketers.

In addition to new games, consoles, and accessories, GameStop is known for its extensive collection of heavily discounted pre-owned and refurbished products. All US GameStop orders of $59+ come with free shipping.

GameStop runs one of the most popular gaming affiliate programs. Managed through Rakuten, the program has a one-day cookie window and a tiered commission structure, ranging from 0.5% on clothes and 1% on video game sales to 7% on controllers, digital subscriptions, and pre-owned games and accessories.

  • URL: GameStop affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 0.5% – 7% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox games, consoles and hardware, gaming accessories
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US only

8 CORSAIR As mentioned, CORSAIR owns gaming PC giant Origin. But it’s a big deal in its own right, producing award-winning components and peripherals and products designed to enhance the gaming experience — think smart ambient lighting and esports coaching.

It also owns several well-known gaming brands, including Elgato, Gamer Sensei, and Scuf.

CORSAIR operates a streamer program instead of a traditional affiliate program. The program is designed for all types of streamers, from small to established creators, and offers benefits like affiliate links, discount codes, and CORSAIR merch. As streamers progress, they can earn financial and peripheral sponsorships, travel assistance, and marketing photography.

Current CORSAIR streamers include iamBrandon, CyborgAngel, and Loserfruit.

Unfortunately, CORSAIR doesn’t disclose cookie durations or commission rates, so you’ll need to apply to learn more.

  • URL: CORSAIR streamer program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: PC components, gaming gear
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

9 Secretlab USThere are few gaming chairs as coveted as those by Secretlab, one of the biggest names in the world of gaming chairs, shipping to customers in 50 countries. Each chair is backed by an impressive five-year extended warranty, ensuring quality and longevity.

Secretlab has cultivated a strong brand image, with partnerships with high-profile esports and entertainment brands like Team Liquid, Team Secret, and LCK. This has translated into remarkable conversion rates, averaging five times higher than other gaming chair brands.

The Secretlab affiliate program pays up to 12% per sale and has a seven-day cookie window. It offers monthly payouts via PayPal.

Secretlab spends heavily on retargeting to website visitors. So even if your referrals don’t buy immediately, there’s a good chance they’ll click an ad and convert later.

  • URL: Secretlab affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gaming chairs, desks, accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

10 ExpressVPN Now, join me on a foray into the world of VPNs, another popular product category for streamers.

First up is ExpressVPN, one of the world’s largest VPN providers, operating 160 VPN locations in 94 countries.

ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies — the people behind rival VPN services CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. It offers many trust signals, including a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it easier to close the deal.

The provider has affiliate programs on various networks, paying cash commissions of up to $54 per sale, depending on contract length.

As an ExpressVPN affiliate marketer, you can access customized landing pages and dedicated support on content, design, SEO, and UX.

Be aware that you need a live website publishing VPN-related content to be accepted.

  • URL: ExpressVPN affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $54 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: VPN services
  • Payment methods: Various
  • Market(s): Global

11 NordVPNSticking with the VPN theme, NordVPN is a cybersecurity company used by over 14 million customers worldwide.

Literally everyone who’s ever watched a stream has heard of NordVPN, thanks to its dedicated — verging on aggressive — sponsorship program. The company has sponsored thousands of YouTubers, including huge names like MrBeast and PewDiePie.

That’s excellent news for affiliate marketers. If someone has already heard of the products you’re promoting, there’s a better chance they’ll buy.

NordVPN operates two affiliate programs: one in-house, the other through Skimlinks. Both have 30-day cookie windows, but the commission rates vary (see table).

Pleasingly, the company is happy to negotiate higher commissions for top-performing affiliates.

NordVPN provides a wealth of marketing resources, including access to a dedicated affiliate manager to help with driving conversions.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | In-house | 30% – 100% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 60% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: VPN services

12 Nerd or DieNerd or Die creates products, designs, and other resources for content creators. Its steam designs, alerts, and overlays are compatible with all the big streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming.

The company has helped over three million creators improve their content quality, including influencers and streamers like FemSteph and Pr0phie.

Nerd or Die’s affiliate program pays commissions of 10% – 30% per sale, depending on your affiliate tier level. You must hit referral and revenue targets to reach higher tiers, while the top tier is by application or invitation only.

Affiliate partners can access marketing tools and the Nerd or Die affiliate portal, while higher-tier affiliates enjoy elevated benefits, including free access to new products.

Nerd or Die is open to working with a wide range of affiliates, including bloggers, YouTubers, streamers, website owners, and newsletter marketers. That gives you a lot of scope for driving referrals.

  • URL: Nerd or Die affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 30% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Streaming solutions
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

13 OneStreamOneStream is a cloud-based solution for live and pre-recorded streams. It’s compatible with dozens of streaming platforms, including Facebook Live, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch.

To date, OneStream has amassed 200,000+ active users and powered millions of streams. And it’s clearly done a good job, with the company achieving an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot from 700+ reviews.

OneStream’s in-house affiliate program pays a generous 55% commission on all sales. As if that wasn’t enough, you also earn 10% on sales generated by sub-affiliates you recruit.

Affiliate partners can offer up to 25% discounts to new customers, which can be a powerful tool for sealing the deal.

  • URL: OneStream affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 55% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Streaming solutions
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

How Streamers Can Make MoneyUnlocking the top revenue streams in the industry.

Affiliate programs: Simple and effective, affiliate marketing is a no-brainer for savvy streamers. Recommend products to your audience, and when they make a purchase via your affiliate link, you’ll earn a cut of the sale.

Sponsorship: Make coin by becoming a brand ambassador. Use a brand’s products, wear their merch, or sip their drinks on camera, all while getting paid for it. It’s the ultimate win-win situation.

Partnership: Take your relationship with brands to the next level by collaborating on dedicated product lines inspired by your unique vision. Share resources and profits, and watch your bank account soar..

Merch: Show off your style and earn money at the same time by selling branded merchandise to your fans. Thanks to platforms like Gelato and Printify, creating and selling merch has never been easier.

Donations: Donations are essentially unofficial, one-off subscription payments. They’re basically about telling your audience: “You like my content, so help me make more by giving me some cash.”

How Streamers Can Benefit From Affiliate ProgramsBefore signing up for one (or all) of the streamer affiliate programs we’ve recommended, it pays to understand the ins and outs of affiliate marketing.

From rules to best practices, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to make the most out of your affiliate program.

Typical Affiliate Program RulesRunning PPC ads: Hold off on running paid search activity, streamers. Many affiliate programs prohibit this because it can cannibalize traffic and jack up costs. Make sure to read the fine print on PPC policies before you get started.

Running PPC ads: Hold off on running paid search activity, streamers. Many affiliate programs prohibit this because it can cannibalize traffic and jack up costs. Make sure to read the fine print on PPC policies before you get started.

Running PPC ads: Hold off on running paid search activity, streamers. Many affiliate programs prohibit this because it can cannibalize traffic and jack up costs. Make sure to read the fine print on PPC policies before you get started.

Submitting URLs: Show advertisers what you’ve got by submitting the URLs of your streaming profile, YouTube channel, and website. This helps them understand how you’ll promote their products or services

Making self-purchases: Sorry, but you (normally) can’t earn commissions on your own purchases via referral links. Time to get your credit card out of the equation.

Disclosing affiliate relationships: Ad codes require you to disclose your affiliate relationships. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our guide to affiliate disclosures.

What to Consider Before Joining An Affiliate ProgramDoes the brand look legit? First and foremost, do your due diligence. The vast majority of affiliate programs are legitimate, but there are a handful of scammers out there. Check out their website, social profiles, and reviews before signing up to avoid any nasty surprises.

Is the affiliate program relevant to your audience? Not all streaming audiences are alike. For instance, if your followers are predominantly console gamers, they’re less likely to be interested in NVIDIA products. Make sure the products or services you’re promoting align with your audience’s interests.

Are the rewards worth the effort? In other words, will you earn decent commissions promoting the product in question? Look beyond high commission rates and focus on the conversion rate and audience relevance to gauge potential earnings.

How “fair” are the payment terms? Some advertisers won’t pay your commissions until 90+ days after the sale or until you’ve hit a high payment threshold. Other affiliate programs pay weekly (or even daily). Again, you need to decide if the payment terms are attractive enough to make a program worthwhile.

What support do they offer? Good affiliate programs provide marketing tools, resources, and dedicated managers to help optimize your campaigns. Make sure the program you join has the support you need to succeed.

How to Promote Streamer Affiliate ProgramsFound a few affiliate programs that fit the bill? Use these methods to promote them:

  • Add banners to your Twitch profile
  • Post your unique link in your Twitch profile
  • Paste an affiliate link list beneath your YouTube video
  • Include referral links in chat bot timer popups within your streams
  • Capture followers’ email addresses and share links in newsletters

ConclusionThe streaming space is extremely competitive. And with Twitch’s algorithm prioritizing creators who generate tons of views, it can be tough for newbies to gain traction.

That doesn’t mean you should give up before you start; just that you shouldn’t rely on a single platform to earn money.

For that reason, we recommend building your own website to capture traffic from multiple sources — like streaming platforms, email newsletters, social media, and search engines — and send it to the brands you’re promoting.

Sounds complicated? Don’t worry; Authority Hacker’s here to help!

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets that make new sites 83% more successful.

FAQHow much do affiliate streamers make?High-profile streamers with large followings can earn over $100,000 per month just from subscriptions.

However, figures for lesser-known streamers are hard to come by. According to CNBC, professional streamers can earn up to $5,000 a month in subscriptions by playing 40 hours a week.

Plus, there’s additional income from ad revenue, which amounts to around $250 per 100 subscribers.

Is being a Twitch affiliate worth it?Being a Twitch affiliate is worth it if you only plan to stream through Twitch.

The benefits of becoming a Twitch affiliate include channel points, custom emotes, and the ability to receive Twitch bits.

However, Twitch affiliates aren’t allowed to multi-stream (i.e. stream to multiple platforms simultaneously). If multi-streaming is important to you, the Twitch affiliate program isn’t a good fit.

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Capitalize on the booming corporate lending market with business loans affiliate programs. In 2021 the global industry was valued at $17.6 trillion, and is predicted to hit a whopping $47 trillion by 2031.

After all, starting a business and keeping it afloat is hard work, with half of private-sector businesses in the US failing within the first five years.

Plus, lack of funds is the #1 reason many entrepreneurs don’t even get started.

Image sourceYour business or finance-focused blog can help support up-and-coming entrepreneurs in their journey with the right recommendations. So to offer tailored solutions for your audience, check out our roundup of the best affiliate programs in the business loans niche.

Business Loans Affiliate Programs1. National Funding 2. Biz2Credit 3. Funding Circle 4. SmartBiz Loans 5. Uplyft 6. Lendio 7. National Business Capital 8. Commercial Loan Direct 9. GoKapital 10. OnDeck

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1 National FundingNational Funding is the real deal, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a track record of providing over $4.5 billion in funding to more than 75,000 businesses across the US. But what really sets National Funding apart is their lightning-fast funding, customizable loan options, and high approval rates.

The National Funding affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius and pays commissions of 3% per sale, with a 60-day cookie window. Impact cites a 30-day EPC of $3.83, which compares favorably with other B2B lending providers on the network.

It’s looking for affiliate marketing partners with existing audiences of small business owners who’ve been operating for at least six months. And National Funding is happy to work with influencers and open to paying for placements.

  • URL: National Funding affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Business loans & financing
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

2 Biz2Credit Biz2Credit is a lending platform that aims to provide small businesses with quick and easy funding options ranging from $25,000 to $6 million.

The platform’s speedy loan application process takes just four minutes to complete, with funding decisions made in as little as 24 hours. Some customers receive funding within 72 hours.

Its in-house affiliate program pays a percentage-based commission for referring new loan customers. The registration process is quick and hassle-free, allowing affiliates to earn referral fees right away.

To further assist their affiliates, Biz2Credit provides marketing materials and resources, such as dedicated landing pages, embeddable financial calculators, and a funding product match form.

  • URL: Biz2Credit affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Business loans & financing
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

3 Funding CircleFunding Circle offers speedy funding, with approval in just 48 hours. With one application, businesses can qualify for multiple financing solutions, including SBA loans and business lines of credit.

Plus with an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and $19.4 billion in funding offered to 130,000+ companies in more than 700 industries, your audience can trust Funding Circle.

Although the affiliate program terms are not openly listed, successful applicants can enjoy access to marketing tools like API integration —allowing partners to deliver Funding Circle as a solution.

  • URL: Funding Circle affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Business loans
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Various

4 SmartBiz LoansSmartBiz Loans streamlines the SBA loan application process by using advanced predictive technology.

The platform quickly assesses small businesses, recommends financing solutions, and helps customers apply through its partner bank network. It’s pretty well-regarded, with a rating of 4.6 out of five based on 16,382 Trustpilot reviews.

Sign up for the in-house SmartBiz Loans affiliate program to earn a commission on each funded loan application your referrals generate.

SmartBiz Loans works with a wide range of referral partners, from individual CPAs to Fortune 100 companies.

  • URL: SmartBiz Loans affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Small business loans
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

5 UplyftUplyft Capital provides financing solutions for:

  • Business owners with bad credit
  • High-revenue businesses that have only been operating for a short time
  • Companies willing to pay higher factor rates for fewer fees

The platform offers merchant cash advances, lines of credit, invoice financing, and SBA loans through its lending partners.

Affiliates can earn a flat commission of $200 per lending order by joining Uplyft’s affiliate program on the Impact Radius network, with a 30-day cookie window.

Uplyft wants to partner with affiliates who refer qualified business owners earning at least $8,000 monthly. The platform is open to working with influencers and permits deep product linking and bidding on trademark terms.

  • URL: Uplyft affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $200 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Business loans for low-credit business owners
  • Payment methods: PayPal, ACH, wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

6 LendioLendio connects small businesses with 10+ business loan types from over 75 financial institutions through its loan marketplace.

The company is highly regarded, with 15,000+ five-star reviews on Trustpilot. To date, it has funded 300,000+ loans with a combined value of more than $12 billion.

Lendio keeps the specifics of its affiliate program under wraps, so you’ll need to apply (and be approved) to find out about the commission rate and cookie window. However, the platform runs an affiliate rewards program that offers additional financial perks and unique benefits to high-performing partners.

Lendio aims to streamline the user journey, so it offers various onsite affiliate resources, including options for API integration, custom landing pages, and embedded loan applications.

Before applying, be aware that Lendio only partners with US-based affiliates.

  • URL: Lendio affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Business financing options
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

7 National Business CapitalSmall business owners can get access to over 75 lenders and various financing solutions such as fixed-term loans, equipment financing, and business lines of credit with National Business Capital. Since 2007, the platform has helped clients access $2+ billion in funding.

For every deal it funds, the company donates 10 meals to Feeding America. That’s a powerful USP, with four-fifths of people favoring brands whose values align with their own, and three-quarters “splitting up” with a brand due to a conflict in values.

Like many providers in the business loans niche, National Business Capital is tight-lipped about the terms of its business loan affiliate program, although it promises “large commissions”.

Affiliate partners can leverage co-branded landing pages and other marketing collateral to help turn traffic into clicks and sales.

  • URL: National Business Capital affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Small business financing
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

8 Commercial Loan DirectCommercial Loan Direct provides a wide range of financing solutions from 200+ lenders, including credit unions, banks, and insurance companies.

Its team of experts ensures clients can access the most relevant loans and real estate financing solutions. Commercial Loan Direct is a member of the Georgia Lenders Quality Circle and is rated “A” by the Better Business Bureau; two big trust factors that could help you convert your website visitors.

The Commercial Loan Direct affiliate program offers a massive $1,250 commission per closed transaction and an additional $250 for referrals.

Commercial Loan Direct prefers to partner with affiliates who publish quality content relevant to the financial sector, including reviews and news bulletins.

  • URL: Commercial Loan Direct affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $1,250 per funded loan
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Commercial loans
  • Payment methods: Mailed check, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

9 GoKapitalGoKapital offers commercial real estate financing solutions and other business loan types, from revenue-based loans to merchant cash advances. It also does personal loans.

The platform provides financing in all 50 states. It doesn’t consider credit scores; clients only need to earn $30,000+ in monthly revenue to apply. This is a useful selling point given that one in five US small business loans are denied on business credit grounds.

GoKapital is yet another provider that doesn’t publish the finer details of its affiliate program, although it promises one of the highest payouts in the business loans niche.

The program offers incentives for high-performing affiliates, and pays out commissions via direct deposit or mailed check.

Upon approval, you’ll receive training materials and sales support, with a dedicated affiliate manager to help you optimize your campaigns. The program boasts a quick response time, with reps reaching out within 24 hours of application.

  • URL: GoKapital affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Commercial real estate loans, business financing
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US only

10 OnDeckOnDeck is a popular small business financing provider that offers funding solutions to 700 industries across the US, excluding Nevada, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the platform has lent more than $14 billion to businesses worldwide.

Sign up for OnDeck’s affiliate program through Impact Radius to access a 60-day cookie window and a 2% commission rate. OnDeck says affiliates can earn up to $10,000 per transaction, making this one of the highest-paying programs we’ve seen in any niche.

Commissions are paid 15 days after the end of the month via check or direct deposit.

Once approved for the affiliate program, you’ll get access to a library of high-quality banner ads and text links, plus 24/7 support from a dedicated affiliate management team.

To apply, you must have a website targeting potential OnDeck clients.

  • URL: OnDeck affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Small business loan options
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US, CA, AU

ConclusionAs you can see, there’s no shortage of financing options for businesses of all sizes.

In fact, there are so many, our list of top business loan affiliate programs could have been two or three times longer.

However, we only wanted to recommend the very best. So we looked at which programs are being promoted by 15 of the biggest business and finance-related affiliate sites, including NerdWallet, Bankrate, Fit Small Business, and Fundera.

Those folks are generating a ton of passive income from the programs on our list — and so can you.

The first step is to build a consistent source of traffic and clicks, namely, your own affiliate website. Don’t worry if you’re unsure where to start, because we can help.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets that make new sites 83% more successful.

See you there!

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For a lucrative way to promote products that are sure to strike a chord with the masses, look to gift card affiliate programs as a viable ticket for success.

With the global gift card market valued at nearly a staggering $900 billion in 2022 – set to hit $2.3 trillion by 2030 – it’s no surprise that almost half of Americans plan to purchase them out of sheer convenience.

Fortunately, they’re also popular with recipients. In fact, Americans would rather receive gift cards than physical gifts for special occasions, according to a survey from CivicScience.

Of course, some gift cards are more desirable than others.

To that end, we’ve rounded up the seven best gift card affiliate programs that’ll give you the highest chance of generating clicks, sales, and commissions.

Gift Card Affiliate Programs1. Giftcards.com affiliate program 2. Gift Card Granny affiliate program 3. eGifter affiliate program 4. EJ Gift Cards affiliate program 5. The Gift Card Cafe affiliate program 6. GiftFly affiliate program 7. CoinGate affiliate program

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1 Giftcards.comJust because it’s a gift card, doesn’t mean it can’t be tailored to the recipient. Giftcards.com offers personalized designs — a key selling point in a world where one-third of consumers say retailers must do more to offer personalized experiences. It claims to have the best search rankings and most traffic of any website in the gift cards niche, which suggests it’s got excellent brand awareness.

The business is Visa, Mastercard, and Discover-certified and also sells branded cards from top names like Macy’s, Sephora, and Wayfair.

Since being acquired by Blackhawk in January 2016, Giftcards.com has been part of a larger network of gift card sites, including cardpool.com, omnicard.com, giftcardmall.com, nimblecommerce.com, and incentivecardlab.com.

Sign up for the Giftcards.com affiliate program through Rakuten. It comes with a 10-day cookie window and pays 1% – 5% commissions, depending on the gift card type. Just be aware that commissionable revenue is capped at $2,000 per individual per month.

According to Giftcards.com, referral traffic to its website has a conversion rate of over 10%, so there’s a strong chance of turning clicks into cash.

Affiliates can access various marketing tools and resources, including high-quality banners and text links.

  • URL: Giftcards affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 10 days
  • Products/Services sold: Visa gift card, Mastercard gift cards, branded gift cards
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, PayPal, check
  • Market(s): US only

2 Gift Card GrannyGift Card Granny offers a range of retail gift cards, plus Visa and Mastercard gift cards which can be used at any US location that accepts debit cards.

The company lets customers personalize orders by adding logos, pictures, or messages to their gift cards. But its real selling point is cost-effectiveness: by offering discounts and cash-back rewards, Gift Card Granny helps shoppers save with every purchase.

Start earning by signing up for Gift Card Granny’s affiliate program on the ShareASale network. It offers a 30-day cookie window, but only pays commissions of 1% per sale.

Still, ShareASale’s 30-day figures show decent earning potential, with the site boasting an average order value of $139.15, an EPC of $3.45, and a strong 4.74% conversion rate.

Gift Card Granny offers various promotional resources, including frequently updated creatives, a product data feed, regular deals and coupons, and a monthly affiliate newsletter.

  • URL: Gift Card Granny affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per purchase
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Mastercard virtual gift card, branded gift card, and Visa gift card sales
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

3 eGifterWhen a whole group is chipping in for the ultimate gift, eGifter’s group gifting option makes buying that token of appreciation a cinch. It allows multiple individuals to contribute to a single gift pot.

It also has 250+ gift card options from leading retailers like Amazon, The Home Depot, and Target. These gift cards can be delivered straight to the recipient’s inbox via email, social media, or text message.

Join eGifter’s affiliate program through the ShareASale network to access a 1% commission rate and a 30-day cookie window.

According to ShareASale, the website has an average sale value of $144.95 and pays an average commission of $1.10. An excellent conversion rate of 10.17% — higher than any other gift card affiliate program on the ShareASale network — gives you a strong chance of earning cash from your referrals.

eGifter employs a dedicated affiliate management team and provides various promotional tools, including banners, coupons, and a product data feed.

  • URL: eGifter affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gift cards
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Unlisted

4 EJ Gift CardsGet more bang for your buck with EJ Gift Cards, the go-to marketplace for buying and selling gift cards at unbeatable discounts.

The unique business model purchases unwanted gift cards based on the remaining dollar value and pays via PayPal. That’s a powerful selling point, with research from CreditCards.com revealing that 47% of US adults have at least one unused gift card, voucher, or store credit amount — adding up to a combined $21 billion in untapped funds.

There’s no limit on the amount or balance of gift cards users can sell via the platform.

EJ Gift Cards’ affiliate program, available through ShareASale and FlexOffers, works a little differently from other programs in the niche because it pays commissions for referring gift card sellers.

Affiliates earn 2% of the value of gift cards sold, although FlexOffers says select publishers receive commissions of up to 5%. ShareASale also cites a 6% commission rate on “regular” gift card purchases.

ShareASale’s 30-day figures show a $61.16 average sale, a $1.64 average commission, and an EPC of $11.55.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | ShareASale | 2% – 6% | 7 days | Unlisted | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 2% – 5% | Unlisted | Unlisted | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Gift card marketplace

5 The Gift Card CafeThe Gift Card Cafe allows small businesses to sell their own gift cards, run daily deal promotions, and enable online payments without requiring any complex ecommerce infrastructure.

Users can offer automated gift certificates sent via email or text message, or use the service to accept online orders for physical gift cards.

The Gift Card Cafe says its affiliate program is an ideal fit for business consultants, software providers, and web designers.

The pay-per-lead affiliate program offers a 30-day cookie window and a flat $20 commission for all newly approved signups. Businesses can also integrate The Gift Card Cafe’s service into their own systems to earn an ongoing revenue share percentage.

All commissions are paid via ACH on the first of each month for accounts that have completed the 30-day money-back period.

Affiliates can use any marketing materials and content on The Gift Card Cafe’s website.

  • URL: The Gift Card Cafe affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $20 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gift card ecommerce system
  • Payment methods: ACH direct deposit
  • Market(s): US, CA, AU

6 GiftFlyGiftFly is a digital gift card platform where shoppers can buy and share gift cards for their favorite local businesses via email and text message.

Gift cards purchased through GiftFly are sent to the recipient instantly and can be redeemed in-store using the free GiftFly app. The service is free for consumers, has no hidden fees, and never expires.

The GiftFly affiliate program pays a commission worth 30% of the fees for all gift card sales. Commissions are paid monthly.

Once approved for the affiliate program, you’ll get access to all the tools in GiftFly’s affiliate dashboard, including unique links, banners, and earnings reports.

  • URL: GiftFly affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 30% of fees per gift card sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Online gift card platform
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Unlisted

7 CoinGateCoinGate lets customers purchase gift cards from 2,000+ brands using various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Litecoin.

The platform provides instant email delivery on the vast majority of purchases, regardless of the cryptocurrency used. It works with brands across multiple verticals, from beauty and fashion to food and entertainment.

CoinGate’s affiliate program, managed through the Impact Radius network, features a 30-day cookie window and a 20% commission rate.

CoinGate provides various affiliate marketing tools and resources, including deep product linking and a detailed product catalog.

The platform is open to working with influencers and paying for content placements. Unusually, it also allows affiliates to bid on trademarked keywords, which could help you bring in qualified traffic without having to outrank bigger, more authoritative sites in organic search.

  • URL: CoinGate affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% of order sale amount
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gift card sales via cryptocurrency
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Various

ConclusionChoosing the best gift card affiliate program (or programs) is only part of the battle.

Before you even think about products to promote, you need a reliable way to generate traffic and clicks.

In short, you need an affiliate website.

That’s where we come in. At Authority Hacker, we’ve built affiliate sites in more niches than we care to remember — and we’re happy to share our learnings with you.

Sign up today for our free training to learn seven tried-and-trusted tips for building a high-converting affiliate website, including how to get links without paying a dime.

See you there!

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Two-thirds of shoppers actively seek out eco-friendly retailers, according to Google research.

That means by partnering with eco-friendly affiliate programs, you won’t just be promoting brands that share your passion for the environment — you’ll potentially be earning good money, too.

In fact, over half of consumers are prepared to pay a premium for sustainable products.

To help you pinpoint the right eco-friendly affiliate program for your needs, we’ve sifted through the data on 16 of the best eco-conscious brands.

Eco-Friendly Affiliate Programs1. Eartheasy 2. EarthHero 3. EcoRoots 4. Zero Waste Store 5. Life Without Plastic 6. Package Free Shop 7. Made Trade 8. Grove Collaborative 9. Thrive Market 10. Pact 11. Avocado Green Mattress 12. Coyuchi 13. GreenLife 14. Organic Basics 15. Patagonia 16. Thinx

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1 EartheasyShoppers trust Eartheasy for its commitment to eco-conscious brands and making a positive environmental impact. Its products range from home and garden essentials to travel and outdoors items.

This online shop also partners with TerraPass — which sponsors global clean energy and carbon reduction projects — and plants a tree for every order placed through its relationship with the Trees for the Future Foundation. In a world where one-third of consumers research brands to ensure they follow through on their eco-friendly promises, this is an important trust factor that can have a positive impact on conversions.

Eartheasy’s eco-friendly affiliate program is managed through AvantLink. It has a generous 90-day cookie window and pays commissions of 5% – 10% per sale for content sites. With a high average order value of $200, you can expect to earn $10 – $20 per sale.

The retailer is happy to work with influencers who have relevant online audiences, including those with an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

  • URL: Eartheasy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% – 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Solutions for sustainable living
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US, CA

2 EarthHeroFrom beauty products and apparel to kitchenware and pets, EarthHero sells eco-friendly products from 250+ sustainable brands.

All orders from the online business are carbon-neutral — thanks to the company’s partnership with Climate Neutral — and are packaged and shipped plastic-free or with minimal plastic packaging. This is a potential “hook” for affiliates, given that 91% of consumers want to see an eco-friendly shipping option at checkout. EarthHero also donates 1% of sales toward global nonprofits through 1% for the Planet.

Find EarthHero’s eco-friendly affiliate program on the Awin network. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays commissions of 3% – 8%, although most partners start with a default 7% rate.

EarthHero is eager to work with affiliate partners on dedicated sponsored content campaigns, from TikTok videos to email newsletters. It also offers the potential for long-term partnerships and exclusive promotions, giving you more tools to close the deal and a greater chance of building a sustainable income stream.

  • URL: EarthHero affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% – 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Eco-friendly products
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

3 EcoRootsIt’s no secret that the beauty industry has a waste problem. EcoRoots seeks to combat that with its range of zero-waste alternatives to skincare and beauty, as well as home and cleaning products.

All items in the online store are ethically sourced and shipped plastic-free in recyclable packaging. EcoRoots is also a member of 1% for the Planet, donating a proportion of sales to good causes.

The EcoRoots eco-friendly affiliate program is available through ShareASale and pays a flat commission of 12% per sale, with a 45-day cookie window.

ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average order value of $44.09 and an EPC of $10.57. However, the conversion rate is a little low at 1.39%.

To help you close the deal, EcoRoots provides various marketing materials, including banner ads and coupons.

  • URL: EcoRoots affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable & reusable alternatives to everyday products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

4 Zero Waste StoreAlso in the business of addressing landfill concerns, Zero Waste Store sells products to promote environmentally sustainable lifestyles, from haircare and personal hygiene to home and garden. The retailer offers carbon-neutral shipping and plastic-free packaging and is a member of 1% for the Planet.

Over 400,000 customers use the online store to make simple but impactful changes that help to cut their carbon footprints.

Sign up for Zero Waste Store’s affiliate program through ShareASale. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays a standard commission of 12% per sale, dropping to 8% on select deal creatives.

According to ShareASale, the retailer has an average order value of almost $45 and a 30-day EPC of $8.98, which are near-identical to EcoRoots’ figures.

Commission payments are made every 60 days, giving the retailer time to resolve any issues or returns.

  • URL: Zero Waste Store affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% – 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable cleaning, beauty, and wellness products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

5 Life Without PlasticLife Without Plastic sells the finest green products, offering customers simple, high-quality alternatives to harmful and unsustainable plastic goods.

There’s no shortage of demand in this niche, with 85% of consumers saying they want manufacturers and retailers to be held responsible for reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic packaging, and three-quarters demanding an end to single-use plastics.

The retailer’s vast product range includes plastic-free kits such as bamboo toothbrushes and reusable shopping bags. Orders of $100+ ship free to the lower 48 states.

Find the Life Without Plastic affiliate program on the Affiliatly network. It pays a flat 5% per sale and has a 30-day cookie window, with commissions paid via PayPal once your balance passes $20.

You don’t need a website to partner with Life Without Plastic, as the retailer is happy to work with social media influencers. However, the program isn’t open to coupon websites.

Life Without Plastic provides various marketing tools and materials, including high-quality banners for your website, blog, social media channels, or newsletter.

  • URL: Life Without Plastic affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Plastic-free product alternatives
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): US, CA

6 Package Free ShopPackage Free Shop sells sustainable versions of everyday products, including apparel, household goods, and skincare.

Its products ship 100% plastic-free and contain zero or minimal packaging, helping customers cut out single-use plastics.

Since launching in 2017, the company has diverted 132 million plastic bags, 48 million plastic straws, 674,000 plastic razors, and an astonishing 3.8 billion plastic water bottles. Try referencing these eye-catching figures in your messaging to boost clicks and conversions.

Package Free Shop runs eco-friendly affiliate programs through the Impact and Rakuten networks. They offer identical terms, but the Rakuten program is only available in the US, whereas Impact is open to multiple markets.

Whichever network you choose, you’ll get access to various marketing tools, including a product catalog, deep linking, and unique promo code tracking.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | Impact | 3% | 30 days | US, CA, UK, FR, DE, AU | Sign Up | | Rakuten | 3% | 30 days | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable apparel, household, & beauty products

7 Made Trade Made Trade describes itself as the largest online store for sustainably sourced, ethically produced goods.

It stocks 10,000+ products across various categories, from clothing and shoes to bedding and furniture. The company centers women-owned and BIPOC-owned brands and works directly with artisans and small-batch manufacturers worldwide.

The Made Trade affiliate program is managed through CJ Affiliate and features a sliding, volume-based commission scale. Rates start at 5% but climb as high as 10% for monthly sales of $25,000+. It has a 45-day cookie window.

Made Trade boasts an impressive average order value of $215 and a three-month EPC of $8.94. However, its conversion rate is relatively low at just 1%.

  • URL: Made Trade affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% – 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable bedding, bath, home, furniture, clothing, shoes, accessories
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Various

8 Grove Collaborative Grove Collaborative wants to help you demystify the world of sustainable shopping. It thoroughly vets its range of suppliers on pillars of efficacy, affordability, and environmentally friendly credentials.

What’s more, shoppers can set up subscriptions to products when placing an order to take the hassle out of keeping your home sustainable.

All items are backed by the “Grove standard,” meaning they’re healthy, effective, affordable, and — most importantly — environmentally friendly. The store stocks 2,000+ products and is committed to being 100% plastic-free by 2025.

Grove Collaborative runs eco-friendly affiliate programs through the Impact and Skimlinks networks. Impact pays a flat bounty commission of $12 per sale, while Skimlinks offers a 20% commission rate. Grove’s financial figures show net revenue per order of ~$60, so there’s currently nothing to choose between the two offers.

Repeat customer sales are non-commissionable on both networks.

Grove provides various marketing materials and resources, including a detailed product catalog, deep linking, and unique promo code tracking.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | Impact | $12 per sale | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 20% per sale | – | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Eco-friendly home, beauty, & personal care products at affordable prices

9 Thrive MarketWhile customers are willing to spend more on eco-friendly products, they might still be swayed by a good deal. Enter Thrive Market, which offers exclusive pricing on healthy and sustainable products.

The online market has over 1.2 million members, who save 30% per order on average and receive free carbon-neutral shipping on orders of $49+.

Thrive’s catalog includes organic and non-GMO products across multiple categories, including non-toxic cleaning supplies, biodynamic wines, and pantry essentials.

Sign up for Thrive Market’s affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. It pays $5 commissions on one-month memberships and $30 on 12-month memberships.

CJ Affiliate says the website has a three-month EPC of $28.65.

As standard, the program has a 14-day cookie duration, but an extended window is available to influencers and content partners. Thrive Market also offers bonus commission opportunities.

  • URL: Thrive Market affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $5 – $30 per membership sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Certified organic and non-GMO products
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

10 PactA sustainable fashion brand that also stocks bath and bedding products, Pact partners with ethical and eco-friendly organizations including Fair Trade and the Global Organic Textile Standard.

This approach ensures all its products and processes are good for people and the planet, which means eco-friendly shoppers can trust it. What’s more, customers get free US shipping on orders of $50+.

Pact’s affiliate program is available through the Pepperjam network. It pays a flat commission of 10% and offers a seven-day cookie window.

  • URL: Pact affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable fashion, bath products, bedding
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US only

11 Avocado Green MattressPromote organic mattresses and luxury bedding made from certified-organic, eco-friendly materials — including 100% natural latex from sustainable and tree-tapped sources — with Avocado Green Mattress.

All Avocado products are handmade in the US, come with free shipping, and can be bought on finance with Affirm, which makes purchases that much easier for your visitors. Its mattresses are backed with a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty, too.

Sign up for Avocado’s affiliate program through the ShareASale network. It offers a 120-day cookie window and pays a flat 5% commission.

Mattresses are high-ticket items, so it’s no surprise the retailer has a comparatively low conversion rate of 0.61%. On the flip side, it has an extremely attractive average order value of $1,069.10 and a 30-day EPC of $32.54.

Avocado provides all the marketing materials and tools required to promote its products, including creatives, a product data feed, coupons, deals, and an affiliate newsletter.

  • URL: Avocado Green Mattress affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Organic mattresses & bedding
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer

12 CoyuchiBlending good design with good environmental practices,Coyuchi offers eco-friendly linen, including bedding, towels, and throws. All its products are made from 100% organic fibers and have a fully traceable supply chain.

The brand’s 2nd Home Take Back initiative recycles and/or resells returned products, helping divert 19,000+ pounds of fabric from landfill sites.

Coyuchi runs eco-friendly affiliate programs through the Pepperjam and Skimlinks networks, with the latter paying a flat 12% commission on all sales.

According to Skimlinks, the website has an impressive average order value of $200+ and an average conversion rate of 1.63%.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | Pepperjam | 4% | 7 days | – | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 12% | – | US, CA, DE | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Organic bedding, towels, apparel

13 GreenLifeHome cooks looking to kit out their kitchen with sustainably-driven cookware will love GreenLife. Its eco-friendly non-stick pans are free from lead, cadmium, and manufactured chemicals like PFAS and PFOA.

The company’s curing process generates 60% lower CO2 emissions than traditional non-stick coatings. GreenLife also exclusively uses recycled aluminum.

GreenLife’s affiliate program, managed through CJ Affiliate, has a 30-day cookie window and a 5% commission rate — although exclusive payouts and a bonus payout program. CJ Affiliate’s tracking figures show a three-month EPC of $13.13.

Affiliate partners can access support from GreenLife’s in-house affiliate management team.

  • URL: GreenLife affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Environmentally friendly cookware
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

14 Organic BasicsCopenhagen-based Organic Basics is an apparel brand specializing in underwear, loungewear, and activewear made with sustainable materials and methods.

Whereas most underwear uses elastane for stretchability and comfort, Organic Basics opted for a ribbed-texture design featuring pure organic cotton, providing a natural — and eco-friendly — alternative to artificial fibers.

The company’s affiliate program is available through the Impact network, offering a 10% commission rate and a 30-day cookie window. Impact reports a 30-day EPC of €1.88.

Organic Basics is open to working with influencers and paying for content placements.

The brand’s marketing materials include unique promo code tracking, deep product linking, and a product catalog.

  • URL: Organic Basics affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Organic men’s & women’s clothing
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global

15 PatagoniaWhen Patagonia first arrived on the scene, it specialized in climbing tools. Today the outdoor retailer offers a vast selection of outdoor apparel and gear across various sports and activities, from snowboarding to trail running.

It promotes and funds 1,300+ good causes for health and environmental reasons, including the Center for Regenerative Agriculture, Food for Thought, and The Abundant Table. It also donates 1% of sales to preserving and restoring the environment through its 1% for the Planet initiative.

Patagonia’s affiliate program is on the AvantLink network. The brand offers a generous 60-day cookie window and pays commissions of up to 8% per sale.

With a 5% conversion rate and an average order value of over $185, there’s serious earning potential here.

  • URL: Patagonia affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Outdoor clothing & gear
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

16 Thinx Thinx makes reusable period and incontinence underwear in a bid to cut plastic waste from disposables. All its products are free from harmful chemicals.

Founded in 2013, Thinx has become one of the world’s best-known period and incontinence underwear brands, with a customer base of 1.3 million people. For every order, the brand donates a pair of underwear to its giveback partners, who fight period poverty and promote reproductive health access.

Thinx offers eco-friendly affiliate programs through the Pepperjam and Skimlinks networks.

According to Skimlinks, the company boasts an average conversion rate of approximately 4.5% and an average order value of almost $80.

| Network | Commission | Cookie | Market | URL | | Pepperjam | 8% | 30 days | – | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 10% | – | US, UK, AU, CA, ES | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Period underwear

ConclusionWe could easily have included twice as many eco-friendly affiliate programs here, but we only wanted to recommend the cream of the crop.

So we analyzed 15 of the most popular eco-friendly bloggers and publishers — including Treehugger, Zero Waste Memoirs, Going Zero Waste, and Sustainable Jungle — to see which programs they promote.

That means we had to exclude a bunch of quality eco-friendly companies, like the Natural Baby Company, The Ultimate Green Store, and the Green Tower Project.

But it also means you can be 100% certain the programs on this list offer bags of earning potential. You just need a steady source of traffic and clicks; an affiliate website.

Not sure how to build your own site? Don’t worry, Authority Hacker is here to help!

Sign up for our free training to learn seven secrets for creating high-performing authority sites — including one fantastic tip for building fast sites that rank quickly.

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The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has made unexpected expenses a major challenge for many. As a result, promoting payday loan affiliate programs can offer your audience tailored options for short-term help.

An astonishing two-thirds of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This partly explains why the global payday loans market is expected to expand by almost 4% annually from 2022 – 2030.

Despite payday loans’ high interest rates, about 12 million Americans take them out each year to cover short-term costs. And while payday loans are not an ideal solution, they can provide a lifeline in times of need.

If you’re looking to help borrowers find the best payday loan options and earn commissions in the process, consider promoting these payday loan affiliate programs and networks…

Payday Loan Affiliate Programs1. LeadsMarket 2. LeadNetwork 3. LeadsGate 4. Zappian 5. Round Sky 6. Profitner

1 LeadsMarketThe first thing you need to understand about this niche: payday loan providers often use third-party data providers to track down potential customers.

LeadsMarket is one such provider, billing itself as an online marketplace where affiliate marketing pros can sell lead data to borrowers for a fixed price per lead, call, or click.

Its 1,000+ affiliate partners can tap into a network of over 100 direct lenders, helping them earn more money from the leads they generate. The platform paid more than $100 million in commissions in 2020.

As well as paying (varying) sums for consumer lead data, LeadsMarket offers a 3% bonus on all commissions earned by affiliates you refer to the program.

Sign up for the LeadsMarket payday loan affiliate program to access a genuinely impressive selection of affiliate marketing resources, including customizable HTML templates, WordPress themes, and JavaScript forms to boost your website’s lead generation potential. This makes the program a good fit for first-time affiliate marketers who need help building (or optimizing) a website.

  • URL: LeadsMarket affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Online payday loan leads
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank ACH, wire transfer, check, WebMoney, EPESE, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, UK

Additional resources: HTML templates, WordPress themes, JavaScript lead capture forms, XML integration, email templates, banner ads, dedicated account manager

2 LeadNetworkHonestly, there’s very little to differentiate LeadNetwork from LeadsMarket. Right down to their near-identical company descriptions:

Still, as far as we can tell, they’re separate companies that just happen to do the exact same thing: selling payday loan leads generated by affiliates to third-party borrowers.

Affiliates can choose between revenue share, flat CPA, and tier-structured payouts, allowing you to find the payment model that best suits your business. For instance, if you typically refer high-borrowing customers, you’ll likely earn more from a revenue-sharing partnership than a fixed CPA deal.

As with LeadsMarket, LeadNetwork’s payday loan affiliate program also offers potential for multi-tiered earnings: if you refer another affiliate marketer, you earn a 3% cut of their revenues for life.

New to affiliate marketing? LeadNetwork offers in-depth support on everything from email marketing to organic and paid search, helping you start earning commissions faster.

  • URL: LeadNetwork affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Online payday loan leads
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer, bank ACH, check
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: Email marketing creatives, SEO advice, Google Ads support, loan request form templates

3 LeadsGateLeadsMarket and LeadNetwork aren’t the only options for selling payday loan leads; not by a long shot.

Another competitor is LeadsGate, which promises higher payouts than any other payday lead marketplace. That may or may not be true — most platforms don’t publish payout figures — but commissions of up to $230 per lead seem pretty generous.

Impressively, it even pays affiliates for declined leads, which is unusual for this (or any other) industry. LeadsGate claims this feature helps affiliates increase earnings by 5% – 15%. The affiliate program also rewards you with an (unspecified) percentage of revenues earned by other affiliates you refer.

Established nine years ago, LeadsGate has built a network of over 10,000 global affiliates and aggregated 75+ million payday loan leads. Affiliates can access support in three languages: English, Russian, and Thai.

All LeadsGate partners can leverage pre-built JavaScript forms to support their lead generation efforts, while top-performing affiliates get access to premium tools, including an API and unique promotions.

  • URL: LeadsGate affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $230 per lead
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Payday loan leads
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer, Payoneer, “other popular payment solutions”
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: JavaScript forms

4 ZappianGuess what? Zappian is a lead generation marketplace. All these platforms are pretty much the same, although Zappian feels a little more transparent than its rivals.

For instance, it provides (some) insight into the types of companies it works with. Zappian has over 250 advertisers on its books, including Accredited Debt Relief, National Debt Relief, and Upstart. That might not make a big difference to you, but we’d definitely prefer to know who’s buying the leads we’re generating.

Since 2013, Zappian claims to have generated over one billion leads and paid $3 million in commissions, so it’s evidently good at what it does.

The company’s 3,100+ affiliates can access 24/7 support from a dedicated account manager, ensuring there’s always someone on hand to answer your questions.

  • URL: Zappian affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Payday loan leads
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Unlisted
  • Additional resources: 24/7 access to an account manager

5 Round SkyPay-per-lead affiliate marketing is tricky. You’re not encouraging people to buy a pair of socks or a new computer game; you’re asking them to hand over a bunch of personal information to a third party they might never have heard of. With 93% of consumers concerned about data security when filling out online forms, that’s a tough sell.

Enter Round Sky, a payday loan lead generation platform that helps affiliates embed high-quality, customizable lead capture forms on their sites. That way, consumers don’t need to click through to a whole other website to submit their details, making for a smoother (and more trustworthy) user journey.

Affiliates can choose from multiple form templates and tweak the colors to match their own branding.

Round Sky works with 50+ US lenders and thousands of global affiliates, and has been in the payday lead generation space since 2006.

Having signed up for the platform’s payday loan affiliate program, you’ll get instant access to revenue share and CPA offers, website widgets and forms, and API instructions. Affiliate managers are available by phone, email, Skype, Telegram, and other platforms to help resolve problems and optimize your campaigns.

  • URL: Round Sky affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $250 per lead
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Short-term loan leads
  • Payment methods: ACH, PayPal, wire, check
  • Market(s): US only
  • Additional resources: API instructions, website widgets, lead capture forms

6 ProfitnerDon’t have the time or expertise to craft high-converting landing pages that generate a steady stream of loan leads? Profitner could be the affiliate marketing network you’ve been searching for.

The payday loan lead generation platform claims its landing page templates deliver conversion rates of over 30%, which seems too good to be true given that the median global landing page conversion rate is just 2.35%. But who are we to argue with Profitner’s figures?

Profitner doesn’t just help you convert more traffic; it also rewards you handsomely for referring potential customers, paying commissions of up to $230 per lead. Not all lead gen providers share commission figures, but this aligns with the industry’s best rates.

Approved affiliates get access to the aforementioned landing page templates, as well as pre-built JavaScript lead capture forms and support with API integration.

  • URL: Profitner affiliate program
  • Managed by: In-house
  • Commission rate: Up to $230 per lead
  • Cookie duration: n/a
  • Products/Services sold: Short-term loan leads
  • Payment methods: Wire transfer, Payoneer, ACH, PayPal, WebMoney, Skrill
  • Market(s): Unlisted
  • Additional resources: JavaScript forms, landing page templates, API integration

ConclusionAs you can see, the payday loan affiliate programs work a little differently from other affiliate niches.

Rather than earning cash by referring customers to make a direct purchase, you’re more likely to get paid for generating leads and selling them to payday loan providers via a lead generation platform.

Still, the fundamentals remain the same: you stand a higher chance of achieving success — and a job-replacement income — if you create a consistent source of traffic. That means building your own affiliate site.

Not sure where to start? We can help.

Sign up for our free training today to learn seven pro tips for building high-performing affiliate sites, including how to steal your competitors’ best keywords!

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Essential oils.

Do they seem like a bit of a hippy, tree-hugger fad to you?

The weird thing is they’ve been used to treat a variety of health issues for somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years.

And they’ve become incredibly popular since the start of the new Millennium, thanks in no small part to people using alternative medicines.

I’ve used them myself to treat everything from the recurring migraines that made my life a living hell in my 20’s, to treating a nasty skin infection on a pet dog.

The thing is, not everyone believes that essential oils actually have any health benefits, but…

…the essential oils market is currently valued at around US$17 billion, and that’s set to grow to at least US$27 billion within the next 2 – 3 years, effectively doubling it.

Oh, you’re interested now?

Good, because there’s also 10,159 keywords in Ahrefs with a KD score of <20.

All you need now are some of the very best essential oils affiliate programs to promote.

And yes, we’ve already done the research for you.

Essential Oils Affiliate Programs1. Well.ca Essential Oils Affiliate Program 2. Amrita Aromatherapy Essential Oils Affiliate Program 3. Lisse Essential Oils Affiliate Program 4. Homedics Essential Oils Affiliate Program 5. Guru Nanda Essential Oils Affiliate Program 6. Rocky Mountain Oils Affiliate Program 7. Oasis Diffusers Essential Oils Affiliate Program 8. Each & Every Essential Oils Affiliate Program 9. The Ayurveda Experience Essential Oils Affiliate Program

Well.caWell.ca is something of a household name in….well…Canada. Is there an echo in here?

Seriously though, we do want to point out that although Well is a Canadian company, they ship to all of the contiguous United States but not their outlying island colonies such as Samoa, Guam, etc.

The next thing to mention is that while this company does not specialize only in essential oils, they do stock a whole range of these oils – over 4,000 of them.

And that’s without adding in their range of diffusers, and products with essential oils as their core ingredient.

What this means for you as an affiliate is that your visitors are very likely to find at least a handful of items on Well.ca that they’ll be happy to pay money for.

Their affiliate program pays 5% for all sales referred to the site by their “ambassadors”. Sometimes you just have to love the lexical gymnastics some marketing teams put themselves through in describing their affiliate programs.

Anyways, the amount you’ll make per order for selling a bottle of essential oil will only amount to 50c per bottle.

But aromatherapists, masseuses, etc tend to buy in bulk once they find a brand and supplier they like and trust.

What you “lose” in smaller affiliate commissions you’ll make up for in frequency of orders- this is typical of many of the programs here.

  • URL: Well.ca affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • EPC: $26.01
  • Cookie duration: 21 days

Amrita AromatherapyAmrita is a family-owned and operated organic essential oil supplier, apparently one of the biggest in the United States.

The founder of the business, Dr. Christopher Streicher, has combined the best of Ayurvedic and naturopathic practices with essential oils and combined them with organic farming methods.

As of right now, their range of products includes 140 different oils, all of which are USDA certified.

Are organic essential oils better than generic ones?

In a word, “Yes”, simply because they’re not mass-produced and haven’t been diluted with cheaper oils to generate more profit.

Long story short, people are willing to pay more for pure organic essential oils.

The EPC for this affiliate program isn’t going to put you on the path to early retirement, but affiliate programs like this are ones you combine with others.

Even if you build a niche site just on the subject of essential oils, “organic” would be its own category, so it’s just a spoke in a larger wheel.

Affiliates make 10% per sale referred through affiliate links and customers spend an average of $67 per transaction when shopping with Amrita.

  • URL: Amrita Aromatherapy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • EPC: $13.63
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Lisse Essential OilsIf you’ve never heard of Lisse Essential Oils before today, then don’t worry, because neither had we.

And to be honest, not recognizing their brand doesn’t really matter.

But what does matter is that other people have heard about them, and seem to quite like their range of chemical and pesticide-free aromatherapy oils and related products.

Or at least that’s what their customer reviews indicate.

They’re also a specialist in that they don’t try to sell anything other than the essential, oils, carrier oils, blends, bottles, and misters that aromatherapy fans like to purchase.

The Lisse affiliate program is available through the Refersion Marketplace, which you’ll need to sign up for before you can promote them.

Referred sales are worth 10% in affiliate commission to you, and although their EPC is quite low they still have an interesting range of products for you to promote.

  • URL: Lisse Essential Oils affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • EPC: $7.51
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

HomedicsHoMedics is a brand I was already familiar with before starting the research for this blog post – I’m pretty sure I bought my mother one of their heated Shiatsu massagers a few years back.

And although this company is best known for its range of home massage therapy products, they also own the Ellia brand of essential oils and diffuser products.

But you don’t need to sign up for two different affiliate programs here – just the HoMedics one, and there’s a fringe benefit to this.

What’s that, I hear you ask?

Well, if your audience uses essential oils, there’s a good chance that some of them might also be interested in related products, like air purifiers, a UV cleaner, or maybe even a neck massager.

You have a lot of scope here to make money.

HoMedics affiliates make 8% per sale of any sale they send to either the HoMedics or Ellia.com website, but without having to sign up for separate programs.

Their ‘Network Earnings’ score is high enough to indicate that there’s a pretty decent volume of affiliates making money promoting their products.

You also get a 30-day cookie and “unlimited” affiliate referrals within that.

  • URL: HoMedics affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8%
  • EPC: $23.93
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Guru NandaSomething that sticks out about the Guru Nanda brand is they get their marketing – from the video intro by the company founder, to the color scheme for the brand, all the way through to working with farming communities to ensure they’re paid a fair price for their produce.

Nothing sells your brand better than altruism.

Man, I’ve gotten really cynical in my old age…

But back to their products – all 138 essential oils, distilled from the produce of some of the very best herb and flower suppliers on the planet. This includes cinnamon from Sri Lanka, tea tree from Australia, lavender from Bulgaria, Lemon from Italy, etc.

Think of them as artisan essential oils.

So the brand also has an international feel, a great variety of products for both adults and kids, and offers free shipping on orders over $25.

In a world where companies seem to be doing everything they can to shorten affiliate cookie duration, this program gives you 90 days to work with.

That’s 3x the industry standard and tied in with a 7.5% commission rate and an average order size of $61, this program could be very profitable when promoted to the right audience.

  • URL: Guru Nanda affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7.50%
  • EPC: $17.35
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

Rocky Mountain OilsRocky Mountain Oils has been supplying aromatherapy practitioners and enthusiasts all over the world with single oils, and essential oil blends, for over 13 years now.

Rocky Mountain Oils was founded by a group of people who wanted to make sure the average Joe and Josephine on the street could buy pure essential oils but without having to sell one of their kids to a medical science lab.

Their goal was to make high-quality essential oils far more affordable and accessible.

Rocky Mountain Oils stock a broad range of products, including pure single oils, organic essential oils, and blends for specific purposes e.g. “Mood”, “Skin Care”, “Sleep”, etc.

The “For Mom and Kids” range from Rocky Mountain Oils also has therapeutic blends with names like “Counting Sheep”, “Ouchie” and “Tummy Time”.

This way kids don’t have to remember to ask for their favorite blend of Lavender and Tea Tree for the next time they get an “ouchie”.

So, you don’t necessarily need a blog dedicated to health and wellness to promote Rocky Mountain Oils. Products like these can appeal to a broad enough audience.

You could have a sports or fitness blog where you could mention their muscle soothing products or just a new parenting blog where you could add an affiliate link for the Rocky Mountain Oils kid-friendly essential oil blends.

Beginner affiliates promoting the program start with an 8% commission rate, but Rocky Mountain Oils is open to upping that to 16% if you can shift enough of their products.

Yes, Rocky Mountain Oils is willing to 2x your commission rate if you’re actively sending sales their way.

Their ‘Network Earnings’ score is lower than we’d like, but their EPC is $120, so that more than makes up for the lack of network activity.

  • URL: Rocky Mountain Oils affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8%
  • EPC: $120.76
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

Oasis DiffusersAnd now we come to a somewhat tangential range of products, but one still entirely related to essential oils – Oasis Diffusers.

A standard essential oil diffuser basically vaporizes water mixed with your favorite essential oil into the air around you, elevating your mood, or maybe just masking that smell you’ve been meaning to clean up for a while now.

But the Oasis Diffuser is a little bit different because you can mount it in your bathroom, so you can enjoy an aromatherapy treatment session while you take a shower.

The product comes with a dock that allows it to be mounted and removed from a wall without damaging it, and it’s also battery powered so you don’t need to worry about wiring it to your household power supply.

Novelty products go one of two ways – they crash and burn or people buy them.

In the case of the Oasis Diffuser, their sales metrics indicate that a substantial number of people are buying them.

So even if this product doesn’t appeal to you personally, just view it as an affiliate first, and a person second.

All sales you send to them via your affiliate links are worth 10% of each order, or roughly $6 per sale.

Again, not a fortune, but all those affiliate commissions add up.

  • URL: Oasis Diffusers affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • EPC: $65.49
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

Each & EveryFounded in 2017, Each & Every produces a range of all-natural deodorants for people who are concerned about the health risks associated with commercially available products.

Health risks?

Yup, like the fact that many cheaper deodorants use aluminum to stop you from perspiring by blocking your sweat ducts. There’s also the implication of an increased risk of Alzheimer’s because of this ingredient.

The team behind Each & Every created a range of roll-on deodorant products that are 100% natural and use essential oils as their fragrance because the market demanded it.

So you get the added benefit of the oil’s inherent properties as well as smelling good.

Your visitors can choose from 10 different scents including Cedar & Vanilla, Coconut & Lime, or even Cannabis and Green Tea.

Products like this are mass-appeal right now because everyone is more environmentally and health-conscious than they have been since the late 70’s.

Plus everyone sweats (tempted to make an Epstein joke here…but won’t), so your potential market is 7.8 billion people.

Who’d have thought we’d reach a stage where people would demand what are effectively artisan deodorants, but yet here we find ourselves.

This company has only been in business for a little over a year (at the time of writing), so it’s always easier to make money when you’re promoting a popular affiliate program that’s still in its infancy.

In terms of their metrics, their conversion rate is almost 11% and with an EPC of $41 this is a program any affiliate marketer should seriously consider promoting.

  • URL: Each & Every affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • EPC: $41.00
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

The Ayurveda ExperienceAyurveda is a form of mind-body medicine that has been practiced across the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years – it literally means “science of life”.

And it’s becoming far more popular in the West right now.

The Ayurveda Experience stocks a full range of products for anyone wanting to use this alternative form of medicine to treat their health issue – 160,000 of them at last count.

So, what has this got to do with essential oils?

Because their top-selling products are treatments made from essential oils, such as their Manjish Glow Elixir face massage oil, or Rujahari Oil for joint and muscle problems in the over 50’s.

You’ll find that most aromatherapists and essential oils users will already be familiar with the basic concepts of Ayurveda, so they’re quite likely to put in at least a test order.

This is one of those hidden gem affiliate programs that could substantially add to your bottom line – they pay 15% commission on an average order size of around $50.

The fact that their beauty products are all made using “ancient knowledge” also explains why they convert traffic at almost 20%.

  • URL: Ayurveda Experience affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15%
  • EPC: $48.63
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

Over To YouEssential oils have been used for centuries, but have been enjoying a major resurgence in popularity in the last decade.

This means the timing for building out a niche or authority site around essential oils is pretty much perfect.

And you even have 10 lucrative essential oils affiliate programs to promote.

Conspicuous by their absence are the affiliate programs for jade Bloom, Shaman Oils, and Artisan Aromatics.

As much as we’d love to include every affiliate program, we have to focus on those with proven metrics.

So what comes next?

That’s a really good question, and one we hear new affiliates ask all the time – choosing the right affiliate programs is only part of the puzzle.

Which is why we’d like to invite you to join us for a free training session where we cover all the basics.

You get to spend two hours with us as we show you how to get started in affiliate marketing.

And no, this isn’t the usual pitch-fest nonsense you get elsewhere – we actually teach you stuff.

Valuable stuff. Just let us know what email address to send it to.

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PROS * Super clean and easy to understand interface, even for non-techies * Integrates with all major payment gateways * Offers flexible payment models such as subscriptions, plans and trials * Granular control over coupons and discounts * Supports bump offers and one-click upsells * Feature-rich affiliate management built right in * Easy-to-digest reporting dashboard with advanced filters * Growing list of deep integrations with Zapier support * Detailed documentation and an active FB community group CONS* Can’t accept cryptocurrency payments * Limited selection of checkout templates * Some controversial design elements + limited customization * No emergency support, such as live chat or phone support * Not ideal for selling services ThriveCart is shopping cart software created by Josh Bartlett back in 2016, and despite undergoing 4+ years of development, the software is still only available through it’s pilot program at a heavily discounted one-time fee.

Unlike other shopping carts, ThriveCart is typically thought of as a direct competitor to the more established (and arguably market-leading) SamCart, which happens to be the cart of choice among the biggest names online.

ThriveCart has already amassed a feature list that rivals the best in the industry, not to mention a following of die-hard fans to boot… so there’s certainly a lot riding on the shoulders of this newcomer.

In this ThriveCart review, we’ll do an in-depth, 100% objective analysis on where this emerging cart stands today, and whether or not it truly holds its own against the big boys.

ThriveCart Review: The Good, Bad, And The UglyFor this review, I fired up ThriveCart to see how it fares in comparison to popular alternatives.

From here on out, I’ll share my experiences using this tool, as well as what I liked and didn’t like along the way.

How Well Does It Accept Different Payments?The payment processors that integrate with ThriveCart are Authorize.net, PayPal, Google Play, Apple Play, and Stripe.

While these are pretty standard, ThriveCart does offer deeper integrations than some other carts, with one example being that you can offer one-click upsells and downsells through PayPal.

Another thing to note here is that Stripe also allows you to accept payment through BitCoin, although the tool doesn’t currently work with Bitcoin (or any other cryptocurrency).

This is a classic example of why you shouldn’t take these integrations at face value, because you may end up disappointed with the depth of integration between the two.

That being said, ThriveCart works with the most popular payment processors on the market, with upcoming integrations (like Braintree) and even a direct bank transfer option in the works.

That’s enough about payment methods, what about payment models?

Well, this is where ThriveCart really begins to shine. The level of flexibility you get over your product payment models is really good.

You can choose between a number of options, including:

  • 20 currencies, including USD, EUR and GBP
  • Offering a single price, or multiple pricing options
  • One-time, subscription, payment plans (called split-pay) and ‘pay whatever’ payment options
  • Billing frequency for subscriptions and payment plans
  • Free trial periods, paid trials & auto billing
  • Bump offers & one-click upsells
  • Product quantity limitation

The best part?

No matter how complicated of a funnel you try to build, the user interface is so well laid out that even a complete novice would breeze through the setup process.

That means less time banging your head on a wall, and more time focusing on generating sales for your business — EXACTLY what you want from a full-featured shopping cart.

VerdictAside from the lack of crypto support, ThriveCart still offers one of the most flexible checkout experiences I’ve seen in a shopping cart.

How Well Does It Convert Prospects?It’s easy to forget that while getting someone to your checkout page is several steps in the right direction, until they actually click that buy button, they haven’t yet converted.

(Even the most qualified prospect can bail at the last minute, and nothing says RUN like a terrible checkout experience.)

On it’s homepage, ThriveCart claims to offer “high-converting cart pages” among other things, but let’s be honest, what shopping cart on the planet would say otherwise?

Let’s look at the facts.

When it comes to design templates, ThriveCart gives you 8 options to choose from.

Not only is this a pretty weak selection to start with, but these design templates are also tied to different checkout behaviours.

For example, if you want a one-step checkout hosted by ThriveCart, you’ll have to go with the first template. If you want to have a popup checkout on your own site, you’ll have to go with the last template… and so on.

In fairness to ThriveCart, you do get some flexibility when it comes to customization of these templates, but it’s mostly just the contents of the page and not the overall appearance.

Many would argue that these templates are built for conversions, and so fewer customization options are better since too many changes could be detrimental to that goal.

While I agree to some extent, I’m not at all convinced these templates have been so rigorously tested that no further changes could be considered an improvement.

In the past few months, Thrivecart has been adding new templates to their kit.

The biggest step-up, however, is the checkout page editing tool:

It’s truly a page editor now, filled with tons of conversion-focused elements.

Finally, let’s talk about A/B testing.

ThriveCart does have a robust A/B testing feature that allows you to test different products against each other.

These can be the same product with slight variations (such as format, pricing, pricing options, etc.), or a completely different product to see which performs best.

The A/B test will rotate the variations until a set period of time has passed, at which point it’ll show the winner indefinitely.

Lovely jubbly.

Additionally, the Products dashboard is really intuitive, and it has a lot of other conversion-focused functionalities, like upsells or coupons:

Additionally, the Products dashboard is really intuitive, and it has a lot of other conversion-focused functionalities, like upsells or coupons:

VerdictWhile the template and customization options are currently pretty limited, ThriveCart’s checkout pages are proven to convert if the overwhelming community response is anything to go by.

Does It Help Boost Your Sales?If the last section was about making the sale, this one’s about increasing the value of that sale.

ThriveCart has a bunch of stuff in it’s arsenal to help you with this, and I want to tackle each of them here.

Let’s start with discounts and coupons.

ThriveCart has a whole subsection for creating and managing coupons, and I really cannot fault the level of control you get over the smallest of details.

Whether it’s setting a fixed-amount or a percentage, expiring the coupon after a set time or fixed number of uses, automatically attributing it to an affiliate, or applying to one or all of your products…

…there’s just so much to sink your teeth into here that I could almost write a mini-review of this feature alone.

Plus, you can always analyze how people interact with checkout pages, product details and other elements important for both a small business, and a large enterprise.

What about bump offers?

I briefly mentioned them earlier in the context of design, but now I want to drill down more into the setup process and functionality of this feature.

Firstly, let me give you a more zoomed-out view of the options:

Unlike coupons, the bump offers feature has a lot LESS going in terms of flexibility, but that’s actually intentional.

Since bump offers are added to the initial order total, they inherently benefit from things like payment plans, coupons and affiliate attribution.

That aside, the ability to even use bump offers on your checkout is something that not all shopping cart software supports, so that gets a big tick from me.

A close cousin of the bump offer is the one-click upsell, and this feature alone can seriously move on the needle on your average cart order value if the tech is in place.

Fortunately, ThriveCart really gets the importance of one-click upsells.

Despite the upsell showing AFTER the initial purchase, you can still apply granular, independent rules to your offer.

These include different payment models like a one-time fee or subscription, optional product quantity settings, and even the ability to add a trial to specifically to your upsell offer.

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about affiliate management.

You’ll be pleased to know that it also has an entire affiliate suite directly built into the cart, and it’s just as full-featured as most dedicated affiliate software out there.

The first thing you’ll notice about this is the reporting dashboard, which, like the rest of ThriveCart’s reporting is clean, easy to read and offers a myriad of data to sift through.

As you delve into the other 4 tabs — Payouts, Affiliates, Product Options and Rules — you’ll find options that allow you to have even more granular control over your affiliates and their payout settings.

I mean seriously, you can even set custom commissions for individual affiliates, as well as make them a second-tier affiliate to reward them for sales made by people they’ve referred.

Crazy stuff.

VerdictThis is where most of ThriveCart’s impressive feature list comes into play, and whether it’s bump offers, upsells or payment plans, you really couldn’t ask for more when it comes to pushing profits

IntegrationsWhen it comes to shopping carts, being able to make them properly integrate with the rest of your tech setup is essential.

And more so than almost any other aspect of your business, it’s often the depth integration (or lack thereof) that can be the deciding factor.

ThriveCart isn’t shy about flaunting their list of integrations, which is actually quite extensive considering the little time they’ve been around, relatively speaking.

Most of their integrations currently lie under email marketing, which covers the more popular email providers including Mailchimp, Drip, ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.

The membership integrations aren’t too far behind either, with the likes of WishList Member, MemberMouse and Teachable making the list.

While these are perhaps two of the most important areas of integration for ThriveCart customers, the rest of the categories do feel a little bare in comparison.

For example, there’s one one service listed under the ‘Webinar Integrations’, and I can’t say it’s one of the better known platforms.

On the bright side, ThriveCart is supported by Zapier which effectively gives you possible integrations with hundreds of other apps in Zapier’s ever-growing library.

Unlike some other shopping carts, ThriveCart places a ton of emphasis on deep integration, meaning you get more flexibility and control over how these apps talk to each other.

Surprisingly, this is even carried through to Zapier…

The developers clearly understand what their customers need when it comes to stack integrations, and I have no doubt their list of supported apps will steadily continue to grow.

VerdictWhile ThriveCart doesn’t have the most extensive list of integrations, the quality and speed of implementation of those integrations are nothing to laugh at. Zapier is also supported.

SupportYour shopping cart has one of the most important roles in your business.

Any roadblocks that may arise, whether that’s understanding how to use the software, potential technical challenges or even unscheduled downtime, you need to have the appropriate support lines in place.

For the issues that won’t give you heart palpitations, ThriveCart’s documentation is packed with detailed support articles and how-to’s.

It’s all pretty elementary stuff, but it’s useful if you’re not familiar with how shopping carts work.

One of my favourite things about ThriveCart, however, is that the user interface is an absolute dream to navigate.

Everything is where you expect it to be.

Everything behaves the way you expect it to behave.

It just…. works.

For that reason, you’ll probably find that these low-level issues hardly arise, but if they do, the documentation is there to pick you up.

So what happens in more urgent situations?

Who can you call on in the middle of a big launch when you need immediate assistance?

Unfortunately, the tool doesn’t currently have a direct line of communication, such as phone support or live chat.

In fact, if you want a direct line of support with an agent, you’ll need to submit a ticket.

Not ideal for emergencies as it can take up to 24 hours… and that doesn’t even include weekends.

The only remaining line of support, and the one saving grace from all this is the Facebook group.

This is an official, engaged group with close to 5k members, and the developers actively reply to member queries as well.

Between the ticket system and the Facebook group, you shouldn’t go more than a few hours without someone chiming in to offer a hand — but it’s not quite enough when the unimaginable happens.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend in the shopping cart industry, with very few companies offering any immediate line of support.

Verdict​Thorough documentation, fast ticket response and an active Facebook community group. No emergency contact such as live chat or phone support, however.

ThriveCart PricingTo get the tool you’ll need to pay for a lifetime subscription:

For many, this lifetime offer is still a pretty significant amount of money despite what a shopping cart can do for your bottom line.

That aside, let’s look at how other shopping carts are priced, so you can get a better idea of where this tool currently sits in the market.

| Shopping Cart | Free Plan | Trial | Refund | Low End Cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | No | 14 days | 45 days | $99/month | | | No | No | 30 days | $495 (one time) | | | No | 14 days | 30 days | $29/month | | | No | 30 days | No? | $9/month | | | Yes | 14 days | No? | $240 p/m |

Note: the pricing above reflects the lowest tier monthly plan for each of the shopping carts, and should not be seen as a direct comparison since the features and limitations vary a lot from cart-to-cart.

Is ThriveCart Right For You?Now that I’ve covered all the different features and functions of ThriveCart, weighing up the pros and cons and giving my experience along the way — let’s talk about YOU.

As with any tool, this one isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone, so I’d like to get to the bottom of who exactly this page builder is suitable for.

Can ThriveCart Be Used To Sell Digital Products?Hell yes.

Everything about ThriveCart feels like it was built specifically to sell digital products.

You’ve got access to deep email marketing integrations to automate the delivery of anything from email sequences, ebooks and videos.

You’ve got powerful built-in affiliate management software to get other marketers and bloggers shouting about your product.

And of course, you’ve got bump offers and upsells which work GREAT for digital products in particular.

The only downside?

ThriveCart doesn’t actually host things like PDF’s and video files, whereas something like Gumroad has all that built in.

Aside from that, ThriveCart is your wet dream when it comes to selling digital products.

Can ThriveCart Be Used To Sell Physical Products?It depends.

If you’re selling a handful of products with simple checkout pages and can benefit from how easy to use it is, you can certainly set them up in ThriveCart with their own dedicated checkout links.

If you have a large variety of physical products, however, things get a bit more complicated.

ThriveCart will never be a Shopify or WooCommerce alternative, though it is possible to use something like WooCommerce to display your physical products, but have them link up to their own ThriveCart checkout page, or shopping cart. However, this is not a Thrivecart vs Shopify article, so let’s keep talking about our review.

You’ll also need to account for details like product options, sizes and colors, which ThriveCart currently doesn’t support

One workaround is to use custom fields, which will ultimately appear on your sales notification and the order receipt.

It’s a little messy, but it works. As long as you use the legacy product templates.

Overall, while there’s currently a few minor inconveniences to using ThriveCart for physical products it’s also good to know the team are working hard to iron these out.

Can ThriveCart Be Used To Sell Services?Again, it depends.

ThriveCart doesn’t feel very tailored for services, but it is possible to bill clients by setting up service packages under “products”. It really just comes down to how you name them, and the shopping cart and checkout pages work all the same.

Another option is to set up a ‘pay what you want’ checkout page, where clients can input the amount you’ve quoted in the checkout page, after they’ve filled their shopping cart.

It’s not perfect, but it works.

The invoicing within ThriveCart is also pretty basic, and it isn’t set up in the way that service-based businesses would typically expect to use them:

It’s not all bad news.

The great thing about using ThriveCart to sell services is that you still benefit from many of the built-in features, including automatic sales tax calculation, upsells, recurring billing, one time fees, an easy to use interface and other details.

Overall, while it can technically be used to sell services, I still think there are some improvements to be made before I can consider it one of the better options out there.

ThriveCart Review: ConclusionThriveCart has blinked on my radar countless times over the past year, which is why I was especially excited to to see what this bad boy could do.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Despite being one of the newer carts on the market, and despite not even being publically released yet, ThriveCart is already a very worthy contender for the top spot.

If you’d like to see exactly how ThriveCart compared against 5 other popular carts, click here to read the full roundup.

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Women’s health affiliate programs are a fantastic choice if you’re seeking an affiliate niche with mass appeal.

Just under half (49.7%, to be precise) of the world’s population is female. And they like to be healthy. So it’s no surprise the global market for women’s health products and services is expected to reach $58 billion by 2030.

On average, American women spend $124 a month on their beauty, fitness, and wellness routines — with about one-third of that sum going toward health and wellness products.

Within the health and wellness category, the top three purchases are:

  • Sleep aids
  • Mental healthcare
  • Bodywork

But there are countless other categories within the women’s health niche, from nutritional supplements to gut health and weight loss products, offering affiliate marketers plenty of ways to earn money online.

To help you promote high-quality personal care, wellness, and beauty products, we’ve rounded up the best women’s health programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingWomen’s Health Affiliate Programs1. Pink Lotus Elements 2. Femallay 3. Cora 4. Intimate Wellness Shop 5. Ladykind 6. Womaness 7. Fairhaven Health 8. August 9. Root’d

1 Pink Lotus ElementsPink Lotus Elements is an online store specializing in women’s health and breast cancer products, covering everything from menopause relief to headwear covers for hair loss.

The website ships to 30+ countries, including the ​​US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe. It has won recommendations from high-profile publishers such as Entrepreneur, Health, and Viva.

Pink Lotus has an in-house affiliate program that pays a proportion of the lifetime monetary value of any new customers you refer. In other words, every time your referred customer buys a product or orders a subscription, you earn a cut.

Commissions are tiered based on sales volume, starting at 10% and climbing to 30% per sale.

Commissions payments are processed quarterly and sent via PayPal between the 5-10th day of January, April, July, and October.

All interested affiliate marketers are invited to apply — whether they have an active email list, a website, or a social media following (or even if they’re planning to build one).

  • URL: Pink Lotus affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 30% lifetime commissions
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Women’s health and breast cancer products
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Various

2 FemallayFemallay is an online feminine wellness shop that sells holistic and toxin-free women’s wellness products.

Top sellers include cloth pads, menstrual cups, and vaginal suppositories made from premium butters and botanical oils. It also stocks a range of organic teas to boost health, balance hormones, and give the immune system a helping hand.

Femallay’s affiliate program is managed through the Refersion network. It offers a generous 90-day cookie window and pays a flat 15% commission for all sales. Affiliates are paid on the first of every month for sales generated in the previous month.

The program is open to all types of affiliates, including bloggers and vloggers in the wellness space, micro-influencers, and anyone else with interest in women’s health.

  • URL: Femallay affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: XX
  • Payment methods: Refersion Pay
  • Market(s): Global

3 CoraCora is a women’s health company that sells tampons, pads, bladder lines, cups, and body cloths — all of which are made from natural ingredients containing no harmful toxins.

Customers can buy Cora products on a one-off basis or save money by choosing a subscription. For every purchase, Cora donates pads and health education to girls in need.

Cora pays a standard $5 CPA on all sales originating from your affiliate link, although higher rates are available to top performers.

The brand offers various tools and resources to help you drive clicks and sales, including text links, a happiness guarantee, and a 15% discount for new customers.

Before you apply, be aware that Cora prefers to partner with modern publishers that attract Millennial audiences interested in premium products.

  • URL: Cora affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $5 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 10 days
  • Products/Services sold: Period care, bladder care, and body care products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US only

4 Intimate Wellness ShopIntimate Wellness Shop is an online store selling sexual care products for women with difficult (or disappointing) intimate lives.

The company is owned and run by female obstetrician-gynecologists with 30+ years of healthcare experience. Popular products include fertility lubricants, vibrators, and nutritional supplements.

Intimate Wellness Shop offers affiliates a 30-day cookie window and a standard 10% commission on all sales, with an opportunity for higher rewards based on performance.

Health affiliate partners can leverage various marketing tools, including custom promotional codes, a regular affiliate email newsletter, high-quality banner ads, and early access to new releases.

Approved affiliates can also request free product samples. Sign up for the program through Awin.

  • URL: Intimate Wellness Shop affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sexual health and wellness products
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

5 Ladykind Ladykind is a CBD brand that carries products designed to support women’s health, from relieving period cramps to boosting energy. It offers free shipping on orders of $50+.

The company’s broad-spectrum hemp oil is THC-free and contains 500 mg of CBD and CBG cannabinoids. Customers new to the world of CBD can request a consultation from Ladykind’s in-house experts to help them find the right product.

Want to promote Ladykind? Sign up for its program on the ShareASale network to receive a 30-day cookie window and a generous 20% commission on all sales.

Affiliates can leverage various tools and resources, including pre-made banner ads and a 20% discount code for new customers.

(Like the sound of Ladykind? Find similar brands in our roundup of the best CBD affiliate programs.)

  • URL: Ladykind affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: CBD products for women
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

6 WomanessWomaness describes itself as a “high-performance collection of modern menopause products” created by women for women.

Its catalog includes skin care kits, dietary supplements, and sexual health and feminine care products — all of which are vegan, cruelty-free, and contain no estrogen or added hormones. US customers get free shipping on orders of $40+.

Promote Womaness through its program on the ShareASale network, which offers a 30-day cookie life and a 5% commission rate. ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures show an average order value of $58.28, an EPC of $48.42, and an excellent 8.16% conversion rate.

Womaness affiliates can access pre-made creatives, a data feed, and regular coupons and deals.

  • URL: Womaness affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Menopause, wellness, skin care, body care
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 Fairhaven HealthFairhaven Health is a company offering products that assist with fertility issues, support healthy pregnancies, and generally help women lead healthy lives.

Its range includes fertility lubricants, nursing pads, and basal thermometers from brands like Peapod, FertilAid, and Fairhaven subsidiaries Milkies and BellyRest. Fairhaven offers free first-class US shipping on orders over $35 and free two-day US shipping on $69+ orders.

As a women’s health affiliate, you’ll earn a flat 15% commission on all sales referred to Fairhaven within the 30-day cookie window.

Figures from ShareASale show there’s a strong chance your traffic will convert, with the site boasting a superb 10.96% conversion rate. It has an average order of nearly $90 and a 30-day EPC of $137.80.

Fairhaven provides various marketing tools, including affiliate newsletters, a data feed, and pre-made creatives. Product samples, promotional giveaways, brochures, and coupon codes are available on request.

  • URL: Fairhaven Health affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Natural fertility, pregnancy, and nursing products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

8 AugustAugust is a direct-to-consumer company selling subscription boxes of sustainable period products, including tampons, pads, and liners. It offers free shipping on orders over $35.

All August pads and tampons are biodegradable and decompose in 6 – 12 months, compared to 5 – 8 centuries for standard disposable period products. The company donates products to an underserved school for every purchase placed.

August is one of several women’s health affiliate programs on the ShareASale network. Its program pays a flat 10% commission and offers a generous 90-day cookie window.

ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures show an average basket of $26.70, an EPC of $33.06, and a sky-high 12.38% conversion rate. That means roughly one in eight website visitors place an order.

August provides text links and high-quality creatives to help you convert clicks into sales.

  • URL: August affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Sustainable period products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

9 Root’dRoot’d sells multivitamin drinks for women and moms-to-be (and also men). Its products contain a blend of probiotics, enzymes, hydrating electrolytes, and organic greens — designed to help the body absorb nutrients quickly.

The company is committed to sustainability and contributes to various environmental causes, including One Tree Planted and The Ocean Cleanup Project.

Root’d offers a generous 17% commission rate on all sales and a cookie life of 45 days. According to ShareASale, the website boasts an average order value of almost $38, a 30-day EPC of $27, and a respectable 4.2% conversion rate.

Affiliate partners can leverage various promotional resources, including banners, text links, coupons, and a monthly affiliate newsletter containing the latest program updates.

Root’d also employs a dedicated affiliate manager to support your campaigns.

  • URL: Root’d affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 17% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Multivitamin drinks
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionAs you can see, there are tons of popular women’s health affiliate programs that pay you for promoting high-quality dietary supplements, personal care products, and more.

But there are no guarantees in affiliate marketing.

If you’re going to succeed, your first step is to launch your own website. That way, you can build a reliable stream of traffic, clicks, sales, and commissions.

We’re not going to lie: building an affiliate site takes time and effort. But we can help.

Sign up for our free training today to learn seven tips for launching and optimizing affiliate websites — including one sneaky way to steal your competitors’ top keywords!

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Fear is a powerful motivator. That’s why self-defense affiliate programs are such an attractive niche.

Think about it: no one wants to get attacked in the street or have their home burglarized. It’s a relatively rational fear, with over one million burglaries reported in the US every year.

To guard against those sorts of incidents, we might invest in home security products, buy protective gear, or sign up for self-defense courses. This explains why the global self-defense industry is expected to be worth $4.5 billion by 2030.

Want to help your audience find the best self-defense brands? Understand the different types of safety gear and self-defense products on the market? Use your knowledge to earn money online with these high-quality self-defense affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingSelf-Defense Affiliate Programs1. The Home Security Superstore 2. Real Self-Defense 3. Learn Self-Defense 4. The Self-Defense Company 5. TASER Self-Defense 6. Personal Defense Network 7. Byrna 8. Olight 9. Wonder Hoodie 10. Unbreakable Umbrella 11. Gorilla Ammunition

1 The Home Security SuperstoreThe Home Security Superstore sells products across six categories of personal well-being — security, self-defense, surveillance, spy, safety, and survival.

It stocks a comprehensive selection of self-defense weapons, including keychain weapons and tactical pens. The store also carries products from big brands like TASER.

Home Security Superstore customers get free same-day shipping, unlimited live product support, and a 90-day, any-reason money-back guarantee.

The retailer’s self-defense affiliate program is available through Refersion. It pays a flat 10% commission for all sales originating from your image or text links within the 60-day cookie window. Refersion’s figures show an average EPC of $168.06, so there’s strong earning potential here.

The Home Security Superstore provides various marketing tools and opportunities, including the chance to be featured on the company’s social platforms or email list.

The program is open to affiliates who have websites, social media pages, or podcasts with relevant, established followings and high-quality content.

  • URL: The Home Security Superstore affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per purchase
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Survival gear, safety & home security products, surveillance & spy equipment
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

2 Real Self-DefenseReal Self-Defense is a website offering user-friendly information and violence response training methods to equip visitors with the mental and physical skills required to defend themselves.

It also sells a small selection of self-defense products and training materials, including the own-brand Unbreakable Umbrella — a functional umbrella that “whacks just as strong as a steel pipe” (their words, not ours).

The umbrella can be legally carried anywhere and is made from lightweight materials, making it a highly convenient and unobtrusive self-defense aid.

Sign up for the Real Self-Defense affiliate program via a simple onsite form. Once approved, you’ll earn a flat 10% commission on all sales that close within the 30-day cookie period.

  • URL: Real Self-Defense affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Defense gear & training
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

3 Learn Self-DefenseLearn Self-Defense sells a self-defense training program developed by Pete Canavan, who has studied and taught traditional martial arts for 20+ years.

Pete’s methods are centered on a comprehensive book and an online video companion, packed with images and information to help students learn hand-to-hand self-defense and survival techniques.

The Learn Self-Defense affiliate program is available through ClickBank and pays a generous 60% commission on all sales, including upsells, recurring memberships, offers, and bonuses. Affiliates can expect to earn commissions of over $16 from an average sale.

Once approved for the program, you’ll access various affiliate resources, including banner ads, product graphics, and pre-written marketing emails.

  • URL: Learn Self-Defense affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 60% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Self-defense courses
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

4 The Self-Defense CompanyThe Self-Defense Company website offers tactical self-defense training and tips from elite experts.

Company founder Damian Ross is a fourth-degree black belt in tekken ryu jujutsu, a second-degree black belt in judo, and a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do — so he clearly knows what he’s talking about.

The Self-Defense Company has helped tens of thousands of people learn to defend themselves, regardless of age, size, or gender. It offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all training materials.

Sign up for The Self-Defense Company’s affiliate program to earn bounty payments of up to $100 per purchase.

Self-Defense Company affiliates can leverage various marketing tools and resources, including a pre-written email series, videos, and other creative assets.

  • URL: The Self-Defense Company affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $100 per purchase
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Self-defense training
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

5 TASER Self-Defense TASER Self-Defense has become the industry standard for less-lethal self-defense weapons, with its products used by civilians, police officers, and the military. Customers get free shipping on orders of $100+.

The brand is owned by Axon Law Enforcement, which offers a vast selection of self-defense solutions, training, and products.

Find TASER’s affiliate program on the Avantlink network. It offers a 30-day cookie window and pays a flat 7% commission on all sales.

TASER is happy to work with affiliates and influencers across several verticals, including outdoor adventure, parenting, lifestyle, personal safety, and more.

Approved affiliates get access to various marketing resources, including product data feeds and banner ads.

  • URL: TASER Self-Defense affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Stun guns & other TASER devices
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

6 Personal Defense NetworkPersonal Defense Network provides various self-defense training materials, including downloadable videos, books, DVDs, and personal defense classes.

Products can be purchased on a one-off basis or accessed at a discount through a Personal Defense Network membership, priced at $88 per year.

Sign up for Personal Defense Network’s affiliate program through the ShareASale network. It offers a 60-day cookie window and pays commissions of up to 15% per purchase, although new affiliates earn double commissions for their first 30 days in the program.

ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures show an average order value of $18.84, an EPC of $8.25, and a strong 6.82% conversion rate.

Once you’ve got your ShareASale affiliate account, you’ll get access to various Personal Defense Network assets, including banner ads, data feeds, and coupons and deals. The brand also shares regular affiliate newsletters containing the latest promotions.

  • URL: Personal Defense Network affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 6% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Self-defense training materials
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 ByrnaByrna is the maker of the Byrna SD, a CO2-powered non-lethal personal security device for consumers, private security professionals, and law enforcement.

The Byrna SD works a little like pepper spray. However, whereas pepper sprays only offer an effective range of 10 feet, the Byrna SD is effective up to 60 feet. The company ships all product orders within five business days.

Want to promote Byrna’s products? Sign up for its affiliate program on CJ Affiliate, offering a 15-day cookie window and a 2% commission rate. That might sound stingy, but CJ’s figures show an impressive three-month EPC of over $110, so there’s plenty of money-making potential here.

Approved affiliates can earn more through individual and promotional performance incentives, while the brand also offers regular promo codes and special offers.

  • URL: Byrna affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Self-defense weapons
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

8 OlightOlight makes high-end flashlights for various fields, including camping, hiking, and everyday carrying. It also sells a range of tactical flashlights and weapon lights for self-defense purposes.

The company has earned over 1,000 certifications and patents and has built a base of 1.3+ million loyal customers worldwide.

To promote Olight’s products, sign up for its affiliate program through ShareASale. It offers a 30-day cookie window and a 10% commission rate.

The program offers strong earning potential, with ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures showing an average order value of $96, an EPC of almost $100, and an impressive 12.6% conversion rate.

Olight offers a wealth of marketing resources, including creative assets, a data feed, regular deals and coupons, and an affiliate newsletter. It also employs a dedicated affiliate manager to help optimize your campaign performance.

Approved affiliates can also access free product samples.

  • URL: Olight affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tactical gear, flashlights, outdoor tools
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

9 Wonder HoodieWonder Hoodie claims to have created the world’s first bulletproof hoodie, capable of protecting the wearer’s head and torso from threats (while also helping them look pretty damn stylish).

The brand’s self-defense products are made in the US and range in price from $150 – $800. For every 10 hoodies it sells, the company donates one bulletproof vest to a school teacher.

Wonder Hoodie’s affiliate program is managed through ShareASale and pays a flat 8% commission, with a 90-day cookie window.

ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average sale of $460, meaning affiliates earn commissions of approximately $37 per sale.

However, Wonder Hoodie says its average basket is around $650, with most customers ordering two products at a time: one for themselves and another for a loved one.

  • URL: Wonder Hoodie affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Bulletproof clothing
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

10 Unbreakable UmbrellaAs you’ll recall from earlier in this article, the Unbreakable Umbrella is sold by the people behind Real Self-Defense.

Despite its lightweight design, the umbrella supposedly offers unrivaled strength, making it an effective self-defense weapon while protecting users against the elements. And because it’s an umbrella, you can take it anywhere — even places where “traditional” weapons are forbidden (like airports).

The Unbreakable Umbrella affiliate program pays commissions of up to 10% per purchase and has a 30-day cookie window.

The program is managed in-house, with signups collected through a simple onsite form. You must have a website to apply.

  • URL: Unbreakable Umbrella affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Self-defense weapons
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

11 Gorilla AmmunitionGorilla Ammunition manufactures and sells firearms, components, and ammunition for training, hunting, self-defense, and target shooting.

The company is one of the few ammo manufacturers with an in-house ballistics lab, helping it produce ammunition with the industry’s lowest standard deviation in muzzle velocity. Its products are made in the US.

Promote Gorilla Ammunition via its affiliate program on the AvantLink network. Affiliates earn money on every referred sale, with the program offering a 2.5% commission rate and a 30-day cookie window.

Gorilla Ammunition boasts an average order size of $150 on ammunition purchases, although its products range in price from $5 – $3,000.

The brand provides various marketing assets, including regular sales promotions and high-quality creatives produced by an on-staff graphic designer. It also employs a full-time affiliate manager to share new materials and information to support your campaigns.

Gorilla primarily works with affiliates who own a website or blog related to ammunition, firearms, or online shopping.

  • URL: Gorilla Ammunition affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2.5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: XX
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionThe self-defense industry is a fantastic affiliate niche because people will always be interested in protecting themselves, their loved ones, and their property.

But it’s not a license to print money. To make money, you need to find the best self-defense affiliate programs, promote quality products, and build a reliable stream of traffic, clicks, and conversions.

From our experience, building your own website is the best route to success. It takes time and effort — but we’re here to help.

Just sign up for our free training to learn seven tricks of the trade for launching high-performing affiliate sites, including one fantastic tip for stealing your competitors’ best keywords!

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Basketball affiliate programs are a slam dunk for sports fans looking for a valuable source of passive income.

The global market for basketball gear was valued at over $803 million in 2021 — and it’s expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 4.4% from 2022 – 2030.

Given the size of the audience, that’s hardly surprising. Basketball is America’s second-most-followed sport, with 56.6% of US sports fans looking out for their favorite teams and players.

Pleasingly for affiliate marketers, those fans are happy to invest in their passion. A September 2022 LendingTree survey revealed that 38% of Americans planned to spend money on basketball in the coming fall, including:

  • Tickets for live games
  • Merchandise
  • Sports betting
  • Streaming packages
  • Fantasy sports

So there’s a huge audience to tap into and multiple potential revenue streams. No wonder basketball affiliate programs are so popular!

Ready to get started as a basketball affiliate? Check out our data-driven breakdown of the best affiliate programs in the basketball niche:

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingBasketball Affiliate Programs1. DICK’S Sporting Goods 2. Wilson 3. Nike 4. Under Armour 5. Way of Wade 6. Fanatics.com 7. NBA Store 8. Team Express 9. Vert Shock 10. The Jump Manual

1 DICK’S Sporting Goods DICK’S Sporting Goods started as a single fishing tackle shop in upstate New York before growing into America’s largest sporting goods retailer, with 850+ physical stores and annual revenues of over $12 billion in 2022.

The company stocks a huge range of sporting products, including sports equipment, footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Sign up for the retailer’s affiliate program through Impact Radius. DICK’S offers a three-day cookie window and pays a flat 2% commission on orders of 15 items or fewer — so bulk purchases and existing customer sales are non-commissionable. According to Impact, the program has a 30-day EPC of $0.11.

DICK’S provide affiliates with various marketing tools and resources, including exclusive promo codes and a detailed product catalog. It also supports deep linking to specific category and product pages.

The retailer is open to working with influencers, so this could be the perfect basketball affiliate program if you’ve got a large social media following.

  • URL: DICK’S Sporting Goods affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 3 days
  • Products/Services sold: Athletic equipment, apparel, footwear, accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, Wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Market(s): US only

2 WilsonWilson is one of the world’s top basketball brands. It was chosen as the official supplier of NBA balls ahead of the 2021-22 season, reigniting a partnership dating back to 1946.

As an official NBA store, Wilson sells products from all 30 franchises and stocks a wide range of WNBA merchandise.

Away from the professional game, the brand sells a host of basketball-related products, including game balls, bags, and training equipment. US customers get free shipping on orders over $50.

Wilson’s affiliate program is available through Impact Radius and FlexOffers. The most attractive terms can be found via Impact, with an 8% commission rate and a 30-day cookie window.

Whichever affiliate network you choose, you’ll be able to access various promotional resources, including unique promo codes and deep linking.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | 8% | 30 days | US, UK, FR, DE, ES, IT | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 6.4% | 30 days | – | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: NBA & WNBA merchandise, basketballs, training equipment, accessories

3 NikeNike is one of the world’s top brands, reaching customers in 160+ countries and generating over seven million monthly website visits.

The Nike website features hundreds of basketball products, including shoes, apparel, and equipment. Loyalty program members enjoy free shipping and 30-day returns.

Find Nike’s affiliate program on FlexOffers and CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction).

Both networks offer a seven-day cookie window, but the commission rates vary from a flat 1% on CJ to 0.8% – 4.8% on FlexOffers. According to CJ Affiliate, the program has a three-month EPC of $35+, so there’s plenty of earning potential here.

Nike offers a great range of marketing resources, including text links, banner ads, logos, and a product data feed. As an affiliate partner, you can also access sneak peeks on product launches, regular newsletters, and support from a dedicated affiliate team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 1% | 7 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.8% – 4.8% | 7 days | – | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Basketball shoes, apparel, equipment

4 Under ArmourUnder Armour is an American sports equipment brand that sells a range of basketball gear for men, women, and kids — including footwear, apparel, accessories, and equipment.

The company has superb brand recognition, thanks partly to high-profile collaborations with big names like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Tom Brady. Customers get free US shipping on $99+ orders and free returns.

Under Armour’s affiliate program, managed through Awin, offers a 30-day cookie window and a flat 5% commission on all sales originating from your affiliate link. With an average order value of $100, expect to earn around $5 per sale.

Unlike many other programs, Under Armour even pays commissions on self-referrals.

The brand offers various marketing materials and resources, including a regularly updated data feed, a vast library of banner and text creatives, and frequent updates on new products, promotions, and technologies.

  • URL: Under Armour affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Basketball footwear, apparel, accessories, equipment
  • Payment methods: BACS, international wire transfer, ACH

5 Way of Wade Way of Wade is a partnership between Chinese sports brand Li Ning and former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade. Launched in 2012, the brand is best known for its basketball shoes, which are popular with professional players in the NBA, Japan, and Germany.

The online sports store releases new drops every month, with shoes ranging from $120 – $255 and an average order value of $230.

Way of Wade’s basketball affiliate program is available through CJ Affiliate. It has a flat 3% commission per sale, a 15-day cookie window, and a three-month EPC of $14.91.

Like all the best affiliate partnerships, Way of Wade offers various perks and resources to basketball affiliates, including monthly updates on the latest releases and newsletters containing new promotions. Affiliates can also access free sneakers and clothing.

  • URL: Way of Wade affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Basketball shoes, clothing, accessories
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Various

6 Fanatics.com Fanatics.com is an official online shop for various sporting series, including the NBA. The online business stocks a vast selection of jerseys, shirts, hats, sports memorabilia, and collectibles, with a catalog of over 500,000 products.

The website makes a big deal of understanding what fans want. It even offers “jersey protection,” allowing fans to swap their jersey if their favorite player gets traded or changes teams.

Promote Fanatics by signing up for its affiliate program on the Impact network. It offers a seven-day cookie window and an 8% commission on sales of most products, rising to 15% for select soccer merchandise. According to Impact, the site boasts a 30-day EPC of $0.34.

Fanatics affiliates can take advantage of various marketing resources, including unique promotional codes and deep-linking to specific pages, which can help to improve conversion rates.

  • URL: Fanatics affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Officially licensed NBA merchandise, sports collectibles, sports memorabilia, fan gear
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, Wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Market(s): Global

7 NBA StoreAs the name suggests, NBA Store is the official store for the NBA (as well as the WNBA and D-League).

The website is operated by Fanatics and delivers to customers in 180+ countries, with 12 dedicated local language stores and multilingual call centers providing support in 11 languages.

Want to start promoting the official NBA Store affiliate program? Sign up through the Impact Network. It pays a flat 8% commission and offers a 30-day cookie window, with Impact reporting a 30-day EPC of $0.10.

NBA Store affiliates can leverage a wealth of promotional resources, including a detailed product catalog, unique promo code tracking, and high-quality product ads.

  • URL: NBA Store affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: NBA jerseys, T-shirts, headwear, footwear, accessories, retro kit
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, Wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Market(s): US, CA, MX

8 Team ExpressTeam Express sells athletic equipment, footwear, and apparel via its website, Texas-based retail store, and Team Express catalogs.

The retailer’s basketball range includes 500+ products across various categories, including footwear, apparel, uniforms, and equipment. Customers receive free standard shipping within the contiguous US for all orders of $99+.

Sign up for the Team Express affiliate program through Avantlink. It offers a 30-day cookie window and pays a flat 5% commission on all sales. With an average order value of over $100, you could earn $5+ per sale.

To help you out, Team Express provides various marketing materials, including affiliate-only offers and frequent discount codes.

  • URL: Team Express affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Athletic equipment, footwear, apparel
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit/ACH, wire transfer, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

9 Vert ShockVert Shock is a basketball training program developed by former NCAA Division I basketball player Adam Folker.

Through a series of training videos and techniques, Vert Shock claims to help ballers increase their vertical leap by 9 – 15+ inches in less than eight weeks. More than 20,000 people have signed up for the program, and there are some fantastic testimonial videos on the website to help boost conversions.

Vert Shock’s affiliate program is available through ClickBank and FlexOffers, paying commissions of up to 75% per sale. With access to the complete Vert Shock program costing $67, expect to earn approximately $50 per conversion. It also offers a one-click upsell to boost your sales value and commissions.

Vert Shock has a high-converting website, partly thanks to its sales pipeline. Any leads you refer will be sent follow-up emails to help close the deal.

The company also offers a wealth of promotional resources, including banner ads, text links, email swipes, and an engaged affiliate team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | ClickBank | 75% | – | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 60% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Basketball training aids

10 The Jump ManualThe Jump Manual is another online basketball training program designed to help customers boost their dunking skills.

The brainchild of vertical jump specialist Jacob Hiller, The Jump Manual claims to increase members’ vertical leaps by 10+ inches in just 12 weeks through a series of coaching videos and science-backed techniques.

Like Vert Shock, The Jump Manual’s affiliate program is available through ClickBank and pays a generous 75% commission per sale, with a 55-day cookie window. With the course currently priced at $97, expect to earn approximately $73 per sale.

Affiliate partners can increase their earnings through upsell opportunities and recurring billing.

  • URL: The Jump Manual affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 75% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 55 days
  • Products/Services sold: Instructional videos
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

ConclusionThere are tons of solid basketball affiliate programs. But you’re only interested in the best of the best.

That’s why we took the time to review 15 of the biggest basketball affiliate sites — including ​​The Hoops Geek, Hoopsbeast, Interbasket, and Dunk or Three — to see which programs they promote. All those sites, and lots more besides, are making big money from the basketball affiliate programs in this article.

Want to do the same? The first step is to build your own sports-related website to generate traffic, clicks, sales, and commissions. It takes time — but we can help.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven best practices for building and optimizing a high-performing affiliate site, including one fantastic tip for stealing your competitors’ best keywords!

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Baseball affiliate programs are an absolute home run if you want to turn your passion for sports into passive income.

Turns out there’s a whole lot of money in the baseball niche. To give one example, the global baseball apparel market is expected to be worth over $614 million in 2023 — and is set to reach $850 million over the next decade.

Unsurprisingly, much of that revenue stems from the US, where baseball is the third-most-followed sport:

They don’t just watch baseball — they spend money in the process. According to a September 2022 LendingTree survey, one in four Americans planned some sort of baseball-related expenditure in the coming fall, with top expenses including:

  • Game tickets
  • Baseball merchandise
  • Sports betting
  • Baseball streaming packages
  • Fantasy baseball

And fandom is only one route to earning commissions as a baseball affiliate. Over 15 million Americans aged 6+ play baseball. Those people need to buy all kinds of baseball gear, from apparel and footwear to bats and gloves.

Ready to enter the affiliate marketing big leagues? Read on for our data-backed roundup of the best baseball affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingBaseball Affiliate Programs1. X Bats 2. MLB Shop 3. B45 Baseball 4. Baseball Savings 5. No Errors Sports 6. Hitting Performance Lab 7. Baseball Monkey 8. Wilson 9. Fanatics.com 10. JustBats 11. DICK’S Sporting Goods

1 X BatsX Bats is one of the biggest names in the wood bat product category, focusing solely on manufacturing professional-grade maple, birch, and ash baseball and softball bats.

The company has created custom bats for 300+ Major League Baseball (MLB) hitters. It guarantees to use the same quality wood billets for “everyday customers” as it does for the pros.

X Bats runs an in-house baseball affiliate program. It pays a flat 10% commission on all sales originating from your affiliate links within 90 days — a longer cookie window than most other partner programs.

Signing up for the program takes less than a minute via a simple online form. Once registered, you can immediately paste your unique affiliate link onto your website to start generating clicks and sales.

To help you out, X Bats provides all the resources you need, including suggested copy, HTML code, and premade banners.

  • URL: X Bats affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Popular wood bats, apparel, accessories
  • Payment methods: Check
  • Market(s): Unlisted

2 MLB ShopAs the name suggests, MLB Shop is the official MLB store, selling merchandise from all 30 American League and National League teams. It also stocks a wealth of team-specific memorabilia and collectibles, including hundreds of game-used items.

The site offers a simple, hassle-free returns policy, allowing customers to request a full refund within 100 days of the product’s shipping date.

Sign up for the MLB Shop affiliate program via Impact Radius. It offers a seven-day cookie window and a flat 8% commission rate.

Affiliates can leverage various marketing tools and resources, including a detailed product catalog, exclusive promotional opportunities, and deep linking to specific products and category pages.

  • URL: MLBShop affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Official Major League Baseball merchandise, baseball collectibles & memorabilia
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, direct deposit, wire transfer, ACH
  • Market(s): US, CA, MX

3 B45 BaseballB45 Baseball is a pioneer in yellow birch baseball bats. We’re no experts, but B45 says yellow birch offers various benefits for baseball hitters, with superb hardness and flexibility leading to a significantly lower breakage rate than standard bats.

The company has fantastic brand recognition thanks to high-profile relationships with a host of MLB stars, including Eduardo Escobar, Ketel Marte, and Ender Inciarte.

Find B45’s baseball affiliate program through Affiliatly. It pays a 10% commission on all sales, with commission payments issued via PayPal on the last day of each month.

  • URL: B45 Baseball affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Popular wood bats, gloves, baseball gear
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

4 Baseball SavingsBaseball Savings is an online store owned by The Golf Warehouse that sells thousands of baseball-related products from top brands like Easton, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno, and Nike.

The website also stocks a great selection of NCAA and MLB apparel. Customers get free shipping on orders over $99.

The Baseball Savings affiliate program, managed through CJ Affiliate, offers a one-day cookie window and a default 1% commission rate per purchase.

That stacks up poorly against most other partner programs in the baseball niche — but with CJ Affiliate reporting a three-month EPC of $39.54, there’s clearly money to be made here.

To help you out, Baseball Savings provides access to a daily product catalog and a dedicated affiliate program management team.

  • URL: Baseball Savings affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Baseball equipment, baseball gear
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

5 No Errors Sports No Errors Sports started in 2004 with a mission to design and manufacture baseball and softball bags offering more features, durability, and aesthetic appeal than the competition. Since then, the brand has branched out into other baseball categories, including gloves and apparel.

Most No Errors products carry a one-year warranty. The company also offers a 15% discount on orders of 12+ bags, provided at least 10 are the same design and color.

No Errors runs an in-house affiliate program. To join, just type your email into the form on the No Errors affiliate landing page.

The program pays a flat 5% commission on all sales. Also, it offers 2% second-tier commissions on sales made by other affiliates you refer to No Errors.

Once approved as a No Errors affiliate, you’ll get access to the brand’s affiliate dashboard, containing various marketing materials to share via your website, email newsletters, social media channels, and other platforms.

  • URL: No Errors Sports affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Baseball & softball bats & backpacks
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US only

6 Hitting Performance Lab Hitting Performance Lab is an online baseball coaching program that helps younger players improve their hitting performance and speed.

It was created by Joey Myers, a former Division-1 baseball player at Fresno State and member of the American Baseball Coaches Association. Over 18,000 coaches across the US have purchased Joey’s various books, online video courses, and resources.

Hitting Performance Lab claims to offer one of the highest-converting affiliate programs in the baseball and softball niche. It offers a 30-day cookie window and a generous 50% commission per sale.

With the website’s average sale per customer standing at $26.38 over the past year, you can expect to earn approximately $13 per conversion. And with a refund rate of less than 2%, you should retain the vast majority of commissions you generate.

Hitting Performance Lab offers a wealth of affiliate resources, including banners, product images, pre-written email sequences, and exclusive promotional opportunities.

  • URL: Hitting Performance Lab affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 50% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Instructional videos
  • Payment methods: Check, wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

7 Baseball MonkeyBaseball Monkey is a baseball equipment retailer owned by MonkeySports, a sporting goods company that also operates 11 US retail stores and various other sports-related ecommerce sites.

The website sells baseball gear across multiple product categories, including bats, gloves, footwear, and apparel. It offers a price-match guarantee and a three-month return period on all purchases.

Baseball Monkey’s affiliate program is managed through the Pepperjam network. It offers a 30-day cookie window and pays 2% commissions on all sales.

  • URL: Baseball Monkey affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Baseball equipment
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

8 WilsonWilson has been manufacturing and selling premium baseball gear for over a century.

The brand stocks hundreds of baseball products, including gloves, baseballs, gear bags, and protective equipment. It also owns the iconic Louisville Slugger brand — the official bat of Major League Baseball. Wilson offers free shipping on all $50+ orders.

Wilson’s affiliate program is available through two affiliate networks: FlexOffers and Impact Radius.

Impact offers the most attractive terms thanks to its higher commission rate, although both networks have a 30-day cookie window. According to Impact, Wilson has a 30-day EPC of $0.23.

Wilson affiliates can access various marketing materials and tools, including deep product linking and unique promotional codes.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | 8% | 30 days | US, UK, FR, DE, ES, IT | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 6.4% | 30 days | – | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Baseball equipment

9 Fanatics.comFanatics.com sells officially licensed products from various sporting series, including MLB. The website carries 500,000 items across a range of categories, from jerseys and shirts to hats and memorabilia.

Renowned for its customer service, Fanatics.com offers a “jersey protection” scheme that allows fans to replace their jersey if their favorite player switches teams.

Sign up to promote Fanatics through the Impact network. The retailer’s affiliate program has a seven-day cookie window and a default commission rate of 8% (increasing to 15% per sale on select soccer merchandise). Impact reports a 30-day EPC of $0.34.

Affiliate partners can access a wealth of marketing materials, including banners, text links, and unique promo codes.

  • URL: Fanatics affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: MLB merchandise, sports collectibles, sports memorabilia, fan gear
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, Wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Market(s): Global

10 JustBatsAs you probably guessed, JustBats sells… just bats. The website stocks hundreds of baseball and softball bats from big brands like B45, Louisville Slugger, and Mizuno. It offers free shipping on all orders.

JustBats is a subsidiary of Pro Athlete, which also owns JustGloves, JustPaddles, and baseball lifestyle apparel brand Routine.

Promote JustBats by joining its affiliate program on the Refersion network. It offers a 30-day cookie window and pays commissions of 4% – 10% per sale, depending on volume.

JustBats is happy to work with website owners and social media influencers, provided their content is relevant to the site’s products. All applications are reviewed and responded to within five business days.

  • URL: JustBats affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Baseball bats
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Trolley, gift card
  • Market(s): US only

11 DICK’S Sporting GoodsDICK’S Sporting Goods was originally a fishing tackle shop. Things have changed since then, with the company operating 850+ physical stores and generating billions of dollars in annual revenues.

DICK’S stocks a vast selection of sporting products across various sports, including hundreds of baseball bats, mitts, baseballs, and cleats.

Want to promote DICK’S Sporting Goods? Sign up for its affiliate program on the Impact network.

Affiliate partners earn 2% commissions on all sales that convert within the three-day cookie window, with Impact reporting a 30-day EPC of $0.11. However, be aware that sales to repeat customers are non-commissionable.

The retailer provides a wide range of marketing resources, including a detailed product catalog and exclusive promotional codes to boost conversion rates.

Got a large social media audience? DICK’S is happy to work with influencers, so this affiliate program could be a fantastic fit.

  • URL: DICK’S Sporting Goods affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 3 days
  • Products/Services sold: Athletic equipment, apparel, footwear, accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, Wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionThere’s no shortage of high-quality baseball affiliate programs. We haven’t even discussed popular programs like Baseball Express or Baseball Rampage (not to mention the ubiquitous Amazon, which sells 100,000+ baseball-related products).

Why didn’t they make the grade? Because we only wanted to give you the very best partner programs. All killer; no filler.

To do that, we looked at the baseball affiliate programs being promoted by 15 of the most popular baseball affiliate sites, including Bat Digest, Baseball Bible, Honest Baseball, and The Baseball Diamond.

All those sites earn a ton of passive income from these programs — and you can do the same. You just need to follow their lead and create your own authority site.

That’s where we come in. At Authority Hacker, we’ve built affiliate sites in hundreds of niches, and we’d love to share our learnings with you.

Sign up for our free training today to discover our seven top tips for launching high-converting authority sites, including how to generate backlinks without paying a single cent.

See you there!

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New Zealand affiliate programs are the perfect way for Kiwi bloggers, social media users, website owners, and influencers to convert web traffic into cold, hard cash.

Affiliate marketing business spending has surged in recent years — and shows no signs of slowing. Advertisers splashed out over $8 billion on affiliate activity in 2022, meaning affiliate spending has almost trebled in the past decade.

Meanwhile, research from Rakuten — a major affiliate network — revealed that 80% of advertisers and 84% of publishers use affiliate marketing.

Want to join them? Like the sound of earning passive income by promoting your favorite brands and products? You’re in luck because we’ve rounded up the 13 best affiliate programs and networks for the New Zealand market.

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingNew Zealand Affiliate Programs and Networks1. Mighty Ape 2. EcoWarehouse 3. Haka Tours 4. Kiwi House Sitters 5. Fishpond 6. Macpac 7. Crazy Domains 8. Commission Factory 9. LinkShop 10. S.L.I.C.E Digital 11. Impact 12. Rakuten Advertising 13. Partnerize

1 Mighty ApeMighty Ape is a New Zealand-based ecommerce store owned by Australian retail and services company Kogan.com.

Previously known as Gameplanet, the online business started out selling video games, before expanding into PC hardware, music, books, and toys. The company now stocks over 800,000 products, offering overnight delivery within NZ on orders placed before 3:30pm.

The Mighty Ape affiliate program pays a flat 5% commission on all sales. Commissions are paid in store credit, but earnings can be converted into cash and transferred to your bank account with no penalty or minimum threshold. Withdrawals are processed in two business days.

Remember that a small proportion of low-margin products aren’t eligible for commissions. However, according to Mighty Ape, 99.97% of all products are commissionable.

To qualify for the retailer’s affiliate program, you must have a website, a blog, or a social media account with a “significant” and relevant following. Applications are reviewed within two working days.

Once approved as a Mighty Ape partner, you’ll get access to a huge range of pre-designed banners and widgets.

  • URL: Mighty Ape affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Store credit
  • Products sold: Video games, PC hardware, music, books, toys

2 EcoWarehouseEcoWarehouse is a one-stop shop for sustainable and eco-friendly items across various categories, from health and beauty products to gadgets, art, and camping gear.

Unsurprisingly, the online store is committed to sustainability, using minimal and recyclable packaging in all shipments. Free shipping is available on orders of NZ$100+.

The EcoWarehouse affiliate program pays a flat 10% commission on all purchases and even offers an affiliate account bonus of NZ$5 for new partner signups. Commissions are paid monthly for sales generated in the previous month, with a minimum threshold of NZ$50.

EcoWarehouse affiliates can access various tools and resources to drive traffic and revenue, including text links and banner ads.

  • URL: EcoWarehouse affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per purchase
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, store credit
  • Products sold: Sustainable & eco-friendly products

3 Haka ToursHaka Tours is a leading New Zealand adventure and snow tour provider offering packages for travelers aged 18 – 70, with an average group size of just 12 people.

Customers can supplement their tours with over 70 optional activities and swap tours or dates free of charge up to 45 days before their itinerary starts.

The Haka Tours affiliate program is managed through the Commission Factory affiliate network. It offers a generous 90-day cookie window and a base commission rate of 7.5% — climbing to 10% if you drive three or more sales within 30 days.

Affiliate partners can access a base range of 16 digital banners to help them boost conversions.

  • URL: Haka Tours affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7.5%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, Payoneer, PayPal
  • Products sold: Adventure travel packages

4 Kiwi House SittersKiwi House Sitters claims to be New Zealand’s largest and most active pet and house-sitting service, with a Feefo rating of 4.9/5 from over 1,800 verified reviews.

Homeowners get free access to the service for life, while house-sitters pay a registration fee of NZ$84 for 12 months to sit houses — and live rent-free — in thousands of properties across NZ.

Find the Kiwi House Sitters affiliate program on the Tapfiliate affiliate network. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays a 15% commission per paid registration, equivalent to NZ$12 per transaction.

To join the affiliate program, you must have an active website or blog URL and a valid case for acceptance.

  • URL: Kiwi House Sitters affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per paid registration
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Products sold: House and pet sitting

5 FishpondFishpond is an online store that was one of the first New Zealand companies to sell books via the internet. Its business model has expanded since the early days, with the site now also selling music, toys, cosmetics, electronics, and household goods.

Fishpond sells 25+ million items sourced from third parties across the world and offers free shipping on all orders. The retailer is one of New Zealand’s most popular ecommerce businesses, selling a product every 1.2 seconds and acquiring a new customer every 5.9 seconds.

The Fishpond affiliate program pays a flat 8% commission on all orders and has a 30-day cookie window. Commissions are paid once affiliates reach the minimum threshold of NZ$20.

  • URL: Fishpond affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Products sold: Books, music, electronics, household goods, toys, cosmetics

6 MacpacMacpac sells products for mountain climbers, trampers, campers, and anyone else who loves the great outdoors. It has a 60-day returns policy and offers free shipping on orders over NZ$100.

Sustainability is a key focus for the retailer, which has committed to using only 100% Fairtrade-certified cotton in its T-shirts.

Macpac’s affiliate program is available through the AvantLink affiliate network and is open to affiliates with predominantly NZ or Australia-based audiences. It offers a 30-day cookie window and pays commissions of 3% on non-Macpac gear and 7% on Macpac products, while gift vouchers and clearance items are non-commissionable.

The company offers various affiliate marketing tools and resources, including high-quality creatives and custom assets (if requested).

  • URL: Macpac affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 7% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: ACH, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Products sold: Outdoor apparel, footwear, camping & hiking gear

7 Crazy Domains NZCrazy Domains NZ is a domain name registration, web hosting, and online marketing company operated by Dreamscape Networks International — an online solutions provider that owns several other brands, including Cheap Domains, Sitebeat, and Search Booster.

The brand is trusted by 1.5+ million customers and has a satisfaction score of 93%.

Sign up for the Crazy Domains NZ affiliate program through the Impact affiliate network. The program has a 60-day cookie window and pays a range of commissions, which vary across product and service categories:

| Product/service type | Commission rate | | Domains | 20% | | Web & email hosting | AU$70 | | Servers | AU$140 | | Web & logo design | AU$140 | | Online marketing | AU$70 – AU$280 |

According to Impact, the affiliate program has a 30-day EPC of AU$2.11.

Crazy Domains is happy to work with affiliates that have websites, blogs, or social media accounts. The signup process takes less than a minute. Once approved, you’ll gain instant access to your custom affiliate link.

The company has a 75-day validation period for all sales tracked from the month of conversion. For example, if you generate a sale in January, the validation period begins on February 1st and ends on March 31st.

Crazy Domains provides various resources to help affiliates boost sales, including banner ads, screenshots, and coupon codes.

  • URL: Crazy Domains NZ affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to AU$280 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Products sold: Web hosting, domain registration, online marketing services

8 Commission FactoryCommission Factory is an affiliate network for affiliates and advertisers in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore. It was acquired by another affiliate network, Awin, in September 2020.

The network has 600+ brands on its books, including approximately 50 advertisers in NZ, with up to 10 new advertisers joining the platform weekly. It operates across multiple product categories, from retail and fashion to travel and telecoms.

Commission Factory is open to all types of affiliates, whether you’re a website owner, publish a blog, manage a Facebook fan page, or run a mobile app.

Whatever your traffic source, expect to earn average commissions of 8% – 10% per sale. Commissions are paid weekly through bank transfer, check, PayPal, or prepaid MasterCard.

The network offers various promotional assets, including email templates, premade video content, coupon codes, text links, and data feeds.

  • URL: Commission Factory affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, check, prepaid Mastercard
  • Brands: Catch, BestDeals, Lululemon, Mix & Match Travel, NZGameShop

9 LinkShopLinkshop is a New Zealand-focused affiliate network, although it also works with a handful of Australian advertisers.

Affiliate members can find affiliate programs from 70+ leading New Zealand companies, including ecommerce stores like Mighty Ape and TheMarket. It offers programs across multiple categories, including fashion, food, homewares, and financial services.

Linkshop offers a simple signup process and gives affiliates access to a dashboard containing all the latest brands, offers, commission rates, and affiliate links. Commissions are paid monthly on balances of NZ$50+.

  • URL: LinkShop NZ affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Brands: TheMarket, Pet Direct, The Meat Box, Cleanz, Celebration Box

10 S.L.I.C.E DigitalS.L.I.C.E Digital is another affiliate marketing network dedicated to the New Zealand market, with 100+ advertisers and over 3,500 affiliate marketers on its books.

As well as offering NZ-based expertise, the company has hands-on experience managing affiliate programs in Australia, Europe, the US, and Russia.

S.L.I.C.E sends affiliate marketers an email summarizing their previous month’s clicks and sales around the 10th of each month. Commissions are paid on or around the 25th, provided you have a minimum balance of NZ$50.

The S.L.I.C.E affiliate network is open to anyone with an online audience — whether on social media, a website or blog, a forum, or any other platform.

  • URL: S.L.I.C.E Digital affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Wire, PayPal, Skrill, bank transfer
  • Brands: ​​Onceit, Cover More, Healthpost, The Market, Luggage Co NZ, MyRepublic

10 ImpactImpact is a major global affiliate network, working with 2,500+ advertisers — including over 400 New Zealand companies — across various affiliate niches, from beauty to travel.

The network primarily works with “traditional” affiliate marketers (i.e. website owners and bloggers). But it’s equally happy to partner with other content creators and even allows influencers to negotiate exclusive terms.

Impact’s platform is underwritten by advanced tracking technology, enabling affiliates to generate conversions from various actions — including bookings, sales, app installs, and even phone calls.

Affiliate partners also get access to unique coupon codes through Impact’s affiliate dashboard.

  • URL: Impact Radius affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Brands: Lenovo, Hello Fresh, MyRepublic, Clearly

10 Rakuten AdvertisingRakuten is a Japan-based technology company that runs an affiliate network specializing in finance, retail, travel, and direct-to-consumer affiliate programs.

It’s used by 150,000+ active affiliates and some of the world’s best-known brands, including Benefit, Sixt, Wells Fargo, and Virgin Holidays.

Rakuten uses AI-powered matchmaking to connect its affiliate partners with relevant offers and programs. It also allows publishers to leverage innovative personalization features capable of tailoring relevant content based on individual user preferences.

The company is highly regarded in the affiliate space, winning the mThink award for top affiliate marketing network 11 years in a row based on a survey of over 25,000 advertisers, publishers, and agencies.

Whatever Rakuten does, it clearly does it well. The company won the mThink award for top affiliate network for 11 successive years, based on a survey of 25,000+ advertisers, publishers, and agencies.

(Want to learn more? Check out our review of the Rakuten affiliate network.)

  • URL: Rakuten Advertising affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit, check
  • Brands: boohoo, Chemist Warehouse, Microsoft, Glassons, the Nile, Lorna Jane

10 PartnerizePartnerize, a global affiliate network, has generated $7 billion in sales over the past 10+ years — paying $600 million in annual affiliate commissions along the way.

As well as running its own network, Partnerize operates Pepperjam, a separate network with a catalog of over 1,000 retail and D2C brands.

Partnerize is known for prompt payments, transferring commissions within 24 hours of client authorization.

The company works with all types of affiliate partners, from website owners to social media influencers to tech partners — and even brands looking to partner with other brands.

Whatever your background, the affiliate network provides extensive training, support, and advice on maximizing performance. Furthermore, its discovery tools make finding and joining new affiliate programs quick and easy.

  • URL: Partnerize affiliate network
  • Payment methods: ACH, bank transfer, PayPal, wire transfer
  • Brands: Adore Beauty, Wotif, The Iconic

How to Start Affiliate Marketing in New ZealandTheoretically, it’s simple to become an affiliate marketer. Find a profitable niche, track down a handful of high-paying affiliate programs, create some content, then wait for your commissions to come pouring in.

But there’s a little more to it than that. Sure, it’s easy to add a few affiliate links to your email newsletter or blog. But it’s harder — much harder — to build a consistent source of traffic and sales that earns you a job-replacement income.

There are various avenues to launching a successful affiliate marketing business, from growing an audience on social media to starting your own affiliate site. We discuss all the practicalities — and much more besides — in our in-depth guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.

How to Find the Best NZ Affiliate ProgramsWe’ve given you a head start by rounding up 13 top New Zealand affiliate programs and networks. But how do you find the best programs for your specific niche?

You’ve got two options:

Research Individual Affiliate ProgramsOne approach is to find individual affiliate programs by:

  • Googling “[niche] + affiliate programs.”
  • Analyzing the programs other affiliate marketers in your niche are promoting.

This strategy takes a little time. But there are advantages to building direct relationships with individual advertisers. You may be able to unlock preferential terms, such as higher commission rates or exclusive promotions — especially if you have a proven track record of driving sales.

Join Affiliate NetworksThe other option is to browse the affiliate program directories of large networks like Impact and Rakuten, which work with thousands of advertisers across dozens of markets and niches.

Most networks allow you to search for affiliate programs in specific geographies, making it simple to find advertisers targeting the New Zealand market.

In general, networks are happy to work with all types of publishers, whether you’re a website owner, a social media user, a podcaster, a vlogger, or any other kind of content creator. Some networks even offer special terms for influencers with established audiences.

Spend some time clicking around and you’ll quickly build a list of relevant programs for your audience and niche.

The only downside to this strategy is that affiliate networks charge brands to use their platforms. These costs are typically “passed on” to affiliate marketers through lower commission rates and/or less attractive terms.

ConclusionFinding the best New Zealand affiliate programs is one thing; creating a consistent traffic and sales flow is another challenge.

While there are myriad routes to affiliate marketing success, the most reliable method with the highest growth potential is to build an affiliate website. That way, you’re not at the mercy of ever-changing social algorithms to reach your target audience.

Building high-performing websites isn’t easy. But Authority Hacker can help. We’ve spent the past decade launching sites in countless niches. And we’ve given 11,000+ Authority Hacker students the tools and best practices to do the same.

Join them by signing up for our free training, where we’ll reveal seven tried-and-trusted strategies for creating successful affiliate sites.

FAQCan you do affiliate marketing in New Zealand?Affiliate marketing is a totally legit way to make money in New Zealand. However, affiliate marketers must adhere to the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA’s) rules on influencer advertising.

Even if you don’t have a vast audience, you’re classed as an “influencer” if you influence your followers’ choices or behaviors.

Per the ASA: “If an influencer has an ongoing commercial relationship with a brand, such as a paid ambassador role, all posts that include the products or services related to the advertiser should be labeled.”

Can you make money with affiliate marketing in New Zealand?Affiliate marketing is an attractive way for website owners, social media users, influencers, and other types of content creators to make money in New Zealand.

Thousands of New Zealand companies are looking to grow their audiences and sales through affiliate marketing. What’s more, many global brands run affiliate programs to help them reach potential customers in the New Zealand market.

Identify a niche with an engaged audience and lots of attractive affiliate programs and you’ll be well on your way to building a steady stream of passive income.

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Got an engaged online audience (or plans to build one)? Affiliate programs in South Africa are the perfect way to convert your website, social media, or email traffic into sales and cash.

We’re in a boom period for affiliate marketing. Companies are investing ever-larger sums in affiliate marketing work; global spending reached $8 billion in 2022.

So it’s no wonder an estimated 84% of publishers already leverage affiliate programs to make money online.

Ready to get in on the action? We’ve made your life easier by rounding up 17 of the best South African affiliate programs and networks, from global brands like Fiverr and Kaspersky to local favorites like Faithful to Nature and Zando.

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingSouth African Affiliate Programs & Networks1. Fiverr 2. Zando 3. Etsy 4. Sell-SA 5. Bidorbuy 6. Mantality 7. Travelstart 8. Mr Price 9. Faithful to Nature 10. 4aKid 11. SafariNow 12. Zalemart 13. Kaspersky 14. 4aPet 15. OfferForge 16. AdMarula 17. Affiliate.co.za

1 FiverrFiverr is a marketplace for mostly digital marketing-related freelance services across 500+ categories, including web development, graphic design, and copywriting. Some vendors on the platform also offer professional services like interior design and architecture.

More than four million active buyers find freelancers with relevant skill sets through Fiverr. The vast majority are smaller online businesses, although the platform is also used by big names like Google and Facebook.

The Fiverr affiliate program offers two commission structures:

  • Fiverr CPA pays US$15 – US$150 per sale, varying by product category.
  • Fiverr Hybrid pays US$10 CPA per sale and 10% recurring commissions for 12 months.

Fiverr also has a separate affiliate program for influencers with at least 5,000 followers, paying up to 100% higher commissions than Fiverr’s “regular” programs.

(Find out more in our Fiverr affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Fiverr affiliate program
  • Commission rate: US$15 – US$150 CPA, or US$10 CPA + 10% RevShare
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer
  • Products sold: Freelance services

2 ZandoZando is an online retail store selling clothing, shoes, accessories, homeware, beauty products, and sports gear from 600+ local and international brands, including big names like Adidas, Nike, and Puma. It offers free delivery and easy returns on all orders over R400.

The company is owned by Jumia Group, an ecommerce platform operating in 11 countries across Africa.

Zando’s affiliate program is managed through Sovrn. Generating an affiliate link for multiple platforms — including your website, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — is simple. Just copy-paste a site or product URL and your link will be automatically generated.

  • URL: Zando affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Check, wire transfer, PayPal, direct deposit
  • Products sold: Apparel, footwear, beauty products, homeware, accessories

3 EtsyEtsy is an online store specializing in handcrafted and unique products spanning multiple categories, from clothing and jewelry to home decor and personalized gifts.

One of the world’s biggest online retailers, Etsy is used by approximately 7.5 million active sellers and almost 100 million active buyers, with the company’s global revenue surpassing $2.3 billion in 2021.

Etsy has separate affiliate programs for its various markets, with South Africa covered by the “Rest of the World” program. It pays a 5% commission for all sales generated from your affiliate link within the 30-day cookie window.

The online business offers multilingual affiliate support in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Affiliate partners can access all the resources required to drive traffic and sales, including a regular affiliate marketing newsletter and category-specific creatives.

(Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth Etsy affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Etsy ROW affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Check, international wire, ACH
  • Products sold: Unique creative goods

4 Sell-SASell-SA is a South African online shopping marketplace that connects buyers and sellers across dozens of categories, including electronics, clothing, technology, and books.

The platform reassures customers by verifying all vendors. Furthermore, if a customer orders a product that never arrives, they get a full refund.

The Sell-SA affiliate program pays a flat 5% commission on all referred purchases. It’s open to all types of affiliate marketer, from large content networks to bloggers to social media users.

  • URL: Sell-SA affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Products sold: Electronics, clothing, cell phones, shoes, computers, books, and more

5 BidorbuyBidorbuy is essentially South Africa’s answer to eBay: an online shopping and auction marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to do business.

Like similar online platforms, it offers products across multiple categories, including digital, home and garden, fashion, and sports.

The Bidorbuy affiliate program has a tiered commission scale that offers higher rewards for affiliates who generate more referrals. Commissions are paid for three types of action:

  • Confirmed registrations
  • Pay per click
  • Seminar signups

Seminar signups pay a flat commission of R50 per user, while other actions offer tiered commissions of up to R100 per conversion.

Bidorbuy offers various affiliate partner resources and tools, including a trade feed generator that allows affiliates to display relevant Bidorbuy on their websites. It also provides banner ads, buttons, and referral pages.

  • URL: Bidorbuy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to R100 per action
  • Cookie duration: Up to 60 days
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Products sold: Various B2C products

6 MantalityFinally, an online store for men!

Mantality describes itself as South Africa’s #1 online retailer for men. It offers male-oriented products across multiple categories, including tech, gaming, male grooming, health supplements, and unique experiences. The retailer sources products from South African companies and international brands.

Customers get free shipping on orders of R650+, with all products delivered in one to three days.

Over 5,000 affiliates have signed up for Mantality’s affiliate program, which has a 30-day cookie window and pays a default commission of 10% for completed sales. New affiliate partners get a R30 signup bonus, while top performers are automatically granted higher commission rates.

Mantality accepts affiliates from all sorts of backgrounds, including product reviewers, gear guide writers, tech bloggers, and travel writers.

Affiliates can access the Mantality affiliate dashboard 24/7 to check their sales, traffic, clicks, and earnings.

  • URL: Mantality affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, PayPal
  • Products sold: Tech, gaming, male grooming, health & fitness, experiences, and more

7 TravelstartTravelstart describes itself as Africa’s leading online travel agency, helping business and leisure travelers search, compare, and book flight, bus, hotel, car hire, and holiday deals.

Over one million passengers have booked travel packages through Travelstart, while the website attracts approximately 25 million visitors annually.

The Travelstart affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius, one of the world’s biggest affiliate networks. It has a 30-day cookie window and is open to website owners and email marketers.

According to Impact, the program pays flat commissions of US$6 on domestic bookings and US$8 on international sales. However, the Travelstart website references a tiered commission structure, as follows:

| Number of monthly bookings | Domestic commission | International commission | | 0 – 49 | R90 | R125 | | 50 – 100 | R100 | R150 | | 101+ | R110 | R175 |

Commissions are paid monthly via direct deposit, typically within the first 10 working days of the month. The affiliate program has a 30-day EPC of R0.72.

Travelstart affiliates can access various tools and resources, including display banners, promotional codes, and text links. All affiliates are invited to a step-by-step introduction with their personal affiliate manager.

(Looking for more travel affiliate programs? Check out our roundup of the best programs in the travel niche.)

  • URL: Travelstart affiliate program
  • Commission rate: US$6 – US$8 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit
  • Products sold: Flight tickets, car rental, travel packages

8 Mr PriceMr Price is one of South Africa’s biggest retailers, generating almost US$1.9 billion in sales in 2022 and operating hundreds of stores across the country.

Also known as MRP, the fashion brand ships to 130 countries and has a catalog of approximately 16,000 SKUs across various categories, including clothing, accessories, footwear, and sleepwear.

Mr Price Group also owns a bunch of other South African retail brands, such as Power Fashion, Sheet Street, and YuppieChef.

Find the Mr Price affiliate program on CJ Affiliate, a major global affiliate network. It offers a 14-day cookie window and pays a flat commission rate of 7% per sale on new and returning customer orders.

MRP is happy to work with most affiliates, but it manually reviews applications from loyalty sites and incentive publishers.

  • URL: Mr Price affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Products sold: Clothing, footwear, accessories

9 Faithful to NatureFaithful to Nature is an online retail store specializing in ethical and sustainable products across multiple categories, including food, health, beauty, and home decor. Customers get free carbon-neutral delivery across South Africa on orders of R400+.

The brand promises to offer complete transparency over the ingredients of all products it sells. It checks every single ingredient to ensure all items are clean and toxin-free.

Sign up for Faithful to Nature’s affiliate program through Impact Radius. The retailer’s website mentions commission rates of up to 15% per sale. By contrast, Impact cites commissions of:

  • 10% on new customer orders
  • 7% on returning customer orders

Either way, you definitely get a 30-day cookie window.

Faithful to Nature is open to partnering with “regular” affiliates, bloggers, influencers, and large publishers.

  • URL: Faithful to Nature affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH
  • Products sold: Sustainable food, healthy, beauty, and home products

10 4aKid4aKid is an online business selling baby and toddler products, including crawling gear, feeding tools, and educational toys. It stocks products from a host of popular brands, such as Tummy Tie, Playtape, SoPure, and Melissa & Doug.

Customers get free shipping on orders of R500+ within Gauteng and R1,000+ in other parts of South Africa.

4aKid is owned by businesswoman Ally Cohen, who’s also the brainchild behind another brand in our roundup, 4aPet.

The retailer’s affiliate program pays generous commission rates of 20% per sale. Commissions are credited to your 4aKid account 30 days in arrears, after which amounts of R250+ can be paid to your bank account.

All types of affiliates are encouraged to join the program, including social media users, website owners, bloggers, email marketers, and WhatsApp marketers.

The company shares various resources to help boost performance, including a fortnightly newsletter featuring news on the latest products and promotions.

  • URL: 4aKid affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Store credit, bank transfer
  • Products sold: Baby accessories, clothes, and furniture

11 SafariNowSafariNow claims to be the Amazon of accommodation in Africa.

The booking engine offers over 155,000 places to stay, from campsites and guesthouses to B&Bs and luxury hotels. Popular locations include Kruger National Park, the Garden Route, and Cape Town.

One of South Africa’s best travel affiliate programs, SafariNow pays commissions of up to 15% per sale on every completed booking.

The company accepts various types of affiliates, including large brands, blog owners, and social media users. It offers extensive tools to help drive traffic and sales, including a SafariNow API for your website.

  • URL: SafariNow affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 15% per completed booking
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Products sold: Accommodation

12 ZalemartZalemart is a general retail store based in Durban and operating across South Africa.

The retailer sells hundreds of products across multiple categories, from clothing and electronics to homeware and kitchen appliances, but its core focus is women’s denim wear.

Zalemart is owned by the FE Bassa Family Trust, a trading company that also offers commercial real estate rentals in South Africa.

Sign up for the Zalemart affiliate program through a simple onsite form. Affiliate partners earn a 5% commission on all sales and a personal discount of 5% – 15% — depending on the size of your audience — once you send your first referral.

Bear in mind the program doesn’t pay out on bulk orders of 5+ products.

Affiliates can also access personalized, shareable discount codes and free products.

Commissions are paid in store credit or cash. If you choose a cash payout, Zalemart will process your payment within 25 business days and deduct a R10 processing fee.

  • URL: Zalemart affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Store credit, bank transfer
  • Products sold: Clothing, electronics, homeware, kitchenware, pet products

13 KasperskyKaspersky is one of the world’s largest cyber security businesses, offering personal and business solutions to keep connected devices safe and networks secure.

According to its own figures, in 2022, the company prevented 687 million cyber attacks, blocked 114 million unique malicious URLs, and neutralized 64 million unique malicious objects.

All plans are underpinned by advanced AI capable of detecting and combating online threats, even if Kaspersky hasn’t seen them before.

Kaspersky’s affiliate program is managed through the Commission Factory network. It offers a 45-day cookie window and pays commissions of 25% per sale, although improved rates are available for affiliates who send a higher volume and quality of traffic.

Commissions are paid monthly via Commission Factory.

The company runs regular competitions and promotions that are only available to affiliate partners.

(Looking for more advertisers like this? Check out our roundup of the best cyber security affiliate programs.)

  • URL: Kaspersky affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, check, prepaid Mastercard
  • Products sold: Cyber security solutions

14 4aPetAs you may remember, 4aPet is owned by Ally Cohen, the woman behind 4aKid. The online store sells pet supplies, including grooming products, toys, food, health supplements, and accessories.

Like 4aKid, 4aPet offers free shipping on orders over R500 in Gauteng province, rising to R1,000+ for customers in other South African provinces. All purchases are dispatched within two working days, except for pre-orders.

Sign up for 4aPet’s affiliate program through a simple onsite form. Once approved, you’ll earn 20% commissions on all sales and get access to an email-based training course to help you get started.

Commissions are paid 30 days in arrears as store credit, although cash payouts can be requested on amounts of R250+.

  • URL: 4aPet affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Payment methods: Store credit, bank transfer
  • Products sold: Pet products

15 OfferForgeOfferForge claims to be Africa’s top affiliate network.

Founded in 2005 and based in Johannesburg, it works with over 30,000 affiliate marketers and more than 3,000 brands, including big names like Fasta, Netflorist, and Wonga.

The network supports various commission models, including display ads, pay-per-click, lead generation, and customer acquisition.

Commissions are paid monthly in multiple currencies through PayPal and bank transfer, with a minimum threshold of R500 for South African affiliates and US$100 for overseas publishers.

  • URL: OfferForge affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer
  • Brands: Netflorist, Lime Loans, Wonga, Fasta

16 AdMarula AdMarula is a South African performance marketing consultancy that runs its own affiliate network, allowing affiliate marketers to earn commissions through CPA, CPC, CPL, and CPM-oriented affiliate programs.

The network has partnered with a host of big-name local and international brands, including Mr Price and Avis Budget Group.

Affiliates join AdMarula through an online registration form and can display ads as soon as their application is approved. The company works with a range of affiliates, including website owners, email marketers, and bloggers.

As a network, AdMarula earns a 30% fee on total commissions paid to publishers. For example, if an advertiser pays a publisher R100 per sale, AdMarula earns R30 on each transaction.

Commissions are paid on the 20th of each month with a two-month lag, provided you reach the minimum threshold of R500.

  • URL: AdMarula affiliate network
  • Payment methods:
  • Brands: Faithful to Nature, Mr Price, Avis Budget Group

17 Affiliate.co.za Johannesburg-based Affiliate.co.za claims to be Africa’s fastest-growing online affiliate network.

Whether or not that’s true, it works with some impressive brands — including Etihad Airways, Uber Eats, and Volvo — and supports CPA, CPL, and CPC payment models.

Affiliate.co.za pays affiliates via bank transfer, wire transfer, and PayPal. To get paid, you need to submit an invoice to the network’s banking team at the start of each month, after which you’ll receive your commissions.

The network offers plenty of support to its affiliate partners, including giving them access to a dedicated account manager.

  • URL: Affiliate.co.za affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, wire transfer
  • Brands: Future Light, WantitAll

How to Start Affiliate Marketing in South AfricaSounds pretty simple to become a successful affiliate marketer, right? You just need to:

  • Identify an existing niche with an engaged audience
  • Find a bunch of relevant and desirable programs
  • Add a referral link or two to your social media channels or blog
  • Earn a ton of affiliate income

Unfortunately, the reality is a little more complex than the theory. Generating a regular flow of referrals and sales takes time and effort. Many affiliates quit before they get anywhere near earning a job-replacement income.

You need to do the hard yards for your affiliate marketing efforts to produce real results. Unless you’re an influencer with a large existing audience, that likely means building a website. Learn about the various steps by reading our ultimate guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.

How To Find the Best Affiliate Programs in South AfricaNot satisfied with the South Africa affiliate marketing programs and networks in this article? We’ve got your back. Here are two ways to find even more programs for your niche:

  1. Research Individual Affiliate ProgramsYour first strategy is to track down individual affiliate programs, either by:

  2. Looking for programs promoted by other affiliate marketers in your niche; or…

  3. Searching for “[niche] + affiliate programs” on Google.

The downside of this approach is that it takes time. Plus there’s a (slightly) higher chance of getting scammed if you work directly with an affiliate advertiser.

On the positive side, it might allow you to build closer relationships with individual brands, which may lead to more attractive terms — think longer cookie windows, higher commissions, and more generous promotions.

  1. Join Affiliate NetworksIf the first method sounds like too much hard work, another option is to browse affiliate networks for affiliate programs targeting the South African market.

Major global networks like Impact, Rakuten, and ShareASale make it easy for affiliates to filter affiliate programs in South Africa:

Alternatively, use networks like AdMarula and Affiliate ZA to find advertisers that are 100% focused on South African audiences.

Most affiliate networks are prepared to work with all types of affiliate marketers, from website owners and bloggers to podcasters and influencers. Some even offer preferential terms for established influencers with large, engaged audiences.

There’s little chance of getting ripped off if you sign up for an affiliate program through a network. The only real downside is that advertisers pay their network partners a fee to connect them with affiliates, which can result in less attractive terms and conditions.

Over To YouFinding the best affiliate marketing program for your niche is simple enough. But it’s a whole lot harder to generate a consistent stream of traffic, clicks, sales, and commissions.

While plenty of people make good money promoting affiliate products through social media platforms, your best bet is to build your own authority website. It gives you multiple avenues to reach your audience, including:

  • SEO
  • Social media
  • Email marketing

Clearly, building a high-performing affiliate site is no simple task. But your pals at Authority Hacker are here to help.

Over the past decade, we’ve built prominent websites in dozens of niches. And we’ve also taught 11,000+ students how to do the same.

Want to join them? Sign up for our free training, where we’ll explain seven best practices and tips that make new sites 83% more successful — including one super effective strategy for finding profitable hidden niches.

FAQCan I do affiliate marketing in South Africa?Affiliate marketing is a tried-and-trusted way for South African website owners, bloggers, social media users, and influencers to make money online.

Unlike in countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, there are no specific laws or guidelines governing affiliate marketing in South Africa.

However, you should familiarize yourself with the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa’s Code of Ethics and Best Practice lists.

How much can you make from affiliate marketing in South Africa?It’s totally possible to earn a job-replacement income from affiliate marketing in South Africa.

Top-performing affiliates in South Africa can make R1,000+ a day. Best of all, it’s a passive income stream, so you can fit affiliate marketing around a regular job or several other side hustles.

Not only that, but once you’ve built a revenue-generating website, you can (potentially) sell it for big money.

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Love to look good? So do a lot of other people — which is why beauty affiliate programs are such a valuable opportunity.

According to one forecast, the global cosmetics industry will be worth an astonishing $758 billion by 2025.

Value of the cosmetics market worldwide from 2018 to 2025The US is comfortably the world’s biggest market for beauty products, with the average American household shelling out over $182 a year on cosmetics, perfume, and bath preparation products.

Research from Advanced Dermatology revealed hair care is the most popular product category, followed closely by skin care, shaving products, lotions, and haircuts:

A wide range of products, a captive audience, and vast sums of money being spent? No wonder affiliate marketers love the beauty industry!

But there are no guarantees. Whether you’re a website owner, beauty blogger, or social media influencer, you need to promote the right beauty brands and products to make a decent income.

With that in mind, we’ve crunched the numbers and rounded up the 24 best beauty affiliate programs, from household names to cult favorites.

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingBeauty Affiliate Programs1. Sephora affiliate program 2. Nordstrom affiliate program 3. Ulta Beauty affiliate program 4. Dermstore affiliate program 5. Boots affiliate program 6. Lookfantastic affiliate program 7. Feelunique affiliate program 8. MAC Cosmetics affiliate program 9. SkinStore affiliate program 10. Space NK affiliate program 11. Escentual affiliate program 12. Cult Beauty affiliate program 13. Chanel affiliate program 14. Tatcha affiliate program 15. Glossier affiliate program 16. Fenty Beauty affiliate program 17. Soko Glam affiliate program 18. Clinique affiliate program 19. Charlotte Tilbury affiliate program 20. Beauty Bay affiliate program 21. NARS Cosmetics affiliate program 22. Kiehl’s affiliate program 23. Dior affiliate program 24. SkinCeuticals affiliate program

1 SephoraSephora has a catalog of 13,000+ beauty, health, and skincare products from over 200 of the world’s best-known brands. The website is home to luxury brand names, niche cosmetic products, and Sephora’s in-house collections.

The company offers global affiliate programs through Skimlinks and Sovrn, paying commissions of up to 10% per sale. Meanwhile, programs tailored to different markets can be found on Rakuten and Impact, with the most attractive commission rates — up to 10% — available via Impact.

Whichever program you join, you’ll get access to various marketing materials and resources, including exclusive affiliate newsletters, product previews, and professional-quality creatives.

Sephora also offers free shipping on all $50+ orders and free samples with all purchases, which can help boost conversions.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Skimlinks | 5% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten Advertising | Up to 5% | 30 days | BR, SK | Sign Up | | Impact | Up to 10% | 30 days | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2.5% – 10% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Makeup, skincare, fragrance, health, and beauty products

2 NordstromNordstrom is a US department store chain that stocks an extensive range of beauty products, including makeup, skincare, fragrances, haircare, and accessories. It sells various household-name brands, including Bobbi Brown, Dior, and Jo Malone London.

The company started in 1901 as a Seattle shoe shop before expanding into a major retail operation serving customers online and at 350+ Nordstrom locations.

Sign up for Nordstrom’s affiliate program through Rakuten. It pays up to 11% commissions per sale on all products except gift cards, with a cookie duration of 0.5 – 14 days, based on your site and performance.

Commissions are paid monthly — provided you hit the $25 threshold. If not, they’ll roll into the following month.

Nordstrom offers various affiliate tools and resources, including category, sale, and event-specific creatives, and exclusive affiliate promotions.

  • URL: Nordstrom affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% – 11% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 0.5 – 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: Shoes, jewelry, clothing, makeup, dresses
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

3 Ulta Beauty Ulta Beauty sells makeup, haircare, nail care, and skincare products from 500+ established and niche brands, including Benefit Cosmetics, Pattern, and Too Faced. It’s the largest beauty retailer in the US, with 1,200+ locations across 50 states, giving it superb brand recognition.

Find the Ulta Beauty affiliate program through four affiliate networks: Impact, FlexOffers, Sovrn, and Skimlinks. The brand’s US-specific program is run through Impact, while the three other Ulta Beauty affiliate programs are global.

Sign up via Skimlinks to access the best commission rates of 10% per sale. With an average order value of around $67, expect to earn approximately $6.70 per successful referral.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | 2% | 30 days | US | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 6% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 1% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 10% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Makeup, haircare, skincare, nail care

4 DermstoreDermstore was founded in 1999 by a dermatologist who wanted to help patients access professional-strength skincare products, many made from all-natural ingredients.

Today, the company stocks formulas from household names, specialty brands, and lesser-known spa products. Free standard shipping is available on all $50+ orders.

Dermstore offers global affiliate programs through FlexOffers and Sovrn. Or, if you’re an affiliate marketer based in Canada or the US the US, you can sign up via Skimlinks. It also has a separate US affiliate program on the Awin network.

Join through Skimlinks to unlock the best terms, with commissions of up to 12% on an average order value of around $138. That equates to an average commission of approximately $16.50 per sale.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Skimlinks | Up to 12% | – | US, CA | Sign Up | | Awin | Up to 15% | 30 days | US | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 1.6% – 5.6% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2%-7% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Skincare, haircare, makeup products, fragrance, bath & body products

5 BootsBoots is one of the UK’s largest health and beauty retailers, with 2,200+ stores ranging from prominent high street locations to local community pharmacies.

It stocks hundreds of big brands — including Barry M, Garnier, and Rimmel — as well as its formerly in-house range of No7 body products, foundations, creams, and men’s skincare products.

The retailer’s global affiliate program is managed through Sovrn, offering a 4.68% commission per sale. Sovrn’s figures show an average order value of $63.50 and a superb 6.12% conversion rate, giving you a strong chance of ƒturning traffic into sales.

Alternatively, UK-based affiliate marketers can sign up via Awin, which pays commissions of 2% – 5% per sale and has a 14-day cookie window.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Sovrn | 4.68% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Awin | 2% – 5% | 14 days | UK | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Beauty, health, pharmaceuticals

6 LookfantasticLookfantastic is a UK-based online store owned by THG, a tech company specializing in DTC ecommerce brands.

The retailer sells 22,000+ haircare, cosmetics, and beauty products to customers in over 200 countries. It works with more than 660 premium brands and has become the online partner of choice for household names like MAC and Yves Saint Laurent.

Lookfantastic runs global beauty affiliate programs through FlexOffers and Sovrn, while various local programs are available on Awin and Skimlinks.

The Skimlinks UK program offers the highest commission rates of up to 20%. But if you’re a US-based affiliate marketer (or have a predominantly US-focused audience), Sovrn’s your best bet, paying commissions of up to 10% per sale.

Whichever beauty affiliate program you choose, you’ll be offered support by Lookfantastic’s dedicated affiliate team. The retailer also provides product feeds, regular promotions, designed creatives, and a weekly affiliate newsletter.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | – | 30 days | US, CA | Sign Up | | Awin | Up to 10% | 30 days | UK, IE | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.8% – 5.6% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 20% | – | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | US, CA, AU, IE | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 1% – 10% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Luxury haircare, cosmetics, and beauty products

7 FeeluniqueFeelunique bills itself as Europe’s leading online store for premium beauty products, with a portfolio of over 50,000 products from 1,500+ brands. It ships to more than 120 countries worldwide.

The company has partnered with Mind, a mental health charity, to develop self-care kits that support customers’ physical and mental well-being.

Feelunique’s makeup affiliate program is managed through Awin. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays various commissions, based on product category and publisher type:

| Publisher Type | Commission Rates | | Influencers | 15% on most sales, 2% on electricals | | Discount code and voucher sites | 7% on existing customer sales, 9% for new customer sales, 2% on electricals, 1% on orders with voucher codes | | Cashback sites | 7% for existing customers, 9% for new customers, 2% for electricals, 1% on orders with voucher codes, 0% on The Ordinary products | | Other publishers | 7% for existing customers, 9% for new customers, 2% for electricals |

Feelunique affiliate partners get access to various marketing materials and resources, including custom banners, exclusive promotions, a regularly updated product feed, and frequent communications on new brands, products, and offers.

  • URL: Feelunique affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Premium beauty products
  • Payment methods: BACS, international wire transfer, ACH
  • Market(s): Global

8 MAC CosmeticsMAC Cosmetics is an EstĂŠe Lauder Companies-owned beauty brand sold in 120+ countries that develops over 50 new collections yearly. It has superb brand recognition, thanks partly to collaborations with the likes of Lorde, Rihanna, and Selena Quintanilla.

Unsurprisingly for such a large brand, the MAC Cosmetics affiliate program is available through multiple networks. Its global makeup affiliate programs are on FlexOffers and Skimlinks, while local programs serving various markets can be found on Skimlinks, Sovrn, and Rakuten.

According to Skimlinks, the program has an average conversion rate of 2.77% and an average basket size of around $68 — so you could earn up to $6.80 per sale.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 3.2% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 6% | – | CA | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 8% | – | AU | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 8% | – | Multiple | Sign Up | | Rakuten Linkshare | 4% | 7 days | US | Sign Up | | Rakuten Linkshare | 6% | 7 days | AU | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Beauty and makeup products

9 SkinStorePart of the Lookfantastic Group, SkinStore is an online store selling over 16,000 hair, cosmetic, and skincare products from more than 350 brands.

The website attracts 500,000+ visitors monthly, thanks partly to its exclusive free gifts and member rewards. Customers get free US shipping on orders over $49.

SkinStore’s primary US affiliate program is managed through Awin, offering a 30-day cookie window and an 8% commission rate. US affiliates can also sign up through FlexOffers and Skimlinks, while global beauty affiliate programs are available via ShareASale and Yazing.

The most attractive terms can be found on ShareASale, which pays commissions of 12% per sale. The network’s 30-day figures show an average order value of $108.69, an EPC of $32.93, and a 2.53% conversion rate.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | 8% | 30 days | US | Sign Up | | ShareASale | 12% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 1.6% – 4.8% | 30 days | US | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 25% | – | US, CA | Sign Up | | Yazing | 2% – 8% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Designer skincare, body care, and hair care products

10 Space NKSpace NK is a major UK-based beauty retailer, stocking over 5,000 products across multiple categories, including skincare, cosmetics, and gadgets.

The company started with a single store in Covent Garden, London, and now operates 60+ branches across the UK. It sells products from 150+ popular beauty brands, including Drunk Elephant, Laura Mercier, and Nars.

Space NK’s primary beauty affiliate program — for US and UK affiliates — is managed through Rakuten, paying commissions of up to 7% with a 30-day cookie duration.

Global programs are available via the FlexOffers and Sovrn networks, and there’s also a program on Skimlinks targeting multiple markets.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Rakuten Advertising | 2% – 7% | 30 days | US, UK | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 1.6% – 5.6% | 10 days | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 3.16% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | Multiple | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Luxury beauty, makeup, and skincare products

11 EscentualEscentual.com is a family-run business based in Wales, UK that sells 6,500 products in various categories, including hair care, skincare, and fragrances. Launched two decades ago, the retailer has forged a reputation as one of the first places to stock new beauty releases.

The company offers a free gift-wrapping service and free UK shipping on all orders over ÂŁlu30.

Join Escentual’s UK affiliate program via Awin to enjoy commission rates of up to 7.5% and a 30-day cookie window. Meanwhile, global affiliates can sign up through Sovrn to access commissions of 2.5% – 7.5% per sale.

According to Sovrn, Escentual has an average basket value of $65+ and a strong conversion rate of over 10%, so you can be confident a high proportion of your traffic will convert. Affiliate partners can also access the brand’s bespoke editorial and creative assets.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | Up to 7.5% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2.5%-7.5% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Perfume and cosmetic products

12 Cult BeautyCult Beauty is an online store staffed by a team of beauty lovers dedicated to finding and selling cult beauty products — from never-bettered, 100-year-old remedies to cutting-edge scientific discoveries.

The retailer is dedicated to transparency, listing the full ingredients for every product it stocks and publishing every review it receives.

If you’re a UK-based affiliate marketer, you can join the Cult Beauty affiliate program through Awin or FlexOffers. You’ll find better terms on Awin, which offers a 30-day cookie window and commission rates of up to 15%.

Based outside the UK? Sign up through Cult’s global beauty affiliate program on Sovrn, or via Skimlinks, which targets various markets — including the US, Australia, and Germany.

Before you apply, bear in mind Cult Beauty prioritizes websites that are aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate, and regularly updated with new content.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | Up to 15% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.8%-4% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 4.7% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Skin care, makeup, hair care, fragrances

13 Chanel One of the biggest names in the makeup and beauty industry, Chanel is a British-based French fashion house founded by legendary designer Coco Chanel. It operates 500+ boutiques worldwide and generated annual revenues of over $15 billion in 2021.

The luxury brand is arguably best known for its No. 5 perfume, but it also sells various other beauty, makeup, and skincare products.

Unlike many other beauty affiliate programs, Chanel’s program is only available through Sovrn. It pays an average commission rate of 9.7% per sale, with Sovrn’s figures showing an average EPC of $0.58, a conversion rate of 5.93%, and an average order value of $71.18.

  • URL: Chanel affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 9.7% average
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Fragrances, makeup, skincare products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

14 TatchaTatcha is a beauty brand dedicated to Japanese beauty and skincare products. All its formulas are created at the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo from natural ingredients from superfoods, amino acids, and a proprietary complex inspired by the Japanese diet.

The company sells an extensive range of skincare products — including moisturizers, cleansers, and exfoliators — segmented by different skin types and benefits. It offers free shipping on all domestic orders within the US.

Tatcha’s global beauty affiliate program is available through FlexOffers and Sovrn, with FlexOffers providing commissions of up to 6.4% per sale and a 30-day cookie window.

The brand also runs affiliate programs catering to specific markets — including the US, Canada, and Australia — via Skimlinks, paying up to 15% commissions.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 3.5% – 6.4% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 15% | – | Multiple | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 12% | – | US, AU, CA | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 4% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Japanese beauty and skincare products

15 GlossierGlossier is a digitally native beauty brand founded in 2014 by Emily Weiss, who launched the company with just four products — including a face mist and a moisturizer.

Even today, Glossier only offers about 80 products across skincare, makeup, body, balms, gift sets, and apparel. Yet it generates annual revenues of $100+ million and has been valued at $1.8 billion. The company offers free shipping on orders of $40+.

Glossier’s global beauty affiliate programs can be found on Sovrn and FlexOffers. According to Sovrn, the retailer has an average basket size of $58.13 and a strong conversion rate of 7.54%. Sovrn has the most attractive rates, paying 15% per sale.

The company also runs a local affiliate program through Skimlinks for affiliates in multiple markets, including the US and UK.

Glossier offers various perks to affiliate marketers, including product launch sneak peeks and exclusive event invites.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Skimlinks | Up to 7% | – | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 15% | – | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 4% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Skincare, makeup, body, balms, gift sets, apparel

16 Fenty BeautyFenty Beauty is a cosmetics brand launched and owned by pop star Rihanna, giving it fantastic recognition and global appeal.

The company has become synonymous with promoting inclusivity in the makeup industry, offering a broad range of foundations that initially included 40 different shades (and has since expanded). It also stocks 50 shades of concealer.

Fenty’s beauty affiliate program is exclusively available through FlexOffers. It pays a flat commission of 10% on all sales and offers a seven-day cookie window.

  • URL: Fenty Beauty affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Beauty & skincare products
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, wire transfer, check, PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

17 Soko Glam Soko Glam is a Korean beauty brand committed to selling only the highest-quality products designed to achieve visible results, including several clean and vegan curations.

The company is also dedicated to positively impacting societies, donating to various non-profit and charitable organizations, such as Black Lives Matter, Stop AAPI Hate, and Hate Is a Virus.

Soko’s North American affiliate program is available through Skimlinks, paying commissions of up to 10% per sale. Skimlinks’ figures show an average basket size of approximately $55 and a 90-day EPC of $0.07.

Alternatively, affiliates outside the US and Canada can sign up through Sovrn or FlexOffers. However, the terms are less attractive, with Sovrn paying 5% commissions and FlexOffers up to 1.6% per sale.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | US, CA | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 5% | – | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.8% – 1.6% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Korean beauty, makeup, and skincare products

18 Clinique Owned by EstĂŠe Lauder Companies, Clinique is a US skincare, cosmetics, toiletries, and fragrances brand typically sold in luxury department stores.

The brand is known for helping customers find their new favorite beauty products, offering free samples with each purchase and customized product finders. It also provides free shipping and returns,

Sign up for Clinique’s global beauty affiliate program on FlexOffers. It has a seven-day cookie window and pays commissions of 10% per sale.

The company also runs locally targeted affiliate programs through Rakuten, Skimlinks, and Sovrn. According to Sovrn, Clinique boasts an average order value of $33.37, an average conversion rate of over 25%, and an EPC of $0.60.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 10% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten Linkshare | 6% | 7 days | US, CA | Sign Up | | Rakuten Linkshare | 6% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 6% | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 7.6% | – | US, CA | Sign Up |

Products/Services sold: Skincare, cosmetics, toiletries, fragrances brand

19 Charlotte TilburyCharlotte Tilbury is a beauty and skincare brand founded in 2013 by the eponymous British celebrity makeup artist, who made her name leading creative product development for Armani, Burberry, and Tom Ford.

The brand’s products are sold in over 70 countries, primarily by large retailers such as Cult Beauty, Sephora, Bloomingdales, and ASOS. Customers can choose two free samples with every purchase and get free shipping and returns on all orders.

Charlotte Tilbury runs global beauty affiliate programs through Sovrn, Skimlinks, and FlexOffers. Both Sovrn and Skimlinks pay commissions of up to 15%.

According to Sovrn, the brand boasts an average basket size of $92.15 — equating to average commissions of up to $14 per conversion.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Sovrn | 10% – 15% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 15% | – | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 6.4% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Makeup, skincare, and luxury beauty products

20 Beauty Bay Beauty Bay began in 1999 as a fragrance retailer before adding skincare and cosmetics to its product lineup. In 2018, the company launched its in-house beauty brand — By Beauty Brand — which has since become the site’s bestseller.

Beauty Bay stocks 10,000+ products, with new launches dropping weekly. Customers get free shipping on orders over $100.

The company’s US beauty affiliate program is managed through Awin, paying 10% on sales of own-brand products and up to 7% on other conversions. The brand runs other locally targeted beauty programs on Awin and Skimlinks, while its global program — paying up to 10% per sale — is available via Sovrn.

Beauty Bay affiliates can leverage various tools and resources, including a product feed and a weekly affiliate newsletter containing updates, trends, and product launches.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | 2% – 10% | 30 days | US | Sign Up | | Awin | 2% – 10% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 15% | – | Multiple | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2% – 10% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Fragrance, skincare, cosmetics

21 NARS CosmeticsNARS Cosmetics is a skincare and cosmetics brand founded in 1994 by French celebrity makeup artist and photographer François Nars, with an original lineup of 12 lipsticks.

The company’s product range has expanded significantly since then and now includes everything from primers and eyeshadows to lip glosses and bronzers. Its Radiant Creamy Concealer is the top-selling concealer in the US.

Find NARS Cosmetics’ main US beauty affiliate program on the Pepperjam network. It pays a flat 8% commission on all sales that convert within seven days of clicking your affiliate link.

NARS also runs US and UK-focused affiliate programs through Skimlinks and Rakuten respectively, while its global beauty programs are available via FlexOffers and Sovrn.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Pepperjam | 8% | 7 days | US | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 8% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten Advertising | 6% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 3% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 5% | – | US | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Cosmetics and skincare products

22 Kiehl’s Kiehl’s is a luxury beauty brand owned by L’Oréal. Founded in 1851 as a single pharmacy, it now sells a wide selection of skincare, haircare, and body care products — all of which are 100% Paraben-free.

Best-selling Kiehl’s products include its Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Ultra Facial Cream, and men’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer. Customers get free shipping on all orders.

Kiehl’s has global beauty affiliate programs on the FlexOffers and Sovrn networks, with the latter paying up to 8.4% commissions per sale. It also has country-specific beauty programs on Skimlinks and Awin.

Affiliates can leverage various marketing tools and resources, including a regularly updated product feed, banners and visuals, and the ability to promote on-site promotions (including gift-with-purchase offers).

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 4.8% | 1 day | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2% – 8.4% | – | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 15% | – | US | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | CA | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 25% | – | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 12% | – | AU | Sign Up | | Awin | 5% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Skin, hair, and body products

23 DiorDior is a European multinational luxury fashion house founded in 1946 by legendary French designer Christian Dior.

One of the biggest names in the makeup niche, it sells various products across various categories, including complexion, eyes, lips, and nails. Dior customers get free delivery, gift wrapping, and product samples.

Dior operates global beauty affiliate programs on two networks: FlexOffers and Sovrn. FlexOffers pays a flat commission of 8% per sale and has a 10-day cookie window, while Sovrn cites an average EPC of $0.04.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 8% | 10 days | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | – | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Beauty products, fragrances

24 SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals is a L’Oréal-owned skincare company that sells to customers in 25 countries through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medical spas, select pharmacies, premium spas, and its own website.

The brand’s products are made in the US based on decades of research into skin cancer. SkinCeuticals members enjoy free ground shipping on all orders.

SkinCeuticals runs global beauty affiliate programs via FlexOffers and Sovrn, with the former offering 5% commissions and a one-day cookie window. Various local SkinCeuticals programs are available through Awin, Skimlinks, Sovrn, and Rakuten.

All programs offer dynamic commissions for high-selling affiliates, product-specific content, and professional-quality creatives. SkinCeuticals also employs a helpful affiliate support team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 5% | 1 day | Global | Sign Up | | Awin | 5% | 30 days | UK | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 6% | – | US | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Up to 10% | – | UK | Sign Up | | Sovrn | – | – | Global | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 5%-8% | – | UK | Sign Up | | Rakuten Advertising | 6% | 1 day | US | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Skincare products

ConclusionThere’s no shortage of high-quality beauty affiliate programs. So many, in fact, that we had to omit popular beauty and skincare brands like Stila Cosmetics, Elizabeth Arden, and BH Cosmetics from our list — better luck next time!

The fact is, we only wanted to share the very best beauty affiliate programs. To do that, we analyzed the programs promoted by top affiliate sites in the beauty niche, like Allure, Byrdie, Makeup.com, and Beautyholic.

All of those sites — and lots more besides — are making money online through the beauty affiliate programs listed in our roundup. And you can do the same if you understand how to build a traffic-generating, high-converting affiliate website.

Not sure where to start? Want to take your existing site to the next level? We’re here to help.

Sign up for our free training to learn seven best practices for creating high-performing affiliate sites — including how to build fast sites that rank quickly.

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You won’t be astonished to learn there’s a lot of money in jewelry, and jewelry affiliate programs are your opportunity to get in on the action.

In 2020, the global jewelry industry was worth $323 billion. By 2025, that amount is expected to surpass $480 billion.

But that’s only one part of the equation. The accessories industry as a whole — which includes jewelry, as well as things like luggage, bags, and watches — is forecast to hit almost $495 billion in revenue this year and hit $618 billion by 2025.

Like the sound of the jewelry affiliate market? Then let’s dive into our pick of the very best jewelry affiliate programs…

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Jewelry Affiliate Programs 1. James Allen 2. Blue Nile Jewelry 3. Etsy 4. Clean Origin 5. Leibish 6. WhiteFlash 7. Brian Gavin 8. Zales 9. Jared 10. Kay 11. Brilliant Earth 12. Rockford Collection 13. Stella & Dot 14. Kobelli 15. Yadav Jewelry 16. LilyFair 17. Angara 18. Littman Jewelers

1 James AllenIn 2006, four enterprising individuals — Oded Edelman, James Schultz, Michele Sigler, and Dean Lederman — joined forces to found James Allen.

They did a pretty good job, because the company has since grown to become the largest privately held online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer in the world.

Today, the website sells more than 200,000 conflict-free certified diamonds, all of which can be viewed in highly magnified 360-degree HD quality. That way, customers know exactly what they’re getting.

As well as diamonds, the brand stocks personalized necklaces, rings, and other fine jewelry. All products include a 100% money-back guarantee.

With an average order value of $6,500, there’s plenty of money to be earned through James Allen’s jewelry affiliate program. By my math, with a 5% commission rate, that translates to an average commission of $325.

  • URL: James Allen affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

2 Blue Nile JewelryFounded in 1999, Blue Nile was one of the first jewelry companies to bet big on online sales, allowing customers to buy the finest cut diamonds at a fair price.

Today, it sells more than 150,000 loose high-quality diamonds, as well as diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, and gifts (think earrings, necklaces, bracelets and the like).

Because its products carry high price points, Blue Nile offers free shipping and a 30-day return policy on each individual order, which takes some of the stress away from buying online.

Blue Nile’s jewelry affiliate program pays 5% on all jewelry orders, although commissions are calculated on the first $7,500 of any individual order. That means the most you can possibly earn from a single sale is $375.

Pleasingly, jewelry affiliates are also rewarded for phone sales thanks to the brand’s cookie tracking system, which includes a unique reference number to be quoted by customers when they call to place an order.

  • URL: Blue Nile Jewelry affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

3 EtsyEtsy is the go-to marketplace for handmade jewelry. It sells literally millions of related products, from low-cost fashion jewelry to high-end luxury jewelry with five-figure price tags.

With more than four million active sellers using the platform, you certainly won’t be short of options when it comes to recommending products.

As with any marketplace, be sure to check the seller’s rating before steering your audience in their direction.

Etsy’s affiliate program pays a standard 4% on all sales. Sure, that’s not spectacular, but at least the 30-day cookie window is a lot more generous than Amazon’s.

The marketplace supports jewelry affiliates in English, French, and German.

  • URL: Etsy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

4 Clean OriginAs its name suggests, Clean Origin specializes in 100% lab-created diamonds.

Using cutting-edge technology, those diamonds are “grown” in a laboratory setting, allowing them to be created in a matter of weeks rather than over millions of years.

Chemically, physically, and visually, they’re identical to naturally formed diamonds. The wonders of science, eh!

As well as selling loose lab-grown diamonds of exceptional quality, the site offers an extensive range of fine jewelry, wedding, and engagement rings. All purchases carry a 100-day money back guarantee.

Clean Origin’s jewelry affiliate program pays a 5% commission rate. That’s pretty par for the course, but the 90-day window is the longest of all the jewelry affiliate programs we’ve seen.

  • URL: Clean Origin affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

5 LeibishLeibish is a family-run business that sells high-quality diamonds and diamond jewelry, with a particular focus on natural fancy-colored diamonds and gemstones.

Color diamond engagement rings are the website’s bestsellers, although it also sells a wide variety of jewelry pieces, ranging from rings and earrings to pendants and necklaces.

All of its stones are mined in Africa, Australia, India, and Russia, and come from conflict-free sources that comply with UN resolutions. They include completely free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee as standard.

Leibish’s jewelry affiliate program offers a range of commissions based on the order value. Weirdly for an affiliate program, the higher the order, the lower the commission:

  • $0-$15,000: 7%
  • $15,001-$25,000: 5%
  • $25,001-$50,000: 3%
  • $50,001-$100,000: 2%
  • $100,000+: 1%

Still, the average order stands at $10,500, so you can expect average commissions of $735, which definitely isn’t to be sniffed at.

  • URL: Leibish affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1%-7%
  • Cookie duration: Unknown

6 WhiteFlashWhiteFlash claims to stock the world’s largest inventory of AGS ideal diamonds. I have no idea what that means, but there’s an explainer on the WhiteFlash website if you want to get educated.

The website sells high-quality diamonds, as well as designer jewelry from prestigious brands like Tacori, Verragio, and Vatche.

Powered by affiliate tracking software provider Post Affiliate Pro, the brand’s jewelry affiliate program pays up to 5% on all sales made within the 30-day cookie window.

Payments are made in US dollars and are paid once a month, always on the 15th.

  • URL: Whiteflash affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

7 Brian GavinI’ve just mentioned WhiteFlash. Now, meet one of the company’s co-founders, Brian Gavin.

A fifth-generation diamond cutter, Gavin grew up working at his family’s diamond factory. I doubt it took much persuading for him to get involved in the family business.

Anyway, today, Brian Gavin has his own website selling a range of diamond jewelry, including earrings, pendants, and bracelets, plus diamond engagement and wedding rings.

The company’s jewelry affiliate program — again powered by Post Affiliate Pro — pays up to a 7% commission with a 30-day cookie window.

Commission payments are made via bank wire or PayPal, with a minimum value of $200. Payments occur once a month, 45 days after the end of the month in which the sale was made.

  • URL: Brian Gavin affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

8 ZalesZales has built a reputation for stocking timeless, high-end diamond jewelry based on almost 100 years in the jewelry business.

The company started out back in 1924 operating a single shop in Wichita Falls that also sold cookware, appliances, and cameras.

Today, it very much focuses on the diamond niche (so don’t come here if you’re looking for a gas oven or a new saucepan) and boasts a network of more than 1,700 stores.

The company attributes its success to its exceptional customer service and a centralized buying policy that guaranteed quality and fair prices.

Join the Zales jewelry affiliate program and you’ll earn a solid 6% commission on all sales. There’s just one small downside: the cookie window only extends for a week, which is a little tight.

  • URL: Zales affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 6%
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

9 JaredJared claims to offer fives times the selection of “ordinary jewelry stores”, whatever they are.

Part of Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest diamond retailer, it runs more than 200 stores across the US as well as its own website.

Speaking of that website, it’s home to more than 5,000 jewelry products, with a particular focus on gifts, diamond watches, and engagement and bridal jewelry.

Jared’s jewelry affiliate program, powered by the CJ Affiliate network, offers a somewhat stingy 2% commission rate and a seven-day cookie window.

Still, with an average order size of $475 and regular money-off voucher codes, there’s still decent money to be made here.

  • URL: Jared affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2%
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

10 KayKay has the shortest name of all the jewelry companies on this list, and might also be the oldest, having been founded back in 1916.

The business started out in 1916 from a storefront in Pennsylvania that sold jewelry, eyeglasses, music, boxes, silverware, razors, and appliances.

While its product range has shrunk a little since then, its business has very much expanded. With more than 1,000 stores across the US, it’s now one of the country’s biggest jewelry retailers.

The Kay website features more than 5,000 products. Join its jewelry affiliate program and you’ll earn a 2% commission on all of them (provided your referrals buy within seven days).

Kay offers a variety of marketing assets to support your efforts, including text links, display banners, and other content.

  • URL: Kay affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2%
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

11 Brilliant EarthEstablished in 2005, Brilliant Earth claims to be the world leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry.

All of its diamonds are Beyond Conflict Free, which means they’ve been selected based on their environmentally responsible and sustainable origins.

It also sells lab-created and recycled diamonds that require no new mining — which is better for the planet (probably).

Brilliant Earth’s jewelry affiliate program pays 5% commissions on all new customer sales and 3% for returning customers, all with a 30-day cookie window. However, it’s worth noting there’s a £445 commission cap on each order. Commissions are paid monthly.

The company provides all the tools you need to drive sales, including affiliate program newsletters featuring upcoming promotions and brand initiatives, and a detailed dashboard run through the Impact affiliate network.

  • URL: Brilliant Earth affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% new customers, 3% returning customer
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

12 Rockford CollectionRockford Collection is the only retailer on this list to specialize in wedding bands for men.

The men’s jewelry brand designs and develops all its products at its studio in New York and ships to customers in the US, Canada, Europe, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Each ring in Rockford’s 80-piece collection is crafted using 100% natural diamonds, gold, and platinum. Fancy!

As standard, all purchases include free US shipping, a lifetime warranty, complimentary gift packaging, and a 14-day money back return policy.

Rockford’s affiliate program features a 30-day cookie window and a generous 10% commission rate, which stacks up pretty well against other jewelry affiliate programs.

  • URL: Rockford Collection affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

13 Stella & DotStella & Dot is (essentially) the LuLaRoe of the jewelry industry, with a business model based on recruiting independent ambassadors to sell its range of products.

As well as boutique-style jewelry and accessories, its range includes skincare and beauty products from Ever Skincare. All are exclusively available through the Stella & Dot website and via its aforementioned ambassadors.

The Stella & Dot affiliate program is a little different to your average jewelry affiliate program.

As well as offering a generous 12% commission on sales to new customers (plus 5% to returning customers), it pays a flat $100 bounty payment for recruiting new independent ambassadors. That gives you lots of monetization opportunities.

Whichever angle you’re pushing, Stella & Dot offers plenty of marketing collateral to help you out, including a monthly newsletter with updates on sales opportunities, contests, and promotions.

  • URL: Stella & Dot affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% – 12% on sales; $100 for referring new Independent Ambassadors
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

14 KobelliAnother family-owned business, Kobelli has been importing diamonds and manufacturing fine jewelry since 1980 from its base in downtown LA.

The company started out making products for brick-and-mortar retailers, before branching out into the world of e-commerce a couple decades ago.

Today, it’s fully embraced the direct-to-consumer business model, selling a wide range of jewelry products at competitive prices by cutting out the middleman. Free shipping and a 30-day hassle-free returns policy are available to all customers.

Promote Kobelli products properly and there’s real earning potential here, with 8% – 10% commissions per sale.

With an average order value of $1,000+, that’s a pretty attractive prospect. Sales are tracked via the Impact Radius affiliate platform.

  • URL: Kobelli affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% – 10%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

15 Yadav JewelryYadav Jewelry has been a jeweler and diamond wholesaler for the best part of four decades, specializing in conflict-free natural and laboratory-grown diamonds.

The company sells GIA and IGI-certified diamonds and also offers a bespoke engagement ring design service — because sometimes, off-the-shelf just won’t cut it.

Yadav’s jewelry affiliate program boasts a 5% commission rate, which, as we’ve seen, is around the average for the jewelry industry.

Slightly above average is the cookie window, which extends for 45 days, giving you more opportunities to monetize your traffic.

Commission payments are made on a monthly basis, minus any customer returns, shipping and handling fees, and taxes and duties.

  • URL: Yadav Jewelry affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

16 LilyFairLilyFair has been working with China’s finest designers for the best part of 20 years to create luxury jewelry inspired by high-fashion principles.

The award-winning brand has apparently picked up no fewer than 146 industry accolades (according to its website, at least) and served over 5,000 customers.

As well as selling direct to consumers, the company acts as a buyer for several renowned — but unnamed — clients, including celebrities, boutiques, and fashion brands.

LilyFair pays a generous 15% commission on all sales, making it potentially one of the best jewelry affiliate programs we’ve seen.

It launches new products every day, which must be a lot of work. That means there’s always an opportunity to refer your audience to the LilyFair website.

  • URL: LilyFair affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

17 AngaraAngara stocks more than 7,000 jewelry products, including engagement rings, earrings, and necklaces. Its specialty lies in precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, tanzanites, and the obligatory diamonds.

As well as shopping its extensive collection, customers can use the website to design their own jewelry.

Angara certainly has impressive credentials. The Better Business Bureau has given it an A+ rating, while the brand has been featured in a host of big-name publications, including Newsweek, Fox, and CNN.

Angara’s jewelry affiliate program pays commissions of up to 10% per sale, with an average order value of $1,100. It also runs regular affiliate incentives and bonuses, giving you even more scope to earn money.

  • URL: Angara affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 10%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

18 Littman JewelersFine jewelry is the order of the day at Littman, which sells everything from high-end engagement rings and bridal jewelry to watches from the likes of Pulsar and Seiko.

With a network of more than 120 stores, Littman has plenty of brand awareness, which is always a useful tool for persuading customers to buy.

Promote Littman Jewelers and you’ll earn a 7% commission on all sales referred within the 30-day cookie window. Based on its average order value, that equates to an average commission per sale of $25.

To help you out, the brand runs exclusive offers throughout the year, including free shipping on orders over $139.

Helpfully, it also advertises on social media and via the Google ad network. If someone clicks your affiliate link, sees an ad within 30 days and buys from it, you’ll earn a commission.

  • URL: Littman Jewelers affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Conclusion: Are Jewelry Affiliate Programs Right For You?As you can see, there are more jewelry affiliate programs than you can shake a stick at, and pretty much all of them offer superb earning potential.

But you can’t expect to become a jewelry affiliate today and start bringing in fat commissions tomorrow. These things take work: first you need to build a website and write a ton of useful content.

We can help you with that part. How? Just register for our free training and we’ll give you all the tools to create a high-performing affiliate site. See you there!

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SaaS affiliate programs are some of the biggest earners out there right now. Put simply, SaaS is a business model where you pay a monthly subscription for access to a piece of software that’s typically stored in the cloud.

That’s why it’s referred to as Software-As-A–Service.

And the SaaS industry is a real growth market, with predicted global revenues of US$623 billion within the next 3 – 5 years.

SaaS still only accounts for 15% of total market share right now, meaning the only way is up.

Experience shows us that it’s far easier to make money online in markets with upward growth.

This is why we were able to generate income results like this through our favorite software affiliate programs:

This is to show you what’s possible when you tap into the right market with the right programs, like the top SaaS affiliate programs we researched for this roundup.

And, as you’ll learn from this blog post, there’s something to suit pretty much every niche.

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

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SaaS Affiliate Programs1. Systeme affiliate program 2. FreshBooks affiliate program 3. ConvertKit affiliate program 4. NordVPN affiliate program 5. Shopify affiliate program 6. Aweber affiliate program 7. Hunter.io affiliate program 8. Sucuri affiliate program 9. WP Engine affiliate program 10. LastPass affiliate program 11. Microsoft Office 365 affiliate program 12. Lifelock affiliate program 13. KWFinder affiliate program 14. SEMrush affiliate program 15. BigCommerce affiliate program 16. HubSpot affiliate program 17. Moosend affiliate program 18. Pipedrive affiliate program 19. Teachable affiliate program 20. Unbounce affiliate program

1 SystemeSysteme offers a package of SaaS tools designed to help people grow an online business, covering everything from sales funnels and email marketing to website and online course builders.

Its solutions have been used by more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and it has an excellent 4.8-star rating from more than 600 reviews on Trustpilot, so it’s clearly good at what it does.

Helpfully for affiliates, Systeme has a generous freemium product tier that allows subscribers to send unlimited emails to 2,000 contacts. That makes it comparatively easy to convince people to sign up — and once they’ve handed over their details, Systeme’s marketing can do the rest.

Best of all, this affiliate program offers a lifetime cookie window. So if your referred customer signs up for a free account and upgrades to a paid tier after six months or a year, you’ll still earn a commission.

And talking of commissions, they’re also extremely generous. For every sale you refer, you’ll receive 40% lifetime commissions, so you’ll keep earning for as long as they keep subscribing to Systeme.

Pretty good, right? So no wonder the company has paid out more than $2 million in commissions to affiliates.

  • URL: Systeme
  • Commission: 40% lifetime commissions
  • Cookie duration: Lifetime

2 FreshBooksInvoicing and accounting are boring.

It can also be incredibly time-consuming for the average entrepreneur.

FreshBooks helps to automate your invoicing, time tracking, expenses, and even payment collection with their SaaS accounting solution.

It’s so effective you can save an average of 192 hours per year.

Or 5 working weeks.

And the mobile app allows you to manage your business finances from wherever you are in the world.

FreshBooks is suitable for everyone from freelance writers to large agencies.

So how does the FreshBooks affiliate program work?

Well, if one of your referrals signs up for a free trial you make $5 in affiliate commissions.

But if your referral becomes a paying customer, you earn $55 instead.

  • URL: FreshBooks affiliate marketing program
  • Commission: Up to $5 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 120 days

3 ConvertKitConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators.

So, if you’re a blogger, YouTuber, author, musician, podcaster, etc, it was created with you in mind.

And to also save you from having to wade through a ton of features you won’t ever need.

Which is exactly what you get with many of the high-end email marketing services.

It makes it easy for you to do everything from creating a basic landing page to sending a broadcast email to your list.

The built-in tracking and reporting are also deliberately kept simple, ensuring you don’t get overwhelmed.

One of the reasons why we love SaaS affiliate programs is because there’s the potential for affiliate marketers to earn recurring commission.

ConvertKit is a perfect example of what we mean because it pays you 30% commission for as long as your referral’s account stays active with them.

So that means you can create a passive income of $2,000 per month by referring 20 new customers every month for a year.

  • URL: ConvertKit affiliate marketing program
  • Commission: 30% recurring
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

4 NordVPNIt’s an unfortunate fact of life, but using a VPN will become as common as using your streaming service of choice. Your ISP no longer guarantees privacy, and most definitely not by your government.

So now is as good a time as any to tell your visitors about NordVPN.

This affordable VPN solution has been available for almost a decade now, with millions of active users. And it’s not even all that expensive – you can get full access to 5,000 servers for up to 6 devices for less than $7 per month.

Is this a SaaS affiliate marketing offer worth promoting?

All their metrics on CJ tell me “Yes”, and the 40% commission rate is also pretty generous. It doesn’t matter who your audience is – they’ll wind up needing a VPN sooner rather than later.

  • URL: Nord affiliate program
  • Commission: 40%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

5 ShopifyWhen you decide to start your own e-commerce store (go you!), you’re presented with one of two choices:

  1. Pull together all the different hosting tools and marketing materials you’ll need to get things going.
  2. Use Shopify

And if you have a ton of experience building e-commerce stores, Shopify is the smart choice here.

I once watched as two of my friends flushed $20,000 down the toilet on a bespoke e-commerce platform…that never worked. They gave up after almost 3 years of frustration, selling off their warehoused stock for cents on the dollar. On the other hand, Shopify is a tried and tested e-commerce platform with prices starting at $29 per month.

So how much can you make promoting this SaaS affiliate program? You’ll earn $58 in commission if your referral upgrades from a free trial signup to a ‘Basic’ paid plan.

But if they sign up for a ‘Plus’ plan you can earn as much as US$2,000 per lead. Based on the numbers, this is one of the most potentially lucrative SaaS affiliate marketing programs in this roundup.

  • URL: Shopify affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $58 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Check out our in-depth Shopify affiliate program review.

6 AweberAweber is an email marketing solution service and one of the oldest SaaS companies out there. That’s because they’ve been in business since 1998 – they were doing it before SaaS was cool. And they’ve come a long way during those years, constantly adding new features.

So you now get a simple-to-use email automation platform that features tagging, a drag-and-drop email designer, lots of templates to work with, and integrates with a large number of third-party services.

If you’re a data-hungry entrepreneur, you’ll enjoy poring over their detailed reports to optimize your email marketing strategies.

This is another affiliate program to offer a recurring commission on all referrals. That means as an Aweber affiliate partner, you can sell once and get paid over and over again, to the tune of 30% commission. Combined with low-competition keywords, a recurring commission payment structure can be worth a lot of money.

  • URL: Aweber partner program
  • Commission: 30%
  • Cookie duration: 365 days

7 Hunter.ioIf you’ve read more than a handful of our blog posts, you’ll know that we use outreach as the cornerstone of our link building efforts. And Hunter.io is what we use to find the email addresses of people we want to contact.

We’ve tested similar tools, but none of them have achieved anything like Hunter’s success rate. And that’s basically because they’ve indexed over 100 million email addresses and have powerful search tools to find the email addresses they don’t have indexed.

But it goes beyond that because their email verification tool ensures the bare minimum of your outreach emails will bounce.

This is a must-have SaaS tool for our affiliate marketing business and probably yours too. Something else to love about Hunter is its affiliate program because it offers recurring commissions.

Granted, that’s only for the first 12 months, but during that time, affiliate partners get a 30% cut of what your referrals spend each month. Hunter’s cheapest plan costs $49 per month, so your average recurring commission will be $14 every time somebody signs up.

  • URL: Hunter.io partner program
  • Commission: 30% recurring
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

8 SucuriBy the time you finish reading this sentence, another website has been hacked – approximately once every 20 seconds. One of the pitfalls of running an affiliate site, or any type of online business, is that you will eventually become a target for hackers.

Unless, of course, you’re using Sucuri. These guys can not only scan your site to make sure it hasn’t been compromised, fixing whatever they find, but they also protect it from all future attacks.

But Sucuri can also make your website load faster thanks to their CDN. This means you’re getting multiple SaaS services for one price and exceptional customer service.

Sucuri offers tiered pricing packages so their affiliate commission structure follows suit. Basically, affiliate marketers earn anywhere from $29 to $209 per referral, depending on what plan their visitor signs up for. That makes Sucuri one of the best affiliate programs in the SaaS niche in terms of potential income. That makes Sucuri one of the best SaaS programs here in terms of potential income.

  • URL: Sucuri affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $209 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

9 WP EngineYes, web hosts are SaaS companies – you pay monthly to access the various software packages on their servers. The problem with web hosts is that you’ll very quickly outgrow the one you’re currently using.

WP Engine is the next logical progression for WordPress site ownerss it occupies the middle ground between super high-end hosts and cheap shared hosting. But they also offer advanced hosting solutions all the way up to the enterprise level.

They’re also entirely affordable – you can get your site hosted with them for just $30 per month. Oh, and you get a CDN included in the price, so there’s no need to pay for a separate CDN.

You don’t need us to tell you that promoting web hosting affiliate programs can be insanely profitable.

Just look at Pat Flynn.

But WP Engine is no slouch when it comes to affiliate payouts. As an affiliate marketer, you’ll earn an average of $140 per sale. 20 referrals per month would be job replacement income for many people reading this.

  • URL: WP Engine affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to 200%
  • Cookie duration: 180 days

10 LastPassI’ve used a password manager of some kind since 2001. When I found LastPass I was actually between password managers – the desktop app I used had begun to fuck up so royally it was unusable. So LastPass was like a breath of fresh air.

It’s cloud-based, integrates well with my choice of browsers, and works on my smartphone. It also makes it incredibly easy for me to create a secure password for every single site or service I sign up for. Genuinely one of the best SaaS tools I’ve used in the last decade, and over 16 million people agree with me. And yes, it comes with a free trial – it’s actually a free account.

As a LastPass SaaS affiliate, you’ll receive a 25% cut of all sales made across their product range. An annual paid subscription to a basic version of LastPass is $36, so you’d earn $9 per referral just for that. That’s not bad for helping people keep their personal information far more secure.

  • URL: LastPass affiliate program
  • Commission: 25%
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

11 Microsoft Office 365Remember when Microsoft Office products used to cost hundreds of dollars per year, making them entirely unaffordable for almost everyone? Microsoft finally cottoned on to the idea of moving away from distributing their products on CD/DVD and shifting to a Software As A Service (SaaS) model instead.

You can now access the full MS Office suite for $9.99 per month, which covers licenses for up to 6 people. And you also get 1TB per person of cloud storage and some other extras bundled for that price.

Office 365 is a great example of how a “traditional” software company can pivot and implement the SaaS model to save its customers money and improve Microsoft’s bottom line.

From an affiliate perspective, it’s also way easier to pitch a product that costs $9.99 per month. This is an affiliate program where it pays to read the fine print. A monthly subscription to Office 365 is worth a flat $5 to you, whereas an annual plan is worth $10 instead. So you can double your money by simply changing how you position this offer.

  • URL: Microsoft affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $10 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days

Read our Microsoft affiliate program review.

12 LifelockIdentity theft might seem like something that could only ever happen to “someone else”.vBut the reality is that there’s a new victim of identity theft every 3 seconds. Once your personal information is compromised, it can be used for any of a number of criminal purposes, including taking out a loan or credit card in your name.

This is why LifeLock is such a solid recommendation for your visitors. They’ll get access to a full suite of systems and support tools that can either prevent them from becoming victims of this type of crime or reimburse them for financial losses up to US$1 million. And they get all of that for $29 per month, or the equivalent of a large pizza and sodas.

We’ll keep things simple here.

Selling a basic LifeLock plan is worth around $8 to you. But if your referral signs up for their ‘Ultimate Plus’ plan, you’ll make $100. This is the type of SaaS affiliate marketing offers you can use to create life-changing passive income.

  • URL: LifeLock affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $110 per sale
  • EPC: $489.44
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

13 KWFinderAnd we come to the search engine optimization section of our roundup of the best SaaS affiliate programs. First up is KW Finder, aka Mangools. As much as we love Ahrefs (and we do) it’s simply too expensive for some people when they first start out.

So if you’re operating on a shoestring budget and need an SEO or content marketing tool, you might like what KW Finder offers. Yes, you get a pretty decent keyword research tool (Miles Beckler loves it) but you also get a whole pile of other tools, like a backlink checker, rank tracking, and SERP and website analysis tool.

And with prices starting as low as $49 per month, there’s a whole lot of value to be had here for the average affiliate marketing business.

It’s one of the best SaaS products listed here.

You get 30% lifetime commission for each referral you send to their affiliate marketing program. So that means you’ll get paid a recurring commission for as long as your referral remains a customer of KW Finder. Affiliate programs with recurring monthly payments can create a lot of passive income in a matter of months.

  • URL: KWFinder affiliate program
  • Commission: 30% lifetime
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

14 SEMRushOne of the world’s best-known digital marketing tools, SEMrush carries out 17 billion URL crawls every single day, helping it compile a database of 310 million ads and 20 billion keywords. That database is the beating heart of more than 40 other SEO tools, enabling SEO agencies and digital marketers to do everything from building better PPC ads to conducting competitor analysis.

It’s kind of like Hootsuite, Google Trends, and Moz combined in a single platform, which is pretty powerful to say the least. So it’s no surprise SEMrush can count a bunch of household names among its seven million-strong client base, including the likes of Apple, Nike, and Tesla.

What’s more, with prices starting at $119.95 a month, there’s plenty of money to be made through its SaaS affiliate program.

As well as paying a cool $200 for every new subscription sale, SEMrush offers $10 for each lead and $0.01 per new signup, with a comparatively generous 120-day cookie window.

Plus, you can speak to a dedicated affiliate manager and access marketing resources in multiple languages to help drive affiliate sales. All commissions are paid 27 days after the end of each month.

  • URL: SEMrush affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $200
  • Cookie duration: 120 days

15 BigCommerceBigCommerce is a growth tool aimed at online businesses in the ecommerce space. That’s a pretty smart niche to be a part of, with global retail ecommerce sites projected to hit $5.4 trillion in sales in 2022 — up from $4.3 trillion in 2020. In other words, there are a whole lot of businesses and money in the world of ecommerce, and BigCommerce does a good job of targeting both.

More than 60,000 merchants in over 150 countries use its digital tools for checkout customization, site speed optimization, SEO improvements, and much more.

Powered by the Impact Radius affiliate network, BigCommerce’s SaaS affiliate program pays 200% of the customer’s first monthly payment or a flat $1,500 commission for enterprise customers. What’s more, you can get $40 simply for generating an enterprise-grade lead, up to a maximum of 20 leaders per month — which means you don’t necessarily even need to close the deal to earn money through this affiliate program.

  • URL: BigCommerce affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 200%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

16 HubSpotAnyone working in digital marketing will tell you that HubSpot is a big deal. Its sales, social media management, and digital marketing tools are used by more than 113,000 customers in over 120 countries, and it pretty much single-handedly invented the phrase “inbound marketing”.

Its toolkit helps users bring in leads at the top of the funnel and target them with content through various social media platforms and other channels until they’re (hopefully) ready to buy.

However, it’s certainly not the cheapest tool on the market, with prices starting at $50 per month but rising sharply from there. Of course, the good news is that (comparatively) high prices mean strong commissions, with a structure that offers the chance to earn multiple payouts from the same customer.

That model is based on the referred customer’s first purchase and product tier, paying $250 at Starter/Basic level, $500 for Professional/CMS, and $1,000 for Enterprise sales.

As the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed, that means the HubSpot affiliate program is ripe for cross-selling. If a customer buys Marketing Starter and Sales Professional in a single transaction, you’ll bag yourself commissions of $250 + $500. HubSpot offers plenty of marketing materials to help you send traffic its way, from demo videos and copy examples to banner ads and landing pages.

  • URL: HubSpot affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $1,000
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

17 MoosendMoosend helps brands create email marketing campaigns that convert, offering a feature set that includes automation templates, an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, and support for A/B testing. It’s evidently pretty good at what it does, because it’s used by a bunch of high-profile companies, including Domino’s Pizza, Gucci, and advertising giant Ogilvy.

While its core feature set is available completely free of charge, users understandably have to pay to access more advanced functionality, with prices starting at $8 per month for 1,000 email subscribers.

Moosend operates one of the top SaaS affiliate programs we’ve seen, paying 30% recurring lifetime commissions for successful referrals. What’s more, you’ll top up your earnings if your referrals upgrade their plan. And the good news doesn’t stop there. Whereas most affiliate programs have watertight cookie policies, Moosend pays commissions even if a customer buys outside the 90-day window, as long as they’ve created an account within the window.

  • URL: Moosend affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 30% recurring
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

18 PipedrivePipedrive sells CRM software designed to help customers focus on the actions that are most likely to result in sales. According to Pipedrive’s own figures, its users close 28% more deals on average after a year of using its software, which is no mean feat. So it’s no real surprise that its SaaS software is pretty damned popular, with more than 95,000 customers in 179 countries.

Unlike HubSpot, Pipedrive doesn’t offer an introductory freemium tier, but its prices are generally lower (albeit it has a more limited feature set than HubSpot).

However, there’s still plenty of cash to be made here, with Pipedrive paying a recurring commission of 33% per sale. Unfortunately, it’s not a lifetime commission — you can only get it for a maximum of one year for each referral. Anyone who signs up after hitting your unique referral link or entering your dedicated promo code will be eligible for an extended free trial of 30 days, rather than the standard 14 days.

  • URL: Pipedrive affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 33% recurring for 12 months
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

19 TeachableTeachable helps aspiring tutors build and monetize their own online training courses. It’s a smart market to target, with the industry predicted to be worth $350 billion by 2025. Demonstrating the potential of the online training niche, Teachable has already signed up more than 100,000 creators. In turn, those creators have used the platform to sell over $1 billion worth of courses.

That’s where you come in. Teachable’s SaaS affiliate program pays out each time a new tutor signs up, with recurring lifetime commissions ranging from 30% to 50%, depending on the number of sales you drive.

According to Teachable, its average affiliate pockets an average of $450 in commissions every month, with many earning $1,000 or more per month.

  • URL: Teachable affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 50%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

20 UnbounceUnbounce helps brands build better landing pages. It’s the website builder of choice for more than 15,000 brands, including big names like Campaign Monitor and Later. It’s got a ton of smart functionality, including a new feature that leverages more than 1.5 billion data points and AI insights to help small businesses drive more conversions from their landing pages.

Clearly, its various tools are effective, because they’ve been the driving force behind more than 500 million customer conversions.

On the subject of conversions, the Unbounce SaaS affiliate program pays a 20% recurring lifetime commission for each customer you refer.

With prices ranging from $80 – $300 a month, that’s a pretty competitive offer. To help you send more traffic toward Unbounce, your affiliate link allows successful referrals to claim a 20% discount on their first three months.

  • URL: Unbounce affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% recurring
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

Over to YouThere were literally hundreds of different SaaS affiliate programs we could have included here.

But instead of focusing on sheer quantity, we focused on brand names and services you might actually recognize.

That’s because it’s far easier to make money in affiliate marketing by promoting products or services you’re at least somewhat familiar with.

That’s why our roundup of SaaS affiliate programs is unlike anything else you’ll find online.

It’s way better.

What’s that, you’re not sure if affiliate marketing actually works?

Oh, it does.

And we’re happy to show you exactly how in our free training.

You will learn more with our free training than you would from other training products costing thousands of dollars.

And you’ll also discover one simple truth – affiliate marketing isn’t rocket science.

All we need from you is your best email address — we’ll get your invitation back to you pronto.

Oh, and if you enjoyed this content, don’t forget to share it on social media.

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One of these days, the people copying these blog posts will figure out that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

So firstly, I’m insanely flattered.

And secondly, nobody actually has time to read through 40 or 50 art affiliate programs.

Humans have incredibly short attention spans.

Anyways, this niche is one most of you have probably never considered until now.

But you definitely should because it’s one that’s currently worth around US$70 billion, with projected year-on-year growth for the foreseeable future.

We’ve always used market demand as a metric for what niches to choose.

So that’s why we can earn this in a single month.

And these aren’t just some kind of humble brag – we want to show you what’s possible when you apply the TASS methodologies.

An important part of that process is figuring out which affiliate programs to promote.

So we did all the hard work for you.

There are a few gems in here too, so don’t skip ahead.

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

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**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

Art Affiliate Programs1. Society 6 affiliate program 2. Fine Art America affiliate program 3. Paint By Numbers affiliate program 4. A Cherry On Top affiliate program 5. Blick Art Materials afiliate program 6. Arteza afiliate program 7. Art To Frames affiliate program 8. KidArtLit affiliate program 9. Framed Art affiliate program 10. Saatchi Art afiliate program 11. Marker Universe affiliate program 12. Creative Bug affiliate program 13. Sotheby’s affiliate program 14. Art Discount (UK) affiliate program

1 Society 6Society 6 is less of an online store and more of a platform for aspiring artists to gain exposure to an international audience.

That’s been their raison d’etre since 2009, allowing artists to sell their wares without paying exorbitant exhibition fees.

Your visitors will find the works of more than 300,000 different creators from more than 160 countries for sale.

In terms of wall art, they sell everything from framed canvas prints to metal prints and wood pieces.

This affiliate offer pays a 5% commission rate on all items purchased from the site.

With the exception of gift cards, which pay 0% commission – it sucks when affiliate programs pull that stunt.

  • URL: Society 6 affiliate program
  • Commission: 5% per sale
  • EPC: $21.59
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

2 Fine Art AmericaFine Art America is a company that specializes in helping artists sell their images to a global audience through print-on-demand technology.

Now, they do this across a wide range of products, all the way down to cups and mugs.

But their main focus is on wall art, including canvas and metal prints, acrylic prints, and tapestries.

Altogether, they represent the work of 100,000 living artists.

But your visitors won’t have to wait long for their order thanks to the 16 global distribution centers.

Their base commission rate is 8% which is a lot more than some of the other affiliate programs.

But they also claim to have a very high conversion rate.

So with each sale paying $13.51 in commission, this could be a very lucrative offer to promote.

  • URL: Fine Art America partner program
  • Commission: 8% per sale
  • EPC: $1,311
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

3 Paint By NumbersThere are actual artists, aspiring artists…and people like me.

I have all the talent of an inanimate carbon rod.

So being able to pretend by using kits from My Paint By Numbers suits me right down to the ground.

Each painting is supplied as an outline with numbered segments for each individual color.

You then simply paint that section with the paint color that matches the number.

You can choose from their existing collections or even have them create a custom design for you.

Affiliates will receive a 15% commission on everything they sell, which is very generous compared to other affiliate programs in this niche.

And their affiliates do seem to make consistent money.

  • URL: My Paint By Numbers partner program
  • Commission: 15% per sale
  • EPC: $30.07
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

4 A Cherry On TopAnd here we have a scrappy success story – a Cherry On Top.

What started as a work-from-home business selling stickers has grown to become one of the leading suppliers of scrapbooking stuff in North America.

Scrapbooking isn’t artistic?

Art is subjective…you snob.

Just kidding.

Anyways, this company stocks a full range of art supplies, from brushes, paints, and inks to calligraphy pens, fancy paper, and more besides.

They also sell subscription boxes – which might just make the perfect gift for the arty person in your life.

So, how much you do get paid for sending them new customers?

You’ll receive 4% commission on all referred sales of art supplies sent through your links.

  • URL: A Cherry On Top affiliate program
  • Commission: 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

5 Blick Art MaterialsThere are lots of e-commerce stores selling art supplies online.

Very few of them, however, have a pedigree going back over a century as Blick’s does.

But it’s about more than just heritage because they also have over 90,000 products in stock.

Including their popular range of own-brand products.

Basically, they have all the paints, cases, paper, boards, brushes, and other materials an artist will need for each stage of their journey.

But they do also have a corner of their store dedicated to art and craft materials for kids.

So how does this compare to the other art and craft affiliate programs?

An average order size of US$100, combined with a 3% commission rate, means you’ll earn around $3 per sale.

Affiliate programs like this will rely on a high volume of qualified traffic sent their way.

  • URL: Blick Art Materials partner program
  • Commission: 3% per sale
  • EPC: $9.73
  • Cookie duration: 1 day

6 ArtezaHumans have created drawings for as long as we’ve understood our mortality.

From basic hand stencils to the stunning work at Lascaux, humans have left behind artistic records for at least 40,000 years.

Arteza is a company that understands this.

Their focus is on providing your visitors with a range of affordable arts and crafts supplies, from basic pencils to premium oil-based paints.

With something to suit the budget of every creator.

And for those who struggle most, they can choose to buy now and pay later with ‘Afterpay’.

So, is it worth your while promoting their products?

Yes.

The 15% commission rate is impressive.

But what’s even better is their 8% conversion rate – one of the highest of all the affiliate programs we researched.

  • URL: Arteza affiliate program
  • Commission: 15% per sale
  • EPC: $75.72
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

7 Art To FrameA picture might speak a thousand words.

But a picture frame says a lot about your taste.

So if you want to help your audience avoid making an artistic faux pas, then point them in the direction of Art To Frame.

This is a family-run business – set up in 1929 – that sells handmade frames to help each picture or print tell its story.

They do also offer a print-on-demand service.

So you simply upload your image, choose the format and frame you like, and then wait for the final product to be delivered.

This offer pays its affiliates 8% commission on all referred sales.

So although you might not get rich just promoting picture frames, there is money to be made here.

  • URL: Art To Frames partner program
  • Commission: 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

8 KidArtLitKidArtLit is one of those businesses I wish there were more of.

Why?

Because of how important it is for kids to have art projects and books to enjoy instead of being glued to “Blippy” on a tablet for 8 hours per day.

This educator-owned subscription box service ensures that kids from all walks of life get to experience creating as a developmental tool.

Plus each of the kits has enough supplies for two children, so nobody will feel left out.

And with prices starting at just $35.95 per month, KidLitArt boxes are also very affordable.

The downside to this product is that you’ll only get $7 for new customers referred through your links.

Even if you sell a 12-month subscription costing $215.70.

But you can always ask for a commission bump once you prove yourself to their affiliate manager.

  • URL: KidArtLit affiliate program
  • Commission: $7 per sale
  • EPC: $19.50
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

9 Framed ArtHow you decorate your home makes a big statement about you.

And that goes double for the artwork you choose.

Investing in wall art can be expensive if you buy original pieces, but with Framed Art you can simply get a high-quality print instead.

Your visitors can choose from over 175,000 different prints, shopping by room, style, subject, artist, or decor.

That goes along with 40 frames and tons of glass and mat options too.

How does this offer compare to the other programs in this roundup?

Affiliates will earn an 8% commission of all sales and have a 30-day cookie to work with.

Oh, and you’ll need an account with Pepperjam to sign up for this offer.

  • URL: Framed Art affiliate program
  • Commission: 8%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

10 Saatchi ArtAnd now we take a peek into the world of high-end art sales with Saatchi Art.

We’re no longer in framed print territory.

Instead, we’re looking at artwork from established and new artists from all over the world.

But the prices are what set the tone here.

That’s because many of the pieces cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 each.

So that tells you what type of audience you should promote this offer to.

This would be an ideal add-on for anyone working in the “luxury” niche.

Because a commission rate of 8% on a $1,000 sale means you get paid $80 in commission.

  • URL: Saatchi Art affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to 8% per sale
  • EPC: $34.16
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

11 Marker UniverseIf you’re thinking that markers for kids don’t really belong in a roundup of art affiliate programs, you might just have a point.

But the markers you’ll find at Marker Universe are for professional illustrators and artists.

That’s why you’ll find them stocking brands like Kuretake, Graph’It, Chameleon, Sakura, Krink, and Karin, among others.

Nope, not “Karens” – nobody wants those.

Kids can use them, of course, but they won’t appreciate them.

So if you have an audience interested in comic books or graphic novels then the aspiring inkers and outliners there will love these.

They claim to have an average order size of $65.00, so you’ll earn roughly 7% per sale based on a 10% commission rate.

This is a real niche offer, but there’s a ton of potential here.

  • URL: Marker Universe partner program
  • Commission: 10% per sale
  • EPC: $40.00
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

12 Creative BugA small percentage of people are born with that innate artistic and creative spark.

They are prodigies.

But everyone else is going to need at least a little instruction, which is where Creative Bug enters the picture.

They offer thousands of online classes each week, covering dozens of different subjects.

So if any of your visitors want to learn oil painting, sketching, engraving, watercolors, or even digital illustration, you know where to send them.

And they can get access to every single class for just $7.95 per month.

Or they can sign up for the free trial using nothing more than their email address.

This affiliate offer pays a flat $6 for all new customers you send their way.

But you won’t receive any recurring commission if they stay subscribed.

  • URL: Creative Bug affiliate program
  • Commission: $6 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

13 Sotheby’sWe saved the very best for last – Sotheby’s.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the name, Sotheby’s are the people who manage auctions for works of art valued in the tens of millions.

In fact, many of the pieces they represent are so valuable you have to inquire privately.

So the audience for this offer might be quite limited.

But the potential to earn stupid amounts of money is not.

And that’s because this offer pays a flat $250 commission on every sale referred through your affiliate links.

Granted, that would be a kick in the teeth if the item was worth US$20 million, but it’s still a whole lot of cash to earn per referral.

  • URL: Sotheby’s affiliate program
  • Commission: $250 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

14 Art Discount (UK)Art Discount is one for our UK-based Authority Hackers.

They’ve been in the business of supplying amateur, professional and commercial customers with discounted art supplies for over 100 years.

So, whatever type of ink, brush, easel, paint, pencil, pen, paper, or canvas your audience might want, you can be sure they have it.

And their products are all from leading brand names, such as Winsor & Newton, Daler Rowney, Faber-Castell, and Derwent, among others.

So what can affiliates earn with this art supplies affiliate program?

You get 4% commission on all sales credited to your affiliate links.

But artists do tend to buy in bulk, which is one of the fringe benefits of promoting affiliate programs like this.

  • URL: Art Discount affiliate program
  • Commission: 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days

Over to YouAnd there you have our hand-curated, thoroughly researched list of lucrative art affiliate programs for you to promote.

The good news is that there are dozens of others to work with if you wish, many of them with a reasonable-or-better commission rate.

And with very few in-house/DIY affiliate programs to deal with, thankfully.

Plus, they have the type of metrics that tell me you’ll be able to make money with them.

Because that’s the end goal of anyone reading blog posts like this – asking, “How can I make money doing this stuff?”

We actually answer those questions for you in our free training.

You’ll learn all the basics of how to get your first affiliate site up and running.

And without paying us a red cent.

Promise.

All we need to know is the best email address to send your invitation to.

Cya on the inside!

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Yes, the credit card niche is competitive.

But that also means one thing – there’s money to be made by promoting the right credit card affiliate programs.

Remember, this is an industry that’s worth US$3.32 trillion per year.

This is why the big credit card affiliate marketers make 6-figures per month.

Does that seem like an impossible level of income to achieve?

It’s not, and here’s proof of what we routinely make from our affiliate marketing business:

And once you see just how much some of the offers featured in our roundup of credit card affiliate programs actually pay, you’ll understand that earning life-changing income is entirely possible by promoting credit cards.

Let’s get to it.

7 SecretsTo Make Affiliate Sites 83% More Successful!Join our FREE Training and learn how to:

Find profitable, hidden niches

*Steal your competitor’s best keywords*

*Get links without paying a dime*

**Build fast sites that rank quickly****

Credit Card Affiliate Programs1. American Express 2. Bankrate Credit Cards 3. USAA Credit Cards 4. Credit.com 5. Luxury Card 6. Commission Soup 7. Scotiabank Credit Cards 8. Capital Bank (OpenSky Credit Cards) 9. Upgrade Credit Card 10. Avianca LifeMiles Credit Card 11. Indigo Platinum MasterCard 12. Credit Karma 13. Credit Assistance Network 14. Experian 15. BankAffiliates.com 16. Petal Visa Card

1 American ExpressAmerican Express (or Amex for short) is one of the big three credit card companies, along with Visa and Mastercard.

And although this brand has become synonymous with credit card usage, it’s also available outside the United States.

Like in Canada, for example – where the company has been in business since 1853.

But obviously not providing credit cards back in the days of the wild west.

Your Canadian visitors can take advantage of all the usual perks of being an American Express user, like getting a cash-back or flexible rewards card.

Plus you can earn yourself quite a large chunk of change for referring new customers through the American Express credit card affiliate program.

How much do they pay their affiliates?

Anywhere up to CA$200 per lead.

Which makes this one of the most lucrative credit card affiliate programs listed here.

But you only get paid for an approved application, not just applications submitted.

Which is obviously there to stop people spamming the shit out of this offer – this happens all the time with financial services affiliate programs.

This massive financial incentive for affiliates also explains their EPC of $644.89.

  • URL: American Express Canada affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $200 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

2 Bankrate Credit CardsBankrate actually started out as a print publisher offering financial advice to its readers way back in 1976.

They took their information business online in 1996, and Bank Rate Credit Cards was part of their drive to provide their audience with detailed information on what the best credit card was for their individual needs.

The neat thing about Bankrate is that they operate as an affiliate for card programs, but also as a credit card affiliate network in their own right.

This provides affiliate marketers like you with the opportunity to promote credit card offers without actually having to be a direct affiliate of the card company itself.

And that includes all the major players in the market like Chase, Discover, and Amex, among many others.

Obviously being a sub-affiliate for their individual credit card affiliate programs typically means you won’t earn as much as if you worked directly with the card issuer.

ut with credit card offers routinely paying anywhere from $50 to $200 per signup, you can still earn quite a lot of money through the Bankrate credit card network.

  • URL: Bankrate Credit Cards affiliate program
  • Commission: TBC
  • Cookie duration: TBC

3 USAA Credit CardsUSAA has been providing financial services to active and retired members of the United States military community since 1922.

Starting out as an auto insurance provider, they went on to supply their customers with banking, mortgage, investment, real estate, and retirement products and services.

But they’re also one of the leading credit card providers, supplying credit cards by Visa and Amex.

And your potential audience for these cards is any of the 24+ million personnel in the armed forces of the United States.

So if your audience contains active or retired military personnel looking for a mainstream credit card, with a number of perks, then this is an affiliate program for you to add to your portfolio.

Now for the not-so-great news – you’ll only make $20 per approved credit card. Some of the other credit card affiliate programs we’ve seen pay quite a bit more.

So this is way down the ladder for payouts offers of this type.

But you will be appealing to a very niche market, so there won’t be as much competition as with the more mainstream credit cards.

Plus, top-performing affiliates can always ask for a better commission rate.

And if you’re going to enter the credit card niche then you’re here for one thing – money.

  • URL: USAA Credit Cards affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to $20 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

4 Credit.comCredit.com sells itself as a free credit scoring service.

But they also act as a price comparison site for everything from loans and auto insurance to credit cards.

This makes them quite similar to Bankrate in that they’re an affiliate publisher but they also run a credit card network for affiliate marketers.

And again this gives you access to affiliate credit card offers from the biggest names in the industry, such as Citi, Chase, Amex, First Progress, Mastercard, Group One, and many others.

The same types of credit card affiliate programs that usually only work with super affiliates.

Credit.com has a credit card to suit pretty much any niche audience you can think of, including people with awful FICO scores.

So your visitors will be able to find the best credit card for their individual needs.

That all sounds pretty amazing, right?

And it is, except there’s one teeny, tiny problem – the Credit.com affiliate program is closed right now.

That could mean they’re sick of dealing with affiliates using cookie stuffing, or any of the other crap that some of them use.

Or it could mean that they operate a far more exclusive credit card affiliate program than most others.

I’m guessing at the latter, so it might be an idea to drop a quick email to their affiliate support team.

  • URL: Credit.com affiliate program
  • Commission: Varies
  • Cookie duration: TBC

5 Luxury CardLuxury Card, as the name suggests, isn’t your typical credit card.

It’s very much targeting the premium credit card market, which you can tell when you first pick it up because it’s made from a mixture of stainless steel and carbon.

Plus you can order a 24-karat gold version of it.

So yeah, this card is for a very specific market and income bracket i.e. wealthy people.

What your visitors get is a premium card that offers cashback at 2% and air miles redeemed at a rate of 2%, but with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.

There’s the added perk of getting access to airport lounges in a number of locations.

You also get a 24/7 concierge service made available to you by phone, email or live chat – you can use that for everything from making a hotel reservation to finding the perfect gift for a loved one.

So, you’re wondering how much you can earn through the Luxury Card credit card affiliate program?

A whopping $405.

This is the highest payout of all the credit card affiliate programs listed here.

Commission rates at this level don’t come along very often, so make hay while the sun shines, right?

Just bear in mind that there’s a separate application process on Flexoffers for these offers– it’s like a sub credit card network within the main network.

  • URL: Luxury Card affiliate program
  • Commission: $405 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

6 Commission SoupYou’re probably familiar with all the major affiliate networks like CJ, ShareASale, Linkshare, and so on.

But have you ever heard of Commission Soup?

They’ve been in the performance marketing game – focusing on financial services offers – for 20 years now.

Basically, they’re a tenured CPA network that specializes in credit card offers, so they’re not exactly mainstream.

Unless of course, you’re looking for those types of products to promote, in which case Commission Soup is up there with Bankrate.com and Credit.com in terms of what they have on offer.

Long story short, most major credit card companies “retired” from running their own affiliate programs after the 2008 financial crash.

All those pre-approved credit cards with ridiculous credit lines caused quite a bit of bad press for them and their affiliates.

So now any affiliate looking to access such programs has to go through an intermediary like Commission Soup instead.

Their ‘Green Dot Primor Mastercard’ is a typical example of the types of credit card affiliate programs you’ll find within Commission Soup.

This is a secured credit card, which provides people with a terrible FICO score the chance to improve it.

Plus, promoting secured credit cards is more “niche”, so that means less competition for your site.

You also have a huge audience to promote to i.e. anyone with bad credit.

And from 2020 to 2030 that could include hundreds of millions of people.

Hint: There are almost 1,000 keywords with a KD score of 20 or under for you to work with.

  • URL: Commission Soup affiliate program
  • Commission: Varies
  • Cookie duration: Varies

7 Scotiabank Credit CardsScotiabank has been around since 1831 when a group of businessmen decided to set up their own public bank to compete with the private bank serving the people of Halifax.

190 years later and they have branches in 55 countries, and over 19 million customers, thanks to expansion and acquiring banks in other countries.

In addition to their banking services they also offer the following types of credit cards to their customers in Canada and North America: travel rewards, cashback, low APR, and student cards.

So there’s plenty to work with in terms of affiliate programs across multiple niches.

Members of Scotiabank’s affiliate program will receive a flat commission payment of CA$99 for each approved referral who clicks their affiliate link.

This converts to about US$70, which is still pretty respectable for any type of affiliate program.

The funny thing about offers with a high payout is that most newbie affiliates avoid them because they think there’ll be too much competition.

That’s rarely the case.

  • URL: Scotiabank affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to CA$99 per approved card
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

8 Capital Bank (OpenSky)Just in case you’re confused – the OpenSky credit card is actually offered by Capital Bank.

They just chose to promote it through its own domain rather than directly on their own website.

This is probably also because Capital Bank is a regional bank serving New York state, so this is a branding move on their part.

Anyways, what is the OpenSky credit card?

The name might elicit thoughts of international travel, but it’s actually a secured credit card.

So that makes this program ideal for anyone blogging about personal finance, managing debt, or improving their credit score.

Why?

Because a secured credit card is the quickest and safest way to improve your FICO score.

That means there’s tons of potential here, especially if your content helps people who’ve had to declare bankruptcy.

Affiliates will receive $25 for every successful referral to the OpenSky affiliate program.

This is obviously at the low end of the scale, especially when you compare it to some of the other programs in this roundup.

But here’s the thing – there’s no credit scoring for this card, so literally anyone can get one.

And they also allow you to market this offer via email, which is unusual in this niche.

All of which elevate Open Sky – despite the low payout – to being one of the best credit card affiliate programs out there.

  • URL: Capital Bank affiliate program
  • Commission: $25 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

9 Upgrade Credit CardThe Upgrade credit card brings something new to the market.

Your visitors can get a recognized Visa credit card with a credit line of up to US$20,000.

But without the punishing interest rates that come tied to most other cards.

Instead, you wind up paying an interest rate closer to a personal loan, so you can repay your outstanding card balance that bit quicker.

In the example they use, that means being able to pay off $14,000 in two years instead of 28 years.

Obviously, encourage your audience to do their due diligence when signing up for any financial product or service.

The Upgrade credit card affiliate program pays a flat rate of $60 for every one of your visitors who is approved for an Upgrade card.

But bear in mind that a person’s credit score dictates the size of the line of credit they get with this card.

  • URL: Upgrade credit card affiliate program
  • Commission: $60 per referral
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

10 Avianca LifeMiles Credit CardThe Avianca LifeMiles credit card is one for the international traveler or digital nomad audience.

If you plan to travel to South America a lot and want all those air miles, then Avianca has one of the leading offers on the market.

For starters you get 0% APR for your first 12 months, then a variable rate after that.

There are no foreign transaction fees, you get protection against unauthorized charges, cover for damage in auto collisions and travel accident insurance.

Plus, as we already said, all those lovely air miles.

And now we get back up to the higher-end of credit card affiliate program payouts because promoting this card can put up to $200 per referral in your pocket.

You’d obviously be promoting it to something of a niche audience, but 15 “sales” per month would put an extra $36,000 in your pocket each year.

This is the second-highest paying of the affiliate programs in this roundup.

  • URL: LifeMiles credit card affiliate program
  • Commission: Up to $200 per referral
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

11 Indigo Platinum MastercardObviously we’d all love a perfect credit score, but for many people, that’s just not a reality. In fact, one study claims that more than half of Americans have been turned down for a credit card, loan, or car due to a poor credit history.

For some of those people, the ideal solution is a credit card tailored specifically to customers with lower credit scores.

And that’s precisely where the Indigo Platinum Mastercard comes in. Even people who’ve been declared bankrupt can apply — and because all Indigo card payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus, it can help them build up a positive payment history.

The Indigo Platinum Mastercard is an unsecured credit card, so users don’t need to put down a refundable security deposit, and pre-qualification is quick, easy, and doesn’t have any impact on a person’s credit score.

  • URL: Indigo Platinum Mastercard affiliate program
  • Commission: 5%
  • Cookie duration: TBC

12 Credit KarmaCredit Karma doesn’t run a conventional credit card affiliate program — there’s no such thing as a Credit Karma credit card.

Instead, it offers free credit scores and credit reports, as well as recommending a vast range of personal finance products, from credit cards and personal loans to car and home insurance.

More than 100 million people use the Credit Karma app, which had a 4.7-star rating from 7,800 reviews on the App Store at time of writing. In other words, it’s built a big audience and is clearly good at what it does, which naturally makes for an easier sell for affiliates.

Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. Earning a commission through the Credit Karma affiliate program can be tricky, because it only offers a commission on online mortgage submissions.

It’s an understatement to describe mortgages as a pretty substantial financial decision, so expect a longer conversion funnel here.

  • URL: Credit Karma affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $12 per online mortgage submission
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

13 Credit Assistance NetworkHere’s another one that isn’t a credit card affiliate program in the strictest sense.

Rather than offering its own credit cards, the Credit Assistance Network is a leading light in the credit repair industry, and has been since 2004.

So if your audience wants a credit card but doesn’t have a strong enough credit score, this could be the solution they’ve been looking for.

Of course, it’s not just for people planning to apply for a credit card. It assists with a wide range of credit repair issues, from inflated and expired debts to short sales and foreclosures. That gives you plenty of opportunity to monetize your traffic.

Talking of monetization, the Credit Assistance Network’s affiliate program pays commissions of $1.25 per lead and $95 per sale, with a generous 365-day cookie window — the longest of all the credit card affiliate programs we’ve looked at.

  • URL: Credit Assistance Network affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $95 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 365 days

14 ExperianExperian is one of the “big three” credit score providers, alongside Equifax and TransUnion.

Consumers in dozens of countries rely on Experian to tell them about their credit score and offer them practical advice to improve it.

That means there’s pretty substantial demand for the organization’s services, to say the very least.

After all, credit plays a part in so many aspects of daily life, from renting or buying a property to taking out a phone contract and — obviously — applying for a credit card.

In other words, there’s a vast audience for Experian’s financial products, which means plenty of scope for promoting its affiliate program.

As with some of the other credit card affiliate programs on this list, Experian’s offering is a little more complex than we’d prefer.

Specifically, you earn a commission when someone you refer signs up for Experian Connect, a service that allows consumers to share their credit information with third parties (like landlords or finance providers).

  • URL: Experian affiliate program
  • Commission rate: TBC
  • Cookie duration: TBC

15 BankAffiliates.comBankAffiliates.com is an affiliate network dedicated to affiliate programs across multiple finance-related niches, including insurance, bank accounts, credit cards, credit repair, and personal loans. In other words, it’s a bit like Commission Soup.

According to BankAffiliates.com itself, it works with advertisers and agencies to offer affiliate marketers “some of the highest payouts in the industry”.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t go into what those rates actually are. Naturally, they vary from one affiliate program to another, so you’ll just have to sign up to see what you can earn.

Beyond basic commission rates, BankAffiliates.com also runs regular contests and monthly bonus programs, so there’s plenty of scope to earn extra money here.

What’s more, the BankAffiliates.com team is made up of current and former affiliate marketers who are happy to advise on ways to drive more traffic or target profitable new channels.

  • URL: BankAffiliates.com affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Dependent on program
  • Cookie duration: Dependent on program

16 Petal Visa CardMuch like the Indigo Platinum Mastercard, the Petal Visa Card is aimed squarely at people looking to build up their credit score. It has high limits, low interest rates, and no fees, making it an attractive option for consumers with bad credit.

Petal has devised a smart system to help it qualify potential customers. Rather than looking solely at someone’s credit score, it takes into account how much money they earn and the bills they pay.

This approach allows it to approve people even if they’ve never had a credit score. As an added bonus, it enables Petal to offer customized limits that fit the needs of individual users.

Honestly, it feels like such a simple solution, I can’t figure out why every credit card company doesn’t do it.

Okay, so how about the Petal Visa credit card affiliate program? Well, it pays $15 per signup with a 30-day cookie duration.

So it’s not the best credit card affiliate program in terms of one-off commissions, but there’s definitely still money to be made here.

  • URL: Petal Visa Card affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $15 per signup
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Over to YouThis isn’t exactly an exciting niche to be in.

And it’s a fiercely competitive niche, too – it’s fucking cutthroat, to be honest.

But as you can see from the above credit card affiliate programs, you can earn a ton of cash by promoting credit cards.

You’ll also have noticed there’s no “best” credit card to promote i.e. secured cards will suit one audience, while air miles cards will suit another.

That all comes down to understanding your niche and working in one that’s broad enough to leave you with plenty of opportunities to promote different offers.

But if you’re not even sure what a niche is, then why not check out our free training on affiliate marketing?

You’ll potentially learn more in two hours of us sharing what we know than you’ll get from the majority of paid “training” courses.

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Australian affiliate programs have seen a ton of growth in recent years.

According to IAB Australia’s 2022 Affiliate and Marketing Partnership report, 69% of advertisers spent more on affiliate marketing in the previous 12 months, while 68% planned to further increase their investment over the following year.

Guess where a lot of that money will end up? In affiliate marketers’ pockets!

But there are no guarantees in the affiliate marketing business. To succeed, you need to find affiliate products your audience will love.

To help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best Australian affiliate programs and networks. Whether you plan to promote products through social media channels, an email marketing list, your own website, or as an influencer, these options will help you make money online.

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingAustralian Affiliate Marketing Programs & Networks1. Amazon Associates AU 2. eBay Partner Network 3. Etsy 4. Fiverr 5. Commission Factory 6. Awin 7. Partnerize 8. CJ Affiliate 9. Impact 10. Rakuten Advertising

1 Amazon Associates AUAmazon is Australia’s second-most popular ecommerce marketplace, generating over 63 million visits per month. A 2021 survey revealed that 44% of Australians made at least one purchase from Amazon in the previous 12 months.

You already know Amazon sells pretty much everything, with categories from electronics to interior decor to pantry food. As of January 2018, the number of products listed on Amazon Australia stood at 24.7 million — a number that’s almost certainly grown since then.

The company’s affiliate program is called Amazon Associates. Its commission rates vary across product categories and are regularly updated, currently ranging from just 1% on video game hardware to 12% on apparel and shoes (click here for an up-to-date list of Amazon’s Australian commission rates).

Amazon also runs frequent “bounty events” paying fixed commissions for specific actions. For instance, it’s currently offering a US$4 bounty on Amazon Prime free trials. Again, these bounty events change constantly, so check back for an up-to-date list.

As well as Amazon Associates, the ecommerce giant has a separate program for influencers with established audiences on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and/or YouTube.

Commissions are paid monthly on a NET 60 basis via bank transfer, check, or Amazon gift certificate. Both Amazon Associates and the Amazon Influencer Program have 24-hour cookie windows.

(Think Amazon Associates could be the affiliate program for you? Check out our in-depth Amazon Affiliate Programreview.)

  • URL: Amazon Associates AU affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 12% per sale, plus bounty payments
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, check, Amazon gift certificate
  • Products sold: Basically everything

2 eBay Partner NetworkeBay is Australia’s most popular ecommerce website, even outranking the almighty Amazon. Almost two-thirds of Aussies bought at least one item from eBay in the 12 months to June 2021.

While it started as an online auction site for predominantly second-hand goods, eBay is now a full-blown ecommerce marketplace. It has 1.4 billion live product listings at any given time — 80% for new merchandise.

The company’s affiliate program is officially known as the eBay Partner Network. Like Amazon Associates, it pays varying commissions across product categories, ranging from 1% on real estate to 4% on fashion and motoring (find an up-to-date list here). It also has a 24-hour cookie window.

Bear in mind that some eBay products — such as items sold by charities or through special promos — earn eBay little or no revenue and are therefore non-commissionable.

eBay affiliate partners can leverage various tools to help them drive traffic and sales. These include regular promotional deals, detailed reporting, and category-specific creatives.

  • URL: eBay Partner Network affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 4% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 24 hours
  • Payment methods: Electronic Funds Transfer, PayPal
  • Products sold: New & used B2C products

3 EtsyEtsy is an ecommerce marketplace specializing in unique — often handcrafted — products across various categories, including clothing, home decor, jewelry, and personalized gifts.

The site is used by about 7.5 million active sellers, with Australia accounting for about 7% of all non-US Etsy merchants.

Unlike eBay and Amazon, Etsy’s affiliate marketing program pays a flat 5% commission for any sales originating from your affiliate link. It offers a 30-day cookie window, which is pretty generous for a big ecommerce marketplace.

As an Etsy affiliate partner, you can access multilingual support in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Etsy’s affiliate program also offers a wealth of tools and resources, from category-specific creatives to a regular affiliate marketing newsletter.

  • URL: Etsy AU affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: Check, international wire, ACH
  • Products sold: Unique creative goods

4 FiverrFiverr is yet another marketplace. But unlike eBay, Amazon, and Etsy, it specializes in digital products sold by a global army of freelancers, ranging from graphic design and copywriting to web development and data science.

Some Fiverr vendors even offer professional services, like architecture and interior design.

Over four million active buyers use the platform to fulfill their freelance needs. While most are smaller businesses, Fiverr attracts a handful of household names, including Facebook, Google, and Netflix.

Fiverr’s affiliate program offers various ways to earn commissions, including two distinct commission structures. Fiverr CPA offers bounty payments of US$15 – US$150 per sale, varying by product category, while Fiverr Hybrid pays a fixed US$10 CPA and 10% recurring commissions for 12 months.

Beyond that, it offers three further ways to make money online:

  1. Fiverr Business pays a CPA of US$100 once the referred account racks up US$100 in spend, plus 10% recurring commissions for 12 months.
  2. Fiverr Learn pays a flat 30% commission for online course sales.
  3. Fiverr Affiliate pays a 10% share of lifetime earnings from affiliates you refer.

As if that wasn’t enough, Fiverr also runs a dedicated influencer program open to affiliates with 5,000+ followers. It pays up to 100% higher commissions than “standard” Fiverr programs.

All of Fiverr’s affiliate marketing programs have 30-day cookie windows and pay commissions of under US$1,000 via Payoneer or PayPal, with a US$100 payment threshold. Balances of US$1,000+ are paid via wire transfer.

  • URL: Fiverr affiliate program
  • Commission rate: US$15 – US$150 CPA, or US$10 CPA + 10% RevShare
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer
  • Products sold: Digital services

5 Commission FactoryCommission Factory is an affiliate network for advertisers and publishers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Since September 2020, it’s been owned by Awin, another affiliate network and part of the Axel Springer and United Internet groups.

The platform is home to over 600 brands across retail, fashion, beauty, telecoms, and travel, with up to 10 new advertisers joining weekly.

All types of publishers are welcome to join Commission Factory, whether you own a website, write a blog, run a mobile app, or even manage a Facebook fan page.

Whatever promotional channel you leverage, advertisers on the network pay an average commission of 8% – 10%, although this varies across different brands and verticals.

Commissions are paid weekly via PayPal, bank transfer, check, or prepaid MasterCard in 150 currencies.

Commission Factory affiliates can leverage a wealth of promotional tools and resources, including text links, banners, coupon codes, data feeds, email templates, and premade videos.

  • URL: Commission Factory affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, check, prepaid Mastercard
  • Brands: Catch, Tiger Brokers, WeightWatchers, Bathroom Warehouse, Mix & Match, Lululemon

6 AwinAwin is a major affiliate network. As we’ve already noted, it’s part of the Axel Springer and United Internet groups, which also own two other affiliate networks — Commission Factory and ShareASale.

The Awin network has 16,500 brands on its books across various sectors, including retail, travel, telecoms, and insurance. Approximately 260 affiliates join the network daily — no doubt attracted by Awin paying out USUS$1.4 billion in commissions last year.

Awin isn’t just massive; it’s also extremely popular. The company was named Publishers’ Choice of Network at the Performance Marketing Awards 14 times in just 16 years.

As well as its standard affiliate offering, Awin operates a dedicated influencer platform for people like:

  • Online magazines
  • Lifestyle bloggers
  • Hobbyist
  • YouTubers
  • Instagrammers

Influencers can access special commission models such as “payment on influence,” which pays a fixed sum whenever you’re partially involved in a sale. That means you don’t need to win the last click to earn commissions.

Awin affiliate partners can access various publisher resources, including a tool that automatically converts a regular website link into a trackable affiliate link. The network also offers dedicated local support, including advice from experts in the fashion, telecoms, travel, and influencer sectors.

  • URL: Awin affiliate network
  • Payment methods: BACS, international wire transfer, ACH
  • Brands: MyProtein, Look Fantastic, Nike, Booking.com, Marks and Spencer

7 PartnerizePartnerize is an affiliate network that works with hundreds of global brands across multiple verticals, including retail, travel, and financial services. It also owns Pepperjam, a separate affiliate network with a portfolio of 1,000+ retail and D2C brands.

Founded in 2010, Partnerize has generated $7 billion in sales over the past decade-and-a-bit, paying $600 million in commissions annually to its affiliate partners. Commissions are accessible within 24 hours of client authorization.

Partnerize works with a wide range of affiliate partners, from traditional content and website-based affiliates to influencers, tech partners, and even brands looking to team up with other brands.

The affiliate network employs a dedicated partnerships team who provide training, support, and growth ideas. Its brand discovery tools make it simple for affiliates to find relevant affiliate programs and apply in just a few clicks.

  • URL: Partnerize affiliate network
  • Payment methods: ACH, bank transfer, PayPal, wire transfer
  • Brands: Adore Beauty, Wotif, Koala, THE ICONIC, PETstock

8 CJ AffiliateCJ Affiliate is one of the world’s biggest and oldest affiliate networks, launching back in 1998. It works with a host of top advertisers, with twice as many IR500 brands using the network than its nearest competitor.

CJ pays out over US$1.8 billion in commissions yearly to affiliate partners, so there’s no shortage of earning potential here. The network reaches over a billion customers monthly and generates more than 14 billion “meaningful interactions” a year.

The affiliate sign-up process is simple, as described in our CJ Affiliate review. Once approved, you can enjoy one-click access to individual affiliate programs, allowing you to start promoting and earning fast.

Like most affiliate networks, CJ is happy to work with a range of publishers, from social media users and influencers to email marketers, bloggers, and vloggers.

The network offers various performance-boosting resources, including a tool that automatically converts an existing website URL into a special link for tracking purposes.

  • URL: CJ Affiliate network
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Brands: GreenPan, Flippa, World Nomads, Sunglass Hut, RIMOWA

9 ImpactImpact is another of the major affiliate marketing platforms, working with 2,500+ advertisers across various niches, from beauty and fitness to travel and retail.

The company is best known as an affiliate network, but it’s also open to content creators and influencers, who are allowed to negotiate terms and choose the platforms they wish to monetize.

Impact’s advanced tracking technology allows affiliates to earn commissions from more than just sales. Whether you’re driving travel bookings, app installs, or even phone calls, there’s a payment model to fit your needs.

The platform also gives affiliate partners access to personalized discounts, allowing you to earn commissions from all sales generated via your unique coupon code. Even if a customer finds your code on a different website, you get rewarded.

  • URL: Impact Radius affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct transfer, BACS
  • Brands: Virgin Australia, Dell, Sephora, Levi’s, Lancome, Cover-More, Naked Wines, Experience OZ

10 Rakuten AdvertisingRakuten is a Japanese-owned tech conglomerate that operates an affiliate network specializing in D2C, finance, retail, and travel affiliate programs.

Over 150,000 active publishers have joined the network, thanks partly to Rakuten’s network development team, which scours the web for prospective brand and affiliate partners.

The company is highly regarded in the affiliate space, winning the mThink award for top affiliate marketing network 11 years in a row based on a survey of over 25,000 advertisers, publishers, and agencies.

Rakuten’s affiliate network features matchmaking AI that helps publishers track down relevant affiliate programs. Its tech suite boasts a bunch of other smart features, including the ability to target audiences with products and services tailored to their preferences.

  • URL: Rakuten Advertising affiliate network
  • Payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit, check
  • Brands: ASOS, boohoo, Crocs, Dyson, LEGO, Macy’s, NewEgg

How to Start Affiliate Marketing in AustraliaAffiliate marketing sounds simple: identify a niche; find the best affiliate programs to promote; PROFIT!

In reality, earning a decent affiliate income is a lot more complex. Finding a profitable niche with a ready-made audience takes time and research.

And that’s before you’ve even considered which affiliate platforms are the right fit for your prospective online business. Should you build a website? Start an email newsletter? Become a social media influencer?

Frankly, we don’t have space to go into all that stuff in this article. Instead, we recommend checking out our in-depth guide on how to become an affiliate marketer, where we tell you all about choosing a niche, researching affiliate programs, and much more besides.

How To Find the Best Australian Affiliate Marketing OffersThere are two main ways to search for Australian affiliate programs that might resonate with your audience:

Research Individual Affiliate ProgramsAs it sounds, this approach involves trawling the internet and analyzing competitor websites to track down potential affiliate programs.

It takes time to find the right programs. On the plus side, signing up directly with advertisers allows you to build stronger relationships. It may also allow you to access more beneficial terms, such as higher commission rates and exclusive discounts.

On the other hand, you’re more likely to get scammed working with individual advertisers — but we’d like to stress that most brands and affiliate programs are totally legit.

Join Affiliate NetworksAlternatively, you can browse a vast catalog of affiliate programs by signing up with an affiliate network.

Networks like Awin, Commission Factory, and Rakuten have thousands of advertisers on their books across dozens of categories.

So it’s simply a case of clicking through relevant categories and finding programs that align with your audience’s interests.

However, every affiliate marketing network charges advertisers to use its platform, so advertisers working with network partners often pay lower commission rates.

Most affiliate networks are happy to work with a range of publishers. So whether you’re a vlogger, an influencer, a website owner, a podcaster, or a social media user, there’s a network to fit your needs.

ConclusionThere’s no shortage of high-quality Australian affiliate programs and networks just waiting to partner with you. But if you’re going to maximize your earning potential, you need to build your own website to drive traffic and conversions.

Authority Hacker can help. Over the past decade, we’ve built high-performing authority sites in dozens of niches. And we’ve also taught 11,000+ students how to do the same.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll share our wisdom on building affiliate sites that get results — including our tried-and-trusted approach to unearthing profitable hidden niches.

FAQIs affiliate marketing legal in Australia?Making money through affiliate marketing is 100% legal in Australia, provided the customer understands there’s a commercial relationship between the advertiser and affiliate marketer.

In other words, it must be clear to anyone interacting with your website, blog, social media account, podcast, or email newsletter that you’re receiving some kind of benefit from referrals.

To do that, you need to publish an affiliate disclosure statement. Learn what that looks like by reading our guide to affiliate disclosures.

Can you make money with affiliate marketing in Australia?Affiliate marketing is a popular, low-risk way for Australian website owners, influencers, and social media users to make money online.

There are thousands of affiliate programs geared toward affiliates and consumers in Australia, while affiliate networks like CJ Affiliate and Partnerize work with a vast number of Australian companies and advertisers targeting the Australian market.

Choose the right niche and affiliate programs, and it’s totally possible to earn a job-replacement income from affiliate marketing.

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Want to earn money while feeling like you’re making a positive difference to the world? Non-profit and charity affiliate programs are the perfect solution!

I know what you’re thinking: “How am I going to earn a job replacement income promoting affiliate programs for organizations that don’t actually turn a profit?”

Well, that’s a good question. But the fact is, nonprofit organizations actually make plenty of money. By the end of 2023, the world’s various charities and non-government organizations are expected to be worth a combined $294 billion, climbing to more than $400 billion in 2030.

From the largest aid organizations to the smallest local charities, there are thousands of amazing nonprofit groups out there. They’d all love to have more affiliate marketers onboard, highlighting the great work they do and bringing in new supporters.

Like the sound of the nonprofit sector yet? I thought so! Now let’s dive into the best charity affiliate programs, plus sundry other not-for-profit and nonprofit-related programs:

Non-Profit and Charity Affiliate Programs1. Fundraising.com 2. CARE 3. Brides Against Breast Cancer 4. Plan International 5. GreaterGood 6. Better World Books 7. The Linux Foundation 8. Ivory Ella 9. Omaze 10. Donorbox 11. DonorSnap 12. ShopRise

1 Fundraising.comFundraising.com helps tens of thousands of nonprofit groups raise millions of dollars in charitable giving every year.

It started out back in the 1990s as the superbly named “Lollipop Company”, offering gourmet lollipops to nonprofits, who’d sell them to raise donations. Since then, it’s significantly expanded its range to include various year-round and seasonal products, including cookie dough, chocolate, and scratchcards.

Through the Fundraising.com affiliate program, you have two distinct paths to monetization:

  1. Persuading nonprofit organization buyers to shell out on cookies and lollies to support their fundraising efforts
  2. Directing them to launch their own online donation platform via Fundraising.com

Whichever route you take, you’ll earn a 10% commission for each sale. And you’ll also pick up $3 every time your referrals request a free fundraising guide.

  • URL: Fundraising.com affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unknown

2 CARECARE International is a global movement of 21 nonprofit organizations working together to end worldwide poverty.

In 2020 alone, it worked in 104 countries with over 10,000 local employees, implementing more than 1,300 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects.

Combined, those initiatives directly reached more than 92 million people, with over 430 million more benefitting indirectly.

With such an extensive network, where does CARE International’s affiliate marketing program come in? Well, it’s your job to help the charity raise money through donations. For every donation you generate, you’ll pick a 6.4% cut of the total amount.

  • URL: CARE affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 6.4%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

3 Brides Against Breast CancerBrides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) started out as a charity back in the 1990s. As the name suggests, it was established to raise money for the fight against breast cancer, and its continued that mission to this day.

Rather than raising charitable donations, BABC raises money by selling donated, affordable wedding dresses. With an average order value of $650, it’s been able to donate millions of dollars to cancer-related charities down the years.

As an affiliate, it’s your job to promote those dresses and raise awareness of BABC’s mission. For each sale you drive through the nonprofit organization’s referral program, you’ll earn a 10% commission.

To help you along, you’ll get access to regular newsletters containing updates, competitions, and sales opportunities, plus all the text links, logos, and banners you could ever need.

  • URL: Brides Against Breast Cancer affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

4 Plan InternationalPlan International is one of the world’s largest international development nonprofit organizations, working with millions of people across the planet toward its mission of overcoming poverty.

Founded back in 1937 in the UK to help children affected by the Spanish Civil War, it’s now active in 75 countries, and aims to transform the lives of 100 million girls over the next five years.

That might sound ambitious, but in 2017 alone, its work reached 17.1 million girls and 15.5 million boys.

Which is where you come in. Through Plan International’s affiliate program, you’ll be aiming to drive donations.

Earn commissions of 4% on the confirmed net turnover for permanent donations and sponsorships, and 7% on confirmed net sales for individual donations.

  • URL: Plan International affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

5 GreaterGoodGreaterGood seeks to raise money for charitable causes by driving online purchases of unique gifts and artisanal products.

In two decades of business, it’s generated more $70 million in charitable donations for a range of projects, related to everything from people and pets to the planet. It’s also made more than $50 million in payments to artisans.

Importantly, GreaterGood isn’t just one website – it’s actually 10 different sites, each dedicated to a different cause.

While it’s undoubtedly doing amazing work, GreaterGood runs one of the less generous of all the nonprofit and charity affiliate programs we’ve seen, with a commission rate of just 2%.

However, the average order value is pretty decent at more than $40, and with 55% of business coming from repeat customers, there’s a good chance to earn multiple commissions from the same referral. You’ll also get access to a dedicated affiliate manager.

  • URL: GreaterGood affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

6 Better World BooksSocially conscious readers don’t buy from Amazon — they go straight to Better World Books.

The website is committed to affordability, offering free shipping to anywhere in the world. How? Because unlike most online used bookstores, it actually stocks all the books in its inventory.

Over the years, Better World has donated more than 31 million books, raised over $32 million for libraries and literacy programs, and recycled or reused an astonishing 385,554,010 books.

With an average order value of $26 and commission rates of 5 – 8% depending on performance, you’re going to need to drive a lot of traffic to earn decent money through the Better World affiliate program.

But with unlimited referrals and a 45-day cookie duration, there’s plenty of scope to drive multiple sales — and pick up multiple commissions — from each customer.

  • URL: Better World Books affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% – 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

7 The Linux FoundationThis one’s a little different. Whereas most of the affiliate programs on this list are about raising money for charitable causes, The Linux Foundation is a global organization dedicated to training the next generation of Linux developers.

With the adoption of Linux technologies accelerating rapidly, there’s certainly plenty of demand, so it’s no surprise the non profit organization is backed by a host of leading tech companies.

To date, The Linux Foundation has helped generate more than one billion lines of code supporting business-critical operations and groundbreaking innovations.

Although the foundation is run as a nonprofit, its training courses and certifications don’t come cheap. A foundation-level system administrator certificate costs $250, for instance.

Through The Linux Foundation Affiliate Program, you’ll be promoting those courses and certifications. For each sale you drive within the 60-day referral window, you’ll earn a 20% cut.

  • URL: The Linux Foundation affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

8 Ivory EllaIvory Ella describes itself as a “tight-knit community of doers, thinkers, and elephant lovers committed to making a difference in the world”.

In other words, it’s an online store that’s run philanthropically to support various charitable causes. Up to 50% of net profits go toward Save the Elephants, but it also helps several other charities, such as the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute.

Since 2015, it’s donated more than $2 million to those various initiatives. Among other things, that money has enabled more than 400 elephants in Africa to be tracked using GPS collar technology, helping to protect them from poachers.

The Ivory Ella affiliate program pays a 10% commission on total referral sales every time a customer makes a purchase through your coupon code or affiliate link.

  • URL: Ivory Ella affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

9 OmazeOmaze is a donation platform built around incentivizing charitable giving by offering exclusive merchandise and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

A lot of those experiences are supported by celebrity endorsements. For instance, it’s currently running a donations sweepstake in which the winner gets to join the Jonas Brothers for a family dinner. Which sounds kind of weird, but it definitely fits into the “once-in-a-lifetime” category.

If you don’t fancy dining with the Jonases (Jonii?), you can donate for a chance to win a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda, a multimillion-dollar Miami house, a $40,000 curated vacation to Japan, and lots more besides.

Omaze experiences raise funds for Charities Aid Foundation America, which then distributes donations to various charities and nonprofits. To date, it’s raised more than $150 million to support 350 charities across the world.

Through the Omaze affiliate program, you can earn up to 12% per transaction, as well as a $10 bonus for your first “sale”.

  • URL: Omaze affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 12%
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

10 DonorboxFull disclosure: Donorbox isn’t actually a nonprofit itself. Instead, it supports nonprofits by offering a simple online system that allows site visitors to set up recurring donations.

Either embedded on a website or appearing as a popup widget, the software platform accepts donations via cards, Apple Pay, low-fee ACH & SEPA bank transfers, Google Pay, and PayPal, in return for a 1.5% fee.

More than 50,000 nonprofit organizations across 40 countries are using Donorbox. So far, it’s enabled them to raise more than $900 million in donations from almost 4.5 million donors.

All of which sounds great. But it’s about to get even better, because the Donorbox affiliate program pays a juicy 15% recurring commission for three years.

That’s right — for every sale you drive, you’ll get a 15% cut of the fees for as long as that customer keeps using Donorbox, up to a maximum three-year limit.

  • URL: Donorbox affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% recurring commission for three years
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

11 DonorSnapDonorSnap is a donor management platform combining CRM, email marketing, and donor retention functionality. It also allows nonprofits to accept donations via debit cards, credit cards, and bank payments.

According to its own figures, the average nonprofit organization signing up for DonorSnap sees a 41% increase in donations in the first year, including a 233% upturn in #GivingTuesday donations.

Pricing for DonorSnap ranges from $39 – $199 per month, depending on the organization’s number of contacts. It also charges a $200 setup fee, which includes private training and four hours of charity data conversion time.

The DonorSnap affiliate program is potentially one of the highest-paying of all the nonprofit programs we’ve reviewed, offering affiliate marketers a payout of $200 for every user who becomes a full customer once completing a free 30-day trial. As an added bonus, it has a lengthy 60-day referral window too.

There’s only one small downside here: DonorSnap’s affiliate program is only available to affiliates in the US and Canada. So if you’re based elsewhere, it’s not for you.

  • URL: DonorSnap affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $200
  • Cookie duration: 60 days

12 ShopRaiseShopRaise is an app and browser extension that allows users to earn money for their favorite charitable causes by shopping at top retailers like Macy’s, Office Depot, and Walmart.

Users can choose to support 500,000+ schools, teams, clubs, charities, and faith-based organizations and purchase from almost 1,000 brands, with each purchase earning up to 10% for the customer’s chosen cause.

Find ShopRaise’s affiliate program on the Rakuten Linkshare affiliate network. It offers lead and sale-based offers, meaning affiliates can earn commissions for purchases and account signups.

As well as website owners, ShopRaise is looking to partner with various types of affiliates, including email marketers, social media users, and coupon sites. It’s particularly interested in working with affiliates in the education, parenting, non-profit, fundraising, and children’s sports spaces.

URL: ShopRaise affiliate program

Commission rate: $2

Cookie duration: 30 days

Conclusion: Are Non-Profit & Charity Affiliate Programs Right for You?Okay, so chances are even the very best charity affiliate programs aren’t going to make you a millionaire.

But as you’ll see from this list, there’s still plenty of money to be made here. Plus, your affiliate activity will be supporting some genuinely fantastic causes, which definitely can’t be said for all affiliate niches.

Of course, just because you’re working with charities, that doesn’t make the job of building a high-converting affiliate website any easier. You still need to do your keyword research, create fantastic content, and build an audience before you can even think about earning commission.

Fortunately, your buddies at Authority Hacker are here to help! Sign up for our free training, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about launching a top-performing affiliate website.

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Know your Tempranillos from your Garnachas? Enjoy learning about the best red, rose, and white wines? Love the sound of a cork popping?

If you answered “yes” to all those questions, wine affiliate programs are definitely for you.

The good news is, becoming a wine blogger and affiliate isn’t just a nice hobby; there’s a real opportunity to earn money online in the wine niche.

The global wine industry was worth $326.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $434.6 billion by 2027.

In the US, the average household spends more than $130 a year on wine at home and $34 on wine at full-service restaurants.

In short, it seems we’re a world of wine lovers. Ready to promote wine and start earning some serious commission? Check out our favorite wine affiliate programs:

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through the Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingWine Affiliate Programs 1. Wine.com 2. Firstleaf 3. Winc 4. Bright Cellars 5. Cellars Wine Club 6. Vinebox 7. Plonk Wine Club 8. WSJWine 9. California Wine Club 10. Wired For Wine 11. Wine Down Box 12. Organic Wine Company 13. Wine of the Month Club 14. Wine On Sale 15. Etching Expressions

1 Wine.comWine.com is an online business dedicated to offering customers the largest possible selection of premium wines, segmented by region and varietal, and twinned with helpful guidance from its team of hardcore wine lovers and experts.

It’s highly rated within the wine industry, winning Wine Enthusiast’s coveted Retailer of the Year award in 2019.

As well as selling individual bottles, the wine site offers a range of wine gifts including glassware and wine accessories, wine and food gift baskets, and much more besides.

Wine.com’s affiliate program is powered by the Rakuten Linkshare affiliate network. Affiliates earn a flat 5% commission on all sales and are given access to high-quality banner ads and logos to display on their wine blog or website.

  • URL: Wine.com affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

2 FirstleafFirstleaf is an algorithm-powered wine club. Once members have submitted three ratings about the wines they’ve sampled, it claims to have a success rate of 98% on future wine recommendations. Working directly with wine producers, Firstleaf offers up to a 60% discount on regular retail prices.

The company has affiliate programs on two of the most popular affiliate networks: CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers. Somewhat confusingly, the affiliate terms vary between the two networks, as follows:

  • CJ Affiliate: Offers a flat commission of $25 per order
  • FlexOffers: Pays a $20 commission for each subscription and 6.4% on standalone sales

Both programs have a 14-day cookie window.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ | $25/order | 14 days | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | $20/subscription | 14 days | Global | Sign Up |

3 WincWinc is a direct-to-consumer winery. Many of its wines — including imported and domestic varieties — are exclusive to the company.

Winc emphasizes sustainability in its production and shipping methods. The box and pulp trays in which its wines are shipped are fully compostable. It also reduces waste by eradicating cork capsules from most bottles it sells.

The winery’s affiliate program is on the Impact Radius network. It pays commissions of $18 per sale and 10% on gift card purchases and has a 30-day cookie window. Commissions can be paid via electronic funds transfer, PayPal, ACH/wire transfer, and check.

  • URL: Winc affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $18 per sale, 10% on gift cards
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

4 Bright CellarsBright Cellars is a wine club that claims to offer up to 20% savings on wines that match the customer’s taste profile. It analyzes members’ wine tastes across 18 attributes, then assigns a score out of 100 to indicate how closely a bottle matches the customer’s preferences.

The company sources wines from around the world, each sampled by in-house sommeliers. On average, only one in 50 bottles makes it into Bright Cellars’ subscription boxes.

Bright Cellars operates wine affiliate programs across four networks: FlexOffers, Pepperjam, and Skimlinks. Commission rates vary from one network to the next, from 6.4% – 8% on gift card sales to $16 – $20 on other purchases. The cookie duration also ranges from 14 to 30 days, depending on your choice of affiliate network.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Pepperjam | $20.00/order | 30 days | USA | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | $16/sale | 14 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | $30/order | – | USA | Sign Up |

5 Cellars Wine ClubCellars Wine Club runs six unique monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly wine clubs, each of which includes free shipping and no obligation to continue.

The wine club has been in business for 26 years, during which time it’s shipped 3.4 million wine bottles. Wine club subscriptions range from $29 – $79 and the site also sells bottles by the crate.

Cellars Wine Club boasts a high average order value of $192. With its wine affiliate program paying a commission of 10% per sale, that works out to an average commission of just over $19 by my math. Pleasingly, commissions are paid on a daily basis.

Affiliate marketers can access the brand’s wide selection of high-quality imagery, and there’s a dedicated affiliate management team on hand to assist with individualized campaign strategies. The wine site also runs seasonal promotional opportunities and incentive programs.

  • URL: Cellars Wine Club affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

6 VineboxAs you might have guessed, Vinebox sells boxes of wine. Its wine selections are curated from regions across the world and turned into themed boxes, such as the festive 12 Nights of Wine box.

Each box contains nine 100 ml tubes of wine, along with detailed information, pairing suggestions, and fun facts about each. Of more than 11,000 wines tasted by the Vinebox team, just 1% make the final cut.

To promote Vinebox, you’ll first need to sign up for an account on the ShareASale affiliate network. The Vinebox affiliate program pays a flat $15 commission per sale, regardless of which package your referrals choose.

The site has a respectable conversion rate of 2.42% and runs regular affiliate-only promotions to help you drive more sales. There’s also a responsive affiliate management team on hand to answer any questions.

  • URL: Vinebox affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $15 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

7 Plonk Wine ClubPlonk Wine Club is the brainchild of Etty Lewensztain, an acclaimed food and wine expert whose credentials are certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the American Sommelier Association.

It offers a choice of wine club subscriptions, ranging from two to 12 bottles per delivery. Every month, members receive a selection of the finest premium and boutique wines, with wine club subscription prices starting at $110 per month.

The Plonk Wine Club affiliate program pays commissions of 15% – 40% per sale or subscription, with the site boasting a seven-day average order value of $290, according to figures from ShareASale.

Once you sign up, Plonk’s dedicated affiliate manager will be happy to share tried-and-tested affiliate marketing strategies, provide tips on your campaigns, and offer details of current incentives.

  • URL: Plonk Wine Club affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% – 40%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

8 WSJWineWSJwine is the official wine club of the Wall Street Journal. Its in-house experts taste more than 40,000 wines a year from small boutique estates worldwide, with only 2% of bottles making the cut. It offers a money-back guarantee on all bottles.

The company’s target audience is wine enthusiasts aged 35+ who love to travel and are business professionals. If that profile aligns with your audience, this wine affiliate program could be a great fit.

Sign up for the WSJwine affiliate program on Rakuten Linkshare and you’ll earn a $20 commission on all wine plan product sales that convert within the seven-day cookie window. Affiliates get access to various branded creatives, including text links, static banners, and even GIF banners.

  • URL: WSJwine affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $20 on wine plan product sales
  • Cookie duration: 7 days

9 California Wine ClubThe California Wine Club has a simple mission: connecting its wine enthusiast members with small-batch, artisanal West Coast wines.

Its wine club memberships include a host of benefits, including access to Uncorked — the club’s guide to its featured wines, including tasting notes, pairing tips, and personal stories from the wineries themselves.

Members can also reorder their favorite wine bottles at savings of up to 50% off standard winery prices.

The California Wine Club affiliate program, again run via the ShareASale affiliate network, pays a 15% commission on all sales.

With a strong conversion rate of 5.5% and a seven-day average sale of more than $200, there’s good money to be made as an affiliate partner.

It also has a generous 90-day cookie window, the joint-longest of all the wine affiliate programs we’ve seen.

  • URL: California Wine Club affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days

10 Wired For WineWired For Wine specializes in premium wines and also sake (that’s a Japanese rice wine, in case you didn’t know).

The site offers free delivery across the continental US on all orders of 6+ wine bottles, with most orders shipping from its warehouse within three business days.

As well as selling individual bottles, Wired For Wine runs the 90+ Wine Club. It exclusively features white, rose, and red wine rated 90+ by wine critics and has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. A quarterly subscription to the club costs $169.97.

The Wired For Wine affiliate program pays a 7% commission on all sales within the 30-day cookie window.

With an average order value of more than $200, that’s some decent earning potential. The site also provides you with all the banner ads you need to promote its range of wine products.

  • URL: Wired For Wine affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

11 Wine Down BoxWine Down Box is more than just a clever name; it’s also a monthly wine club subscription box containing limited-production wines, artisan cheese, hand-made crackers, and delicious charcuterie. Just writing this is making me hungry (and thirsty).

Wine Down Box subscriptions can be purchased in one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12-month batches, with each box delivered around the 25th of each month.

The Wine Down Box affiliate program pays $5 – $15 on all subscription purchases made during user sessions originating from your text links within 30 days.

According to the website, affiliate marketers see sky-high conversion rates on subscription boxes and gift boxes, with average sales of more than $150.

  • URL: Wine Down Box affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $5 – $15 per subscription
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

12 Organic Wine CompanyThe Organic Wine Company has given itself an extremely grand-sounding mission: “To protect and enhance the health and ‘joie de vivre’ of our customers and the environment by promoting organic viticulture.”

In practice, that means it offers high-quality high-quality products at reasonable prices while focusing exclusively on wines made from organically grown grapes.

The company sells individual bottles and multi-bottle sample packs and also runs four curated wine clubs via the same site: six bottle red, six bottle mixed, 12 bottle red, and 12 bottle mixed.

Wine club prices range from $125 – $250 per quarter, with deliveries made four times a year.

The Organic Wine Company affiliate program pays a 5% commission on all sales. Payouts are made monthly or when your earnings reach at least $50.

  • URL: Organic Wine Company affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: Unknown

13 Wine of the Month ClubWine of the Month Club is one of America’s best-known wine clubs, and also its oldest, with the family owned and operated business starting out back in 1972.

Every month, owner Paul Kalemkiarian Jr personally tastes more than 400 wines from Argentina, California, Chile, Germany, Italy, and many other regions. Only two of those go on to be chosen for the Wine of the Month Club.

As well as its popular wine club, the site makes money online by selling unique gift baskets, wine accessories, and heavily discounted single bottles.

Yet another program on the ShareASale affiliate network, Wine of the Month Club pays a wide range of commissions. Sign up for its wine club affiliate program, and you’ll earn the following:

  • $30 flat commission on regular membership signups
  • 3% on individual bottle wine sales and assortments
  • 5% on gift cards
  • 8% on gift memberships (or 5% for coupon sites)
  • URL: Wine of the Month Club affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 3% – 8%
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

14 Wine On SaleGuess what Wine On Sale does. If you went with “online wine marketplace”, congratulations, have a hard-earned glug of wine!

The site sells wines ranging in price from $7.95 – $200+ to customers across the US. As well as selling individual bottles, it allows customers to mix and match packages of up to 18 bottles in a single order.

All orders of six or more bottles qualify for free shipping with a special coupon code.

Wine On Sale’s wine affiliate program pays a 6% commission and has a 30-day cookie window. Likely because of that shipping discount on bulk orders, it boasts a high average order value of $185, which equals an average commission of just over $11.

  • URL: Wine On Sale affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 6% per purchase
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

15 Etching ExpressionsThis one’s a little different. Unlike all the wine clubs and online stores we’ve already featured, Etching Expressions sells personalized wine bottles that are hand-painted and deep-etched.

The site has a variety of stock templates and a photo upload feature, and also allows totally bespoke designs for those ultra-special occasions like weddings and anniversaries.

Run via the Refersion affiliate network, Etching Expressions’ wine affiliate program has competitive commissions of 15% per sale. With most bottles selling for about $75, you can expect an average commission in the region of $11 per order.

Let’s be honest, you’re unlikely to make a job replacement income through this affiliate program alone, but it could still make a fantastic addition to the other, more mass-market affiliate programs you promote on your wine blog.

  • URL: Etching Expressions affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per purchase
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

Conclusion: Are Wine Affiliate Programs Right For You?That’s actually a pretty simple question.

If you’re a wine enthusiast with genuine passion and knowledge for the industry, you can absolutely make a decent living from wine affiliate marketing by promoting quality products to your audience.

There are many wine affiliate programs to choose from, many of which pay competitive commissions. But if you don’t know your stuff, expect to get found out fast.

Even if you do know what you’re talking about, monetizing affiliate sites is no easy task. It requires a bunch of research and competitor analysis — trust us, we’ve done it before. A lot.

That’s why we can help. Just register for our free training and we’ll give you seven simple steps to build high-performing affiliate sites in 2023 and beyond.

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Looking to promote mass-market products with tons of passive income potential? Insurance affiliate programs are hard to beat.

The global insurance market is huge. And it’s still growing. The industry is expected to increase at a compound rate of 6% from 2021 to 2025, by which time it will be worth a massive $6.4 trillion. That’s higher than the GDP of any country other than the US and China.

Forecast of the global insurance market in 2021 and 2022, with forecasts from 2023 to 2026Speaking of the US, Americans famously spend a big chunk of their earnings on insurance products. According to one analysis, the average American spends over $10,000 yearly on insurance, equivalent to about 14% of their income. Health insurance is comfortably the most expensive form of coverage, accounting for 59% of an individual’s insurance expenses, followed by:

  • Auto insurance (16% of insurance outlay)
  • Homeowners insurance (14%)
  • Life insurance products (10%)

Given the vast sums involved, it’s no wonder consumers are desperate for help finding the best (and cheapest) insurance plans. That’s where you come in.

As an insurance affiliate, you can recommend your favorite providers, offer impartial advice, and get paid every time your audience buys an insurance product. Read on for our data-driven roundup of the 16 best insurance affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingInsurance Affiliate Programs1. Lemonade Insurance 2. USAA 3. Liberty Mutual 4. Allianz Care 5. Ethos 6. RoamRight 7. World Nomads 8. Bestow 9. Hiscox 10. Cover-More Australia 11. Insurify 12. Fabric 13. Haven Life 14. Hippo 15. Pawp 16. NEXT Insurance

1 Lemonade InsuranceLemonade sells contents insurance. Its policies are 100% digital, with the entire sales process handled by its AI bot, Maya. The company has 1.5+ million customers and sells a new policy every 60 seconds.

Committed to social good, Lemonade charges a flat fee and donates any leftover money to good causes. It aims to pay the majority of claims “almost instantly.”

Find the Lemonade Insurance affiliate program on Awin. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays a flat commission of $15 per lead. To help affiliates drive sales and traffic, the company offers access to a vast content library and various pre-designed assets.

  • URL: Lemonade Insurance affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $15 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Contents insurance
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

2 USAAUSAA sells insurance, banking, and retirement solutions for the military, veterans, and eligible family members, including:

  • Active duty personnel
  • National Guards and reservists
  • Military spouses
  • Children of USAA members
  • Service Academy appointees

Customers can save up to 10% by bundling auto and property insurance policies from USAA.

As well as selling insurance products, the company strives to support its communities, investing time and money into various military programs.

USAA’s insurance affiliate program is exclusively available through the CJ Affiliate network. It has a 30-day cookie window and a sliding commission scale, paying:

  • $4 per umbrella insurance quote
  • $5 per renters insurance quote
  • $10 per homeowners insurance quote
  • $20 per valuable property protection quote

According to CJ Affiliate, the program has an impressive three-month EPC of $277.61.

  • URL: USAA affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $4 – $20 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 30days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto, life, home, renters, valuable property, and umbrella insurance policies
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

3 Liberty Mutual Liberty Mutual is America’s sixth-largest property and casualty insurer, ranking #78 on the Fortune 100 list based on 2021 revenue. The company sells various policy types, including renters, homeowners, and auto insurance.

Sign up for the Liberty Mutual affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. It has a 30-day cookie window and a sliding commission scale, paying $3 for renters insurance quotes and $10 for auto and home insurance quotes. Affiliates can earn bonus commissions through frequent sales promotions.

Liberty Mutual offers professionally designed creatives, with custom banners and other assets available on request. It also has a dedicated and responsive affiliate management team.

  • URL: Liberty Mutual affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $3 – $10 per quote
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Auto insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

4 Allianz CareAllianz Care is one of the world’s biggest international health insurance providers. Its policies are geared toward high-net-worth ex-pats and HR managers at multinational companies or governmental organizations. Allianz has a Feefo rating of 4.8/5, based on almost 2,000 verified reviews.

The company’s insurance affiliate program is managed exclusively through CJ Affiliate. The program pays commissions of €10 per lead and €10 – €45 per completed application.

Commissions are paid on all saved or completed quotes, call-back requests, and emails to Allianz’s sales team — even if the lead doesn’t convert into a customer. The program has a 45-day cookie window.

Allianz is happy to work with most types of affiliates, but it has a manual review process, so expect to wait a day or two for approval.

  • URL: Allianz Care affiliate program
  • Commission rate: €10 – €30 per action
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Health insurance
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, US

5 EthosEthos Life is an online life insurance company that allows users to purchase policies from $7 per month without requiring medical exams or blood tests. Instead, they simply answer a few health-related questions, meaning most customers can access same-day coverage.

The company offers insurance policies through various big-name brands, including Legal & General America, Ameritas Life Insurance, and TruStage.

The Ethos Life insurance affiliate program is available through Impact Radius. It pays commissions of $20 – $55 per lead and offers custom payouts for hitting agreed return-on-ad-spend targets. The program has a 30-day EPC of $2.79 and a seven-day cookie window.

Ethos affiliates get one-to-one support from a dedicated affiliate manager and can access various marketing tools, including creative assets, case studies, and a sample sales funnel.

  • URL: Ethos Life affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $20 – $55 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Life insurance
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

6 RoamRight RoamRight sells travel insurance covering trip cancellation, baggage delays, overseas medical care, and more. It’s backed by Arch Insurance, which also owns McNeil & Co, Ventus Risk Management, Somers Re, and Somerset Bridge Group.

Customers can access premium features within the free RoamRight app, including travel and security alerts, travel document storage, and detailed destination information.

RoamRight’s travel insurance affiliate program is only available through ShareASale. The program has a generous 365-day cookie window and pays a 15% commission, plus a $10 bonus for your first sale. According to ShareASale’s 30-day figures, the program has an average sale of $201.66, an EPC of $80.26, and a solid 2.65% conversion rate.

RoamRight offers various affiliate tools and resources, including creatives and dedicated affiliate management. However, it has a strict application process that excludes coupon and discount sites, publishers who duplicate content, and affiliates who don’t own their domain.

  • URL: RoamRight affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 365 days
  • Products/Services sold: Travel insurance
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 World Nomads World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Customers can purchase policies before they set off or while they’re traveling and can claim from anywhere in the world.

The company covers 150+ adventure activities and offers 24/7 emergency assistance, with support from a multilingual team. Its policies are available to travelers from over 100 countries.

The World Nomads travel insurance affiliate program is exclusively available through CJ Affiliate. It has a 60-day cookie window and pays a flat commission for each quote you refer, with rates calculated on your reach, audience size, and the quality of your leads. Commissions start at $0.83 per quote.

World Nomads affiliates have the opportunity to join co-branding campaigns with other travel industry partners and can access regional support from the company’s affiliate management team.

  • URL: World Nomads affiliate program
  • Commission rate: From $0.83 per quote
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Travel insurance
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

8 BestowBestow offers life insurance for individuals and families. As well as selling directly to consumers, Bestow provides solutions to help insurance agents, enterprises, and websites offer insurance products to their audiences. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Bestow is all about convenience. Customers can get a free insurance quote in seconds by answering five simple questions, while the full online application process can be completed in just five minutes.

Sign up for Bestow’s insurance affiliate program via the Impact Radius or FlexOffers networks. Impact offers a slightly higher commission rate ($25 vs. $20 per application), so it’s probably the best choice.

Either way, Bestow affiliates can access custom landing pages, marketing messaging, and tailored tips to optimize performance.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | $25 per application | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | $20 per application | 30 days | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Life insurance

9 HiscoxHiscox specializes in meeting the business insurance needs of professional service firms, including marketing agencies, consultancies, and IT/technology companies. Over 400,000 small businesses have purchased policies from Hiscox, demonstrating its strong brand recognition. The company has a strong 4.8/5 rating on the review platform Feefo.

Sign up for the Hiscox insurance affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. The program has a seven-day cookie duration and pays a fixed commission of $25 per quote, although special incentives are offered to top performers. According to CJ, the program has a three-month EPC of $50.74.

Hiscox has an excellent conversion rate, with 33% of referred visitors requesting an insurance quote. So it’s in your interest to refer as many qualified visitors as possible. To help you out, Hiscox offers high-quality banners, links, promotions, and an in-house affiliate management team.

  • URL: Hiscox affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $25 per quote
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Small business insurance
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

10 Cover-More AustraliaAustralia’s largest independent travel insurance provider, Cover-More’s policies are chosen by 18+ million customers annually. The company offers protection for over 80 adventure activities and provides 24/7 emergency assistance.

The Cover-More affiliate program is available through Commission Factory and Impact Radius. The terms and conditions are identical — 10% commission per sale and a 30-day cookie window — so choose the network that’s best for you.

Whichever network you choose, you can access various affiliate marketing tools, including a travel insurance quote engine and specific advertising materials.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Commission Factory | 10% per sale | 30 days | Australia only | Sign Up | | Impact | 10% per sale | 30 days | Australia only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Travel insurance

11 InsurifyInsurify is a comparison site for auto, home, renters, and life insurance. On average, it presents users with 4 – 6 curated quotes tailored to their backgrounds and requirements. The company operates across all 50 states and offers insurance policies from brands like Liberty Mutual, MetLife, and Nationwide.

According to Insurify, its customers have saved a combined $44+ million by using the website. The company has delivered over 26 million real-time quotes and has a rating of 4.8/5 from more than 3,000 reviews.

Sign up for Insurify’s affiliate program via CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction) or Impact. The CJ program pays a higher commission and has a three-month EPC of $78.92.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | $15 CPA | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | Impact | $10 | 30 days | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance

12 FabricFabric offers life insurance policies, wills, and various family finance-related tools. It’s owned by Gerber Life Insurance, a Western & Southern Financial Group subsidiary. Life insurance customers get a free will for themselves and their spouses.

Prospective customers can request a quote via the Fabric app, which also allows them to create a will and organize their family’s legal and financial information. The company’s website has bank-level security, including 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication, and biometrics.

Fabric’s insurance affiliate program is available via three networks: FlexOffers, Impact Radius, and ShareASale. Unless you’ve got a compelling reason to go with FlexOffers or ShareASale, Impact is the intelligent choice, thanks to its higher commission rate and much longer cookie duration. According to Impact, the program has a 30-day EPC of $8.27.

Affiliates can take advantage of pre-built landing pages to help turn traffic into clicks and sales.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact | $100 per application | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | ShareASale | $80 per Fabric Premium sale | 1 day | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | $64 per Fabric Premium sale | 1 day | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Life insurance

13 Haven LifeHaven Life is a life insurance company backed and owned by MassMutual, one of America’s oldest insurers. It has a reputation for great customer service, as demonstrated by its Net Promoter Score of 77.

Customers can access Haven Life Plus, a bonus feature that offers $700+ of yearly no-cost benefits, including a fitness app with on-demand workouts and a secure online vault for storing and sharing important documents.

Find Haven’s insurance affiliate program on the FlexOffers network. Affiliates earn $24 for every action they drive within the seven-day cookie window.

To make their lives easier, Haven offers various affiliate tools and resources, including a library of marketing assets, co-branded landing pages, and an easy-to-use API. The Haven portal allows partners to capture an applicant’s details over the phone.

  • URL: Haven Life affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $24
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Products/Services sold: Life insurance products
  • Payment methods: Bank transfer, wire transfer, check, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

14 HippoHippo Insurance is a home insurance company that helps customers avoid problems through smart home technology. For instance, leak sensors can detect leaks before any water damage occurs. The company claims to offer 4X higher coverage limits for computers and home office equipment.

Over 200,000 US homes are insured through Hippo, and the company has a strong 4.9/5 rating from 10,000+ customer reviews.

Hippo’s insurance affiliate program is managed through the ShareASale network. It pays a flat commission of $5 per lead and has a generous 90-day cookie window. Affiliates can access creatives to help them boost traffic.

However, there must be an issue with either the affiliate program or the Hippo website, because ShareASale’s most recent tracked conversion came back in November 2021.

  • URL: Hippo affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $5 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Home insurance products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

15 PawpPawp isn’t exactly a pet insurance company, but it does offer various services for pet owners. As a digital, subscription-based veterinarian, it covers up to six pets on a single plan, provides 24/7 vet care through text or video, and protects against ER bills of up to $3,000.

Customers get unlimited, on-demand remote vet visits, exclusive discounts on vet-approved products, and the ability to cancel anytime. Appointments can be managed through a dedicated app, available via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Pawp has affiliate programs on two popular affiliate networks: Awin and FlexOffers.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin | $5 – $30 per sale | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | $4 – $56 per sale | 30 days | US only | Sign Up |

As you can see, the commission rates are pretty broad, and they vary substantially between the two networks, so we’ve provided a more detailed comparison:

| Action | Awin Commission | FlexOffers Commission | | Flea & tick addon | $5 | $4 | | Base commission & signup | $10 | $8 | | Gift membership | $30 | $24 | | Telehealth & emergency bundle subscription | $20 | $56 |

  • Products/Services sold: Digital clinic for pets

16 NEXT InsuranceNEXT Insurance sells insurance for small business owners. Its products are tailored to thousands of professions and include seven types of policies, from general liability and workers’ compensation to tools & equipment and commercial auto insurance. Small business owners can simply select the policies that are most relevant to their needs.

NEXT allows customers to save up to 10% by bundling two or more policies. It has a US-based customer support team and a rating of “A- Excellent” from AM Best, the industry standard for insurance company ratings.

The NEXT Insurance affiliate program, managed through Impact Radius, pays $25 per sale and has a 30-day cookie window. According to Impact, it has a 30-day EPC of $10.48.

Affiliates can access various tools to help drive traffic and sales, including unique promo code tracking and deep linking.

  • URL: NEXT Insurance affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $25 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Small business insurance products
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionOur list of top insurance affiliate programs could easily have been twice as long. But we only wanted to share the best of the best. To do that, we analyzed data from 25 of the biggest insurance affiliate sites, including Insurify, NerdWallet, SmartFinancial, and The Zebra.

Those sites are earning big money from the affiliate programs in our roundup. And so can you — provided you know how to build and optimize an affiliate website.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Our free training can maximize your passive income, whether you’re a total newbie or a grizzled affiliate marketing veteran.

Sign up today to learn seven expert tips for creating a high-converting affiliate site, including how to build fast sites that rank quickly.

See you there!

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A tweet I published recently about Cnet.com, a large tech publication owned by Red Ventures, got quite a bit of press spotlight.

So much so that Cnet made a public statement this morning to explain the situation.

In a nutshell, a big site is, for the first time being open about the fact that they are using AI to help them generate content about mundane topics.

They still ensure it’s edited and fact-checked by a human (AI is notorious for making facts up), but they’re upfront about some of the content being machine-generated in the author byline.

This is a small-scale test for now, with only 75 articles published since last November but a test we all want to keep our eyes on nonetheless because it will probably determine the future of online publishing.

Many low-tier sites have been spamming low-quality AI content and seen big ups and big downs with updates. It’s the first time an internet household name has come out and openly shared the fact that part of the content on the page you’re currently reading is not written by a breathing creature.

Now all eyes turn to Google as they have been sending mixed signals about AI content, and some openly AI-generated pages have been doing very well on the search engine.

So while we’re all holding our breath, waiting for Google to play its cards, I thought it would be a good idea to dig a bit deeper to try to understand the current state of AI in household publications and try to answer some of the burning questions that are in everyone’s head right now.

1 – What RedVenture sites use AI Content?First, I decided to investigate Red Venture’s other websites as it seemed to be the most likely place where you’d find more A-I bylined content.

And actually, they do:

  • This first report by Tony hill mentions bankrate.com using the exact same author byline.
  • And they also use the same tech on creditcard.com.

To get a bit deeper into this story, I’m going to use the help of Originality.ai, an AI content detection tool I recently tested on this blog.

To give you my review in a nutshell, you could compare it to Ghostbuster tech.

It’s first gen, it’s hacked together, and often doesn’t work the way you intended it to. But if you check a batch of content from a writer and it flags 40-50%+ AI on several articles written, I’d be quite confident to say AI tech has possibly been used.

There is a good chance the tool will have triggered false positives below leading to wrong analysis so take the results with a grain of salt.

So I put this article by bankrate.com into originality.ai to get a baseline of what an “AI bylined article” looks like in the tool.

And here is what I got:

Just as the byline says, it seems like the AI output was heavily human-edited. Again, this tool is spotty and false positives are possible.

For example, this article was only flagged with 9% AI content.

And this one was flagged with 49%.

From my experience using and reviewing AI writers, this is not surprising. For some topics, the AI is prolific, while for some others, you end up writing most of the article yourself, leading to a higher % of originality score.

So now that we’ve established the baseline with the publishers that do disclose they’re using AI for their content let’s jump onto the question everyone’s secretly asking.

2 – Are other publishers using AI without disclosing it?To try to hunt other big media using AI, I first followed some indics from this Reddit thread pointing at CNN for their dull, boring content that they couldn’t conceive would be written by a human.

So I went over to CNN’s website and started looking for the dullest content. I tested a bunch, like this one, on “To make money, avoid these common mistakes.”

And surprisingly, all of them came out as “original” and not AI created.

So here I was, with no lead, looking for a needle in a haystack.

And this is when a quote from my wife came to my head. “Sometimes you can use your hate to do good things.” Don’t ask.

But immediately, this made me think of my SEO arch nemesis, the Wario to my Mario: Forbes.com

My goal was to find the most boring topics they’ve covered recently, the kind of content a writer would rather relegate to AI, knowing well even the editor is probably not going to look that deep into it because it’s soooooo boring.

This is how I landed on… Internet provider reviews.

Specifically, Cox internet.

and when I put Forbes review in Originality.ai, here’s what came out:

This made me raise an eyebrow, but as I said earlier, Originality is NOT 100% reliable, and false positives can be frequent.

So we first opened the article and inspected it to see how it “flows.”

And needless to say, after reading the introduction, it flows like a conversation with my mother-in-law last Christmas.

But it could just be bad writing.

So I decided to dig several other similar internet provider reviews to see their scores. Here’s what I got:

| URL | AI % | Human % | Search Traffic (Ahrefs) | | Starry internet review | 71% | 29% | 153 | | Astound internet review | 12% | 88% | 288 | | Verizon 5G internet review | 54% | 46% | 4300 | | Nomad internet review | 74% | 26% | 1600 |

So with this consistency of finding a high AI % on similar pages, I think we can make the assumption that there was some AI assistance for these kinds of posts.

My guess is that due to their highly templated nature and the chase for content uniqueness in order to try to rank better on Google, writers may be using an AI paraphrasing tool like Quillbot to rewrite sections that are common to these articles and then just insert the facts & data manually.

I didn’t dig deeper, but if I spent my days doing it, I’m 100% sure I could find similar examples of probable AI/automation used on many household web publisher’s websites that are not disclosed at all.

3 – How well are these articles doing in search?Now the question that’s in all our minds is: Does Google do anything about it? let’s try to look at the data and answer this question.

Is increasing AI percentage correlated with lower Google traffic?We took all the articles that were AI bylined by Cnet, ran them into originality to determine the % of AI used in them, and then crossed the data with Ahrefs estimated traffic data to try to answer this question. You can see the original data here.

Once you put all the data together, you get this graph:

An almost flat line that means one thing: Google does NOT seem to reduce organic traffic to a piece if you use more or less AI to help you write it.

Factors like keyword selection, competition, and other traditional SEO factors matter much more than the use of AI.

How does an AI-augmented writer compare to a non-AI-augmented writer?For this test, I decided to head back to bankrate.com to mix things up a bit.

My goal is to get an idea of how competitive these AI articles are at bringing search traffic to the site against established writers for the brand.

For that, I used Ahrefs’ content explorer to find some of the most prolific writers for bankrate.com.

I decided to go for their #1 author: James royal who wrote 402 pages on the site and brings 1.5+ million monthly visitors.

Then I also went for Brian Baker who wrote 123 pages and generates 230,000+ monthly visitors.

I also decided to analyse their articles written in November and compare them against the traffic the AI content written that month generates.

Why November? Because we know SEO can take some time to kick in so I wanted to give some time for the articles to settle in the SERPs.

First let’s start with how many articles they each produced between November 1st and November 31st 2022

Surprisingly, AI did not get the most content written in November, I guess it’s still an experimental operation for now.

But what’s more interesting is how much traffic per article on average, they each yield to bankrate.com

That’s right, James Royal (Human writer #1) outperformed AI by 776% in November and Brian Baker (Human writer #2) outperformed it by 735%.

Are we observing Google’s E-E-A-T / Anti AI factors in this difference? Or did the bankrate team go for smaller keywords during this test which would explain the difference?

It’s hard to tell, but if I was the CEO of bankrate and saw this graph, I wouldn’t be firing my human writers just yet.

Things will be moving fast and there is no doubt using AI to augment your content creation abilities could become mandatory very soon if you want to stay competitive.

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Are you looking for a profitable side hustle to put some cash in the bank while you’re building your authority site?

Something that you don’t have to spend hours a day working on?

You’re not alone.

It also might be time for you to take a second look at referral programs.

But… aren’t referral programs those apps that nickel and dime you for taking surveys?

Nope.

Some of the programs we tracked down for you pay… up to $175 per referral.

We’re not talking pocket change here.

Excited?

Good – but first, let’s cover some basics.

What is a referral program?A referral program is where a company rewards you for recommending their product or service to others.

The reward can come in the form of a fixed sum credited to your account, free hours on an app, eGift vouchers, or even prepaid debit cards.

Basically, you get paid to refer a friend as a new potential customer for a business.

The latter seems to be the reward of choice for big brands currently operating referral marketing programs.

None of the programs listed below payout in “store credit,” though.

You’ll either earn hard cash for your referrals or receive an Amazon gift card or one for a major offline retailer like Walmart.

So let’s get to our referral program examples.

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Best Referral Programs To Make Money1. ShareASale ($150 per referred affiliate) 2. Fiverr (Up to $100 in Fiverr Credits) 3. Payoneer ($25 per referral) 4. Revolut (€5 per referral) 5. Wise (£50 per referral) 6. Paypal ($10 per referral) 7. Robinhood (Up to $200 in gift stock) 8. Swagbucks (10% of what referral earns) 9. Coinbase ($10 per referral) 10. SoFi ($50+ per referral) 11. Rakuten ($20 per referral) 12. Acorns ($5 per referral) 13. Casper (Up to $75 Amazon gift card) 14. Do$h ($10 per referral) 15. Sam’s Club ($10 gift card) 16. T-Mobile ($50 per referral) 17. Direct Energy ($50 per referral) 18. Xfinity (up to $175 per referral)

1 ShareASale Yes, we’re aware that ShareASale is an affiliate network.

But how do you think they get new merchants to sign up with them? Well, one way is they will pay you to refer new vendors to them through a referral program.

To the tune of $150 each.

And all you need to do is make the introduction. So if you know of a business that’s actively looking to start its own affiliate program, then this could be an easy win for both parties.

It’s also worth remembering that 99% of people looking to profit from referral programs will never think of affiliate networks.

That gives you a strategic advantage here – one you should make the most of.

You will need a ShareASale account to promote this offer. But they’re free to set up, so there’s no real barrier to entry here.

URL: ShareASale referral program

Referral fee: $150

2 FiverrFiverr is a marketplace for freelance services, covering everything from web development to graphic design and content writing.

As of September 30, 2022, some 4.2 million active buyers were using Fiverr to make purchases across 500+ categories, including household names like Google, Facebook, and Netflix. Meanwhile, figures from May 2021 show freelancers have collectively earned over $2 billion selling digital services through the platform.

Fiverr’s referral program pays 10% of the qualifying purchase amount from each successful referral, up to $100 in Fiverr Credits. Referrers can earn up to $500 in credits through the program — effectively meaning there’s a limit of up to five referrals.

As well as rewarding the referrer, Fiverr’s program gives new buyers a 10% discount on their first purchase, again capped at $100.

Before signing up, be aware the program is only open to registered Fiverr users.

(N.B. Want to make more money promoting Fiverr? Check out our Fiverr affiliate program review.)

URL: Fiverr referral program

Referral fee: Up to $100 in Fiverr Credits

3 PayoneerPayoneer is an online-only service that allows you to receive and transfer money. So, it’s kind of like PayPal but minus all the red tape.

It’s also the payment method of choice for many affiliate marketers. Especially those either living the digital nomad lifestyle or working from international accounts.

And they also operate a referral program.

You take part in their “refer a friend” program, and you get paid a cash bonus for doing that.

The financial services industry is super-competitive, so Payoneer is always happy to have lots of new clients referred to them.

And they’ll pay up to US$25 per referral you send their way.

The only proviso is that your “friend” needs to receive at least US$1,000 into their account before you get paid your referral fee.

URL: Payoneer referral program

Referral fee: $25

4 RevolutRevolut is a UK-based fintech company that allows customers to send and request money and split bills with people in 200+ countries.

It offers many other exciting finance-related services, such as linking accounts from multiple other banks in a single platform and trading crypto, bullion, and 1,500+ global shares from within the app.

Unusually, Revolut’s referral program specifically targets under-18s. Specifically, it pays €5 (or equivalent) to teenage users aged 18 or under who refer other under-18s to Revolut:

Unfortunately, the program is only available in 23 countries, including the UK and most EU member states (check out the program terms for a complete list). So if you’re based anywhere other than Europe — or are over 18 — this program isn’t for you.

URL: Revolut referral program

Referral fee: €5

5 WiseWise — formerly known as TransferWise — is a fintech company that allows its 15+ million customers to hold, receive, send, and spend money from a multi-currency account.

Users can hold cash in over 50 currencies and convert it at the real-world exchange rate whenever they want. According to Wise, sending and managing money through the platform is 6X cheaper, on average, than with UK banks.

The company changes the terms of its referral program pretty frequently, but it’s currently offering a reward of £50 (or equivalent) once three referred friends make an international transfer of £200+ after using your unique referral link.

Bear in mind the transaction must involve a currency conversion — otherwise, you earn a big, fat nothing.

While ÂŁ50 is the current standard reward, this amount may vary from region to region and can also change during special campaigns and promotional periods.

URL: Wise referral program

Referral fee: ÂŁ50

6 PayPalPayPal is arguably the world’s best-known payment platform, offering a website and mobile app that allows users to send and receive money online. Customers with verified accounts can send up to $60,000 in a single transaction.

The platform has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, with the number of active PayPal accounts increasing from fewer than 100 million in 2010 to over 432 million in Q3 2022.

PayPal’s referral program is pretty simple: once your friend signs up and spends at least $5 via the platform, you both receive $10. Rewards are typically paid within 24 hours, although the process can take up to two weeks in some cases.

As with many other referral programs, PayPal imposes a cap on how much you can earn, limiting referrals to ten friends — or up to $100 — in a calendar year.

URL: PayPal referral program

Referral fee: $10

7 RobinhoodRobinhood is a commission-free trading and investment app allowing members to buy stocks and other assets, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

The platform’s popularity has risen in line with growing awareness of crypto, with the number of users increasing from just half a million in 2014 to almost 23 million in June 2022.

Want to recommend Robinhood to your friends? The platform’s referral program offers rewards in gift stock when your friend signs up, gets approved, and links their bank account.

Theoretically, users can earn up to $200 per successful referral, but Robinhood notes that 98% of participants receive rewards of $5 – $10. You can earn up to $1,500 per calendar year.

It’s possible to sell your gift stock within three trading days of receiving it — after which you can spend the money on any other stocks. However, if you want to withdraw the cash, you must retain the gift stocks for at least 30 days.

URL: Robinhood referral program

Referral fee: Up to $200 in gift stock

8 SwagbucksWhat if you could earn gift cards and cash for doing the stuff you already do online?

Like watching videos, shopping, or even taking a short survey.

That’s what Swagbucks offers its users – the ability to get paid for doing mundane stuff like completing a questionnaire on survey sites.

And they have a lot of takers – they hand out 7,000 gift cards every single day.

Which isn’t quite the same as hard cash…but it’s close.

And it’s also entirely anonymous.

You could easily use some of those gift cards to invest in cryptos, for example.

Does that sound like the kind of opportunity you’d recommend to a friend?

If you do, you’ll get 10% of whatever your referral earns, plus an additional 100 Swagbucks deposited to your account.

The more referrals you make, the more you’ll earn in gift card rewards.

URL: Swagbucks referral program

Referral fee: 10% of what your referral earns

9 CoinbaseAnd now we come to something a little different a – cryptocurrency referral program.

Coinbase is one of the better-known crypto exchanges.

Something they’ve done for their customer base since 2012… long before the Bitcoin frenzy took hold.

So they basically provide you with an easy-to-use platform to buy and sell cryptos on.

But you can do that with FIAT currency i.e. a credit or debit card, which makes it ideal for crypto newbies like me!

Anyways, the Coinbase referral program is a pretty straightforward deal.

You sign up for an account with them.

Then you recommend it to friends via your “refer a friend” link.

Once your referral buys or sells US$100 worth of cryptocurrency you will both receive a $10 bonus to your account within 180 days of that happening.

Which you can then spend on even more Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Stellar Lumens, etc.

URL: Coinbase referral program

Referral fee: US$10

10 SoFiSoFi started out as a way to provide better options for those needing student loans.

But the service proved to be such a success that they’ve since expanded into other financial markets.

So you can now apply for a student loan, personal loan, or even a mortgage with them.

Basically, the goal of SoFi isn’t to “punish” you for taking out a loan with them.

They instead want to help you get out of debt while learning how to manage your finances better.

And part of that is their referral program.

SoFi will give you a cash reward if your referrals sign up for (and funds) any of the following:

  • SoFi Money account
  • Investment account
  • Student loan refinancing
  • Personal loans

If, for example, a referral opens up a SoFi money account and deposits $500 to that account, you’ll receive a $50 bonus.

But they cap the number of possible referral earnings at US$10,000 per year.

This means they have existing “advocates” earning at least that much with their referral program.

There’s no limit, however, on lifetime earnings.

URL: SoFi referral program

Referral fee: $50+

11 RakutenYou’re probably already familiar with this company, thanks to our review of the Rakuten affiliate network.

But affiliate marketing is only part of what they do, including a streaming TV service, for example.

Rakuten is actually a massive Japanese e-commerce platform.

And with a history dating back to 1996 of helping shoppers find the best deals online.

Your visitors basically start from the Rakuten store and choose from their list of vendors.

They’ll then get money back when they make a purchase – this is paid to them by PayPal or check.

But you can also earn a referral bonus for every friend you refer to Rakuten.

Because who doesn’t want money-back deals, right?

The only condition is every friend you refer has to spend at least $25 on Rakuten partner deals within 90 days of signing up.

Otherwise, you don’t get paid a referral bonus for referring your friends.

But they do offer unlimited referrals, so this could be a nice way to earn some extra money.

URL: Rakuten referral program

Referral fee: $20

12 Acorns Why would you call your investment platform Acorns?

Because “…mighty oaks from little acorns grow” – it’s an old English proverb.

It’s basically saying that your tiny investments can become huge given enough time.

And that’s what Acorns offers you – a way to invest your spare change on autopilot.

All the work of choosing what stocks or bonds to invest in is taken care of for you.

You just set it and forget it.

Their referral marketing offer works as follows.

You receive $5 for every person you refer.

Acorns, then invest that $5 for you.

So, that means you can’t “cash-out” to your bank account.

But you are building a long-term asset in the form of investments.

It’s also worth mentioning that the person you refer has to be approved and make an investment of $5 before you receive your bonus.

URL: Acorns referral program

Referral fee: US$5

13 CasperCasper is a direct-to-consumer mattress brand that has sold mattresses and pillows to over two million happy sleepers. It offers free no-contact delivery, a 10-year limited warranty, and a 100-night risk-free trial.

Committed to social good, the company has made 70,000+ donations to partners like the International Rescue Committee, Badass Brooklyn, and A Sense of Home.

The Casper mattress referral program pays up to $75 in Amazon Gift Cards per successful referral. When your friend buys a Casper mattress using your unique referral link, they also get 25% off their order. Alternatively, referrers can earn $10 on sales of Casper Pillows.

Unsurprisingly, there are a few terms and conditions to bear in mind. Firstly, you can only earn one referral fee per friend, even if they buy a mattress and a pillow. Also, rewards are capped at $599 per calendar year.

(N.B. Like the sound of making money promoting mattresses? Read our roundup of the best mattress affiliate programs.)

URL: Casper referral program

Referral fee: Up to $75 Amazon gift card

14 Do$hDosh (English slang for money) is another cash-back app of the many that exist right now.

But they don’t appear to be tied to the stores you typically find on other sites.

Sure, you can earn up to 40% cashback from grocery shopping.

But Dosh also covers the eating and drinking side of life.

So you can get cash back on a pizza, a box of delicious donuts, and even your next vacation.

Or even your next car or truck.

It seems that they’ve negotiated several private back deals of the 10,000 brands they work with.

Obviously, the more users they can get to download their app, the better for Dosh.

And what better way to do that than offer an incentive in the form of money?

They’ll pay you US$10 for every new referral that is happy to link a valid debit or credit card to their account and receives their first rebate.

URL: Dosh referral program

Referral fee: $10

15 Sam’s ClubSam’s Club is part of the Walmart family of stores.

So you get the same basic deal of brand name goods at low prices.

Except Sam’s Club follows the “Big Box” warehouse model – once you become a member, you can buy 12 boxes of Kleenex at once.

Or an entire refrigerator and a new sofa.

But at warehouse prices.

And as a member still get 2% cashback on all your purchases even though you’ve already probably saved a small fortune by shopping there.

In terms of rewarding you for referring a friend, this is paid in the form of a $10 gift card per referral.

Your referral benefits too, because they’ll also receive a $20 eGift card.

All you need to redeem your gift card is an active account with Sam’s Club.

URL: Sam’s Club referral program

Referral fee: $10 gift card

16 T-MobileSo we’re not going to spend a lot of time telling you who T-Mobile is.

They sell Internet connections, smartphones, tablets, and corporate phone systems.

They’re one of the “Big Three” communications providers in North America, with 98.3 million customers.

So there’s a very good chance you’re an existing customer of theirs.

And if you are, you might not know they operate a referral marketing program.

I didn’t until I started the research for this roundup.

But that’s one of the many benefits of doing better research than your competitors.

Ahem.

So how much can you get paid for referrals, as an existing T-Mobile customer?

You can receive up to US$50 for every friend you refer x 10 referrals.

For a total of $500.

Each referral bonus of $50 is paid via a Prepaid MasterCard, so it’s the same as hard cash.

URL: T-Mobile referral program

Referral fee: US$50

17 Direct EnergyThe amount of energy our planet can currently produce is finite.

So as the population continues to grow, so will energy costs.

That’s why it’s such a good idea to have a service like Direct Energy where customers can shop for the best deal to keep your utility costs down.

Be that for electricity or natural gas.

A lower rate can save you several hundred dollars per year in energy costs.

And you could make even more money with Direct Energy by taking part in their referral program.

You will, however, need an account with Direct Energy.

So how much do you get paid per referral sign-up?

Up to $50 each.

Your “refer a friend” bonus is sent in the form of a prepaid Visa card, which you can use for online or offline purchases.

Just bear in mind that you can only earn a maximum of $500 in referral bonuses per calendar year.

URL: Direct Energy affiliate program

Referral fee: US$50

18 XfinityComcast doesn’t sound like a sexy Internet/movie streaming service does it?

Xfinity, however, does.

Which is why Comcast uses that brand name.

Xfinity covers all your digital communications needs, from the Internet and telephone to home security products.

Not that anyone has a home telephone these days…but whatever.

The home broadband market is absolutely cutthroat, so companies are willing to do almost anything to win new customers.

And in the case of the Xfinity referral program, that’s to pay you up to $175 per referral.

That’s $50 per referral for anyone who signs up for one service, $150 for a referral who signs up for two or more services.

And then a final $25 if your referral signs up for two more or more services but also swaps to Xfinity’s mobile service.

That makes it the best referral program here by the payout.

But they limit how much you can earn from such referrals to $500 per year.

URL: Xfinity referral program

Referral fee: Up to $175

How to promote referral programsSo you’re all excited about earning money with referral programs.

Awesome.

Now you have to ask yourself how you’re going to get eyeballs on your referral link.

Otherwise, you’re not going to be able to make money offline, or offline, for that matter.

So let’s take a look at two ways to do that:

Use social mediaYou probably already have an account on at least one of the many social media platforms.

So make the most of it by finding a friendly way to mention the referral program you like in your posts, Tweets, or whatever.

But don’t start messaging friends to “sign up”– that’s as bad as trying to get them into your MLM downline.

If you’re feeling really brave, then you could use a platform like TikTok.

Just record a quick video about a problem a lot of people have right now e.g. expensive cable service.

Then record another video that explains how excited you are because you found a great new Internet streaming package…one that’s actually saving you money every month.

And then your final video would be where you drop your referral link on them.

You could do the exact same thing with a series of Facebook posts or Tweets.

Go old schoolMost of the referral programs listed above don’t really care how you promote them, as long as it’s not illegal.

Some of them even hint at printing out your referral code and handing it out to family and friends.

So why not do that?

Get your referral code printed on some cheap-as-you-can-find business cards.

And then hand them out to friends.

Or leave them with your tip at your favorite coffee shop or eaterie.

Think laterally.

Put a compelling message on the front side like, “Sick of paying through the nose for your cable service?”

And then on the reverse side, you list either:

  1. Your referral link
  2. A link to your free blog (Blogger, etc) where you feature your referral link

Why aren’t we recommending that you start a blog instead and not bother with the printed card idea?

Because a new blog can take months to get traction in the search engines.

A simple, clever business card can get “immediate” traffic.

It might be an interesting “hack” to experiment with if nothing else.

Over to YouAnd that brings us to the end of our roundup of the best referral programs we could find.

So can you make money with referral sites?

Yes.

And there are a whole lot of high paying referral programs out there once you actually start looking.

You don’t have to rely solely on the typical “cashback” sites or apps.

But I wouldn’t make it your primary income stream.

That’s because the really good programs limit how many referrals you can make.

Although SoFi does have a referral limit of $10k per year – which is amazing when you think about it.

But “caps” are not something you typically have to deal with when promoting affiliate programs.

The sky tends to be the limit.

But there’s no reason you can’t promote both affiliate and referral programs as ways to make money online with your site.

You don’t have a site?

No problem – you should tune in to our free training.

You’ll learn what it takes to get your first affiliate site up and running, niche research, how to use affiliate links, etc.

It’s an entirely ethical and legitimate “home business” model that you can run from anywhere.

Interested?

Cool – shoot over the best email address to send your invite to.

We do the rest.

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One of my first jobs in SEO was to prepare keyword research reports for leads & new clients of the agency that had just hired me.

We had to convince them there was money to be made in SEO, so we used a big ol’ report of keywords related to what they do and their search volumes.

Since that day, I’ve been using & believed a mix of search volume and estimated traffic by tools like Ahrefs or SEMRush to pick the best keyword opportunities for our sites.

You’d be using the tool to look for the best ratio of low competition against high traffic & buying intent. The rational approach of sorts.

But today, I want to share the story of 2 keywords that may shatter the mindset of the more rational readers of this post.

And for this, I apologize, but it’s up to you to stop reading now .

Still here? Let’s get going.

Keyword 1: “Pet Blogging”This story started a few months ago when our in-house SEO showed me the keyword “pet blogging” as a potential candidate for the Authority Hacker blog.

I was really impressed.

There is a lot of search volume and decent traffic potential, with relatively low KD / Competition.

So we got to work and produced the blog post targeting that keyword.

We didn’t look at it for a while as we got busy with other projects, and I guess our team did a decent job because we quickly took the #1 spot for it.

When I saw that, I went to our SEO and asked, “How’s it going?”

And she replied, not so well and shared this analytics screenshot with me.

This was FAR from Ahref’s traffic estimates, and I was highly disappointed.

I did check to see if this was an Ahref’s only issue, but really, SEMRush painted the same picture for the keyword.

To compare this page to the other page in this mini case study, I decided to add up the search volume of all the queries the page ranks for in the top 3 according to Ahrefs.

The total was 5,740.

Keyword #2: [redacted]Sorry guys, but I can’t possibly let Gael publicly share this kind of competitive keyword data on a blog post.

Mark WebsterCo-Founder of Authority Hacker

Mark won’t let me share the exact keyword, so I’ll blur out the sensitive information.

According to Ahrefs, this second keyword has 4.5x less traffic potential and 22x less global volume than “Pet Blogging.”

If you put them side-by-side and have to pick one, you’ll pick “pet blogging” every single time.

Yet we also decided to produce that content because we had a good yet unjustifiable feeling about the keyword.

Plus, the intent was good, and we’d rather have a bit of high-converting traffic than a lot of non-converting traffic.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and we’re also ranking #1 for that query, so I went to fist-bump the SEO team for their excellent work .

Of course, I was curious about the organic traffic, especially after the disappointment of a keyword “pet blogging” had been.

Here’s what they sent me:

This was my face:

This page Ahrefs told me would get 4.5x less traffic than “pet blogging” was racking 250% more visitors at the #1 position.

AND the query was much more “commercial.”

To ensure this difference wasn’t due to “lots of long tail keywords ranking,” I again added up the search volume (according to Ahrefs) of all the top 3 rankings for the page.

The result was 390 against Pet blogging’s 5740.

That’s almost 15x lower if you trust keyword tools.

What can we learn from this?I’m the kind of guy that likes rules, data, and certainty.

It comforts me in a way. I see a number; I know what to expect; it makes decision-making easy.

The problem is, while the tools we use like to portray themselves as a substitute or an equal to something like Google Analytics to convince nerds like me to drop $150/month on a subscription, they’re, in fact, wildly inaccurate, and you can’t take their output at face value.

They often get data from questionable sources and put lipstick on a pig with a slick user interface.

Don’t get me wrong, they’re still extremely useful in most cases, and I’m not telling you to drop all keyword tools right now.

But there is a case to be made that when all marketers use the same biased tool database, there are many diamonds in plain sight that most miss.

And the only way to know is to take a few leaps of faith when a keyword seems to match exactly the kind of traffic you’re looking for, regardless of the displayed search volume/search traffic.

Do you have similar stories or questions? I’d love to hear them on the Twitter thread of this post.

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We gathered 71 of the top link building statistics to help understand how the industry works. Recent changes to the Google algorithm has changed how people build links in 2023.

We took verified statistics from our own surveys and data studies. Using our 15 years of link building experience, we also took stats from trusted third parties.

Most SEOs regard links as critical to any campaign, despite Google often downplaying their importance. So let’s take a look at the latest stats.

General Link Building Statistics* 93.8% of link builders say link quality is more important than link quantity. (Authority Hacker) * 79.7% of SEOs consider link building an important part of their SEO strategy. (Authority Hacker) * 65% of digital marketers say link building is the hardest part of SEO (SEO Tribunal) * Only 2.2% of content gets links from more than one site. (Backlinko) * Google’s page ranking algorithm regards links as one of the top two criteria considered. (Search Engine Land) * According to SEO experts, backlinks are the third most important factor for ranking a site. (Databox) * The vast majority of online content, around 94%, does not receive any external links. (Backlinko) * The number of backlinks a web page has is directly correlated with the amount of organic traffic it receives (Ahrefs) * Among the factors contributing to successful SEO, backlinks, specifically the number of referring domains to a URL, are the most strongly correlated. (Authority Hacker)

Who Builds Links* 73.5% of link builders build fewer than 10 links per month. (Authority Hacker) * Experienced link builders build 3.57x as many links as beginners. (Authority Hacker) * Agencies have the highest proportion of experienced link builders, with 59.4% having over 5 years of experience. (Authority Hacker) * The average website owner builds around 9 links per month. (Authority Hacker) * Link building is considered the most difficult part of search optimization by 41% of SEO experts. (Conductor) * To help with their link building efforts, 36% of businesses hire outside experts or freelancers. (Aira) * 42% of SEO professionals spend equal time building internal and external links. (Databox)

Link Building and Impact on Search Rankings* It typically takes an average of 3.1 months for the impact of links on search rankings to be observed. (Authority Hacker) * 89.2% of link builders say it takes between 1 and 6 months to see the impact of links on search rankings. (Authority Hacker) * 65.4% of SEOs think domain authority is more important than the number of links on the target page when it comes to search rankings. (Authority Hacker) * The page ranking #1 on Google has an average of 3.8x more backlinks than other pages. (Backlinko)

Link Building Tactics* Guest posting is the most popular link building tactic, with 64.9% of link builders using it. (Authority Hacker) * 46.3% of link builders reported using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) regularly. (Authority Hacker) * 51.6% of link builders use link exchanges as one of their tactics. (Authority Hacker) * 43.7% of top-ranking pages on Google have at least some reciprocal links. (Ahrefs) * Only 17.7% of link builders use Digital PR to acquire links, making it the least used link building tactic. (Authority Hacker) * Only 6% of website owners pursue digital PR link building. (Authority Hacker) * Agencies and In-house SEOs are more than 3 times as likely to do digital PR. (Authority Hacker) * Digital PR gets 433% more popular as link builders gain several years of experience. (Authority Hacker) * Link builders rate creating link-worthy content as the most effective link building tactic. (Authority Hacker) * Long-form content generates more links, with an average of 77.2% more links than short articles. (Backlinko) * “Why” posts, “What” posts, and infographics receive 25.8% more links compared to videos and “How-to” posts. (Backlinko) * 89% of marketers produce content with the goal of building links. (Aira) * 31% of marketers run outreach campaigns to build links to a new piece of content for up to 4 weeks after launching it. (Aira) * 19.9% of link builders actively buy and redirect domains to acquire links. (Authority Hacker) * It takes an average of 8 days for an outreach email to convert into a backlink. (Authority Hacker) * Using the recipient’s first name in the initial outreach increases the backlink acquisition by about 50%. (Authority Hacker) * Sending follow-up emails in link-building outreach campaigns results in 40% more links being acquired. (Authority Hacker)

Social Media and Link Building* 61.7% of link builders use social media channels for some of their outreach. (Authority Hacker) * Link builders using social media for outreach gain an average of 22% extra links per month. (Authority Hacker) * 23.5% of link builders use Facebook for link building outreach and finding contact info. (Authority Hacker) * 17.3% of link builders use LinkedIn for link building outreach and finding contact info. (Authority Hacker) * Content that is widely shared receives 2-5 times more organic traffic and backlinks. (Authority Hacker)

Link Building Costs* Experienced link builders are an average of 49% cheaper to hire on a cost-per-link basis. (Authority Hacker) * SEOs allocated an average of 28% of their SEO budget to link building. (Authority Hacker) * 78.1% of SEOs see satisfying ROI from their link building efforts. (Authority Hacker) * 46% of marketers spend $10,000 or more annually on link building, while 22% spend between $1,000 and $2,500. (Aira) * Brands spend $1,000 or more to gain a quality link. (Siege Media)

Paying for links* 74.3% of link builders pay for links. (Authority Hacker) * Link builders are more likely to pay for links as they gain more experience. (Authority Hacker) * The average cost of a paid link is $83. (Authority Hacker) * In-house SEOs pay 75% more for links than niche site owners. (Authority Hacker) * Experienced SEO professionals pay an average of 221% more per link. (Authority Hacker) * Paying for links only yields an extra 2 links per month, compared to those who don’t pay for links. (Authority Hacker) * Paying for links increases link building budgets by an average of 42.85%. (Authority Hacker)

Types of Links* 89.1% of link builders believe nofollow links impact search rankings. (Authority Hacker) * 78.8% of link builders believe plain text mentions have some impact on search rankings. (Authority Hacker) * Exact match anchor text backlinks are no more effective at increasing content rankings than non-exact match anchor text (Ahrefs) * Google is evolving the “nofollow” attribute for backlinks, potentially providing more value to your backlink profile than previously. (Google) * ​​48% of marketers report on “nofollow” links as part of their process. (Aira)

Link Building Tools* 42.6% of link builders rely on metrics like Domain Rating (DR) and Domain Authority (DA) to measure link building effectiveness. (Authority Hacker) * 51.39% of beginner link builders rely on domain metrics such as DR or DA, while only 28.99% of the most experienced link builds do so. (Authority Hacker) * Research has shown that websites with a higher Domain Rating as measured by Ahrefs, Moz, or Semrush tend to rank higher on the first page of Google. (Backlinko) * 55.5% of link builders use Ahrefs as one of their SEO tools. (Authority Hacker)

Link Quality Statistics* Low relevance, bad neighborhoods, and poor SEO metrics are the top three red flags for link builders when deciding on link quality. (Authority Hacker) * Only 5.2% of link builders consider the presence of the “Write for us” page a major red flag. (Authority Hacker)

Link Building Trends* A majority of SEO professionals, 61.7%, report that link building is getting more expensive. (Authority Hacker) * 52.7% of SEOs report link building is taking more time than before. (Authority Hacker) * 65.2% of SEOs think that links will have the same or higher impact on rankings in 5 years time. (Authority Hacker) * Only 1.2% of SEOs think that links will have no impact in 5 years’ time. (Authority Hacker) * 80% of SEOs believe that links will still be a ranking factor in 10 years’ time. (Authority Hacker)


What These Link Building Statistics Mean?Here are my top four takeaways from analyzing hundreds of link building statistics and numbers.

Take 1: Links Are Still ValuableGoogle’s updated Link Spam Guidelines warn SEOs off using a wide array of link building tactics. Many long-considered white hat link building tactics, such as guest porting and digital PR, could easily fit under these arbitrary definitions.

Yet the latest stats indicate that SEOs continue to see a difference between what Google says and what they do. 28% of SEO budgets go towards link building, meaning that a lot of money back up the belief that links are still incredibly effective.

SEOs still firmly believe in the power of links, because over 78% of them see a positive impact and ROI from their link building activities.

My interpretation of this is that Google’s algorithm still heavily relies on links to determine who ranks at the top. Their real goal is to show the best results at the top. If they rely too much on links, which can be manipulated, it messes with their ability to show users the best results.

This, I believe, is why they go to such efforts to dissuade sites from building lots of links.

Take 2: The Best TacticsAlmost two thirds of link builders today use Guest Posting. That is a full 8 years after Google’s Matt Cutts declared that Guest Posting was dead in 2014.

Our experience has been that there are a lot of so-called Guest Post Farms these days. We don’t believe that most of these links have any positive effect on SEO. Some SEOs still value links from these sites because they have high DR or DA.

Google used to hand out unnatural link penalty notices for getting too many bad links. These seem to happen a lot less these days. Instead, Google is simply ignoring many of these links.

As SEOs increasingly move beyond basic guest posts, more difficult tactics like Digital PR promise higher value links. Yet SEOs tend to shy away from Digital PR, despite experienced SEOs rating it as highly effective.

Platforms like HARO and Qwoted has also seen explosive growth in recent years. This isn’t necessarily a good thing the SEO ‘race to the bottom’ effect means that spammy answers seeking links clog us these platforms. While they are still effective, it’s now best to use them as part of a diversified array of link building tactics.

Some SEOs don’t even bother with active link building in less competitive niches. Instead, they produce a lot of content and rely on the natural / passive links that this content acquires over time. The problem is that this tactic will not work in more competitive spaces where everyone invests a lot in link building.

Still, with almost 90% of marketers creating content with the intention of acquiring links, this is a core tactic when supplemented with active link building. A Backlinko study found that long form content gets 77.2% more links than shorter content. This may be why we’ve seen a definite trend in recent years towards longer and longer content in competitive spaces.

Take 3: Experience countsOur recent link building survey found that the most experienced link builders built 25 links per month, on average. The lease experienced link building, however, only built 7 per month.

While this wasn’t surprising, what was surprising was that the cost per link worked out significantly cheaper, when these stats were cross-referenced with link builder salaries.

For most businesses, it works out cheaper to hire experienced link builders. It also makes practical sense, since 41% of SEOs see link building as the most difficult part of SEO.

Another interesting trend is how success gets measured. Experienced link builders look beyond the DR or DA of a link and instead measure success by looking at traffic or rankings.

With the easy link building tactics becoming saturated, experience will count even more in the future. Skilled, experienced link builders will be required to get the best links.

Take 4: The Future of Link BuildingIn our 2023 SEO Predictions Podcast, we talked about Google devaluing and ignoring lower quality guest post links. Our view is that SEOs don’t yet realize that some of the links they are building are doing nothing.

Google’s John Mueller recently said:

Over time, the weight on the links at some point will drop off a little bit as we can figure out a little bit better how the content fits in within the context of the whole web.

There are two ways to look at this.

The first way is that Google is saying links will become less valuable over time. The statistics among link builders do not align with this, as almost two thirds believe links will have the same or higher value in 5 years time.

The other way to look at this though is that Google is freely admitting that links currently do have a high weighting in the algorithm.

Final ThoughtsLooking at reliable link building statistics to gauge the sentiment of the industry is really important. The Google algorithm is weighted differently from how Google would like you to think it is.

Links matter a lot. And they will continue to matter, at least for a while.

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Regardless of your position on AI Content, if you are a web publisher, you are going to be dealing with it in 2023.

It’s too tempting for your freelancers, content services, or even in-house content creators not to test the water with it the next time you give them a boring SEO assignment because the keyword is showing low difficulty in Ahrefs’ keyword explorer.

But if you’re being served AI content, you probably want to know if it is AI content.

So I tested the AI Detection tool Originality.ai in many difficult situations to see if it catches content generated by GPT-3 and ChatGPT.

Can AI help you catch AI?

As you will see, the results were… surprising .

Test #1: Straight Up Copy & Paste AI ContentFor the first test, I wanted to give the tool an easy task to gauge its capabilities.

So I went to Jasper.ai and straight up prompted it with:

“write a short article about 5 affiliate marketing mistakes”

Here’s the output I got. It was… generic & bland, to say the least.

Text output by Jasper.ai01. Forgetting that the core of affiliate marketing is generating leads with customers. Affiliate marketing is not just about thinking in terms of clicks and sales, it’s more than that, as affiliates need to engage their audience and become a credible partner for them, otherwise they will fail at this business model.

  1. Relying on one or two affiliates to make the vast majority of their sales. You need to create a network of quality affiliates who will make your business thrive, and not just rely on one or two partners who might end up leaving you at some point in time.

  2. Not tracking conversions with affiliate tools such as custom affiliate links, cookies and commissions. It’s crucial that you track your affiliate sales with relevant tools in order to know how much money these affiliates are generating for your business.

  3. Failing to promote their affiliate programs on multiple channels and platforms. Affiliate marketing is a strategy that needs to be deployed at different levels, so make sure to include several tactics such as newsletters, blog posts, social media updates and more that can help you reach a broader audience.

  4. Not having a clear plan in place when it comes to maintaining their affiliates. If you want your affiliates to be successful then you should create a system where they can report back on their progress, ask questions or get the support they need whenever necessary. A winning formula for affiliate marketing is all about having the right partners who can make your business grow. To learn more about this topic and how to become a successful affiliate, check out this blog post.

And unsurprisingly, the tool caught this right away.

I repeated the experiment several times with similar prompts in different niches to ensure it wasn’t a fluke.

It wasn’t. Every single time, the tool caught it and flagged the content as AI-generated.

It’s safe to say the tool will catch the most basic AI prompts, and I think it may spell bad news for programmatic SEO disciples.

Test #2: Edited GPT-3 Content.For the next test, I wanted to give Originality.ai something a little more challenging .

I won’t share the content I used because it was taken from one of our sites that ranks quite well, and I’m not exactly interested in outing it today, sorry .

But to give you some context, the content I pasted in was generated by Jasper (GPT-3) and edited by one of our in-house writers to fix its inaccuracies, improve it and make it more engaging.

So it’s part human, part AI, and I wanted to know how the tool would handle that.

And I couldn’t fault it again. The tool caught the more “human” part of the content while understanding it is mostly AI-generated.

Test #3: An Article Submitted By A Freelance Writer For Authority Hacker.The next trial was the blog post about mattress affiliate programs written by one of our freelancers for Authority Hacker.

In principle, this was fully human-written, but I was curious to see what the tool had to say.

So I took a snippet of it and submitted it to Originality.ai.

And the tool did find the content to be original/human-written.

I must admit I had a small sigh of relief when seeing this.

I suspect the small percentage of AI content may be due to the usage of Grammarly.

Test #4: Emulating Brian Dean’s WritingIt aced all the tests so far, so I decided to make things a little more difficult.

I pasted a Backlinko article in ChatGPT and told it to write an article about another SEO tactic in the same style.

The result was surprisingly good in style, but I’m wondering if it’s not just a rewrite of something Brian Dean already talked about.

Anyway, here’s the text I submitted to Originality.ai:

Text output by ChatGPTReverse Outreach: A New Approach to Link Building

Link building is an essential component of search engine optimization (SEO), but many traditional outreach-based strategies do not scale well in competitive niches.

This can make it difficult to outrank competitors and gain the valuable backlinks needed to improve search engine rankings.
One solution to this problem is a new approach called “reverse outreach”.

Instead of reaching out to bloggers and journalists, reverse outreach involves creating content that is optimized for keywords that these individuals are likely to search for when researching or writing an article.

By ranking highly for these keywords, your content is more likely to be discovered and cited as a source by bloggers and journalists, leading to valuable backlinks without the need for extensive outreach efforts.

To implement reverse outreach, follow these steps:

1 – Identify “journalist keywords” – these are keywords that journalists are likely to use when researching or writing an article.

2 – Create high-quality content that is optimized for these keywords and provides valuable information or data that journalists can use in their articles.

3 – Monitor your rankings for these keywords and make adjustments to improve your visibility and attract backlinks.

4 – Track and analyze the backlinks that your content generates to understand what is working and where you can improve.

By following these steps, you can implement a reverse outreach strategy and generate valuable backlinks without the need for extensive outreach efforts. This can help you improve your search engine rankings and gain a competitive edge in your niche.

And it fooled Originality.ai.

Then I wanted to know if the result was due to using ChatGPT instead of Jasper or because of the method.

So I prompted ChatGPT to “write me an article about 5 affiliate marketing tips” and submitted it to Originality.ai.

And it got caught.

Conclusion / TLDR* Most of the time, the tool tells the right story and detects AI content. * However, it can be fooled (see test #4) * You probably only should question writers if several pieces have been flagged by the tool. * Several users on Twitter are already boasting about specific settings you can use to fool the tool. * However, let’s be honest. Most AI-generated content doesn’t have much thought behind it and will probably get caught. * The fact that this is viable at a small scale as a SAAS tool doesn’t mean it’s viable for Google in terms of costs and value, especially considering the fair rate of false positives. * Nonetheless, if you add this to the fact that OpenAI is working on a watermark system for AI content, this can lead us to question the long-term viability of the new “programmatic SEO” trend.

If you want to discuss this topic, join us on the Twitter thread.

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In recent years, print affiliate programs have grown from a niche pursuit to a genuine mass-market opportunity.

According to one market forecast, the global print-on-demand industry is worth almost $6.2 billion in 2022. It is expected to exceed $39 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 26.1%.

Custom printing services have traditionally been targeted squarely at business customers. But more and more consumers are waking up to the potential of personalized printing, with research from digital commerce specialist ComCap revealing that:

  • One in five consumers is prepared to pay up to a 20% premium for personalized products and services
  • 36% of consumers now expect product and service personalization by default
  • 48% of consumers are prepared to wait longer for customized products or services

Sustainability is a crucial factor in the growing popularity of personalized printing. A recent survey discovered that 27% of respondents tried out a new product for sustainability reasons in the previous 12 months, while 25% spent more on sustainable fashion. Because print-on-demand products are made to order, they produce fewer unsold, wasted items, making them a sustainable alternative to traditional high street fashion.

Like the sound of promoting your favorite certified printing specialists? You’re in the right place because we’ve rounded up the 10 best affiliate programs in the printing niche…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing Training Printing Affiliate Programs1. Printful 2. Printify 3. Printbest 4. Pictorem 5. Sellfy 6. PsPrint 7. Moo 8. Vistaprint 9. TeePublic 10. Overnight Prints

1 PrintfulPrintful is a custom print-on-demand platform that also offers embroidery services. It has a catalog of 437 blank premium products to customize, including mobile phone cases, apparel, and accessories. It ships 1+ million items monthly, all of which are printed and shipped under the customer’s brand within two to five business days.

The company offers various printing and design tools, including a built-in design maker. Customers can also elevate their orders with custom packaging.

Printful’s affiliate program pays a 10% commission on every order made by customers you refer within a nine-month period. Commissions are paid on the fulfillment price, excluding taxes and discounts. Printful’s affiliate program has shared $2.17+ million in commissions, which are paid monthly via PayPal (provided you hit the $25 threshold).

To help you generate more clicks and commissions, Printful offers various marketing materials and resources. These include real-time tracking and reporting, high-quality banner ads, and content ideas. Printful also has an experienced affiliate management team and a dedicated Facebook community for affiliate marketers.

Once you complete the application form to join Printful’s affiliate program, it will be reviewed within two to five days, after which you’ll be contacted by email.

  • URL: Printful affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 270 days
  • Products/Services sold: Print-on-demand services, dropshipping
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

2 PrintifyPrintify is a dropshipping and print-on-demand company that works with ecommerce businesses. Its free graphic design tools make it easy for users to add their designs to 750+ blank products, allowing them to create entire clothing lines or collections. The platform is used by over four million sellers worldwide.

Printify offers a free account tier, enabling potential customers to try out its services — including the design mockup generator — before signing up for a paid subscription. It integrates with most major e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, including Etsy, Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and Walmart.

The company’s printing affiliate program is managed through PartnerStack. It has a generous 90-day cookie window and pays a 5% commission on each sale your referrals make for 12 consecutive months. According to Printify, its active affiliate marketers earn an average of $1,000 in monthly commissions. Payments are made into your PayPal account at the start of each month.

Printify offers various promotional materials and resources, including custom codes on request. Applications to the program are reviewed within 48 business hours and must include a link to an active affiliate website.

  • URL: Printify affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Dropshipping and print-on-demand services
  • Payment methods: PayPal

3 Printbest Printbest is a print-on-demand company that allows users to add designs to 100+ custom product types and dropship them to customers across the US and Canada in just a few days. It currently works with Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce, while integrations for Wix, Squarespace, and Ecwid are listed as “coming soon.”

Printbest claims its prices on printed apparel are 20% lower than other printing services on average, equating to a saving of around $5 per T-shirt.

The print-on-demand platform has an in-house printing affiliate program, although you can also sign up via the PostAffiliatePro network. Either way, you’ll get a 30-day cookie window and a 10% commission on all orders from store owners for 12 months after they first click your affiliate link.

Registration is via a simple online form that can be completed in five minutes.

  • URL: Printbest affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% of fulfillment costs
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, mugs
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): US, Canada

4 PictoremPictorem is an online business offering white-label acrylic metal and mural printing services. Customers can either print their own creations or choose from Pictorem’s collection of 424,000+ fine art prints from 9,119 artists. All products can be printed on various media types, including canvas, acrylic, metal, and wood. It ships worldwide.

As part of its sustainability commitment, the company supports the non-profit organization Trees for Future, pledging to plant a tree for every print sold.

Pictorem’s affiliate program has a simple registration process that can be completed in five minutes. It pays a flat 15% commission on all sales. The program is open to affiliates worldwide, although most of its product selection targets North American audiences and all commissions are paid in US dollars.

Commission payments can be requested at any time through PayPal or wire transfer. However, wire transfers carry a $500 threshold and a $50 transfer fee.

Pictorem offers various marketing materials and resources, including banner ads and affiliate marketing tips.

  • URL: Pictorem affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Acrylic metal and mural printing services
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer
  • Market(s): Global

5 SellfySellfy is an e-commerce platform that helps 300,000+ creators worldwide sell and ship apparel and accessories. Its built-in print-on-demand service automatically prints incoming orders and ships them to customers, allowing users to earn over $100 million through the platform.

Sellfy is a subscription-based product, with prices starting at $19 per month. After signing up, users can create and launch an online store in just five minutes.

The company’s printing affiliate program is powered by PartnerStack and offers a generous 90-day cookie window. Sellfy pays a baseline 25% recurring lifetime commission per sale, but its dynamic commission tiers reward higher performers, as follows:

  • 6 – 15 sales per month pays 30%
  • 16 – 40 sales per month pays 35%
  • 41+ sales per month pays 40%

Super affiliates capable of driving 100+ monthly sales qualify for custom commission rates. Commissions are calculated and paid monthly via PayPal or Stripe.

Sellfy offers various resources to affiliate marketers, including promotional ideas and affiliate marketing tips to boost traffic.

  • URL: Sellfy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% – 40% recurring lifetime commission
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Stripe
  • Market(s): US only

6 PsPrintPsPrint is an online printing service selling a vast range of printed materials, from booklets and brochures to business cards and banners. It is a subsidiary of Deluxe Corporation, which also owns New England Business Services, McBee, and Checks Unlimited.

The company offers free sample kits, allowing customers to feel the quality of its paper stocks and compare them to other providers before purchasing. It is G7-certified, which means customer designs look the same in “real life” as they do on-screen.

Sign up for the PsPrint affiliate program through ShareASale. It has a 60-day cookie window and pays a standard 8% commission, with two exceptions:

  1. New PsPrint affiliates earn double commissions for their first 30 days in the affiliate program.
  2. Sales that convert within five minutes of clicking your unique affiliate link pay half the regular commission (i.e. 4% per sale).

ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures show an average order value of $336.22, a sky-high EPC of $395.85, and an exceptional 10.43% conversion rate.

To help drive traffic and sales, PsPrint offers various marketing materials, including a regular affiliate newsletter containing the latest products and promotions. It also has an experienced affiliate management team.

  • URL: PsPrint affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Booklets, brochures, business cards, banners, signage, other printing and graphic design services
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 MOOMoo is an online printing service offering business cards, greeting cards, postcards, letterheads, flyers, and more. Its high-quality printing services incorporate small and bulk orders, all of which come with a satisfaction guarantee.

The company prints millions of custom cards each month, shipping them to hundreds of thousands of customers in 180+ countries. Its products are made from premium paper and are shipped in recyclable packaging.

Find Moo’s affiliate program on two affiliate networks: Awin and CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction). The terms and conditions vary between each network.

CJ Affiliate has a 45-day cookie window and pays 2% on free trial orders, 8% on new customer sales, and a $15 bounty payment for business services leads. It has a three-month EPC of $45.98

Meanwhile, Awin pays ÂŁ5 for new customer orders, ÂŁ0.60 for existing customers, and a generous ÂŁ200 bounty for new Moo for Business accounts. The Awin program has a 30-day cookie window.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 2% – 8%; $15 per business services lead | 45 days | US, CA | Sign Up | | Awin | £0.60 – £200 per sale | 30 days | Unlisted | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Business cards, letterheads, greeting cards, postcards, flyers, stickers, business cardholders

8 Vistaprint Vistaprint offers online printing services for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and independent creators, including business cards and other promotional materials. Its online tools allow customers to create their perfect products without support from a graphic design business, making it easier — and more affordable — to craft consistent, high-quality assets.

The company has distinct geographical printing affiliate programs across two affiliate networks — FlexOffers and Impact Radius — covering North America, the UK and Ireland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The most attractive terms are available through Impact, which pays up to 15% per sale with a 15-day cookie window and has a 30-day EPC of $1.53.

Affiliate marketers can access unique promo code tracking and add direct links to specific product pages. Vistaprint also runs regular promotions, including percentage discounts and free shipping.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Impact Radius | 0.5% – 8% | 15 days | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 0.4% – 6.4% | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Business card printing, window cling printing, banner printing, car magnet printing, other digital printing services

9 TeePublic TeePublic sells original pop culture T-shirts, posters, merchandise, and more. Describing itself as the largest marketplace for independent creators, it offers millions of designs across 100+ product types. Indie artists earn a cut of each sale. The company provides 100% free exchanges and free US shipping for $80+ orders.

TeePublic operates an in-house printing affiliate program that pays an 11% commission on the entire sale value, while sales of any products you design pay an average commission of 31%. The program has a cookie duration of 30 days. Commissions are paid monthly through Payoneer or PayPal on the 15th of every month for sales generated in the previous month.

Affiliate marketers can access various promotional materials and resources, including exclusive coupons, flash sales, competitions, and giveaways. Limited-edition campaigns allow affiliates to run promotions around specific products for a set period. TeePublic has a dedicated account management team to offer advice on campaign optimization, email marketing, and more. Affiliates are also offered free products and discounts on wholesale orders.

  • URL: TeePublic affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 11% – 31%+ per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Printed apparel, masks, poster printing, accessories
  • Payment methods: PayPal, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

10 Overnight PrintsOvernight Prints is an online store selling full-color printing solutions — including business cards, postcards, brochures, and other printed materials — for consumers and small businesses. It offers next-day delivery on orders placed before 8:00 pm EST.

The company is committed to sustainability, using waterless printing and paper from trees harvested under the Sustainable Forest Initiative. It also uses no chlorine agents or harmful bleaches.

Sign up for Overnight’s printing affiliate program via Awin. It pays a default commission rate of 8% per sale on new customer orders, while sales through coupon codes offer 4% – 20% commissions. Returning customer sales pay 2% – 5% each. The program has a 30-day cookie window.

  • URL: Overnight Prints affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% – 20% per printing purchase
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Business card printing, postcard printing, booklets, brochures
  • Payment methods: SEPA, BACS, ACH, domestic payments, international wire transfer
  • Market(s): US only

ConclusionRecurring commissions; a vast range of products and services catering to different audiences; commission rates of up to 40% per sale. Clearly, there’s much to like about the printing niche.

But if you’re going to earn money as a printing affiliate marketer, you need to do more than sign up for the top printing affiliate programs. First, you must build an affiliate website capable of driving traffic and converting it to sales.

That takes a lot of work. We should know because we’ve built affiliate sites in countless niches (and made plenty of cash along the way). And because we’re decent folks, we’d love to share our learnings.

Just sign up for our free affiliate training and we’ll reveal seven top tips for creating high-converting affiliate sites, including how to find (and steal) your competitors’ best keywords!

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As consumers spend more of their lives online, there’s never been a better time to start promoting cyber security affiliate programs.

Inevitably, the more time we spend in the digital realm, the more websites, platforms, and apps get access to our data, increasing our exposure to cyber crime. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cyber crime will reach an eye-watering $10.5 trillion by 2025, with the average data breach cost in the US amounting to almost $9.5 million.

While cyber attacks on businesses are most likely to hit the headlines, consumer attacks are far more common. In the first half of 2022 alone, over 53 million Americans were affected by data compromises, including data exposure, data leakage, and data breaches.

Annual number of data compromises and individuals impacted in the United States from 2005 to first half 2022Of course, the growing threat (and cost) of cyber crime is fantastic news for the cyber security industry, which is projected to generate revenues of over $262 billion by 2027.

Want to grab a slice of that tasty, tasty pie? Read on for our roundup of the 12 best cyber security affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingCyber Security Affiliate Programs1. ExpressVPN 2. Trend Micro 3. LifeLock 4. LastPass 5. Avast 6. ESET 7. Astra Web Security 8. IT Governance 9. Heimdal Security 10. NordLayer 11. Perimeter 81 12. NordVPN

1 ExpressVPNFounded in 2009, ExpressVPN is one of the world’s largest VPN providers, with over 3,000 servers in 160 VPN locations across 94 countries. It offers 24/7 live chat-based customer support and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN apps are available across all devices and platforms, from Mac and Windows to iOS and Linux. The company is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns the CyberGhost and PIA VPN services.

The Express VPN affiliate program works through four networks — CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers, Rakuten, and Skimlinks — but the best way to sign up is through its in-house program. Unsurprisingly, ExpressVPN pays higher commissions for longer-term deals, starting at $13 for one-month contracts and climbing to $50 per sale on 12-month packages. According to CJ Affiliate, the program currently has a three-month EPC of $163.88.

Commissions are paid via PayPal before the 15th of the month, with a minimum threshold of $100. Alternatively, payments can be sent via wire transfer for commissions of $1,000+.

ExpressVPN affiliates get access to customized landing pages and other marketing materials. The company’s dedicated affiliate managers offer content, design, SEO, and UX support.

To be accepted to the ExpressVPN affiliate program, you must have a live website and publish VPN-related content. Affiliate applications are typically reviewed in up to two business days.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | In-house | $13 – $36 per sale | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up | | CJ Affiliate | $13 – $36 per sale | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | Unlisted | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | Rakuten Linkshare | $18.20 – $50 per sale | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | Unlisted | Unlisted | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: VPN services

2 Trend MicroTrend Micro offers various internet and network security products to protect small and medium-sized businesses against spam, spyware, phishing attacks, viruses, and inappropriate content. A popular choice among business leaders, Trend Micro’s services are used by 500,000+ companies globally.

Sign up for the Trend Micro cyber security affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. The program has a 45-day cookie window and pays 20% per sale, with CJ Affiliate reporting a three-month EPC of $16.39. Commissions are paid monthly, provided you reach the $50 payment threshold.

Trend Micro offers various assets to aid your promotional efforts, including regular deals to boost conversions.

  • URL: Trend Micro affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Business cyber security products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

3 LifeLockLifeLock is a big name in the cyber security industry, with research from MSI International naming it the most recognized brand in identity theft protection. Its product includes multiple layers of defense to protect against malware, ransomware, spyware, and viruses. All plans include $1 million of legal coverage to fix identity theft-related issues.

Formerly known as NortonLifeLock, the brand is owned by Gen Digital, a massive internet security company that also owns Norton, Avast, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner.

LifeLock’s cyber security affiliate program pays a wide range of commissions, as follows:

  • LifeLock Junior: $8 on monthly plans, $20 on annual plans
  • LifeLock Standard: $40 on monthly plans, $60 on annual plans
  • LifeLock Advantage: $50 on monthly plans, $80 on annual plans
  • LifeLock Ultimate Plus: $60 on monthly plans, $110 on annual plans

The program has a 30-day cookie window and a three-month EPC of $424.11, so other affiliates are clearly earning good money here.

LifeLock affiliates get access to a dedicated affiliate manager and customized creatives to suit your website. The company offers various other assets and resources, including exclusive customer promotions.

  • URL: LifeLock affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $8 – $111 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Identity theft protection
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

4 LastPassAccording to a survey from Lab42, LastPass is the world’s most preferred password manager among consumers and IT admins. Its product features a built-in password generator and allows customers to safely share passwords and notes with other users.

LastPass has over 33 million users and 100,000+ business customers, including big brands like Patagonia and Yelp.

Sign up for the LastPass cyber security affiliate program via Impact Radius. The program pays a flat 25% per sale and has a 45-day cookie window, with Impact reporting a 30-day EPC of $0.23.

LastPass supports deep linking, allowing affiliates to link directly to specific landing pages and products.

  • URL: LastPass affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Password management solutions
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Canada, Singapore, Australia, UK, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, US, India

5 AvastAvast offers antivirus software for consumers and businesses, with a suite of security products that includes clean-up tools, internet security, and VPN services. Its antivirus portfolio covers Android, Mac, and PC.

Avast’s next-generation security engine uses machine learning, signature-based detection, and behavioral cues to identify and protect against threats. The company is part of Gen Digital, along with LifeLock, Norton, and various other brands.

The Avast affiliate program, managed through CJ Affiliate, offers a 60-day cookie window and pays a flat commission of 35% per sale. According to CJ Affiliate, the program currently has a three-month EPC of $7.50.

Affiliates get access to an extensive marketing kit, including text links, high-quality banner ads, and a comprehensive data feed. Avast also runs regular exclusive affiliate promotions. It has a dedicated affiliate marketing team and offers tailored support to high-performing affiliate marketers.

  • URL: Avast affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 35% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: VPN, internet security, business cyber security products
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

6 ESETESET is an award-winning antivirus and internet security service that protects customers through 16 layers of safeguards. The company offers various business security products, including XOPERO, a business continuity solution. Its products are used by 110+ million users in over 200 countries, including more than 400,000 businesses.

Sign up for ESET’s affiliate program via CJ Affiliate. It has a 60-day cookie window and pays a flat 20% commission on most sales, allowing affiliates to earn recurring revenues from new purchases and renewals. Sales of XOPERO pay a bounty commission of $4.

ESET offers regular special promotions and long-term offers, including holiday-themed discount codes to help drive conversions.

All applications to the ESET affiliate program are manually reviewed by the company’s affiliate management team. ESET is happy to work with affiliates based anywhere in the world, but your traffic must predominantly come from Canada and the US.

  • URL: ESET affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% on most product sales; $4 per sale of XOPERO
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Internet security and antivirus software
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

7 Astra Web SecurityAstra Web Security provides all-in-one website security, incorporating community security, malware scanning, and firewall protection. It also offers a hacker-style pentest that checks websites for 3,000+ vulnerabilities. Thousands of companies use the company’s services, including big names like Gillette, Ford, and TEDx.

The Astra affiliate program is managed through Tapfiliate and pays 25% recurring commissions, meaning you keep earning the entire time your referrals use Astra. That could equate to years of passive income thanks to the company’s low churn rate of less than 3%. By referring 10 new users a month, you could earn $1,389 in ongoing monthly commission payments. The program has a 60-day cookie window.

Affiliates receive monthly commission payments straight to their PayPal account in the final week of the month, provided they reach the $50 minimum threshold.

Astra has a host of marketing tools and resources, including the ability to offer a 5% lifetime discount via your affiliate link. The company also gives you access to banners, infographics, and a dedicated affiliate management team.

  • URL: AstraWeb Security affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% lifetime commission
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

8 IT GovernanceIT Governance USA sells books, tools, training, and consultancy services related to compliance, risk management, IT governance, and cyber security. Its customer base includes tech-savvy individuals, small business leaders, enterprises, and government departments. The company has helped over 600 organizations earn ISO 27001 certifications.

Unlike some affiliate advertisers, IT Governance promises you’ll never miss out on sales due to a lack of stock. Many of its products are available for instant download.

IT Governance offers two cyber security affiliate programs through Awin — one aimed at the US market and the other targeting UK users. Commission rates vary between the two programs, but both offer 30-day cookie windows. According to IT Governance, its website has a typical affiliate conversion rate of over 6% and typical order values of around $250, meaning you could earn $25+ from a single transaction.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Awin (US) | 14% per sale | 30 days | US only | Sign Up | | Awin (UK) | Up to 10% per sale | 30 days | UK only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Cyber security training and consultancy

9 Heimdal SecurityHeimdal Security protects home and business users against insider threats, ransomware, business email compromise, and other cyber attacks. Its product detects and blocks advanced malware attacks, identifies automatic and silent patching, and scans traffic in real-time to guard against zero-hour threats.

Heimdal also offers a vast catalog of educational resources, including free courses and blogs on cyber security best practices.

You need a CJ Affiliate or ShareASale affiliate account to join Heimdal’s cyber security affiliate program. Each network offers identical affiliate terms, with a generous 90-day cookie window and a sliding, volume-based commission scale:

  • Fewer than 10 monthly Heimdal PRO sales: 50% commission
  • 10 – 19 monthly Heimdal PRO sales: 55% commission
  • 20 – 29 monthly Heimdal PRO sales: 60% commission
  • 30 – 99 monthly Heimdal PRO sales: 65% commission
  • 100+ monthly Heimdal PRO sales: 75% commission

Heimdal also pays regular performance-based bonuses. According to CJ Affiliate, the program currently has a three-month EPC of €6.84.

To help you reach those top commission tiers, Heimdal offers various marketing materials and special offers, while affiliates get a lifetime 50% discount on its product. It also promises high-quality in-house affiliate support.

Before signing up, be aware that Heimdal is pretty strict about who can join its affiliate program. To be approved, you must:

  • Own your domain
  • Create content related to computers, software, or internet security
  • Have a malware and spam-free website

You’re also expected to provide a brief marketing plan outlining how you plan to generate traffic and sales.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 50% – 75% per sale | 90 days | Global | Sign Up | | ShareASale | 50% – 75% per sale | 90 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Cyber security protection

10 NordLayerNordLayer protects businesses through secure network access. Global companies like Calendly, Hostinger, and Soundcloud use its adaptive security and network access solutions. The company is owned by Nord Security, the folks behind NordVPN.

NordLayer operates an in-house affiliate program that pays a range of commissions depending on customer status and subscription length:

  • Monthly packages: 50% on new signups, 40% on renewals
  • Annual plans: 40% on new signups, 30% on renewals

The company offers exclusive affiliate links and access to high-quality marketing materials to support your promotional efforts.

  • URL: NordLayer affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 30% – 50% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Adaptive network access and security solutions
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

11 Perimeter 81Perimeter 81 describes itself as a next-generation network security provider, offering secure remote access solutions to business users. Its services simplify secure network, cloud, and application access for a modern and distributed workforce.

The company secures 2,800 customers, with most able to begin network deployment in less than 20 minutes. In comparison, non-customers often have to wait a week or longer to deploy their networks.

Sign up for Perimeter 81’s affiliate program through PostAffiliatePro. It boasts some of the highest commission rates in the industry, paying $400 – $1,000 per transaction, as well as providing special offers for top-performing affiliates. Commissions are paid by the 10th of every month.

To help drive traffic and sales, Perimeter 81 offers various tools and resources, with new marketing materials added weekly. Expect everything from banner ads and screenshots to infographics and logos. Perimeter 81 is also happy to create custom assets on request.

Before applying, bear in mind that Perimeter 81 prefers to work with affiliates who publish business VPN-related content, including software comparisons, IT news, and privacy protection.

  • URL: Perimeter 81 affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $400 – $1,000 per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Secure remote access solutions
  • Payment methods: PayPal, wire transfer, Bitcoin
  • Market(s): Global

12 NordVPNVPN service NordVPN is the flagship product of Nord Security, a major cybersecurity company. Its virtual private network hides your IP address and creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, helping you stay safe online.

While NordVPN doesn’t publish details about its customer base, estimates indicate the company has over 14 million users. Its deals include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN operates an in-house affiliate program and also has a program on the Skimlinks network. Both cyber security affiliate programs offer 30-day cookie windows, but their commission rates vary. The in-house version pays a lifetime revenue share, with a 30% commission on existing customer sales and varying rates on new customer orders:

  • One-month offers pay a 100% commission
  • Six-month, one-year, and two-year offers pay a 40% commission

Alternatively, the Skimlinks program focuses on persuading more customers to sign up for new accounts, paying a flat 60% on all new subscriptions, regardless of length. According to Skimlinks, NordVPN has a 1.52% conversion rate and an average order value of €43.32.

Whichever affiliate program you choose, you can negotiate even higher commissions based on sales value.

NordVPN affiliates work with a dedicated affiliate manager who can help with account setup, provide all the marketing materials you need, and assist you in driving conversions.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | In-house | 30% – 100% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 60% | 30 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: VPN services

ConclusionAs you can see, the cyber security industry is full of attractive affiliate programs. But we want you to get the most bang for your promotional efforts, so we scoured the world’s top-ranked cyber security affiliate websites, then found out which programs they recommend. In total, we analyzed 25 niche sites, including PrivacySavvy, RestorePrivacy, VPNOverview, and Cybernews.

Want to earn money from these high-quality cyber security affiliate programs? Your best bet is to start by launching your own affiliate website. That way, you can build a consistent traffic (and revenue) stream that’s not reliant on the whims of social media platforms.

Admittedly, building your own site takes time.

But Authority Hacker is here to help.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll teach you seven secrets to launch, scale, and optimize your site — including one top tip for building links without paying a single cent.

See you there!

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Ever wished you could earn money online by recommending your favorite books? Ebook affiliate programs can turn your dreams into reality.

There’s no shortage of cash in the eBook niche. Statista’s Digital Market Outlook predicts that worldwide eBook sales will reach almost $19 billion in 2026…

E-book market revenue worldwide 2017-2026…while a separate report estimates that sales of e-readers will surpass $23 billion by that same year.

(FYI, eBooks are also spelled e-books and ebooks. We didn’t want to alienate anyone, so we’ll use the three spellings interchangeably throughout this article.)

According to Pew Research Center, one in three Americans read at least one e-book in 2021, up from just one in six in 2011. Some 33% of US bookworms read both e-books and print books, while 9% have entirely ditched physical books in favor of digital products.

So there are plenty of opportunities to promote eBooks. But if you’re going to earn a job replacement income, you need to choose the right affiliate programs. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the eight best e-book affiliate programs, all of which are absolutely free to join.

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingeBook Affiliate Programs1. AbeBooks 2. BookBaby 3. Apple Books 4. Smashwords 5. Barnes & Noble 6. Kobo 7. Amazon.com 8. eBooks.com

1 AbeBooksAbeBooks is an online store selling millions of new, used, and rare books and collectibles. It also has an extensive collection of e-books, with over 23,000 currently listed. The company’s name is derived from its early days as the “Advanced Book Exchange” (hence “Abe”).

AbeBooks has been owned by Amazon since 2008. At this point, you’re likely thinking: “Why not just join Amazon’s affiliate program instead?” Actually, there are lots of reasons to consider the AbeBooks affiliate program. For starters, it works with many independent booksellers that don’t list on Amazon. It often has cheaper shipping than Amazon, and its search function is specifically optimized with book lovers in mind.

Convinced? Sign up for the AbeBooks affiliate program through Impact Radius. The program has a 30-day cookie window and pays a standard 5% commission on sales of books priced up to $500. In other words, if a customer clicks your affiliate link and buys a $700 book, you only get paid on the first $500. Higher commission rates can be negotiated based on sales volume. Commissions are paid 50 days from the end of the month in which the sale took place.

According to Impact Radius, the program has a 30-day EPC of $0.25.

AbeBooks occasionally offers commissionable coupons to affiliate marketers, allowing them to earn money from resulting sales. It provides various other affiliate marketing resources, including banner ads, text links, and API access to the AbeBooks website. The company also has a dedicated affiliate management team to answer your questions.

  • URL: AbeBooks affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: eBooks, rare books, textbooks, art & collectibles
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): Global

2 BookBabyBookBaby allows indie authors to publish and sell e-books in the world’s biggest bookstores and platforms, including Kindle, Apple Books, and Nook by Barnes & Noble. Authors get to keep 100% of net royalties earned through BookBaby.

The site offers various other services. These include an audiobook publishing solution that pays creators 75% royalty rates and a cover design and book-binding service for independent authors and small publishers. BookBaby offers free US ground shipping on all printed book orders of 25+ units.

Sign up for BookBaby’s affiliate program via the Pepperjam affiliate network. The company pays up to 5% commissions on all short-run book printing and eBook publishing services.

  • URL: BookBaby affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: eBook publishing, book printing, book binding, cover design
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): Global

3 Apple BooksApple Books is Apple’s one-stop shop for book lovers, offering a vast catalog of e-books and audiobooks. The platform allows users to browse current bestsellers, lists curated by editors at Apple Books, and personalized recommendations based on previous reading and listening habits. Members can also set reading goals and track time spent listening or reading.

Apple’s ebook affiliate program is managed through the Partnerize affiliate network. As standard, it pays a 7% commission on all sales revenue and has a 30-day cookie window.

The company also offers an invite-only premier program, which pays affiliate marketers for each trial they generate and offers exclusive support and marketing assets. To be invited, you must drive trial signups at scale, maintain solid conversion rates from trials to paid memberships, and adhere to Apple’s strict brand standards.

Apple Books has a 60 to 90-day cycle on commission payments and has a minimum threshold of $30. Commissions can be paid in 60 global currencies across 214 countries, with conversions handled through American Express (minus any applicable fees).

As an affiliate marketer, you can access various tools and resources through the program, including the Apple Services Toolbox — the quickest and easiest way to create and add affiliate links. Apple also offers embeddable widgets, icons, badges, banner ads, and an RSS feed generator to incorporate lists of top books.

  • URL: Apple Books affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 7% on sales revenue
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: eBooks, audiobooks
  • Payment methods: Electronic funds transfer
  • Market(s): Global

4 SmashwordsSmashwords claims to be the world’s largest distributor of indie ebooks, with the online store stocking 400,000+ vetted and well-formatted ebooks from over 100,000 authors and publishers. Many authors have become USA Today and New York Times bestsellers thanks to the platform. Most of its books are affordably priced and available in multiple formats.

The Smashwords affiliate program has a truly astonishing commission scale, starting at 11% per sale and climbing as high as 80.5% of the net sales price (excluding the PayPal processing fee).

Why so broad? Because Smashwords allows authors to “juice” the commission rate by sharing a proportion — or all — of their earnings with affiliate marketers. In theory, the higher the commission, the more aggressively affiliates promote a book.

Unfortunately, Smashwords only has a 48-hour cookie window, shorter than most e-book affiliate programs we’ve seen. The program is open to anyone aged 18+.

  • URL: Smashwords affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 11% – 80.5% of net sales price
  • Cookie duration: 48 hours
  • Products/Services sold: E-books from indie authors
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

5 Barnes & NobleBarnes & Noble is the world’s largest bookseller, with a catalog of over five million books, 3.6 million e-books, and 300,000 audiobooks. It also sells DVDs, Blu-rays, music, toys, games, and household products. The retailer offers curbside pickup at most stores and free shipping for $40+ orders.

The Barnes & Noble affiliate program is managed through the CJ Affiliate network (formerly known as Commission Junction). It pays a 2% commission on most products, rising to 5% for select ebook titles, monthly picks, and some physical products. According to CJ Affiliate, the program has a three-month EPC of $3.27.

Barnes & Noble offers various resources to help affiliates drive traffic and sales, including a dedicated affiliate manager, a robust product catalog, and regular seasonal and holiday-related promotions.

  • URL: Barnes & Noble affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2% – 5% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Books, DVDs, Blu-rays, music, toys, games, home & gift items
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

6 KoboKobo is a Canadian company that sells e-books and audiobooks, with over five million titles to choose from. It has been owned by Japanese ecommerce giant Rakuten since 2012.

The online store stocks every type of eBook you can imagine, from current bestsellers to beloved classics. It also sells award-winning e-readers that allow users to store thousands of e-books. Kobo e-readers include a built-in light for easier night-time reading.

Kobo’s affiliate program is, unsurprisingly, managed through the Rakuten Linkshare affiliate network. It actually offers six separate affiliate programs, each targeting a different geography, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, the UK, and the US. The US program has a 14-day cookie window and a 1% base commission rate, rising to 5% on Kobo devices and gift cards, and 10% on device accessories.

Before signing up for this ebook affiliate program, bear in mind that all applications are manually reviewed, with the approval process lasting up to two weeks.

  • URL: Kobo affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 1% – 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Products/Services sold: eBooks, audiobooks, e-readers, tablet computers
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Market(s): Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, UK, US

7 Amazon.comLet’s be honest; you don’t need me to tell you what Amazon.com is. The world’s largest ecommerce business, it generated revenues of $131 billion in 2021 and currently stocks over 75 million products — including Kindle e-readers and tens of thousands of e-books.

Amazon is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most trusted brands, which makes it comparatively easy for affiliates to “close the deal.” It also has a sky-high conversion rate, estimated to be as high as 10%+, so there’s a strong chance your referrals will turn into sales.

Unfortunately, the Amazon Associates affiliate program doesn’t pay commissions on standalone eBook sales. But it does offer a 4% commission on sales of Kindle devices, plus various bounty payments on Kindle paid subscription packages, as follows:

  • $3 on Kindle Unlimited free trials and six-month paid memberships
  • $5 on Kindle Unlimited 12-month paid memberships
  • $10 on Kindle Unlimited 24-month paid membership

All actions carry a stingy one-day cookie window. However, if your referred customers add an item to their shopping cart in that time and convert within 90 days, you’ll earn a commission.

Another important point: Amazon will only approve your affiliate application after you’ve driven three sales in 180 days. If you don’t hit Amazon’s target, you’ll be booted off the program.

(Want to find out more? Read our in-depth Amazon Associates review.)

  • URL: Amazon Associates affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $3 – $10 on Kindle subscriptions; 4% on Kindle devices
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: eBooks, Kindle e-readers, children’s books, everything else in the world
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, gift certificate
  • Market(s): Global

8 eBooks.comAs the name suggests, eBooks.com is an online business that sells e-books to consumers, as well as offering ebook-related services to publishers. The website currently stocks 2,188,663 ebooks and has 5,873,448 members.

The company has licensing agreements with 4,000+ publishers, including all the major English-language trade, professional, and scholarly presses. Publishers upload about 20,000 eBooks a month to eBooks.com, which maintains local sales portals in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia.

The eBooks.com affiliate program has a generous 45-day cookie window and a tiered commission scale based on the volume of sales generated during a calendar year:

  • 10% commission rate on yearly sales up to $100,000
  • 15% commission rate on yearly sales above the first $100,000

Affiliates can boost their earnings through regular performance incentives.

To help boost affiliate marketing performance, eBooks.com offers a dedicated affiliate management team and real-time tracking and reporting.

  • URL: eBooks.com affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 15% per sale, based on order volume
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: E-books!
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

ConclusionWith so many fantastic programs to choose from, it’s totally possible to earn a six-figure income by promoting your favorite eBooks. But affiliate marketing success isn’t just about finding the best affiliate programs. You need a reliable, algorithm-proof traffic source that converts visitors into cold, hard affiliate earnings.

In short, you need an affiliate website.

Building a website is difficult. We should know because we’ve built affiliate sites in more niches than we care to count.

Fortunately for you, we love passing on our expertise and learnings. Sign up for our free training and we’ll share seven expert tips for building, optimizing, and scaling a book-related blog — including how to steal your competitors’ best keywords.

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Nail affiliate programs are — excuse the pun — a nailed-on way to earn money online. Revenue in the nail industry is set to pass $11 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach almost $14 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%.

Nail care is a big deal in the US. One survey found that 30 million Americans went for one to three manicures in 2020, while 20 million had four or more. During the same period, 101 million women in the US used nail polish and other nail products.

Know your cuticles from your nail plates? Got a passion for fashion? Love recommending your favorite beauty products? You’re in the right place, because we’ve crunched the numbers to round up the 12 best nail affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingNail Affiliate Programs1. NailHugs 2. Beyond Polish 3. OOO Polish 4. MelodySusie 5. SLEEK NAIL 6. Modelones 7. SENA NAIL 8. Twinkled T 9. Sally Beauty 10. Born Pretty 11. Medusa Nails 12. KISS Nails

1 NailHugsNailHugs designs and sells non-toxic nail appliques that fit any length or shape of nails without leaving air bubbles. Its products last up to two weeks with a regular double top coat and up to four weeks with a UV nail polish gel. The company ships worldwide.

NailHugs is the brainchild of Alexandra, a certified nail technique ambassador with 35+ years of experience serving high-profile clients, from TV stars to recording artists.

Join the NailHugs affiliate program through ShareASale. It has a 15-day cookie window and pays a flat 20% commission for all sales referred via your affiliate links.

Affiliates can access various affiliate marketing tools and resources, including attractive banner ads and text links, regular coupons and deals, and monthly affiliate newsletters containing the latest products and promotions. NailHugs also has a data feed and a professional affiliate manager to answer your queries.

  • URL: NailHugs affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie length: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Nail appliques
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

2 Beyond PolishThink of Beyond Polish as a one-stop shop for nail products, selling nail polish, removers, cleansers, acrylics, lamps, and more. The company is dedicated to hand-selecting high-quality nail products and discovering new nail polish brands. It offers free shipping for orders of $75+.

The Beyond Polish affiliate program is available through three networks: FlexOffers, Rakuten, and Sovrn. Affiliate terms vary slightly across the networks. For instance:

  • Rakuten pays 2% on existing and guest customer orders and 5% on new customer sales
  • FlexOffers pays 1.6% for guests and returning customers and 4% for new customers
  • Sovrn pays an average commission of 2.76%, with an average order value of $15.79 and an average conversion rate of 8.38%

Whichever network you choose, you’ll get access to affiliate-only opportunities, including special deals, promotions, and high-resolution banner ads. Beyond Polish also offers early access to new products and support from a dedicated affiliate management team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Rakuten Linkshare | 2% – 5% per sale | 14 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 1.6% – 4% per sale | 14 days | US only | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 2.76% average | – | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Nail polish, nail wraps, gel polish, nail art, nail supplies

3 OOO Polish OOO Polish (pronounced “Triple-O Polish,” if you’re wondering) is all about centering underrepresented skin tones. Its 100% cruelty-free nail products are designed for all skin types and tones. The company is dedicated to honest product marketing, ditching picture editing and color simulation on 98% of its product photos.

Triple-O’s affiliate program is run via GrowthHero. It pays a standard commission of 10%, with the opportunity to earn 20% per sale after demonstrating consistently high performance. Self-purchases are non-commissionable and the company doesn’t provide free samples. Commission payments are issued once per month and can be tracked via the affiliate dashboard.

The program also features a 365-day cookie window — longer than other nail affiliate programs we reviewed.

OOO offers exclusive affiliate discounts, allowing your referrals to claim 10% off their first order.

Applications to the affiliate program are reviewed manually, with Triple-O warning that the review process can last up to two weeks. You’ll be notified by email once accepted.

  • URL: OOO Polish affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie length: 365 days
  • Products/Services sold: Nail polish, nail art, nail lacquers, UV lamps
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

4 MelodySusieMelodySusie is a professional beauty products supplier selling everything from nail drills and bits to nail gels and lamps. It even stocks fashion wigs and other beauty products. The MelodySusie nail lamp is a popular choice among professional US salons, and its nail drills are recommended by numerous beauty influencers.

The company serves customers in various North American, European, and Asian markets. Its orders range from $30 – $300+.

Sign up for MelodySusie’s affiliate program via ShareASale or CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction). CJ Affiliate offers a higher base commission rate and a longer cookie window, while ShareASale pays higher peak commissions of up to 15%. Whichever network you choose, you’ll earn a $30 bonus for your first transaction.

According to ShareASale’s 30-day figures, the program drives an average order value of $108.49, has an $11.35 EPC, and boasts a conversion rate of 1.28%.

The company offers affiliate marketing resources to drive traffic and sales, such as exclusive discount coupons and monthly deals. Affiliate support and high-quality banner ads can be accessed through MelodySusie’s professional management team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | ShareASale | 8% – 15% per sale | 7 days | Various | Sign Up | | CJ Affiliate | 10% per sale | 30 days | Various | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Nail drills, nail bits, nail lamps, nail gels, fashion wigs, other beauty products

5 SLEEK NAIL Sleek Nail sells cruelty-free products from some of the most popular nail polish brands, including Essie and OPI. Its product catalog includes gel polish, nail sets, dipping powders, nail wraps, and more. Sleek Nail offers free shipping within the continental US.

To drive customer loyalty, the company runs a rewards program that offers points for various actions, such as making purchases, leaving a review, and sharing on Facebook. Those points can be redeemed at checkout for exclusive discounts.

Sleek Nail’s affiliate program is available through two networks: ShareASale and Sovrn. Both programs are US-only and pay a 3% commission on all sales.

ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures show a $31.57 average order value, an EPC of $14.70, and an excellent 11.89% conversion rate. Meanwhile, Sovrn shows an average sale of $33.88 and a slightly lower 10.34% conversion rate.

Both networks offer various affiliate marketing assets, including banner ads, coupons, deals, and a robust data feed.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | ShareASale | 3% per sale | 14 days | US only | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 3% average | – | US only | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Gel polish, nail sets, lacquers, dipping powders, nail wraps, other nail products

6 Modelones Modelones claims to be one of the fastest-growing retailers of beauty products and nail supplies, with an average order value of around $60, a conversion rate of about 2%, and average traffic levels of approximately 250,000 visitors a month. The company offers worldwide shipping, 30-day returns, and free shipping for $45+ orders.

Modelones has an in-house affiliate program managed through UpPromote and affiliate programs on the CJ Affiliate and Refersion networks. All have 30-day cookie windows.

The in-house version is easy to understand, paying 15% on all orders. Things get a little more confusing on the two affiliate networks. CJ Affiliate has a default 10% commission rate, climbing to 15% – 20% for content, blog, and media affiliates. Meanwhile, Refersion has a volume-based commission scale, paying:

  • 10% on monthly sales of $0 – $2,999.99
  • 15% on monthly sales of $2,000 – $4,999.99
  • 20% on monthly sales of $5,000+

Modelones affiliates can access various affiliate marketing assets, including exclusive coupon codes, premade landing pages and banner ads, and regular newsletters. The company also offers free product samples to bloggers and influencers with an active audience of 2,000+ people.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | In-house | 15% per sale | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | CJ Affiliate | 10%+ per sale | 30 days | Global | Sign Up | | Refersion | 10% – 20% per sale | 30 days | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Gel nail polish, poly nail gel, dip powder, acrylic powder, nail art, press-on nails

7 SENA NAIL SENA stands for “Safe & Easy Nail Art.” The brand sells press-on nails and nail wraps, all of which are 100% non-toxic and carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.

As well as selling nail products, SENA is committed to social good, donating 3% of profits to help female college students achieve their goals.

SENA operates an in-house affiliate program with a 30-day cookie window. It pays a generous 20% commission on all sales, but only once you’ve met the “basic requirements” by driving at least five referrals and over $100 in sales.

  • URL: SENA NAIL affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie length: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Press-on nails, nail wraps
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

8 Twinkled T Twinkled T sells a vast selection of nail products, including press-ons, extensions, and nail art. It was founded by sisters Liz and Lana, who design every product on the site. Twinkled T offers worldwide shipping and allows customers to pay in four installments via Shop Pay.

The company’s free-to-join affiliate program is managed through Goaffpro. It offers a one-month cookie window and pays a flat 10% commission on all sales. Commissions are paid via PayPal in the first week of each month for sales generated in the previous month — provided you hit the low payment threshold of $5.

Before signing up for this affiliate program, be aware that Twinkled T expects its affiliate partners to be active customers. Also, it doesn’t allow affiliates to purchase products via their own affiliate links.

  • URL: Twinkled T affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie length: One month
  • Products/Services sold: Nail vinyls, press-on nails, extensions, nail art, nail tools
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

9 Sally BeautySally Beauty is one of the world’s largest retailers of professional beauty supplies, owning and operating 2,700+ stores across the US and further afield. It sells over 6,000 professional-quality nail, skin, and hair care products and stocks top nail polish brands like OPI, Gelish, and Nailboo. The company offers free shipping for $35+ orders.

Sign up for Sally’s affiliate program through CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers, or Sovrn. As usual, commissions vary between each network, ranging from 8% per sale through FlexOffers to up to 15% with CJ Affiliate and Sovrn.

To help drive traffic and sales, Sally offers various affiliate marketing tools, including a daily-updated product feed. It also has banner ads and search boxes that link directly to the company’s product pages.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 1% – 15% per sale | 15 days | US only | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 8% per sale | 15 days | – | Sign Up | | Sovrn | 15% per sale | – | – | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Nail, skin, and hair care products

10 Born PrettyBorn Pretty sells 11 varieties of toxin-free gel polish, as well as nail kits, powders, and tools. Its products have been recommended by 100,000+ nail art influencers, and it has built a base of over two million loyal customers. The company offers free shipping on orders over $20.

Born Pretty’s affiliate program, managed through Goaffpro, pays a flat commission of 10% on all sales.

Affiliates get access to various promotional tools and resources, including customized text links and image-only links. Affiliate partners can enhance their product links with product previews or choose Easy Links — high-converting banners served directly to your site.

  • URL: Born Pretty affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie length: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Gel nail polish, nail kits, nail tools, nail powder, nail stamping
  • Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, check
  • Market(s): Global

11 Medusa NailsMedusa Nails is an online business selling nail gels, polishes, and tools, predominantly to nail professionals. Its products are non-toxic and cruelty-free and can be shipped worldwide. The company currently offers express international shipping to 50+ countries.

The Medusa website has an average order value of around $120 and offers free US shipping for $100+ orders.

Medusa operates its affiliate program through Affiliate WP, offering a volume-based commission scale that pays:

  • 10% for monthly orders of $0 – $4,999.99
  • 15% for monthly orders of $5,000 – $14,999.99
  • 20% for monthly orders of $15,000+

Affiliates can leverage various marketing materials, including monthly contests, coupons, and incentives. The company sends regular affiliate newsletters containing its latest promotions and product launches.

  • URL: Medusa Nails affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 20% per sale
  • Cookie length: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Nail gels, gel polish, nail tools
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

12 KISS NailsKISS Nails specializes in nails, hair care, and lashes. The brand has a global reach, selling to customers in over 100 countries. It is one of five beauty brands under the Impress Brands umbrella, along with Impress Manicure, JOAH Beauty, Kiss Colors & Care, and Falscara.

KISS operates a loyalty program, which offers one point per dollar spent. Once customers accrue 100 points, they earn a $10 discount at checkout. The company also offers free US shipping on all orders of $15+.

You can sign up for the KISS Nails affiliate program through CJ Affiliate. It has a 30-day cookie window and pays a default commission of 8%, rising to:

  • 10% for monthly orders of $1,000 – $1,999.99
  • 11% for monthly orders of $2,000 – $3,499.99
  • 12% for monthly orders of $3,500+

Bloggers and influencers with at least 200 followers can access free samples through the KISS affiliate program. The company offers several other affiliate marketing resources, including a data feed, exclusive affiliate discounts, and online coupon codes. It has a range of creatives, such as pre-designed banners, images, and videos. Custom co-branded assets are available on request.

  • URL: KISS Nails affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8% – 12% per sale
  • Cookie length: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

ConclusionThere’s no shortage of quality affiliate programs in the nails niche, from popular brands to lesser-known names. But we only want to recommend the cream of the crop. So we analyzed 25 of the biggest fashion and beauty websites — including Byrdie, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, and Glamour — to find out which programs they’re promoting.

If those publishers are making money from these programs, there’s no reason you can’t do the same. But first, you must create a website capable of turning traffic into sales and revenue.

Fortunately, we can help with that part.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll offer seven tips for crafting high-performing affiliate sites — including one tried-and-trusted method for building fast websites that rank quickly.

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As long as people keep having kids, parenting affiliate programs will always be a reliable source for making money online.

We all know babies are expensive. According to an analysis from the Brookings Institution, the average US family spends about $310,605 raising children from their birth to their 18th birthday. That’s about $17,000 a year.

Some of that money could be yours — you just need to find the right parenting affiliate programs.

From potty training to sleep advice to time management tools, there’s no shortage of profitable affiliate products in the parenting niche. Of course, not all of those products are good. To help maximize your earning potential, we’ve rounded up the 11 best affiliate programs for parents…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingParenting Affiliate Programs1. Parenting Simply 2. Tinyhood 3. The Sleep Lady 4. momAgenda 5. The Baby Manual 6. Good Parents Plan 7. Slumberkins 8. OurFamilyWizard 9. 1-2-3 Magic Parenting 10. Care.com 11. Positive Parenting Solutions

1 Parenting SimplyParenting Simply offers various online courses to teach positive parenting solutions, from anger-free parenting to managing temper tantrums. The company is the brainchild of Adina Soclof, a certified speech pathologist with a Master’s degree from New York’s Hunter College.

Like many businesses in the parenting niche, Parenting Simply runs its own affiliate program, paying a generous 40% commission on each referred sale. With course prices starting at around $50, affiliates can expect to earn $20+ per conversion. Commissions are paid monthly. The program has a 365-day cookie window — longer than other parenting affiliate programs we reviewed.

To help affiliates drive traffic and sales, Parenting Simply offers various marketing resources, including free articles for your website, newsletter, or parenting blog. New copy-and-paste promotional tools are added regularly.

  • URL: Parenting Simply affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 40% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 365 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online courses
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Unlisted

2 TinyhoodTinyhood is an online business offering on-demand classes that cover every stage of parenthood, from breastfeeding to sleep training to child CPR. All courses are led by certified experts with years of hands-on experience. Classes are accompanied by downloadable handouts, checklists, and easy-reference guides.

Tinyhood’s classes are available through a monthly subscription, with prices starting at $12.95 when billed annually.

Join Tinyhood’s parenting affiliate program through Impact Radius. It pays up to 15% per sale and has a 30-day EPC of $1.14.

Once approved for the affiliate program, you’ll receive regular updates on new classes, product launches, and exclusive deals. Tinyhood affiliates can also access unique promo code tracking, deep linking, and product catalogs.

  • URL: Tinyhood affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Online courses
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

3 The Sleep LadyAs its name suggests, The Sleep Lady teaches parents how to help their little ones enjoy a consistent, peaceful night’s sleep. It offers solutions for newborns, babies, toddlers, and children aged up to six years old. The company’s trademarked Shuffle Method has helped over one million families benefit from better sleep. While “sleep” is in the website’s name, it also offers an online potty training course.

The Sleep Lady has an in-house parenting affiliate program. The commission rate is unlisted, so you’ll need to sign up to learn more, but we can tell you that it offers a 30-day cookie window.

Commissions are paid on the final day of the month, provided you reach the minimum threshold of $50. If not, your earnings will be rolled over to the following month.

The Sleep Lady has various marketing materials, including text links and banner ads. The site also offers a free 17-page downloadable guide to improving sleep, which could be a helpful hook for your audience.

  • URL: The Sleep Lady affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Unlisted
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online courses
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Unlisted

4 momAgendamomAgenda designs and sells day planners and other organizational products created with busy moms in mind. It has excellent brand recognition, having been promoted by celebrity moms like Reece Witherspoon and Cindy Crawford. momAgenda company has also been featured in Real Simple magazine and the New York Times.

The company ships to almost every international location and is happy to work with affiliates outside the US. It prefers to partner with affiliates focusing on parenting, motherhood, family, gifts, education, or shopping.

Interested in promoting momAgenda? Sign up for its parenting affiliate program via ShareASale, which has a 30-day cookie window. The program pays a default commission of 15%, although select deal creatives only pay 10%.

According to momAgenda, top affiliates have earned $1,000 per month in commissions over the past three months. Meanwhile, ShareASale’s 30-day figures show a $64.24 average order value, an EPC of $29.79, and a strong 3.2% conversion rate.

momAgenda has various affiliate tools, including a data feed and a monthly newsletter containing promotions, contests, and sales opportunities. It has a dedicated affiliate management team and runs regular affiliate bonus campaigns.

  • URL: momAgenda affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Planners, memory books, accessories
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

5 The Baby ManualThe Baby Manual is a series of award-winning video-based courses aimed at solving some of the most common challenges faced by first-time parents. Its videos are led by practicing medical professionals, industry experts, and real parents. The company’s educational materials are used by adoption agencies, hospitals, pregnancy centers, lactation consultants, and doulas across the US.

The Baby Manual runs an in-house affiliate program, offering a 30-day cookie window and a sliding commission scale based on sales volume. Affiliates earn 20% per sale on volumes of up to nine units per month, rising to:

  • 25% per sale for 10 – 29 units per month
  • 30% per sale for 30 – 59 units per month
  • 35% per sale for 60 – 99 units per month
  • 40% per sale for 100+ units per month

The average price of The Baby Manual is $62, so affiliates can expect to earn around $12 – $24 per transaction. Not only that, but they can earn a 5% share of sales generated by affiliates they recruit to the company’s parenting affiliate program.

Sign up to receive support from The Baby Manual’s trained affiliate team and access your premade affiliate link, banner ads, and creatives.

  • URL: The Baby Manual affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 40% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online training
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Unlisted

6 Good Parents PlanGood Parents Plan is a standalone guardianship package for parents of minors that contains essential information about medical histories, parenting philosophies, and family values. It ensures that if the worst happens, parents will know their little ones will be looked after according to their wishes.

The company’s automated guardianship system is available in all 50 states and is far more affordable than paying a law firm to do the work. Parents receive their documents within minutes of completion.

Find the Good Parents Plan affiliate program on ShareASale. It has a 90-day cookie window and pays a flat $40 commission. The program is open to affiliates with primarily US-based audiences.

Good Parents Plan provides an array of marketing resources. For instance, affiliates can share a discount coupon that drops the price to $99 while still earning $40 from the sale. Each affiliate receives access to a free plan, which they can use themselves or give away through a competition. Custom creatives and copy can be requested on demand, and the company is also open to cross-promotion opportunities.

There’s just one problem: Good Parents Plan has been active on ShareASale since May 2022, but the program is yet to drive a single transaction. So it could be the best-kept secret in affiliate marketing or a total no-hoper.

  • URL: Good Parents Plan affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $40 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Products/Services sold: Standalone guardianship packages
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 SlumberkinsSlumberkins sells books, educational toys and materials, and daily affirmations designed to help parents raise caring, confident, and resilient children.

The company also offers a curriculum for educators based on evidence-based tools for fostering strong peer-to-peer and teacher-to-peer relationships. Customers get free US shipping for $75+ orders.

Want to start promoting Slumberkins? Find its parenting affiliate program on Pepperjam, paying commissions of up to 10% of net sales. The program has a 30-day cookie window and an average order value of $75, equating to average commissions of around $7.50 per sale.

  • URL: Slumberkins affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 10% of net sales
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Books, educational toys, daily affirmations
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, PayPal
  • Market(s): US only

8 OurFamilyWizardOurFamilyWizard is a dedicated co-parenting app that allows users to share expenses, communicate, store medical information, and plan parenting schedules. It is the #1 court-recommended co-parenting app in the US and Canada, and is trusted by over a million parents and professionals.

OurFamilyWizard offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but has an extremely strong return rate of around 2%.

Find the company’s parenting affiliate program on ShareASale. It offers a generous 120-day cookie window and pays a 25% commission per sale. According to ShareASale’s 30-day tracking figures, the program delivers an average order value of $176.44, an EPC of

$42.49, and a 0.96% conversion rate.

Affiliates can access various marketing materials to help boost referrals, including coupons, deals, creatives, and a regular affiliate newsletter detailing the latest promotions and incentives.

  • URL: OurFamilyWizard affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 120 days
  • Products/Services sold: Co-parenting app
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

9 1-2-3 Magic Parenting1-2-3 Magic sells books, DVDs, and on-demand video courses that teach parents how to discipline their little ones effectively. The program was developed by registered clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D., a member of the American Psychological Association who has worked with children and families for over 35 years.

The company has sold over 1.8 million copies of its books, which have been translated into 20+ languages and regularly rank as the #1 child discipline book on Amazon.

Sign up for the 1-2-3 Magic parenting affiliate program via ShareASale. It has a 45-day cookie window and pays a 10% commission, although top-performing affiliates qualify for higher rates.

Once approved for the program, you can access special offers and promotions, including seasonal offers and product giveaways. The company runs a new publisher program designed to help new affiliates get up and running during their first month-and-a-half in the program. It is also happy to create exclusive special offers for individual affiliates.

  • URL: 1-2-3 Magic Parenting affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Parenting books, DVDs, on-demand video courses
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

10 Care.comCare.com is a marketplace for caregivers, including babysitters, tutors, housekeepers, and nannies. The company claims it is the largest and fastest-growing service of its kind, with more than 17 million members. Its subscription-based plans offer savings up to 67% cheaper than one-off purchases.

The Care.com affiliate program is managed through Impact Radius. It has a 30-day cookie duration and pays commissions on two types of actions:

  • Free account registrations from careseekers pay $1 per action
  • Premium subscriptions pay $15 per action

Care.com offers various offers and creatives to boost referrals and sales. The company currently only works with publishers who drive US-based traffic.

  • URL: Care.com affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $1 – $15 per action
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Child care, housekeeping, tutoring solutions
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US only

11 Positive Parenting SolutionsPositive Parenting Solutions is an online business offering online parenting courses designed to help moms and dads communicate without yelling or nagging. Customers get 24/7 access to 49 in-depth training video sessions, plus advanced modules and in-depth workbooks to tackle the most challenging childcare scenarios. The company also offers a mobile app, which is currently used by around 80% of Positive Parenting subscribers.

Positive Parenting is used by 75,000+ families in 21 countries. It has excellent brand recognition, amassing 1.6 million social media followers and attracting national media exposure through various outlets. Founder Amy McCready regularly contributes to shows such as CBS This Morning, Fox & Friends, and The Doctors.

The company’s in-house affiliate program pays a generous 25% commission per sale and has a 60-day cookie window. With an average order value of $250, affiliates earn around $63 per conversion. Its proven sales funnel delivers a return rate of less than 1%.

Commissions are paid via PayPal approximately 35 days after the sale, once the 30-day refund period has passed. Affiliates can access real-time sales reports via the Positive Parenting dashboard.

According to Positive Parenting, top-performing affiliates generate up to 50% higher conversion rates by signing up for free access to the company’s course materials. This helps them craft stronger messaging.

  • URL: Positive Parenting affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 25% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online parenting courses
  • Payment methods: PayPal
  • Market(s): Global

ConclusionThere are so many baby brands and children’s retailers that our list could easily have stretched to 20+ parenting affiliate programs. Rather than naming every affiliate program we could find, we looked at the programs being promoted by 25 of the biggest parenting blogs and content sites, including:

  • Your Modern Family
  • For Modern Kids
  • Scary Mommy
  • Rookie Moms

All those sites are making a killing from parenting affiliate programs — and so can you. You just need to figure out how to build, optimize, and scale an affiliate website capable of generating plenty of search traffic.

It’s no easy task, but we can help. Sign up for our free training and we’ll reveal seven secrets that make affiliate sites more successful, including one fantastic technique for stealing your competitors’ best keywords.

See you after nap time!

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Want to earn money promoting products with truly mass appeal? Look no further than DIY affiliate programs.

The global market for arts and crafts supplies was worth a whopping $39 billion in 2021. By 2027, that figure is expected to reach $62.5 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 8%.

Americans have a particular affinity for DIY. According to the 2021 Statista Global Consumer Survey, over a quarter of US respondents named arts and crafts as a hobby or interest, making it one of the country’s favorite pastimes.

Most popular hobbies & activities in the U.S. in 2022Do you know your DIY ABCs? Can you tell a garter stitch from a reverse stockinette? Do you unwind to the sweet song of clacking knitting needles? Read on for our pick of the best affiliate programs in the DIY niche…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingDIY Affiliate Programs 1. JOANN 2. Cricut 3. CreateForLess 4. Scrapbook 5. CreativeLive 6. AliExpress 7. Etsy 8. Hobby Lobby 9. Darn Good Yarn 10. Michaels 11. Creativebug 12. BLICK Art Materials 13. Cratejoy

1 JOANNJOANN is a major US retailer of fabrics and specialist crafts products, from artificial flowers to sewing supplies. It has a fantastic reputation in the US, having been named the 16th most-trusted retail company by Newsweek.

Customers can take advantage of curbside pickup or in-store delivery to JOANN’S network of approximately 850 stores across the country.

JOANN’S affiliate program is available through two affiliate networks: FlexOffers and Skimlinks. According to 90-day figures from Skimlinks, the site has an average conversion rate of 4% and an average order value of €52. FlexOffers quotes a 90-day EPC of $0.03.

The company’s affiliates can access various marketing assets and also have the opportunity to try out new products first.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | FlexOffers | 0.8% | 7 days | Global | Sign Up | | Skimlinks | 1% | – | Global | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Craft supplies

2 CricutCricut makes smart cutting machines used to design and create everything from custom cards to unique apparel. Its products come with a companion app, helping bring users’ ideas to life without requiring design skills. Prices start at $179.99 or $16 per month. The company also sells heat presses and lighting.

Cricut’s affiliate program is managed by Acceleration Partners through the Impact Radius affiliate network. The program pays commissions of 4% – 12% per sale and has a five-day cookie length, although Cricut’s affiliate landing pages cite commission rates of up to 25%. According to Impact Radius, Cricut has a 30-day EPC of $2.24.

Cricut also offers various bonuses to its affiliate partners. New affiliates get a one-time 30% discount, while all members earn a $10 cash bonus for referring other affiliates. Cricut also shares a weekly newsletter containing its latest incentives and promotions.

  • URL: Cricut affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 5 days
  • Products/Services sold: Cutting machines, lighting, heat presses
  • Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

3 CreateForLess CreateForLess sells brand-name craft supplies at discount prices and in bulk quantities. Its prices are typically 30% – 50% below standard retail rates, making the store a popular choice for crafting professionals, teachers, and designers.

The CreateForLess includes 70,000+ products, including craft, sewing, and scrapbooking supplies. The company offers free shipping on orders over $100.

You can find this affiliate program on ShareASale, one of the best affiliate networks for DIY affiliate programs. It pays a 10% commission on all sales and has a lengthy 45-day cookie window. Additional promotional incentives are offered to top-performing affiliates.

CreateForLess offers various marketing resources to help drive sales and leads, including a product data feed, special promotions, banners, and text links. It is also happy to work with affiliates on custom promotions.

International affiliates should remember that CreateForLess only partners with sites primarily targeting audiences in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

  • URL: CreateForLess affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Craft kits and supplies
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

4 ScrapbookScrapbook is an online store selling supplies for scrapbooking, stamping, and cardmaking. It ships to over 100 countries and stocks 50,000+ products, many of which are exclusively available via the Scrapbook website. All sales carry a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Sign up for Scrapbook’s affiliate program via the ShareASale affiliate network. It has a 30-day cookie duration and pays a baseline commission of 10%, rising to 20% on some products. ShareASale’s 30-day data shows an average order value of $58.10, an EPC of $39.47, and an excellent 10.59% conversion rate.

Scrapbook’s affiliate partners get advance notice on upcoming sales via an exclusive newsletter and invitations to a dedicated Facebook Group. The site runs weekly promotions, plus monthly contests, giveaways, and bonus opportunities. Expert affiliate managers are on hand to share tips and highlight promotional opportunities.

  • URL: Scrapbook affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30days
  • Products/Services sold: Scrapbooking, stamping, and cardmaking supplies
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

5 CreativeLiveCreativeLive offers online classes covering a range of creative hobbies, from art and design to crafts and photography. Its free live classes attract tens of thousands of people, while its paid courses have helped millions of students, artists, and professionals learn new skills.

Subscriptions to CreativeLive cost less than $13 per month and offer access to 2,000 classes taught by experts in their fields, with new classes added monthly. Course materials are downloadable for offline viewing and can be accessed 24/7 via desktop, mobile, and TV.

Sign up for CreativeLive’s affiliate program through the ShareASale affiliate network. The program has a 30-day cookie duration and pays a 30% commission on subscriptions. Be aware that commissions are only paid on sales to new customers.

Commission payments are made in US dollars and carry a minimum monthly threshold of $50. Expect to receive your earnings via check or direct deposit around the 22nd of the month following the initial sale.

CreativeLive prefers to partner with affiliates in the online education, photography, crafting, music, business, and training tools niches. It offers various text links and banners, dedicated affiliate management, and affiliate newsletters containing promotions, program updates, contests, and incentive opportunities.

  • URL: CreativeLive affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 30% on new customer purchases
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

6 AliExpress AliExpress is the world’s seventh-most popular ecommerce website, with an estimated 399 million monthly visitors. It is owned by China-based Alibaba, one of the world’s largest ecommerce companies. The website sells millions of products from 130,000+ sellers and has buyers in over 200 countries and regions.

The company offers a massive selection of DIY-related merchandise, including 60 pages of crafting supplies and thousands of products in the home improvement category.

The AliExpress affiliate program has varying commission rates that climb as high as 50% on some products, although the average commission is 4%. It has a three-day cookie window.

While its terms aren’t the most generous, it’s worth noting that many affiliates are earning serious money through AliExpress. The site paid over $100,000 a month in commissions in 2021, with top performers earning up to $20,000 a month.

(To learn more, check out our in-depth AliExpress affiliate program review.)

  • URL: AliExpress affiliate program
  • Commission rate: Up to 50% (4% average)
  • Cookie duration: Up to 3 days
  • Products/Services sold: Basically everything
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): Global

7 Etsy Etsy is essentially the Amazon (or AliExpress) of unique, creative goods. The website contains more than 60 million product listings, including 18+ million craft supplies — from c​raft kits and art supplies to crochet and knitting patterns.

Find Etsy’s affiliate program on the Awin network. The program pays publishers a standard 4% commission rate and has a 30-day cookie window.

Etsy affiliate partners can access a wide range of banners, including category-specific creatives in various sizes. Members are automatically signed up for the company’s affiliate newsletter, which offers tips, trends, best practices, and information on the latest incentives. The company also provides data feeds for specific product categories.

Before you sign up, be aware Etsy doesn’t accept affiliate partnerships with ad networks or social media pages.

(To learn more, check out our in-depth Etsy affiliate program review.)

  • URL: Etsy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% standard rate for publishers
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Huge range of craft supplies and unique products
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

8 Hobby LobbyOklahoma-based Hobby Lobby is one of America’s most prominent arts and crafts retailers, with more than 800 stores across the US. It sells more than 80,000 products across various DIY-related niches, including arts, crafts, hobbies, and home decor.

Hobby Lobby’s affiliate program is available through the CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers affiliate networks. Both versions offer a three-day cookie window, but CJ Affiliate has a slightly higher commission rate (2% vs. 1.6%). The CJ Affiliate program has a three-month EPC of $10.41.

Joining this affiliate program is one thing; remaining an affiliate partner is another challenge entirely. To stay in the program, you must average $1,000 in monthly revenue during the review period, otherwise Hobby Lobby will kick you to the curb.

Provided you make the grade, Hobby Lobby offers monthly commission payments and dedicated affiliate management.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 2% | 3 days | US | Sign Up | | FlexOffers | 1.6% | 3 days | US | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Arts, crafts, hobbies, various other categories

9 Darn Good YarnDarn Good Yarn is an online store that sells reclaimed and sustainable clothes, fibers, and yarns. As well as running a business, it aims to support fair trade practices, environmental sustainability, and women’s economic empowerment.

The company aims to ship all US orders within one business day, although international orders can take longer.

You must create a ShareASale affiliate network account before applying to Darn Good Yarn’s affiliate program. Once approved, you’ll earn a generous 20% commission per sale, with a lengthy 60-day conversion window. According to 30-day figures from ShareASale, the program has an average order value of $77.64, an EPC of $36.05, and a strong conversion rate of 10%.

Darn Good Yarn offers various affiliate marketing resources, including creatives, a robust data feed, regular coupons and deals, and affiliate newsletters containing the latest product news and promos.

  • URL: Darn Good Yard affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 20% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold: Yarn, clothes, sustainable fibers
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

10 MichaelsDescribing itself as North America’s largest specialist arts and crafts retailer, Michaels stocks products across various DIY categories, including arts, crafts, framing, scrapbooking, and floral arrangements. Michaels currently offers free ground shipping on $39+ orders.

Find the retailer’s affiliate program on the CJ Affiliate network. CJ cites a one-day cookie window and a 2% commission rate, but the Michaels website claims to pay commissions of up to 10% for influencers, bloggers, and makers. According to CJ Affiliate, the program has a three-month EPC of $14.13.

The company operates an incentive program for top-performing affiliates and pays a $100 signup bonus for new affiliates that begin generating sales.

Michaels affiliate partners get access to performance optimization support and paid media placements, particularly during peak periods like back-to-school, Black Friday, and the holidays. The company also offers text and banner links, a product feed, and an email newsletter containing its latest promotions.

  • URL: Michaels affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 2%
  • Cookie duration: 1 day
  • Products/Services sold: Arts, crafts, framing
  • Payment methods: Direct deposit, check, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

11 CreativebugLike CreativeLive, Creativebug offers thousands of arts and handcrafting-related classes that help members learn new skills, from crocheting and baking to sewing and screen printing. Its courses are taught by leading experts like Yao Cheng and Lisa Congdon, with new classes released daily.

Creativebug’s affiliate program, managed through the ShareASale affiliate network, has a 30-day cookie window and pays commissions for two “actions”:

  • New customer free trials pay $8 – $15 per action
  • Multi-month subscription packages and gift subscriptions pay a 30% commission

On top of those standard rates, Creativebug offers special rewards for top referrers. ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an EPC of $23.87 and a 2.33% conversion rate.

Affiliate marketers get complimentary access to Creativebug courses and exclusive promotional assets. The company also offers a data feed, affiliate newsletters, and regular coupon deals.

  • URL: Creativebug affiliate program
  • Commission rate: $8 – $15 per free trial signup, 30% on subscriptions
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Online art and handcrafting classes
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Unlisted

12 BLICK Art MaterialsBLICK Art Materials is one of America’s largest art material suppliers. The company was founded in 1911 and is family-owned to this day. It has an excellent reputation, with Newsweek naming it the #1 online shop in the US across 1,000 retailers. The company stocks more than 110,000 products and offers free shipping on all orders over $49.

BLICK’s affiliate program is available through the CJ Affiliate and ShareASale affiliate networks. However, the ShareASale program offers more attractive rates, with a 15-day cookie window and 105 commission rate (compared to a one-day window and 3% commissions on CJ Affiliate).

According to ShareASale’s 30-day figures, the program has a $110.13 average order value, an EPC of $16.08, and a 1.62% conversion rate.

Once approved for either of BLICK’s DIY affiliate programs, you’ll gain access to various banners and product links. The company also offers a data feed, regular deals and coupons, and a responsive affiliate management team.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | CJ Affiliate | 3% | 1 day | US | Sign Up | | ShareASale | 10% | 15 days | Unlisted | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Art supplies

13 CratejoyCratejoy describes itself as a one-stop destination for all things subscription box. It’s essentially Etsy for subscription boxes, with thousands of sellers offering boxes across various categories, including arts and crafts. Prices vary from box to box. New customers get a 20% discount on their first order by signing up for the Cratejoy newsletter.

Find Cratejoy’s affiliate program on the ShareASale affiliate network. The program pays a standard 8% commission rate, although Cratejoy’s website mentions rates of up to 10%. VIP bonuses are available to top performers, and the company offers regular opportunities for increased commissions and incentives. ShareASale’s 30-day figures show a $98.35 average sale, an EPC of $25.47, and a 2.06% conversion rate.

Commissions are paid by check or direct deposit on the 15th of the following month. In other words, commissions earned in June will be paid around July 15th.

Cratejoy doesn’t offer affiliate discounts, but it does allow affiliate partners to earn commissions on self-purchases.

The company has various tools for driving sales and traffic, including frequent newsletters containing deals, tips, and best practices. It also has a dedicated and engaged affiliate management team.

  • URL: Cratejoy affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 8%+ per sale
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Products/Services sold:
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): Unlisted

ConclusionWe could have included dozens of other programs in this roundup. Even the almighty Amazon affiliate program didn’t make the cut because we only wanted to share the best DIY affiliate programs. So we analyzed 25 top DIY niche websites — including Studio DIY, The Spruce Crafts, Creating Really Awesome Fun Things, and Paper and Stitch — to find out which programs they promote.

Those sites are making bank from DIY affiliate programs — and so can you. There’s just one catch: like any DIY project, it takes time and effort to build and optimize your own niche site.

Fortunately, we can help. Our free affiliate training explains everything you need to know about building affiliate sites, including our top tip on getting backlinks without spending a cent.

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Coca-Cola, beer, and coffee are all popular, but tea is the world’s favorite drink (excluding water). So if you’re looking to promote products with truly global appeal, tea affiliate programs are hard to beat.

The tea market is already huge. And it’s growing fast, with revenue predicted to reach $267 billion in 2025.

Value of the global tea market from 2012 to 2025By that year, global tea consumption is expected to hit 7.4 billion kilograms. Given that 1 kg represents about 500 “cup equivalents,” that means we’ll drink 3.7 trillion cups of tea in 2025

Statistically speaking, Turkey, Ireland, and the UK are the world’s biggest tea lovers, with the US lagging at #35. But the American audience is waking up to the joys of a nice cup of rosy lee; revenue in the US market rose from just $1.84 billion in 1990 to $13.47 billion in 2021.

Want to make money online promoting your favorite tea-related products? We’ve given you a head start by rounding up the 10 best tea affiliate programs…

Why You Should Trust UsWe don’t pretend to know much about rocket science or brain surgery, but we definitely understand affiliate marketing.

We’ve been building and monetizing authority sites across multiple niches for more than a decade now.

Along the way, we’ve shared countless best practices and case studies to help thousands more affiliate marketers make money through The Authority Site System and our free training.

Take Our Free Affiliate Marketing TrainingTea Affiliate Programs1. TeaBox 2. Art of Tea 3. Pique 4. DAVIDsTEA 5. Teatulia 6. Teabloom 7. Harney & Sons 8. Simple Loose Leaf Tea Co 9. Vahdam Teas 10. TeaVivre

1 TeaBox The TeaBox website sells fresh loose-leaf teas from some of the finest estates in India and Nepal, including Assam and Darjeeling. It procures teas within 48 hours of sampling, keeps them at moisture levels of 3% – 4%, then vacuum-packs and stores them in a dehumidified environment to guarantee freshness. Takes just one week for TeaBox teas to travel to the consumer from the tea garden where they’re grown.

TeaBox serves a global audience. The company has shipped the equivalent of over five million cups of tea to customers in 65+ countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Fiji.

Sign up for the TeaBox affiliate program through ShareASale. As an affiliate partner, you’ll earn a baseline commission of 10% per sale, rising to:

  • 12% on monthly sales of $500 – $999.99
  • 13% on monthly sales of $1,000 – $1,499.99
  • 14% on monthly sales of $1,500 – $1,999.99
  • 15% on monthly sales of $2,000+

The affiliate program has a 15-day cookie window and pays commissions immediately after the sale converts. ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average order value of $116.01, an EPC of $47.53, and a solid 3.42% conversion rate.

TeaBox offers various marketing tools and resources, including data feeds, banner ads, text links, creatives, and affiliate newsletters. The program is also supported by a dedicated affiliate manager.

  • URL: TeaBox affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Loose leaf teas
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

2 Art of TeaArt of Tea is an LA-based tea importer and wholesaler. The company hand-blends and crafts organic teas and botanicals selected directly from growers. It has high-profile customers within California and further afield, including Google, WeWork, and the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The Art of Tea affiliate program is managed through ShareASale, with affiliate partners earning a 10% commission on all sales. The program has a 30-day cookie window. According to ShareASale’s 30-day tracking data, the website has an average order value of $85.01, a $36.19 EPC, and a conversion rate of 3.08%.

Once approved as an Art of Tea affiliate, you’ll receive the company’s affiliate newsletter, containing tips, recommendations, and product news. Art of Tea also offers a data feed and various creative assets. The program is managed by AMWSO Affiliate Management.

  • URL: Art of Tea affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Organic teas, teaware
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

3 PiquePique is all about the healing power of tea. It sells tea and super plant supplements sourced from some of the world’s most biodiverse regions. The company’s trademarked Full-Spectrum Isolate Synthesis process is designed to offer the highest nutritional benefit from its natural ingredients.

As well as its online store, Pique operates a tea subscription service, offering free US shipping and a discount of 10% per order. The website also ships internationally to various marketers, although shipping costs range from $25 – $65 per order.

Unlike most other programs in the tea niche, Pique operates an in-house tea affiliate program. As an affiliate partner, you’ll receive a 10% commission on every sale, with a chance for higher earnings based on performance. Regular cash bonus opportunities are offered throughout the year.

Once you join the program, you can access a vast selection of marketing tools and assets, including a personalized coupon code offering your audience 5% off their first purchase. Pique affiliates receive a personalized discount on all products, the ability to request free samples, and a chance to host giveaways. The company also provides customized support and creative assets.

  • URL: Pique affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: Unlisted
  • Products/Services sold: Black tea, green tea, herbal tea, supplements
  • Payment methods: Unlisted
  • Market(s): US, Australia, Canada, select EU countries

4 DAVIDsTEA DAVIDsTEA offers tea blends crafted from premium full-leaf teas and whole ingredients, all sourced from sustainable tea gardens worldwide. It sells 100+ loose-leaf teas via its website and network of over 200 stores across the US and Canada, with free shipping available on orders over $65.

The company’s tea affiliate program, managed through CJ Affiliate, pays commissions of 8% on new customer sales and 4% on orders from existing customers. It also features a private commission and consumer offer. The program has a 15-day cookie window and a three-month EPC of $15.22.

Commissions are paid on or around the 20th of each month, provided you hit the (unlisted) payment threshold.

DAVIDsTEA affiliates get access to the brand’s latest banners and text links, and a regularly updated product data feed. The company also has an affiliate team staffed by experienced online marketers who can offer tips to optimize your campaigns.

  • URL: DAVIDsTEA affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 8% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 15 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tea blends, organic herbal infusions, single-ingredient teas
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit
  • Market(s): US, Canada

5 TeatuliaTeatulia sells single-garden organic teas and herbal infusions that reflect the pristine and delicate environment of the Northern Bangladeshi region for which the company is named. The company stocks 10 different tea and herbal varieties sold in loose packaging and silken tea pyramids. It offers free ground shipping on orders of $49+ to the lower 48 states.

Through its cooperative movement, Teatulia has established healthcare, education, and cattle-lending programs for workers in its tea garden and the surrounding areas.

Find Teatulia affiliate program on ShareASale. It has a 30-day cookie duration and pays a 12% commission on all orders. According to ShareASale, the program has an average order value of $36.34 and a 30-day EPC of $2.72.

Teatulia offers various resources to help affiliates drive traffic and sales, including an updated data feed and dedicated affiliate program management.

  • URL: Teatulia affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Single-garden organic teas, herbal infusions
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, select EU countries

6 TeabloomTeabloom is an online retailer of tea gift sets and blooming tea flowers hand-sewn by artisans using high-quality tea leaves and edible dried flowers. It stocks more than 100 gift sets and offers free standard shipping across the US, including Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories.

As well as selling tea, the company is committed to sustainability. Its pyramid tea packaging is made from compostable, renewable material that breaks down in just a few months, compared to 100 – 500 years for petroleum-based plastics.

Teabloom’s affiliate program is on the ShareASale network. It has a 45-day cookie duration and pays a 12% last-click commission on all affiliate sales, plus a $10 cash bonus on your first transaction. ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average order of $47.35, an EPC of $35.51, and a strong 5.94% conversion rate.

Teabloom affiliates can access various high-converting marketing materials and 24/7 support from the company’s affiliate management team. The brand also offers review samples to select affiliates.

  • URL: Teabloom affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Tea flowers, tea gift sets, teaware
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US only

7 Harney & SonsAs the name suggests, Harney & Sons is a family-owned business. Now run by the third generation of Harneys, it sells 300+ varieties of high-quality teas sourced from the world’s finest regions. The company offers free US shipping on all orders and has a 30-day return period.

Harney & Sons stocks Fair Trade Certified teas that support fair trade practices worldwide. It has also partnered with 1% for the Planet for over a decade, donating 1% of yearly sales to environmental causes.

The brand operates tea affiliate programs on three networks: Refersion, SOVRN, and Yazing. Refersion’s figures show an EPC of $81.98. Commissions are paid 30 days after the conversion takes place.

| Network | Commission | Cookie Duration | Market | URL | | Refersion | 10% | 30 days | – | Sign Up | | SOVRN | – | – | – | Sign Up | | Yazing | 6% | – | – | Sign Up |

  • Products/Services sold: Premium teas
  • Payment methods: Dependent on the network
  • Market(s): Global

8 Simple Loose Leaf Tea CoSimple Loose Leaf is a tea subscription box featuring four teas each month, with each sample making 7 – 21+ cups of tea. The company offers 150+ premium loose-leaf teas, from herbal teas and green blends to black and oolong teas. Subscription prices for personalized tea sampler boxes start at $19.90 for a single month, including free shipping.

All Simple subscribers also gain members-only discounts for the company’s online tea shop, allowing them to buy their favorite teas at an affordable price.

Simple Loose Leaf Tea Co’s affiliate program is managed through ShareASale and pays a flat 10% commission, with a 30-day cookie duration. ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an average order value of $66.61, an EPC of over $30, and a strong 4.9% conversion rate.

The company offers various marketing materials, including coupons, creatives, a robust data feed, and affiliate newsletters.

Before applying, be aware that Simple doesn’t work with affiliates that rely on coupons to drive traffic.

  • URL: Simple Loose Leaf Tea Co affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 10% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Loose leaf teas
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): US, Canada

9 Vahdam Teas Established in India in 1933, Vahdam sells gourmet teas sourced directly from acclaimed farms to tea lovers worldwide. The company currently offers 150+ single-estate blends, plus an array of gifts and accessories. Big names like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres have recommended its products.

Vahdam has shipped the equivalent of 125+ million cups of tea to over 75 countries and has an exceptional repeat order ratio of 70% over the past 12 months. It reinvests 1% of all revenue into education programs for tea growers’ children.

Sign up for the Vahdam Teas affiliate program via ShareASale. The program has a 30-day cookie duration and pays a baseline commission of 4%, rising to 15% on select deal creatives. Its English-language website has an average order value of $110, while ShareASale’s 30-day figures show an EPC of $60.98 and a superb 11% conversion rate.

Vahdam has a dedicated affiliate project manager and offers various affiliate marketing resources, including creatives, coupons, a newsletter, and a data feed.

  • URL: Vahdam affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 4% – 15% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Products/Services sold: Gourmet teas
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

10 TeaVivreTeaVivre is run by a group of tea lovers from China, France, and Canada. Based in China, they frequently scour the country to offer the best Chinese teas at an affordable price. The company offers free shipping to most countries on $40+ orders and has a 15-day no-questions-asked refund policy.

Find the TeaVivre affiliate program on ShareASale. It pays a flat 12% commission on all sales and has a lengthy 45-day cookie window. According to ShareASale’s 30-day data, the program has an average sale value of $75+ and an EPC of $23.96.

TeaVivre aims to partner with affiliate website or blog owners who write about tea, food, drink, health, or lifestyle-related topics. The company offers access to high-quality creative assets to help affiliates drive sales.

  • URL: TeaVivre affiliate program
  • Commission rate: 12% per sale
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Products/Services sold: Chinese teas, teaware, gifts
  • Payment methods: Check, direct deposit, international direct deposit, wire transfer, Payoneer
  • Market(s): Global

ConclusionThere are dozens of solid tea affiliate programs that could have made our list. But we only wanted to share the best affiliate programs in the tea niche. So we analyzed 15 top tea affiliate sites, including Brewed Leaf Love, Let’s Drink Tea, and Tea Lovers, to see which programs they promote.

What does this tell us? That the world’s biggest tea affiliates are making money from these affiliate programs. And you can, too, provided you know how to build and optimize a high-performing affiliate site.

That’s where we come in. We’ve launched and scaled affiliate websites in countless niches. And because we’re good people, we’re happy to share our learnings.

Just sign up for our free training and we’ll reveal seven affiliate marketing secrets to building successful sites, including one fantastic tip on how to build fast sites that rank quickly.

We’ll see you there. Until then, stick the kettle on!

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Sure, the last couple years haven’t been a great time to join airline affiliate programs. But the times they are a-changin’. Research from March 2022 revealed that 70% of Americans planned to take a leisure trip in the next 12 months, while 47% were planning to or more trips within the same period. Meanwhile, a ... Read more

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Sure, the last couple years haven’t been a great time to join airline affiliate programs. But the times they are a-changin’. Research from March 2022 revealed that 70% of Americans planned to take a leisure trip in the next 12 months, while 47% were planning to or more trips within the same period. Meanwhile, a ... Read more

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With travel affiliate programs, you get to make money online by writing about the topic you love. And there’s certainly a lot of money to be made in the travel niche. In 2019 alone, spending on leisure tourism passed $4.6 trillion, with 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in that year. Granted, the travel industry ... Read more

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The yoga industry is predicted to be worth more than $60 billion by 2026. From 2022 – 2027, it’s expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of almost 10%. It’s easy to see why when you look at the huge increase in Americans practicing yoga: One of our favorite things about the yoga ... Read more

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The yoga industry is predicted to be worth more than $60 billion by 2026. From 2022 – 2027, it’s expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of almost 10%. It’s easy to see why when you look at the huge increase in Americans practicing yoga: One of our favorite things about the yoga ... Read more

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Affiliate marketing is a global business worth more than $19 billion a year. As an affiliate marketer, you can have a website hosted in the US that promotes products in Asia to customers in Europe. But sometimes, it makes sense to stay a little closer to home. If you’re based in the land of syrup ... Read more

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You only get one body. Well, unless you know something we don’t. So it makes perfect sense that people are willing to spend large amounts of money to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. And this is why the global health and wellness industry is currently worth an estimated US$4.4 trillion. That’s a whole ... Read more

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You only get one body. Well, unless you know something we don’t. So it makes perfect sense that people are willing to spend large amounts of money to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. And this is why the global health and wellness industry is currently worth an estimated US$4.4 trillion. That’s a whole ... Read more

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The global website builders market is predicted to reach $2.62 billion by 2027, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 8% from 2020 onward. That makes website builder affiliate programs highly attractive. Beyond the financial rewards, there’s another enticing reason to promote the best website builders: they’re relevant to audiences in a wide ... Read more

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The global website builders market is predicted to reach $2.62 billion by 2027, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 8% from 2020 onward. That makes website builder affiliate programs highly attractive. Beyond the financial rewards, there’s another enticing reason to promote the best website builders: they’re relevant to audiences in a wide ... Read more

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Ever watched The Great British Baking Show? If you’ve seen the contestants fixate over dough and stress about whether their latest creations will collapse, it’s easy to dismiss baking as a twee hobby. But it’s also big business, with the global bakery products market expected to be worth more than $590 billion by 2028. You ... Read more

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Ever watched The Great British Baking Show? If you’ve seen the contestants fixate over dough and stress about whether their latest creations will collapse, it’s easy to dismiss baking as a twee hobby. But it’s also big business, with the global bakery products market expected to be worth more than $590 billion by 2028. You ... Read more

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Dental affiliate programs are definitely something to get your teeth into.  According to SNOW Teeth Whitening, 57% of Americans are so insecure about their teeth that they cover their mouth when they smile. What’s more, research from Pronamel discovered that oral health is more important to Americans than weight, mental health, and exercise. In other ... Read more

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Global demand for silver is on the rise. Sales of physical silver products — think bars and bullion coins — are expected to increase by 13% in 2022, representing a seven-year high. So if you’re thinking of joining silver affiliate programs, now’s the time to do it. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an economist ... Read more

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Payhip is an easy way to set up an online store with minimal investment. You need an afternoon to put something together. You don’t even have to pay anything upfront. All of this is perfect for someone with an existing audience who wants to see how easily they can start selling. But Payhip isn’t a ... Read more

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People read for lots of reasons. Some do it for entertainment, while others do it because they have to for their college course. And some read to their kids because their parents read to them when they were younger. The fact remains that the written word is still incredibly important to people all over the ... Read more

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Love spending time in the great outdoors? Do you dream about scaling mountains, leaping across streams, and camping under the stars? And do you have your own website (or plan to launch one)? If you answered “yes” to all those questions, outdoor affiliate programs are definitely for you. There are plenty of scopes to make ... Read more

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Know online marketing inside-out? Love recommending the best tools to help businesses grow their audience and sell more products? Then email marketing affiliate programs could be the passive income stream you’ve been looking for. From small business owners to global eCommerce businesses and everyone in between, pretty much every brand in the world does email ... Read more

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In 2009, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) introduced its guidelines on affiliate disclosure to ensure that consumers were made fully aware of any financial relationship between a website and the products or services they might recommend via endorsements or testimonials. Up to this point, consumers had no idea if the site they were browsing was ... Read more

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As of right now, 94% of adults in the United States watch YouTube at least once a month. But YouTube also has 2 billion users worldwide. And between them, they watch 1 billion hours of YouTube videos every day. One billion hours! What I’m getting at here is that this is a huge potential audience ... Read more

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The cell phone industry is worth half a trillion dollars per year. As of right now, there are roughly 3.5 billion cell phones in the world. So, almost 50% of humanity now owns at least one mobile phone. Which is nuts when you think about it. And programs like Starlink could cause a huge uptick ... Read more

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If someone had mentioned “CBD affiliate programs” to you five years ago, you likely wouldn’t have known what they were talking about. What on earth does “CBD” stand for? Today, pretty much everyone knows about CBD (or cannabidiol, to use its full name). It’s a chemical substance found in cannabis that doesn’t get you high, ... Read more

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Affiliate marketing vs MLM (or “multi level marketing”, to give its full name) is a choice considered by plenty of people looking to make money online. To make the right choice, you first need to understand the key differences between the two, which is exactly why we’re writing this article! Affiliate Marketing vs MLM: What’s ... Read more

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The first website went online in August 1991. Now barely three decades later, there are 1.72 billion active websites, with more added every single day. Each of them is sitting on a web host somewhere. All part of an industry worth a projected $115.3 billion within the next 5 years.  But as the ship sailed ... Read more

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Candle affiliate programs are lighting up the affiliate marketing world right now. The global candle industry is expected to be worth almost $10 billion by 2028, up from just about $7 billion in 2021. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%, with much of that upturn driven by demand for premium soy candles. Google ... Read more

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In this coming guide, I will show you how to write a product review that does not alienate your readers but can still generate good revenue for your website. But first, let’s summarise how searching for feedback about a product you are about to buy usually goes… Step 1: type “product” + review in Google. Step 2: your eyes ... Read more

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Welcome to another of our famous Authority Hacker affiliate program roundups. This time we’re covering hotel affiliate programs, including some you’ve never heard of. A lot of affiliates can be put off by the perception that the “hotel booking” niche is too competitive. It can be. But its revenue trend from 2011 – 2017 looks ... Read more

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If you’ve got a pet, you’d probably do whatever it takes to make them happy. You’ll buy them the comfiest bed, the tastiest food, the most luxurious treats… Because they’re worth it, right? That’s exactly why you should consider creating a pet niche website. And if you’ve already got one, you should definitely read on ... Read more

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Welcome to the latest of our affiliate program reviews – this time around we look at Walmart’s affiliate program. After all, they are Amazon’s biggest competitor in North America, so it makes sense to see what Walmart has to bring to the table for affiliate marketers. This is a company with enormous resources and reach, ... Read more

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Google Trends data shows there’s been a significant upturn in search activity around affiliate marketing in Canada over the past five years: When you dig into the numbers, it’s easy to see why becoming an affiliate marketer is an attractive prospect for many Canadians. For starters, they love working from home. According to the Angus ... Read more

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Pet blogging is one of our favorite niches. Why? Because pet owners love their furry, feathery, or scaly friends. They’d do pretty much anything to make them happy. And that includes spending a bunch of money on them. Figures show that pet lovers in the US spend an average of $1,201 per year on dogs ... Read more

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In this roundup, we look at some of the best vegan affiliate programs on the Interwebs right now. These are ideal for anyone with a blog dedicated to the vegan lifestyle. What’s that…you’re not sure if there’s a big enough market for your content? 6% of people in the United States now identify as vegan. ... Read more

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Want to know the best thing about grocery affiliate programs? You’re recommending products that literally everyone needs to buy. No more trying to persuade your website visitors that they simply must have a new pair of suede loafers or a designer watch; just give them a convenient way to get food delivered to their house. ... Read more

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Semrush has a ton of useful features. With it, you can: Do competitor analysis Find the right keywords to rank Augment your paid advertising campaigns Analyze other pages on the SE ranking Get insights on your social media presence And many other things. But, it’s not a perfect tool. It has a cumbersome interface, it’s ... Read more

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So, you want a variety of affiliate programs that pay daily? Okay, we can do that. These types of affiliate programs do exist. Although finding programs that pay weekly is a lot easier. But we get that not every affiliate can wait 90 days to get paid. However, affiliate programs that pay daily tend not ... Read more

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It pays to know about the best recurring affiliate programs. In fact, it pays over and over again! Honestly, as an affiliate marketer, affiliate programs with recurring incomes are your best friend. Why get paid once for referring a customer when you could get multiple paydays?  Recurring affiliate programs often offer a big monthly payout ... Read more

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Affiliate marketers tend to gravitate towards whatever social network is in vogue. But Twitter rarely gets a second look. In fact, you’ll rarely hear an affiliate marketing “guru” talk about it. Probably because they’re too busy posting pictures of their rented Lamborghini on other social media platforms.  So, viewed subjectively Twitter would appear to be ... Read more

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In this blog post, we’re going to delve into the world of the best gaming affiliate programs. Unless you’ve spent time as a gamer or around gamers, you probably have no idea how utterly obsessed most of us are with our hobby. For example, I learned to touch-type because I’d stay up all night playing ... Read more

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Typically, we love to start our blogs with a jazzy anecdote or a snappy statistic.  But you’re here for a Coinbase affiliate program review, so we’re going to break with tradition and get straight into it.  Read on and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Coinbase affiliate program, including: What the ... Read more

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We live in an entrepreneurial age. Two in five Americans plan to start their own business in 2022, according to research from Digital.com, while a survey from Junior Achievement USA found that 60% of teens would rather start their own business than have a traditional job. And, with the ever-growing popularity of ecommerce, it’s a ... Read more

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The most profitable niches in affiliate marketing are those with evergreen demand, ones that have raving fans, or both of those factors combined. If you’re going to invest the time, money and effort required to build an affiliate site, then it makes sense to ask in advance if the niche itself is potentially profitable over ... Read more

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Whether you’re an experienced affiliate marketer or a total newbie, it definitely pays to know the best CPA networks. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons. The best CPA networks offer comparatively high payouts, boast thousands of CPA offers, and best of all, you don’t necessarily even need to convince people to hit your affiliate ... Read more

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Infusionsoft, a product created by the “Keap” brand, is a software designed for productivity. Typically used by small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, Infusionsoft gives you the tools you need to stay productive and service customers.  For instance, it offers features like marketing automation, appointment scheduling, lead analytics, and online sales services. Regarded by ... Read more

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Building anything properly requires the right tools. And that’s as true of your affiliate marketing business as it is anything else. Part of the reason we’ve been so successful in building and selling affiliate sites is that we use the best affiliate marketing tools. We use them to scale up our business and improve our ... Read more

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Financial affiliate programs can sound a little scary. But trust us — you don’t need to be a certified public accountant or a financial adviser to make money in the personal finance niche. You just need to find the best financial affiliate programs, direct your audience toward them, and let the big banks, credit card ... Read more

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Surely the world doesn’t need more websites? The internet must be full by now, right? Actually, no. According to one recent survey, an astonishing one in five small businesses still don’t have a website. Of those that don’t, the vast majority (86%, to be precise) plan to build one in the next few years. To ... Read more

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If you’ve been involved in affiliate marketing for any amount of time, you probably know a little bit about creating websites. (And if you’re new to this, I’d definitely recommend checking out our guide on how to become an affiliate marketer.) You’ve almost certainly encountered Wix at some point on your journey. You might not ... Read more

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Jasper AI and Copy AI are both amazing AI writing assistants. Both of them can help you kickstart your writing process, and even output first-draft-worthy content. But which one is better overall? Which one should you pick for long-form content? What about short-form? Which one is more affordable? These are just some of the questions ... Read more

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Got a passion for life-long learning? Interested in developing your skills (and recommending the products that helped you out along the way)? Education affiliate programs could be the perfect way for you to earn a bunch of affiliate income. Turns out there’s a ton of money in online learning. In 2020, the global e-learning market ... Read more

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ClickBank was the big cheese in the digital products market for a long time. But times have changed. And your needs as an affiliate can change too. For the average affiliate, ClickBank just doesn’t have the same variety of offers it once had. So…what gives? One issue is there are now other platforms out there ... Read more

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Not everyone is destined to be the next Van Gogh or Monet. But there’s a teeny streak of artist in all of us. And that reveals itself in our fascination with arts and crafts. You might knit, sew, crochet, or embroider.  Or maybe you get your kicks building and painting model airplanes. That’s all part ... Read more

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Alibaba has been one of the most disruptive forces in the history of e-commerce. Outside maybe the Dotcom crash. Businesses all over the world now had access to thousands of Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers. All via a single website. So it made sense for Jack Ma to look at connecting the consumer market directly to ... Read more

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Welcome to our Builderall affiliate program review. Pull up a chair, because we’re going to explain: What Builderall does Why Builderall’s niche is so attractive to affiliate marketers How the Builderall affiliate program works What’s good (and not so good) about it How to make money online promoting Builderall Sounds good? Then let’s get straight ... Read more

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You’ve probably heard the Fiverr marketplace is one of the world’s largest freelancer communities. Maybe you’ve even considered signing up for it as a seller offering digital marketing services. But selling freelance services is a lot of work (trust me, I’ve done it myself). Wouldn’t you rather earn passive income by promoting Fiverr services? If ... Read more

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Walmart affiliate vs. Amazon affiliate program: it’s the eternal choice faced by many an affiliate marketer. Amazon’s website carries more than 350 million products, including 12 million sold by Amazon itself, while Walmart.com stocks approximately 75 million items. So whatever niche you’re part of — whether you’re promoting $500 kitchen knives, the latest electronics, low-cost ... Read more

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If you value simplicity and speed in execution, Rytr is probably the best AI writing assistant you can choose. Its interface is very user-friendly, and it doesn’t sacrifice too much functionality to achieve this. Not to mention, the price is really good. So can all of this makeup for poor long-form output, and less than ... Read more

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AI writing assistants like Jasper can really help you pump out a lot of content in a really short span of time. SEO content tools like Surfer SEO will help you figure out what headlines and keywords to use in an article. So what if you mixed them together?  That’s the answer Frase IO tried ... Read more

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A few years ago, I was interviewing for a Content Writer position. As a part of the recruitment process, I had to do a live test assignment. It was nothing special – I just had to write a few real estate listings. When I got to their HQ, a very nice lady welcomed me and ... Read more

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AI Writing software promises to revolutionize the world of content and copywriting. And they may do that at some point. But as it stands right now, AI writing assistants are just that: assistants that can pick up some of the content slack. But you’ll need to edit the output of an AI tool heavily. Not ... Read more

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Love the blockchain? Got a passion for investing? Capable of explaining tricky technical concepts in layman’s terms? NFT affiliate programs could be perfect for you. Unlike your common-or-garden crypto affiliate programs, NFT affiliate programs are specifically about all things non-fungible token-related. That means anything to do with trading NFTs, plus supplementary niches such as software ... Read more

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And now it’s time to cover pay per lead (PPL) affiliate programs. These offers are a sub category of CPA (Cost Per Action) that rewards the affiliate for generating a lead for the advertising company. But we’re not going to do what everyone else does with their roundups. Which means we won’t spam you with ... Read more

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Nobody starts a business with the goal of earning barely enough to pay their bills. You start a business to create a better life for you and your family. To provide you with financial freedom. Affiliate marketing is no different in that regard.  So it’s always good to have at least some idea of how ... Read more

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People lost their damned minds during the Bitcoin boom of 2016. Some lunatics went as far as remortgaging their homes to buy into the crypto gold rush…only to watch Bitcoin stumble, fall and then crash. So, why on Earth would we put together a roundup of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency affiliate programs? Well because Bitcoin has ... Read more

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How would it feel to make $1,250 in affiliate commissions per referral…instead of the $12.50 you get right now? Pretty amazing, I’m sure? Now while that probably sounds hyperbolic, it’s absolutely possible with high ticket affiliate programs. In fact, you can earn anywhere from $100 to $1,000+ in affiliate commissions per sale. And without promoting ... Read more

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People will get married almost no matter what their personal circumstances are. Plague, war, or economic downturn? Marriage stats barely register a blip. In fact, the wedding industry is showing almost 2% growth year-on-year, for the last decade. Even during some of the worst examples of economic turmoil in history. This market is worth at ... Read more

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Back in the day, we had sites like MySpace and Bebo. These were then run out of town by Facebook and Twitter. TikTok is now stealing key user demographics away from companies like Facebook, and especially YouTube. Proof that any social media platform can be replaced. This app is disrupting the market.  New frontiers are ... Read more

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Here at Authority Hacker, we love real estate affiliate programs. Given that the real estate industry in the United States is currently worth an estimated US$30 trillion, it’s not hard to figure out why. Basically, there’ll always be a demand for information and services within the real estate market. Because property isn’t ever going to ... Read more

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Ahrefs is one of the best SEO tools around and I was surprised to see how many people are looking for ahrefs alternatives. We’ve often compared it to the most popular seo tools and rarely found a competitor that could beat them in terms of quality of data. However, while they are in our eyes ... Read more

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Podcasts have, in part, changed how you consume information. For years, people relied on legacy media channels (Fox, CNN) to tell them what shape the world was in. And then all of a sudden, a new breed of news commentator emerged – the podcaster. People could now pick and choose who they listened to, getting ... Read more

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It’s funny the things you pick up when doing research for a review like this. Like the fact that 100% of the other JVZoo “reviews” are hilariously shilling for a notoriously bad affiliate marketing training program. But those reviews aren’t biased, right? It’s not 2008 guys – maybe learn a new tactic. Anyways, I promise ... Read more

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There are several different types of affiliate networks you can sign up with. You have traditional CPS networks and specialized CPA platforms. And then you have a hybrid network like VigLink. VigLink is somewhere between CJ and AdSense in that it converts existing outgoing links on your pages into affiliate links. You get paid per ... Read more

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While everyone else is running around setting up the next “pet food” niche site, we have something different to share with you. The pet insurance niche. Is it a growth market? Yup. And the demand for pet insurance is set to double within the next 5 years. This will result in an industry worth at ... Read more

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If you’ve been on the affiliate marketing circuit for a while you’ll be familiar with ShareASale. Back in the day, it existed alongside Commission Junction, Linkshare and ClickBank as pretty much the biggest networks out there. Don’t forget to check out our reviews of Rakuten Advertising, Commission Junction and ClickBank. The fact that they were ... Read more

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In this blog post, we’re going to share with you 29 of the best fitness affiliate programs out there. They weren’t easy to find – we had to filter through thousands of them – but we think the net result is worth it. Getting and staying fit is one of the best things you can ... Read more

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If your WordPress site loads very slowly, you’re in for a world of trouble.

For starters, you’re not going to pass the Core Web Vitals. This will hurt your SEO, and drive down traffic.

And even if you get traffic, your user metrics will be worse.

This is why WordPress performance plugins matter a lot. A WordPress performance plugin will make sure your site’s loading fast and keeping Google happy.

What Is A WordPress Performance Plugin? A performance plugin intervenes in your WordPress site processes to make them faster, or more efficient. Most commonly, performance plugins optimize your cache, files, images, or database.

This way, your site loads faster, your visitors have a better experience, and you can even pass the Core Web Vitals.

As long as you pick the best tool.

But there are dozens of caching plugins out there. How do you choose?

Best Wordpress Performance Plugins Any caching plugin that can help you pass the Core Web Vitals is a good option.

You’re looking for that screen in the Google Pagespeed Insights.

The thing is, different sites need different fixes.

For example, if you built your site with a lightweight theme like GeneratePress, you might not need too many fixes for your JavaScript files.

But if you used a page builder like Elementor, the opposite is true.

So the best WordPress performance plugin is the one that solves your website’s performance diagnostics.

And that’s why we used a few criteria to create this roundup:

  • Features. Both how many features a WordPress plugin has, as well as how well they address common WordPress speed optimization needs.

  • Test results. We’re looking for a better performance, so how well a cache plugin worked in our tests is crucial.

  • Accessibility. Website speed is a very complicated thing. And it’s highly technical. So if a plugin is easier to use, we’ll rank it higher.

  • Pricing. The pricing of WordPress performance plugins can vary a lot. From a simple free plugin, to advanced all-in-one WordPress plugins, we included a bit of everything.

Nitropack

Nitropack is our go-to solution for WordPress website performance boosts.

It has every feature you need to improve your speed, including a CDN, lazy loading, image optimization, and exhaustive CSS and JavaScript modification:

Not to mention, it’s VERY easy to deploy.

You need about 5 minutes, and you’re good to go.

The test results are impressive too:

But it’s not the best pick for everyone.

And that’s because of its pricing:

It’s the most expensive tool on this list by far. WordPress caching plugins are usually free, or around $49/year.

With Nitropack, you can end up spending thousands of dollars per year, if you get over 1 million visitors.

So while it’s an easy to use, all-in-one speed optimization plugin, it’s not for everyone.

WP Rocket

If you can’t afford Nitropack, WP Rocket is a very good, and cheaper alternative.

It’s still somewhat expensive, with a minimum subscription of $49/year to use the tool:

Other plugins on this list have a free version, and are slightly cheaper.

But you get your money’s worth with WP Rocket.

It’s the best WordPress caching plugin if you’re on a budget and a free plugin didn’t help.

With WP Rocket, you get an advanced caching functionality:

Image lazy loading, which can decrease HTTP requests:

Database cleanup:

And the best one, file optimization:

Besides WP Rocket’s tools, you can also get a CDN integration, and other add-ons:

On top of all of that, WP Rocket is extremely easy to use. Speed optimization plugins can get confusing, but WP Rocket manages to stay accessible, even with a ton of advanced features.

Autoptimize

Autoptimize is not too impressive on its own.

It’s mostly a good way to fill in the gaps left by WP Rocket. Autoptimize is great to minify CSS, optimize JavaScript, and even cleanup HTML:

But that’s it. It doesn’t deal with WordPress cache, it doesn’t optimize images, or boast any other optimization features.

It’s just good to tidy up your static files.

On its own, that wouldn’t be enough to speed up your website. But luckily, Autoptimize can work at the same time as WP Rocket.

LiteSpeedCache

LiteSpeedCache is a good alternative to WP Rocket, if you have the time to set it up.

The caching plugin isn’t anything impressive on its own. It just has the basic options for WordPress speed optimization.

But it can REALLY power up your WordPress website when you integrate with QUIC.cloud.

That’s pretty difficult for a beginner. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

If you invest the time though, you can get one of the best WordPress performance plugins.

And you get all of that for much less than what you pay on WP Rocket. You can even settle for the free version.

If you have some experience playing around the WordPress dashboard, you can give it a try.

WP-Optimize

WP-Optimize is the best free plugin to improve your WordPress website performance.

It has advanced caching rules for you to set-up:

They recently also added file modification:

But WP-Optimize is mostly known for its WordPress database cleanup tools:

And its ability to optimize WordPress images:

Some paid plugins don’t even have image compression! So WP-Optimize is one of the best WordPress plugins for speed and performance optimization.

WP Super Cache

WP Super Cache is a WordPress plugin with quite some history.

And it’s one of the best solutions if you want caching.

They have advanced options for all things cache, as well as support to enable a Content Delivery Network service.

However, we don’t recommend WP Super Cache to beginners.

There are just too many options to get bogged down in:

Advanced users will love the customization options WP Super Cache offers.

But for anyone else, it’s just a headache to make sense of all of those settings.

Not to mention, WP Super Cache doesn’t have all the features you find in the best WordPress speed tools.

WP Fastest Cache

WP Fastest Cache is a premium plugin that also has a free option.

And it has very similar functionalities to most entries on this list.

You can use it to optimize your WordPress site cache:

Or do some file optimization:

However, you don’t get a lot of value in the free version. For example, you can’t minify JavaScript, or optimize Google Fonts.

Those are crucial capabilities for a fast loading website, because they address common issues found in the Google Pagespeed Insights test.

Not to mention, the interface is outdated:

So while it’s not our go-to option, it can still be a great plugin for some people.

As long as your WordPress website can load faster, you’re doing it right.

Breeze

Breeze is a new WordPress plugin with a user-friendly interface, and a big company behind it.

It’s built by Cloudflare, and it has the potential to rival the other popular WordPress plugins on this list.

Unfortunately, it’s not there yet.

Breeze is easy to use, and it has some great features to speed up your WordPress site.

But it has much fewer customization options than most of its competitors.

Not to mention, it didn’t perform as well in our tests:

So Breeze might be a good choice if you use Cloudflare. And we have faith it will be improved in the months and years to come.

But as it stands now, there are better WordPress performance plugins out there.

W3 Total Cache

If you’re looking for maximum control over caching, W3 Total Cache is the WordPress plugin for you.

You get tons of customization options:

For all types of caching:

None of the other performance plugins can compare.

W3 Total Cache also has options to optimize CSS files or minify JavaScript:

Unfortunately, its premium version is pretty expensive ($99/year).

The interface is pretty outdated:

A lot of free plugins make it much easier to optimize your WordPress site.

Not to mention, W3 Total Cache didn’t perform too well in our tests:

So if you’re experienced and can make the most out of W3, give it a try. But for most people, the ease of use in other WordPress plugins is worth the sacrifice of deep caching customization.

FlyingPress

FlyingPress is a heavyweight among WordPress plugins.

It’s actually very similar to Nitropack in how much it can do for WordPress speed optimization:

A complete, all-in-one solution, that can actually be pretty affordable:

You can also bundle a CDN on top of that:

So while it is one of the more expensive WordPress plugins, its extensive feature list makes it worth a try.

Swift Performance

Swift Performance is pretty good at caching:

Even if it’s not the best plugin for file optimization.

It also has a great interface, and installation process:

So you can give it a shot, it has a decent free option.

Just beware, it has a lot of bad reviews. In our experience, it was a pretty decent plugin.

But other users weren’t as fortunate:

WP Performance Score Booster

“Lightweight” is an understatement if you’re describing the WP Performance Score Booster.

It has no lazy load, no database optimization, and very few settings for speed improvement:

That’s everything you get in the free version.

They’re decent options!

And if your site issues can be solved by those features, WP Performance Score Booster can be a great WordPress plugin for you.

But in most cases, you need something with a little bit more power under the hood.

Cache Enabler

Cache Enabler has a pretty intuitive name. It helps you set-up your browser caching, database caching, and any other form of cache you need.

It has exhaustive options.

So it’s recommended for people with a bit more experience.

But even then, the outdated interface might turn some users away. Even W3 Total Cache is slightly prettier.

AssetCleanup

All WordPress plugins create assets. Unfortunately, some of these plugins load their assets on all of your pages, even if they’re not being used everywhere.

For example, imagine you use a pop-up plugin to convert people on your sales page.

Well, that plugin might load assets on your home page as well.

That’s where AssetCleanup can help. This plugin cleans up assets that are not being used:

And while it may seem like a small thing, it can have a huge impact on site speed.

And it’s not something that most WordPress performance plugins do. So this tool might come in handy, on top of any other WordPress plugin you have installed to improve performance.

PerfMatters

PerfMatters is developed by Kinsta, and it’s very similar to AssetCleanup.

It’s an add-on that can help with the fine retouches on your WordPress site, like:

  • Removing unused CSS
  • Delaying JavaScript
  • Optimizing the fonts of your site

The thing is, good WordPress performance plugins already take care of this stuff. So PerfMatters can help, as long as your first option can’t take care of everything.

For example, it can be a good idea to use it with WP-Optimize. Just make sure you deactivate minification in WP-Optimize beforehand.

Imagify

Imagify is an image compression and optimization toolset that goes way beyond lazy loading.

If you have problems with your images in Google Pagespeed:

Imagify can take care of it. From compression to adaptive resizing, it will make your images load faster, and improve your site speed.

But there are cheaper alternatives, so keep reading if you’re looking for budget options that do more than just lazy load images.

Unbloater

Bloat can be a big problem for your site speed. And this can come from a lot of problems, like jquery-migrate, or even WordPress’ heartbeat itself.

Unbloater is a comprehensive solution for bloat, letting you take care of a lot of problems that might decrease page load times.

So you can give it a try if bloat is a problem on your site.

OMGF

Google fonts are notorious for causing problems with Google Pagespeed Insights:

If you run into that issue, you can use OMGF.

It’s not a complex WordPress plugin. It just hosts Google Fonts locally:

Which can solve the problem. But Autoptimize is also a good choice, and it even gives more options for how to deal with Google Fonts:

Swap Google Fonts Display The “Ensure text remains visible during webfont load” diagnostic is also a problem that might arise from using Google Fonts.

This WordPress plugin will replace your Google Fonts while they’re loading.

It’s not the best solution – again, Autoptimize can deal with this much better.

But it’s a great plugin if you just need a quick and small fix. And it’s built by the people behind FlyingPress.

WP Smush

WP Smush is a very popular WordPress plugin for image compression. And we can see why. It’s very useful for performance.

And it even boasts some advanced options, like backing images up, or stripping EXIF data.

However, you do need Smush Pro to generate WebP images. ShortPixel does it for free.

Shortpixel Adaptive Images

Shortpixel is not an all-in-one image optimization solution. It only optimizes and serves smaller images for mobile user visits.

This can be helpful to improve your mobile score.

If you’re struggling with that, you can give Shortpixel Adaptive Images a try.

SiteGround Optimizer

SiteGround Optimizer is a plugin with a lot of history. And it’s even been updated to address the Core Web Vitals.

But it’s not a good tool in general.

And it only works for SiteGround sites, which is not the best hosting choice if you want to speed up your WordPress site.

But if you already use SiteGround, you can give it a try.

WebP Converter For Media

WebP is a format for images, recommended for online use since it loads much faster than .JPG or .PNG.

This WordPress plugin automatically converts your images to WebP, which can improve your site speed quite a lot.

However, a lot of plugins already do this.

So WebP Converter for Media might not help you, if one of your other plugins already converts your images to WebP.

Widget Disable

Widget Disable is not a complicated plugin. It just disables unused widgets.

This might come in handy if you developed your site with page builders.

They rely a lot on widgets, so Widget Disable might be useful.

But page builders are not friends with speed. So you might want to look into rebuilding your site with something like GenerateBlocks before investing in a performance plugin.

WP Super Minify

WP Super Minify is a lightweight version of Autoptimize.

It only deals with minification, and caching of CSS and JavaScript resources. That’s it.

So it can complement a caching plugin that has no minification capabilities.

But unfortunately, WP Super Minify is much less useful than Autoptimize. It doesn’t have any settings for how files are minified – it runs on default settings no matter what.

Async JavaScript

There are different ways to load JavaScript when a visitor ends up on your site.

Loading it asynchronously is a common method to improve site speed.

And that’s exactly what Async JavaScript does.

However, loading JavaScript asynchronously is a common feature for most WordPress performance plugins.

So Async JavaScript can only help if your main performance plugin didn’t solve all JavaScript issues.

Toolkit for Elementor

Toolkit for Elementor is not a comprehensive plugin, but it does a little bit of everything: caching, minification, and other fixes you’d need for a site built in Elementor.

However, it’s not that strong.

There are better alternatives, all of them higher up this list.

And again, if you’re using Elementor, your first priority shouldn’t be getting a performance plugin.

It should be switching to a lighter team, like GeneratePress, and a better builder, like GenerateBlocks.

RapidLoad

Removing unused CSS is a very valuable feature in WordPress performance plugins.

But not all of them have it.

And in some, it’s just a beta feature:

However, it can have a huge impact on your site performance, especially for render-blocking resources.

So if you need to solve that, you can give RapidLoad a shot.

RankMath

If you’re trying to conquer the SERP in your niche, an SEO plugin is a must have.

It’ll help you optimize your posts before you hit publish:

And give you tips and tricks on how to improve them overall:

YoastSEO is a popular tool for this.

But we recommend RankMath, because it will help with your SEO efforts without bloating your site.

WP-DBManager

WP-DBManager is a database optimization plugin with a lot of history on people’s WordPress dashboard.

WP-Optimize is a great database cleanup plugin.

But if your tool doesn’t have database optimization features, WP-DBManager is a good alternative.

Why WordPress Performance Matters If you don’t have the budget for something like Nitropack, site performance optimization can get really tiring.

So why bother?

For starters, a better performance on your site means a better user experience.

That means more sales.

And it also means people will bounce less from your site, interact more, which leads to better SEO.

That was always true.

But recently, performance became even more important when Google announced that their Core Web Vitals metrics are a ranking factor.

So better performance means better SEO.

As long as your tool helps you improve CWV metrics, like CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) or FCP (First Contentful Paint).

So it’s really important to pick a performance plugin that helps you pass the Core Web Vitals.

But the plugin isn’t enough on its own.

How To Improve Your WordPress Website Performance Before you invest in a plugin, you need to solve some stuff about your site.

Minification won’t do anything if you don’t have a CDN, for example.

So here are the first steps you should take before subscribing to one of the tools we mentioned above:

  • Get better hosting. We recommend Cloudways, but whatever you pick, make sure it’s not shared hosting.
  • Invest in a CDN. Cloudflare and BunnyCDN are good standalone options. And if you get Nitropack or FlyingPress, they come with their own CDN.
  • Use GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks to build/rebuild your site. Page builders are out. Even if they’re easy to use, they are terrible for site speed and Core Web Vitals.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. We have a comprehensive course on how to pass the Core Web Vitals on your site, which you can check out here.

Conclusion: The Best Setups For WordPress Performance If you want a quick fix, the best choice is Nitropack. It’s fast, easy to deploy, and it will help you pass the Core Web Vitals. Read our Nitropack review to find out more.

If Nitropack is outside your budget, WP Rocket is also a decent alternative. Especially if you pair it with Autoptimize.

And lastly, if you can’t afford to put a single dime towards CWV, WP-Optimize is as far as you’ll get on a 0$ budget.

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Affiliate sites can get really big really fast.

With just a few years in the business, you can rack up thousands of pages under your domain.

That’s pretty important if you want to optimize your site for SEO, sell multiple products, or just offer a great experience to your audience.

Sites can be simpler though. A one page site isn’t our go-to model, but it can be really useful if you just want to test a product, or focus on one call to action.

And Strikingly is probably the best way to build one page sites fast. Find out why in our Strikingly review.

Strikingly Review In a Snapshot To be fair to the tool, you can use it to create sites with multiple pages, if you get a VIP plan.

But that’s not what people use it for.

The Strikingly website builder shines when used for single page sites.

And there’s more complexity here than you’d expect. With Strikingly, you can:

  • Edit on-page elements
  • Move sections around
  • Change global styling
  • Create a blog, or a store

The purpose of Strikingly is simple: speed over customization.

You should use Strikingly if you want a single page site really quickly.

You shouldn’t use Strikingly if you need anything else.

Pros * Very easy to use * Quick to build single page sites * A lot of options for how simple the layout is * Can create a simple store on the free site * Great support

Cons * Not ideal for multi page sites * Branding isn’t removed on all paid plans * High fees unless you get the VIP plan * Limited customization options

Let’s delve into the Strikingly review to find out more.

Getting Started With Strikingly It’s easy to get started with Strikingly.

To be fair other website builders like Wix or Squarespace are also easy to start with.

But Strikingly is much easier to master.

You can get from this:

To a finished site in a matter of hours, if not minutes.

The developers really did some work to help users understand how to use a website builder that easily.

When you get started, you’ll need to choose a template:

There’s more of these than we expected for a simple website builder like Strikingly.

But still less than what you get from its competitors.

After you settle on a template, you’ll be offered a tour of the website builder:

Take it.

It’s really helpful, and it will let you hit the ground running building one page websites.

And after that, you’re ready to build.

Strikingly’s workflow The Strikingly website builder sacrifices a lot of options in favor of speed in development. So don’t expect too much control over how you build one page websites.

To edit the site, you can set some global settings, add new sections, and new elements in these sections.

However, you are limited by something that might hurt website development speed too. You can only add elements to a supported section.

So for example, if a section doesn’t support images, you won’t be able to add them.

This means that you can’t go into Strikingly with a layout in mind. You’ll need to be flexible in what you expect from a Strikingly site, and adapt to the limitations of the template.

Single page websites are, in general, limited in what they can accomplish.

Add to that the limited editor of Strikingly, and you get a lot of constraints to build your site, whether you want an online store, a simple blog, or a plain landing page.

At least, with a free account.

Strikingly offers many more features when you purchase a paid plan, like the ability to access your site’s code, integrate with third party tools like Google Analytics, or just create responsive websites with more tools at your disposal.

So let’s get into the features and see what you get, both with a free plan, and with a paid subscription.

Strikingly Features Overview Website builders tend to rack up dozens of bells and whistles as they’re being used by a community.

Strikingly is the same.

But they managed to keep the tool pretty light for what it offers.

And that’s a good thing! It’s in line with their “build fast” philosophy. But still, it’s not a barren website builder. There are a lot of capabilities to look at.

Let’s start with the styling.

Styles in Strikingly The styles tab lets you edit fonts, buttons, the color palette of your site, and plenty more.

You can also edit all of these elements for parts of your site.

For example, you can modify styling for the header only:

At least that’s what you get in the free version of Strikingly.

With a paid plan (Pro or above) you can also embed code into your pages. This way, you can stylize everything more if you know CSS.

Dashboard: Stats and Insights If you want to understand the audience visiting your site, Strikingly offers a comprehensive dashboard to study your site visitors.

Besides looking at your audience, you can also analyze forms, or bookings:

In the free plan at least.

WIth a paid subscription, you’ll also be able to integrate with Google Analytics and get more information that way.

Site builders rarely offer this type of advanced analytics in a free plan, so it’s great to see.

Editing A Page In Strikingly Strikingly websites are responsive. That’s why you won’t have to bother creating a mobile site on top of your regular site.

Here’s how they pull it off.

You can move sections around in the left side tab:

This lets you drag and drop your way to a desired single page layout.

For all the text elements of a page, you get a comprehensive text editor:

Which to be fair, is regular for a site builder.

On top, you can edit each individual button:

Of course, if you don’t want to rely on the global settings from earlier.

And lastly, you can also add a new section to your free site at any time:

Here too you get to choose from a lot of templates.

Most website builders that compete with Strikingly also offer that though.

If you want to take a look at your work, you can preview your Strikingly site in a desktop, or mobile simulated device:

If you get a site membership, your editing horizons widen a bit. You can use it to create a lot more than a simple landing page, or a simple store, thanks to:

  • Action buttons for mobile sites
  • Pop-ups
  • Customized checkouts
  • Custom forms

And a ton more. Even the fact that you can build multi page sites makes Strikingly’s focus and tools a lot more varied.

No matter what you choose though, you’ll be able to create your own online stores.

Ecommerce in Strikingly To get started with ecommerce on your single page sites, you need to add a store section in your website builder:

Then, you can add some products:

And you even get quite a few options to edit.

That’s good enough for one page websites.

But even then, there are more complex alternatives out there for free. So if you want more control over your store, pick something else.

And if you get a paid version of Strikingly, you can also update shipping taxes, add product reviews, and even implement product varieties on your online store.

That’s not possible in the free version.

So can you use Strikingly for ecommerce?

Only if you want to sell a single product, or a very limited catalog. In that case, you don’t need all the features you’d get with professional online store builders like Woocommerce.

For example, if you want to try selling in a new niche, you can whip up a simple online store, and see how your audience reacts to it.

Just remember that Strikingly branding will still be on your site if you don’t purchase the Pro version.

This might be more relevant for an online store than it is for anything else website builders do.

Can You Blog In Strikingly? Yes, you can. But it’s not a complex system.

To get started, you need to add a blog section to your website. Then, you can create new posts in Strikingly’s own text editor:

From here, you can also preview posts, and edit the metadata of these pages.

For a very simple website builder, this is a great set-up. But it wouldn’t be a fair Strikingly review if we didn’t mention the limits of this system.

You can’t use Strikingly for Search Engine Optimization. Search engines want to see more than a free version, mobile site with one or two blog posts.

But for how simple of a website builder Strikingly is, the blogging options available in the free plan are pretty good. It’s always a good option to share your thoughts with your audience.

Pricing: Is Strikingly Affordable? Strikingly free and Strikingly paid seem like they’re completely different website builders.

There are lots of differences between the two, so let’s get an overview. Here’s what you’ll pay for Strikingly:

The cheapest plan is a big upgrade from the free account. You get unlimited free sites, a free custom domain, and the option to connect your own domain.

That’s great, but we don’t really recommend it. You still need to pay a 5% transaction fee to Strikingly, and you still have to use Strikingly ads on your site.

With the pro plan, you get a lot more value: everything you would in the limited plan, like unlimited free sites, and a ton on top.

Here are some of features Strikingly offers with pro:

  • Multi page websites
  • They remove Strikingly branding
  • Site search
  • Tons of features for better website building
  • Custom code

If you like Strikingly, but you need multiple pages, this is the right plan for you.

Lastly, the most expensive paid plan offers priority customer service, no transaction fees, and other VIP perks.

And you can also get customized paid plans besides these ones:

Overall, Strikingly’s paid plans are slightly expensive, especially considering that only the most expensive option removes transaction fees from your own website.

But they’re on par with what other website builders ask.

Support: Can you rely on Strikingly for help? Support is probably one of Strikingly’s biggest perks.

For this Strikingly review, we contacted their support team to see how they fare.

We were connected with an agent in seconds:

And they were really helpful.

So if you want to know a support team will be there to help, Strikingly is a great choice.

For a complete Strikingly website builder review, we also analyzed their support structure overall. You get support from a convenient chat heads:

And they even have a knowledge base, and video guides to help you get started.

Conclusion: Is Strikingly The Right Website Builder For You? If you want to create a simple store, a personal portfolio, or just experiment with a one page site, Strikingly can be really useful.

It’s fairly easy, and pretty fast to drag and drop your way to a site in Strikingly.Is Strikingly a legit site?

However, you can only create limited sites with it. Even the paid options, that offer tons of helpful customization options, pale in comparison to what the best website builders in the market do.

So if you want a regular site, with Strikingly’s ease of use, try Wix, Weebly, or Squarespace.

If you need a very simple site builder though, you can give Strikingly a shot.

FAQ

Is Strikingly a legit site? Yes, Strikingly is a fast and easy to use website builder. If you need to throw together a single page site in a few hours, there’s no better option on the market. However, it’s not a solid tool for most other purposes.

Is Strikingly good for SEO? No, Strikingly is not good for SEO. We’ll be fair, it has some SEO-friendly features, like the ability to create a blog or edit a post’s metadata. But it doesn’t offer the flexibility and customization options needed to improve a site’s standing with Google.

Is Strikingly really free? Strikingly has a free plan. But it comes with limitations. You’ll need to use a subdomain, you get Strikingly branding all over your site, and you don’t get access to the entire Strikingly suite. It’s really only suitable for things like online portfolios.

What is Strikingly used for? Strikingly is used to create single page sites really fast. These can be used as simple presentation sites, portfolios, or landing pages. However, this website builder is not good if you need a complex site, with multiple pages. Unless you’re willing to pay for the VIP plan of Strikingly.

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Let’s conduct a brief thought experiment:

Amazon goes out of business tomorrow.

Would that be no big deal because you’ve already diversified your affiliate revenue streams?

Or would it be a disaster of a magnitude that causes you to melt into a puddle of primordial soup?

You already know the answer.

Surprisingly enough, probably 90%+ of affiliate marketers fall into the latter category.

Even though believing that Amazon won’t change their affiliate rates ever again is like believing George R.R. Martin will ever finish “The Winds of Winter”.

That’s why it’s a good idea to check out what other affiliate programs are available to you besides Amazon.

And the Costco affiliate program is the next one on our list.

Costco is a company with a pretty unique claim to fame – they changed the face of retail forever.

The company is actually the result of a 1993 merger between the biggest membership warehouses/clubs in the United States at the time – Price Club and Costco.

Their business model was the same – sell quality items from big brands to their members at wholesale prices.

But at first, they only offered their lower priced stock to other businesses.

It was opening their doors to Joe and Josephine Public that revolutionized retail.

Now anyone could become Costco “wholesale” members – buying their groceries at wholesale prices.

Costco actually stocks fewer items than your average supermarket or grocery store.

The trick is they purchase their goods in huge numbers so they can stack ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap.

As of right now, Costco generates global sales (across 8 countries) of US$157 billion.

They’re a big name with 100 million loyal, card-carrying Costco members.

What products can you promote? There’s very little point in signing up for an affiliate program unless they offer something (or several things) that your audience wants to buy.

And that’s one of the potential bonuses of promoting Costco.

They only keep stock of items they know their members are very likely to be interested in.

Or as they put it, “Not everything…just everything you want”.

So let’s take a look at their primary product categories so you can give the Costco affiliate program a quick, “Go. No go”.

| Appliances | Clothing & Luggage | Beauty | | Furniture | Home improvement | Gourmet foods | | Floral items | Home & kitchen | Sports & fitness | | Computer | Groceries & pets | Toys & books | | Electronics | Jewellery & watches | Patio & lawn | | Baby | Home services (installations) | Gift cards | | Mattresses | Health & personal care | Tires & Auto |

So that’s as diverse a range of products as you’ll find in most online stores or affiliate marketing programs.

It covers all the bases.

From industrial-sized boxes of toilet paper for $50 all the way to an entire wheel of Parmesan cheese for almost $1,000.

Costco literally has it all, and so does their affiliate program.

Plus, Costco has another pretty big advantage over the likes of Amazon – the majority of their stock is made up of quality brand-name products.

From names your audience knows and trusts.

Including their own Kirkland brand.

So it’s not just cheap knockoffs from a business with a brand name that was obviously created during a toilet break.

As a business, Costco seems to have things nailed down when it comes to not only the range of products they carry but offering them at a discount.

Sitting here writing this I found myself wondering what would have happened if Costco and others had taken the “internet fad” more seriously?

Would Amazon have survived?

Maybe not.

But now it’s time to take a dive into the inner workings of their affiliate program.

How does the Costco affiliate program work? The Costco affiliate program is actually managed by CJ Affiliate.

I still call them Commission Junction though, so whatever.

The point is you’ll need a CJ Affiliate account to join the Costco affiliate program.

This particular network is one of the easier ones to apply to, so the barrier to entry is pretty low.

It does, however, help if you have an existing website with some traffic.

Generally speaking, CJ Affiliate is easy to deal with and the application process is a breeze.

Typically because you can make direct contact with their affiliate team if you have any questions and/or if your application is declined.

Plus you’ll also find dozens of other affiliate programs there that might get your creative juices flowing.

Now let’s take a look at what happens after you’ve been approved for the Costco affiliate program.

Creatives The banner ads, widgets, and links you can add to your content to promote this affiliate program are all provided via CJ Affiliate, so you’ll need to search for them there.

They are, however, pretty typical of what you’ve come to expect from affiliate advertisers.

Also, creating your links takes seconds thanks to the CJ Affiliate platform.

The trick is finding what Costco creatives work best for your audience.

Affiliate payments One of the things I’ve always loved about CJ Affiliate is that they pay out on time.

I never once had to contact their affiliate team about missing or delayed payments.

That’s not something you can say about most affiliate networks.

As an affiliate marketer, anything you earn by promoting Costco will be deposited into your account, or sent to you by check, every 30 days.

That means anything you sell today won’t actually be deposited into your account until 30 days from now.

There’s obviously a payout threshold you have to reach.

So that means earning at least $50 in total before you can receive a payment direct to your bank account.

Or $100 if you want to get paid by check.

Cookies And in other not-so-great news, this program has a session-based cookie duration.

In plain English, this means your cookie is erased the split second the visitor closes their browser.

So you won’t get credited for the sale if they get interrupted.

I’m sure Costco has their reasons for doing this but it always feels like a cheapskate move.

“Punishing” affiliates for cart abandonment is silly considering it’s out of their control.

Commission structure As regards their affiliate program, Costco probably sounds like a good deal.

The only real detail left to cover is their commission rate and how much you get paid for promoting items in your niche.

Oh, and what the 0% commission categories are, so you don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

And this is where we face-plant into the bad news section of this affiliate program review.

The Costco affiliate program has a flat payout structure:

  • $3 for Gold Star membership purchases
  • $6 for Executive membership purchases

So even if your reader clicks through your link, reaches your site, and then purchases $500 of groceries…you’ll still only earn as little as $3 for a Gold Star purchase, for example.

Plus, they only pay out on Costco wholesale transactions made in the United States.

So Canadian, UK, European, Asian, and affiliates in other countries, are out of luck.

This puts them pretty much at the bottom of the affiliate marketing food chain in terms of commission rate.

Even Target offers a sliding commission rate – the more you sell the more you earn.

But “big box” stores tend to operate on razor-thin margins, so Costco obviously decided to do the same with the payout for their affiliate program.

This is the point where most publishers will back out of the room slowly… making sure to not make eye contact.

I mean, who wants to earn $6 per sale from a company that generates billions in profit each year?

Because you can’t lodge “Gold Star” earnings in your bank account – just real dollars, pounds or euros.

But this is where you need to look at some of the data around their affiliate marketing program:

Because affiliate publishers are making money with this program.

Quite a bit of it by the looks of their EPC and ‘Network Earnings’ score.

No, the average affiliate marketer shouldn’t build out an affiliate content site based on nothing more than the above metrics.

It’s also unlikely that you’ll earn retirement money from just this one affiliate program.

But the reality is that affiliates are generating revenue by promoting Costco offers regardless of their bottom-dollar commission rates.

Possibly because they allow unlimited occurrences.

In theory, you can get paid an infinite amount of commission for an infinite number of sales.

With that said, you can probably see why people love the Amazon affiliate program so much.

Because earning a percentage of a referred sale is pretty much always going to pay more than flat commission rates.

So now it’s time to wrap things up in terms of our review of the Costco affiliate program.

Weighing it up Now, let’s take a 30,000-foot view of the Costco affiliate program.

Do the Pros outweigh the Cons?

Pros * You get to piggyback your affiliate marketing efforts off a household name * They already have almost 100 million members i.e. they’re doing something right * Costco has upwards of 4,000 items in stock at any one time * You can promote every single item they sell in their online store * Being able to offer your visitors deeply discounted items is useful leverage * Consumers are slowly adopting a “bulk buy” mindset, especially after 2020 * It’s managed by Commission Junction, so you don’t have to worry about getting paid * Has an international chain of membership warehouses and international affiliate program * A low payout threshold making it ideal for new affiliate publishers

Cons * Their affiliate commission rate is pretty much as low as things go * Session-based cookie duration * Only United States affiliates are eligible to receive commission payouts * They claim to have a dedicated affiliate team but it doesn’t feel like it

URL: Costco affiliate program

Commission rate: $3 – $6 max

Payment schedule: Net 30

Payout threshold: $50 (bank account) $100 (check)

Cookie duration: Session-based cookie

Summary So is the Costco affiliate program worth the time and effort of promoting?

Unfortunately, that’s both a “Yes” and “No” answer.

The “No” is that the Costco affiliate program can’t compete with the likes of Amazon or even Target in terms of commission rate.

$3 for a “Gold Star” purchase is pathetic.

The “Yes” is that 99% of affiliates chase Amazon and more obvious affiliate offers.

That leaves a gap for you to maybe exploit.

For example, I’d put this program in front of a prepper audience – they love buying stuff in bulk.

Long story short though, I wouldn’t make the Costco program my only source of income for my site.

You need to be much smarter than that when building your portfolio of profitable niche sites.

If you’d like to see how we build affiliate sites then why not check out our free training on that very subject?

And you can put your wallet away – it doesn’t cost anything.

All you have to do is make a choice.

Waste yet another 2 hours of your life doom scrolling through social media feeds.

Or learn what it takes to build an almost passive online income.

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I’m not usually the biggest fan of expired goods, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to find expired domains and use them to build domain authority, drive search traffic, and make more money.

The old adage “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure” definitely applies here.

Just because someone else didn’t want those expired or deleted domains any more, that doesn’t mean you can’t make use of them.

What Are Expired Domains? Before I jump into how to find expired domains and what you can do with them, I’m going to start with an explanation of what happens when domains expire.

It’s not unusual for a website owner to simply forget to set their domain name to auto-renew via their domain registration dashboard.

Equally, businesses face financial difficulties all the time, meaning they don’t pay the annual fee to maintain their existing website domain.

In either of those instances, most domain registrars will offer a grace period of 7 – 30 days, during which a domain can be reactivated and business as usual can be resumed by simply paying the registration fee.

However, if that doesn’t happen, the domain expires.

At that point, the expired domain name is listed on auction sites by the domain registrar.

The auction typically runs for 10 – 15 days, after which the winner becomes the new domain owner, or nobody bids and the domain “drops”.

Dropped domains are unavailable for a few weeks after the auction. Then they’re put back in the pool of domains you can purchase for $10 from any registrar.

What’s interesting is that the vast majority of domains have a profile of backlinks pointing at them.

Those links can be highly beneficial for your search engine rankings and are worth a lot more than you’d pay for the domain if you went to a link broker and tried to buy them.

Now for an important question: What does Google think about expired domains?

Frankly, the search engine giant is a bit iffy on them.

The last time the subject was brought up was in November 2020 when John Mueller was hosting a webmasters Q&A, in which a user asked if Google resets an expired domain’s backlinks.

In a nutshell, Mueller explained that because there are so many scenarios in which expired domains can change hands, it’s extremely difficult for Google to take any action in resetting the link pointing at an expired domain without triggering a lot of false positives when people pick up these domains for legitimate reasons.

He did mention that if you were going to use the domain for something completely unrelated to its original purpose, Google could figure it out and act accordingly most of the time.

Presumably, that means it wouldn’t pass on any link juice from the expired domain’s backlink profile.

Reading between the lines and drawing on my own past experience, that means there’s still an opportunity to boost your search engine rankings and search traffic by picking up expired domains that are related to what you do.

What Can You Do With Expired Domains? 1. Build a Site on the Expired Domain If you don’t have an existing website, this is probably the most straightforward way to use expired domains. That’s what we did with Bomisch.com, which was purchased for me by Alpha Investors.

At the time I bought it, the site had a domain authority of ~17, but had some quality backlinks (dofollow links, at that) from sites like:

  • Apartment Therapy
  • Country Living
  • Remodelista

That gave the site a really solid base of quality, relevant authority links to the home improvement niche. Even without building any additional links, the site ended up ranking well for extremely sexy keywords such as “how to install a urinal” and “how big is a bathroom”.

If we had started the site on a brand new domain, it would probably have taken months of optimization and link-building to achieve decent results, whereas in the case of Bomisch, it ranked for similar keywords in a matter of weeks.

To this day, I see new content picking up much faster than it does on sites we started on new domains.

  1. Build a Private Blog Network The second use of expired domains is to use them to build private blog networks (PBNs).

Now, I’m not a big fan of this approach, but you can’t deny it probably works.

A lot of people like the idea of building a small private blog network to boost page authority for any content that needs a lift in rankings.

It’s kind of the same concept as all these “Dear Sir…” emails that flood your inbox trying to sell you links on sites that often look like trash; most of those sites are expired domains.

The difference is, you don’t share your sites when you build them yourself, so you’re less likely to get in trouble with Google than if you were buying spam links from our old friend George.

  1. Redirect Expired Domain Names to Your Site The final potential use of an expired domain is to redirect it to an existing authority site.

In principle, it sounds like a great idea. It’s definitely a lot less obvious than building a PBN. And there are many examples of existing sites being bought and redirected to the site that purchased them.

For example, Healthline purchased Authority Nutrition and used the content on the expired website to kickstart its nutrition category, which now brings in 25% of Healthline’s overall traffic.

(N.B. I’ve broken down that case study in our newsletter, so if you want this kind of analysis every week in your inbox, make sure you subscribe.)

I can also think of The Wirecutter, which was purchased by the New York Times for $30 million and is now redirected to nytimes.com.

In both cases, the traffic crossed over nicely and outperformed the expectations of the new site owner.

From my practical experience, these examples worked so well because the content was also transferred.

If you’re buying an expired domain with the intention of doing a dirty wildcard redirect to your home page, bear in mind this usually doesn’t go so well. While you might boost your domain authority, the direct traffic gain is minimal.

In short, this approach works best if you can pull the old content using a tool like Wayback Machine, post it on your site, and redirect the web pages one by one.

How to Find Expired Domains (That Are Worth Buying) Just because you’ve found an expiring domain with lots of quality links pointing at it, that doesn’t mean it’s worth spending your hard-earned cash on.

Before buying a specific domain, I consider these three key criteria to understand whether it’s a smart investment:

  1. Is the Expired Domain Relevant to My Current Site? Relevancy trumps everything. I’d take a relevant site with a

DR 15 relevant site over a domain authority of 15 over an irrelevant one with a DA of 40 any day of the week. So just ask yourself the question: How close is the old website to what you’re about to build on the domain?

As we’ve seen from what John Muller said, if it’s not too close, you might get a lot less benefit from your dropped domain.

  1. How Strong Are the Backlinks Pointing at the Expired Domain? Clearly, the expired domain’s backlink profile is important. But assessing authority requires more than surface-level analysis; don’t trust tool metrics like domain authority or domain rating. These can be manufactured with spam links that won’t help your performance on search engines.

No, what you’re looking for is relevant links on high-domain-authority sites within the industry you’re trying to enter. The kind of links it would be very difficult to acquire in any other way.

For example, on Bomisch.com, that link from Apartment Therapy got me excited because I know I wouldn’t be able to acquire that same link through guest posting.

  1. Does the Expired Domain Have Spam or Google Penalties? The last thing you want is to buy a seemingly powerful expired domain that actually has a bunch of penalties against at.

Whether you’re planning to turn it into a new website, use it as part of a private blog network, or redirect the expired domain to your current site, those penalties could single-handedly eradicate any of the benefits.

Fortunately, it’s easy to find out if expired (or expiring) domains have penalties against them — just look at the organic search history on any SEO tool. If you see a heavy drop that never recovered, I’d avoid that domain like the plague.

Where to Buy Expired Domains By this point, you understand the benefits of buying expired domains and you know what to look for. Now, let’s discuss the important issue of where to buy expired domain names.

Which tools can you use to find powerful expired domains with the potential to make a real difference to your web traffic and rankings?

3 Top Marketplaces for Expired Domain Buyers 1. GoDaddy The first and most obvious place where you can get an expired domain is to go on the domain registrars’ auction sites, of which the largest and most popular is GoDaddy.

You might be surprised to learn that you actually need to pay a right of entry to bid on these domains. However, it’s very affordable at around $5/year, and you can browse expired domain lists without being a member:

That means you only need to sign up when you actually plan to purchase expired domains.

However, there’s a problem: GoDaddy’s auction interface is freaking terrible if you’re looking for a domain to boost your performance on search engines.

All it gives you is the domain name, number of bids, a web traffic number that’s as good as useless, an estimated value that’s also useless, and a current price.

The only thing I find helpful here is the number of bids, as usually SEOs will find the most powerful domain and fight for it like a pack of dogs.

So if you sort by bids, you’ll surface some of the best domains available (but usually not the best deals).

In short, if you’re going to use GoDaddy to buy expired domains, be ready to spend a lot of time copy/pasting random websites into Ahrefs.

  1. Spamzilla In my opinion, Spamzilla makes it far easier for a prospective website owner to buy expired domains. Not only does it let you find domains across multiple marketplaces, but its filtering tools make it easy to find the perfect domain for your specific requirements.

Admittedly, Spamzilla is a lot more expensive than just trawling GoDaddy for expired domains. Still, if you don’t have too much time but still want to be an effective domain hunter-gatherer, it’s totally worth the $37 per month. Especially when you look at the filtering options. You can filter by:

  • TLD
  • Majestic metrics including Citation Flow and Trust Flow
  • Ahrefs metrics including Domain Rating, Linking Root Domains, traffic, etc.
  • Moz metrics
  • SEMrush metrics
  • When the auction ends
  • Domain language
  • Proprietary Spamzilla metrics that check for spam, how long the domain has been parked, when the domains dropped, etc.

Importantly, it doesn’t just do all this for expired domains listed on Godaddy — it also does it on smaller domain registrar auctions like Snapnames, NameJet, and Dynadot.

In case you didn’t pick it up yet, this is my favorite way of picking up expired domains. I usually set the filters to include:

  • Sites with an Ahrefs Domain Rating of 25+
  • .com or .net English domains
  • Domains with a Spamzilla spam score of 25

Then I simply browse the results and see if anything catches my eye.

What’s great is that you can dive into any of the domains without leaving the Spamzilla interface. You can access:

  • The site’s Wayback Machine history to see what it used to be
  • Backlinks and anchor texts
  • If it has been redirected
  • Ahrefs metrics
  • Drop history
  • Whether the site is still in the Google index or ranks
  • Existing rankings on Google for some keywords and the language history.

That’s usually enough to decide if a site is worthy of further investigation. If it is, I still pop it in Ahrefs, because it’s important to explore a domain’s linking sites and where those links point to.

  1. Premium Marketplaces Want to see a list of high-domain-authority sites to build a new authority site on, but don’t fancy doing all the legwork yourself? Premium marketplaces like ODYS and Juice Market can do it for you.

Of course, when these sites sell domain names, they don’t do it for free. I’ve seen many such domains on premium marketplaces sell for $4,000 – $6,000, despite having similar metrics to domain names I’ve bought on GoDaddy for $500 – $1,000.

Still, if you’re cool with that, I recommend you check out either of those marketplaces. Both are run by reputable companies that won’t steal your money, and both are extremely capable of finding and curating quality expired domains for you to use in your business.

They also offer a decent amount of metrics to help you understand what you’re paying for, and ODYS even does branding and can build you a site (if you’re prepared to pay for it).

Conclusion: Is Buying An Expired Domain Worthwhile? From my experience, sites you build on expired domains tend to take off significantly faster than sites built on new domains.

And while their branding is often worse than an all-new website, my recommendation for those of you who want the best of both worlds is to start your site on an expired domain.

Run it for maybe a year or two, and then do a big rebranding where you redirect it to a new domain and notify Google of the address change in Search Console.

If you do that properly, your rankings will transfer to the new, well-branded domain and you’ll have gotten a much faster start than if you launched with a fresh domain.

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So you’re wondering how to become an affiliate marketer.

According to affiliate network Rakuten Marketing, an astonishing 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers are already actively involved in affiliate marketing, so you’ll be in good company.

And you’ve come to the right place, because here at Authority Hacker we’ve helped 10,000 students figure out how to become better affiliate marketers.

Having spent the past decade building and selling multiple authority sites across a wide range of niches, we know what affiliate marketing success looks like — and we have the knowledge to help you do the same thing.

In this guide, we’ll discuss:

  • How affiliate marketing works
  • How much money you can make from affiliate sales
  • Where you should go to find affiliate links
  • Key affiliate marketing terms
  • How to become an affiliate marketer in five steps

Ready?

Then let’s dive in.

What Is Affiliate Marketing? Affiliate marketing is a form of performance marketing in which a business rewards affiliate marketers for referring customers.

As an affiliate marketer, you’ll find products or services that are relevant to your audience, and that you’re happy to recommend.

Then you’ll create content about those products or services, incorporating your affiliate link. That content could take the form of a blog post, a social media post, a video on your YouTube channel, an email marketing newsletter, or something else entirely.

Either way, every time someone clicks your link, visits the website of your affiliate partner, and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

Get it right and you’ve built yourself a highly lucrative revenue stream!

How Does Affiliate Marketing Work? Is affiliate marketing worth it? How much money can you make as an affiliate marketer?

That’s the million dollar question.

Unsurprisingly, it’s something we get asked all the time — so much so that we wrote an entire article on how much money affiliate marketers can earn.

There’s no limit to the amount of passive income you can earn as an affiliate marketer.

As you’ll see from our case studies, it’s perfectly possible for a successful affiliate marketer to make five figures (or more) every single month.

Not only that, but you can earn a big chunk of cash — potentially seven figures — by building and selling an affiliate website once it’s generating consistent traffic and revenue.

But there are definitely no guarantees.

For lots of people, affiliate marketing is nothing more than a side hustle — a nice way to bring in a couple hundred dollars a month on top of their regular salary.

Others never see any return at all on their affiliate marketing efforts.

And you shouldn’t expect to see results any time soon…

As a rule of thumb, we advise that it takes a couple years of hard work to build a successful affiliate marketing business, so be wary of anyone who claims they’ve got a “top secret affiliate marketing strategy” that will make you a millionaire overnight.

How to Get Affiliate Links Affiliate marketing relies on finding products or services to promote, then referring would-be customers to those products and services via affiliate links.

So where do you find those all-important links?

There are two main approaches:

  1. Search for individual affiliate programs
  2. Browse affiliate networks, which offer access to hundreds or thousands of affiliate programs

Let’s take a look at the benefits of each strategy…

  1. Affiliate Programs
  2. Working directly with the merchant can help you build a stronger relationship
  3. Better chance of negotiating improved commissions (or other affiliate marketing terms)
  4. Payouts are often higher, as there’s no affiliate network to take a chunk of the profits

  5. Affiliate Networks

  6. A single dashboard gives you access to thousands of merchants
  7. If you join a big affiliate network, trustworthy there’s less chance of getting scammed
  8. Payments are often more reliable because they’re backed by a large network
  9. Tracking and reporting are often more accurate too

How Do Affiliate Marketers Get Paid? Affiliate marketing payments are based on the number of “events” you drive.

That “event” will vary depending on the type of affiliate program or network you sign up for, but the most common examples are:

  • Clicks: Pay-per-click affiliate programs offer a (small) commission for every click on your affiliate link.
  • Leads: Withcost-per-action affiliate programs, affiliate marketers get paid for driving leads through things like form submissions and software downloads.
  • Sales: The most common type of affiliate program pays a flat commission — either a cash or percentage amount — for every confirmed sale.

Commission payments are made at a fixed time, with most affiliate networks and programs paying monthly, once a minimum number or value of actions has been reached.

However, if you don’t want to wait a month (or more) to pocket your hard-earned affiliate income, it’s possible to find affiliate programs that pay weekly (or even daily).

Affiliate Terms to Know Before You Start Just like every digital marketing channel, the world of affiliate marketing is full of jargon.

Unfortunately, if you’re going to build a successful business as an affiliate, you’re going to need to get your head around those key terms. Some of the most important are:

Affiliate link

Each affiliate has their own unique link used to demonstrate that the desired “action” — whether a click, lead, or sale — originated from their website.

Without affiliate links, you wouldn’t earn the commission to which you’re entitled for the actions you drove. Affiliate links can be “gathered” from affiliate networks and programs.

Average order value (AOV)

This e-commerce term describes the average amount spent per completed transaction, calculated by dividing total revenue by number of orders.

Conversion rate

The number of conversions divided by the total number of visitors to the merchant’s site, expressed as a percentage. For instance, if a website attracts 1,000 visitors in a month and drives 100 sales over that period, its conversion rate is 0.1 or 10%.

Cookies

A cookie is a small file stored on a person’s computer used to identify visitors to a website. In affiliate marketing, they’re used to track referrals.

With most affiliate programs, the cookie expires after a set length of time — so a program with a 30-day cookie window won’t pay out on sales recorded on the 31st day.

Cost per action (CPA)

A metric that describes how much commission will be paid to affiliate marketers in each instance of the agreed “action”, such as a form submission.

Cost per click (CPC)

The amount you’ll earn for every click on your affiliate link.

Cost per sale (CPS)

Similarly, this is the amount a merchant will pay for each conversion originating from your affiliate link.

Earnings per click (EPC)

The average amount of affiliate income earned per click on your affiliate link. Calculated by dividing total earnings by the number of clicks over that period.

How to Become An Affiliate Marketer After all that theory, you’re probably ready to start affiliate marketing right away.

Here are the five steps you should follow to make it happen:

  1. Brainstorm & Qualify a Niche Choosing the right niche is absolutely critical to your affiliate marketing efforts.

With a great niche, even a bad website has a chance of making decent money.

But with a bad niche, it doesn’t matter how much work you put in, you’re unlikely to generate income.

One of our favorite ways to find and qualify potential affiliate marketing niches is to browse the depths of Flippa, a marketplace for people looking to buy or sell an online business.

Of course, we’re not going to use it to buy — we’re simply looking for successful affiliate site examples (and the niches they occupy).

You’ll need to sign up before you can start using Flippa, but creating an account is simple (and free).

Then start a search and narrow the filters to only include:

  • Websites and online businesses
  • Blog content
  • Review content
  • Digital products

Click through the results and answer the following questions:

  • How many articles do they have? Generally speaking, the more articles a site has, the more affiliate opportunities there are likely to be in that niche.
  • Are they making lots of money without much content? If so, that’s a sign the niche contains lots of high-paying affiliate programs.
  • What types of articles are they producing? If they’re publishing a lot of review content, that’s a good sign for affiliate marketers.
  • What keywords are they targeting? Some websites will tell you the types of terms for which they’re ranking. This will help you understand if their ranking content is affiliate-based.
  • What affiliate programs are they using? Make a note of any affiliate programs they mention. If it works for them, it might work for you too.
  • Does anything else stand out? Is the traffic highly seasonal? Are there alternative avenues for monetization? Does their traffic come from search engines, social media posts, Google Ads, email marketing, or somewhere else?

You’ll likely notice that a lot of these websites aren’t making much money.

That’s unsurprising — there are far more low-earning publishers than large media websites bringing in tons of revenue.

And it’s not necessarily a problem; just bear in mind that some niches will naturally have a lower ceiling.

That’s only one of our ways to identify and qualify affiliate marketing niches.

Our training program, The Authority Site System, contains a bunch more strategies, such as:

  • Using a keyword research tool to find low-competition, high-value commercial keywords
  • Finding low-authority websites that are still ranking for attractive keywords
  • Identifying websites with high volumes of organic traffic

But we haven’t got the space to go into all of them here — plus we can’t give all our processes away for free!

  1. Research Affiliate Programs Obvious as it might sound, your chances of making it as an affiliate marketer are much higher if you choose high-quality affiliate programs.

If you choose the right affiliate program, you’ll earn higher commissions because more of your referrals will convert.

Also, you’ll get paid on time and won’t get scammed out of your commissions!

In your early days as an affiliate marketer, it’s often easiest and smartest to start out with Amazon’s affiliate program, Amazon Associates.

Amazon sells pretty much everything, and everyone trusts it. So while the commissions aren’t the most attractive, it’s an easy way to start making money as an affiliate.

(N.B. Like the sound of Amazon? Check out our guide on how the top Amazon affiliates make money or read our Amazon affiliate program review).

Of course, Amazon isn’t the only option.

There are many, many affiliate programs out there, and at some point you’ll likely want to step out from beneath Jeff Bezos’ almighty wing.

So you need to know how to find the best affiliate programs and offers.

One of the best ways is to use the Ahrefs Site Explorer.

Enter a competitor’s website into the search box — a website in the same niche as yours — and click on Linked Domains.

Like magic, you’ll be given a list of all the websites your competitor links out to.

And it shouldn’t take much detective work to track down all the affiliate programs they use.

You’ll even be able to find the specific affiliate product (or products) they’re promoting — just look out for affiliate networks and merchant site names in your niche.

Sure, you don’t necessarily need to join all the same programs as your rivals.

But chances are they’ve chosen those affiliate marketing programs because they’re making decent money from them. Which means you can do the same.

  1. Plan & Setup Your Site Your website is your biggest marketing platform.

Without an intelligently planned, search engine-friendly website, you’re not going to bring in traffic.

And without traffic, you’re not going to make any money through affiliate marketing.

Yet despite all this, most affiliates rush into building their sites before they’ve got a clear plan in place.

That means they’re destined to fail before they even begin.

So what should the process of building an affiliate site actually look like?

Step one is to assemble a list of competitors.

Chances are, you’ll already have come across a few potential rivals while searching for attractive niches and researching affiliate program choices. Now it’s time to expand your list.

Again, Ahrefs can help us here.

Take one of your existing competitors and plug it into Ahrefs’ Competing Domains tool, which shows sites that rank in the top 10 Google search engine results pages for the same keywords as the target website.

Scroll down all those websites and add any that you haven’t already encountered to a “master list” of competitors.

As a general rule, you should only be looking for decent quality competitors here. We typically limit our search to sites with:

  • Domain ratings of 20+
  • A minimum of 7,000 organic visits a month

Having built your competitor list, you’ll want to spend some time analyzing how their websites are structured.

For instance, let’s take a look at Security.org, a website in the home and online security niche.

Take a look at the homepage and you’ll see the website’s content is divided into three main categories:

  • Home Security Systems
  • Smart Home & Automation
  • Digital Security

Each category contains a mix of commercial and informational content. For instance, the Home Security category includes an informational sub-category titled Guides, while commercial content is split between a further three subcategories:

  • Comparisons
  • Home Security Reviews
  • Popular Home Security Brands

So that’s the kind of thing we’re looking to achieve here.

We use a free tool called Dynalist to plan out our site map. Start by including all the obvious, essential pages like:

  • Homepage
  • About page
  • Privacy policy
  • Contact page

Then we’ll get to the more creative stuff — your content hubs.

Say you want to separate out your informational and commercial content.

First, pick out an appropriate name for your info content hub. Obviously, that’ll depend on your niche, but it could be something like:

  • Tips and Tricks
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Camping Tips
  • Photography Tips
  • Gear Guide

“Nest” that hub beneath your homepage on Dynalist, then populate it with articles based on the keyword research you’ve already carried out.

The keywords you choose should be directly related to your chosen niche and will help build up the authority of your website.

Each of those keywords represents an article you’ll write and publish in your informational content hub.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how many keywords to include here; hopefully your competitor research will help you answer that question.

Whatever the case, add each keyword beneath the name of the info content hub in Dynalist:

Next, you’ll do the same thing for your commercial content hub.

Again, start by giving the hub a name — something like:

  • Golf Clubs
  • Lenses
  • Razors
  • Speakers
  • Paintball Guns

It’s perfectly fine to have more than one main category, or to add new categories down the line, but we’ll focus on just one to start with:

From there, you can start nesting product-related sub-categories, based on the keyword research and competitor analysis you’ve already performed.

Again, you’ll be turning each keyword into an article down the line.

There’s no set limit on the number of sub-categories to include here — use your competitor research to lead you.

Having done that, you’ll want to go through and populate each sub-category with a bunch of keywords.

For example, for our imaginary paintball website, our Best Paintball Guns sub-category might incorporate two keywords:

Sure, it’s a painstaking process. But it gives you a clear, research-backed picture for how your website will look, meaning you won’t have different pages or categories competing over the same keywords.

That’s a good thing from a search engine optimization perspective.

But what if you haven’t actually found enough high-intent, low-competition commercial keywords?

In that case, it’s time to expand your commercial keyword list. To reiterate, we’re looking for low-competition commercial terms here, which means:

  1. At least three sites with domain ratings of <35 are ranking on page one of Google for that term
  2. Those sites are generating at least 150 – 200 in monthly organic traffic
  3. There’s an opportunity to promote products by targeting that keyword
  4. The term has clear buying intent (there’s a big difference in intent between “paintball gear” and “best paintball gear”)

As usual, Ahrefs can do much of the heavy lifting for us here.

Start by entering a broad term in the Keywords Explorer tool — like paintball gear.

Then click Terms Match and filter the results on commercial intent by including a word like “best” or “brands” or “review”.

Now for the clever stuff.

Choose an interesting-looking keyword and check out the example search engine result page. Does that term meet the criteria laid out above?

Here, we can see best paintball mask definitely makes the cut:

A grand total of five websites with 150 – 200 traffic are ranking on page one for that term, so it’s well worth targeting on our imaginary paintball website.

Carry on that process until you’ve bulked out your commercial keyword list with lots of juicy opportunities.

Finally, it’s time to actually build your website. Exciting stuff!

Sadly, this is much too lengthy and detailed a process to discuss in any depth here (but be sure to check out our guide on how to build a successful Amazon affiliate website).

However, we can recommend a bunch of tools that’ll take a lot of the pain out of building your site, such as:

  1. Canva: A free, easy-to-use graphic design tool.
  2. SiteGround: There are lots of hosting companies out there, but SiteGround is a fantastic (and comparatively cheap) web hosting provider.
  3. GeneratePress: A very fast, light WordPress theme that lets you edit and brand all parts of your site.

  4. Start Creating Content You’ve built your first affiliate marketing website — congratulations!

Now it’s time to fill it with the high-quality content that’ll help your affiliate business grow.

“Quality” is the most important word here.

If an affiliate earns decent money, it’s because they’re providing visitors with useful, engaging content that answers their search queries and offers trusted product recommendations.

Broadly speaking, commercial affiliate marketing content falls into one of these four categories:

Reviews As you can probably guess, this is a review of one specific product, like Security.org’s review of the Lorex Security Camera

Reviews often incorporate a bullet-point list of pros and cons for the product in question. Some award the product an overall “score”, while others simply describe what they liked and didn’t like about it. Many also include a short list of features or pricing options:

Roundup Reviews Like a review, except it features several products that fall within the same category or align with a specific theme, such as this guide to the best VPN service from Tom’s Guide:

Rather than simply providing a list of lots of different products, roundup reviews typically highlight the best products for fulfilling a specific task or meeting a certain requirement:

As Tom’s Guide demonstrates, roundup reviews typically include the pros and cons of each recommendation, along with lists of features and pricing information that allow readers to make an informed comparison between multiple products.

There’s also often a comparison table for quick and easy reference:

Pro tip: You can create your own comparison tables and eye-catching calls to action by using Affiliatable, one of our favorite affiliate marketing tools.

“Vs” Articles This type of content pits two different products (or types of products) against one another, such as this article from Best GPS Tech that pits two different smartwatch and activity tracker brands — Fitbit and Garmin — against one another:

“Alternatives” Articles These articles take a common product and suggest one or more alternatives. Often, the “main” product — around which the article is based — will be the market leader, and “alternatives” will be lesser-known rivals that are cheaper, longer-lasting, or specialized to fulfill a certain role.

Here’s a good example from howtoCleanHome:

Check our detailed guide on how to How To Write A Product Review That Sells (we included templates & examples you can follow).

  1. Build Backlinks You’ve spent a ton of time writing amazing content.

Now wouldn’t it be a shame if no one ever saw it?

Unfortunately, unless you’ve found a highly profitable niche with superb margins, you likely can’t afford to spend money on platforms like Google Ads to send paid traffic to your site.

So you’ll (probably) need to get good at search engine optimization — and in this day and age, that means investing a bunch of time into link-building.

Google and other search engines use backlinks from external websites as a signal that your website is a trusted resource.

Generally speaking, the more quality links you have from high-DR sites, the better your rankings will be.

Now, there are lots of different ways to generate backlinks to your site, but the three main link-building tactics are:

  1. HARO (Help A Reporter Out): As the name suggests, this involves using your expertise to help journalists answer a question that relates, directly or indirectly, to your niche. In most cases, you’ll be rewarded with a backlink.
  2. Guest posting: This involves writing a blog post for another website. They get a piece of quality content; you get a link to your site.
  3. Skyscraper link-building: The Skyscraper technique involves finding a relevant piece of content that already has lots of backlinks, creating something better, and asking all the people who linked to the original content to link to yours instead. Sneaky!

Sadly, we don’t have time to go in-depth on all three strategies in this article, but rest assured you’ll find all the detail you need if you sign up for The Authority Site System!

However, because we’re feeling generous, we’re going to lift the lid on the HARO technique.

HARO is a platform used by more than 75,000 journalists and bloggers, and over one million “sources” (that is, experts who are on hand to answer journalists’ and bloggers’ questions).

You’ll be signing up as a source. There are three paid plans available, ranging in price from $19 – $149 per month, but you’ll be just fine with a free account.

Add as much detail to your profile as possible, because journalists can see the information, and they’ll be using it to decide whether or not you’re a credible source.

Rather than focusing on a specific niche, select Master HARO in the preferences section. That might sound counterintuitive, but it’ll give you more opportunities to respond to journalist requests.

Now that you’re signed up, HARO will send you three emails a day from Monday – Friday (excluding US public holidays), always at these times:

  1. 05:35 EST
  2. 12:35 EST
  3. 17:35 EST

You’ll want to set aside 30 – 60 minutes a day to leaf through each email and respond to any relevant questions.

But what does a “relevant” question actually look like?

We recommend focusing on two “categories” of queries:

  • Primary queries: Stuff that’s directly relevant to your niche. For instance, for a paintball site, that could include a question like: “Which paintball gun is the most accurate?”
  • Secondary queries: These are basically anything you feel comfortable writing about. For example, at Authority Hacker, we might answer a question on running a remote team. It’s not directly related to affiliate marketing, but we know lots about it.

Search through the queries in each email and find those that align with your strengths. Where possible, check out the organization’s main site on Ahrefs to see how strong its DR is (although if you’ve got a brand new website, you can pretty much afford to work with anyone with a higher DR than yours).

Don’t be put off if the media outlet is listed as “anonymous”:

​​

Lots of big media sites do this because they’re worried about their content ideas being stolen by other publishers, so it’s not a red flag.

Finally, check out the details of the query. Some might be theoretically aligned with your primary or second queries, but in reality they’re looking for something extremely specific — like left-handed paintball experts based in Southeast Asia. If you don’t fulfill the criteria, don’t waste your time.

Found a query that fits your skill set? Unless the journalist in question has provided a specific template for responses, structure your reply as follows:

  1. Include a strong headline. This helps reporters to quickly identify your point and compels them to read on. Keep it clear and to the point, like: “The Planet Eclipse EMEK 100 paintball gun is the most accurate off-the-shelf paintball gun.”
  2. Make your point concisely. Don’t go on a big rant about how much you hate other types of paintball gun; succinctly explain whether they are or aren’t accurate, and what readers can do about it.
  3. Provide real-life examples. Make your article relatable by incorporating specific real-life examples rather than making your reply too theoretical.
  4. Sign off. Include your name, website, and contact details at the end of your answer, and let the journalist know they can reach out for further information.

The Bottom Line There you go — 4,000 words later, I think we’ve pretty much covered the basics of how to become an affiliate marketer!

Hopefully, one thing’s clear: building a successful, affiliate-based online business isn’t easy.

You’re not going to be able to identify a profitable niche, research keywords and affiliate program options, analyze your competitors, build a website, write quality content, and build a ton of backlinks overnight.

More likely it’ll take weeks or months to get it right. And even then, you might not see a decent return for a year or more.

But the rewards are out there! We know lots of people who are making a very tidy living from affiliate marketing (and we’ve done it ourselves), so you can too.

Ready to get started? First, we’d recommend signing up for our free training, where we’ll tell you about seven secrets to make new websites 83% more successful!

FAQ

Can you do affiliate marketing without a website? Yes, you can become an affiliate marketer without building a website. You might leverage a social media platform like TikTok or YouTube to share affiliate links and promote a company’s products. But it’s not a good idea if you’re serious about building a successful online business.

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If you know anything about us, you’ll know we basically eat, sleep, and breath affiliate marketing. But as much as we love this crazy industry, there’s no getting away from the fact that affiliate marketing scams exist.

They’re nasty and predatory, and they do untold damage to every fantastic, legitimate, high-quality affiliate program out there.

In short, we wish we could banish all those false programs to the deepest, darkest corners of the internet.

Unfortunately, we can’t make that happen, so we’ve done the next best thing — rounded up the most common affiliate scams so you can steer well clear.

Is Affiliate Marketing Legit? Is affiliate marketing a scam, or a source of low-quality traffic? Absolutely not. In reality, affiliate programs can be an extremely effective way for brands to boost sales and affiliate marketers to earn a commission.

That’s why 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers “do” affiliate marketing.

We’re one of those publishers. At Authority Hacker, we’ve built a well-established business out of affiliate marketing.

Not only do we give affiliate marketers the knowledge and tools to make money online, but we also do affiliate marketing ourselves across our website network — and we’ve earned plenty of commission along the way:

So obviously we’re going to tell you affiliate marketing is 100% legitimate. It’s an extremely impactful online marketing channel used by hundreds of thousands of brands and millions of affiliates worldwide.

There’s nothing sketchy about it. As an affiliate marketer, you earn commission from brands for promoting products. When a user hits your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you get a cut of the sale.

It’s a super simple business model (but if you want to learn more about it, check out our guide Is affiliate marketing worth it?).

4 Biggest Affiliate Marketing Scams to Avoid However, as we’ve already freely admitted, while the overwhelming majority of the affiliate industry is totally bona fide, not every affiliate marketing program is legit.

Sadly, just like with every type of online business (and plenty of offline ones, too) there are a handful of bad apples. Dodgy pop ups, fake products, lots of negative comments, and false promises to make you a millionaire overnight.

As with every industry, anything that sounds too good to be true should be a big red flag. But to be more specific, if you want to avoid affiliate marketing scams, steer clear of any of these:

  1. Get Rich Quick Schemes Okay, so get rich quick schemes aren’t exclusively an affiliate scam. I’m sure back in the Paleolithic era, some enterprising neanderthal in a shiny suit was promising his fellow prehistoric humans they could earn a fast buck by selling mammoth tusks that were really just big sticks painted white (N.B. this might not be true, I’m not a historian).

But “get rich quick” scams are definitely an issue in the affiliate world. New affiliate marketers are actively looking for ways to make lots of money online, so if someone tells them they can earn thousands of dollars with minimal time and effort, some of them are going to listen.

And while Shopify accurately notes that affiliate programs can be “as high value as those running the affiliate program make it”, there’s a big difference between paying generous commissions and promising to make you a millionaire overnight.

Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to spot affiliate scams like this, because they typically ask you to fork over a substantial sum — often hundreds of dollars — in exchange for teaching you their “guaranteed, 100% effective money-making scheme”.

Virtually every affiliate program is completely free to join. So if you’re being asked for an upfront fee, that’s a big red flag.

  1. Fake Products or Services Another common affiliate marketing scam involves touting fake products or services.

This whole thing is effectively a pyramid scheme. The scammer in question will ask you to pay a fee to register for the program, with the promise that you’ll soon see incredible returns.

Obviously, what actually happens next is… nothing. They pocket your money and vanish in a puff of smoke, never to be seen again. Alternatively, they’ll ask you to recruit a bunch of other people to the scheme before performing their disappearing act.

This scam can actually be pretty difficult to spot, because the scammers are often relatively sophisticated. They build a legit-looking website full of glowing affiliate marketing reviews, and they might reference real product catalogs. They may even enlist paid phony spokespeople to hype up their credentials. So be alert!

A useful tip here: if the products look more like stock photos than an actual, real product catalog, steer clear.

  1. Pay-to-Join Programs You can likely see a pattern emerging by this point.

To reiterate, the overwhelming majority of affiliate programs are completely free to join. Most companies actively want to recruit new affiliate marketers, so why would they ask you to pay for the privilege? A handful might ask for a small deposit to weed out spammy applicants, but even then it’ll rarely be more than a nominal sum.

Any time you come across an affiliate program that demands a fee to join, your guard should automatically go up. Do your due diligence before entering your credit card or PayPal details by:

  • Googling the company in question
  • Asking around in forums like AffiliateFix and affLIFT
  • Looking out for negative comments in reviews

  • Low-Quality Training Courses This one’s a bit awkward.

As you know, our whole way of making money is through helping other people earn money from affiliate marketing. We sell courses; people buy them; they build better websites and improve as marketers; they tell their friends; we make more money.

We definitely aren’t a scam. I’ve already shown you a screenshot of our own affiliate earnings. If you want more convincing, check out this thread from r/juststart.

It’s not 100% positive — sadly, not everyone loves us — but it should give you a pretty clear idea that we know what we’re doing, and we do it well.

However, low-quality training courses are one of the more common affiliate marketing scams. They promise the earth, often for a compellingly low price (compared to legit options), but in reality all you get is a branded T-shirt and a bunch of advice rehashed from free blogs.

And, of course, there are no refunds once you actually get your hands on the course material.

Again, the best thing you can do here is to ask around, check out reviews, and remember that if it’s the cheapest option on the market, there’s probably a good reason.

How to Recognize Affiliate Marketing Scams If you’re going to avoid affiliate marketing scams like the ones we’ve referenced above, you need to know how to spot them.

Without wishing to repeat myself, as a general rule, you should always swerve anything that sounds too good to be true. If it’s promising to make you rich overnight, avoid it like Matthew McConaughey avoids deodorant.

But that’s not the only way to tell a scam from a legit affiliate program. In our experience, these are some typical red flags:

  • Poor-quality stock imagery
  • Sites packed with dozens of ads
  • Thousands and thousands of words of copy
  • Constant references to making huge amounts of money
  • Low-quality page copy
  • Endless redirects

Finally, bear in mind where you found out about the potential scam.

Traffic source is important here. By which I mean: if you’re Googling for the best affiliate programs to join in a given niche, anything on page one should be just fine — Google has pretty solid quality controls.

But the deeper into the bowels of the search engine results pages you head, the more likely you are to unturn dodgy businesses and disreputable websites.

YouTube can also be a fertile plain for scammers, so be on your guard there. And generally be wary when it comes to clicking pop ups and display ads.

Conclusion Hopefully, by this point I’ve convinced you that affiliate marketing is totally legit, and also given you all the ammo you need to avoid common affiliate scams.

The next step is to get your affiliate site up and running so you can start cashing in on all the high-quality, high-paying affiliate programs out there!

We can help you with that, too. Get all the quality free tips you need by signing up for our free training — all we need is your email address.

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Domain flipping used to be much easier. In the earlier days of the internet, you could make thousands if you knew where to look and what to buy.

It’s still possible today.

It’s just not as easy. The competition is fierce, and you need a lot more work to pull it off. And yes, you also need some luck.

But there are ways to sell domains. And whether you want to make a living out of it, or just sell one or two domains, you’re in the right place. Let’s round up the best places to sell your domains.

Best places to sell domains The list of marketplaces below is curated by us. But remember that they’re not the only thing you need to pull off domain flipping. Just signing up for an account won’t be enough to start making a profit.

So stick around after the round-up too. We’ll explore how you can evaluate your domain, and we’ll give you a guide on how to sell domain names.

Godaddy Auction

Godaddy Auction is one of the biggest domain selling marketplaces in the world. And it’s our top pick.

Like any good domain auction site, it lets buyers make offers, and sellers choose whether or not they want a “Buy Now” price. What makes Godaddy Auction stand out though is its brand.

Buying and selling domains via Godaddy is advantageous.

For starters, you get the famous Godaddy knowledge base, and hasty support. Moreover, since Godaddy is also a registrar, and a hosting company, you can take care of everything in one spot.

And here’s something you’re going to like if you sell domains: Godaddy has a vetting process for bidders. So you know you won’t get spam or fraud attempts.

Sedo Domain Marketplace

Sedo stands out due to its brokerage service for premium domains. If you think you have a premium domain on your hands, you might want to consider Sedo.

But even if you don’t have a premium domain, Sedo is still a wonderful choice. It has plenty of options for sellers to offer their domain names, as well as payment protection to make sure each sale goes right.

Sedo is also focused on particular domain categories. For example, now they’re advertising crypto domain names. So it’s especially a good idea to use this platform if your domain fits the categories they’re after at any given time.

Flippa Domain Marketplace

Flippa is more than just a domain marketplace. The site is mostly known thanks to its affiliate site marketplace. And it’s really good at that, as well as selling online businesses, Amazon FBA stores, and other similar assets.

But Flippa is also a decent choice if you’re looking for the best place to sell domain names. It’s got great filtering features for buyers, so a lot of them flock to the platform every month to check on the latest bidding opportunities.

But don’t be scared of Flippa’s complexity. Selling domains is easy on the site.

Flippa has an automated set-up process that guides you through the steps required to do a domain auction. After that, they have special departments to help with financing, legal help, and even valuation.

Afternic

If your buyers are looking for quantity, Afternic is the place to go. That’s not to say Afternic hosts bad quality domain names. They definitely have great high-value options, and you can choose Afternic if you have a valuable domain to sell.

But their biggest USP is how large the network is, as well as the fact that it’s connected to other services like Godaddy, Domain.com, or NameCheap. This makes it easy to utilize your domain after purchase, so it’s attractive to buyers.

And it might even be a good idea if you want to buy domain names to resell later.

The only gripe we have with Afternic is its user experience. The interface looks pretty outdated, and navigating its different features isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

NameCheap Marketplace

Like Godaddy, NameCheap has tons of services besides a domain marketplace. They also offer things like:

  • Domain transfers
  • WHOIS lookups
  • Website and email hosting
  • SSL Certificates
  • ID Validation

And a ton of other services that webmasters need. So this makes the marketplace a wonderful choice if you need an all-in-one service. The site is well established, and you can expect amazing support from NameCheap, whether you’re buying or selling.

NameCheap isn’t perfect though. They could work on their pricing, especially for domain transfers and renewals. So it wouldn’t be our first pick, but it’s still one of the best places to sell domain names.

eBay Marketplace

Maybe eBay isn’t the first place you thought of when wondering where to sell your domain. But it’s a massive marketplace for both cheap and high-quality domains. When we checked it, there were over 11,500 domain names for sale on eBay.

That might not seem ideal. It sounds like a lot of competition.

But eBay is a veteran in the marketplace scene. They know how to help their sellers make a profit. eBay has very effective filtering services, which help connect domain sellers like you with an ideal audience.

It’s not a perfect marketplace for domain names. The competition can still be fierce, of course. And you don’t get the specialized tools for valuation or domain transfer that other marketplaces offer.

But it’s a place to take into account.

NamePros Forum

NamePros is a cerebral destination for buying and selling domain names. It’s not a marketplace per se, so if you’re looking for a place to quickly sell a domain, NamePros isn’t the right spot for you.

Rather, NamePros is a forum for online business enthusiasts. It’s important to note that there are over 1 million of them on the site.

And these enthusiasts are educated. If you plan on selling domain names on NamePros, you’ll need a truly valuable domain. And you’ll need to price it fairly, or people will catch on and no one will buy your domain name.

But we think that’s a big advantage.

NamePros is a great place to sell a good domain name. And it’s also a wonderful community that can help you get educated about everything domain names.

Even if you don’t have anything to sell right now, go and sign-up. It’s a good place to be a part of.

SnapNames

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first.

SnapNames has a bit of an outdated interface. That’s something you can live with, even if it’s ugly. What’s worse though is their service. A lot of customer reviews complain about SnapNames’ support, as well as clunky navigation on their site.

Yeah, it doesn’t look good.

So why is SnapNames on our list?

Despite its shortcomings, SnapNames is still a solid directory of domain names. They feature big catches every now and then (like beer.com) and buyers check in to see what they can get.

So while it’s not a pretty sight, it can be a good platform to sell your domain names.

Efty

If you want to be a domain investor, take this site into account.

Efty is a good place to manage your domain investments at a macro level. Much like investments in other assets, Efty helps you analyze your investments at a domain portfolio level. You get metrics on sales and traffic, as well as help in promoting your assets.

The market of Efty is also pretty big. It has over 600,000 domain names listed for sale, and a track record of almost 10 years in the market.

The best part?

No commissions. Users have to pay a small fee, depending on the number of names in their domain portfolio. But it’s still a very good deal

Domainstate.com

Domainstate.com is not a domain marketplace. But it’s an invaluable resource for anyone interested in selling domains.

Domainstate.com is a huge registry with everything a prospective domain seller needs, including:

  • Tools like WHOIS searches, Alexa scores, IP Lookups, IDN Converter, and link popularity checker.
  • Domain registrars statistics are broken down by overall popularity, region popularity, and loss/gain of members.
  • A huge directory of domain resources, like brokers, escrows, appraisals, financing, and legal advice.
  • SEO and keyword research tools, although their effectiveness doesn’t seem top-notch.

So you can’t sell domain names on Domainstate.com.

But it still made our list, since the resources it makes available for free are amazing. Whether you want to flip domain names for a living, or you have one domain name to get rid off, a visit to Domainstate.com will never hurt.

Direct selling domain names: A better alternative? Domain name marketplaces are good if you want to get a listing out fast, and hopefully even some offers. But isn’t it better to just sell the domains directly to whoever’s interested?

It can be. The problem is that it’s not always possible. Besides being active on forums like NamePros, or other similar communities, there’s no way to gauge buyer intent and realize when someone’s interested in a domain name you have. That’s why marketplaces are very helpful, and we recommend them as the first destination when you want to sell domains.

Moreover, direct selling comes with a risk. You don’t get any buyer/seller protection that you would on the most popular domain name marketplace. So if both parties want to be completely at ease, you’ll need to pay for an escrow.

Regular trade etiquette can be enough. Just make sure that you only transfer the domain rights after the payment is cleared. But it’s still not ideal from our point of view.

But if you have a backlog of domain names, some people are bound to be interested at some point, and contact you directly.

So the only thing you want to do is set your WHOIS information public. Just don’t solely rely on this as a source of customers. It won’t be enough.

Domain valuation tool Regardless of where you sell your domain names, you’ll need to price them properly. How can you do that?

Domain appraisals are usually part of the service of good domain name marketplaces. Godaddy and Sedo both have a decent valuation tool. You can find out more about how they work by clicking the respective links above.

Most domain brokerage services will help you with an appraisal, especially if you have a high-value domain. So it shouldn’t be your first worry if you’re selling on a domain marketplace.

But what if you’re direct selling, and can’t use the resources of a broker or domain marketplace?

In that case, you can use the Domain Index.

It’s a free appraisal system, and it’ll give you an answer quickly.

Just remember that this is a valuation based on historical data. You can take that appraisal and ask for more, or less, based on your individual situation.

How to sell a domain name If you go through one of the marketplaces above, you’ll probably be guided through this entire process. You’ll get professional support for appraisal, finding potential buyers, and even receiving payment securely, as well as transferring the domain.

But what if you’re direct selling?

What if the domain marketplace you’re using isn’t full service?

In that case, here’s a step by step guide on how to sell a domain name:

  1. Settle on a price for your domain. If you don’t get help with appraisal, check the valuation tool we mentioned above.

  2. Find a buyer. This is the hardest part, with or without a marketplace to sell on. Make sure you keep your WHOIS information public, as well as promote your domain name through forums or communities.

  3. Get paid safely. A good domain marketplace will act as your escrow. If you’re selling directly though, you can check the escrows recommended by Domainstate.com. If you don’t want to bother with an escrow (although we recommend you do) at least make sure you confirm the payment before transferring the domain.

  4. Transfer the domain. The specifics of this part depend on the registrar you’re using. The most popular ones like GoDaddy have in-depth guides on how to transfer domains. If that’s not readily available, contact your domain registrar for more information.

The steps might look different based on what platform you turn to. But regardless of the place you sell your domain on, that’s what you’ll usually have to do.

Conclusion We’ve recommended different hosting providers throughout the years. And while Godaddy has never been our favorite in that category, it’s hard to find a better marketplace for domains. If you’re looking for the best place for selling domains, it’s Godaddy.

But don’t disregard the other entries on the list! Sedo and Flippa are top contenders as well, so depending on what you need, you can try them.

If you liked our roundup, and want to find out more about starting a profitable online business, don’t forget to check our article on how to make money blogging.

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Google’s Core Web Vitals have been the talk of the town since May 2021 when they became a ranking factor for mobile searches. In January 2022, they became important on desktop as well.

And everyone scrambled to understand what the largest contentful paint is and how to optimize it.

Luckily, site owners don’t have to take care of it manually. In our WP Rocket review, we’ll take a look at one of the best — and most expensive — caching plugins out there.

Is it worth the money? Will WP Rocket help you pass Core Web Vitals?

WP Rocket Review: Our Verdict WP Rocket is a good plugin. It’s excellent for sites that need help cleaning the clutter, speeding up their pages, and ticking all the boxes to pass Core Web Vitals. It has impressive customizability and advanced options that you won’t get with any other caching plugin.

However, it might not be worth the hefty price tag. If you have a smaller site that can’t benefit from all the advanced customizations available, WP Rocket is not for you.

Here’s the bottom line of our WPRocket review: If you need a faster site, any caching plugin will help. You don’t need the fancy tricks of WP Rocket. But if you have stubborn diagnostics in Google’s Page Insights, WP Rocket might be a requirement. It depends on each site.

WP Rocket Pros and Cons WP Rocket has a lot of things going for it. It’s the only caching plugin we found that features so many delicate retouches often needed to pass the Core Web Vitals. And this is on top of just speeding up your site.

But it’s not a perfect tool either. WP Rocket is pretty pricey in a market with many free competitors.

And while WP Rocket is worth the money for some sites, it’s still lacking some services you’d expect to get for $49/year. These are lack of image optimization (unless you pay extra on Imagify) and the lack of any form of script management.

Both of these are important for passing the CWV. And WP Rocket doesn’t cover them, at least at the time of writing.

Pros: * Powerful plugin to speed up your site * Tons of minor tweaks that can help your WordPress site pass the CWV * Quality of life tools * Great integrations * Easy to use / not confusing interface

Cons: * Pricey * It doesn’t have all the features you’d expect for a paid caching plugin

Before we dig into the details of our WP Rocket review, let’s clarify some terms

What is WP Rocket? WP Rocket promises to speed up your site, and it delivers. Here’s what it can do:

  • CSS and Javascript optimization
  • Browser caching management
  • Media optimization on your WordPress site
  • Advanced customization for all web performance options

It does an excellent job of it too. WP Rocket helps sites load faster and pass the Core Web Vitals with flying colors.

What is WordPress Caching? Caching is a technique to store data so that you can access it much quicker when requested a second time. For example, think about the blog post you’re reading now.

There are images on this page, embedded articles at the bottom, and probably a button or two.

All of these files are stored in the cache of the site server, and in the cache of your browser. This way, they load much faster than resources that have to be computed for the first time when you open the page.

Can a Premium WordPress Caching Plugin Improve Your Site Speed? Yes, this type of WordPress plugin optimizes how your site does cache.

This makes your WordPress site faster.

But a WordPress caching plugin like WP Rocket does more than just speed up your site. It’s an invaluable tool if you’re trying to pass Google’s Core Web Vitals.

It’ll help you make delicate retouches that can improve key metrics like Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, and Cumulative Layout Shift.

It does it by changing the order in which your elements are loaded. For example, they delay a lot of the javascript loads. And they also reorganize your files for faster load.

For example, WPRocket generates “critical CSS” which is a CSS file that ONLY includes above-the-fold elements and is, therefore, a lot smaller than the full page’s file. This helps your loading speed and First contentful paint, which are crucial for passing the CWV.

And in turn, passing the Core Web Vitals is crucial for sites that want to rank high on the SERP. Google has been monitoring these vitals for a while. Since early 2021, they have also made them a ranking factor.

But what can WP Rocket do, more specifically?

WP Rocket Features WP Rocket has a stacked deck of advanced options and settings to improve your site’s performance. While many of them are standard for web performance plugins, WP Rocket has a few aces up its sleeve.

That’s what makes WP Rocket worth the money for many sites.

Caching WP Rocket’s caching tab lets you set some things, like whether or not to enable caching for mobile devices or site users.

It also lets you edit the lifespan of the cache, but we only recommend you focus on this if Google PageInsights prompt you.

The default cache lifespan should be good enough for most sites as most WordPress themes are responsive these days and don’t need a separate mobile cache.

All in all, caching isn’t that special. WP Rocket settings are on par with its free alternatives in this category.

Minification, though – that’s where WP Rocket comes online.

File Optimization and Minification File optimization is probably WP Rocket’s crown jewel.

The plugin offers tons of options for minification and many options in how files are minified.

For starters, WP Rocket lets you take care of the basics. To optimize your page delivery, you can minify all the CSS and Javascript on your site. But if you have Cloudflare, that’s not a huge benefit. You can do it for free with their services.

You can also optimize CSS delivery and load and delay Javascript files. This includes the generation of critical CSS, which can set you back $10/month without WP Rocket.

We don’t recommend you combine CSS files since newer HTTP protocols use separate files. Ticking this option can mess up your performance.

But here’s where the real kicker comes in: WP Rocket lets you exclude content from minification which can help prevent some bugs or issues.

As far as we can tell, it’s the only tool on the market that lets you do this.

And it can be a massive benefit for bigger sites that want to optimize their content. For example, you can exclude pop-ups from optimizations since minifying them tends to mess things up.

WP Rocket is also the only tool on the market that lets you remove unused CSS. Unused CSS is one of the most common offenders in Google Pagespeed Insights, so this option can come in handy.

It’s a beta feature at the moment, so it might not provide results for everyone. But we appreciate it and it works well in most cases.

And the WP Rocket review gets even better.

Media Optimization Lazy loading is when sites delay the initialization of resources until they’re needed. It’s a common development practice, and it can help improve performance a lot, especially on resource-heavy pages.

WP Rocket lets you implement lazy loading on your site. It’s nice, but this is actually a default feature on WordPress since 5.5.

There are a lot of individual plugins for lazy loading. But web performance plugins rarely feature this (except for W3 Total Cache).

Moreover, WP Rocket also lets you exclude images and iframe content from lazy loading. They’re the only plugin to offer that. And it’s VERY helpful because it prevents all the BS JS files from YouTube from loading and plumbing your speed score.

That’s great if you want to customize the user experience on your site or just want to make sure large content is always loaded in. It’s especially helpful to improve LCP if you have a featured image above the fold. Moreover, you can exclude it with CSS class names, so you don’t have to input each image’s URL.

Preloading Preload cache is not necessarily the biggest advantage of WP Rocket. It just loads content into cache even if a page is not visited by someone.

What WP Rocket does on top of that is DNS requests prefetching. This lets you prefetch things like fonts, and in turn improve your LCP score.

Advanced Rules Like most web performance plugins, WP Rocket lets you exclude URLs from caching. This is important for pages that get updated often or for pages with sensitive information like login pages.

But WP Rocket again lets you target very particular issues better than its competitors.

You can target particular cookies and agents that you never want to cache. You can also cache query strings.

This is helpful if you have a lot of traffic coming in from external campaigns. For example, if you get traffic from Facebook ads, you can add the “fid” query in this field:

This way, when visitors from Facebook end up on your site, you won’t create a new cache for existing pages. The page should also benefit from caching for them too even if they have unique tracking IDs.

So add one more feature to the list of things no other WP Rocket competitor can do, but that not all sites can use to their advantage.

Database Optimization You’ll inevitably gather some new drafts, tons of comments, and transients when running a site.

Database optimization helps you remove the clutter.

This is not that important for new sites. It’s a great thing to have further down the line, but it’s not something you should worry about in the beginning.

When you want to clean up your database, though, don’t forget to create a backup. You can end up deleting stuff you needed.

Database optimization is not a unique feature in any way. Most web performance plugins have it.

Content Delivery Network A content delivery network is a geographically distributed network of servers that help improve your site speed. CDNs will track your site visitor’s location and save files for them on the closest server they have.

This is a great way to improve site speed and to make sure your site gets great speed metrics all around the world by reducing physical distance between the servers that host your biggest files and your visitors.

WP Rocket doesn’t offer a CDN for free, but it integrates well with third-party CDNs.

WP Rocket also has its CDN, RocketCDN, which you can get for $7,99/month. However, we haven’t tested this one yet. Also, it’s quite expensive. BunnyCDN is cheaper, and WP Rocket probably just resells Bunny in a white-label, as most companies their size do these days.

We know for sure that WP Rocket works great with Cloudflare. You just need to add your account email and product key in the add-ons tab. If you don’t use Cloudflare, you can also manually add any other CDN you’re using.

These options, too, are pretty stock standard. Bar maybe from the option to remove individual files from the CDN instead of entire directories.

Heartbeat Tab The WordPress Heartbeat API is a built-in feature that helps deliver front-end updates. It’s a great tool, but it can also limit your site speed at times. Heartbeat can also be exploited by DDOS attacks, so it’s good from protecting your site too.

With WP Rocket, you can take control of the API and reduce its activity.

It can provide some results to limit the harm of WordPress updates, snapshots, and the like.

It’s a great option to avoid DDOS attacks, even if a lot of hosting plans already manage Heartbeat by default. Just make sure you don’t reduce Heartbeat too much. It directly affects autosave, so you might lose the work you’re doing on the site.

Other Features and Add-ons WP Rocket has excellent integration with Cloudflare. The same is true for Sucuri and Varnish. These all offer minor tweaks and tricks that can help optimize your site for different browsers. They’re a nice add-on.

Moreover, WP Rocket has quality-of-life tools like importing and exporting your settings or rolling back to a different plugin version. If any update messed up your site or WP Rocket settings, this is nice to have.

However, WP Rocket does drop the ball in some areas.

So for a complete WP Rocket review, let’s see what it’s lacking.

What WP Rocket Is Missing For a tool that costs you $49/year, WP Rocket should feature some image optimization capabilities.

But it doesn’t.

Probably because there are API or processing costs associated with it.

But still, you expect they’d at least take care of part of it.

If you want a tool that compresses and optimizes your images, you’ll need to get something else on top.

WP Rocket does offer another plugin — Imagify — which can take care of this. But it costs $9.99/month. And some of the services they provide, like compressing images, are taken care of for free by other plugins.t

The same thing is true for script management.

Here’s the thing — many WordPress plugins load scripts even on pages where they’re not present. For example, your form plugin might load scripts on your home page or “about us” page, even if there’s no form there.

A script management tool like AssetCleanup takes care of this. For free. And it’s a crucial step in the process of optimizing your site and passing the Core Web Vitals. It makes no sense to minify Javascript files and CSS that you’re not using anyway.

So a comprehensive WP Rocket should also offer some form of script management.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

WP Rocket Speed Test Results Enough looking at the theory. Let’s do some testing.

Well, some disclaimers first. We have used WP Rocket on a lot of our sites. And it provided outstanding results. So we recommend it.

It’s a great tool.

We’re not trying to test that. In this WP Rocket review, we’re trying to see whether or not it’s worth the $49 price tag when most WordPress caching plugins are free.

Test Site Performance without any performance plugin The site we used for this is a testing playground. So it’s not an active site, although it does mimic one pretty well.

Here are the results:

As you can see, the site has some issues that need to be fixed.

One of the biggest problems we had was render-blocking issues.

Besides that, we had to fix these issues:

  • Text didn’t remain visible during webfont load
  • Images didn’t have explicit weight and height attributes
  • Very slow FCP on 3G networks
  • Stop chaining critical requests
  • Keep request count low
  • Get rid of long-maining thread tasks

They’re arranged in order of priority. Let’s see how the plugins fared in the tests.

Test site performance with Breeze Breeze is one of the most used WP Rocket alternatives, and it’s free. If you’re running your site on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a perfect choice. Before revealing our results though, keep in mind that Breeze is Cloudway’s plugin. That’s the host we used on this test site.fimagi

There was an improvement with Breeze. But it didn’t quite get us over the finish line to pass the Core Web Vitals test.

We still need to reduce unused CSS and JavaScript. That was a fix for some of the issues already on the site. But installing Breeze created more problems with unused CSS.

As well as a completely new diagnostic:

Moreover, our biggest problem (eliminating render-blocking issues) is still there. Breeze doesn’t do that good of a job at optimizing CSS.

So Breeze might do good work for some sites, but it can also miss the mark. In our case, it ended up doing more harm than good.

And even if it worked without a hitch, it’d still miss features we need on our site to pass the CWV, like image optimization and removal of unused CSS.

Test Results After WP Rocket Optimization WP Rocket helped us improve the CWV metrics by a lot.

Here are the results:

Although the FCP still has some issues, we pass the CWV with flying colors, and not too much work optimizing the plugin.

We still had some issues:

The image elements still show up as not having width and height attributes. That’s because in our particular case, the images were pulled from Amazon.

We can’t replace them due to ToS, and Amazon doesn’t optimize them. This is probably the reason some issues still persist, although they’re not as impactful anymore.

But in most cases like this one, WP Rocket’s media optimization features are enough to keep you covered.

And even without them, the core issues of optimizing CSS and JavaScript were solved.

WP Rocket Pricing and Support Now that we covered features and use, let’s talk about WP Rocket’s offer. Its pricing is the criticism most often leveled against the WP Rocket. And that’s because most other WordPress caching plugins don’t ask for a dime.

Here’s their pricing scheme:

Compared to premium WordPress plugins, it’s pretty standard stuff. And we do like the 14-day money-back guarantee. You can give it a try without committing for an entire year.

We touched on pricing a lot in this review. In short, WP Rocket justifies its price point with advanced customization features that you can’t find anywhere else.

For some sites, it’s these little targeted options that can make the difference between passing the CWV or not. For other sites, they might not prove that valuable.

And for all sites, it’s a drawback that WP Rocket has no script management, or image optimization features. For the price tag, they should be there.

Support is great, but not really “excellent.”

A support agent from the WP Rocket team responded to our ticket in under 24 hours, and they cleared up any questions we had. Not to mention, their knowledge center and documentation are very comprehensive.

However, there’s no live support, and their help center doesn’t feature a history of your messages. So it could be better.

Conclusion: Should You Buy WP Rocket? That depends.

If you have a small WordPress site and you just want to speed it up a bit, you shouldn’t buy WP Rocket. Other free WordPress caching plugins like Breeze are what you need.

If you’re on a tight budget, also try to make it work with free tools. And most importantly, focus on the other parts of SEO. The core web vitals are a big part of ranking, but they’re not the only ones. They’re not even the most important ones.

If you’re serious about your authority site, though, and you’ve already seen some growth, WP Rocket is the next step. Even if it’s pricey compared to the competition, and it doesn’t have everything we’d like in a paid web performance tool.

It’s the only one that can help you tweak the little stuff needed to pass the Core Web Vitals.

FAQ

Is WP Rocket worth the money? For medium and big sites that need to do some tweaking to pass the Core Web Vitals, WP Rocket is definitely worth the money. It has advanced features like excluding files from minification or removing unused CSS.

For smaller sites just getting started, though, WP Rocket is not a requirement. If you get it, it probably won’t be worth the money. You can’t make the most out of its advanced features.

What does WP Rocket do? WP Rocket is a web performance plugin. It speeds up your WordPress site and helps you pass the Core Web Vitals. It does all of that mostly automatically. And you get tons of customizability options for things like caching minification or preloading.

Which is better, WP Rocket or W3 Total cache? W3 Total cache is a fantastic option if you’re on a budget. However, if you want to get advanced features that you wouldn’t get in free caching plugins, WP Rocket is the way to go. It’s the safest bet you’ll pass the Core Web Vitals.

Is WP Rocket a free plugin? WP Rocket is not a free plugin. It costs $49/year, even if most of its competitors are free. However, WP Rocket has a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can technically give it a shot that way. If it doesn’t work for your site, you can always ask for your money back.

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Most affiliate marketers know about ClickBank (and if you don’t I’ll explain exactly what it does just below) but few of you guys know how to make money with Clickbank.

A typical process for a newbie to affiliate marketing is that they sign up, find some crappy product with a high commission and start to fantasize about how it’s going to make sales.

Then, they throw some random traffic at it and watch how nobody spends a dime on it. Finally, they come to the conclusion that the platform sucks. Sounds familiar?

Well, here’s how it worked for us.

2014 was the first year we tried to make some money off the platform. We ended up making $37,075 off it without trying very hard (ClickBank has always been a secondary monetization method, so far, for our businesses).

As we saw the affiliate marketing revenue from Clickbank grow we paid more attention to it and decided to optimize the process so we can make more money online with Clickbank.

After a few months of hard work, we managed to transform this small income stream into something a lot more sizable as you can see by this screenshot:

In this post is that I’ll show you exactly how to make money with Clickbank using the process we devised during this time period.

Let’s get started!

What you will learn * What ClickBank is and how to use it to make thousands of dollars monthly * How to pick ClickBank products to promote * The most common ways to promote ClickBank products * The unique funnel we use to scale up our sales * How to build these funnels * How to scale them up and take over the offer

What Is Clickbank? Clickbank is an affiliate network.

But unlike traditional affiliate platforms, Clickbank serves as a marketplace for both people who create products and affiliates, so they can make money together without complex paperwork or agreements.

How Does Clickbank Work? In other words, Clickbank is the middleman between creators of digital products, such as ebooks, video, music and so on, and people who can sell those products, i.e. affiliate marketers.

Obviously, depending on which party of the marketplace are you, Clickbank fulfills one of the two functions:

  1. A Product Marketplace For Affiliates As an affiliate marketer, you can jump right in, create your unique affiliate links for thousands of products (more on that later) and start to drive traffic right away to start making money. You will also see your earnings in real time.

It’s free to join and there’s no screening process. No cap or complicated metrics. It’s basically a simplified affiliate network, open to anyone that wants to give it a shot.

In case you want to try it out, simply go register on their homepage.

  1. An E-Commerce Platform For Information Product Owners As a product owner, you can add your product to the database and ClickBank will take care of all the checkout and e-commerce part, as well as offering an affiliate program for it.

You will be charged $49.95 one time activation fee, for becoming a seller on Clickbank. I believe this fee does a good job of keeping some low-quality vendors out of the platform.

This is great if you don’t want to handle the technical part of things but you have to know that the platform will take quite a bit of money off your sales ($1 + 7.5% of the sales).

That’s why if you start making some serious sales volume, you may want to move out of the platform to platforms like Thinkific or Teachable because these don’t take a % of your sales.

In addition to % of sales, you’re charged $2.5 dollars payment processing fee, every time you take out the money. Clickbank can also approve customer refunds and charge you $0.50 or $1 for that.

The rise of the LMS platforms like the two above is probably why Clickbank has been losing some steam in the last few years …

Why Clickbank? As an affiliate marketer you might ask yourself, why sell ebooks and online courses from unknown producers, if you can just sign up with say CJ or Amazon Associates and sell reputable products.

Firstly, online education is a huge market and Clickbank itself generates close to a quarter billion dollars in sales revenue each year.

Secondly, there’s a beauty to digital products. That beauty is the highest margins possible. Because, to make a copy of a video and sell it, costs nothing.

100% of the revenue can be considered the profit (outside of marketing costs).

High profits = high affiliate commissions. And Clickbank pays up to 75%.

Pros & Cons Of ClickBank I really like ClickBank and I think it’s a fantastic place for new affiliate marketers to get started and earn money online without the hassle of more advanced affiliate networks.

There’s no cap, you don’t need to be approved for 90% of the offers and you can start selling straight away.

Trust me, that’s a huge plus when you get started and have no track record to show to those big affiliate networks.

Here is a short list of the pros & cons of the platform:

Pros * Highly paid offers (75% commission is common) * You can sell in most countries * Several recurring offers to sell, for ongoing income * Takes the tech out of the way

Cons * Lots of shitty products & sales pages * Lots of competition on popular products * Hard to tell what does well without investing traffic * High costs associated to the e-commerce platform

Step-By-Step: How To Make Money With Clickbank To make money with Clickbank, you have to follow the same formula as any successful venture.

You need a solid product that customers want and create a funnel to convert the traffic, to begin with. Then you build up your traffic, optimize your funnel, and once you know you’re profitable (i.e. you convert $ more than you invest), you scale the whole thing.

Easy on paper, but sadly, few people put the effort to get it right. 90% of affiliate revenues come from 10% of affiliates, so put your best work in.

Let’s start with the product.

How To Pick The Right Product To Promote One of the best ways to make money with Clickbank is to start as an affiliate, promoting pages that have already been optimized, in order to build your sales funnels.

Much like keyword research for SEO, picking the right product to promote on ClickBank is extremely important. No matter how good you are at promoting if you drive traffic to a sales page that doesn’t sell, you will not make much money.

Here is a short video of me going through the ClickBank affiliate marketplace to find juicy products to promote.

The Different ClickBank Metrics Initial $/sale: The average amount of money affiliates make per sale.

Avg %/sale: The % of the sales price affiliates take as a commission on average.​

Grav: Gravity, the number of affiliates that sold this product in the last 12 weeks.​

Avg Rebill Total: Average $ affiliates take as a commission as a result of rebills.​

Avg %/Rebill: % of rebills paid to the affiliate, on average.​

What Is A Great Product To Promote Screening offers is a big part of knowing how to make money with Clickbank. Here are the things we look for when it comes to screening offers to promote:

  • Low-cost initial offer with up to 3 upsales
  • Video sales pages & “native” sales pages (pages that feel like content)
  • Products with good reviews online (low refunds = more money and less list burnout)
  • Gravity above 20 (means that the page converts fairly well)

How Everyone Tries To Make Money From ClickBank If you read on other affiliate marketing blogs, you’ll see a ton of “tactics” on how to make money with ClickBank. Some of them work and some of them clearly don’t work.

The issue most of these tactics have, apart from the last one, is that they have very limited preselling.

People are thrown to sales pages without knowing exactly why they are there or who is this guy trying to sell them an information product.

From our experience, preselling is HUGE. You need to give people valid reasons why they should buy the product and if you can be that 3rd party giving a recommendation, your conversion rates will 5-10x very often (hint: that’s what I do all over Authority Hacker).

Additionally, repeat exposure to the offer does very very well for us. More on that later though.

Let’s have a recap of the most “common” ways people make money with ClickBank before I show you our secret sauce.

Direct Linking / Banners This one is the most common and very often least profitable.

The tactic is simple.

Find a somewhat related article on your site and slap a banner on the sidebar or in the middle of the article, without any form of pre-selling the product specifically.

Because the traffic is somewhat related to the offer, some people will convert. However, your EPC ( earnings per click) will be very low because the product does not come recommended by the author.

In Content Links In content, links are usually in line recommendations that are embedded directly in the text.

The recommendation often comes from the voice of the author and if they’ve done a good job building trust throughout the article/post, the conversion rates will be decent.

However, they’re not very prominent and will only catch the attention of the most attentive readers. Other than trusting the author, there’s not much of an incentive to click through.

Reviews This is one tactic we still use to this day and for good reason: it works! Review traffic is extremely targeted and people landing on your page have a very high chance to buy.

If your review doesn’t look completely biased, there’s a good chance they’ll trust you and click through your affiliate link to buy the product.

Read more: How to write product reviews that sell without being cheesy

The issue with reviews is to actually get the volume of traffic you need to make a lot of sales.

The traffic on review keywords is low and the competition is fierce. Every SEO and their dog tries to make money online with reviews and you end up sitting in the middle of a negative SEO fest, for trickles of traffic.

Not ideal, if you’re trying to build a long term property. Also, there’s no other way to scale than horizontally (produce more reviews) because there just isn’t much traffic for each product review. This makes it hard to grow faster or use paid traffic to push things up.

Building A Value-Oriented Media Funnel All the methods we talked about before tend to work to some extent but they’re usually worn out and overused by everyone in the industry making it very competitive and hard to scale unless you have a site with hundreds and hundreds of reviews.

Plus, nobody links or shares any of the content above because it sells and people tend to hate linking or sharing stuff that sells something to its readers. It’s just the way it is.

Not being sharable or linkable is a huge handicap in today’s social web. This means you will have to pay or produce all of your traffic and if you ever want to have a chance to show up in Google, you’ll have to spend hours doing tedious link building. Not fun, not scalable, not economical.

So how do you remain shareable while making sales? Simple, give free stuff and add value.

But how to make money with Clickbank then? You sell to the people that wanted more free stuff and gave you their email for it.

You basically keep your front end clean of ANY sales pitch. You run it like a media company offering free content to the readers.

You then offer lead magnets through content upgrades, opt-in pop-ups and retargeting. The lead magnet offers more free stuff to those who are interested enough to trade their contact information for it.

You can THEN start linking to the offer from the thank you page and start emailing people about the offer so you make sure they don’t miss out on it.

But wait! If I only show my offer to those who opted in am I not losing on sales?

Well, if someone doesn’t care enough about the topic to give you their email address, they probably won’t give you money for it.

Here is an outline of the system we use:

This system is the best out there, in my opinion, for the following reasons:

  • You keep your front end clean of commercial offers meaning you can get tons of links/shares etc.
  • You can target viral topics or high traffic keywords related to the problems the offer solves meaning there’s no traffic problem.
  • It can run 100% without PPC if that’s not your thing (many of those run purely on organic for us)
  • You’re building an email list meaning that you own the audience. This means that you can sell more things to them once they reach your main list, and the value of your media property is greatly increased and compounds over time.

Let’s dive into each element of the funnel and how you can execute each of them:

  1. Traffic & Content This one is pretty straight forward. If you create value only content, getting links using these tactics and getting shares is fairly easy. There are 3 main ways I recommend you to go after traffic:

  2. SEO: If you’re going to create content, you might as well optimize it for search engines. If you want more info on implementing SEO for your authority site I recommend our free authority SEO course (see what I’m doing here?).

  3. Facebook: Pretty much all audiences are on Facebook and you can get very cheap traffic. I recommend this method by Digital marketer or to build a big fan page, engage it and drive traffic through organic reach (case study coming soon on that one).
  4. Content distribution networks: I don’t have a ton of experience with these but judging by the number of people running this tactic across networks like taboola and outbrain I imagine this must be fairly successful. This works especially well if you’re covering a widespread issue.

Remember these rules. Keep the content clean of promotions (apart from your opt-in), give value, establish yourself as an authority and don’t be greedy. That will really set you apart from 99% of affiliates.

  1. Opt-In Create a complementary piece of content to the article. For example, if the article is a list of tips, create 3 more tips that people can download. This can be more recipes or anything that is a continuation of the content. This way, the people that were engaged enough to read until the end will most likely want to trade their email for more.

To distribute this lead magnet I recommend you look into:

  • Opt-in pop-ups – They just do wonders for us, with up to 6% opt-in rate on this very site and 5.5% on Health Ambition. We collect hundreds of emails daily with those. Read more on opt-in pop-ups.
  • Content upgrades – They’re a great final call to action at the end of your content, hard to miss along with the pop-up. It’s also very inexpensive to set up. Read more on content upgrades.
  • Retargeting + Opt-in page – If people didn’t take your offer on the site, maybe they got busy. Add them to a retargeting list on Facebook and send them to an opt-in page to download the bonuses.

To create all of these, so far the best tool is still Thrive Leads (review). But if you are going to be using Elementor PRO as a site builder they also have a great pop-up / opt-in builder baked in.

  1. Thank You Page & Offer Now that people have opted in, you need to redirect them to a thank you page where you can (finally) promote your offer.

While promoting the offer is important, it’s also important to “bridge” the offer with the lead magnet they just opted in for. Otherwise, people will be frustrated and think they need to pay for the lead magnet. Trust me we’ve made that mistake!

Note that we also have a retargeting pixel on this page to set up a negative audience and not advertise the lead magnet to those who already opted in.

You then want to explain to people why the lead magnet they’ve downloaded is incomplete and why they should take the offer you present along with it, to get better results.

In this case, people download a juicing recipes book but we explain to them that without the 30-day plan, they won’t get very far and achieve what they want.

Notice that the call to action is to “continue” meaning we’re not telling them anything is for sale yet. That means more clicks to our sales page and eventually more sales.

You can build a basic version of these landing pages with Gutenberg but I recommend Elementor (Review) or Thrive Architect (Review) for it, with the drag & drop editor you can create these in seconds.

  1. Email Marketing This is where things start to be fun. As opposed to people trying to throw traffic to a sales page once and then have no chance to see those visitors again, you have their contact details!

Note: If you don’t have an email marketing service yet, I recommend Getresponse for affiliate marketers, it’s far superior to Aweber and offers great automation for the exact same price and has a free trial for you to see if you like it.

That means you can expose them to the offer again in case they didn’t buy and take your time to convince them that it’s what they need (and you know it is because they downloaded the related lead magnet).

When you get started, I recommend to only set up a 3 part autoresponder. It’s enough to know if the offer is going to convert or not. Here’s how I break it down:

Email 1 – Features & Logic In the first email, I first send them the link to the lead magnet a second time (the excuse to email them) and ask them if they saw the offer (affiliate link).

I then go on and give a bullet point list of why I think they should get it as well as maybe 1 testimonial to give it credibility and start easing into the emotional realm. I’ll usually finish with a question, opening a loop making them want to open the next email.

Email 2 – Emotions In the second email, you email them to answer the question you asked in the previous email and start (excuse for the email).

Then you go on and help them visualize themselves having solved the problem and all the things they could do when it is solved.

In the case of weight loss, for example, it could be:

  • Being more attractive and finding the love of your life
  • Not being ashamed when people look at you anymore
  • Having more energy / being able to do more
  • Not dying early

Simply elicit positive emotions of all the great things that could happen and link it back to your product.

Email 3 – Scarcity In the final email of the series, you want to push people to take action right now. This is when you use a mixture of limited time offers (discounts, bonuses etc if available with the offer) and guilt people for not taking action.

You can use sentences like: “Einstein defined insanity as the fact of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” or “You need something new if you really want to change your life”.

This is when you want to make sure the product actually delivers. If I guilt someone into buying a product that actually helps them lose 20lbs and live a better life, I’m happy I did it. If you guilt low-income overweight people to buy a crappy pseudoscience product and they lose both money and hope, you’re not a great person.

These sales tactics are powerful and work but you have to have ethics when using them. Remember, we want to sell MANY things to our prospects so the first product better deliver! Really helping people makes you more money.

If you want to build real scarcity, you can use a tool like Deadline Funnels and actually open and close the offers for your subscribers.

This sounds counter-intuitive but limited access does increase sales dramatically so if you want the best results, I recommend you open and close the offers as a product launch to your list. Deadline funnels allow you to do just that, you can even add a timer on top of the affiliate sales page.

Deadline funnels offer many premade promotion blueprints If you’re thinking this is a lot of work, and it really isn’t, then imagine how happy you’ll be when your daily emails go out and you see money trickling in that way (wait, was that visualization?).

Once people have gone through the 3 part autoresponder, simply add them to your main broadcast list and email them your next pieces of content. If they’re interested, they’ll opt in and enter a new mini sales funnel.

This is a great way to not burn your email list while constantly selling. Those who don’t opt in never get sold to, until they are interested enough to download your lead magnet. At this point, you’re seen as a great value giver since your front end is always pure value.

  1. Retargeting Sadly, this option is becoming more and more popular so I won’t be able to enjoy it alone anymore.

Using Facebook or any other retargeting service, you can create audiences of people visiting your website (minus those who opted in from the site) and advertise lead magnets to them for about 30 days.

The process is fairly simple and after a bit of optimization, you’ll be able to let it run as people get out of your retargeting list after the 30 days have elapsed. This means you don’t run into ad fatigue problems nearly as much as you do when running cold traffic campaigns.

Send that traffic to a squeeze page. They will know who you are and you can achieve as much as 70% opt-in rate with some headline tweaking.

Here’s an example of opt in page (I created it with Elementor Pro) I send traffic to the free webinar we offer on this site.

Creating Your Affiliate Links & TID’s In order to know where your conversions come from (Which E-mail, Facebook ad or blog post), the best practice is to create a new affiliate link each time you put a link somewhere. This way, you will be able to tell which emails/pages convert and which don’t.

In order to create a tracking ID, when you create your link simply add it in the “Tracking ID” field as per the screenshot below.

Scaling Now that you’ve built the initial funnel, let it run for a little bit. Perhaps start building a second one and after a while, decide if it’s worth spending more time on it.

If it’s making some sales and you want to expand it, all you need to do is pick one area and expand it. These include:

  • Creating more SEO content around more keywords related to the product you’re selling.
  • Link building your existing content to improve its rankings.
  • Using paid social to grow the traffic to your content.
  • Expanding your autoresponder from 3 to 12-15 emails to increase sales.
  • A/B test your pop-ups and opt-ins to increase the opt-in rate.

Owning The Offer When you’ve reached a certain scale, you should already be making several thousand dollars per month.

At this point, it’s time to start considering swapping the affiliate offer with your own offer.

This will allow you to keep all the money coming in and control things such as:

  • The upsales
  • The sales page
  • Being able to buy traffic directly to your sales pages
  • Have affiliates make money for you by promoting your product

It’s not easy and it’s not something I would consider doing if I had no traffic and no revenue. But once you have proven you can get people and sell them info products, this is one of the best ways to grow your own revenue.

At that point though, I would consider solutions such as Thinkific or Teachable to sell your own courses or information products.

They are just easier, more up to date and just cheaper to use as you grow (Thinkific even has a totally free plan where they take a small % of your sales as Clickbank does).

To Wrap It Up As you probably guessed, the scope of this strategy is slightly larger than ClickBank itself. ClickBank is a great, simple place to start replacing things such as Adsense or Amazon revenue for real sales.

It tends to generate much more revenue if you manage to make it work.

We do have a post with ClickBank alternatives if you want to consider other affiliate networks or you can read our in-depth Clickbank review.

You can use this in other affiliate programs or even for your own products to promote. Be careful though, as offers do occasionally get pulled. You need to be sure you have a backup offer in case this happens (or you’re ready to create a backup yourself).

I hope this tutorial inspired you to get out of the “easy” monetization methods and showed you that it is possible to build a long term property, be seen as a value adder and yet make money with Clickbank. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.

FAQ

Can You Actually Make Money With ClickBank? Yes, absolutely! ClickBank’s comparatively high commission rates mean you can expect to earn anywhere from $15 – $50 for a single sale.

That means affiliate marketers only need to refer four sales a day to earn a daily passive income of up to $200.

Do that every day and you’re making $6,000 a month — a more than comfortable job replacement income.

Is ClickBank Good for Beginners? It’s pretty easy for first-time ClickBank affiliate marketers to get started.

Because you don’t need to be approved for the vast majority of affiliate products on ClickBank, you can start selling straight away, which isn’t the case with most other affiliate networks.

Of course, you’ll still need to spend time choosing the right ClickBank products if you’re going to make any money.

Which ClickBank Products Sell Best? ClickBank made its name as a marketplace for digital content creators, and that’s still relevant today.

Indeed, the best-selling ClickBank product of all time is Yogaburn, an online yoga course.

However, the network is home to an increasing number of physical products, and anything related to weight loss seems to perform well — seven of its 20 all-time best sellers are dietary supplements.

Is ClickBank Better Than Amazon Associates? ClickBank definitely pays higher commissions than Amazon affiliate program, so from that perspective alone, it has more earning potential.

However, it doesn’t come anywhere close to Amazon’s sheer range of products (because no one does).

Amazon is also one of the world’s most trusted brands, so it’s rarely a “tough sell” for your audience.

What Is a Good Gravity On ClickBank? A ClickBank affiliate product with a gravity of 20+ is relatively popular and should convert pretty well.

As a beginner, it’s best to ignore the most popular products with the highest gravities, because the competition will be extremely high.

So set an upper limit of ~70.

What Is the Best Way to Promote ClickBank Products? Building an authority website is the best way to promote ClickBank products.

Starting your own site allows you to create quality content, build an audience, and refer sales to your favorite products.

You can support your website via other marketing channels, such as an email newsletter or a YouTube channel.

Does ClickBank Pay Through PayPal? Affiliate commissions from ClickBank can’t be paid through PayPal.

When setting up their accounts, ClickBank affiliates are asked to set their preferred payment from:

– Check
– Direct deposit
– Payoneer
– Wire transfer

Where Can I Promote ClickBank Products? You can promote ClickBank products through social media channels, email marketing, or your own website.

You can also choose whether to invest in paid advertising (such as PPC and banner ads) to drive traffic, or to rely on search engine optimization to bring in free traffic.

How Can I Make Money With ClickBank Without a Website? You can make money from ClickBank without a website, but we wouldn’t recommend it.

Mostly because it leaves you at the mercy of volatile platforms and algorithms over which you have no control.

Far better to build a website and use search engine marketing to build a consistent flow of free traffic.

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Let’s be honest: if you’re going to make it as a professional blogger, you need to understand the types of blogs that make money.

It’s all well and good writing about your passion.

But if there’s no chance of making money from it, you’ll only ever be a hobby blogger.

Fact is, most people don’t make money blogging (or at least, not enough to become a full-time blogger).

According to ProBlogger, about two-thirds of bloggers earn less than $100 a month from their blogs.

That’s less than $3.50 a day.

On the flip side, about one in 10 earn $1,000 – $9,999 a month, and one in 25 make more than $10,000 a month.

Those “success stories” are the people who’ve found profitable blog niches and monetized them effectively.

With that in mind, in this article we’re going to:

  • Shine a light on those profitable blogging niches
  • Focus on a successful blog within each niche
  • Discuss how you could make money blogging in that niche
  • Identify potential sub-niches and topic areas within each niche

Hopefully, you can take our findings and apply them to your own blog.

And make a ton of money.

Sounds good?

Let’s dive in.

(N.B. want to find even more profitable niche ideas? Check out our guide to the 115+ best niches for affiliate marketing.)

10 Types of Blogs That Make Money 1. Finance Blogs Are you crazy about credit cards?

Loopy about loans?

Mad about mortgages?

I could do this forever, but you get the picture.

If any (or all) of those things apply, you could start making money with a finance blog.

Finance and business blogs aim to give useful financial advice to their audience.

It could be general advice, or it could be tailored to a specific demographic, like college students, parents, or people approaching retirement.

As its name suggests, Money to the Masses doesn’t target a specific audience niche.

Instead, its goal is to help millions of people make smarter financial choices by steering them toward the best financial products.

That’s how finance blogs typically make money.

They recommend financial products that they’re paid to promote.

Or they monetize through financial affiliate programs, which means they add affiliate links to the credit cards, savings account, or loans they reference in their finance blogs. When someone clicks one of those links and buys the product in question, they earn a commission.

Clearly, Money to the Masses does that pretty damn well, with Ahrefs estimating it attracts 117,000 organic visitors a month with a monthly value of $273,000.

Ahrefs shows us the site is targeting a bunch of high-intent keywords, such as:

  • best regular savings account
  • best childrens savings account
  • best 10 year fixed rate mortgage
  • best way to invest 100k

If you can rank strongly for terms like those, you’ll be well placed to make money online from a finance blog.

Given the vast range of financial products and services available, combined with the fact that literally everyone has a vested interest in making smart financial decisions, you shouldn’t be short on blogging ideas.

Potential Business and Finance Blog Niches * Budgeting * Retirement planning * Earning passive income * Saving money * Investing

  1. Travel Blogs Travel and blogging are natural bedfellows.

Most people picture a blogger as someone who jets around the world, laptop and smartphone in hand, staying in high-end hotels and sipping cocktails on beaches, then earning money by writing about it.

Of course, the reality isn’t always like that.

Lots of travel bloggers are little more than enthusiastic hobbyists.

But there are plenty of people out there who make money by running a travel blog.

People like Nate Hake, founder of Travel Lemming — one of the most popular blogs in the travel niche.

Nate and his team have built a vast library of content offering expert insights on the practicalities of traveling in destinations across the world.

But how does Travel Lemming make money from all that blog content?

Well, it has two main avenues to monetization:

Firstly, it uses AdThrive to run banner ads across its site.

And secondly, it earns commission by adding affiliate links to gear review and recommendation articles.

It has a bunch of articles covering topics like the best:

  • Travel backpacks
  • Travel gift ideas
  • Travel pillows

And much more besides.

Want to learn more about travel affiliate marketing? Take a look at our guide to the best travel affiliate programs.

Potential Travel Blogging Niches * Backpacking * Digital nomad travel * Traveling within your own country * Adventure travel * Luxury travel

  1. Lifestyle Blogs Unlike the other blogging niche examples in this article, lifestyle is a pretty nebulous term.

By which I mean, lifestyle blogs can basically be about anything.

Generally, they’re about the personal experiences of the blog owner or editorial team.

That can encompass fashion, dating, culture, careers, travel… and lots of other things too.

Many lifestyle blogs that make money effectively build a sort of “cult of personality” around their founder.

We think Person X has an incredible life; we aspire to be like them; so we follow them on social media and read their blog content.

Camille Styles is a great example.

Camille and her team write about food, party planning, interior design, beauty, and wellness.

The only thing tying those disparate blog niches together is Camille herself — if you didn’t care about her lifestyle, you’d have little incentive to read her articles.

Evidently, lots of people do care, because Camille Styles generates 50 million impressions across its website and social channels every month.

With so much attention (and traffic), the site is ideally placed to monetize via ad networks like AdThrive, Ezoic, and Mediavine. Google AdSense is another, but the payouts are so low that we don’t recommend using it.

To a lesser extent, it also makes money through affiliate marketing, incorporating links into relevant articles such as a guide to Camille’s fall living room redesign.

Potential Lifestyle Blog Niches * Dating and relationships * Health and fitness * Career development * Interior design * Fashion

  1. Health and Fitness Blogs Much like the finance niche, it makes sense to start a fitness blog, because everyone cares about their health.

That gives you a huge audience to target and a wealth of potential blog topics to cover.

There’s no single way to earn money with a fitness blog.

Instead, there are multiple avenues of monetization, as we can see by exploring Mind Body Green, one of the health and fitness niche’s most popular blogs.

Affiliate marketing is part of its money-making “toolkit”.

The site’s writers add affiliate links to a wide range of content, covering everything from top makeup tips to the best probiotics.

Mind Body Green also works with advertising partners to create sponsored posts, like this one on choosing the right pair of leggings:

It runs banner ads across the website, allowing it to earn a cut from every person that clicks.

If you like what you read on Mind Body Green, you can pay for an online class covering topics like yoga, meditation, and plant-based eating.

As if that wasn’t enough, it also has its own online store selling health supplements and personal care products…

…and even runs online courses on health coaching and functional nutrition training.

Realistically, you’re not going to offer all that stuff from the moment you launch your first health and fitness blog.

But it just goes to show how many options there are to expand and scale an online business in this niche.

Potential Lifestyle Blog Niches * Mindfulness * Exercise * Nutrition * Supplements * Weight loss

  1. Beauty Blogs Inevitably, there can be a fair degree of crossover between beauty blogs, fashion blogs, lifestyle blogs, and even travel blogs.

For instance, a lot of beauty bloggers will naturally also write about what’s in their wardrobe, while fashion bloggers often cover makeup tips.

But there’s plenty of scope to earn money with a blog focused purely (or largely) on the world of beauty.

Fleur DeForce is one such website.

A lot of sites in this niche have popular YouTube channels, and Fleur DeForce is no different.

Launched back in 2009, Fleur’s YouTube has more than 1.3 million subscribers, so no doubt she makes plenty of money through banner ads in her video content.

But that’s only one way to make money as a beauty blogger.

Unsurprisingly, affiliate marketing plays a big part. Fleur adds affiliate links to product reviews and other commercial-themed content, such as her review of L’Oreal’s Skin Paradise.

Fleur also (kind of) runs her own ecommerce store, giving readers the opportunity to shop her wardrobe — although it’s worth noting her online store is actually a bunch of affiliate links to products she recommends.

Potential Beauty Blog Niches * Styling tips * Makeup tutorials * Product recommendations * DIY beauty products * Skincare

  1. Fashion Blogs We’ve looked at beauty and lifestyle, now let’s take a look at the adjacent — and sometimes overlapping — world of the fashion blog.

If you’ve got a passion for fashion and love keeping abreast of all the latest style trends, starting a fashion blog could be the perfect way to bring in some passive income.

That’s why some of our favorite blogs that make money are in the fashion niche.

Who What Wear is one of the best-known fashion blogs.

According to Ahrefs, the three million monthly organic visitors it attracts are worth a cool $1.8 million a month.

Now that’s what we call a profitable blog niche.

If you want to know how the people behind Who What Wear make more money in a single month than the average NFL player earns in an entire season, take a look at the affiliate disclosure in the website footer:

If, like me, your eyesight isn’t great, it basically says that if you buy something through an affiliate link, it might earn a commission.

No shocks there.

The fashion niche is a perfect fit for affiliate marketing, because it’s literally all about recommending products.

In every fashion blog you write, there should be multiple opportunities to link to physical products — and every time someone buys one, you’ll make a cut of the sale.

Potential Fashion Blog Niches * Sustainable fashion * Luxury and designer fashion * Fashion for specific occasions (e.g. parties, weddings) * Affordable fashion * Specific fashion trends (e.g. indie sleaze — it’s all the rage at the moment, apparently)

  1. Parenting Blogs Full disclosure: I don’t have children (yet).

But even I know that parenting is difficult.

From maternity fashion to choosing a birthing plan to finding the best baby products, there’s so much to think about.

Which explains the huge popularity of the parenting blog.

The parenting niche covers a whole range of blogs. There are mom blogs, dad blogs, co-parenting blogs, and probably plenty of others I haven’t listed here.

Once again, there’s a fair amount of crossover here with lifestyle blogs.

There’s plenty of examples of bloggers who started out running a fashion or lifestyle-themed site then pivoted into parenting or mom blogs when they got a little older.

One day, they’re writing about the hottest bars in Williamsburg, then the next they’re discussing the pros and cons of water birthing.

At the same time, there are plenty of blogs that are solely dedicated to parenting, like Lucie’s List.

The website’s goal is to “make your transition to parenthood as painless as possible”, which essentially means providing lots of advice, information, and product reviews to soon-to-be parents.

One of the most successful parenting blogs around, it brings in an estimated 112,000 organic visitors a month, with a monthly value of close to $50,000, according to Ahrefs.

That’s a whole lot more than a job replacement income.

Lucie’s List appears to make most of its money from affiliate marketing:

It publishes guides on things like the best infant car seats and baby carriers, plus lots of informational content about the various stages of the parental process, from pregnancy right through to preschool.

Potential Parenting Blog Niches * Single parenting * Home schooling * Raising a teenager * Family budgeting * Online safety

  1. Marketing Blogs Marketing is an extremely attractive blogging niche.

Why?

Because any online business might need marketing-related tips or services.

They might want help with keyword research, link-building, social media, or countless other topics.

If you’ve got expertise in any of those areas, starting a marketing blog could be a smart move.

Without tooting our own trumpets, Authority Hacker is a prime example of a marketing blog geared toward online entrepreneurs.

Specifically, it’s a marketing blog aimed at helping would-be affiliate marketers build profitable websites, covering everything from choosing the right niche to learning how to build links at scale without resorting to black hat tactics.

That gives us a wealth of monetization opportunities.

Whenever we publish a product-related blog post — such as reviews of WordPress themes and keyword research tools — we’ll incorporate affiliate links.

We also have a whole page of our website dedicated to our favorite marketing tools — the ones we use time and again across our own portfolio of authority websites. Again, if you click our affiliate link and buy one of those tools, we earn a commission.

Of course, that’s not our primary means of making money.

Our main raison d’être is to promote our premium affiliate marketing training courses, The Authority Site System(aimed at beginners) and Authority Hacker Pro (for affiliates with established websites).

We charge money for those courses, and with more than 9,000 happy customers (and counting), we think we’re doing a pretty good job.

We even run our own affiliate program, paying up to $990 commission per sale, with a lifetime commission on other Authority Hacker products purchased by each referred customer.

Potential Marketing Blog Niches * Startup marketing * Building a personal brand * Niches marketing strategies (e.g. SEO, email marketing, PPC) * Marketing product reviews * Social media marketing

  1. Food Blogs At the end of the day, we’ve all got to eat.

And therein lies the appeal of food blogs.

Whether you’re teaching people how to cook amazing cuisine, recommending high-quality kitchen appliances, or reviewing the best restaurants in your hometown, a food blog can help you explore your passion while earning a little (or a lot of) cash on the size.

Like travel, food is increasingly seen as an aspirational thing and a way to show off our unique knowledge.

Just as travelers are always looking for the next hot off-the-beaten-path destination, foodies are searching for some obscure regional cuisine they can learn how to perfect to amaze their friends on Instagram and at dinner parties.

Dominican Cooking is one of our favorite food blogs. If you’ve ever tried bollitos de yuca, you’ll understand.

When it comes to monetization, the website has a few tricks up its sleeve.

For starters, it sells its own cookbooks. That’s an obvious opportunity for anyone who creates their own recipes.

What’s more, the site monetizes all its recipes by incorporating affiliate links to Amazon, which runs the world’s biggest affiliate marketing program.

So if you hit one of those links and buy any of the items listed in the site’s Amazon affiliate store, Dominican Cooking earns a small commission.

And, like lots of other blogs that make money, it runs banner ads — in this case through the CafeMedia network (rather than Google AdSense).

Potential Food Blog Niches * Regional cuisine * Specific diet types (e.g. plant-based eating) * Restaurant recommendations * Kitchen appliance reviews * Cooking on a budget

  1. Pet Blogs Furry, feathered, or scaly, we simply cannot get enough of pets.

According to the latest APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of households in the US own a pet, equating to more than 90.5 million homes.

As any pet owner will tell you, having a pet isn’t cheap.

Partly because they’re just so damn cute.

Combined, US pet owners spent more than $103 billion on their pets in 2020, with just under half going on pet food and about one-fifth on accessories and medicines.

All of which means there are a whole lot of ways to make money from pet blogs.

The Spruce Pets is an example of a high-quality pet blog with bags of earning potential.

According to Ahrefs, it brings in a whopping 7.2 million organic visitors every month, and its organic traffic is worth an estimated $3.4 million a month.

Some of its revenue comes from advertising, with banner ads above the fold and along the side bar in most articles.

And this is clearly also a website that brings in a lot of cash through pet affiliate programs.

A whole section of The Spruce Pets is dedicated to pet product reviews, all of which are monetized through affiliate links.

Potential Pet Blog Niches * Pet training * Pet insurance * Specific pets or breeds * Pet product reviews * Affordable pet care

How Do Beginner Blogs Make Money? Choosing a niche is a key part of figuring out how to make money blogging.

But while it’s important, it’s still only one piece of the puzzle.

If your blogging journey is going to be a success, you’ll have to discover an effective and consistent way to bring in revenue.

Here are four options to explore:

  1. Target Low-Difficulty, High-Intent Keywords Keyword research is one of the most crucial steps in monetizing your blog.

Your task at this stage is to look out for keywords with commercial intent — that is, the sort of things people might be searching for just before they make a purchase.

But you’re a new website.

You likely don’t have a ton of backlinks or authority at this stage, which limits your ability to rank for highly competitive terms.

That’s why you need to search for less-competitive niche keywords.

There are various ways to do this. We’ve written a whole article on “traditional” keyword research and another on using your competitors to find high-value keywords, so check them out for more in-depth guidance.

But on a basic level, if you want to find high-intent keywords fast, your best bet is to use a tool like Ahrefs.

Start by finding a website in your niche.

In this example, I’m going to use Travel Lemming.

Use Ahrefs’ organic keywords tool to search for keywords with commercial intent, such as terms including the word “best”.

Then limit the keyword difficulty to a maximum of 15.

That gives us a bunch of juicy high-intent, low-difficulty keywords to target, such as:

| Keyword | Monthly Volume | Difficulty | | --- | --- | --- | | best hotels in salt lake city | 5,100 | 4 | | best resorts in tulum | 1,500 | 11 | | best small backpack | 500 | 12 |

  1. Find a Unique Hook It’s not enough to choose a profitable blog niche.

You also need to find your unique space within that niche.

In other words, it’s not enough to start a travel blog or a fashion website — there are literally millions of them out there already.

So why would anyone bother clicking on yours?

That’s why you need to “niche down” even further.

Rather than being a generalist travel blogger, create a travel blog that’s dedicated to helping people explore the world by train.

Or instead of launching yet another fashion blog, start one that’s dedicated to affordable party outfits.

The key here is to niche down just enough, without going so far that you only leave yourself with a tiny audience.

Our co-founder, Gael Breton, wrote about how to find easy affiliate keywords and niches. You should definitely check it out before settling on your niche-within-a-niche.

  1. Sign Up for Ad Networks Honestly, the easiest way to make a little money from your blog is to sign up for an ad network.

Not Google AdSense — as we’ve already noted, the payouts are so low that it’s just not worth your while.

Instead, opt for one of the more “generous” ad networks out there, like:

AdThrive Guarantees to deliver 20% higher revenue per 1,000 impressions for website owners who switch from other networks.

Unfortunately, you can only apply if your site achieves a minimum of 100,000 monthly page views, with the majority of traffic coming from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.

Ezoic More than 10,000 online publishers use Ezoic as their ad network. Unlike AdThrive, it’s open to websites of all sizes, although the most attractive terms are offered to sites with 10,000+ monthly visitors.

MediaVine A full-service ad management solution, MediaVine works with publishers in any lifestyle-related niche — provided they create engaging long-form content and hit 50,000 sessions in the previous 30 days (per Google Analytics).

There’s just one small downside to ad networks:

If your technology blog or parenting site is crammed with banner ads, it can be pretty distracting to readers.

And if you scare them away with ads, they might not come back.

So it makes sense to wait until you’ve built up a consistent level of traffic and an engaged audience before you start leveraging the earning potential of an ad network.

  1. Start Affiliate Marketing Sure, we’re biased.

After all, we’ve earned a lot of money from affiliate marketing over the years.

Still, we genuinely think affiliate marketing is the best way to monetize a blog.

Why?

Because if you’re already writing about products or services in your chosen niche, it’s so natural to add affiliate links.

And every time anyone clicks those links and makes a purchase, you receive a commission.

Depending on your niche, those commissions could run to hundreds of dollars from a single sale.

To learn more, check out our guide to the best affiliate programs for beginners.

Conclusion All blogs that make money have a few things in common.

Every one has built an engaged audience by having a personal and meaningful conversation with its readers.

They’ve found a profitable niche.

They know what an amazing post looks like.

And they’ve found a consistent way (or lots of ways) to make money, whether through affiliate marketing, running an online course, or selling products in an online store.

It takes a lot of time and plenty of trial and error to get all those things right.

But we can help!

Sign up for our free training and we’ll reveal seven secrets to make new sites 83% more successful.

See you there!

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Affiliate marketing vs dropshipping.

It’s one of the hottest rivalries in the entrepreneurial world.

Like thousands of historic rivalries that have come before — The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones; cats vs dogs; Fischer vs Spassky — it’s fiercely contested and debated, with both sides certain they’re the smart ones.

Speak to any affiliate marketer and they’ll tell you how it’s a highly attractive business model for publishers and brands alike.

In the US alone, spending on affiliate marketing is predicted to exceed $8 billion in 2022, with 81% of advertisers investing in the channel.

To which the average “dropshipping head” might respond:

“Sure, that’s impressive. But did you know dropshipping e-commerce stores were worth more than $128 billion in 2020?”

Fact is, there’s lots to like about both dropshipping and affiliate marketing.

Both have low barriers to entry.

And both offer lots of earning potential.

So it’s no surprise that both are becoming increasingly popular.

As affiliate marketers ourselves, we obviously have our favorites.

But at the same time, we’re always open to new opportunities, and we can’t deny the appeal of launching a dropshipping store of our very own.

So which is best?

Let’s dive into our head-to-head analysis of drop-shipping and affiliate marketing.

Dropshipping Vs Affiliate Marketing: Pros & Cons What is Dropshipping Dropshipping is a method of order fulfillment by which the vendor doesn’t actually stock the products they sell.

Instead, they buy inventory from a third party — typically a manufacturer or wholesaler — as required (i.e. when a customer places an order).

As such, the vendor acts as a middleman between customer and supplier.

Dropshipping Business: Pros 1. Get Paid Straight Away One big positive of selling dropshipping products is that you don’t have to wait around for weeks (or even months) to get hold of your hard-earned cash.

You sell something; you get paid.

No minimum sales threshold.

No Net 30 payment terms.

No muss; no fuss.

In reality, if your dropshipping e-commerce store takes off, it’s doubtful you’ll immediately transfer every payment straight into your bank account the second a sale comes in.

But it’s definitely nice to access your earnings without some third-party business holding onto them for a month.

  1. Greater Control As you know, we love affiliate marketing.

But the reality is that you’re always going to make more money for someone else than you’ll earn yourself.

At the same time, you can’t randomly decide to offer a discount or run a promotion, because it’s not your business. You’re just a referral partner.

It’s not like that with a dropshipping store.

You manage the prices, you control the incentives.

If you want to drive volume, you can launch a flash sale.

If you want to increase average order value, you can introduce a multibuy offer.

Already built a loyal audience? Great! Now you can potentially raise your prices and improve your profit margins.

The choice is yours.

In this way, dropshipping is arguably more like running a “real” business than affiliate marketing.

  1. More Scope to Retain Customers & Own Your Audience Clearly, I’m not saying there’s no way for an affiliate business to build a loyal audience.

But it’s arguably easier to do so as a dropshipper.

That’s partly down to the previous point: control.

By setting your own prices and promotions, you have more ability to control your messaging, which in turn helps you build a more unique proposition.

Nail your proposition and you’ll go a long way to attracting customers and driving repeat business.

There’s another important element to this, too:

As a dropshipping business, you have full control over the customer data you generate.

That means you can retarget your own website visitors with paid media campaigns, helping to bring people back to your site and improve your conversion rate.

It’s more difficult (and sometimes impossible) to do that as an affiliate marketer, for two main reasons:

  1. You’re driving the potential customer away from your affiliate website and toward a third-party online store (or some other kind of affiliate partner).
  2. Your margins will typically be lower, because you only earn a percentage of every sale.

Dropshipping Business: Cons 1. You Need to Manage Customer Support Affiliate marketing is a classic example of a hands-off business.

Someone hits your affiliate link, heads to a third-party ecommerce store, and makes a purchase.

Once they’ve been referred, the affiliate’s work is over. All the other stuff is the responsibility of their affiliate partner.

With a drop-shipping business, that’s simply not the case.

The potential customer doesn’t care about the finer points of the dropshipping business model; it doesn’t matter to them whether or not you actually carry inventory.

That means they’ll definitely expect you to handle customer service.

If something goes wrong, you’re the one who needs to sort it out.

An online business that started out as a side hustle can quickly become a huge drain on your time, with lots of chasing up customer orders and responding to queries.

Being a successful dropshipping store owner is a lot of work, so it’s no surprise that many choose to outsource the customer service side to a third party.

Freelancers and specialist agencies earn a tidy income by offering these services to overworked dropshippers.

  1. Little Control Over Fulfillment Okay, so maybe managing customer support doesn’t sound like such a bad thing.

After all, you might enjoy talking to customers and helping them out.

But that leads us to another frustration of dropshipping: you don’t actually have much control over the whole shipping process.

Yet the customer will still hold you accountable for making sure their purchase turns up on time.

While suppliers obviously won’t go out of their way to annoy your customers and risk damaging their relationship with you, they have their own priorities and challenges.

If they’ve just received a huge order from another ecommerce store, they might not be too concerned about hitting the delivery date on the single pair of sneakers you sold.

To make matters worse, you might find yourself with little or no transparency over what’s going on.

You’ve been sent a shipping order ID, but the first you hear about a problem is when the irate customer tags you in an angry Twitter post.

Three-quarters of customers who encounter a poor delivery experience would likely stop recommending the retailer, according to research from Circuit.

So even though the whole fulfillment side of the business has little to do with you, late deliveries can still do real damage to your own brand.

  1. Building An Audience From Scratch Is Tough To an extent, this point is relevant to both dropshipping businesses and affiliate marketing.

But at least affiliate marketers get to “lean on” the brand awareness of their affiliate partners.

As a dropshipper, you likely won’t get that opportunity. You might even find yourself competing directly with the brands whose products you’re selling.

That can make it extremely difficult to build traction, especially if you’ve chosen a competitive niche.

Think about it:

Most customers won’t know who you are. They’re just shopping around for the most attractive deal (whatever that means to them).

You (probably) can’t guarantee faster delivery than anyone else.

And if your niche is competitive, you likely won’t have much margin to play with either, so cutting prices might not be an option.

In short, you’ll need to get creative to get people’s attention and persuade them to buy from you.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing, on the other hand, is a performance marketing strategy under which brands pay affiliate publishers a commission for referred customers or leads.

Referrals are recorded through a tracking code placed in the affiliate link.

Affiliate Marketing Business: Pros 1. No Need to Worry About Customer Support You won’t be shocked to learn that a lot of the (many) advantages of affiliate marketing are disadvantages of dropshipping, and vice versa.

This first point is definitely one of those.

As I’ve already noted, to make affiliate marketing profitable, all you need to do is drive traffic, recommend products, and funnel people to a quality online store to convert.

Everything else is simply none of your business!

That means no worries over delivery times or returns or any of that other complicated, logistical stuff.

All of which means you have more time to focus on the stuff you can control: writing amazing content and generally building the best damn affiliate website you can.

  1. Getting Started Is (Relatively) Easy The word “easy” is a little misleading here, so let me explain:

When I say “easy”, I don’t mean you can expect to launch an affiliate website and immediately start bringing in a huge revenue stream.

That just won’t happen.

However, affiliate marketing is comparatively easy to get started with. You don’t need any specific technical skills or specialist knowledge.

You just need to be prepared to put in the hours investigating potential niches, researching high-intent keywords, signing up for an affiliate program or two, and writing amazing content.

Best of all, you don’t need a ton of startup capital.

You might want to hire a contractor to help you build a website, but if you’ve got the time and patience, it’s pretty simple to do it yourself.

That’s why a lot of people start out in the affiliate marketing business as side hustlers, only dedicating more time to it once they’re earning a job replacement income.

  1. Earn Passive Income Dropshipping is a great business model, but it’s definitely not passive income (at least, not totally).

You still need to manage store inventory, manage customer support, and take charge of your digital marketing efforts.

With affiliate marketing, once you’ve got things up and running, you can afford to totally dial out of the day-to-day running of your website.

Hire a freelancer or two to bring in traffic from search engines or social media, sign up with affiliate networks that’ll handle all the tracking and commissions, and you can pretty much sit back as the money rolls in!

That’s obviously the best-case scenario.

In reality, you’ll likely be heavily involved in the digital marketing and content creation side of things for the foreseeable future.

It might take months or years until you’re in a position to outsource that stuff.

But once you’re there, you can earn passive income while lying on a beach or backpacking across Europe — the choice is yours!

Or you might do what we did and launch a bunch of new affiliate websites.

We’re never satisfied!

Affiliate Marketing Business: Cons 1. Little Negotiating Power Over Commissions Okay, so this one isn’t 100% true.

If you’re a huge affiliate referring massive volumes of sales to ecommerce stores, they’re obviously going to want to keep you around.

In which case they might be prepared to negotiate a preferential commission rate.

But most affiliate marketers don’t reach that position for years, if ever.

Generally speaking, you’ll have to accept the commissions that are on offer.

In highly competitive niches and those with lower profit margins, you’ll tend to find those commissions are pretty similar from one affiliate program to the next.

Naturally, higher profit margins mean more wiggle room — but even then, you shouldn’t expect to negotiate a better commission rate unless your performance backs it up.

One other issue that’s worth mentioning here: it’s not uncommon for affiliate programs to change their commissions over time.

And by “change”, I almost always mean “reduce”.

Amazon is a good example.

You might wake up one morning and learn your commissions are going to be halved.

And there’s really not much you can do about it, beyond finding a different affiliate program or choosing a whole different niche.

  1. Payments Aren’t Always Prompt If you hang around affiliate marketing forums long enough, you’ll hear plenty of horror stories about affiliates waiting months to get hold of their commissions, or being ghosted and never getting paid at all.

Thankfully, that’s pretty rare.

If you work with one of the big affiliate networks, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be ripped off.

(And honestly, if you are, it’s more than likely because you breached the terms of service).

But there’s no getting away from the fact that slow payments are often a fact of life in the affiliate marketing world.

While it’s possible to find affiliate marketing programs that offer weekly payments, most will keep you waiting at least a month before sending your precious commissions.

  1. Customers Might Mess With Your Affiliate Link While there are a few bad apples out there, affiliate marketing as an industry (and a revenue stream) is definitely lit.

But there’s not a huge amount of consumer understanding about it.

However much time and effort you put into clearly displaying your affiliate disclaimer and explaining how the business model works, some people will never be convinced.

They think that buying via your affiliate link will somehow end up costing them more.

So they take one look at the URL and remove the tracking elements, effectively cheating you out of a commission.

You might be able to get around this by using a link shortener, but it’s not always possible (for instance, some affiliate programs don’t allow link masking).

Beyond that, there’s no real solution to this problem — we just have to wait for consumers to be better educated about the realities of affiliate marketing.

However, in our experience, this is a pretty niche concern.

Most customers don’t care what the URL looks like; they just want useful advice and a good price.

And you can give them both.

Affiliate Marketing Vs Dropshipping: Which One Is Better? Dropshipping. Affiliate marketing. Which one takes the crown?

Honestly, both dropshipping and affiliate marketing are great ways to earn money online.

They might have totally different business models, but both allow you to get up and running with minimal time and investment.

That means it’s basically an impossible question, because the answer depends upon your own circumstances.

If you’re looking for a sideline you can dip into and out of as time allows, and that can be easily scaled later on once you’re bringing in lots of passive income, affiliate marketing is hard to beat.

But if you crave the control that ecommerce entrepreneurs enjoy from opening their own stores, you won’t get it from affiliate marketing. At least, not really.

In which case the dropshipping market could be exactly what you’ve been searching for.

Dropshipping Vs Affiliate Marketing: Conclusion If you’ve decided dropshipping is the only choice for you, we genuinely wish you the best of luck.

It’s a tough business, but if you’re smart and you put the hours in, there’s no reason you can’t make it work.

But if affiliate marketing is your preferred avenue, we can definitely help.

Having launched our first affiliate website back in 2013, we like to think we know a thing or two about affiliate marketing.

And we’d love to share our knowledge with you!

Just sign up for our free training and we’ll teach you seven simple steps to create a high-performing authority site in 2022.

FAQs

Is dropshipping better than affiliate marketing? That really depends on what “better” looks like to you.

If you want total control over pricing, promotions, customer support, and more, dropshipping is the better choice.

But if your top priority is to find a great niche, right about products you love, and earn passive income, affiliate marketing is the one.

Can I do affiliate marketing and dropshipping at the same time? Sure, why not?

Really, any website can be an affiliate website.

That means you could sell products through dropshipping, while recommending other products through affiliate marketing.

Just like that, you’re earning revenue from both business models!

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Here at Authority Hacker, we launched our first affiliate website back in 2013, so we’re used to people asking us: is affiliate marketing worth it?

To answer that question, we often say something along the lines of this…

Some people dream of becoming professional athletes or pop stars.

Some fantasize about space travel (I’m looking at you, Bezos).

And some of us long for a life of passive income and tons of free time to do whatever we please.

Travel. Work from anywhere with an internet connection. See family and friends. Lie on the couch in our boxer shorts all day watching Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Whatever takes our fancy.

If that sounds like the life for you, the affiliate marketing industry can absolutely make it happen.

But for every affiliate marketer living the dream, there’s another — or more likely lots of others — who are barely scraping by.

Building a successful affiliate marketing business is tough.

And there are no guarantees.

Which brings us neatly back to the question:

So, Is Affiliate Marketing Worth it or Not? Affiliate marketing is only worthwhile if you can build an audience and promote products that align with their interests.

That means you need to choose an affiliate marketing niche in which you’re genuinely interested.

Of course, you also want to choose a niche that offers plenty of scope for affiliate sales.

Because more sales (usually) means more money.

Our founders, Gael and Mark, speak extensively about how to find a profitable niche on the Authority Hacker Podcast, so be sure to check out their advice.

They definitely know what they’re talking about.

Once you find a strong niche, you can start creating high-quality content to target keywords with high purchase intent.

That’s what we did with an authority site in the software niche that we sold for a mid-six-figure sum just 18 months after launching it.

It’s also what one of our Authority Hacker members, Shane Dutka, did when he sold his two-year-old home & garden niche blog for seven figures.

And we have a bunch of other affiliate marketing success stories, too (like this one and this one).

So yes, as a top-level answer, you can definitely make affiliate marketing work for you.

But there are lots of other factors affecting the question: is affiliate marketing worth it?

  1. You’re An “Expert” In Your Chosen Niche The word “expert” is banded around all too easily these days, but there’s no denying it’s easier to build an audience if you have some level of unique insight into your niche.

Maybe you’ve read extensively about it. Maybe it’s been a lifelong hobby. Maybe you did it for a living.

Whatever the case, if you know more about your niche than the average person in the street, people are more likely to read your content and trust your recommendations.

Which means you’re more likely to become a successful affiliate marketer.

But don’t worry:

Industry expertise isn’t a prerequisite in affiliate marketing.

We’ve had plenty of success stories from niches we know very little about, so don’t worry if you’re little more than an enthusiastic amateur.

  1. You Have Personal Experience Using Your Affiliate Products This one is more important.

You can definitely get by without being an industry expert.

But it’s hard for new affiliates to make it if they don’t have hands-on experience of the products they’re promoting.

That sort of practical knowledge is a massive benefit because:

  • You know exactly how good the product is
  • You can give your own original review rather than “borrowing” other people’s opinions
  • You sound more trustworthy and ethical
  • You can record a video review of you using the product — that’s important, because 55% of US adults watch product review videos to inform their buying decisions
  • You can ask meaningful questions of the manufacturer or retailer to give your reviews greater detail and specificity

Sometimes, when you own products, you’ll even be granted access to a private Facebook Group or forum where you can connect with hundreds of thousands of other users.

It’s all about making your content more unique and useful.

  1. You Already Have An (Engaged) Audience Search engines are volatile.

One single update to Google’s algorithm could halve your search traffic overnight.

The same goes for social media.

Organic reach has been falling for years, making it ever more difficult for affiliate marketers to reach their target audience.

That’s why it helps — a lot — if you already have access to an engaged audience of people who actively look out for your content.

That audience could come from:

  • Email marketing. If you have a big email list, you can get guaranteed eyes on your content.
  • Social media channels. Sure, organic reach isn’t what it was, but if you have a ton of followers on your Instagram or YouTube channel who engage with your content, it’ll almost certainly help you drive more affiliate sales.
  • Search traffic. If you already have your own website bringing in a ton of traffic, you’re perfectly poised to make money from affiliate marketing.

Again, none of these things is a prerequisite for becoming a successful affiliate marketer.

Everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t panic if you don’t have any of those things.

But they definitely help.

  1. You Own a Complementary Product If you promote products that align with your own product, that’s definitely a good thing.

The people who use your product would potentially benefit from those other products, so there’s an obvious opportunity for cross-promotion here.

  1. Your Niche Has a High EPC Earnings per click (EPC) is a vital piece of data for any affiliate marketer.

It tells you how much you’ll earn, on average, when someone clicks your affiliate link.

It’s a pretty simple equation:

EPC = Commission from selling a product / Number of clicks on your referral link

Generally speaking, the higher the figure, the more budget you can afford to spend on promoting the product.

That brings into play digital marketing tactics like paid search and social media advertising.

But bear in mind: not every affiliate program allows you to use paid search, so be sure to check the Ts and Cs first.

When Is Affiliate Marketing Not Worth It? We obviously like affiliate marketing.

We’re affiliate marketers ourselves, and we also earn money by helping newcomers learn the ropes of the affiliate game.

But even we have to accept there are reasons why affiliate marketing might not be a smart choice, such as:

  1. You’re Expecting Overnight Success Despite what some nefarious online courses might claim, affiliate marketing isn’t a business model that lends itself to overnight success.

It can take months, or even years, of effort to build a stable income.

Just look at the data.

According to Ahrefs, just 0.3% of pages rank in the top 10 for a high-volume keyword in under a year.

Even with mid-volume keywords — those with 5,000 – 20,000 searches a month — only one in five pages hit the front page of SERPs within a year.

Obviously search isn’t the only source of traffic.

But clearly, if it takes that long to build strong rankings, you’re not going to become a millionaire the moment you launch your first affiliate campaigns.

  1. You Promote Poor-Quality Affiliate Products It can be extremely attempting to recommend an affiliate product just because it pays a fat commission.

But I can promise you: it pays to take a long-term view.

If you promote products with awful reviews, it’ll hurt your reputation.

You might win a few quick sales, but you risk alienating your audience in the process.

That’s why it always helps to have first-hand experience of an affiliate product before you start recommending it.

If you wouldn’t pay for it yourself, don’t try to convince other people to buy it, however attractive the commissions.

Also, bear in mind that if a product (or website) looks terrible but claims to offer incredible commissions, there’s always a chance it could be an affiliate marketing scam.

Fortunately, there are lots of very good, totally legit affiliate programs out there, so there’s no reason to resort to shilling low-quality products.

  1. You Only See the Affiliate Product As a Revenue Stream

This all comes back to my point about choosing a niche you’re actually interested in.

The reality is that affiliate offers change all the time.

Just look at the Amazon affiliate program, which slashed its commissions on affiliate sales in April 2020.

If you only choose to promote products because they offer big commissions, what are you going to do if those commission rates change?

Ditch your whole affiliate marketing business and start again?

Change is a fact of life for affiliates.

If you’re constantly jumping between affiliate offers looking for a quick buck, you’ll never achieve a stable income stream.

And the best way to guarantee you won’t feel the need to keep chopping and changing is to hone in on a niche that you feel passionate about.

That way, even if your commissions take a short-term hit, you’ve still got a revenue stream from doing something you love.

  1. Your Chosen Vendor Doesn’t Follow FTC Guidelines Since 2009, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines have made it a legal requirement for all affiliate partners to use specific affiliate marketing disclosures and disclaimers.

Essentially, this requires us to clearly state that we make money when people buy the products we’re promoting.

The same thing applies to vendors.

If they’re not displaying the necessary disclosures, that’s a big worry.

It means the affiliate platforms, or the FTC itself, might shut them down.

And if that happens, you can kiss goodbye to your commission payments.

Pros and Cons of Affiliate Marketing Okay, so we’ve talked through a bunch of use cases (and non-use cases) for affiliate marketing.

Now let’s dive deeper into the question: is affiliate marketing worth it? by looking at the pros and cons.

In no particular order, here they are:

Pro: You Can Build an Affiliate Marketing Business Without Launching a Product or Service Some people are brilliant inventors.

They can spot a gap in the market and immediately figure out a way to monetize it.

Others are natural-born marketers.

They understand audiences, they create content, and they sell, sell, sell.

If you fall into that latter camp, you have the tools to thrive as an affiliate.

That means you can build a business without taking months or years to develop a product from the ground up.

Con: You’re Effectively Building a Business for Someone Else Unfortunately, it’s a reality of life that even the most successful affiliate marketer will always be making more money for someone else than they’ll be taking home themselves.

After all, the vendors you come across in affiliate marketplaces (probably) aren’t stupid.

They’re not going to pay you more commission than they can afford.

Even if they’re giving you a 50% cut of the sale, you can bet it’s because they’re confident of generating a ton of extra revenue from the customers you refer.

Pro: No Need to Worry About Logistics Deliveries.

Complaints.

Returns.

Selling products can be a real headache.

The logistical side of things can quickly become a full-time job in its own right.

But when you’re an affiliate, you don’t need to sweat any of that stuff.

It’s simply not your responsibility.

Con: No Say In Product Development When we speak to other affiliates, one of the most common frustrations we hear is a lack of control over what happens to the product.

You might come up with a genius strategy to promote a product or service on your YouTube channel or blog.

Then wham!

The vendor changes the price, discontinues a product, or removes a useful feature.

Just like that, you have to figure out your whole marketing strategy and business model again.

Pro: You Can Easily Monetize Your Existing Website This one’s pretty simple:

If you already have a website and want to start earning passive income, affiliate marketing can help you do that.

Sure, you’ll have to create content and choose the right affiliate offers, but the barrier to entry is pretty low.

Con: You Could Be Competing Against Big Names Affiliate marketing used to be a relatively niche pursuit.

But with lots of huge publishers struggling to find new revenue streams, it’s now extremely popular.

Just check out this affiliate disclosure from Forbes:

That’s a massive website with a DR of 94.

And they’re far from the only ones.

Everyone from BuzzFeed to TechRadar to the New York Times is making money from affiliate marketing.

If you suddenly see one or more of those sites chasing the same keywords as you, it’s going to be tough to compete.

Pro: Startup Costs Are Low Starting out in affiliate marketing is only as expensive as building a website.

You need to buy a domain name and pay for hosting.

You might want to pay for some email marketing software or put some ad budget behind a social media post or two.

And that’s pretty much it!

Actually, you can even do affiliate marketing without a website (we just wouldn’t recommend it).

Con: Building Trust Is Hard As soon as people find out you’re making passive income by promoting the products on your website, it’s hard to convince them you have their best interests at heart.

That’s pretty unfair.

After all, you’ve taken the time to create all this high-quality content.

Why shouldn’t you earn some money from it?

Fact is, every industry has its share of bad apples, and affiliate marketing is no different.

Those scammers mean all the rest of us have to work that bit harder to win trust from our audiences.

Pro: Affiliate Marketing Is Extremely Convenient I’ve already noted how you don’t have to physically develop a product yourself.

That’s obviously very convenient.

But that’s not the only good thing about the affiliate marketing business model.

It’s also quick and easy to raid affiliate platforms and marketplaces to find a new affiliate partner or product that matches the interests of your audience.

Want to build a new revenue stream or branch out into a new market?

Simply search for a relevant affiliate product and create some content to promote it.

And One More Pro for Luck: It’s Super Scalable It’s arguably easier to scale an affiliate marketing business than a “regular” business that sells its own product.

With Google processing about 100,000 searches a second, there’s a practically infinite number of keywords to chase after.

And once you start making money, you can recruit a content team to target more and more keywords.

You can start investing in paid channels.

You can build new campaigns to promote new products.

You can launch a bunch of new websites.

There’s really no limit to how much you can scale up.

The Affiliate Marketing Industry in Numbers By this point, I’ve covered pretty much everything you need to make your mind up about affiliate marketing.

But before I leave you to make a decision, check out these interesting affiliate marketing statistics:

  • Affiliate marketing spend in the US is predicted to reach $8.2 billion in 2022, up from $5.4 billion in 2017 (source)
  • 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers currently “do” affiliate marketing (source)

  • Search interest in the topic “affiliate marketing” has grown by 24% since January 2017 (source)

  • Computing and electronics is the most popular product category for affiliate marketers to promote, cited by 41% of affiliates (source)
  • Content and blogger sites account for almost 40% of all publisher commissions in the US (source)

Conclusion: Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It For You? Ultimately, that’s the only question I can’t help you with.

Because only you can answer it.

If you have a niche interest or passion, an ability to create amazing content and build an audience, and you’re prepared to work hard, you could find affiliate marketing extremely rewarding.

On the other hand, if you’ve heard that becoming an affiliate is a license to print money, with minimal effort on your part, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be disappointed.

All I can say is that it definitely works for us — and we’ve got the screenshots to prove it!

So what’s the verdict?

Is affiliate marketing worth it for you?

If so, you’re in the right place, because we can help you build a high-performing affiliate website!

Just sign up for our free training and we’ll show you how.

FAQs

Can You Really Make Money With Affiliate Marketing? It’s absolutely possible to make real money through affiliate marketing, provided you’re prepared to put the work in.

While most affiliates aren’t making millions of dollars, we know plenty who are earning a job replacement income, and lots more who use affiliate marketing as a side hustle to bring in some extra cash.

If you’re prepared to put the work in to find a great niche, build a website, and create great content, it’s absolutely feasible to build a stable income stream.

Is Affiliate Marketing Still Profitable In 2022 By the end of 2022, affiliate marketing spend in the US alone is expected to surpass $8 billion — up from $5.4 billion in 2017. That sounds pretty profitable to us.

While affiliate marketing is definitely more competitive than it used to be, it’s still profitable, largely because the costs are comparatively low.

Affiliate marketers don’t have to worry about creating a product, handling the logistics, or dealing with customer complaints. So once you’ve created a revenue stream, it’s not too expensive to sustain it (or even grow it).

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New to the world of affiliate marketing? Or maybe you’re looking for new affiliate programs to help you make more money online? Either way, searching out our Amazon affiliate program review is a great starting point. Well done!

Whatever your thoughts on Amazon as a company, there’s a lot of obvious “plus points” to the Amazon affiliate program.

Everyone’s heard of Amazon.

It’s one of the world’s most-trusted brands, so it’s comparatively easy to convince your readers to click your affiliate link and buy.

With an inventory of more than 350 million products, it sells pretty much everything. Even if you’re in a highly specific niche, chances are Amazon has products to match.

And it ships to more than 100 countries, so unlike a lot of affiliate programs, there’s plenty of potential to monetize international traffic.

So it’s an open-and-shut case, right?

The Amazon affiliate program is the best thing since sliced bread, and if you don’t sign up right now, you’re insane.

You should know by now that nothing in the world of affiliate marketing is that simple.

While there’s lots of upside to being an Amazon affiliate, there’s also plenty of downside.

So before you register, do yourself a favor and dive into our Amazon affiliate program review…

What Is the Amazon Associates Program?

Let’s start by clearing up some terminology.

Amazon’s affiliate program isn’t actually called “the Amazon affiliate program”.

Because that would be too easy.

Instead, it’s called Amazon Associates.

Amazon Associates is an affiliate marketing program through which anyone with an online audience — website owners, affiliate bloggers, social media influencers — can create links and earn referral fees when someone clicks those links and buys a product from an Amazon site.

Actually, it’s not just “an affiliate marketing program”.

It’s one of the largest affiliate programs on the planet.

Like the vast majority of other affiliate programs, it’s totally free to join.

And it’s pretty easy to use:

Just create your Amazon affiliate links, write quality content to promote a product (or products) on Amazon, and you’ll earn money for every purchase.

To make your job easier still, Amazon runs regular retail promotions — things like fixed discounts and free shipping offers — designed to help affiliate marketers drive traffic.

(N.B. want to learn how to build an Amazon affiliate website? Check out our step-by-step walkthrough.)

How to Become an Amazon Affiliate Joining Amazon’s affiliate program is a relatively simple process.

Either search Google for the phrase “join Amazon affiliate program”, or cut out the middleman and click this link.

You’ll arrive on a landing page with a big yellow “SIGN UP” button toward the top:

Clicking that button is the first step toward creating your Amazon Associates account. Exciting stuff!

You’ll be asked for some basic information like your:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number

Next, it’s time to list the “digital properties” — that is, websites and/or apps — on which you intend to advertise products through Amazon Associates.

As a minimum, you need to add at least one website or one app.

But if you’ve got a digital portfolio to rival Unilever’s, you can add up to 50 apps or sites.

You’ll also be asked to confirm that your sites/apps aren’t directly targeted at under-13s.

So far, so simple.

Now we’re getting to the really important stuff.

Stuff like choosing your Amazon Associates store ID:

And explaining, to the best of your ability:

  • What your website is about
  • The specific niche you’re targeting
  • The types of product you plan to promote

Don’t sweat this section too much.

Fact is, if you’re only just launching your own site, you might not know the answers to all those questions.

Or you might start off down one path then pivot a couple months later when you understand more about your audience and strengths.

That’s fine.

Amazon might not be famed for its generosity, but it won’t take you to court if you don’t know every single thing about your affiliate marketing business at this stage.

You can always alter your answers down the line if things change.

But the interrogation isn’t quite over yet.

Next, Amazon asks a bunch of questions about how your website generates traffic and affiliate revenue.

Are you relying on paid traffic? Email referrals? SEO? The All-Seeing Amazon wants to know.

It even asks you how much traffic you’re generating at the moment:

One piece of advice:

In affiliate marketing as in life, honesty is the best policy.

If your website has only existed for a week, don’t tell Amazon you’re driving 500,000 unique visits a month.

Even Amazon itself started out with zero visitors.

It has absolutely no problem working with — and monetizing — new websites, so a lack of traffic won’t count against you.

Slightly confusingly, Amazon also asks how you usually create links:

To be clear, this isn’t an SEO question.

It’s not asking about the finer points of your backlink strategy.

Instead, Amazon wants to know how you construct outbound links:

The top option (Blog Editor) will be the best answer for most would-be Amazon affiliates.

And that’s pretty much it!

When you complete this step and verify that you are who you claim to be, you’ll be automatically approved for the Amazon affiliate program.

Congratulations, you’re a fully fledged Amazon Associate!

But don’t get too carried away, because the hard work hasn’t even started yet.

The Amazon Associates team will only check your application once you’ve driven the requisite number of qualified sales.

To be precise, you need to achieve three sales within your first 180 days in the Amazon Associates program:

While that shouldn’t be an issue for experienced affiliates with established audiences, it’s a very different matter for anyone with a brand new website.

According to Ahrefs, 95% of newly published pages don’t reach the first page of SERPs within a year.

If my math is correct, 180 days = six months.

And six months is less than a year.

So you can’t expect to rely solely (or at all) on organic search traffic to rack up those three qualified sales.

Unfortunately, you can’t just buy three products yourself, because personal orders don’t count.

In short, you’ll need to be smart to cut it as an Amazon affiliate.

That could mean:

  • Building an email list to promote your affiliate content
  • Investing in PPC to drive paid traffic to your site
  • Sharing content on social media

For more practical advice, check out Authority Hacker co-founder and all-round affiliate marketing genius Mark Webster’s guide to making money with the Amazon affiliate program.

What Is the Amazon Affiliate Program Commission Rate? I know what you’re thinking:

Seems like it requires a lot of leg work to make it as an Amazon affiliate.

So is it worth my while?

Am I going to earn a million dollars overnight?

Sadly, no.

I can assure you that, just like all the other affiliate programs out there, Amazon Associates isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is likely trying to scam you into buying their exclusive (and useless) “affiliate marketing secrets”.

Now, Amazon isn’t exactly known for offering the most generous commissions.

It’s slashed its commission rates before, most recently in April 2020.

But there’s still plenty of affiliate revenue to be earned if you choose the right niche.

Just check out Amazon’s current commissions:

That’s right — at time of writing, Amazon pays affiliates a whopping 20% per sale on digital video games through its Amazon Games division.

Not only that, but sales of luxury beauty items and Amazon Explore’s digital products will net you a tidy 10% commission.

Of course, other categories pay slightly (or much) less.

Because Jeff Bezos didn’t become a billionaire by being generous.

For instance, the home improvement category pays a pretty measly 3%.

So do sales of Amazon Coins (whatever they are), while PC components pay 2.5%.

However many sales you drive, you’re not going to earn much of a living on 1% commissions in the health and personal care product category.

And don’t even think about advertising booze, wireless service plans, or digital products for Kindle, because you’ll earn a big, fat nothing for your efforts.

Pro Tip: Those commissions change all the time, so please don’t launch an affiliate website based solely on the rates in that screenshot. In fact, commission rates shouldn’t be any sort of deciding factor in finding the right niche. Instead, choose a niche that a) you actually enjoy and b) has lots of growth potential.

As well as those product category-based commissions, there’s the Amazon bounty program.

With “bounties”, you’ll receive payments of a fixed amount for driving specific actions.

For instance, at time of writing, the Amazon bounty program is paying:

  • $3 when “eligible customers” sign up for the Amazon Baby Registry and add at least one product to it
  • $5 per eligible purchase of an Amazon Prime gift membership
  • $15 for driving a successful registration for an Amazon Business account

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to build an online business based solely on bounty payments.

But they can be a nice way to make more money on top of your existing affiliate earnings.

Currently, nearly 40 different products, services, and actions are eligible for bounty payments — far too many to list here.

So get into the habit of checking the commission web page to ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

(N.B. don’t like the look of Amazon’s commissions? Check out our guides to the best affiliate programs with recurring commissions and the best high-ticket affiliate programs.)

What About the Amazon Associates Cookie Duration? No Amazon affiliate program review would be complete without discussing its much-maligned cookie window.

For the uninitiated, a cookie window — or cookie duration, or cookie length — reflects how soon the potential buyer has to make a purchase in order for you to earn a commission.

Most affiliate programs have a cookie duration of about 30 days.

That means if someone clicks your special link today but doesn’t actually buy for another 29 days, you still get a cut of the sale.

The Amazon affiliate program is a little… different.

It offers a measly 24-hour cookie window.

So you earn commission income on any qualifying items placed in a customer’s shopping cart within 24 hours of their arrival via your Amazon link.

You know the song:

“What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.”

The lyricist Stanley Adams got that right — 24 hours isn’t very long at all.

But don’t despair, because it’s not all bad news.

For starters, the Amazon site is a lean, mean, conversion-driving machine.

Its conversion rate is sky high — around the 10% mark, by some estimates — so there’s a good chance the people you refer will actually buy.

Not only that, but Amazon’s cookie window is actually more generous than initially meets the eye.

Per the terms and conditions of the Amazon program:

“It is of course possible that a customer may arrive at Amazon.com via your Associates link, add an item to his Shopping Cart, and then leave Amazon.com without placing an order. As long as the item was added to the customer’s Shopping Cart during this 24-hour window, you will still earn a referral commission if the order is placed before the Shopping Cart expires (usually after 90 days).”

In other words, as long as people click your Amazon links and add-to-bag within a day, you’ll still earn a commission even if they don’t buy for up to 90 more days.

Doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

Pros of the Amazon Associates Program Remember: we don’t have any skin in the game here.

It doesn’t matter to us if you sign up for Amazon Associates or not.

But it’s hard to deny there are some big advantages to creating an Amazon affiliate account.

By our reckoning, here are the five biggest benefits:

  1. It’s Easy to Use & Build Links Generally speaking, Amazon’s affiliate program is pretty user-friendly.

The Amazon Associates dashboard is intuitive, the signup process is relatively plain sailing, and the process of building Amazon links is simple thanks to a little thing called SiteStripe.

What’s SiteStripe?

Well, in Amazon’s own words, it’s a “convenient desktop link-creation tool that eliminates the need to visit Associates Central”.

By using SiteStripe, you can build your Amazon affiliate links while you’re browsing a specific page.

Trust me: That’s a big time saver.

To display SiteStripe on an Amazon shop page, follow these simple steps:

  1. Click on “Tools” in Associates Central and choose “SiteStripe”
  2. Scroll down and click “Learn more”
  3. Click “Enable” in “Display Status”

Now, you should automatically see the SiteStripe bar at the top of every Amazon web page you view:

If you don’t see it, try re-entering your Amazon Associates program registration data and refreshing the Amazon site.

Hey presto! SiteStripe should appear.

Now, every time you create a link using SiteStripe, it’ll be automatically attributed to your store ID.

Just copy and paste the special link and you’ll earn commissions from any sales that originate from your website.

In short: with the Amazon affiliate program, it’s super simple to build text links that are guaranteed to track correctly.

Which means no need to worry that you’re not being paid for all the sales you sent Amazon’s way.

  1. Signup Is Totally Free Okay, so this one’s a pretty low bar, but just like the vast majority of other affiliate programs, it won’t cost you a cent to set up an Amazon account and start monetizing your traffic.

Amazon might “trim” its commission rates from time to time, but at least it hasn’t actually started demanding payment from affiliate marketers (yet).

  1. Amazon Is Great at Converting & Optimized for Buying I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Amazon is amazing at driving conversions.

How amazing?

Well, according to Adoric, the average e-commerce site converts at a rate of 1% – 3%.

Naturally, conversion rates vary by industry, dropping to 1.4% in consumer electronics and climbing to 4.9% for gifts.

So really, most websites will be delighted if one in every 20 visitors ends up converting.

But Amazon isn’t “most websites”.

According to Ad Badger, Amazon’s conversion rate is a world-beating 9.87%.

That’s more than twice as high as the average site can ever hope to achieve.

Other estimates suggest Amazon is even better at converting.

For instance, a study from website traffic measurement firm Millward Brown Digital claimed the average Amazon Prime member buys a frankly ridiculous 74% of the time, while non-members convert at a still healthy 13%.

Bear in mind there are 200 million Amazon Prime members worldwide, with 112 million in the US alone.

So there’s a good chance a decent chunk of your audience is signed up to Amazon Prime, which in turn means they should convert at a high rate.

  1. Lots of Products to Promote While I haven’t actually done the math, I refuse to believe that any other affiliate program can match the sheer wealth of products covered by Amazon Associates.

Whether your niche is in Colonel Sanders fan fiction, kangaroo jerky, or radioactive uranium ore, as long as physical (rather than digital) products are your thing, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll find something relevant to promote.

That’s why so many first-time affiliate marketers choose Amazon Associates — it’s an easy way to monetize every single blog post you write.

  1. Earn Commission on Any Product Bought Within the Cookie Window Amazon addiction — the desire to keep searching, clicking, and buying on Amazon — is evidently a real thing.

Research from JungleScout shows that roughly one in seven US consumers buy from Amazon seven or more times per week.

Why am I telling you this?

Because it’s one of the best things about the Amazon affiliate program.

Remember how I told you about the 24-hour cookie duration?

Well, that doesn’t just apply to the first product page your referrals land on.

It extends to any other products they seek out (and buy) within that same window.

That’s a pretty big deal.

So if a customer hits one of your affiliate links, snaps up a pair of sneakers, then also buys some ski goggles, a fishing rod, and a wireless printer, you earn commissions on every single one of those sales (provided their buying binge didn’t last longer than 24 hours).

Get used to checking your affiliate earnings and seeing a bunch of payments for products you’ve never promoted (or even heard of).

Cons of the Amazon Associates Program Sorry, Jeff Bezos: it’s not all good news.

It would be remiss of us to overlook the fact that there are numerous issues with the Amazon affiliate program.

In fact, it’d be downright irresponsible.

So with that in mind, here are eight reasons you might not want to join Amazon Associates.

And if you’ve already encountered your fair share of these issues and are ready for something new, check out our step-by-step video guide to switching from Amazon to high-paying affiliate programs.

  1. No Link Cloaking As far as Amazon is concerned, it’s the best website in the world.

So why would any Amazon affiliate ever hide their intentions by cloaking their links?

That’s Amazon’s perspective, at least.

In reality, there are perfectly legit reasons for cloaking your text links or banner ads by setting up a URL redirect.

It makes the URL shorter and rebrands it, which can make tracking easier and links look more trustworthy to readers.

But Amazon wants no part of it.

If you cloak your affiliate links without telling your audience that they’re heading straight to Amazon, don’t be surprised if you get kicked out of Amazon Associates quicker than you can say: “Come on, Jeffrey, you can do it.”

  1. Directing to One Product Some affiliate programs allow you to link to pretty much any page you want.

That means you can send your audience to a category page full of lots of versions of essentially the same products, then they can choose the one they like best.

Surprise, surprise: Amazon doesn’t like that.

It only allows affiliate marketers to incorporate deep links to specific product pages.

While this can be a little restrictive, it’s not the worst thing.

If you’re promoting a product, it makes sense to send your audience to that product page anyway, right?

  1. Stock Issues in Certain Niches This one can be endlessly frustrating, depending on your niche.

In an ideal world, the products you’re promoting are totally evergreen.

They never go out of date, so stock issues are never a problem, and you never need to update your affiliate links.

Unfortunately, that dream scenario is something of a rarity.

Because you have to link to one specific product page from one specific vendor, if that vendor encounters stock issues, your link becomes pretty useless.

So you need to find somewhere else to link to — otherwise, no commissions for you.

Now, think about how many Amazon links are on the average affiliate website.

They might have 10 in-depth articles, each containing links to 20 products.

That’s 200 different Amazon affiliate links to keep track of and update every time something drops out of stock.

Just thinking about it makes me want to scream.

Just thinking about it makes me want to scream.

However, plugins like Affilimate can help you out.

  1. Cookie Duration Last Only 24 Hours I’ve covered this already, but to reiterate: the Amazon Associates cookie window is shorter than other programs.

A lot shorter.

Sure, it can technically be extended for up to 90 days if your referrals add-to-cart straightaway.

But let’s be honest: it’d be better for everyone (well, for affiliate marketers at least) if Amazon could just extend its standard cookie duration.

There’s next to no chance of that happening, though, so I wouldn’t bother getting your hopes up.

  1. Confusing Operating Agreement If you spend any time on affiliate marketing forums (which you should; they’re a blast!), you’ll read countless complaints about the byzantine nature of Amazon’s Terms of Service for Associates.

It’s 4,000 words long.

It’s full of obscure terminology.

The formatting is awful, meaning key information is buried deep with huge chunks of text.

A lot of that text is written in all-caps, for some reason.

It gets updated frequently.

And frankly, a lot of the advice is vague at best.

Like, you’d think given Amazon’s UX brilliance it could cope up with a way to boil that information down into a handful of headline bullet points.

The worst thing, of course, is that if you fail to comply fully with the operating agreement, Amazon is extremely likely to ban you.

If the Amazon affiliate program is your main (or only) way to earn money, that’s obviously a huge concern.

  1. No Links in Email Newsletters Email marketing is an absolute godsend for affiliate marketers.

According to Campaign Monitor, it drives an average ROI of $44 for every $1 you spend on it.

No other channel can match that.

But email marketing is yet another thing that Amazon doesn’t like very much.

Specifically, it doesn’t allow you to include affiliate links within emails.

So if you’ve got a successful newsletter with a big audience, you can’t monetize it directly.

Sure, it’s not exactly difficult to build a workaround.

You just need to write a blog post or landing page incorporating all your Amazon links, then point your readers toward that instead.

But it’s still frustrating for any affiliates who’ve taken the time to build and grow an email newsletter.

  1. Low Commission Rates vs Other Programs Again, I’ve already discussed the whole “commission rate” issue.

While Amazon gets a bad rep here — unsurprisingly, given its recent decision to slash commissions — the situation isn’t quite as bad as some people make out.

As I noted, 10% on luxury products is good money by anyone’s standards.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that most Amazon categories pay lower than other programs.

I’m not going to back up this point with an exhaustive comparison of different industries and affiliate programs.

You can find that sort of analysis elsewhere (including on this very site).

But here are a couple examples:

Industry: Camping Gear

| Program | Commission | Cookie Duration | | --- | --- | --- | | Amazon Associates | 3% | 24 hours | | Cotopaxi | 10% | 30 days | | REI | 5% | 15 days |

Industry: Photography

| Program | Commission | Cookie Duration | | --- | --- | --- | | Amazon Associates | 4% | 24 hours | | B&H Photo Video | 2% – 8% | 60 hours | | Moment | Up to 12% | 3 days |

Industry: Woodworking

| Program | Commission | Cookie Duration | | --- | --- | --- | | Amazon Associates | 3% | 24 hours | | Highland Woodworking | 5% | 60 days | | KC Tool | Up to 10% | 30 days |

What does this show us?

That, in most cases, you’ll earn higher commissions and get longer cookie windows by choosing niche affiliate programs rather than Amazon Associates.

  1. Weak Affiliate Marketing Support This one sounds a bit harsh, so I’ll clarify things.

I don’t have a bad word to say about the support team at Amazon — to a person, they seem lovely.

They’re not the issue here.

The issue is with the aforementioned operating agreement.

It’s so vast, and covers so much ground, that it must be near-impossible for support agents to give clear instructions or advice.

Often, they’ll outright contradict something you’ve been told before.

This isn’t because Amazon gives bad training or hires the wrong people.

It just has so many rules.

  1. Adding Product Images Is a Pain One of our biggest pet peeves with Amazon’s affiliate program is the process of adding product images.

For starters, you have to use Amazon’s own images.

And you can’t just download them and add your affiliate link. Instead, you need to use Amazon’s API or SiteStripe.

That means you’ve got no control over what image to use. And while Amazon offers large image sizes, in reality they don’t always look great, and are sometimes too small for high-resolution screens.

  1. Pricing Problems Amazon sells a lot of products. And the prices of those products change all the time.

Clearly, no affiliate marketer can afford to spend their time updating prices manually, so Amazon requires affiliates to use its API to pull in pricing information.

Unfortunately, it needs refreshing every 24 hours, and often causes issues with website caching. There’s a good chance it’ll cause you to unknowingly breach Amazon’s terms of service at some point.

Fortunately, there are plugins to make your life easier; we recommend Affiliatable.

  1. Finding Tracking IDs Can Be Tricky Amazon allows you to create an unlimited amount of tracking IDs, meaning you can track your qualified sales per page, or even per single product.

So what’s the problem?

Well, you can only see 100 tracking IDs in the dashboard.

That means once you’ve created a lot of IDs, the older ones won’t show up within the dashboard anymore.

This prevents you from selecting older IDs from the drop-down list. Instead, you’ll need to track them somewhere else or search for them in the tracking ID dashboard, then copy/paste them into your Amazon link.

Oh, and you can only see a limited number of tracking IDs.

These issues apply to people who want to track IDs per pages or products.

Also, the reporting isn’t great, because you can only see every tracking ID or a maximum of 10 individual ones via the dashboard. If you want to see more, you’ll need to download your report.

  1. International Payment Issues Amazon is a reliable company and we haven’t seen any real horror stories about affiliates not receiving their commissions.

However, payment options are pretty limited compared to a lot of affiliate programs.

Until recently, international earnings — such as when an EU-based affiliate earns money via Amazon US Associate Programs — could only be paid by check or Amazon gift card.

The situation has improved somewhat, and now affiliates participating in Amazon’s US, UK, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Canadian programs can be paid by bank transfer — but only if they’re based in one of 52 supported countries and territories across the US, UK, and eurozone.

So if you’re in Australia or Malaysia or South Africa or anywhere else not on that list, you’re stuck with gift cards or checks.

When to Use Amazon Associates That just about wraps up our Amazon affiliate program review!

There’s just one more thing to cover:

When is it the “right choice” to sign up for Amazon’s affiliate program?

In my view, you can’t go wrong with Amazon if you’re new to affiliate marketing and you want to promote physical products.

The huge inventory and vast product category selection make your life so simple.

Sign up for Amazon Associates, create links, and you’re ready to go.

But once you’ve got a little more experience and confidence in your niche, you’ll naturally gravitate toward your favorite brands.

And those brands will almost always surpass the commissions that Amazon pays.

Still, there’s no need to close your Amazon Associates account at that point.

Feel free to keep using it as an additional revenue stream alongside other affiliate programs.

Just don’t rely on it as your only source of income.

Ready to build your first authority website or level up your existing online business?

Sign up for our free training and we’ll teach you everything you need to master affiliate marketing in 2022!

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Full disclosure: writing about alcohol affiliate programs on my first working day of %currentyear%, after a typically boozy holiday season, is a bit of a struggle.

Having consumed my body weight in red wine and craft beers over the past couple weeks, all I want to drink for the foreseeable future is lightly flavored cucumber water, or perhaps a green tea.

Still, I have to admit alcohol affiliate programs are a great way to earn money. In 2021, the global sales volume of alcohol was worth more than $1.5 trillion. By 2025, it’s expected to reach almost $2.3 trillion.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average US household spends $579 on alcohol every year. So unless you’re specifically targeting teetotallers, you should find a wealth of marketing opportunities to exploit.

Like what you hear? Let’s take a look at the best alcohol affiliate programs on the market right now:

Alcohol Affiliate Programs 1. Drizly 2. Saucey 3. WineExpress 4. The Bro Basket 5. The Whisky Barrel 6. BarProducts 7. Flaviar 8. Craft Beer Club 9. TheDrinkShop 10. Zachys 11. Homewetbar.com 12. California Wine Club 13. LIQUORexam 14. Plonk Wine Club

Drizly

Drizly claims to be North America’s number one online alcohol marketplace, reaching beer drinkers, wine enthusiasts, and liquor lovers in more than 100 markets across the US and Canada.

It’s a pretty sleek online business with a superb, highly personalized shopping experience, tons of rich content, and a promise to deliver orders in less than an hour. All of which makes it easier for affiliate marketers to convert sales.

The Drizly alcohol affiliate program pays a pretty meagre 3% average commission, so you’ll want to drive plenty of volume if you’re going to earn decent money here. Another issue is that you’ll only be paid for sales to new customers, which means no commissions on repeat purchases.

Still, there’s plenty to like about Drizly. The average order value is solid at more than $75, plus you’ll get lots of marketing materials to help you out, including monthly affiliate promotions and a variety of updated creative.

URL: Drizly affiliate program

Commission rate: 3%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Saucey

Saucey is an on-demand alcohol delivery service — and, as you can tell from the swanky-looking website, it’s a lot more legit than those flyers you see plastered to streetlights.

At time of writing, the service is available in 13 cities: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, NYC, Orange County, SF East Bay, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Silicon Valley, South Bay LA, and Washington, DC. Customers in those areas can currently purchase the alcoholic beverages of their choice and have them delivered within just 30 minutes.

Saucey doesn’t impose a minimum order value, but just like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and all the rest, it charges a cart fee on each transaction. That fee varies across its delivery zones.

The Saucey affiliate program pays a commission of 4% on all sales, with an average order value of $56. That might not sound the most attractive, but the high average conversion rate of 12% means there’s a strong chance the people who click your banner or text links will actually convert.

URL: Saucey affiliate program

Commission rate: 4%

Cookie duration: 30 days

WineExpress

WineExpress.com is the exclusive online retail partner of The Wine Enthusiast, a catalog and website that’s big with — you guessed it — wine enthusiasts.

Josh Farrell, the company’s wine director, is a big name among wine lovers, with more than 30 years of experience as a wine merchant and taster, including acting as cellar master and sommelier at Windows on the World.

The site stocks hundreds of wine varieties, including exclusive reserves that aren’t available anywhere else, with free shipping available on all sales over $149. It also offers several wine club packages, priced from $49.95 per month.

Sign up for the WineExpress alcohol affiliate program and you’ll earn a flat $10 fee on all wine club memberships you generate, plus a 6% commission on regular store purchases.

To make your life easier, WineExpress provides an array of promotional materials, including banner ads, text links, and product links.

URL: WineExpress affiliate program

Commission rate: 6% for regular purchases, $10 for wine clubs

Cookie duration: 30 days

The Bro Basket

Launched in 2014 as a local delivery service for beer-themed gifts, The Bro Basket swiftly pivoted into shipping nationwide after noticing orders coming in from across the country.

The company sells craft beer gift baskets, personalized gifts, spirits, and even beef jerky, making it a veritable one-stop-shop for “bros” everywhere.

The Bro Basket affiliate program pays some of the most generous commissions of all the alcohol affiliate programs we’ve seen, with a flat 12% fee on all sales you refer within a 30-day window.

Payouts are made directly via PayPal, while all the tracking and reporting is made via the ShareASale affiliate network.

Affiliate marketing URL: BroBasket affiliate program

Commission rate: 12%

Cookie duration: 30 days

The Whisky Barrel

If it doesn’t offer the world’s largest selection of whisky, the appropriately named Whisky Barrel is definitely right up there, stocking more than 1,000 varieties from across the planet.

The site’s extensive catalog includes lots of new releases, particularly focusing on fine and rare Scotch whisky from independent bottlers and distillers, with prices ranging from £30 – £30,000. It also sells a range of world rums, Scottish gins, rare Japanese whiskies, and more.

Although the company is based in Scotland, The Whisky Barrel ships far beyond the British Isles, with delivery available to more than 50 countries.

The Whisky Barrel alcohol affiliate program pays a flat 5% commission on all sales, which can add up fast — particularly if you’re promoting premium products to an affluent audience.

As an added perk, affiliate marketers can get access to review samples. Just don’t overdo it!

URL: The Whisky Barrel affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 30 days

BarProducts

As its name suggests, BarProducts sells bar products, from bottle openers and corkscrews to liquor shelves and LED lighting — basically exactly what you need to start your own home wet bar.

The site also stocks a range of beer gifts; think bottle and can coolers, coasters, and even drinking games.

So does BarProducts run a great affiliate program? Well, it pays a solid if unspectacular 5% commission on all sales, with payments made directly into your PayPal account. That means if you don’t have PayPal (or you’d prefer not to use it), you can’t join.

To sweeten the deal, the website offers same-day shipping on the majority of orders, provided they’re made before 2pm EST.

URL: BarProducts affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: Unknown

Flaviar

Flaviar describes itself as “a band of spirits enthusiasts, inspired by culture, rich history, and the art of distillation”.

In non-marketing-speak, that means it runs a spirits-themed membership club, delivering a curated selection of premium liquors direct to your door.

Annual memberships are priced at $349 and are billed once a year, while quarterly subscriptions are billed every three months and cost $109 per quarter.

As well as its subscription club, Flaviar operates an online shopping service, selling 37 types of spirit including obscurities like absinthe, grappa, and mezcal. In other words, whatever alcoholic beverages your audience is into, they’ll find them at Flaviar.

Commissions for Flaviar’s alcohol affiliate program depend on the type of sale you refer, starting at $40 for online purchases (with a 30-day cookie window) and climbing to $50 on memberships (with a 45-day window).

URL: Flaviar affiliate program

Commission rate: $40 – $50

Cookie duration: 30 – 45 days

Craft Beer Club

Craft Beer Club is — you guessed it — a monthly club that aims to offer beer drinkers the best selection of American craft brews. It has a huge catalog of beers, most of which are sourced from independent brewers using traditional brewing ingredients and techniques.

Members of the Craft Beer Club receive 12 – 24 bottles a month from four different beer styles, depending on their own preferences. They can also choose their delivery frequency, whether monthly, every other month, or once per quarter.

The site’s alcohol affiliate program pays a standard commission of 5% on all new memberships you refer. That’s reasonable enough, although the seven-day cookie window is a little stingy.

In better news, Craft Beer Club boasts a substantial average order value of $190 and a conversion rate of 7% — so when you refer someone, there’s a good chance they’ll spend plenty of money.

Affiliate marketing URL: Craft Beer Club affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 7 days

TheDrinkShop

Launched more than two decades ago, TheDrinkShop is an online business that strives to offer the largest possible selection of wines, beers, spirits, and related gifts.

It certainly appears to be succeeding, with the website boasting more than 7,000 products across its various categories, many of which can’t be purchased anywhere else.

That extensive product catalog has helped TheDrinkShip attract tens of thousands of consumers and big corporate clients, while its wholesale list is used by thousands of bars, hotels, and restaurants.

As for the company’s alcohol affiliate program, it definitely falls into the category of “solid but unspectacular”. The 5% commission rate and 30-day cookie window aren’t overly generous, but the vast product selection makes up for this somewhat.

URL: TheDrinkShop affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Zachys

Zachys is a family-owned business that’s been part of the alcohol trade since the mid-20th century, selling thousands of high-quality wines from around the world.

From critically acclaimed wines to little-known discoveries and the latest vintage releases, if it pops, fizzes, or glugs silkily into a glass, you’ll find it here.

The website has grown in popularity over the years thanks to its excellent customer service, vast knowledge of red and white wine (and all the other varieties, of course), and huge choice of products.

Like the sound of the Zachys affiliate program? You’ll like it even more when you learn that the average order value is an astonishing $440. Clearly, there’s good money to be made here.

Zachys offers plenty of marketing materials, including creatives, text links, and banner ads in different sizes. It also runs exclusive affiliate promotions and has a dedicated affiliate manager to answer your questions.

URL: Zachys affiliate program

Commission rate: $5 – $150 per sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

HomeWetBar.com

Since 2004, HomeWetBar.com has specialized in personalized gifts for the beer, wine, or spirit lover in your life.

It creates a variety of bespoke gift products, including glassware, barware, signs, and decor — ideal for special occasions, or simply for people redecorating their house (or building a home wet bar).

In total, the website stocks more than 2,200 products, with an average order value of more than $50.

The HomeWetBar.com affiliate program offers an attractive 10% commission rate, so on average, you should be earning over $5 from each sale you refer. The one small downside is the 15-day cookie window, which is a little tight by the standard of other alcohol affiliate programs.

URL: HomeWetBar.com affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 15 days

California Wine Club

California Wine Club strives to give wine lovers access to the very best in small-batch wines from California’s top artisan wineries.

Its subscription-based wine club memberships are priced from $43.45 per quarter or every other month. As well as critically acclaimed wines, the package includes the guide Uncorked, which offers tasting notes on the featured wines, plus pairing notes and personal stories from the wineries.

Subscribers also have the option to reorder their favorite bottles at savings of up to 50%.

The California Wine Club affiliate program is run through ShareASale and pays a 15% commission on all sales.

The website has an impressive average conversion rate of 5.5%, with a seven-day average sale of over $200, so there’s lots of wine club affiliate earnings to be made here.

As if that wasn’t enough, it offers a 90-day cookie window — the longest of all the alcohol affiliate programs we’ve reviewed.

Affiliate marketing URL: California Wine Club affiliate program

Commission rate: 15% per sale

Cookie duration: 90 days

LIQUORexam

Now for something a little different: LIQUORexam.com doesn’t sell wine gifts, craft beers, or high-end spirits. It doesn’t run a wine club. Instead, it offers online training for prospective alcohol servers and sellers.

Its training programs aim to teach students all they need to sell alcohol legally and responsibly.

Approved for use in all states, the courses are priced from just $7.95, take place 100% online, and can be started in less than 24 hours. That means the barrier to entry is pretty low. Each course incorporates five instructional units followed by a final exam.

The LIQUORexam.com affiliate program pays a generous 25% of sales for every new student you sign up. Commissions are based on the total monthly sales you refer and are calculated automatically at the end of each month.

URL: LIQUORexam affiliate program

Commission rate: 25%

Cookie duration: Unknown

Plonk Wine Club

Plonk Wine Club is the creation of food and wine expert Etty Lewensztain, whose work has been certified by the American Sommelier Association and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Priding itself on flexibility, Plonk offers a range of wine club packages. Choose as few as four bottles per delivery or as many as 12, and opt for all reds, all whites, or a rotating mixed wine selection that also includes rose and sparkling wine.

Payments can be made as a month-by-month subscription or a prepaid lump sum covering three, six, or 12 shipments.

So far, so good. And it’s about to get even better, because the Plonk Wine Club affiliate program pays up to a 40% commission on new memberships and 15% on one-off sales. With ShareASale reporting an average order value of $290, there’s bags of earning potential here.

As if that wasn’t enough, the site’s affiliate manager is happy to offer advice, marketing materials, and details of current incentive programs.

Affiliate marketing URL: Plonk Wine Club affiliate program

Commission rate: 15% – 40%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Conclusion: Are Alcohol Affiliate Programs Right For You? As you’ll have noticed, alcohol affiliate programs don’t tend to pay sky-high commissions. That’s because alcohol margins are comparatively tight, so there just isn’t enough value to give you a huge cut of the sale.

On the flip side, alcohol is extremely popular. Most of us like a drink and have our favorite wines or beers, which gives you a huge — and highly qualified — audience to tap into.

So it’s kind of a double-edged sword, but there’s definitely plenty of money to be made as an alcohol affiliate if you get it right.

That means building a high-quality website, writing fantastic content, targeting the right keywords, and understanding what a “good” affiliate program looks like.

We can help with all those things.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll give you simple seven tips to create an authority site in 2022.

I’ll drink to that!

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Love writing? Wish you could make a living creating content on the topics you’re most passionate about? You’re in the right place, because in this article we’ll help you choose the best blogging platform to make money!

First, let’s talk numbers.

Of close to two billion websites in the world today, more than 600 million are blog sites.

Every year, brands and personal blogs publish over three billion posts.

To justify all that time and effort, those guys must be getting something in return.

So are people out there really making money blogging?

Absolutely!

But it’s not exactly a get-rich-quick scheme (not that you should ever get involved in one of those anyway).

According to Indeed, bloggers in the US earn just over $31,000 a year, which doesn’t sound like much.

Clearly, your earnings as a blogger will depend on the size of your audience and the amount of traffic you generate.

The bigger the numbers, the higher your pay, with some bloggers bringing in $100,000 or more a year.

N.B. If you want to find out how they do it, check out Gael’s article on How To Make Money Blogging In [currentyar].

However, earning six figures is pretty rare — especially for new bloggers.

And it’s definitely not going to happen if you don’t choose the best blogging platform for your needs.

What Is a Blogging Platform? A blogging platform is a service or piece of software that bloggers use to publish and manage content.

That content could be a traditional blog — i.e. words — or it could be something more visual.

Sometimes, the blogging platform also enables users to build their own website (potentially with their own custom domain name), giving them greater scope for personalization and more avenues to monetize.

Other blogging platforms keep the blogger within the platform environment, allowing them to tap into the platform’s audience but giving them fewer customization options.

What to Look for When Choosing a Blogging Platform Monetization Remember, we’re specifically talking about the best blogging platforms to make money here.

So it’s only natural that the first consideration is monetization.

If it’s difficult to monetize, it’s clearly not a good platform for starting an online business.

There are lots of potential ways to monetize your blog, such as:

  • Offering a subscription to access your content
  • Selling online courses
  • Promoting products via affiliate marketing
  • Selling ad space

Not all of those methods are compatible with every blogging platform.

So if you’ve got a clear monetization strategy in mind, it’s important you choose a platform that aligns with it.

Customization Do you want to build your blogging site from the ground up?

Do you require access to the backend?

Do you want to set controls around who can access your content?

If you need complete control over your site and content, free blogging platforms (probably) won’t be the best option.

Cost Some blogging platforms are totally free.

You just need to create an account and start blogging.

With others, you might face a range of costs, including:

  • Platform fees
  • Web hosting
  • Blog theme
  • Plug-ins
  • Email marketing software
  • Security

Your chosen blogging platform might bundle all those services and functions into a single fee, or it might offer them as extras.

Either way, you want to choose a platform that’s affordable from day one, but with the option to scale up down the line.

Ease of Use This is pretty subjective and depends on your use case.

If all you need is a basic content management system to write, format, and publish a blog post, there are lots of very simple-to-use free blogging platforms that require no technical skills.

However, if you need to play around with code and snap on specific features to help you make money, those platforms aren’t really “easy to use”, because they don’t do the stuff you need.

13 Best Blogging Platforms to Make Money Okay, so we know some of the factors involved in choosing the best blogging platform for your requirements.

Now, let’s dive into our pick of the 13 best blogging platforms to make money…

  1. WordPress.org

Pricing WordPress.org is free and open-source, although you’ll need to choose a domain name and hosting provider (which will probably cost you some money).

Best For An all-round blogging platform capable of adapting to the needs of your business.

Pros * It’s quick and (relatively) cheap to get started * Offers lots of options for customization * You have total freedom over how you choose to make money

Cons * The interface takes a little getting used to (but that’s the same with any blogging platform) * It’s down to you to update and backup your site (although both are pretty simple)

Not to be confused with WordPress.com (which has its own entry on this list), WordPress.org is a self-hosted blogging platform that offers tons of flexibility.

You get access to literally thousands of free themes.

If you want to level up your WordPress site, you can pay for premium or custom themes.

And you can add on tons of plugins, programs, and features to help you make money blogging.

If you’re going to monetize your own blog, you’ll definitely benefit from search engine optimization tools and platforms like Google Analytics, Rank Math, and Yoast.

Getting started is also comparatively easy with WordPress.org.

You just need to buy your own domain name (or acquire a free domain name) and choose a hosting plan.

While there are some free blog hosting providers out there, you might need the added performance and functionality of a paid hosting platform. Costs start at around $3 – $10 per month.

Then you can get on with choosing a theme and publishing content — simple!

Another big “plus” of having a WordPress blog is the fact that you own all the content you publish, giving you total control over what you publish.

That’s not the case with all blogging platforms.

  1. Medium

Pricing Medium is a 100% free blogging platform.

Best For A simple introduction to blogging with (limited) options for making money online.

Pros * It costs you nothing * Getting started is quick and easy, with no technical skills required * It’s a great way to test your content before building your own blog

Cons * You’re highly reliant on Medium’s website audience and algorithm * You don’t own your domain name * You can’t run your own ads

Medium arguably offers the quickest, easiest, and cheapest route to start blogging.

The platform is totally free to join.

All it takes to get going is to create a free account, choose a topic, write about it, then publish your blog post.

As long as you follow Medium’s guidelines, you can write about literally anything.

So it’s simple to use, which makes it one of the world’s most popular blogging platforms.

But is it the best blogging platform to make money?

Probably not.

The Medium Partner Program pays you (a small amount) when people spend time reading your content.

Unfortunately, because all blog posts exist within Medium’s environment rather than on a self-hosted blogging platform, you’re extremely reliant on the site’s algorithm to bring in traffic.

While about three-fifths of writers make money through the platform, the vast majority — about 94% — earn less than $100 a month.

So is Medium a waste of time for all but the “lucky few”?

Well, not necessarily.

It’s a highly effective platform to test your content and figure out what works best while earning a little money on the side.

We just wouldn’t recommend it as a long-term solution.

One other thing to bear in mind:

Medium’s Partner Program isn’t available in every country, so you might not be eligible to join based on your location.

WordPress.com

Pricing A free version is available, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan — ranging from $4 – $45 per month — to access key functionality.

Best For Beginners who don’t want to invest in a self-hosted blog.

Pros * The setup process is pretty simple * The free product tier offers enough functionality for beginners who don’t want to pay for a self-hosted WordPress blog * WordPress takes care of all the boring stuff like updates, backups, and page speeds

Cons * No access to third-party themes * You can’t use the wealth of plugins available via WordPress.org, which means fewer options for making money * If you choose a free plan, WordPress.com serves its own ads on your site

Getting started with WordPress.com is totally free, unlike with its more advanced sibling, WordPress.org.

You don’t need to buy a domain or install WordPress.

Instead, just create an account and you’ll be given a WordPress domain name (yourusername.wordpress.com).

However, you can buy a domain name later on, once you’ve come up with a blog name.

Various templates and themes are available via the free WordPress plan.

But bear in mind WordPress will run its own ads on your free WordPress site (and they don’t pay you for the privilege).

Also if you want “advanced” features — like monetization, Google Analytics, and faster customer support — you’ll definitely want a paid plan.

And even if you do pay for WordPress.com, you still don’t get access to all the lovely plugins on WordPress.org.

  1. SquareSpace

Pricing From $12 – $40 per month when paid annually.

Best For Accessing professional-quality templates.

Pros * Get access to a vast range of professional-quality templates * Automatic updates mean you don’t need to worry about security * Compatible with lots of SEO and marketing tools

Cons * The templates are more restrictive than on WordPress.org * It’s relatively expensive

SquareSpace is one of the best-known and most popular platforms for building blogging sites.

Its editor uses an intuitive drag-and-drop system that’s easy to pick up and play around with.

And it has a ton of templates that can be used to create a professional-looking site in just a few clicks.

Theoretically, SquareSpace is capable of supporting websites with up to 1,000 pages, which is way beyond the requirements of all but the most prolific bloggers.

The only real downside of SquareSpace is that you’ll need to pay to use it.

The basic $12-a-month plan is fine for most personal blogs, but more advanced functionality — like a professional email address, sophisticated analytics, and complete customization via CSS and JavaScript — means upgrading to a higher tier.

  1. Ghost

Pricing Prices scale based on the size of your audience and the range of functionality you require, starting at $9 per month (when billed annually) for up to 500 members.

Best For Building a fresh, minimalist blogging site.

Pros * The stripped-back interface is simple to learn * You keep control over all your content * Built with blogging in mind

Cons * No support for things like adding an online store to your blog * Fewer themes and customization options than some blogging platforms * It’s not a free platform (so it’s not the cheapest option)

There are no ecommerce features here, but Ghost fantastic for creating a slick-looking content site.

In a way, it’s like a stripped-back version of WordPress.org, with its own dashboard and network of plugins, offering everything from marketing automation to payment gateways for subscription sites.

But unlike WordPress, all those plugins are designed for bloggers, publishers, and writers.

And if you don’t like the pre-built themes, you can even build your own and upload them.

Another similarity with WordPress is that there are two distinct versions of Ghost:

  • Open-Source: A free platform for self-hosted blog sites, like WordPress.org
  • Pro: A paid, hosted blogging platform, like WordPress.com

  • Wix

Pricing Wix offers a free plan, while paid plans with more advanced functionality cost $18 – $56 per month.

Best For Driving traffic from search engines and other sources with built-in marketing and SEO tools.

Pros * Includes a vast library of pro-quality designs and templates * Offers access to marketing and SEO tools * Easy to set up

Cons * Limited control over the back end * Free plan carries Wix ads that don’t pay you any money * You lose all your content if you change the theme

With more than 200 million users worldwide, Wix is a huge and highly trusted blogging platform.

Much of its popularity stems from the drag-and-drop website builder (also a feature of other platforms like SquareSpace).

The site offers a free blogging platform that gives you access to basic functionality — enough to design a website and publish content.

But if you want advanced add-ons like analytics or the ability to open an ecommerce store, you’ll need a paid plan.

So is Wix the right blogging platform for you?

Well, if you want to control web vitals like loading speeds, you’ll need the ability to tinker under the bonnet — but Wix controls all the code, the server, and other backend stuff.

  1. Blogger

Pricing Blogger is free to join, but as with a lot of different blogging platforms, you can add (limited) personalization by purchasing a custom domain and add-ons.

Best For Beginners who need more functionality than Medium offers.

Pros * It’s free to join * You only need a Google account to get started * Monetization is available via Google AdSense

Cons * Templates and third-party tools aren’t as extensive as some other blogging platforms * That means customization options are more limited than other platforms * Google owns Blogger, and also any content you publish on the platform

Blogger is definitely toward the more simple end of the blogging platform spectrum.

It’s probably most similar to Medium, except that:

  • You make money via Google AdSense
  • You don’t get access to an “internal audience” like on Medium, so you’ll need to bring in traffic via search engines, social platforms, and other channels
  • You can customize your site’s appearance with free templates

As default, when you create a Blogger account, your domain name will have blogspot.com at the end.

However, you can choose to buy your own domain if you want your site to look a little more legit.

And because the platform is owned by Google, it’s compatible with Google Analytics (and some other third-party software).

On the flip side, Google owns any content published on the platform.

So there’s always a chance it could destroy your revenue stream overnight by deleting all your posts.

  1. HubPages

Pricing HubPages is free to join.

Best For Anyone who wants a Medium-like blogging platform with more monetization options.

Pros * Joining is free, quick, and easy * Lots of avenues to make money * Gives you access to an internal audience, just like Medium

Cons * No control over ad placements * HubPages controls your blog, so they can delete your content if it breaches the platform’s terms of service

HubPages is another blog platform that’s kind of similar to Medium.

You create an account using your email address and instantly get a mini-blog on which to publish content.

HubPages’ biggest differentiator is definitely its revenue sharing model.

Writers get to keep 60% of the ad revenues generated from adverts on their mini-blog, with all earnings paid via PayPal once you hit the minimum threshold of $50.

You can also top up your income through affiliate marketing — so unlike Medium and Blogger, you’re not reliant on a single revenue stream.

  1. Weebly

Pricing Weebly offers a free product tier, while paid plans with increased functionality range from $6 – $26 per month.

Best For Simple drag-and-drop editing.

Pros * Access dozens of themes via the Weebly App Center * Customize your site’s appearance with the simple drag-and-drop editor * If you change themes, you don’t lose all your content

Cons * Lack of personal restore functionality leaves you relying on Weebly’s support team if your site goes down * Less scope for creativity and customization than some platforms

Weebly offers the same drag-and-drop editing as Wix, which means it’s super simple to use.

But some of the other functionality is a little… limited.

Practically speaking, you can’t build a site with the same levels of personalization as a more sophisticated platform like SquareSpace, Wix, or WordPress.org.

However, a major plus is that you can change your theme at a later date and still keep hold of all your content.

The inability to do that is a big frustration with Wix (and some other platforms).

Weebly also has an App Center with lots of themes and templates — and you can even bolt on e-commerce features as required.

  1. LinkedIn

Pricing LinkedIn is free to join and start publishing.

Best For B2B blogging.

Pros * It’s quick and free to get started * Tap into the platform’s large, engaged audience * Easy to amplify your content via LinkedIn

Cons * You can’t create your own domain on LinkedIn * Functionality is limited; it’s basically just for publishing and sharing content * Very limited potential for making money

While LinkedIn is obviously best known as a B2B-focused social network, it also has a blogging platform for thought leaders to publish and share content.

The advantages of LinkedIn are obvious:

It gives you access to a huge audience, with 810 million people in more than 200 countries using LinkedIn.

And it’s easy to amplify your content by sharing it on LinkedIn.

However, there are a few practical drawbacks to blogging on LinkedIn.

For starters, you can’t create a domain.

And there’s no way to “directly” monetize your content.

You can’t run your own ads in your blog posts, and you don’t get paid per view like on Medium.

Really, your only option is to charge businesses or individuals to create LinkedIn content on their behalf, or promoting their products.

  1. Twitter

Pricing Twitter is completely free to join.

Best For Monetizing your existing Twitter following.

Pros * Super Follows allow you to make money from your loyal Twitter audience * If you’re already “big on Twitter”, you get paid for doing what you’re already doing * No need to build a blogging site or worry about blog hosting

Cons * Persuading people to subscribe is difficult, especially if you’re relatively new to Twitter or don’t have an existing audience * Super Follows are currently only available to members in the US who meet several eligibility requirements

To be honest, it’s not really a blogging platform at all — unless you think a 280-character tweet qualifies as a blog post.

However, you can string together multiple tweets as threads, so you can kind of use it to write short posts.

Anyway, enough technicalities.

Let’s look at how you can make money blogging on Twitter.

It’s all down to the recently introduced Super Follow feature.

In a nutshell, Super Follows are a subscription model that allows creators to place content behind a paywall.

Kind of like a membership site, but on Twitter.

You can set your own pricing and choose which content to share, so it’s pretty flexible.

However, the only realistic way that Twitter is ever going to be the “best blogging platform to make money” is if you already have a big, engaged following.

If you’ve only got a few hundred followers and you’re not a prolific tweeter, you’re not going to persuade anyone to Super Follow you.

Another practical issue is that, at time of writing, Super Follows are only available to people in the US who meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be aged 18+
  • Have at least 10,000 followers
  • Have shared at least 25 tweets in the last 30 days

Even if you tick all those boxes, you still need to apply, and there are no guarantees you’ll be accepted.

So it’s currently an extremely niche way to make money from a blog online.

Write.as

Pricing You can sign up for a free account, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan (starting at $6 per month when billed annually) to access things like custom themes, newsletters, and photo hosting.

Best For A simple blogging platform that allows you to start publishing content fast.

Pros * Built specifically for bloggers * Very easy to get started * Offers a free plan that doesn’t place a bunch of ads all over your blog site

Cons * Functionality is more limited than some other blogging sites like Wix and Squarespace * Limited range of themes and fonts available

Write.as is a lesser-known blogging platform that — as the name suggests — is built specifically for writers.

You can either use it to write and share anonymously or post under your own name.

Presumably, if you’re looking to build a brand and make money blogging as a long-term commitment, you’ll want to use your name.

While there’s a free plan, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the premium tiers to access useful features like newsletters, photo hosting, and custom themes.

Pleasingly, if you do choose the free version, you won’t have to put up with Write.as plastering ads all over your content (unlike Wix and WordPress.com).

  1. Tumblr

Pricing Starting a Tumblr blog is absolutely free.

Best For Creatives who want to monetize their Tumblr blog and tap into the site’s audience.

Pros * Tumblr is free to use and easy to set up * There are lots of options for monetizing your content * You can use the platform to share anything from short posts and images to long-form articles and video

Cons * There aren’t many options for designing a unique blog

Tumblr is a social media platform built around blogging.

You can use it to share a wealth of content — short blogs, long-form articles, photos, videos — and “reblog” other people’s content.

It also integrates with other social networks, making it easy to share your content on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Tumblr allows you to use its domain name or buy your own, and you can also choose a template or tweak the HTML to personalize the appearance, just like with a self-hosted blog.

One of the things that makes Tumblr attractive to people planning a blogging career is the wealth of monetization options.

You can:

  • Sell display ads
  • Promote and sell your work
  • Add affiliate links to your Tumblr posts
  • Leverage ad networks like Google AdSense
  • Use Tumblr Post+ to build your own paywalled membership site

Arguably the most interesting of those options is Post+.

Tumblr subscriptions range from $1.99 – $9.99 a month, of which the platform takes a 5% cut.

Unfortunately, it’s currently only available in the following 10 countries:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • New Zealand
  • Spain
  • UK
  • US

Also, it can’t be used on group blogs, password-protected blogs, or blogs flagged as adult/explicit.

Conclusion: Which Is the Best Blogging Platform to Make Money? All things considered, we think WordPress.org is the best blogging platform to make money.

It’s extremely flexible thanks to the wide array of third-party apps.

And it’s extremely scalable, making it equally relevant to hobby blog creators, small business owners, and online stores.

That’s why we recommend it to new affiliate marketers looking to build and monetize their own amazing blog.

Along the way, we teach them everything we know about creating high-performing affiliate websites.

(And, without wanting to sound big-headed, we know a lot about affiliate websites).

We can teach you, too.

Just sign up for our free training to learn the seven simple tips needed to create an authority site in [currentyr.

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Promoting toys affiliate programs isn’t just an excuse to spend all day writing about the best kids toys — it’s also a fantastic way to earn some serious money online.

Despite its cuddly exterior, the global toy industry is big, serious business. In 2019, it was worth more than $92 billion, a figure that’s expected to reach almost $104 billion by 2027.

Over $10 billion of growth in less than a decade; that’s a whole lot of Pogs and Tamagotchis (or whatever toys kids are into these days).

Still, it makes sense when you consider how many toys parents buy for their offspring: more than $300 worth per child every year in North America.

Whether you’ve got a parenting blog, a baby niche blog, or have a target market of “older kids” (AKA adults) who love toys, there’s a whole lot of opportunities for affiliate marketers in the toy market.

So without further ado, let’s dive into our pick of the 11 best kids toys affiliate programs.

Kids Toys Affiliate Programs 1. Innovatoys 2. Crayola 3. Lego 4. Fun and Function 5. Stuffed Ark 6. Seedling 7. Melissa & Doug 8. eBeanstalk 9. EZPlay 10. Rose & Rex 11. Toy Origin

InnovaToys

First up is InnovaToys, which carries a diverse selection of unique — and often unusual — collectible toys, gadgets, and gifts, with a particular focus on modeling kits.

The online business sells more than 300 models from high-profile franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter, with prices starting at just $6.95.

All orders from InnovaToys include free shipping across the US, with no minimum purchase requirement. That’s a strong selling point for affiliate marketers to reference.

Speaking of affiliates, the InnovaToys affiliate program pays a solid commission of 8% per sale. With an average order value of $80, there’s decent earning potential here — and the company’s in-house development team are happy to offer advice and provide marketing materials where necessary.

On the downside, the program has a pretty miserly one-day cookie window. If your referrals purchase immediately, no worries. But if they prefer a little consideration time, you risk missing out on your hard-earned commission.

URL: Innovatoys affiliate program

Commission rate: 8%

Cookie duration: 1 day

Crayola

Crayola is one of the world’s most recognizable toy brands.

The company is best known for its vast range of colored crayons, producing nearly three billion of the things every year — enough to stretch all the way round the world six times over.

But it’s not just about crayons. The website sells a giddying array of drawing tools, including markers, Creative Makers — for little ones who want to experiment with color mixing — and Color Wonder mess-free markers. Oh, and it’s also home to everyone’s favorite, Silly Putty.

With all those high-quality products on offer, there’s lots to like about Crayola’s affiliate program. Unusually for a big-name brand, its terms and conditions aren’t too shabby either, with a decent 5% commission rate and a 14-day cookie window.

Crayola offers dedicated affiliate management via a third-party company, Affiliate Management Solutions. It also runs regular incentives and promotions for both consumers and affiliate marketers.

URL: Crayola affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 14 days

Lego

If you don’t know what Lego is, toy affiliate programs probably aren’t for you. In 2021, it was named the world’s number one toy brand, with a value of approximately $5.4 billion.

Established back in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, Lego has long been among the most popular brands in the toy niche, and its reach is truly global — as demonstrated by its workforce of more than 20,000 people in over 40 countries.

Not bad for a company that sells little plastic bricks!

Unsurprisingly, the Lego affiliate program doesn’t pay the highest commissions of the toys affiliate programs we’ve reviewed. You’ll get a slightly below-par 3% per sale, and the cookie window is pretty tight too at just seven days.

More positively, because Lego is such a huge brand, you shouldn’t have any trouble “closing the deal” here. And to make your task even easier, you can access high-quality marketing materials like Lego-branded banner ads.

URL: Lego affiliate program

Commission rate: 3%

Cookie duration: 7 days

Fun and Function

Established in 2005, Fun and Function is the brainchild of pediatric occupational therapist Aviva Weiss and her husband, Haskel.

The company creates clothing, therapy solutions, and creative toys designed to help younger children build self-esteem and skills.

Its product range is pretty vast, incorporating everything from ball pits and crash pads to sensory boards and speech tools. The website even helps parents and schools build entire sensory rooms for little ones.

If that sounds like a feast for the senses, wait until you check out Fun and Function’s affiliate program. It pays a generous 10% commission rate and offers a lengthy 90-day cookie window, giving you every opportunity to monetize the traffic you drive.

URL: Fun and Function affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 90 days

Stuffed Ark

With a portfolio of five different websites, Stuffed Ark effectively runs multiple toy affiliate programs.

Those websites include the eponymous StuffedArk.com, which sells life-like stuffed animals from over 30 manufacturers; Stuffed Legends, which specializes in plush toys like dinosaurs, dragons, and legendary characters; and Critter Socks, which fulfills all of your animal-themed sock needs.

Mercifully, you only need to sign up for a single affiliate program to earn a commission from any or all of those sites. Even more pleasingly, Stuffed Ark pays a generous 10% commission on all sales and offers a 60-day cookie window.

The toy store boasts a regular conversion rate of more than 2%, climbing to 5%+ during the busy holiday season. Its average order value is a very respectable $40, although it also regularly receives large commercial orders.

URL: Stuffed Ark affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 60 days

Seedling

Seedling describes itself as a leader in creative and fun toys. The online business specializes in activity kits that enable children to design and build their own personalized toys, costumes, and more.

These definitely aren’t your traditional toys. Seedling’s unique products incorporate tactile materials and advanced technologies, including virtual reality. And to think, all I needed to amuse me when I was a kid was a bit of string or a ball in a cup!

As an affiliate marketer, you’ll earn 10% from every sale you refer on the Seedling website.

To help you out, you’ll get access to a dedicated affiliate manager, while the affiliate program also has its own newsletter incorporating new product announcements, promotions, and company updates.

URL: Seedling affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Melissa & Doug

As you’ve likely guessed, Melissa and Doug was founded by a couple called Melissa and Doug, who sank their life savings into developing their first-ever kids toy and making deliveries up and down the East Coast using a borrowed station wagon.

Today, the toy store has a slightly larger portfolio, carrying everything from classic wooden toys to games and creative crafts. In all, the website has more than 2,000 products across 16 categories.

Melissa and Doug offers free US shipping on order of $49+, which could be a helpful deal-closer. Presumably, deliveries are no longer made via station wagon.

The brand’s affiliate program offers a solid-if-unspectacular 4% commission rate and a 14-day cookie length, but bear in mind that a lot of its products carry comparatively high price points, which naturally increases your earning potential.

URL: Melissa & Doug affiliate program

Commission rate: 4%

Cookie duration: 14 days

eBeanstalk

eBeanstalk is a toy store with a lofty mission: to help customers find the “best educational toys, books, and games” on the market.

Unlike some businesses, those aren’t just empty words. Each and every toy eBeanstalk sells has been selected by a team of child development specialists that includes clinical psychologists, speech and language pathologists, and physical therapists — plus more than 700 mothers.

In total, the panel reviewed more than 10,000 toys before selecting their favorites, which now appear on the eBeanstalk website.

Impressive stuff, but how about the company’s affiliate program?

Pleasingly, it’s pretty impressive too, with a base commission of 5% — with potential for top performers to earn more — and a 120-day cookie window, the longest of all the kids toys affiliate programs we’ve reviewed.

Not only that, but eBeanstalk provides access to a full data feed of 3,000 products, along with a range of quality marketing materials, including coupons, promotions, and regularly updated creative assets.

URL: eBeanstalk affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%+

Cookie duration: 120 days

EZPlay

EZPlay builds and sells jungle gyms for kids to play on all year round. It’s a highly specific niche, but it’s definitely an attractive one — after all, everyone loves a jungle gym!

As well as being durable and safe for little ones aged up to 10, its high-quality products can be folded away, which means they don’t take up too much space. And because they’re suitable for children as young as 18 months, they’re a long-term purchase, which is good news from a value-for-money perspective.

Rather than paying a percentage of every sale, the EZPlay affiliate program offers a flat commission of $25 for each jungle gym sale, with a 30-day cookie duration. All tracking and reporting is provided through iDev Affiliate Data.

The only tiny downside here is that EZPlay only sells and ships to the US, so if you (or your target market) are based anywhere else, this affiliate program isn’t for you.

URL: EZPlay affiliate program

Commission rate: $25 on every jungle gym sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

Rose & Rex

Rose & Rex describes itself as a teacher-curated toy store that believes in the potential of design-focused, intentional toys and imaginative play to inspire creativity and support child development.

Proudly traditional, the website eschews plastic, battery-operated toys in favor of natural materials, quality metals, and even ceramics.

The company is also big on corporate social responsibility, donating toys to children in need, via its partner Second Chance Toys, for every purchase made.

The Rose & Rex affiliate program has a solid 8% commission rate, which looks even more impressive when you learn that it boasts average sales of close to $150 within 30 days of clicking an affiliate link.

Affiliates can access bespoke marketing materials to help promote Rose & Rex products and also get early access to promotions and special events.

URL: Rose & Rex affiliate program

Commission rate: 8%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Toy Origin

If pop culture, collectibles, and diecast models are your “thing”, Toy Origin could be the affiliate program for you.

The website sells collectible toys from all your favorite movies, TV series, and gaming franchises, produced by quality brands like Hot Toys, Mondo, and ThreeA Toys.

Toy Origin offers products for every price point, from vinyl figures and mass-produced toys to high-end collectibles, which means you’re sure to find something to promote (as long as your audience is into action figures, that is).

At first glance, Toy Origin’s affiliate program is nothing to shout about, with a base commission rate of 4%. However, its tiered commission structure means that top performers can earn at a higher rate.

Toy Origin is open to working with websites, bloggers, email marketers, social media influencers, and more. Sign-up is via a simple on-site form.

URL: Toy Origin affiliate program

Commission rate: 4%+

Cookie duration: Unknown

Conclusion: Are Toy Affiliate Programs Right For You? As you can see, there’s no shortage of toy affiliate programs.

And we haven’t even mentioned the ever-popular Amazon Associates program, which obviously carries a vast range of toys (more than 100,000 in the Toys & Games category, at time of writing). However, it didn’t make the list through a combination of low commission rates and a short cookie window.

Still, making money online in the toy niche isn’t simply a case of choosing your favorite toy manufacturers, promoting their products, and waiting for the cash to come rolling in.

If you’re going to live the online dream of consistent passive income, you need to build a strong website, find the right keywords to target, and write one quality blog post after another.

Sounds like a lot of work? Don’t worry, because we can give you all the tools to build an affiliate marketing business from scratch (or hone your existing business).

Just sign up for our free training to learn our five secrets to creating a high-performing authority website in 2022.

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Whether you’re a beer connoisseur, a home-brewing expert, or simply love a frosty pint at the end of a long day, beer affiliate programs could be the perfect way to earn money online.

There are a couple different angles for monetizing the beer niche.

Arguably the biggest opportunity is around home beer delivery, with the value of alcohol ecommerce sales across 10 markets (including the US) expected to surpass $40 billion by 2024.

Another attractive sub-niche is the home-brewing segment. The global market for home beer brewing machinery is predicted to grow from $19 million in 2020 to more than $25 million in 2030.

Meanwhile, data from the Brewers Association reveals that 1.1 million Americans brewed their own beer in 2017, with 40% taking up the hobby within the previous four years.

Ready to launch a relevant website, start writing a beer blog, and referring craft beer lovers to your favorite brands? Let’s dive into our pick of the top beer affiliate programs.

Best Beer Affiliate Programs 1. Adventures in Homebrewing 2. Craft Beer Club 3. Beer Drop 4. BrewDemon 5. Micro Matic 6. BottleKeeper 7. Brooklyn Brew Shop 8. BroBasket 9. Bottle Breacher 10. Beer of the Month Club

Adventures in Homebrewing

Adventures in Homebrewing was born in 1999, when founders Jason and Jon began selling home-brewing gear and recipes from Jon’s basement.

Fast-forward to the present day and it’s grown into an online business selling beer-making, kegging, and wine-making products, including homebrewing equipment, kegging equipment, beer-brewing ingredients, wine-making ingredients, and homebrew recipe kits. And it’s still proudly family-owned.

The Adventures in Homebrewing affiliate program is managed in-house and pays a 6% commission on all sales.

Speaking of sales, you’ll get access to a dedicated affiliate manager to help you devise impactful affiliate marketing strategies.

Not only that, but Adventures in Homebrewing provides all the text links you need to track purchases from the customers you refer, as well as useful affiliate marketing tools like banner ads and regular deals.

Affiliate marketing URL: Adventures in Homebrewing affiliate program

Commission rate: 6%

Cookie duration: Unknown

Craft Beer Club

As you can probably guess from the website name, Craft Beer Club is a craft beer club. More specifically, it’s a monthly club that aims to deliver the very best in American craft beers — from ales and lagers to porters and stouts — direct to customers’ doors.

Every craft beer in its extensive catalog of beer products has been produced by independent brewers using traditional ingredients and methods.

Craft Beer Club members can choose from 12 – 24 bottles a month and from four different beer styles, as well as selecting their preferred delivery frequency — monthly, quarterly, or every other month.

Sign up for the Craft Beer Club affiliate program and you’ll earn a 5% commission on all sales. However, the cookie window only extends for seven days — the shortest of all the beer affiliate programs we’ve reviewed — so the traffic you send will need to be highly qualified if you’re going to earn decent commissions.

It’s definitely not all bad news though, with the website boasting a $190 average sale and a 7% conversion rate.

One other thing to bear in mind here: you’ll need a Pepperjam or ShareASale account to sign up.

Affiliate marketing URL: Craft Beer Club affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 7 days

Beer Drop

Beer Drop sells personalized boxes of beers selected by its proprietary algorithm, which uses artificial intelligence to sift through thousands of beers and choose the perfect brews for its audience of beer drinkers.

Every year, the website adds another 1,500+ new beers to its range, from classic pilsners to innovative IPAs, so even the fussiest beer connoisseur is sure to find something they like here.

Price plans start at $39, with deliveries arriving once per month.

Affiliates earn a flat 10% on all sales through the Beer Drop affiliate program, although performance and bonus incentives are available to top performers.

To help drive those all-important referrals, affiliate marketers can access a range of promotional materials, including regularly updated banner ads, special coupons, and seasonal promotional opportunities.

Again, you’ll need a ShareASale account to sign up for this one.

Affiliate marketing URL: Beer Drop affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 90 days

BrewDemon

BrewDemon is the brainchild of Sam Dramis, who founded the online business in early 2012 after spotting a gap in the market for cool but affordable home-brewing equipment.

Something of a craft beer nerd, Sam had always wanted a conical fermenter. However, traditional conical fermenting kits are big, bulky, and — more importantly — cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, putting it way beyond the reach of your average home-brewing enthusiast.

That’s when he started designing his own range of smaller conical fermenters based on those used by brewing professionals. Lo and behold, the BrewDemon 2-gallon conical fermenting system was born!

Prices for the conical fermenter start at $48, while the website also sells various other products in the beer-based niche, including brewing starter kits, recipe kits, and other equipment.

Affiliate marketers who promote BrewDemon will earn 8% – 12% per sale, with bonuses available for top performers.

The website also offers regularly updated (and compelling) creative and has a responsive affiliate management team to set you on the right track. Exactly what you need to drive traffic and sales.

Affiliate marketing URL: BrewDemon affiliate program

Commission rate: 8% – 12%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Micro Matic

Micro Matic describes itself as the global market leader in the world of supplying keg couplers, keg spears, and dispensing solutions. Established in 1953, the company provides draft beer, cocktail, water, and wine dispensing solutions to customers in over 120 countries.

While most of its beer products are very much aimed at business users, Micro Matic also sells a range of pre-made “kegerators” — beer dispensers designed for home use.

The cheapest of those kits costs $78, although prices climb to $2,000+ for high-end kegerators. That explains the substantial average order value of approximately $150.

The Micro Matic beer affiliate program offers a 10% commission on more than 2,100 products on its website — with the exception of those pre-made kegerators, which pay a flat fee of $25 per sale.

Join the partner program and you’ll receive your commissions in the form of a check mailed at the end of every month. If you don’t reach the $100 threshold, your commissions roll over to the next month.

Affiliate marketing URL: Micro Matic affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 90 days

BottleKeeper

BottleKeeper sells beer coolers — otherwise known as stubby holders or koozies — for people who simply can’t abide drinking warm beer (but also hate having cold hands).

Cousins Adam and Matt launched the company in 2013, having identified an opportunity for a better beer-drinking solution after a day at the beach spent swigging decidedly lukewarm brews from red party cups.

The online business has gone from strength to strength since those early days and now fulfills hundreds of thousands of direct-to-consumer orders every year. The website also stocks a range of promotional merchandise, including T-shirts, trucker caps, and decals.

The BottleKeeper affiliate program pays a generous commission of 20% per sale — not bad considering the average order value of more than $65. The only small downside here is the 15-day cookie window, which is pretty short compared to other beer affiliate programs.

Affiliate marketing URL: BottleKeeper affiliate program

Commission rate: 20%

Cookie duration: 15 days

Brooklyn Brew Shop

Established in 2009, Brooklyn Brew Shop sells attractive and easy-to-use beer-making kits designed to fit even the most compact apartments.

It might be a direct-to-consumer business offering affordable prices, but its home-brewing kits incorporate exactly the same high-quality ingredients used by the world’s finest craft brewers. That means no extracts or sugar powders; just grain, hops, yeast, and (occasionally) spices.

With a unique gourmet focus, the company also sells a range of DIY food kits, helping avid foodies make their own hot sauce, sourdough, rainbow bagels, and much more.

Brooklyn Brew Shop products have been featured in a string of high-profile publications, including the New York Times and Food & Wine Magazine, so there’s no shortage of brand awareness here.

Want to promote Brooklyn Brew Shop? Its affiliate program commission structure pays 20% on sales to new customers and 10% on existing customers.

Affiliate marketing URL: Brooklyn Brew Shop affiliate program

Commission rate: 10% – 20%

Cookie duration: 60 days

Bro Basket

Bro Basket was launched back in 2014 as a local delivery service specializing in beery gift baskets. However, orders started flooding in from across the US, so it soon realized that shipping nationwide was definitely the way to go.

Today, the company sells a range of craft beer gift baskets priced from $49.95, as well as stocking spirits, engraved bottles, and even beef jerky. Exactly what the “bro” in your life has been looking for!

The Bro Basket beer affiliate program pays a solid 12% commission on all sales that convert within the 30-day cookie window.

Payments are made directly via PayPal, although the company leverages the ShareASale affiliate marketing network for tracking and reporting purposes.

Affiliate marketing URL: BroBasket affiliate program

Commission rate: 12%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Bottle Breacher

Possibly the most American company in the world, Bottle Breacher sells bottle openers fashioned from dummy 50-caliber ammunition casings. Oh, and did I mention those bottle openers are hand-made by veterans and active duty service members?

Every Bottle Breacher opener is professionally powder-coated, personalized with a laser engraver, and finely polished to ensure the highest-quality finish. Prices start at just $10.99.

If you think that sounds like a great product, you’re not the only one, with the company counting Mark Cuban Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank among its investors.

Bottle Breachers’ beer affiliate program pays a flat commission of 4% per sale, with a 30-day referral window.

URL: Bottle Breacher affiliate program

Commission rate: 4%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Beer of the Month Club

There’s no shortage of beer clubs today, but one of the oldest and best known is the aptly named Beer of the Month Club. It was the first venture launched by MonthlyClubs.com, which has since expanded its lineup to include wine, cheese, chocolate, cigars, and flowers.

Founded in 1994, Beer of the Month Club has served more than one million satisfied customers and achieved a Better Business Bureau A+ rating, so it’s clearly good at what it does.

The company has a dedicated panel of brewmasters and beer judges, who have rated more than 7,500 beers, ensuring the quality and range of its products is simply unparalleled.

Beer club membership prices start at $31.95 per month, plus $15 for shipping and handling.

The Beer of the Month Club affiliate program pays a standard commission of $10 per sale, increasing to $11 for 50 or more sales a month, and $12 for 100+ sales in a month.

Affiliates can access a range of promotional materials, including banner ads, text links, and coupons, and can also get assistance from the company’s dedicated affiliate program manager.

Affiliate marketing URL: Beer of the Month Club affiliate program

Commission rate: $10 – $12

Cookie duration: 90 days

Conclusion: Are Beer Affiliate Programs Right For You? Sure, you like a beer. But is the beer niche the best space for you to make money online?

It’s definitely a competitive space; it feels like a new beer blog or website launches every day.

That means you need to put in the hard yards if you’re going to earn a job replacement income here, from doing effective keyword research to building high-converting landing pages and creating quality content. Plus you’ll need to select the right beer affiliate programs for your audience.

Fortunately, your fellow beer lovers at Authority Hacker are here to help.

We can give you the affiliate marketing training you need to create a high-quality beer affiliate website. Just sign up for our free tranining.

Chin-chin!

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It’s pretty much a meme at this stage, but social media has created a whole new generation of photographers.

Or, at least people who aspire to be photographers.

A basic DSLR might only cost a few hundred dollars but a comprehensive photography kit for a beginner can cost $2,000.

But photographers love their hobby and are willing to spend inordinate amounts of money to get that perfect shot.

And that means you can make money in this niche… if you’re promoting the right photography affiliate programs.

Photography is a consumer electronics niche so commission rates are low.

But in this article, we’ll show you ways to boost your revenue despite that.

Keep reading to find out how.

Photography Affiliate Programs 1. B&H Photo Affiliate Program 2. Focus Camera Affiliate Program 3. DJI Affiliate Program 4. Canon Affiliate Program 5. Samy’s Camera Affiliate Program 6. BuyDig.com Affiliate Program 7. KEH Camera Affiliate Program 8. Master Class Affiliate Program 9. Creative Live Affiliate Program 10. Canvas Pop Affiliate Program 11. Amazon Associates 12. BorrowLenses Affiliate Program 13. Adorama Affiliate Program 14. Think Tank Affiliate Program 15. Adobe Affiliate Program 16. Capture One Affiliate Program 17. Skylum (Luminar) Affiliate Program 18. Peak Design Affiliate Program 19. GoPro Affiliate Program 20. Moment Affiliate Program 21. SmugMug Affiliate Program 22. Expert Photography Affiliate Program 23. Digital Photography School Affiliate Program 24. Pixpa Affiliate Program

B&H Photo

Fans of B&H Photo Video have described their 70,000-square foot New York retail store as “Nerd Nirvana” and “A/V Eden.

And the reason they’ve done that is because not only do B&H stock a huge range of products, but each of their salespeople is a specialist in their field.

So, you won’t get a hard pitch from somebody who knows nothing about a particular camera or accessory. Instead, you’ll get helpful advice from a fellow photographer.

B&H Photo Video has been providing this level of service since they opened their first store in Tribeca, NY, way back in 1973.

Okay, so that all sounds awesome, but what does that mean for you as an affiliate?
Simply this – B&H operates probably the biggest photography affiliate program on Earth, and that’s not hyperbole.

They’re so big we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t include them in this roundup.

If you’re serious about building an authority site in the photography niche, then you need to include this program in your portfolio.

URL: B&H Photo Video affiliate program

Commission rate: Up to 8%

Cookie duration: 60-hours

Focus Camera

Focus Camera has been in business since 1966 when Abe Berkowitz opened their store on 13th Avenue in New York.

The business quickly developed a name for itself thanks to staff expertise and a range of products from leading manufacturers.

Since then Focus Camera has moved into the world of e-commerce but they still have a retail store operating out of Brooklyn today.

Their website is easy to navigate and features pretty much everything you could need to satiate your photography desires.

But they do also sell a full range of other optical products such as telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes.

All of this adds up to plenty of opportunities for you to make direct and incidental sales from the Focus Camera affiliate program.

The 3% commission rate might seem low, but it’s pretty typical in this niche.

The network traffic for this program more than makes up for the lower commission rate, but the short cookie duration means you’re better off only sending qualified traffic to their site.

URL: Focus Camera affiliate program

Commission rate: 3% per sale

Cookie duration: 3 days

DJI

DJI specializes in making drones for photography and videography.

It’s by far the biggest player in the consumer drone niche, with a whopping 77% share of the US market.

So if your customers absolutely insist on capturing pictures and video from hundreds of meters above ground level, this is definitely one of the best photography affiliate programs for you.

As well as drones, DJI makes a variety of highly portable high-end cameras, and even its own GoPro-rivalling action camera.

Sign up for the DJI photography affiliate program and you can earn money on sales to over 46 countries, with an average commission of $30 per sale.

The only potential stumbling block is that, at time of writing, DJI’s affiliate program was “temporarily suspended” for system maintenance and updates, meaning you can’t currently register.

URL: DJI affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Canon

Canon is one of the oldest manufacturers of cameras on the planet, with their history dating back to the release of their first 35mm (remember film!?) camera in 1934.

Although they were better known for their inkjet and laser printers in the ’80s and ’90s, they’ve now become a force to be reckoned with in the digital camera market.

In fact, they’re the “go-to” source for many newbie photographers who want to own a DSLR that will make them look like a pro.

Your first affiliate advantage in promoting the Canon affiliate program is that well…they’re Canon.

It’s not like trying to promote a relatively unknown brand, but you will have to deal with competition because their products are so popular.

Again, you can see that the commission rate is low, but there’s a very respectable EPC and you also get a dedicated affiliate management team to help make the most of Canon’s offerings.

URL: Canon USA affiliate program

Commission rate: 2.5% per sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

Samy’s Camera

Samy’s Camera first opened for business in 1976, with the goal of being a leader in the sale of photography and imaging products to both budding amateurs and serious professional photographers alike.

In terms of the sheer range of services, Samy’s has their bases covered, with a full range of photography equipment and accessories, but they also service cameras too.

But what really stood out for us as their USP is “Samy’s Photo School” – they run an entire range of photography courses.

This is a smart move on their part because it shows they’re more than just a camera shop.

And none of their competitors have caught up to them on this unique angle.

Samy’s actually offers a slightly above average commission rate of 4%, and it also has a strong EPC of $45.59.

An average order value of between $300 and $500 is what we’d expect customers to spend because digital photography isn’t cheap.

Which means worthwhile affiliate payments for you.

URL: Samy’s Camera affiliate program

Commission rate: 4% per sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

BuyDig.com

Buydig is the online store for the Beach Trading Company, who’ve been an active retailer to digital photography enthusiasts since the 1990s.

Buydig.com has been online since 1996 and has built a reputation for excellent customer service and high-quality, low-cost digital cameras and other electronic devices.

So although you might not recognize the brand name, Buydig is pretty well established in its niche.

But more important is that their store sells pretty much everything a photographer would need from cameras and lenses to memory cards and printers.

As an affiliate, you’ll make 2% on every referred sale, which is usually enough to put most affiliates off promoting programs like this.

Yes, having 20% commission rates or $100 leads is awesome, but despite the low commission rate, the Buydig affiliate program is performing very well on Commission Junction.

It’s performing far, far better than other “popular” programs that offer better commission rates.

URL: BuyDig affiliate program

Commission rate: 2%

Cookie duration: 7 days

KEH Camera

KEH Camera offers something different for affiliates to promote – pre-owned cameras and photography equipment.

Photography can be an expensive hobby to get into, so being able to buy “used” equipment can save you a lot of money.

And KEH has helped over 1.5 million enthusiasts and professionals save up to 40% off regular retail prices.

As of right now, it’s also the world’s largest online store of its type.

This makes it an ideal program to feature on any type of photography, craft or imagery-related site.

The margins are much higher on pre-owned equipment vs. new equipment, so that means you get a 4% commission on sales instead of the 2% you get with other programs.

KEH Camera is also a top performer on ShareASale, and the average order size of over $300 means you can expect to make about $12 for every customer you refer to them.

URL: KEH Camera affiliate program

Commission rate: 4% per sale

Cookie duration: Up to 15 days

Master Class

If you’ve been on Facebook at any time over the last few years you’ll be familiar with Master Class – their ads were everywhere for months at a time.

For those of you who aren’t, they offer a range of online-only courses taught by experts in a given profession.

So you can learn the art of storytelling from Neil Gaiman, or even how to be an adventure photography pro from Jimmy Chin.

Basically, it’s like Udemy, but everyone you learn from is a celebrity, and usually at the top of their given field.

Master Class is a perfect example of how you can cater to the photography niche, but make more money than choosing to only chase physical product sales.

Master Class affiliates get paid 25% on every sale, which averages out to $38 for every customer that then signs up for a class.

But they also have a bonus structure where you can earn anywhere from an extra $100 to $300 per month if you can send enough new customers their way.

Photographers love learning new techniques, so Master Class should be a relatively easy upsell to your audience.

URL: Master Class affiliate program

Commission rate: 25% per sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

Creative Live

Creative Live offers a range of online courses covering everything from communication and time management skills to photography and video classes.

But they’re not your typical photography classes because you can learn how to make the most of Adobe Photoshop, or how to set up your lighting, street photography or even “iPhonegraphy.

Yes, there’s even a course dedicated to people taking photographs solely with their iPhones.

We’ve already featured photography lessons in the Master Class affiliate program, but Creative Live covers all the bases from beginners to experts.

What’s also different about their program is that Creative Live gives affiliates multiple ways to make money promoting them.

You get 25% on new customer sales, $10 on returning customer transactions, and $1 for every new registration on their site.

They’ll even pay you $10 for referring other affiliates to their program.

URL: Creative Live affiliate program

Commission rate: 25% per sale

Cookie duration: 30 days

Canvas Pop

Canvas Pop allows photographers to immortalize their images by committing them to canvas.

That’s a fancy way of saying they take your digital images, blow them up and print them on real canvas for you.

What’s even better is they can work with digital images in almost any resolution for your canvas, frame or triptych print.

We like this program because it appeals to photographers at every level, from the newbies to the professionals.

The pros will use this as an add-on service for their customers, and the novices might just use it for a portrait of their pet dog.

Regardless of what your feelings might be on our suggestion, Canvas Pop is making a lot of money, and so are their affiliates.

Photographers love showing off their latest shots to friends and family, so this program means they can now supersize their presentation in the classiest way possible.

URL: CanvasPop affiliate program

Commission rate: Up to 11% per sale

Cookie duration: 90 days

Amazon Associates

Amazon is… well, you know what Amazon is.

It basically sells everything in the world, and camera gear and accessories are no exception. You’ll find everything from bags, straps, and tripods to cameras themselves from big brands like Canon, Kodak, and Nikon.

That means there are plenty of opportunities to earn money here. Plus because Amazon is one of the world’s most-trusted brands, you shouldn’t have any trouble convincing people to buy.

But it’s not all good news. Amazon’s affiliate terms are the stingiest of all the photography affiliate programs on this list, with just a 4% commission on camera and photo products, and a measly 24-hour cookie window.

On the flip side, you’ll earn a commission on anything your referrals purchase from Amazon within that time period, giving you a chance of picking up some unexpected passive income.

URL: Amazon Associates affiliate program

Commission rate: 4% for camera & photo category (see other categories)

Cookie duration: 24 hours

BorrowLenses

Camera gear is pretty expensive.

But not everyone is prepared to drop thousands of dollars on all the equipment they need, especially if they only require it for a short period.

For those people, BorrowLenses — a camera rental company — is a dream come true, allowing them to hire all the tools they need for a professional-quality photo or video shoot.

And the BorrowLenses photography affiliate program is pretty dreamy too, offering commissions of up to 10% per sale. With an average order value of more than $150, there’s plenty of scope to earn money here.

Sign up for this affiliate program and you’ll also get access to a host of deals and coupons, plus BorrowLenses’ extensive gallery of stock images.

URL: BorrowLenses affiliate program

Commission rate: 5% – 10%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Adorama

Adorama has been a leading global provider of consumer electronics for more than 40 years, so it’s got a solid reputation.

Not only that, but it has a vast catalog of more than 250,000 products, encompassing everything from photography accessories and equipment to pro and consumer video gear.

Now, let’s get the bad news out the way. Adorama’s 2% commission rate is the joint-lowest of all the photography affiliate programs we’ve looked at, and while the 30-day cookie life is better than Amazon’s, it’s nothing to write home about.

But there’s lots of positives here too. Adorama offers a bunch of affiliate-only specials, including free shipping on most products, and worldwide shipping to 250 countries. Seeing as the UN only recognizes 195 countries, that’s pretty impressive.

You’ll also get access to a large selection of banner ads, buttons, and text links.

URL: Adorama affiliate program

Commission rate: 2%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Think Tank

Think Tank Photo describes itself as “a group of product designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work, and developing inventive new carrying solutions to meet their needs”.

Or, in layman’s terms, it makes camera bags (as well as other “carrying solutions” like belts, backpacks, and duffels).

Backpack prices climb as high as $430, so if you’re targeting a premium audience, there’s lots of passive income potential here.

Think Tank’s photography affiliate program pays a commission of 10%, which is pretty solid. Of more interest is the extremely generous 365-day cookie, which is the joint-longest of all the photography affiliate programs we’ve reviewed.

Commissions are paid three times a year – in January, May, and September – by PayPal or check.

URL: Think Tank Photo affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 365 days

Adobe

Adobe is arguably the best-known photo editing software brand, with millions of users worldwide.

Subscribers to Adobe Creative Cloud get access to a whole suite of creative apps, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as millions of Adobe Stock assets and premium images.

Unusually for such a huge brand, Adobe’s photography affiliate program pays pretty generous commissions, with different models depending on the Adobe products you promote.

Refer customers to Adobe Creative Cloud and you’ll earn:

  • 85% of the first month on monthly subscriptions
  • 85% of the first month on paid-monthly annual subscriptions
  • 8.33% of the first year on annual subscriptions with a one-time payment

Alternatively, Adobe Stock subscriptions pay out at the following rates:

  • $72 on monthly subscriptions
  • $72 on yearly subscriptions with monthly payments
  • 8.33% on single purchases with a one-time payment
  • 85% of the first month for three standard assets a month with a monthly payment

Sign up for the Adobe affiliate program and you’ll also get access to regular exclusive discounts with attractive publisher incentives.

URL: Adobe affiliate program

Commission rate: 8.33% of first year, or 85% of first month

Cookie duration: 30 days

Capture One

Capture One is another photo editing software brand.

While it’s not as well-known as Adobe’s PhotoShop, it’s still very much a “big deal”, with a packed feature set that allows photographers to connect their cameras and shoot photos directly to Capture One, and organize them on the go.

There’s a lot to like about Capture One’s photography affiliate program.

Firstly, for every referral who buys its photography software within 40 days, you earn up to 30% commission.

What’s more, unlike any of the other photography affiliate programs we’ve seen, you can earn money without even driving any sales. That’s right – every time one of your referrals signs up to a free 30-day trial, you make $1!

With such attractive terms, it’s no surprise Capture One’s top affiliate program partners earn an average of $85,000 a year.

URL: Capture One affiliate program

Commission rate: Up to 30%

Cookie duration: 40 days

Skylum

Skylum is the brainchild behind the Aurora HDR and Luminar photo editing software products.

With a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 2,500 reviews, it’s got a fantastic reputation, which makes it a comparatively easy sell.

Given that Skylum has paid out over $10.5 million in commissions to date, with the most active members of its affiliate program earning more than $100,000 a year, it’s definitely in your interest to sell its photography software!

The base commission rate of 20% is pretty generous, and the 90-day cookie life is excellent, giving you every chance to earn passive income from the referrals you generate.

URL: Skylum affiliate program

Commission rate: 20% base rate

Cookie duration: 90 days

Peak Design

Peak Design sells a range of camera gear, including bags and photography accessories.

The company makes a big deal about how its products are made by fairly paid workers and are 100% carbon neutral, so if your audience appreciates ethical brands, Peak Design could be a great fit.

With a commission rate of 10% and a cookie life of 30 days, Peak Design compares favorably with a lot of the other photography affiliate programs on this list.

There are a couple important terms and conditions to bear in mind before you sign up.

Firstly, you’ll need to earn a minimum commission of $100 before you receive a payout.

Secondly, those payouts happen on a monthly basis, on or around the 1st of the month – so you’ll (hopefully) never have long to wait to pick up the passive income you’ve earned.

URL: Peak Design affiliate program

Commission rate: 10%

Cookie duration: 30 days

GoPro

GoPro is the world’s most recognizable action camera brand, with the company shipping about 2.8 million units in 2020 alone.

As well as cameras, GoPro sells a wide range of photography accessories, including mounts, batteries, lighting, and backpacks.

The brand is synonymous with extreme sports. If you’ve ever seen a video of someone surfing, scuba diving, or jumping off a mountain, there’s a good chance the footage was captured on a GoPro.

So if that market aligns with your audience, this is a great photography affiliate program to be part of.

While a commission rate of 5% doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing, GoPro’s products are relatively expensive, with cameras starting at about $280 – so there’s plenty of scope to earn money here.

One word of caution, though. GoPro runs 10 separate photography affiliate programs, each targeting a different country, so if your audience spans multiple locations you’ll need to sign up for each one.

URL: GoPro affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Moment

Moment sells a wide range of photo and video equipment, including home and studio gear like lights and cables, as well as selling several photography courses, and even the occasional photography trip.

Its products span the full breadth of the photography market – a super simple camera can be bought for around the $30 mark, but it also sells super high-end stuff costing thousands of dollars.

Given its wide choice of products and services, Moment’s photography affiliate program pays a range of commissions. Affiliates can earn:

  • 6% – 15% on camera gear
  • 10% on photography courses
  • $100 on trips

As if that wasn’t enough, when you sign up for this affiliate program, you’ll also receive a $10 discount on your next order.

URL: Moment affiliate program

Commission rate: Up to 15% on gear

Cookie duration: 30 days

SmugMug

SmugMug offers a pretty unique proposition to photography enthusiasts.

They can use the site to store their images, build a portfolio or website of their own to display their work, and even earn passive income by selling their photos.

Every SmugMug site comes with built-in social media, shopping carts, and a choice of more than 1,200 printable products for clients and fans to purchase.

To get access to all that stuff, they need to sign up for a SmugMug plan, with prices starting at $55 for a year.

As a member of SmugMug’s photography affiliate program, you’ll earn a 15% cut of every annual plan you sell.

To help you out, you’ll get a dedicated affiliate management team, and bi-monthly newsletter featuring promos, contests, and sales opportunities.

Unfortunately, for legal reasons, this affiliate program isn’t available in the state of Missouri.

URL: SmugMug affiliate program

Commission rate: 15%

Cookie duration: 60 days

Expert Photography

As you can probably guess from the name, Expert Photography sells online courses and other training material for aspiring snappers.

It sells a range of photography course products, from simple $10 ebooks to $99 video courses.

Here’s where things get exciting. You get to earn a 50% commission on every successful sale to a referred user, which is higher than any of the other photography affiliate programs on this list.

What’s more, because Expert Photography’s products are so reasonably priced and highly regarded, it has a refund rate of less than 4% – so once you refer a sale, it’s more than likely to stick.

Even better, the Expert Photography affiliate program offers a whopping 365-day cookie life.

And because it runs retargeting ads, once you send a referral toward a product page, that product will follow them around the internet, making it more likely they’ll convert.

URL: Expert Photography affiliate program

Commission rate: 50%

Cookie duration: 365 days

Digital Photography School

Digital Photography School is, umm, a digital photography school.

Much like Expert Photography, it sells a range of photography course products, as well as ebooks and Lightroom presets.

That means there are plenty of opportunities here to generate a bunch of passive income – especially when you factor in the comparatively generous 40% commission rate.

Digital Photography School has a growing range of ebooks, courses and presets for those wanting to improve their photography

Unfortunately, at time of writing, Digital Photography School wasn’t accepting new signups for its photography affiliate program, so the only way you can currently become member is by receiving a specific invitation from its affiliate team.

URL: Digital Photography School affiliate program

Commission rate: 40%

Cookie duration: N/Ax

Pixpa

Pixpa helps creatives build beautiful photography websites to showcase their work.

More than just a magazine-style portfolio builder, it allows users to add a blog, client galleries, and even a commercial platform to their website.

Not only that, but Pixa offers a bunch of built-in tools to grow traffic via SEO and social media channels, then convert those visitors into paying customers.

And it does all that stuff through a series of templates, meaning photographers can build a website from scratch without requiring any coding skill.

Photography websites built on Pixpa are hosted by the company’s fully-managed cloud web hosting solution.

Prices start at $3 per month when billed annually, while Pixpa also offers a 15-day free trial with no credit card required.

Pixpa’s photography affiliate program pays a 50% share of the first-year revenue from each referred user, which equates to a maximum payout of $144 per referral. Not bad!

To help drive those highly valuable referrals, Pixpa gives affiliates access to high-quality marketing materials, such as banner ads to improve your conversion and click-through rates.

URL: Pixpa affiliate program

Commission rate: 50% of first-year revenue

Cookie duration: 30 days

Conclusion If you’ve read any of our other roundups on affiliate programs (and you should) you’ll have noticed we do things a little bit differently here at Authority Hacker.

We only ever highlight programs based on their established sales metrics i.e. you make money by promoting them.

But we also feature programs that can put you a step ahead of other affiliates who are still following the same old, wildly inaccurate advice from affiliate marketing “gurus”.

What’s that…you want to take a leap ahead of other affiliates?

Then click on over to our free training session on how to build a profitable authority site, the Authority Hacker way.

After all, what have you got to lose by listening to free advice from two guys who sold an 18-month old website in 2018, for a 6-figure sum?

Exactly.

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If — as Mark Twain (allegedly) said — you think golf is “a good walk spoiled”, then golf affiliate programs definitely aren’t for you.

But if you spend your every waking moment dreaming of heroic bunker escapes, booming 300-yard drives, and sinking putts from the edge of the green, golf affiliate marketing can be a fantastic money-spinner.

How fantastic? Well, one forecast claims the worldwide golf equipment market will be worth more than $9 billion by 2026, while another predicts that the global value of golf clubs, courses, and resorts will reach almost $4.5 billion by 2027.

As if that wasn’t enough, the golf tourism market will be worth close to $6 billion by 2026, according to Stratview Research.

Naturally, the success of the golf industry hinges on participation. If no one plays, golf brands don’t make money (and, by extension, nor do affiliate marketers).

So you’ll be pleased to learn that, as of 2019, there are more than 24 million golfers aged six years and older in the US alone. In America, the sport is most popular among 30 to 49-year-olds, with about one in eight of that age group saying they play golf.

Like what you’ve heard? Then let’s tee off our round-up of the 12 best golf affiliate programs you can sign up for right now.

Golf Affiliate Programs 1. Amazon Associates 2. Global Golf Affiliate Program 3. Trendy Golf Affiliate Program 4. American Golf Affiliate Program 5. The Golf Warehouse Affiliate Program 6. Golf Outlets Affiliate Program 7. Swing Man Affiliate Program 8. Austad’s Golf Affiliate Program 9. Rain or Shine Golf Affiliate Program 10. TeeOff Affiliate Program 11. TaylorMade Golf Affiliate Program 12. Callaway Golf Affiliate Program

Amazon Associates

You won’t be shocked to learn that Amazon sells golf products (after all, it sells pretty much everything).

A search for “golf” on the Amazon website returns more than 100,000 results across multiple categories, including golf equipment, golf accessories, and golf shoes.

Beyond its extensive inventory, there are a couple other big benefits to sending your customers in Amazon’s direction.

First off, it’s a well-known and respected brand. In fact, Morning Consult Brand Intelligence rates it as the fifth most trusted brand on the planet.

And secondly, it has a sky-high conversion rate, which means there’s a strong chance that the prospective customers you refer will actually buy.

However, it’s not all good news.

If you’ve looked into Amazon’s affiliate program before, you’ve likely heard the commissions can be pretty low. You’ll only earn 3% per sale on golf products, one of the lowest rates of all the golf affiliate programs we’ve reviewed.

Not only that, but the cookie duration lasts just 24 hours, so you’d better send highly qualified traffic Amazon’s way if you’re going to earn a commission.

URL: Amazon Associates affiliate program

Commission rate: 3% on sports products (view other categories)

Cookie duration: 24 hours

Global Golf

Global Golf says it’s not another stereotypical “big box” golf website, instead comparing itself to the PGA Professional-staffed store at your local golf course.

By which it means: if you’re looking to iron out the flaws in your golf game, hit the ball further, or sink more putts, it has the expertise (and products) to help you do it.

Launched in 2006, Global Golf carries a vast range of products, from snazzy apparel and accessories to brand new and pre-owned premium clubs. It also runs a helpful trade-in program that allows golf lovers to swap their used equipment for up to a 30% discount on shiny, new gear.

That all sounds great, but how about the Global Golf affiliate program?

Unsurprisingly, the commission rate is significantly higher than Amazon’s, at up to 8% per sale. Plus you’ll earn a cut as long as your referrals buy within 30 days.

URL: Global Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: Up to 8%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Trendy Golf

Ask the average man or woman in the street what they think about golf and I doubt you’ll hear the word “trendy” very often.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the game we know and love is most commonly associated with rich, old, white dudes. But golf sites like Trendy Golf are striving to change that.

The company started out back in 2004 when self-confessed golf obsessives Ian and Ben noticed golfers like Swedish icon Jesper Parnevik wearing increasingly stylish looks from brands like J.Lindeberg.

At the same time, they realized those brands were near-impossible to get hold of, which prompted them to launch a golf website dedicated to stocking the most fashionable golf shoes and apparel.

Consider yourself to be something of a golf fashionista? The Trendy Golf affiliate program could be for you. It pays a solid 6% commission for every sale you refer with a 30-day window.

URL: Trendy Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 6%

Cookie duration: 30 days

American Golf

Oddly enough, American Golf isn’t actually an American golf brand. Instead, it describes itself as Europe’s largest golf retailer, with 95 stores across the UK and Ireland at time of writing.

Of course, it also has a well-stocked golf website that sells clubs, balls, shoes, clothing… in other words, pretty much everything you’d expect.

American Golf says it aims to provide “unbeatable value” to customers, with regular sales and exclusive deals, plus free UK deliveries on orders over £50. It also offers interest-free credit on £250+ orders.

As you’ve likely guessed by now, American Golf is predominantly a UK-focused golf affiliate marketing program, although the retailer ships to most EU countries, plus Australia and New Zealand.

Golf affiliates earn 6% per sale through the program and can access up-to-date product feeds, creative assets, banners, and regular deals.

URL: American Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 6%

Cookie duration: 30 days

The Golf Warehouse

The Golf Warehouse can proudly claim to be one of the world’s first online golf retailers, having taken its first order way back in April 1998 — a full five months before the launch of Google.

It’s grown into a genuine golf market leader since those early days, with more than 230,000 square feet of warehouse space dedicated to a wealth of golf products.

Its inventory includes over 40,000 items from more than a dozen brands. As well as all the obvious stuff, you’ll find training aids like golf mats, swing trainers, and golf nets. It’s fair to describe TGW as a one-stop shop for all your golfing needs.

Unfortunately, the Golf Warehouse affiliate program is… not great. You’ll earn a measly 1% commission on the sales you refer — that’s three times less than Amazon! — and it only offers a session-based cookie, so if people don’t convert on the spot you lose the sale.

URL: The Golf Warehouse affiliate program

Commission rate: 1%

Cookie duration: Session-based

Golf Outlets USA

Value is the order of the day at Golf Outlets USA, which positions itself as the world’s lowest-priced golf superstore.

The website sells single golf clubs, junior and adult sets, carts, bags, gloves, and other golf accessories from popular brands like Confidence, Palm Springs, and Woodworm. And, as you’d imagine, the prices are extremely competitive.

However, it’s not all about undercutting the competition. Golf Outlets USA also prides itself on high product quality, superb customer service, and effective post-order marketing. All of which means repeat orders are a distinct possibility.

The Golf Outlets USA affiliate program is run through CJ Affiliate, one of the big affiliate networks. It pays a flat 5% on all sales and has a generous 45-day cookie window.

URL: Golf Outlets affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 45 days

Swing Man Golf

Even the world’s biggest golf lovers will admit the sport can be pretty frustrating. You nail your first tee shot straight down the middle, convince yourself that you’ve finally nailed your golf game, then spend the rest of the round hacking your ball out of the rough.

Honestly, it’s a wonder we keep coming back.

For all those eager golf players determined to iron out the flaws from their driving technique, Swing Man Golf could be the ideal solution. It offers expert training from PGA pro Jaacob Bowden, who has achieved a competitive best drive measuring an eye-watering 421 yards.

Through his swing speed program and all-access swing training, Jaacob says it’s perfectly feasible to add 12 – 16 mph to your swing, which is worth an extra 30 – 40 yards. Impressive stuff!

Swing Man Golf is a predominantly subscription-based platform, with prices for the aforementioned all-access package starting at just $5 per month (although Jaacob’s Swing Speed Trainer certification is a one-off program priced at $588).

The Swing Man Golf affiliate program pays a superb 50% recurring commission on all those subscription packages, and a straight 10% per sale on the swing certification program. Both offer a 30-day cookie window.

URL: Swing Man affiliate program

Commission rate: 10% – 50%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Austad’s Golf

There’s a whole lot of history in the game of golf, and Austad’s Golf is very much part of that history, having started out as a family owned business back in 1963.

An authorized retailer of all the biggest and best-known brands, Austad’s is committed to offering excellent customer service. Having been a part of the golf industry for close to 60 years, its service must be pretty spectacular.

As well as operating a popular golf website, Austad’s runs nine brick-and-mortar stores across the Midwest, plus a concession at the Great Shots golf facility in Sioux Falls. That means it’s got plenty of brand awareness (at least within the Midwest).

The Austad’s Golf affiliate program offers a competitive baseline commission of 7% per sale, rising to 9% for golf affiliates who refer more than $5,000 in monthly sales.

With an average order value of $145 and a wealth of marketing assets available (think banners, text links, and exclusive promotions), there’s bags of earning potential here.

URL: Austad’s Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 7.5% – 9%

Cookie duration: 60 days

Rain or Shine Golf

As a (very bad) golfer who lives in the UK, I sometimes feel envious of all those golfers located in somewhat more exotic locations.

They wake up every day to bright sun and blue skies while I’m battling hail storms on my way to the first tee. Sometimes, it makes me wish I could play golf indoors…

Perhaps Rain or Shine Golf is the solution I’ve been looking for. It sells golf simulators, indoor putting greens, and accessories that allow players to tee the ball up or practice their short game at any time and in any weather. And it stocks those fancy golf launch monitors you see at the driving range — the ones that tell you where your ball went and how far you hit it.

While Rain or Shine Golf claims to offer a golf simulator to suit everyone, “no matter your budget”, it’s worth noting that these products don’t come cheap, with prices running to five figures for top-of-the-range models.

Inevitably, that means golf simulators are very much a niche product, only suited to hardcore golfers with deep pockets.

If that sounds like an audience you can reach via your golf blog, the Rain or Shine Golf affiliate program is an absolute no-brainer, because you’ll earn a juicy 5%+ on each of those big-money sales.

URL: Rain or Shine Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%+

Cookie duration: 30 days

TeeOff

This one’s a little different. Rather than selling a physical product (like golf clubs) or a one-on-one service like coaching, TeeOff is a platform that allows you to book tee times at courses across the planet.

More than 9,000 golf courses and over 500,000 daily tee times are available via TeeOff, which allows reservations to be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Whether you want to sneak in a round on your lunch break or secure a prime weekend slot, you can do it at TeeOff, so it’s no wonder the platform is used and trusted by millions of golfers worldwide.

And let me tell you, we’re not talking about your local pitch-and-putt here. TeeOff works with some pretty prestigious courses, where prices for a single round can run to dozens — or even hundreds — of dollars.

All of which means there’s good money to be made through the TeeOff golf affiliate program, with a 6% commission available for every booking you refer.

URL: TeeOff affiliate program

Commission rate: 6%

Cookie duration: Unknown

TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade is arguably the best-known brand in the world of golf, with its roster of sponsored players including household names like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

The company’s beginnings were pretty humble, with founder Gary Adams borrowing $24,000 against his house to open his first store.

Since then, it’s growth has been impressive to say the least, with TaylorMade becoming only the second golf manufacturer to achieve $1 billion in sales in a calendar year.

Headquartered in California, the company ships all over the world, making it a fantastic fit for any affiliate marketer with a global audience.

Unlike a lot of market-leading brands, TaylorMade’s golf affiliate program stacks up pretty well against the competition. You’ll earn a flat 5% commission per sale and you get a perfectly reasonable 30-day cookie window. Not amazing, but definitely not bad.

URL: TaylorMade Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 5%

Cookie duration: 30 days

Callaway Golf

Callaway is another of the major golf brands. Actually, it’s more like a network of brands, with several other names — including Odyssey, OGIO, TravisMathew, and Jack Wolfskin falling beneath its broad umbrella.

As well as golf clubs, golf balls, bags, and accessories, Callaway sells a range of active lifestyle clothing, footwear, travel bags, and other active lifestyle equipment (whatever that means).

Much like TaylorMade, its premium golf clubs and equipment are used by a host of star golfers, from Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm to Henrik Stenson and Francesco Molinari.

Also like TaylorMade, the Callaway golf affiliate program is surprisingly attractive.

Actually, that’s rather damning with faint praise, so let me try again: it’s a great affiliate program. You’ll earn a solid 6% base commission per sale, rising to a decidedly generous 9% through performance-based incentives. Not only that, but it offers one of the longest cookie windows of all the big golf affiliate programs at 45 days.

In short, there’s really no reason not to sign up for this golf affiliate marketing program.

URL: Callaway Golf affiliate program

Commission rate: 6% – 9%

Cookie duration: 45 days

Conclusion: Are Golf Affiliate Programs Right For You? There’s a whole lot to like about golf affiliate marketing.

The target audience is huge, dedicated, and happy to spend lots of money in pursuit of its passion.

There are lots of avenues for monetization, from golf tourism to equipment, apparel, and training.

And there’s definitely no shortage of golf affiliate programs to promote. We didn’t even mention big names like Nike Golf or Fairway Golf USA here.

But things are never as simple as they seem on the surface. You can’t just expect to waltz in, start a golf blog, sign up for the best golf affiliate programs, and immediately start earning money.

First, you’ve got to put in the “hard yards” of affiliate marketing. Things like building a website that converts, tracking down intent-driven keywords, and writing high-quality, well-researched content.

Fortunately, we can help with all that difficult stuff.

Sign up for our free training and we’ll teach you the seven simple steps you need to build an authority site in 2022.

Think of us as your caddies!

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Online guides on how to make money blogging are a dime a dozen — and are often written by people who have never actually made any money blogging.

But THIS guide is going to be different.

Why?

Because I’m the one writing it, and because our blogs have made millions of dollars in the past few years.

Don’t believe me? Check out this screenshot of our shopping cart analytics:

A screenshot of our shopping cart We’ve also helped thousands of students achieve success with their blogs through our courses, but don’t worry — I’m not here to sell you anything today.

I am going to focus on SHOWING you how you can make money blogging. I’ll do this by sharing examples of blogs that make a lot of money and by breaking down how they do it for you.

After that, I’ll give a step-by-step guide to at least make a living — and at best, make millions — with your blog.

Excited yet?

Let’s get started!

Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to make money blogging for beginners. You don’t have any customers to take care of or any product to deliver.

All you have to focus on is delivering traffic to the vendors, who then pay you a commission for the sales you’ve referred.

But how can blogs convince people to buy through their links?

Let’s find out with 3 real-life examples!

Affiliate Product Reviews The first, and most common way, to make money blogging is by writing affiliate reviews for popular products, by ranking your page on Google, and by passively collecting monthly affiliate income.

It’s relatively easy and can be quite lucrative.

This is what moderncastle.com — a household products review site — specializes in.

They focus on creating content that either reviews single products, compares several products, or finds the best one for a given usage. Then, they link to them with affiliate links in the content.

After that, they optimize these pages for SEO to make them rank on Google for high search volume keywords.

And voila! Amazon pays them a commission for all the sales generated, and they get ongoing free traffic from Google.

Email List Marketing Another way to make money blogging with affiliate marketing is this:

  1. Build an email list.
  2. Promote affiliate products to that list.

It’s pretty simple and can be quite effective.

Social Media Recommendations Our final method to make money blogging with affiliate marketing? Use your blog to build a social following, and then make recommendations on those social profiles.

It’s not as good as reviews, but some people have made it work by regularly sharing time-limited promotions.

That’s what Digital Foundry — a blog that specializes in the technical aspect of video games — did with their Digital Foundry Deals Twitter account.

While you may think an account tweeting affiliate links wouldn’t interest anyone, they’ve managed to gather over 23,000 followers as I’m writing this post.

So, clearly, people care.

But why?

Because they’re doing an amazing job curating the best deals in their industry. And who doesn’t like saving money?

Here’s a typical affiliate tweet of theirs:

FYI – the hard-to-find Sony DualSense Charging Station is in stock at Amazon (£25). https://t.co/aH4H32Qgm5 #ad

— Digital Foundry Deals (@DealsFoundry) March 23, 2021

If you are in an industry where you can find regular deals, this may be a great way to monetize your blog following.

If you’re looking for a little more information on how to utilize social media for affiliate marketing, we put together guides on making money on Tiktok, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Don’t forget to check our Youtube affiliate marketing guide as well.

Advertising Another “easy” way to monetize your blog is to put ads on it.

It’s not the nicest from a design point of view, but advertising has been getting better and better as a revenue stream in the past few years.

The main benefit of using ads is that the only thing you have to do to get paid is get traffic to your site.

This is the least involved monetization method, and is one that will please those looking for the most passive of incomes.

Avoid Google Adsense Ads If you’ve spent at least 3 minutes looking into blog advertising solutions, then you’ve probably heard of “Google Adsense.”

It’s Google’s own blog advertising service that lets you place blocks of ads on your site and pays you per impression.

I’m sure you’ve seen these ads around the internet.

Unfortunately, making money with Google adsense is really hard, especially for new bloggers.

The service only pays you $3–8 per thousand visitors, so you will need a TON of traffic to make a decent amount of money.

While popular among bloggers who don’t aspire to make more than a few dollars per month from their blog, we advise against using Google Adsense on your site if you want to generate serious revenue.

Use Mediavine / Adthrive Instead A much better alternative to Google Adsense is to use blogger specialized ad networks such as Mediavine or Adthrive.

These ad networks operate as a service where they manage all the ads on your site — including the banner ads placement — in exchange for a small cut of your ad revenue.

This is the ads solution we use for our blogs and we couldn’t be happier with it.

As you can see from the screenshot above, for some of our sites, Adthrive pays us over $30 per 1,000 visitors — which is really good in the industry.

Carreraddicts.com is another site that uses Adthrive for their advertising.

However, there is a but… (there’s always a but.)

These networks come with minimum traffic requirements and tend to prefer blogs that get most of their traffic from the USA.

Mediavine requires at least 50,000 unique visitors per month, while Adthrive requires at least 100,000.

If you don’t have this traffic yet, Ezoic is also a reasonable ads solution you can use much sooner. Though it’s not as highly rated as the other two alternatives.

Try Selling Ads Directly If your blog is very well established, you can try to sell ad space directly to advertisers through an “advertise for us” page.

This is what Sitepoint does on their blog.

Selling ads directly often allows you to charge much higher rates than what you would get through ad networks.

It is, however, a lot more work — which is why it’s only worth it for well established blogs.

If you want to attract advertisers, you will also need to put a media kit together to showcase your stats, where your audience comes from, and how many people advertisers could potentially reach through your blog.

Sell Sponsored Posts An alternative way to sell ads on your blog is to make brands buy sponsored posts.

This means that they will pay you a fee to create a blog post that fits within the theme of your blog but that features their products.

Pinch of Yum is one popular blog selling sponsored posts to brands.

They even sell packages that include a sponsored post, and an Instagram video and story, all featuring brand products.

While it may seem complicated to work with brands, there are actually many “marketplaces” where bloggers with an audience of any size can connect with brands to work out sponsored posts deals.

Here’s a few of them:

  • https://www.realclever.com/
  • https://swaygroup.com/influencer-network/
  • https://soapboxinfluence.com/
  • https://izea.com/influencers-creators/
  • http://whoispollinate.com/
  • https://try.activate.social/influencers

Products If you want a blogging business model that is a bit more involved but that is also more profitable than affiliate marketing or ads, then selling products (digital or physical) may be what you are looking for.

Let me show you seven examples of blogs who make a killing selling digital or physical products.

Selling an Ebook The most basic product you could sell on your blog is an ebook.

Usually, they are just a well put together PDF teaching about a given niche topic your blog readers may be interested in.

This is what Josh Dunlop from Expert Photography did — he put together dozens of quality ebooks for all sorts of sub niches of photography.

They are sold through a store section on his blog:

He is also running special sales regularly:

And he promotes them to his email list:

On top of that, he also uses Facebook ads:

According to the interview he did with us, Josh is clearing seven figures per year from this juicy ebook business.

Selling Online Courses and Training If you want to level up from selling an ebook and make even more money selling products, then selling online courses may be what you are looking for.

Usually presented as videos with a customer login, online courses have a higher perceived value and can be sold for more.

Our own course area “The Authority Site System” The downside, however, is that they take more effort to put together.

But that didn’t stop consulting.com’s Sam Ovens from building an online courses empire.

In fact, he is so successful he made it to Forbes prestigious 30 under 30 list in 2017.

And, according to Ebiz facts, he could be worth over 105 million USD in 2021.

His flagship program, “Consulting Accelerator 2.0,” sells for between $1,497 and $2,985 depending on promotions.

But Sam is smart enough to understand that’s a lot of money, and so he offers a free trial to his blog readers.

To lure people in, he likes to upload Youtube videos on his channel — where he has over 100,000 subscribers and several videos with over 1 million views.

He then invites you to either join his email list or a free private training session. Though the emails also lead to the free training, as you can see below:

Once you get on the free training, Sam delivers value for around 30 minutes. Then, he has a strong call to action for you to schedule a call where his team will try and sell you one of their programs.

He backs his sales pitch with THOUSANDS of video testimonials on his site to show how his techniques have worked for a ton of people to help seal the deal.

And there you have it.

An eight figure per year blogging courses business in a nutshell.

Sell Memberships If selling an expensive course makes you uncomfortable, maybe selling memberships will suit you better.

With this option, you can charge a monthly or yearly fee for access to premium content.

If it’s good enough for Netflix or Spotify, it’s probably good enough for your blog!

Which is exactly what fool.com thought as well.

They are a very popular financial blog with MILLIONS of monthly visitors who come in and look for information on trending stocks and investment opportunities.

Initially, their content looks like something you would find on Yahoo finance about stock news.

But, if you scroll down to the bottom, all conclusions tend to look very similar…

They tie in the topic of the article and the question: Should you invest in it?

This can make you doubt your decision, and can promise you there are more profitable places to put your money.

But you’re still curious.

So, you tentatively click on the button, and…

You’re hit with an infomercial style video, bragging about the financial advice available in fool.com’s premium membership.

Who doesn’t want to make 452% return?

I definitely want to, so I insert my email and click on the button.

And I land on their full sales page that offers me the premium membership for $99 per year.

In the case that I don’t purchase, they can use the email I provided to follow up with me on the membership offer.

To add to all of that, they also aggressively advertise their services using Facebook ads and Google Adsense.

Given the number of ads they are running, I would expect them to be making a TON of money from this offer. And that makes this a prime example of how to make money blogging with a membership opportunity.

Launching Paid Newsletter A more minimalist alternative to providing a full blown membership to your customers is simply offering a premium newsletter to your blog readers.

This is what the blog, Scott’s Cheap Flights, decided to do.

Scott’s Cheap Flights curates the best deals in flying for your preferred cities and destinations so you get to save a bunch of money on traveling.

They offer a free and paid version of their newsletter.

They get people in by writing very high quality travel guides on their blog.

And by dropping regular hints at the readers that they should join the newsletter to save on flights.

When you try to join the free version of the newsletter, they make sure to let you know of everything you’re missing by not taking them up on their premium offer — and they give you the opportunity to change your mind.

If you decide not to upgrade anyway, they will give you both a (subtle) opportunity to upgrade with each email and also bring in sponsors to make money off their subscribers.

They are also aggressively advertising their paid newsletter using Facebook ads. Overall, their business seems to be booming.

Donations Through Patreon and Onlyfans Another trendy way to monetize your blog these days is to live off readers’ donations.

That’s what platforms like Patreon or Onlyfans allow you to do.

You offer a premium tier of content in exchange for a cheap subscription — which is what one of my favorite blogs, waitbutwhy.com, did.

They offer multiple levels of membership through Patreon, and, so far, they’ve got 3,501 monthly contributors on top of their one-off Paypal donations.

It’s probably fair to imagine that they make at least $10,000 per month through this channel. Nothing to sneeze at!

Sell Physical Products One really cool way to monetize your blog is to sell items in a shop section!

People LOVE to support the people they follow by shopping items they sell.

Don’t believe me?

Ask our very own AH Pro Allumnni — Kevin Espiritu, from Epic Gardening.

He’s a bit of a sensation on Instagram:

And Youtube:

To monetize his audience, Kevin started a shop selling raised beds to his subscribers.

And people absolutely love them.

They buy these raised beds and pose with them, filling his store with hundreds of reviews.

The crazy part is, Kevin doesn’t even use ads to sell his items.

He only mentions them on social media posts and giveaways….

… and through calls to action in his blog posts.

Software and Apps If courses, ebooks, or physical products are not for you, maybe creating an app or an online tool is.

That’s what Kevin Curry from Fitmencook decided to do.

After launching several successful info products and books off his blog, he launched the very popular MealPrepPro — an app that helps people organize their fitness meal prep.

I’ve tried the app myself, and it’s pretty good! His blogging popularity made it one of the top apps in its category.

In terms of monetization, the paid tiers offer all sorts of convenient features and commands a price of $6.99/month or $43.99/year.

If you have a dedicated community, creating an app and using your traffic to climb up the app store rankings may be a good idea to make money blogging.

Flip Blogs A while ago, Mark, my co-founder, decided to remove my access from our support chat.

Understandable, when these kinds of things happened regularly:

However, I did have a point — selling his computer that day was probably the fastest way to make a good chunk of money.

And the same goes for your blog.

If you want to learn how to make money blogging fast, learn how to build and flip blogs.

That’s exactly what we have done since the end of 2018.

We started our blog about software products 18 months prior, and — by applying a solid SEO strategy — we saw pretty good growth in traffic, despite the niche being competitive.

But more importantly, because the niche offered some good high paying affiliate programs, we managed to grow the revenue to around $16,000 per month.

This achievement was awesome, but we also realised that, to get to the next level, it would take a lot of resources (money) and time. Which was difficult, because we had other successful projects.

And because the niche was a competitive one, we weren’t sure if we could maintain the SEO rankings and revenue.

So… we decided to sell, to ensure this venture was profitable.

And so we did!

In January 2019 we received a mid six figure payment after listing the site for sale through FE International.

Building blogs to sell is a legitimate way to make a lot of money blogging, and more and more “pro bloggers” are taking that route.

It’s just best to plan and build the site around that idea so it doesn’t depend on you or your personal brand.

Services Consulting Services and Coaching If you are a new blogger looking to make money with a blog, sometimes, selling a $40 course won’t cut it for you.

Simply because, to make a full time living, you need to sell maybe 100 of these a month. And small blogs struggle to generate this many sales.

The solution here is to offer something that costs a lot more so you don’t need such a high number.

And that’s where selling services and coaching comes in.

While they’re not small anymore, the team behind Nerd Fitness understood the power of services.

Which is why they started offering remote coaching to help their audience get back in shape.

Nerd Fitness is a pretty popular fitness blog started by Steve Kamb, who I interviewed a few years ago.

According to Ahrefs — who usually underestimates traffic — they get 286,000 monthly visitors from Google alone.

According to the bio of their founders, they get over 1 million monthly readers.

With this in mind, it’s natural that Steve uses all the traffic of his blog posts by adding a huge call to action to his coaching services at the top.

These heavy calls to action allow him to focus his email marketing — he only targets new blog posts, because he knows people will click on the giant button on top anyway.

And that’s pretty much Nerd Fitness’s funnel in a nutshell.

  • Write awesome content that ranks well on Google.
  • Add a big call to action to your services on top.
  • Email your list these blog posts regularly, so a portion of them clicks the button and buys your coaching.

Done.

Simple, awesome blogging business.

Freelance Services If, rather than consulting or coaching people, you’d rather do the work and collect regular payments, you can use your blog to promote your freelance services.

That’s actually what Toptal, a topgrading freelance agency, does with its blogs.

They get their freelancers to create awesome technical content that targets very technical problems their clients may be looking into.

Then, as you read the blog post and scroll through, you get prompted with a “hire this freelancer” call to action on the sidebar.

And when you click on it, you get his full resume with a clear “hire this dude” button.

When I interviewed Breanden Beneschott — Toptal’s ex COO — several years ago on the podcast, he already said that the blog was about to overtake paid traffic for engagement rates of freelancers.

I have no doubt that this has been achieved by now, and this is an excellent example on how you can sell freelancing services through blogging.

Paid Job Board If you don’t want to run a freelance agency but still want to get paid for hiring within your niche, creating a paid job board for people to find each other in your industry may be a good idea.

That’s what Darren Rose of ProBlogger did.

He created a job board to recruit a writer for your blog content.

Posting a simple job ad to recruit a blogger already costs $75, but if you want to be on the first page it costs $150!

They also sell in bulk, so some recruiters drop up to $999 at once to buy 10 ads.

Plus, premium job offers get Tweeted by Darren Rowse’s account — which has an impressive 225,000 followers (although his engagement is questionable).

Speaking Gigs And, finally, another way to make money from your blog is by becoming a speaker at live (or virtual) events.

That’s what Dustin Stout decided to do.

Dustin has a reasonably popular blog, getting around 20,000 visitors per month according to Ahrefs.

He gets this traffic by ranking high on Google for utility keywords related to social media, such as “Instagram vertical dimensions.”

And then promoting his speaking offers in his main navigation.

Step by Step Guide: How to Make Money Blogging Now that we have observed the many ways you can make money blogging, let’s take a look at the exact, recommended, step-by-step methods you should follow — even if you’re a beginner.

Step #1 — Pick the Right Niche When most people think about blogs, they think about a website where you just share your life and your opinions.

But these aren’t really the kinds of blogs that make money.

Plus, social media is way more suited for that kind of content these days.

No, the blogs that make money specialize in a specific topic and stick to it to become real authorities in their market.

And the trick is that not all markets are equal.

If you are absolutely crazy about 16th century british wigs, it doesn’t mean they’re a good niche for you to pick for your blog.

In fact, according to Ahrefs, only 40 people per month look for them.

And this is why, while being interested in the topic of your blog is always a good thing, passion should not be the only guide you use when picking a niche.

We dedicate 27 lessons to picking your niche in our flagship program, “The Authority Site System,” because it’s such a crucial step.

If you are not enrolled, here are 5 questions you can use to validate any niche:

  1. Can you find 5 small, specialized blogs ranking well on Google? I know — when you’re a beginner blogger, competition sounds scary.

But trust me, all niches in existence have probably already been thought of by someone.

That means that if nobody is there making money, there probably isn’t much money to be made in that niche in the first place.

My recommendation is to head over to Google and search for keywords related to the niche you’re thinking about.

So, if I’m considering starting a blog in the paintball niche for example, I’d search the query “best paintball guns” and look for blogs specializing in paintball.

Then, as I clicked on these specialized results, I’d find a blog that was probably built by a small publisher — not a huge company I couldn’t compete with.

When you’re brainstorming, try to find 5 sites like this to validate your blog idea.

  1. Can you reproduce these blogs’ monetization? When I start a new site, I always like to ask the question: Where is the money?

In other words: even if you manage to start a blog and get traffic, can you make money from it?

For this, I recommend that you observe the blogs you found in the previous step and scan for how the writer monetizes the content.

In the case of that paintball blog I found earlier, the blogger seems to use Amazon Associates to make money.

Affiliate marketing is easy to replicate. You can simply follow our Amazon Associates guide to learn how to make money with product reviews.

Ads are also easy to replicate, but if your blog sells physical or digital products it will require more work on your end. And you may want to reconsider the niche.

  1. Is the niche growing, shrinking, or seasonal? Another thing to consider when you want to make money blogging is the fact that, while a market may be popular now, it might not be in a few years.

Additionally, some markets — like gardening, for example — are only popular during the spring and summer months.

You can clearly observe the peaks and dips of any niche using Google trends.

First, type a broad keyword describing your niche in the search box and hit enter.

Then, set the filters as shown on the screenshot below:

As you can see, paintball is a lot less popular these days than it was in the early 2000s.

And, if I’m taking that into consideration, I should probably reconsider this niche.

  1. Can you realistically build a credible site? Let’s say, after seeing the disappointing trend of the paintball niche, I decided to get into nutrition and helping diabetic people with their diet.

A quick search on Google shows me these kinds of articles are written by huge health blogs.

And, if I were looking at this page and clicked on the evidence based button, this is the information I’d get:

You might think this isn’t very important, but Google has been chasing EAT (Expertise, Authority, and Trust) in YMYL niches (Your Money or Your Life).

In plain English, this means that if a writer does not have the credentials in the kinds of niches that involve big life decisions — like health, legal, or finance — Google is willing to force their rankings much lower.

And that is not good news.

So, unless you’re a nutritionist or you’re able to assemble a team with the right credentials, I don’t recommend getting into one of these niches.

  1. Can you picture yourself working for 1,000+ hours in this niche? Becoming a successful blogger and making money from your website takes a lot of time.

I often say that during the first year, you’d probably be better off working at McDonald’s.

But I don’t say that to discourage you.

I say that so you know what you’re getting into, and to help explain why things are hard in that first year. And so you know that if you’re not making any money blogging it’s completely normal.

However, one thing that will always help you make your blog successful is you enjoying the niche you work in.

After running blog niches through all the previous checks, make sure that you can picture yourself enjoying working many hours on your site.

Step #2 — Get Good at Blog Content Creation Once you’ve selected a market for your blog, if you want to have a chance to make money, you will need to create LOTS of content.

This will be your main activity as a blogger, so you need to get good at it.

And I’m not talking about bland articles, like most of what you’ll find online these days.

You need to create content that engages an audience and makes them want to come back to your blog.

(A bit like what I am trying to do now — you are over 4,000 words into this article and still reading.)

But creating great content that generates fans and that allows you to start making money from your blog will require you to master several skills.

Here are a few of them:

1. Keyword Research and Brainstorming Topics

Picking topics for your blog content is more of a science than an art, but most beginner bloggers don’t know that.

There are many creative ways to come up with blog post ideas, but if you’re going to focus on getting traffic from search engines (and — spoiler alert — you should!), then learning how to do keyword research is a must.

For this, you will need a keyword research tool. We recommend Ahrefs to the people following our training.

It allows you to answer very important questions about any keyword, such as:

How many people search for it?

How many people click on results?

How hard is it to rank on Google?

To learn more about how to do this, check out our guide on seed keyword research.

Alternatively, you can use the blogs you looked at while doing your niche research and find which topics bring them the most traffic.

If I bring back one of the paintball sites I found earlier into the Ahrefs Top Pages report, I get the following:

I can easily see which topics bring the most traffic to this blog:

  • Belly band holsters
  • Best paintball guns
  • Best paintball pistol
  • Best mag fed paintball guns

I can then take these topics and create content around them for a much higher chance of generating traffic to my blog.

#2. Reusable Content Formats If you want to create the volume of content you need to make money blogging, it’s important to have a process.

Once you’ve done keyword research for long enough, you’ll see that most ideas fall into a few content archetypes:

  • Step by step guides / tutorials
  • Lists
  • Product reviews
  • Product roundups
  • News reports

And so on.

It’s a good idea to build content templates for each of these archetypes — you can reuse them every time you create a new blog post.

That’s what large sites like The Verge do, for example.

When they review phones on their website, they start with an intro, then a summary box with buy buttons.

Then, they talk about the same attributes every time:

  • Screen
  • Battery life
  • Performance
  • Camera

This means that, every time they review a new phone on their website, they don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

They just follow their proven format.

You need a similar system for your own website.

Each time you start a new content archetype, save notes about the sections you’ve decided to use on a free wiki software, like Slab. Then consult it and update it every time you make a new post in that archetype.

To help get you started with content templates, check out our “How to Write a Product Review” guide.

3. Write Headlines That Get Clicks and Shares

It doesn’t matter how great the content you create for your website is, if nobody clicks it, nobody will know!

This is why headline writing requires specific attention and skill.

Title tags are a HUGE factor when it comes to getting traffic from Google.

During our headlines testing and research, we found that writing slightly clickbaity headlines worked better — especially if you referred to one of these topics:

If you’re writing list posts, the number of items you have in your list was also found to determine how shareable and linkable your article will be.

In practice, I like to use the Sharethrough headline optimizer to give me feedback on my headlines in real time.

I usually just start with my target keyword for the post — in this case, “how to make money blogging”:

Then, I tweak the headline content to get the quality score box to at least green.:

You have to admit, this second headline will get a lot more attention when shared around.

4. Onpage SEO

To really push your blog over the edge in getting traffic and making money online, you want your content to appear high on Google rankings. So learning onpage SEO is a must.

Think about it like fine tuning your content for Google:

Including your keywords in your content is great, but Google works with complex algorithms that look for many keywords in the lexical field of your main keyword.

For that, we recommend you check out Surfer SEO as it integrates directly into Google docs and tells you exactly which keywords to include while writing.

Surfer SEO can also show you exactly what to edit on your page for it to rank higher, based on your competitors data.

Additionally, you’ll probably want to learn how to internally link pages properly, as our data study shows a very large correlation between number and quality of internal links and higher rankings.

Step #3 — Focus on Growing Your Search Traffic I get it.

Creating Instagram stories promoting your latest post is cool and fun, but you can’t deny one thing — according to industry insights by SEMRush, most blogs in most verticals acquired the majority of their traffic from searches.

Up to 69% for the marketing market!

The good news is, if you followed my advice on content creation, you are already in good shape when it comes to SEO.

But content, while king, is not everything.

Here are a few other parts of SEO you should consider learning:

1. Learn How to Create a Great Site Architecture

Chances are you’re running your website on WordPress — an excellent choice to start your blog.

However, WordPress doesn’t do a very good job at organizing your site architecture for optimal SEO results.

That’s why we recommend you look into creating custom hub pages in place of using WordPress’s default category pages.

2. Learn How to Build Links

If you want to be a successful blogger and rank well on Google, chances are you’ll need to think about links regularly.

Links count like votes for Google, and, according to many SEOs, count as one of the most important factors to ranking your site.

The most effective way to build links that will make a difference to your rankings is to learn outreach link building.

Usually, you get to build either guest posting links or skyscraper links. Or you can attempt broken link building, but we haven’t found much success with it.

3. Learn How to Grab Featured Snippets

In case you haven’t noticed, in the last few years Google has been a huge fan of showing the answer to your query at the very top of the search results:

These are called featured snippets, and they are run by a completely different algorithm than the normal way Google ranks things.

This means that even if you’ve been struggling with things like link building, you have a shot at ranking #1 on Google and getting a lot of traffic to your blog.

The trick with featured snippets is first to rank in the top 5, as it seems to be where you are the most likely to get picked up.

Then, you need to format your text exactly how Google likes it and build “snippet bait” they can use in the following format:

Step #4 — Monetize With Affiliate Marketing and Advertising First Now that you are on your way to getting lots of traffic from Google to your website, it’s time to make money with your blog!

Because traffic takes a lot of work to generate, most beginner bloggers don’t have a lot of time, resources, or experience to monetize their site.

This is why, when you get started, we think it’s better to avoid digital or physical products and focus on more passive ways of making money.

And there’s two main ones I’d recommend:

1 — Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is the default monetization method we recommend to our students of “The Authority Site System.”

The main reason for that is that affiliate marketing, unlike ads, doesn’t always require a lot of traffic for you to make money blogging.

For example, that blog of ours generates only 56,000 visits per month from Google — which is respectable but not that much.

Yet, because most of its content is product reviews and roundup reviews, the site generates over $3,000 per month from affiliate commissions.

The reason this site is able to generate good affiliate commissions, despite not getting that much traffic, is because most of the content you’ll find on it reviews products or product categories.

The people who find the content on Google are eager to buy, because they are specifically looking for product information.

They usually end up reading the content to make a purchase decision, click on our links, and generate commissions.

2 — Ads The other method we recommend to make money with your blog when you get started is to use display ads.

Unfortunately, the best display ads network won’t let you in unless you have a fair amount of traffic to your website already. Which is why we tend to only implement ads after getting to about 50,000 visitors per month.

That’s when networks like Mediavine and Adthrive will consider adding your website to their pool. And these networks pay a lot more than most alternatives.

It’s a very hands off approach.

Just sign up, get approved, and they will do all the setup for you. Then you just need to make sure you keep getting page views to your site to get paid.

Step #5 — Grow an Email List and an Audience Blogs aren’t just about ranking on Google and monetizing with a good affiliate program or pay per click ads.

That’s just the first step to transforming your side hustle into a real business.

Once you have regular blog traffic coming from Google, it’s time for you to start earning an audience and fans that follow you regularly and don’t just stumble upon your site once.

This is when you start thinking about social media, and — most importantly — building an email list.

These will allow you to get repeat website visitors, and build a relationship with your target audience while promoting products to them. And it will allow you to make money while doing so.

We made a full case study on monetizing an email list in this post if you’d like to see how it works.

If you want to achieve this on your blog, here’s how to do it:

1 — Collect Emails on Your Site In order to be able to email your audience, you first need to collect their email addresses.

The good news is, if you’ve followed our guide so far, you will have a bunch of targeted traffic on your WordPress blog. And there are plenty of ingenious ways to convince people to part ways with their personal information.

Opt-In Pop Ups This tactic is by far our favorite. I’m sure you noticed it as you browsed our blog.

I know a lot of people hate pop ups, and I can understand their point of view — they aren’t the most fun user experience.

But, if you want to make money blogging, they are a must-use tactic.

According to our opt-in pop up tool, OptInMonster, between 2.8% and 4.2% of all visitors end up joining our evergreen workshops thanks to them.

If you want to know exactly how to set these up, check out our beginners guide to opt-in pop ups.

Content Upgrades Admittedly, we don’t use these as often. But they still work like gangbusters!

Content upgrades are in-content calls to action that have a direct relation with the content you are consuming.

Giveaways My last recommended — but least preferred — tactic to grow your email list is to run giveaways.

Giveaways allow you to offer a prize to a random lucky winner in exchange for people performing actions such as signing up to your email list or following you on social media for a chance to win.

We like to use Gleam.io to organize our giveaways.

We tend to organize these before product launches or big sales to pump up our email list.

The trick with giveaways is to give something away only your target audience would be interested in, so the people joining in will also care about your future emails.

If you give an iPad away, everyone will sign up and your email list will not be very targeted.

Check out our full giveaways case study to learn how to run these.

2 — Engage Your Email Subscribers and Build a Community Building an email list is one thing, but if the blogger doesn’t email his audience, they will soon forget who he is.

This is why emailing your list is so important — especially if you want to make money from it.

In order to send those emails, you need to set up an email marketing tool that will handle the technical side of things for you.

We recommend MailerLite.

It’s free for your first 1,000 subscribers or 12,000 emails per month, which is nice for beginner bloggers.

Just sign up through their website, and you’ll be able to import your subscribers via CSV or a text file.

You can also connect OptiInMonster, Elementor, or Thrive Leads directly via API to bring in your new subscribers as soon as they sign up.

Once the subscribers are in and you have a new blog post to email them, click on the campaigns button in the top menu.

Then, fill the form to create a new campaign promoting your new blog post.

I suggested using Emojis in the subject line — they’ve proven to help improve your open rate from our internal testing .

After that, select the drag and drop editor to create your email.

Use the editor to put together your simple blog post promotion email, like this one:

And, once done editing, select all your subscribers, review, and hit send!

Do this every time you release new content to bring people back to your site and make some more money from affiliate links and ads.

Additionally, when a product you promote has a good discount offer, email it as well — especially if it can generate commissions for you.

This prepares your audience for the next step.

Step #6 — Launch Your Own Offers and Digital Products The next step in the food chain is to launch and earn money with your own products.

It’s hard work, but totally worth it if you reach that stage of blogging and become somewhat of an expert in your industry.

The best place to start is to launch a course for your audience — you can take the topics of some of your most popular blog posts and make a course about it.

This is what we did with one of our websites using a very popular blog post on Juicing (listen to the podcast here).

This post alone ended up making $2,500 per month from the ebook sales.

So, how do you do that on your own blog?

Here’s the step by step breakdown.

A — Identify Your Most Popular Blog Posts The best way to build a product that generates daily sales on autopilot — and achieves that true passive income you’re probably looking for — is to build a course focused on the same topic as a popular blog post.

Why?

Because it guarantees you get ongoing leads for your funnel that will be interested in your course.

My suggestion is to head over to Google Analytics and find your top pages by traffic. Then brainstorm course ideas from there.

B — Build a Lead Magnet for That Specific Topic Once you’ve identified some likely candidates, our goal is going to be building a lead magnet. One specific to the course topic so that it attracts leads that are the most interested in your potential course.

I recommend you use Canva and make a simple list lead magnet using the presentation building tool they offer.

When your lead magnet is ready, use a tool like OptInMonster to create a call to action on your blog post(s) and entice people to download it.

C — Build a Minimum Viable Product You Can Quickly Launch Now that your lead magnet is collecting daily leads, it’s time to build something to sell to them!

It’s hard to summarize how to build a course or digital product in a blog post, but my recommendation this:

Follow the same process you use to create blog content. However, expand each section a lot more and include more types of content.

We use video a lot these days for our premium content, and it’s a nice way to “upgrade” the feel and justify the price we charge.

Adding cheat sheets, worksheets, and other interactive content also helps create an awesome digital product.

The interface you deliver your content from is important as well, but you can use a done for your course builder like Thinkific or Teachable to give it that “premium feel” and great user experience.

D — Build an Email Follow Up Sequence for Your Leads Now that we have something to sell our leads, it’s time to make money!

And we are going to do this by creating an email sequence for the people downloading our free lead magnet to convince them to buy our paid product.

This is something we do here at Authority Hacker.

After people sign up for our free training, we offer them “The Authority Site System” and email them about it for a few days with various angles.

You can easily build something similar inside your MailerLite account.

E — Learn and Improve Now that your basic sales funnel is up, it’s time to work on growing and improving it.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to start a/b testing things like:

  • Your opt-in call to action
  • Your emails
  • Your price

Change things one at a time and evaluate the effect this has on your sales.

For example, OptInMonster will let you create multiple calls to action and run them against each other to see which one appeals the most to your visitors.

There’s a lot more to learn about sales funnels, of course — maybe I’ll expand on it in a future blog post.

Conclusion If you want to learn how to make money blogging and become a six figure blogger, you will have to pick up a lot of skills.

It’s like learning a new job, and so it can take a while before you start making money online.

The best thing to do? Take baby steps and treat this as a side hustle to start with while following the exact steps that we outlined above.

If you want a more in-detail how-to guide on how to get started in the best way possible with your blog, I highly recommend you attend our free training webinar.

FAQ

Can You Make A Full-Time Living Blogging? Yes, even beginners can make money blogging to the point where it could replace their full time income.

Usually, though, success doesn’t come overnight, and making at least five figures per year blogging happens on year 2–4 of your journey.

Be ready to sink in the hours and not get an immediate return on the hard work you put in.

How Much Money Can You Make From Blogging? When it comes to the maximum amount of money bloggers can make, the sky is the limit.

Dotdash — a company that owns many large blogs — has posted over 160 million dollars in revenue in 2019. So blogging really is serious business if you can execute things properly.

If you want more realistic expectations of how much successful bloggers make, I suggest looking at website marketplaces where sellers post the stats of the blogs they are offering.

Some marketplaces to keep an eye on are Empire Flippers and FE International.

How To Start Your Own Blog For Free? While there are many free blogging platforms available, such as WordPress.com or Blogger by Google, we don’t recommend you use them to start your blog if your goal is to make money.

The reason why is because you don’t own your blog and these are usually harder to SEO.

While it’s annoying to pay upfront, we highly recommend you register your own domain and hosting account and truly own your platform.

We have put together a post that breaks down the exact tech setup we recommend so feel free to check it out.

What Are The Most Popular Blogging Platforms? WordPress is by far the most popular blogging platform and the one you should consider using. It’s used by small blogs and mega publishers alike because it’s open source, free to use, and powerful.

According to BuiltWith, it’s powering roughly 1/3 of the top 1 million websites in the world.

We highly recommend you build your blog on WordPress and learn how to use it properly.

How To Get Seo Traffic To Your Blog? Getting SEO traffic to your WordPress website in order to get readers does take time.

The best way to get SEO traffic is to create keyword focused articles that match Google’s expected search intent, and to regularly build backlinks to your website to increase your authority.

What Type Of Blogs Makes The Most Money? While almost all types of blogs can earn money, some blog types are better than others at it.

Our favorite as affiliate marketers is product review blogs — they don’t need a lot of website visitors to start making money.

Alternatively, websites that focus on SEO traffic and monetize with advertizing are also great these days.

How Long Does It Take To Make Money Blogging? If you want to make money online, it usually takes a while and your first year is very rarely great.

While there are ways to make money early in the life of your website — like putting AdSense ads or selling links — these usually require a lot of work, don’t pay very well, and jeopardize the viability of your website in the long run.

If I were you, I would expect things to not look great for 1–2 years before you start making money that actually counts with your blog.

What Are The Best Blogs About How To Make Money Blogging? I hate to toot our own horn here, but Authority Hacker is a great place to learn how to make money blogging.

Additionally, you can check these resources out:
– Matthew Woodward
– Blogging Wizard
– Problogger

How Does A Beginner Blogger Make Money? Depending on your background and niche, the answer may differ. But, we found that promoting an affiliate link within your content is a great way to get started.

Simply sign up to an affiliate network like ShareaSale or CJ, find products related to your topics, and start adding links to your posts.

Do All Bloggers Make Money? Absolutely not. Most bloggers do not make any money.

That’s because they just aren’t focused on creating posts and struggle to get traffic or find ways to make profit.

This is why we recommend you follow the steps outlined in the post above to avoid becoming one of these statistics.

Do Bloggers Pay Taxes? Yes — any serious blog will be tied to a company and you will need to pay taxes on what you earn.

Do I Need An LLC For My Blog? While an LLC is the most common (and recommended) company type to attach to your blog, any company can own your blog as an asset.

Who Is The Richest Blogger? Ariadne Anna, founder of the Huffington post, is the richest blogger in the world with a net worth of over 125 million dollars.

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When it comes to ranking in Google links matter a lot.

In this article we’ll talk about internal links – the links that point to your page from other pages of your website.

We’ve already established, in our previous study, that the number of external links is the single most dominant factor that stands out among the top Google results.

That was measured by the number of referring domains.

But for your reference here’s another study we did that looks at all backlinks instead of unique referring domains only:

(based on a study of 500,000 search results) So that’s for links from other websites – different study, different dataset, results confirmed.

But what about internal links? Do they matter at all?

We’ve done a new study, so in this article, we’ll give you the answer.

You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of internal linking so when you’re done with this blog you can go on and take some immediate action.

Let’s do this.

What Are Internal Links? An internal link is any kind of link on your website that links to another page on your website.

Internal links are not just links within the readable text, they include all links that point to other pages of your website.

That includes navigation links, CTAs, links in widgets such as “recommended articles,” image links and so on.

Another key term that we use a lot is “backlink”. There are external and internal backlinks and they refer to links on other pages and websites pointing back to your page.

As already pointed out, external backlinks play a pivotal role in getting your pages rank high up in the Google results.

But when it comes to marketing, internal links are very useful too. In general, they fulfil three key functions. They help with SEO, user experience and conversion.

  • SEO: Internal links help search engines better understand your website. They help them index your pages better and assign authority too.
  • User Experience: A well designed link structure helps users meet their objectives. For example, to navigate easily, discover more of the relevant content.
  • Conversion: These are links within your CTAs. It can be a link in a banner, in a signup button, or a text link pointing to a lead magnet.

It’s very useful to think about internal links in terms of these three categories, as each of them helps you with the most vital marketing objectives.

Namely, traffic (SEO), pageviews and CTR (user experience), conversion rates and revenue (conversion). In other words, each step of the conversion funnel.

This helps you create a very simple mental map that will make all of your internal linking work much more productive.

So, when you’re doing your internal linking work, don’t only think about SEO, you must also think about how to place links so they naturally align with your user’s goals and your own conversion goals.

Here’s why it’s important, and this is my opinion:

I believe, internal links are very important for SEO, but they are not the most important factor. Relevant external backlinks and quality, optimized content carry most of the weight when it comes to ranking.

Neglecting other useful functions of internal links may actually undermine your SEO efforts as good UX leads to more engagement and that leads to more backlinks.

Internal Links and SEO: What’s the Theory? As far as I know, there hasn’t been any studies done on internal backlinks.

Most of what’s known comes hands-on (anecdotal) experience and a bunch of knowledge coming directly from Google some 6-7 years ago.

However, it’s quite an established fact that improving your internal link structure will boost your rankings in Google.

You’ll find plenty of articles, but no need for it, we’ve asked this question in our Facebook group to get some first-hand references:

There’s a bunch of more detailed answers and we’ll outline some later. To make a point, however, here are some of the interesting ones.

And another one with a screenshot:

So that’s for some evidence. People know internal links play a role in Google’s algorithm (or so it seems) and for a very specific reason – Google said so.

It was also clear from their original PageRank algorithm which is public, and has obviously evolved into quite a different animal since.

In general, most of the stuff that you read about SEO comes from either:

  • Early days Google: In the early days the algorithm was simple and Google, stuff was easier to figure out and Google was a bit more open about it too.
  • Latter days filed patents: Google files a tons of patents, some are never used. It opens room for speculation.
  • Matt Cutts: Head of web spam at Google, who liked to blog a lot and implemented some big changes to Google’s search engine. He left Google at the end of 2016.
  • Personal experience: Obviously, people figure out what works and what doesn’t based on doing things and trying out new stuff.
  • Studies: Quite a few studies were done in this space, including our own Featured Snippets and Search Ranking Factors studies.

My point is, a lot of what we’re going to discuss here, may or may not be outdated. We’ve got some fresh data for you but first we’ll dive into all that theory so you get the picture.

There’s Google’s original algorithm, PageRank.

The way Google ranked pages was that each page was assigned an authority score and with each link some of that authority would get distributed.

People were naturally abusing it so Google rolled out some updates, like link decay, and also, the algorithm evolved to factor other things in. Here’s what Matt Cutts said 10 years ago:

“Even when I joined the company in 2000, Google was doing more sophisticated link computation than you would observe from the classic PageRank papers. If you believe that Google stopped innovating in link analysis, that’s a flawed assumption. Although we still refer to it as PageRank, Google’s ability to compute reputation based on links has advanced considerably over the years.”

Sometime in between, it was possible to play around with authority using nofollow tags on your links which would make Google ignore the link and not transfer any score to that link, leaving more “juice” i.e. authority for the rest.

This was called pagerank sculpting.

Somehow that didn’t go very well with Google’s advertising objectives so the change was rolled back, in a sense that nofollow links are assigned score too but it doesn’t get transferred.

In general, the consensus now is that you should interlink naturally to let the “juice” flow freely. Apparently, PageRank still exists within Google’s algorithm but only as a tiny fraction of it.

Now here’s another thing. Anchor texts.

Some people believe they don’t play a big role anymore, and some think otherwise, mainly because Google actually says so.

It is also believed that Google that with so many websites to crawl only cares about anchor text of the first internal link inside the referring page.

That’s because there’s a patent filed by Google that describes such methodology, although it’s unclear whether it has ever been implemented at all – Google files a lot of patents.

Finally, a big piece of the theory is that your link structure should be very straightforward, as there’s “crawl budget” i.e. a time limit Google has to crawl a website.

So if your linked content is hidden down in a long chain of links, it may never get discovered.

Whether that’s true or not is irrelevant because the fact remains that Google has to crawl websites so you do want to make your website easy and simple for it.

From that, came out the practice of “siloing” (on that later) and cleaning up your links, mainly redirects and links pointing 404 error pages.

I don’t want to bother you with more theory. Especially because we have extensively written about it in our site architecture blog post.

Most of the stuff that SEOs do when it comes to internal links is somehow related to the above, and it seems to work well.

For example, here’s another reference from our friend Matt Diggity in the group:

So basically, Matt acquired this site in March and all he did was fixing internal links. He hasn’t acquired any external backlinks nor added any content. Here’s a closer look at the chart:

In summary he did 4 things:

  • Optimized internal anchors
  • Improved the “juice” flow by fixing links pointing to the 404 page
  • Created “silos”
  • Made non-ranking pages link to the pages he wanted to rank better

Impressive. Now let’s dive into some details and data.

Internal Linking for SEO: what studying over 1 million links says In this section we’ll look at some of the SEO community’s best practices, that are generally known to work and run data against them to see if they are indeed helping with rankings.

We’ve done some original studies too, to make it more interesting.

We worked with 2 datasets. A 500k SERPs for 5000 long tail, high volume (1000> searches a month keywords). For this we obtained link and backlink metrics using Ahrefs API.

Another one is a 10k URLs ranking on the first page of Google. We obtained 1 million internal backlinks for these, including anchor texts, metrics and URLs that we scrapped for additional data. 10k is not a huge dataset, so some charts are not so “smooth.”

To learn more about this research, here’s a link to our study methods.

  1. Do internal links Actually help with ranking higher? We already know that the number of external backlinks is pivotal to ranking high in Google.

That’s perfectly sensible as a link from another website represents an independent vote of authority. The question is, does the number of internal backlinks works in a similar way.

Looking at the sheer number of internal backlinks we found no correlation.

However, this is hard to measure because if you look at all the links pointing to a page, the crawlers are likely to collect a lot of garbage links, such as:

  • website.com/article/comments/page2
  • website.com/article/comments/page3
  • and so on …

It’s quite hard to filter those out. When you use Ahrefs (review) for internal link analysis, they choose to deal with this by grouping links by the same anchor and surrounding text.

This, in my opinion, is far from an optimal solution because you’ll end up throwing a bunch of unique links into the same bucket, but Ahrefs does a good job at it most of the time. And the results provide a different, (perhaps a more accurate) picture.

As you can see, it somewhat correlates and quite nicely.

That can either mean that the top ranked pages have more internal backlinks, or that they use a greater variety of anchor text.

What’s more important, however, is to validate whether these links actually transfer authority to the pages they link to.

That’s the next thing we looked at.

So we looked at the number of referring domains to the pages that distribute these internal links. We also look at URL Rating which is Ahref’s version of pagerank.

It turns out both correlate nicely, the URL rating and the number of referring domains. Here’s the average number of referring domains per page sending the internal backlink.

To synthetize these findings, we multiplied both the number of internal links and the links pointing to the pages sending internal links to the ranking page.

This gave us this new “Authority” metric that shows how internal links are an excellent way to channel external link authority to strategic parts of your site.

The excellent correlation shows that a strong internal linking structure from pages that get a lot of external links to pages you want to see rank higher is an effective SEO tactic which is exciting for those of you who use Shotgun Skyscraper ;).

I consider this result a solid piece of data.

I would just like to add that the median values show the same result. (I opted to show averages to avoid multiplying by 0 as must internal backlinks have no referring domains).

Conclusion: Top ranked pages not only have a lot of internal backlinks, but these internal links come from pages that have collected a fair amount of external links themselves.

What this means in practical terms for authority site builders is that the tactic of building “link bait” content and then linking from that content to your “money” content absolutely works.

We have both experienced it in real life (see case study) and seen it in the numbers.

  1. does internal link anchor text and surround text matter for Rankings? It’s no news that Google cares more about relevance than any other technical factor. It is, at the end of the day, aiming to “to organize the world’s information” as it’s mission statement says.

Technologies like “natural language processing” still have a long way to go, and so it’s very likely Google mostly relies and basic bits of information like keywords, links and anchor texts.

For those who don’t know what an anchor text is, it is a readable part of a hyperlinked text. Here’s an explainer pic:

While I’ve seen SEOs suggest anchor texts don’t matter as much. Google and it’s employees seem to be of a different opinion.

So I took the keywords the URLs in our dataset rank for and compared them to all the anchor texts all of their internal links contained.

We measured the presence of some form of keyword, i.e. the partial match.

For example, with a keyword like “vegan protein” we would look at a presence of “vegan” and “protein” separately. An anchor text like “vegan sources of protein” would therefore provide a match.

Clearly the correlation is massive and anchor text in internal links is a huge deal.

Next, we crawled all the internal backlinks, pulled out the readable text of the pages the internal links cam from and searched for the presence of keywords in a similar fashion. Here are the results:

These charts are a little bit rough, so I don’t consider them to be a very strong evidence even if they show some correlation.

The crawler lost some 30% of all links due to various reasons like 503 and SSL errors.

However, the median figures that came out show some correlation even if it is not as strong as I would have liked

I would just add that having shown in the previous study, that keywords matter a lot, I wouldn’t be surprised if it so in this case too even if it was not obvious in this case.

  1. what is the optimal internal link structure? In the original PageRank paper, Google was compared to a random surfer. That is most likely still a valid analogy as Google crawls the web 24/7.

It uses internal links to discover pages and map the entire website. Obviously, the easier you make it for Google to crawl your website the better.

Google uses a crawl budget which is a time limit it has to discover and index all the pages it considers important. For small sites it’s not a big deal but for bigger ones it might be.

That’s why SEOs often recommend siloing as a way to build your website. We wrote an entire article on the topic of site architecture.

The basic idea is that you build up a flat architecture, divided into silos by topic and everything inside that silo links only to content of the same topic (silo).

There’s a bunch of benefits there. First, having links from the same section of a website makes it easy to convey both relevance and authority as silo looks like a mini-website.

We looked at the structure of the backlinking URLs and found that, the higher the rank the more likely they are to come from the same subsection or possibly a silo.

We did that by removing root domain from all links, then we looked at the remaining suffix and and let the algorithm compare the first 4 to 7 characters.

  • www.website.com/bodybuilding/how-to-gain-muscle
  • www.website.com/bodybuilding/how-bulk-efficiently
  • www.website.com/diet/10-healthy-snacks

Another thing that’s commonly recommended by SEOs is to keep your top ranked pages as close to your homepage as possible.

It’s quite a popular practice, you can see, for example, backlinko seems to keep all of his articles in the /hub/ but the top performing ones are just below the homepage.

Backlinko’s top pages according to Ahrefs That’s because for most websites, the homepage is the URL with the highest authority. Google can easily identify it and likewise it probably gets most of the external and internal backlinks.

So when mapping a hierarchy of the pages, the ones which are closer to it, should be naturally perceived as more important.

Here we simply looked at the number of slash symbols in the suffix of a root domain. No root domain URLs were present in our algorithm. We used a dataset of 500k URLs.

Clearly, higher ranked pages are closer to the homepage when compared with the rest. So positioning might be one of the many factors Google looks at.

Conclusion: There’s a bunch of things that help Google crawl your site better. Speed matters, sitemap file, robots.txt … the list goes on.

As for site architecture in the context of internal linking, there is 2 ways of doing it.

  1. include categories in your urls, still try to keep them short and focus on intra-category internal links
  2. Put all your content just under your home page in terms of URLs and also focus on intra-category internal links.

Both approaches show positive ranking correlation provided scenario 1 has short enough URL’s.

  1. How many Internal & External links should you use per page? So much for internal backlinks. Now, let’s have a look at what’s a good number of links to fill your content with.

Luckily, Google provides an answer: “Limit the number of links on a page to a reasonable number (a few thousand at most).”

Simple right?

Obviously, I posted this as a joke. In general, nobody knows for sure. How’s few thousand a reasonable number?

Matt Cutts at one point stated that an optimal number is something around 100. But, again that’s 10 years ago.

The number of links includes all your navigation, footer, assets like images and similar stuff, external and internal links.

So hitting 100 or even a thousand isn’t entirely unimaginable.

I am not going to make any recommendations. But I had a look at the 500k SERPs dataset and was surprised to find a nice correlation from the top rank all the way down to the 100th.

So that’s internal links pointing to another page of the same website. These are the results we got after we kicked-out all the root domain results from the dataset.

The median number for the top rank is 85 internal links. And here’s a look at external links:

The median number for the top rank is 16 external links.

Note I was surprised to see these results. In fact, I got them by accident when I confused a column in the dataframe. I did not expect the number of outgoing links to have any correlation with search ranks. But they came out nice and regular all the way down to rank 100.

Bear in mind the internal link number includes navigation, footer, content suggestions, images and so on. The actual number of URLs linking to another article may be closer to a single digit.

Also note that the higher ranked pages have typically longer content, as found in our SERPs study, so it leaves a little more space to feature more links.

Yet, the difference in numbers is way higher than the difference in word count.

Conclusion: The more seems to be better, but it’s possible that too much will hurt your SEO. We don’t know, but we can rather safely assume 100 to be OK as advised by Matt Cutts.

What’s clear is that you should keep a link-light footer and navigations so you don’t make the entire structure overly complicated, and keep more room for links with SEO value.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Optimize Your Internal Links Here’s the part where we get actionable.

I would just like to remind you to not neglect user experience when doing this. So please, don’t just throw internal links that make no sense in your content.

In the end, Google cares about useful links and other metrics that result from great experience, possibly even more than mere quantity of links and anchor texts.

  1. Redirect link juice to low hanging fruit pages When getting started with internal linking, it is important to understand that all you have to play with is your existing incoming “link juice” to distribute accross a limited amount of pages.

For that reason, you will need to make decisions. What is the best use of the limited link authority you have to distribute?

To find the highest opportunities, use Ahref’s organic keyword report and look for juicy keywords that are at the bottom of page 1 or top of page 2

In the case of authority hacker, these 3 keywords seem particularly juicy and could easily be pushed up with some internal links from pages with a lot of external links.

The next step of the process is to find the pages that can link to these.

As we saw in the data part of this article, links from pages with external links are the most valuable. If they can also be in the same category, we give them some brownie points.

My favorite way of finding these pages is to install the ahrefs chrome extension and perform the following advanced query:

Site:yoursite.com “related keyword”.

In our example, that would be site:authorityhacker.com “travel”

As you can see, Google is giving me a list of relevant pages on the site and Ahrefs is giving the link data of each page, so I can determine how strong the internal links will be in each case.

In this case, these 2 pages are perfect, they are both in the same category as my target page and receive a fair amount of external links.

You can run multiple keyword variations to find more matches,

Once you have identified the pages, simply review the copy and add the links where it feels the most relevant.

  1. Improve your site architecture Google will crawl your website and it will follow internal links to discover all pages. Therefore, you want your structure to be pretty straightforward.

At the same time, it shouldn’t be entirely flat because that won’t communicate the hierarchy of importance of each particular page.

In general we recommend something along the lines of creating silos. Here’s an entire post on the topic of siloing, including a step-by-step tutorial in the end.

There’s two things you want to do here. First, create category pages. Just like AuthorityHacker has – SEO, Affiliate, WordPress, etc. (We use Archive Builder by Elementor for that.)

Not only are all the articles in each category grouped by relevance which gives context to Google, but we also use single page category pages so you avoid diluting the link equity with pagination.

If a category gets over 100 articles (hasn’t happened yet on Authority Hacker), then just make single pages sub categories linked from the top of the main category page.

For example, in the case of the SEO category, make “keyword research” or “link building” sub categories to avoid overloading hub pages.

The second thing I’d recommend here, is keeping your top posts just one click away from the homepage. We do that at AuthorityHacker too.

That’s because your homepage is usually the page of your website that gets the most links.

So cutting the category page means these posts will get more link equity than the posts that are only on category pages.

It’s a nice little easy boost, especially if you have a decent level of incoming links to your site.

One way to maximize the links from your home page is also to reduce navigation. Keep top level navigation to a minimum, cut footer links you don’t need and avoid sidebars.

The more links you have on your page, the more you dilute the authority outflow.

Note Obviously, this article is about internal links, so I won’t go into much detail but having too many external links may not be optimal, as you want to keep most authority within your website.

At the same time, you can’t have no external links because that is just dodgy.

So link to what’s most valuable and consider using nofollow tags for websites that aren’t likely to partner up with you – i.e. won’t ever return the backlinking favor.

  1. Optimizing your anchor texts First, you want to optimize your existing anchor texts. Simply head over to Ahrefs -> Internal Backlinks.

Here you’ll get a complete overview of the backlinking pages and the anchor texts in use. Now, you need to know which keyword you’re optimizing for.

If you’ve done your research on top pages, you should know the answer already.

In general, go with the highest-volume keyword (i.e. parent topic) you rank for, but keep an eye on other keywords too – for example, there may be long tail variations of the main keywords that can easily be captures that you may want to be using as anchor text.

You can go quite aggressive on keywords in internal links anchor text, a lot more than you would on external links.

There’s also this idea I already mentioned that for same internal link Google only considers the anchor text of the highest positioned (first) link.

This has been voiced in the past, by the likes of Matt Cutts.

While we don’t know if this approach still exists in Google algorithm, we recommend that you treat it as a valid information, without ignoring other anchor texts too.

I’d also recommend to keep your anchor text varied and useful. Try to write them up as if explaining the contents of the link to a 5th grader.

Source: support.google.com This is important. Google evaluates data programmatically, therefore the first match a typical algorithm will look for is the of the most simple structure.

For the new posts, you want to optimize anchor texts as you publish them, of course.

  1. Recover links to 404 pages This one is an incredibly simple one but every site I have audited had issue with it.

As time passes, you will remove content, merge content etc, and eventually, some of your external links will point to 404 pages.

Links to 404 pages basically do not count for your rankings.

So an easy way to get some more juicy links to your site today is to make sure no link points to 404 pages.

Luckily, Ahrefs has a handy report for that

Once you have identified the broken links, simply use a plugin like redirection to point the url to the most relevant live url on your site

And voila, you have recovered some link equity in just 10 minutes. easy peasy.

Conclusion This has been an interesting study for me to go through. And has it has revealed a lot of low hanging fruits on our sites while we were doing it.

The main takeaways from the data we analyzed is that:

  • Internal links correlate highly with rankings.
  • Linking out to other pages on your site also highly correlates with higher rankings.
  • Anchor text matters for internal links, the more keyword rich, the better
  • Links from pages with more external links improve rankings further than links from pages with fewer external links.
  • Flat or siloed site structure work equally well provided your site’s internal linking structure is coherent.

We have also shown some easy ways for you to improve your internal link structure through quick site edits. I highly recommend you try them out and let us know in the comment section how they worked out for you ;).

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Poor website architecture is like a messy Desktop.

It’s unbearable.

But you shouldn’t try to organize your site and build tidy SEO silos just for me.

You should do it for your rankings.

Growth of securitynerd.com, a well-structured, low DR site in a competitive niche. Good site architecture will push your rankings up and allow you to compete with much stronger — but less organized — domains.

So if you want to learn how to organize your site, make it rank higher, and make your visitors (including me) happier, keep reading!

What is website architecture? Website architecture or site architecture is the structure you use to organize your website. The structure refers to the website hierarchy of pages, categories, and sections and how the users and search crawlers navigate between your pages.

Why website architecture is important 1 — Rank Higher on Google The main reason why you should care about website architecture is to improve your rankings on Google.

And it’s true — great site architecture will make sure your pages rank better for your target keywords.

Even Google’s John Muller recommends people structure their website properly.

But how exactly does good website structure achieve higher rankings?

First, good site structure and internal linking help search engine crawlers find and index your pages more efficiently.

Good website architecture helps crawlers find your pages If your pages are not well-linked, it will be harder for the crawlers to find them and give you more organic traffic.

Unlinked pages are harder to crawl, index and rank.

Unlinked pages are harder to crawl, index and rank But good website structure isn’t just about indexability.

After all, your XML sitemap could fill the gap here.

Good website architecture gives context to search engines so they understand what your page is about in the grand scheme of your whole website.

For example:

Let’s imagine that you have a generalist sports site, and one of your pages is about the best tennis rackets for left-handed players.

You could just link to all your pages from your home page, but, given that the scope of your site is quite large, it would probably be a mess and you may end up with thousands of links on your homepage — something which is going to be confusing both for search engines and users.

Instead, the best way to approach this is to break down your top-level topic by sports.

Following each sport, you may have another level of category pages that breaks the topic down by items used in this sport.

And then, below the racket level is where our “best tennis rackets for left-handed players” page would fit.

Google then understands EXACTLY how your web pages fit into the topic by looking into what the parent category pages are about.

2 — Improve Authority Flow and Indexing Another benefit of adopting a well-organized website architecture is that page rank flows better throughout your website.

This means that by the sheer fact that a page gains internal links logically and contextually, the PageRank coming from external links will flow to all the related pages and help them rank higher on Google.

An excellent example of great use of this principle would be the website Security.org.

On their homepage, they highlight the 3 main fields they specialize in:

As you click on home security systems, you land on an article targeting that keyword but with a top navigation to the lower level.

Then, that link sends you to “best home security cameras.”

As you scroll through this article, it has a classic comparison table that links you to individual reviews.

And when you click on one of these links, you land on a detailed review of the product.

This logical internal linking flow maximizes the external links they get on all the top pages, meaning that the authority flows all the way down to single review pages.

This may explain why this last single review page gets more than 3,000 organic traffic, according to Ahrefs (that’s a lot!), even though it only has 5 external referring domains.

3 — Better user experience Finally, last but not least, logical information architecture and website layout make your site easier to navigate for the user.

This makes them more likely to explore it, convert, recommend, and all the other good things that come with a great user experience.

And, if you are part of the group who believes Google uses these metrics to rank pages, this may also increase your rankings.

Website architecture best practices Now that we understand why website architecture is so important, let’s look at the core principles you should follow to achieve top SEO rankings through website architecture.

1 — Plan, Plan, Plan The worst thing you can do for your website architecture is to randomly create pages and posts without thinking about where they’ll fit in your site’s overall structure.

… And I know this because I’ve done it.

Here’s how you can make sure you won’t live with same regrets I do:

1 . Do your keyword research and build an extensive list

The first step of the process is to do keyword research and build a big list of keywords you’d like to rank for.

I won’t go into the details here, but we recently did a live stream that shows how you can find your keywords:

Once you have them, we like to use the free version of Dynalist.io — a minimalist app that helps organize ideas — to plan our SEO silos.

In the beginning, the list looks quite plain:

2. Categorize your keywords and organize them like you would organize folders on your computer

Once you have completed your list, you need to start creating categories and subcategories for keywords that belong together.

3. Do complementary keyword research

Once you’ve organized the keywords you already have, you can do complementary keyword research by zooming into each section.

For example, let’s expand the gear section:

4. Do keyword research for your hub pages

Once each section has been expanded, it’s time to look for a relevant keyword for your hub pages.

For example, my “gear” page can target the keyword “best paintball gear”

It’s not the best keyword in terms of difficulty, but I have no doubt I can at least snag some long-tail traffic.

Plus, we’ve seen Google rank quality hub pages very well lately.

2 — Follow The 3 Clicks Rule One of the core, and most simple, rules to follow when it comes to high-quality site structure is:

All your important pages should be reachable within maximum 3 clicks from your Home Page.

While this is not a “hard” rule and it won’t drop all your rankings if you go past it slightly, it’s still a good personal guideline to follow.

It keeps things simple for you, the site owner.

And it makes navigating your site easier for users and search engine crawlers.

So, try to make sure your Dynalist only goes a maximum of 3 levels below your homepage.

However, while it’s really easy to follow this rule at the beginning of a site’s life, it’s much harder to stick with it as your site grows.

But trust me, from experience, I can tell that the sites where we followed this advice were much easier to grow — they were easier to do keyword research for and so tended to do better.

As an example, a site that tends to do an excellent job at this is none other than Apple.com.

When you arrive on their site, Apple makes you first choose a product category:

Then a product line:

And then you can either explore the product or buy right away with your 3rd click:

That makes your 4th click the one where you give them a whole bunch of money and complete the checkout:

A simple, elegant, and effective application of the 3 clicks theory.

3 — Create Custom Content Hubs If you want link equity to flow efficiently through your website, you unfortunately can not rely on basic WordPress category pages to achieve that.

Why?

Because by default, they only link to 10 posts in a given category.

These kinds of auto-generated archive pages are not great for internal linking or user experience. Also, pagination is a nightmare in terms of link equity efficiency. It makes older content harder to reach both for users and search engine crawlers.

Good luck applying the 3 click rule with these.

Imagine the posts between pages 4 and 83 here — how do they get link equity?

On top of that, because they have no unique content, these default category pages are deemed “low value” by Google.

This makes it hard for you to link build because, well, they’re just not very attractive.

But your hub pages are one of the most valuable places to acquire links to. The links don’t just lift these pages up — they also lift up all the pages below.

For all these reasons, you should build custom content hubs.

content hub Concept ideas 1. The list blog post hub (Authority Hacker)

A simple way to build a hub is to use the list post format where each bullet point links to a lower-level page. It’s easy to build and a great page template you can easily build links to and rank for a competitive keyword.

Example: https://www.authorityhacker.com/best-niches-affiliate-marketing/

  1. The Glossary (WP Beginner)

A glossary can be a clever way to build a huge and valuable hub of pages on your site. Each term can have its own page and be optimized for long-tail variations of a short tail keyword.

Example: https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/

  1. The blog post with top navigation (Security.org)

Finally, you can also use normal blog posts as hubs and alter your page layout to show top-level navigation above the fold. This saves you from having to create extra pages and allows the user to go deeper into your site if it makes sense for them.

Example: https://www.security.org/digital-safety/

But how do I build these holy WordPress silos, you say?

Glad you asked!

How To Build SEO Silos In WordPress: Step By Step If you’re using posts and categories, WordPress unfortunately does not offer an easy way to build custom category pages.

But there is still a way around it — albeit in a bit of a dirty way.

Step 1: Build a page or post that will act as your new category page

First, warm up your designer skills and put together a valuable hub page or post.

I recommend using a plugin like GenerateBlocks to create an attractive layout.

Then, I like to format these as a list of sections with a blurb related to it and a clear call to action — to either convert on an offer (product choice), or to direct to the next page deeper.

Note that I also link to the child page in this structure using an anchor text that includes my main keyword (“best paintball masks”).

This helps increase the target keyword’s relevancy, and allows search engines to know exactly what to rank the page for.

Step 2: Redirect the default WordPress category page to your page or post

Once your silo page is done and published, it’s time to replace the default WordPress category page with the post or page you just created.

For this, we will simply redirect it.

I like to use the built-in Rankmath‘s redirection function for this:

But, if you’re using a different SEO plugin, you can also use the excellent and free Redirection WordPress option.

Every time your category shows up in a breadcrumb or post grid, clicking it will direct people to your custom silo page.

Plus, as Google has stopped dropping page rank through redirects, there are not many downsides to this solution other than what may be a slightly slower load time due to the redirection.

30x redirects don't lose PageRank anymore.

— Gary 鯨理/경리 Illyes (@methode) July 26, 2016

If you are using pages to publish your content, you can create hub pages and internally link them to each other using a flat URL structure.

You can also use the parent pages system and the excellent — and free — nested pages plugin for WordPress to quickly and easily rebuild your Dynalist in the pages section.

Your URLs will then be nested. Which means moving content around is a bit of a no-no since it would change its URLs, but that’s how you’d build the hard silos version of this.

4 — Abuse Internal Linking The final touch to your perfect website architecture will be your approach to internal linking in the content.

We’ve established in the past that more relevant internal links highly correlate with high higher rankings by analyzing over 1 million of them.

Historically, when reading about SEO silos, you’ve probably read about the idea of “keeping link juice in the silo” and only internally linking to pages that are in the same site section.

We disagree with this.

We believe that, in content, as long as it contextually makes sense to link to another page of your site, you should do it.

Of course, that is assuming you’ve built your silo/hub pages the way we described above and that overall, it’s easy to navigate down the levels of your website.

If you learn by observation, you will notice that many successful sites do not respect this internal linking siloing rule inside their content.

The most popular of them is Wikipedia.

But a more practical example is the folks over at Security.org.

However, finding relevant internal link opportunities across your site can be a challenge, especially if your website is quite large.

But don’t worry, I have a tool for you that’s 100% free and will do a lot of the heavy lifting.

And that is the free Ahrefs webmaster tools.

I know some of you are probably raising your eyebrows, because Ahrefs is not known for this.

But if you go in their Site Audit tool:

And then select the “link opportunities report”:

You can then set the filtering as so:

This tool will then look at all the keywords the page ranks for (not just your one target keyword) and suggest pages mentioning these keywords to add internal links to.

Then just click on the target page and add your internal link.

Voila! Finally, an easy way to deal with internal linking for your website!

Alternatively, you could also consider using Link Whisper on your site (See what I did here? )

When it comes to anchor text, you are pretty unlikely to get hit with over-optimization penalties for internal links — so don’t hesitate to use an anchor text that includes your target keywords.

Conclusion Website architecture does not have to be complicated.

You just need to establish a hierarchical site structure and stick to it as you expand.

This predictability makes it easier for users and search engine crawlers alike to understand and navigate your website.

Follow these simple rules:

How To Achieve Top Website Architecture Plan your website architecture, don’t just create pages on the fly

All important pages should be within 4 clicks of your homepage

Build custom content hubs

Use internal links abundantly when it contextually makes sense

If you want to hear more of us geeking out on site architecture, I recommend you watch this podcast I did with topic expert Kyle Roof on that subject:

FAQ

How Important Is Site Architecture For My Rankings, Really? This is the million-dollar question: Is it worth the hassle?

How much higher will your site rank if you follow these recommendations?

As always in SEO, the answer is “it depends.”

In general, for small websites with few pages and few links, site architecture will matter less when it comes to rankings. You could probably just let WordPress do its thing without much consequences.

However, when categories get big, a lot of pagination in archives starts to pop up. The link equity is not well distributed throughout the site.

An at this point — yes, fixing your site architecture can have significant benefits for your SEO.

In my experience, it’s a good idea to make a reasonable attempt at a clean site structure when you get started.

But, if the scope of your project is not very large, don’t sweat it if you break a few rules here or there.

What Tools Can I Use To Visualize My Site Architecture? Internally, we use the free version of Dynalist.io to plan our sitemaps.

The vertical mind mapping and easy-to-collapse sections allow for a complex site mapping without hassle.

If you don’t like it, you can either default back to a more classic sitemap tool like MindMeister, or you can go for something more elaborate like FlowMapp.

What Is The Difference Between Silos, Hubs, And Categories? They’re the same! That’s why I use them interchangeably in the content above.

It just depends on who you listen to and how guru hyped the website you are reading is. The naming convention is quite fluid.

Be careful though — some people mean different things when using similar terms, so make sure you ask for a definition when talking to someone about it.

Should I Use Pages Or Blog Posts To Build My Silo Structure? It’s up to you! In the eyes of Google, a web page is a web page, and they don’t really care if you used the page or blog post function inside WordPress.

I detail how to build your site architecture with either in the content above, so pick your poison — but make sure to stay consistent once you have made a choice!

Should I Nest My URLs Or Not? For those who are not sure what this means, nested URLs are when you have multiple subfolders showing the different levels of categorization inside your URL’s:

And, you guessed it, the answer is: “it depends.”

The pros of building your site architecture this way is that it gives a very straightforward structure for both users and search crawlers (as well as you) to follow.

The cons are that you can’t change your mind on where your content goes in your website as changing the “hub” you put it in would change the URL.

For this reason, if you’re a beginner, you are probably better off avoiding nested URLs.
If you’re a pro, however, you know what you are doing. So, up to you.

What Do I Do If Given A Page That Belongs To 2 Hubs/Silos? This is a tough one, and is a situation that will happen to you for sure.

To bring back our paintball example, let’s say you had a product review targeting the keyword “Tippman a 5 review.”

Should you put it under the /brand/tippman/ section or the /paintball-guns/ section?

There is no perfect solution here; you just need to pick one and stick to it when similar situations occur.

The last thing you want is to have half of your product review under brands and the other half under paintball guns.

This is also why you should not limit your internal linking within the same hub.

It’s totally fine to link from /brand/tippman/ to the reviews even if they are hosted under /paintball-guns/.

Should I Change My URLs To Match What You’ve Been Teaching In This Post? Generally no.

But again, it depends.

If you started your site last week, I would probably do it.

If you get any significant search traffic already, know that even if you correctly redirect the old URL to the new one, you are playing a bit of a Russian roulette game with your rankings.

This is why it’s not usually worth it, and why you’re better off living with your mistakes and making the most of what you have.

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Affiliate marketing is one of the best business models there is.

Except for the unpredictable commission rates.

Amazon is one of the worst offenders there.

They keep moving the goalpost on commission payouts – usually downward.

That stuff makes it pretty much impossible to predict your income..and also makes people angry.

Some marketers even encouraged their fans to remove all Amazon links from their sites after the changes in April 2020.

Like a strike.

I’m sure Jeff Bezos lost a ton of sleep.

Source So, instead of whining…why not just find other affiliate offers to promote?

Let me show you how.

How to find non-Amazon affiliate programs Let’s assume that Amazon remains as unpredictable as it has been, so far.

That makes it a good idea for affiliates to diversify their income sources.

So let’s look at how you can find profitable non-Amazon affiliate programs.

But more importantly, how to filter out the ones that aren’t worth your time.

Because the harsh reality is that most affiliate programs are rubbish.

The likelihood of you making money with them being almost zero.

Evaluating affiliate programs I expect two things from an affiliate program:

  1. It makes me enough money to be worth the time and effort
  2. It doesn’t destroy my reputation i.e. people are happy with their purchase

A surprising number of affiliates don’t care about the second point – they’re happy to promote any product as long as they get paid.

But if you’re reading this I’m going to assume that you do care.

This is smart – it’s very difficult to build a long-term business when you’re constantly ripping off your visitors.

Selecting affiliate programs So let’s walk through the process I use for selecting affiliate programs for our sites.

Step #1 I look for a product that is competitive.

But it doesn’t have to be the best product in its market.

What I’m looking for is something that offers a good price-to-value ratio.

Basically, a product or service that offers good value for money.

Why is this so important?

Because the crappier products in a given market tend to offer higher commissions.

This is done to offset the fact that they’re crap, but to also lure in the affiliates who only chase big payouts.

Advertisers know certain affiliates are willing to promote literally anything once they’re paid enough commission.

Let’s take a perfect example of this.

When you Google “how to start a blog” you’ll find literally hundreds of sites all sharing the same basic advice.

But something else they almost all have in common is that they list Bluehost as their “recommended” hosting service for a new blog.

Here’s an example from page one of Google:

And another:

And yes, you guessed it, another one.

Even Neil Patel, it seems, is not immune to the temptation of high payouts.

Anyone who’s serious about hosting and ranking though knows that Bluehost is not where you start.

Is that because Bluehost is terrible?

No, but they’re definitely not the “best” option for new bloggers – not by any measurement.

So why do so many affiliates have a hard-on for Bluehost?

Because their payouts start at $105 per sale.

Recommending crappy products will put money in the bank.

But it will also destroy your relationship with your visitors.

It won’t take long before your audience is calling you a sellout.

Then people will stop following you, and you’ll never be able to create that snowball effect of growing an audience.

That’s why we recommend you pick an offer that:

  • Has a good value-to-price ratio
  • Is actually worth the money

I’d personally prefer to make less money today if that means earning the trust of my audience.

Because that means they’ll know my next recommendations are legit.

So I’ll eventually make more money in total…and all because I didn’t try to scam them.

Step #2 The next thing I look for in an affiliate offer is the ratio of sales content vs. payout.

Allow me to explain.

I know most people are focused on the payout but don’t really care about what the sales page looks like, what the checkout experience is like, etc.

But these are just as important.

So although you have tunnel vision on sales commission rates, they’re only half the story.

Because the actual money you make as an affiliate is the payout multiplied by the conversion rate.

I’ve lost count of the number of affiliate offers with very high payouts that convert at 0%.

Long story short, you put a lot of effort in and make little or no money in return.

This is despite the fact you were lured to the offer with big, juicy payout numbers when you signed up as an affiliate.

Or, basically 95% of what you’ll find on ClickBank:

So let’s illustrate “sales content vs. payout ratio” with a quick example.

Product A

  • $10 per sale
  • Converts at 8% because of its great sales page

Product B

  • $50 per sale
  • Converts at 1% because its sale page isn’t so great

Hand drawn math doodle here?

Now let’s send 1,000 warm visitors to each offer.

Product A

  • Converts 80 visitors to sales
  • Total revenue $800

Product B

  • Converts 10 visitors into sales
  • Total revenue $500

So despite the fact Product A has a payout that’s 5x lower it will make you 60% more money when you promote it.

That’s an extra $300 in your pocket for zero additional effort.

Obviously, this isn’t an exact science.

Things like the intent of your traffic (window shopper vs. buyer) can impact conversion rates.

And, it’s also entirely possible that the lower performer will fix this sales page and their conversion rate will shoot up.

You can’t, however, build a job replacement income on “maybes”, so stick with what works.

I know from talking to affiliates that they default to the highest paying offers.

And I totally understand why.

But I’d recommend testing offers that pay a little less, but that have a higher conversion rate.

Some programs are happy to share their conversion rate with you upfront:

But you also need to be realistic about the fact that paper never refuses ink i.e. it’s easy to make a claim.

So as much as you might really want to take claimed conversion rates at face value, here’s some other stuff to think about:

  • Do you trust this brand – would you buy from them?
  • What do their actual customers think of them – the ones you find posting in forums?
  • How good is their sales page – does it create an emotional reaction in you?
  • Check out their shopping cart experience – do they make it easy or hard to complete a purchase?

Basically, it’s impossible to have high conversion rates if you sell a crappy product and then treat your customers like crap during and after the sale.

That’s just not how business works.

So, you will typically make way more money from high-converting offers than the ones that have the highest payout.

Step #3 And the final check box on my list is, “Are my competitors actively promoting this offer?”

Because if they’re promoting it…it’s safe to assume that they’re making money from it.

How do you find out what offers your competitors are currently promoting?

Now we get to the clever stuff.

Analyze tracking links One way to find who is promoting an affiliate offer is to take the tracking link from the affiliate program and network and run it through Ahrefs:

Then check the ‘Backlink profile’ to see which sites are linking to the tracking domain:

And you’ll even get to see which specific programs they’re promoting:

I’ve made an entire video that shows the above technique in tons of detail – you can check it out below.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel

The best indicator that an affiliate offer is interesting is that my future competitors are happy to send traffic to it.

Especially if they’re willing to send that traffic over the long-term because that tells me that they’re probably making money.

So, there’s no need to wade through trash offers that don’t convert.

Just mimic what’s already working.

And this is a perfect transition for me to talk about other ways you can find offers outside of Amazon Associates.

Analyzing your competitors My next favorite tactic for finding offers is to run a competitor’s domain through Ahrefs.

Let’s use the ThriftyNomads.com site to demonstrate how this works.

First, run it through ‘Site Explorer’:

And then look at their ‘Linked Domains’ report under ‘Outgoing links’:

Then from there, I can click on the “Link to target” dropdown to sort by whatever domains they’re linking out to most often.

Then scroll down until you notice the names of either affiliate networks or affiliate programs:

From there you click on the ‘Links from target’ dropdown beside each tracking domain to list the pages that contain links to the affiliate offer:

But you’ll also see how long this particular link has been on the domain i.e. how long they’re been promoting this offer…because it makes them money:

Now I can run each of the URLs containing affiliate link though ‘Site Explorer’ to see how much traffic it gets:

I now have a very clear picture of which offers they’re sending the most traffic to.

It’s worth repeating here again – validating offers by checking your competitors is the most reliable way to tell if an affiliate offer is worth your time.

There are other ways to find affiliate offers.

You could run a Google search like “niche +affiliate +programs”:

There’s nothing wrong with this approach – it will turn up lots of affiliate programs for your niche.

But you’ll still have to validate each affiliate program in turn.

Something your competition has already done for you.

Or you can go back to relying on guesswork.

Ask Reddit Another really useful source for finding profitable affiliate offers is…yup…Reddit.

People there tend to have very honest conversations about what affiliate programs work…and which ones stink.

The r/Affiliatemarketing subreddit is a good place to start:

There’s usually a ton of interesting info to read through…just don’t go down a Reddit rabbit hole.

Affiliate network metrics And now finally, my least favorite method – using affiliate networks.

This is where you go to an affiliate network and then sort the offers by the available metrics.

Like ‘Network Earnings’ on CJ for example:

Or Gravity on ClickBank:

Then manually through each program until you find something with a decent sales page.

At least that way you stand a chance to convert at least some of your traffic into sales.

How to test new affiliate offers So you’ve found some new affiliate programs to work with and you’re ready to swap out all your existing Amazon affiliate links?

Woah there, Tex!

It’s much smarter to slowly transition away from Amazon.

Pick one of your top 10 pages, by earnings, and take a snapshot of its earnings for the last 30 days.

Next, replace all the Amazon affiliate links on that page with links for the new program you want to promote.

Don’t change anything else on the page though.

Then wait 30 days and then compare how much that page earned with the new program.

You either made more or less money during the test.

You made more money

Expand the test to an additional 5 top-earning pages and run the experiment again for 30 days. If this goes well keep expanding your test to include more of the top pages on your site.

You made less money

You can either cut the offer completely or you can just test it on another page for 30 additional days.

Slow and steady wins the race here.

This is a marathon…not a sprint.

This approach also protects your affiliate earnings – you only swap out the links on one page and not your entire site at once.

Basically, you won’t run the risk of destroying your income by experimenting with an affiliate program that turns out to be a hot mess.

Finding the perfect affiliate program You’ve probably started to figure out that affiliate companies and networks aren’t always as honest as they could be.

Some of them will do literally anything to get you to promote products or services that could have a negative effect on your reputation.

There’s also no way to guarantee conversion rates.

Basically, the intent of your traffic could be different i.e. your mileage will vary.

What I’m getting at is there’s no cookie-cutter approach to finding the perfect affiliate offer.

It takes a lot of work and analysis to find the real gold.

Which is why you’ll find that most of the affiliate sites you’ll find…are still actively using Amazon Associates links.

736,000 referring domains can’t be wrong, right?

Because switching away from Amazon is hard work.

So you should expect to fail a few times before you finally get it right.

This goes against the “easy money” mindset most affiliate marketers have.

The above is also probably why we’re seeing most sites focus on growing their search traffic to offset the fact that Amazon is paying them less.

They take the easy way out instead trying to find a new affiliate program or network to work with.

Do it anyway But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least try to find new affiliate offers for your site.

Being able to diversify your income can not only increase your revenue but also protects you from future changes that Amazon and others might make.

Basically, you won’t leave yourself exposed.

Plus, once you figure out how to find and implement non-Amazon affiliate programs it feels like you’re able to do magic.

You’ll want to do as much of it as you can.

Just don’t get carried away…because with great power comes great responsibility.

Wrapping things up Making the transition away from Amazon is difficult.

It does take a lot of work.

But it is possible.

And it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Just be prepared to work at it.

But what if you’re brand new to affiliate marketing and you have no idea what I’m talking about?

We got this.

Check out our free training where you can see how we set up our sites, the tools needed, the methods used to create content, outsourcing, build links, etc

It’s 100% free and a lot of people have said they got as much from it as a paid course on affiliate marketing.

So go check it out.

It won’t cost you anything but time.

So it’s either do something productive…or binge another Netflix show.

Your call.

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Over the course of the last 3 years, we sent out over 600,000 link building emails and reached out to 150,000 websites.

As you know backlinks matter a lot when it comes to SEO.

(a chart from one of our previous studies based on an analysis of 500,000 search results) In fact, they’re paramount.

Our outreach campaigns played a big role in building up AuthorityHacker and our websites, including one we recently sold for mid six figures in less than 18 months since the founding.

Email outreach has been an important part of our journey. In the process, we tracked both our campaigns and the results, so in this article, we’ll share what we learned.

This won’t be another “email success” guide that deals with subject lines, replies and open rates.

We looked at the actual results i.e. the won backlinks and how did we earn them. So right on the money.

For the impatient ones, here’s a quick summary of the results:

  • We sent out > 600,000 emails, reached out to 150,000 website owners and that translated to 4,300 referring domains. It is a numbers game but it pays off.

  • You should always pay attention to metrics that matter, such as sales, conversions, links. We found that some campaigns with high open rates and many replies translated into poor conversions.

  • You can see quick results. It takes about 8 days on average for an email to convert into a backlink. For opens it’s one day for the reply it’s 6 days.

  • We’ve sent out 3 follow-up emails. That strategy has at least doubled our results. Without follow-up emails, most of our efforts could go to waste.

  • Most of these results came from a regular shotgun approach. Shotgun outreach has therefore proved to be a lowest-cost, high-return approach.

  • Using the recipient’s first name in the initial outreach has shown to have little impact on opens and reply rates but increased the final result by about 50%.

  • Domain rating (Ahrefs metric) seems to play a role. Most results came from 30 – 50 DR websites. Our success rates started to plummet with higher-rated recipients.

  • The best days to reach out turned out to be Mondays and Fridays. Thursdays and Sundays have shown the worst results.

  • 5.7% of earned backlinks came from the websites that linked to us before.

  • We sent out 78 campaigns, 2 campaigns had the best open rates and 3 scored the highest in getting links. Read on to see the subject lines and email templates we used.

  • 2017 was our best year in terms of results. 2018 was our best year in terms of output. This year our output was little and campaigns were less effective too.

Do You Prefer Podcasts? No Worries, we got you covered.

Now, onto the charts and details.

Our Campaigns And App Stack In short, we reached out to a number of websites with cold emails asking them to link to one of our articles.

We followed a shotgun approach most of the time, in some campaigns we offered a guest post.

We used Ahrefs -> Content Explorer to compile a list of domains we’d like to reach out to, and we used hunter.io to find direct emails.

Finally, we uploaded the lists into a cold email tool Mailshake, with templates and follow-up emails to reach out.

Here’s how it all played out.

Takeaway #1: It’s A Numbers Game We sent out over 630,000 emails to 152,000 website owners, over the course of three years in 78 campaigns.

As a result, we earned 4,306 backlinks from 4,244 referring domains.

I would say that’s a great result, but you have to be prepared to do a lot of work.

And likewise, you’ll need patience as firing out so many emails in a short period of time is more likely to get you blacklisted than earn you those backlinks.

Luckily, there are some decent tools out there to help you automate things.

See our app stack or this post on our favorite automation tools.

Takeaway #2: Don’t Get Blinded By Vanity Metrics I read a lot of outreach studies to get better results. I gained a lot of value but oftentimes they’re all about open rates and replies.

You’ll rarely read about actual conversions. While open rates matter when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of your subject lines, beyond that these metrics are useless.

Oftentimes, they can even be damaging as they make you feel good about your efforts prompting you to do more of it.

But as you saw in the chart above, there’s a big difference in reply rates and getting the actual link. I also looked at individual campaigns and was surprised to find disparity.

Have a look:

This is a nice example. The campaign A gets fantastic open rates, yet at the end of the day, it’s more of a waste of time as results that matter i.e. earned links are abysmal.

If we didn’t carefully track the earned links, we could have ended up earning a lot less links by focusing on open rates.

Takeaway #3: Most links are earned within 8 days SEO is a long term game but there are ways to accelerate your progress. Sending out cold email campaigns is one of them.

While we sent 3 follow-up emails to each of the contacts, it took on average 8 days for them to give us a backlink. More precisely 8.2 days, with the median being 8.

The average open rate is within one day range while you can expect a reply in 6 days.

This is quite a quick turnaround. It can take you years to rank well while hoping your content get found organically (which may not happen too) or you can put extra effort in.

In other words, promoting your content is important. If you produce epic content, promoting it the right way can give you solid momentum.

Takeaway #4: Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up Altogether we’ve sent 3 followup emails for most campaigns. I always thought this is kind of spammy.

But then, looking at the stats, it doesn’t help just a bit. You will get 40% more links if you follow up which a MASSIVE increase.

We’ve sent each follow-up email in 5 day increments and the average link took 8 days to earn. That means it’s very likely a lot of the first 2 follow-ups were for the already won links.

Takeaway #5: Shotgun Outreach Still Works In 2019, we popularized the Shotgun skyscraper outreach which essentially automated a lot of the tedious tasks that come with contacting other sites to get links.

And it worked like gangbusters when we started it.

Obviously it became more popular, the success rate went down a bit.

But still, in the past 18 months, most of the links we built were built using shotgun, and even many of the guest posts we secured are a result of initial shotgun outreach.

Takeaway #6: People Love The Sound Of Their Own Name Namely using the first name of the recipient eg. “Hey John,” seems to yield higher than average results.

Using the name in the email seemed to have no significant impact on open and reply rates. But it yields more than 50% higher total conversions than the average.

We started with less than 10% contacts knowing their name and those represent more than 15% share of the final conversions.

We used the recipient’s name in the further communication for 95% of all the converted links. That’s because most people sign the reply so you learn the name.

I am pretty sure that had a positive impact as well because I can’t imagine someone being eager to do you a favor if you don’t bother to address them in the subsequent conversations.

It’s just good manners so not much statistics or experimenting here.

Takeaway #7: Mid DR Sites Are more Likely To Link To You We mainly targeted websites with 20 – 80 domain rating (DR), a metric created by Ahrefs to estimate the overall strength and authority of the domain.

For 80+ DR domains we used a more sniper like, personalized approach.

We were curious how does domain rating relate to success rates in our outreach campaign. Are high DR sites less likely to link to us?

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the DR of all the contacts, we only tracked the success rates.

So I took 150k random domains and pulled out DR from Ahrefs to see what the distribution so I can compare how we did in relation to that.

It turned out the overall distribution was more or less even. Here’s the performance:

We took average DR distribution (about 15% – 17% per segment) and compared to what’s in our dataset. The chart shows % of how likely are websites of given DR to link to us. As you can see the sweet spot is 30 – 50 domain rating. These are solid authority domains.

As we go higher up, the success rate goes down quite dramatically. Very low authority domains also show negative results, probably because their owners aren’t too involved.

It makes sense to start doing more personalized outreach for the domains above 50 DR and shotgun outreach for 30 – 50, based on these results.

Takeaway #8: Monday & Friday Are The Best Outreach Days With this particular study, we can only look at the open rates and we can give a quick glance at reply rates too.

That’s because most opens happen on the same day. But replies and conversion come days and follow-ups later so it’s hard to determine the relevant day of the week.

Monday was in fact the highest volume and highest result day. Friday was one of our lowest volume days. The chart compares % of opens and replies from sent emails. These are the two strongest days in terms of both opens and replies.

One explanation is that people like to catch up after the weekend on Monday and kill time browsing through emails on Friday while waiting for the week to end.

Takeaway #9: Get more than one link from those who say Yes Over the course of our 78 campaigns, 5.7% of earned backlinks came from the same website owner who linked to us before.

That’s because we use Shotgun as a way to identify the people who are willing to talk to us and consider a link.

Usually the shotgun skyscraper link points to an informational resource.

We then go back to these people and pitch them links to commercial pages.

This gives us much more valuable links that help us to compete is difficult SERP’s.

It’s really powerful and a low resource cost way to identify potential link partners.

Takeaway #10: Our Top Campaign Templates We looked at all of our 78 campaigns and compared the open rates, reply rates and actual conversion rate i.e. earned backlinks.

Campaign A, B and C scored the highest open rates of all 78 campaigns. Campaigns C, D and E scored the three highest conversion rates.

This is obviously a very useful way to analyze your campaigns as you might be having a winning email that gets no opens because the subject line sucks.

And vice versa.

Interestingly all three campaigns with the highest open rates used the same subject line – a quite simple ”Question?”

For the follow-up, we used “RE: Question?.”

The other two campaigns used Quick question and Question for you?

The best performing email campaign in terms of highest reply rates and the second-highest final conversion rate was Campaign E.

Summary And Conclusion Cold outreach provides an excellent way to accelerate your SEO, sales and marketing efforts. It also provides a great way to test new product ideas cheaply and rapidly.

The study shows you can even build up a business on the back of such campaigns.

In terms of what moves the needle the most, the biggest one I would say is follow-up emails as that proved to be the best campaign performance enhancer.

Using the name of your recipients informally can give you an additional boost.

Repeat business is also interesting. If you’ve done a deal or a business with someone in the past they will be more likely to do it again.

That’s no news, but it’s nice to see it work in a campaign such as this one.

In terms of the best days to send out your emails, I would say the most important thing is to send them. If you’re doing volume outreach it shouldn’t matter much.

Finally, yes it is a numbers game but there are more tools and various kinds of API services that can turn this process into a matter of minutes while allowing you to send out credible, highly-personalized cold emails.

Many people feel resistance to cold outreach link building, but pros know it works even though the landscape is indeed getting more competitive.

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There’s a concept we mention sporadically on this blog that we’ve never dedicated an entire post to: monetization.

Specifically, when we talk about monetization in the context of authority sites, we usually refer to a concept we call revenue stacking.

And it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: stacking the multiple types of monetization on top of each other so that you have a revenue coming in from lots of different sources.

Recently, though, when I was sitting down to plan the business model of my new site last year, I realized I only really knew two (pretty simple) monetization methods in any real depth.

And so I went on a quest – a quest to learn as much about the different ways in which you can monetize a blog as I possibly could.

If I wanted to create a high-power, ultra-optimized revenue stack, I needed to find and understand all of the pieces of the puzzle.

This post outlines the fruits of that quest.

…an exhaustive list of every single blog monetization tactic.


PART 1: Advertising CPC Ads Let’s start with the one everyone knows: CPC ads.

CPC ads = ads that pay when someone clicks on them.

Cost Per Click (CPC) ads are one of the predominant ad types on the internet, and most of you have probably used them.

And most people use them because the most popular CPC networks have an extremely low technological barrier of entry (it takes all of five minutes to get an AdSense ad on your site).

Just because they’re easy doesn’t mean they donke money, however…

Examples The easiest and most obvious example is probably from my own site, since I talk about it all the time anyway, and because this particular site represented my first foray into CPC ads.

Here’s screenshot of my earnings from HerePup.

This is a pretty old screenshot, but it also captures the “lightbulb” moment — the moment in which I finally started to figure out CPC ads.

At the time, getting CPC ads to work on my site increased my revenue by about 50%, which was massive.

Of course, we independent site builders aren’t the only people who use CPC ads. Sites as big as Forbes put them front and center.

In addition to a massive interstitial CPC ad you have to click around before you can even access the content on the site, they also have ads all over their content, including a Media.net ad at the bottom.

In other words, CPC ads are ubiquitous, and it’s because they represent one of the oldest and simplest possible transactions for advertisers on the internet–paying for clicks–as well as one of the oldest and simplest ways for publishers to earn money: selling clicks.

Pros * Very low commitment. You need very little technical knowledge to join a CPC ad network and get them running on your blog. * The money can be great. I increased my revenue by 50% using CPC ads and saw RPMs as high as $9 on single ads (very atypical, but I did see them). * High optimization potential. You can test ad networks, layouts, colors, etc. until the cows come home, and there always seems to be a bit more money to tap into.

Cons * You need traffic. We usually don’t even recommend spending the five minutes it takes to set up AdSense unless you’ve got 1,000+ visitors per day. * The number of networks can be overwhelming. There are like a bajillion CPC networks out there, and they all promise the same thing. It’s tough to chose. * Some niches suck. One of the best display ad experts I know bought a site in a niche he didn’t know much about, and he was never able to pull the RPMs out of the gutter.

Do It 1. Sign up for one or more of the popular networks (AdSense or Media.net). 2. Use a plugin like Ad Inserter to get them on the site.
Manually test and optimize. 3. Sign up for an auto-optimization platform like Ezoic or AdThrive. 4. When ads are well-optimized, refocus on traffic generation.

Resources * Ad Pushup’s list of CPC networks * Jon Dykstra’s guest post that includes ad layouts * Our review of Media.net

Tools & Platforms * Media.net * Ezoic * AdThive

CPM Ads CPM = Cost Per Thousand impressions.

The defining feature of a CPM ad is that you don’t get paid for clicks; you get paid every 1,000 times a user sees it.

Lots of times, publishers will use CPM ads in addition to other types of ads, and they put them mostly in their lowest-converting real estate.

Because of this, CPM ads typically don’t pay as much as CPC ads, but they do offer lots of other benefits–namely stability: CPM ads are going to pay out the same no matter how many people click on them, so long as your traffic stays the same, you know what you’re going to paid.

Examples Rather than showing you a specific site, I’m just going to highlight more of the newer CPM ad networks most of us can probably already use.

Because here’s the thing: CPM networks, for whatever reason, can be difficult to get into, especially if you don’t have much traffic.

However, most of us here are probably already using the Amazon Associates program, and just recently, they launched their own CPM ads that anybody who is part of the Amazon Associates program can use.

They allow you to create them just like you would any ad, setting a target CPM, size, etc.

There are, of course, lots of other CPM networks out there, but if you’re looking to get started, why not use a network you are already a part of?

Pros * Consistent money. There is some variance with CPM ads just because fill rates aren’t always the same, but in general, if you know what your traffic is, you know what your CPM payouts are going to be. * Good way to monetize sub-par real estate. CPM ads will earn just as much on the bottom half of your sidebar as they would if they were front and center in the middle of your content, so you can fill unused ad space without sacrificing earnings

Cons * Lower payouts. CPM networks just aren’t going to pay as much as CPC networks. * Some sites may have fill problems. It’s not uncommon for publishers to have to join multiple networks to get their ad inventory filled. * Easy to get carried away. Because CPM ads can fill up unused real estate, it can be easy to just pile them on, which can, in extreme cases, lead to page layout penalties.

Do It 1. Sign up for a CPM ad network, like Amazon Associates, AdBuff, or UberCPM 2. Identify lower-value or unused ad real estate. 3. Before inserting ads, review Google’s ad layout best practices & keep it reasonable. 4. Use a plugin like Ad Inserter to install ads on your site.

Resources * Ad Pushup’s list of 15 of the best CPM networks * Shout Me Loud’s list of 7 of the best CPM networks * Monetize Pros’ ad network reviews (not CPM-only, but lots in there)

Tools & Platforms * Amazon Associates * AdBuff * UberCPM * AdInserterPro

Front-fill Ads Frontfill ads = ads with advanced targeting that fill first and at higher CPM than your standard networks.

These could very possibly have an actual name, but if they do, I don’t know it, so I’m calling them frontfill ads.

Get it? Frontfill. Opposite of backfill.

Frontfill ads are served by platforms first. Whatever inventory isn’t filled, you can fill with your standard networks (e.g. AdSense, Media.net).

I haven’t gotten to test many of these networks, but I have learned a bit about the network Criteo.

Criteo basically allows advertisers to retarget users on your site. You set a CPM floor (usually a bit higher than your normal ad networks), and advertisers will pay it because of the better targeting.

Jon Dykstra from Fat Stacks has been experimenting a lot with Criteo and has had some great results. He explained it in a bit more detail:

Jon’s Note

Criteo’s ads will display for visitors to your site who have shown via web browsing history they are interested in buying something. For example, if they recently visited Zappos shoes, Criteo would display a Zappos ad to them. The reason you earn more is those visitors are higher value and therefore advertisers are willing to pay more on a CPM basis.

I took at stab at making this into a diagram. Fair warning: there’s a high probability this diagram is complete sh*t.

So, basically, Criteo offers advertisers a way to reach people who have already shown interest in their products, which drastically increases what they’re willing to pay for an ad.

Of course, you probably won’t be able sell all your ad inventory this way, since it’s not likely 100% of your traffic have visited advertisers’ sites.

And that’s why it’s a frontfill ad.

You essentially just give Criteo advertisers first dibs on your inventory if they want to pay more. If they don’t, you can just use your standard networks.

Jon’s Experience I asked Jon more about his experience. Here’s what he likes about Criteo.

Jon’s Note

You are in full control via Criteo with how much you earn on a CPM basis. I typically set the Criteo floor $.50 to $1.00 above what either AdSense or Media.net will earn in those spots.

The best part is Criteo will almost always pay out more than the floor CPM you set.

I also asked him how much money he made from them per day.

Jon’s Note

I’d say $30 to $35 USD per day [a 10% increase].

It’s not mega bucks, but it’s great incremental revenue [what we call a “revenue stack” around here]”

While we were chatting, Jon also mentioned that one of the unexpected benefits of using Criteo was that when he told Media.net the kinds of CPMs he was getting, they started optimizing his ads like crazy to try to earn back that piece of Jon’s business.

Pros * Maximizes EPMs. Criteo is a great, automated way to find high-value advertisers willing to pay top CPMs and stack them on top of your other ads * Creates ad network competition. If you’re hitting high CPMs with one network, others might want to beat it, just like Media.net did with Jon.

Cons * Not a massive revenue. Criteo isn’t going to just give you higher CPMs for all of your inventory. They’ll give you higher CPMs for some of it. * Likely better in product-heavy niches. Criteo appears to be targeting mostly eCommerce advertisers, positioning themselves as an alternative (or very good supplement to) Google PLA ads. If your niche doesn’t have many products, it might not perform as well for you.

Do It 1. Analyze your current CPMs. 2. Sign up for a platform like Criteo. 3. Set your CPM floor $0.50-$1,00 above your current CPMs. 4. Install Criteo and let ‘er rip 5. If you get good results, contact your other networks. 6. Ask other networks to compete.

Resources * Jon’s blog post on Criteo * A good, succinct explanation of this type of platform by Ad Exchanger

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Criteo

Privately Sold Ads Privately sold ads = ad space bought directly by an advertiser.

And really, privately sold ads can mean a lot of things, but in this context, I’m mostly talking about privately sold banner ad space.

This sort of monetization usually isn’t all that common with smaller, independent blogs — mostly because it’s so hands-on — but it can work for them.

There are networks on which you can sell ads to advertisers privately, but a lot of these deals go down through more old-fashioned sales processes.

And I would know.

When I first moved to Chicago way back in 2008, the only job I could find was cold calling businesses selling exactly these kinds of ads over the phone. It wasn’t a great job, but I did get to see how these ad sales work.

So believe me when I tell you that if you are in the right Market, these ads can make a lot of money.

Example This is my old employer.

They wouldn’t call themselves an authority site, but that essentially what they are–or, it’s at least one branch of their business.

The owner is an expert in his respective medical niche, which is what the website covers. The cell ads two related companies in the same market.

These are the kinds of ads I used to sell over the phone.

Everyday, I would get a list of leads, and I would just bang away trying to build relationships and get people to purchase add spots. I was absolutely terrible at it.

But the company… the company did very well (well enough to support several employees and host a big conference every year), and privately sold ads were the primary revenue driver.

What’s most interesting to me here, though, is that the site wasn’t ever that big of a website. And it’s still not.

They did, of course, have other ways of making money besides just their website, but it’s still worth noting that a relatively small website can generate very impressive revenue with this kind of monetization.

Quick disclaimer I worked for them a long time ago, and I don’t know exactly how they are selling ads now, but when I was there, I was selling these ads with good old-fashioned phone calls.

Pros * RPMs can be super high. In my experience, privately sold ads almost always generate higher RPMs than automated or programmatic ad networks. * Can be a good way to monetize low traffic sites in good niches. If you’re in a good niche but your traffic is slow, privately sold ads can help you make “real money” while you’re still working on growth.

Cons * Won’t work in every niche. You’ve got to be in a niche in which advertisers are willing to pay lots of money for banner ads. * You probably need some sort of sales team. You can certainly be your own sales team, but the point is someone from your operation is likely going to have to hop on the phone. * Requires customer service. When advertisers buy privately sold add spots, they typically expect customer service, which includes.. * Robust analytics. Advertisers paying that much money for an add will also want to have access to good analytics so they can evaluate their ROI.

Do It 1. Sign up for networks like BuySellAds or OpenX ( a programmatic platform, but same idea). 2. Build an additional list of leads (you’ll need hundreds). 3. Create a media kit to show potential advertisers. 4. Start contacting people by phone or email. 5. Make some sales. 6. Place the ads using something like AdInserter or Random/Rotating Ads. 7. Provide analytics

Resources * Monetize Pros’ guide to selling ad space * Smashing Magazine’s guide to selling ads on low-traffic sites

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * BuySellAds * Random Ads * Ad Inserter * Canva

Sponsored Content Sponsored content = content paid for (and sometimes created) by an advertiser.

Sponsored content, for people creating sites like we do, usually means a paid blog post.

Typically, it takes the form of a native ad: a blog post that looks like a more or less regular piece of content–but that also includes some sort of branding or light product promotion.

I see surprisingly few blogs monetizing with sponsored content, at least in our circles. And that’s shocking to me because some of the biggest blogs I know of make incredible amounts of money with sponsored content (one of those blogs was kind enough to pop in to talk to us about it below).

Before I show you that example, though, I want to clear up one weird misconception about sponsored content…

Whenever I talk to an SEO about sponsored content (even Gael), they invariably say something like, “Yea, but that’s basically just to selling links.”

It’s not.

Because SEO is the primary skill set for most of us, we’re used to thinking links first all the time. In the bigger world of sponsored content, however, the people buying are not SEOs looking for links.

They are brands looking for exposure.

They don’t care about links; they care about eyeballs. To better illustrate, let’s look at an example from one of my favorite sites of all time…

Example: Pinch of Yum I’ve been a fan of Pinch of Yum since before I built my first site, and I’ve written about them a few different times on this blog, including in the big review of blogger income reports we recently re-published.

Pinch of Yum Has since stopped publishing income reports, but as I was looking over their income report the past couple of months, I was shocked to see exactly how much money they were making from their sponsored content.

Of course, this is a very big blog, but sponsored content still makes up a very large chunk of their revenue, even beating out Amazon Associates.

So what does the start of content look like?

Basically, it looks like a regular blog post with the addition of some light branding and an (importantly) nofollow link.

If you scroll down a little bit, you’ll see a disclosure letting the Pinch of Yum readers know that the post has been sponsored by a company (an FTC requirement).

And, yes, there is a link to that company’s website, but the link is both redirected and nofollowed.

So what does the advertiser get out of this?

In a word, brand exposure.

This blog post is a real recipe (they built a recipe plugin for WordPress that helps make this sort of thing), and it is actually useful for readers. When people are reading it, however, some of the ingredients are products from the advertiser’s brand.

The idea is that people will read this recipe, like it, want to try it, and go buy the ingredients listed on the blog, which are branded.

This is how bigger advertisers play. And for them, the playing field is a lot bigger (read: corporate advertising budgets are usually a lot larger than the amounts we are used to dealing with in our small, independent blogging world).

Bjork from Pinch of Yum was kind enough to offer some additional insights about how and why sponsored content works for their business.

Bjork’s Note

I know you do a lot of sponsored content, and the content is always stellar. Why/how have sponsored posts been good for your business?

For content based businesses like ours (a food blog) we’ve seen a slow and gradual shift towards sponsored content, whether that be content on the blog or in social media. The reason? Attention. Readers are continually becoming more and more blind to traditional display advertising (less attention) and brands have realized that they can reach those readers by having their product within the content (more attention). So why has it been a good thing for our business? It’s one of our main revenue sources, as our primary focus isn’t a product or a service.

Why do people buy sponsored posts?

Brands are interested in sponsored posts because of the attention and trust that comes along with them. When a brand works with an influencer they are not only paying for the attention, but they’re also paying for the trust that the influencer has established with their readers. That’s why it’s critical that influencers only work with brands they truly know and love.

What’s the general process (how do you find people; who controls the editorial, etc.)?

It depends on the relationship and who is involved. It’s possible that a blogger works with an influencer agency that works with a PR agency that works with a brand. It can get complicated. In situations like that there are a lot of people weighing in on the content, and it can make the editing process mucky. In the simplest of relationships a brand will reach out directly to a blogger. Some brands will want to be heavily involved, while others give the creator complete control. Every creator is different when it comes to drawing a line for how much they allow the brand to be involved.

Bjork was also kind enough to record this awesome video walking us through some important info about sponsored ads.

Pros * Huge revenue potential. If you’re in a market in which sponsored content works, it can significantly add on to the revenue your site brings in. There are just lots and lots of ad dollars floating around in big, corporate advertising budgets. * Low overhead. Generally, the cost of sponsored content is, at most, the price of an editor or writer’s time. And sometimes, the brands will give you content to use.

Cons * It won’t work for every niche. Sponsored content generally works best in bigger B2C niches. * It can be difficult to find advertisers. There are a few networks that allow advertisers to find blogs on which to buy sponsored content, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of them. It’s very possible that you may have to reach out to companies individually. * Legal stuff. It’s not difficult to comply with FTC guidelines, but it is necessary, and there is a price for getting it wrong.

Do It 1. Read the FTC guidelines on sponsored content. 2. Create a media kit that includes editorial guidelines. 3. Sign up for sponsored content marketplaces. 4. Negotiate with advertisers. 5. Publish content.

Resources * Jon Dykstra’s guide to sponsored content * A few marketplaces: Cooperatize, IZEA, Cision

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Cooperatize * Izea * Cision * Canva

Paid Reviews This is a bit different than monetizing with standard affiliate programs.

Paid reviews = getting paid directly from a company to review something on your blog.

In reality, it’s a bit like a sub-genre of a sponsored post. The main difference is that with paid product reviews, you’re typically getting paid to review and write about a specific product rather than just putting subtle branding into an otherwise normal blog post (which is more or less the forum sponsored posts usually take).

The other important difference with paid reviews is that payment may not always be money; instead, you might get paid with free products or other swag.

Examples It’s difficult to find really good examples of sites monetizing with paid product reviews because, frankly, the space is often kind of spammy, and the sites participating in it sometimes don’t really understand the risks (or marketing in general) that well.

It’s not uncommon to find, for example, tons and tons of mommy blogs publishing paid reviews for nearly every post.

That said, there are a few sites that do it correctly, even if they’re not huge. One example is Product Review Mom.

Lou, the owner, seems to use paid reviews as one of her primary monetization strategies and mostly uses it to supplement an otherwise pretty cool blog (although the focus is definitely still product-related). Here’s one example.

You can see here that Lou is treating this similarly to a sponsored post and/or native ad– mostly in that it blends in with her other content. You can also see that this post is entirely about one product and is written as if it is a review (again, slightly different than the other types of sponsored posts we’re talking about).

There are quite a few of them on the site, and Lou even has a guide to writing paid product reviews that she created herself.

Pros * Can be a good addition to a revenue stack. Writing paid product reviews can be a very simple way to tack on a bit more revenue to your overall business model. * It’s easy. Judging by the admittedly small sample of paid reviews I looked at in my research, you can definitely tell that advertisers aren’t necessarily picky with their editorial standards.

Cons * Can get spammy. There are lots of companies paying for product reviews that are in spaces that are difficult to Market in other ways (insurance, credit cards, etc.), and those companies can sometimes be on the spammier side. * Can turn your blog into crap. If you do too many paid reviews, your blog can start to look like it’s just full of crap, which is why I don’t recommend it as a primary monetization strategy. * SEOs are ruining it. As you might have expected, there are plenty of SEOs on these marketplaces who are essentially using paid reviews as a way to buy links. * Money isn’t great unless you are a huge influencer. Big influencers can charge a lot for paid reviews, but regular bloggers usually charge less than $100, and it still costs resources to write the review.

Do It 1. Sign up for paid review networks like Pay Per Post, Pay U 2 Blog, or Tomoson. 2. Bid and/or negotiate with advertisers (and make it clear links are nofollowed). 3. Arrange to receive the product. 4. Write and publish the review.

Resources * Lifewire’s list of paid review marketplaces * Lou’s guide to paid reviews

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * PayU2Blog * PayPerPost * Tomoson

Other Advertising Tactics I’m not Superman y’all.

I haven’t used every kind of ad network or advertising monetization strategy out there. So, I wanted to compile a list of other tactics + a short explanation of what they are + some resources you can use to follow your nose and learn more about them if you want to.

1​​​​. Video Ads I’m mostly talking about display video ads — as opposed to, say, ads on YouTube. Display video ads usually appear banners on the website (they’re sometimes those annoying ones that auto-play). Jon Dykstra describes them as essentially commercials. They seem to be growing in popularity (also according to Jon), and they probably make good money.

  • Ad Pushup’s list of the top video networks
  • Interesting report that shows video display ads are highly effective on mobile

  • Popup Ads I’m sure everybody here knows what a popup ad is. It’s exactly what it sounds like: an ad that pops up while you are using a website. I have never ever, ever, ever used this site, but I hear you can see these ads on Pornhub. I personally have never tried them because I find them annoying, but I’m sure they can be profitable.

  • One of the only guides I could find on pop-up ads

  • Info on Google’s crackdown on interstitial ads (I’m sure it relates somehow)
  • A list of the top pop-up ad networks

  • Pop-Under Ads Pop-under ads works similarly to how pop-up ads– except that they pop under your browsing window instead of over it. There are considerably more resources for these type of ads than there are for pop-up ads, but they aren’t employed by many publishers (especially legitimate authority sites) because they’re still just annoying as hell. If you do want to experiment with them, here are a couple resources.

  • The Earnings Guys’ list of pop-under networks

  • The opposite view: a guy debunking myths about pop-under ads

  • Rented Pages Is a basic idea behind monetizing with printed pages:

  • Rank a page in Google for good keyword (usually a local business keyword)

  • Contact companies who could benefit from that ranking
  • Offer to rent the page to them for a monthly fee

I’ve seen this strategy gain popularity in the last couple of years, and I know Alex Becker fans particularly like the strategy because it doesn’t depend on ad or affiliate networks.

Please be aware There are a lot of black hats in this space who may give you sh*t SEO advice. This tactic also involves phone sales.

  • SEO Kahn’s “rank and rent” guide
  • Another explanation of the “rank and rent” model

  • Email Ads & Sponsored Emails Just like you can sell advertising space on your blog, you can sell advertising space in your newsletter. Even better, the CPM’s you will get for ad space in your newsletter will typically be much higher than the CPM’s you will get for ad space on your blog (because the users are much more targeted).

Alternatively, you can sell sponsored emails, which function just like sponsored content what on your blog

  • Good discussion and guide to email ads on the GetResponse blog
  • Monetize Pros’ guide to email monetization

  • Inline Text Ads Inline text ads are ads that essentially look like links–or, rather, they are links. They turn words on your blog into hyperlinks that are also ads. If you’ve heard of one inline text ad network, it’s probably Infolinks, but there are plenty out there.

  • Reviews of the top networks on Monetize Pros (scroll down about halfway)

  • A slightly more in-depth explanation of this ad type
  • Short discussion of the pros and cons

Pro Tip If you’re going to get serious about earning advertising revenue, you should definitely look into platforms that help you optimize everything about your ads automatically. Most people who use them see pretty substantial increases in their earnings. Here are the two most popular platforms:

  • Ezoic
  • Ad Thrive

PART 2:Affiliate Marketing Because all affiliate programs work in essentially the same way, I want to approach this module a little bit differently. Rather than talking about different kinds of affiliate programs, I want to talk about a couple of different angles people take to make money with them.

Product Reviews & Roundups Product reviews and roundups = the typical “best…” and “…review” content most authority affiliate sites publish.

Most of you here know I’m talking about.

Product reviews and roundups are the bread and butter of most authority sites whose primary traffic acquisition strategy is SEO.

It works because these keywords are often low competition and capture visitors with strong buying intent.

We’ve all probably seen about a million examples of sites using product reviews and roundups to make money with affiliate programs, but here is one of my current favorites.

Example This is Runnerclick.com.

I love Runner Click because it goes so far beyond the typical affiliate site even though they use the same old affiliate tactics–the one we are talking about in this section: product review roundups.

Mostly, they focus on individual product reviews.

But they also do extensive product roundups.

What I really like about the site though, is that they have clearly invested lots of money in incredible design and a fantastic user experience. And it’s paying off for them big time: they generate about half a million visitors each month, and the site is nearly all affiliate content. In other words, they are banking.

Pros * Low competition keywords. The keywords used it to create product reviews and roundups are usually very low competition unless you are a super competitive niche. * Visitors searching for these keywords want to buy. People looking for “the best running shoes,” for example, are much more likely to buy them people searching random running topics. * Lots of affiliate programs to choose from. Aside from Amazon, there are affiliate programs for just about everything, and this sort of content can be used with pretty much any of them. * Hi RPMs. A very experienced display ad guy told me recently that a good benchmark RPM for most sites is between $10 and $15 if you are monetizing with display ads. The typical RPM for my affiliate content is over $50.

Cons * Content gets stale. The affiliate blogging space has really exploded in the last five years or so, and pretty much everybody is copying everybody else, which means a lot of the content is beginning to look really similar. You have to be creative stand out. * Difficult to manage multiple affiliate programs. It certainly possible to monetize with only one affiliate program, but we usually recommend signing up for multiple affiliate programs, and that can be a little bit annoying from a logistics perspective.

Do It * We outline the entire step-by-step process for this type of monetization in The Authority Site System.

Resources * Our guide to keyword research * Our review of popular keyword tools * Our guide to writing product reviews that convert * 21 Real Life Examples Of Successful Affiliate Marketing Websites In 2022 * Best Affiliate Programs For Bloggers In 2022 * List Of The Best Niches For Affiliate Marketing In 2022

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Elementor (read the review) * Thrive Architect (read the review)

Presales Content Presales content = writing content about a particular problem that could be solved with a product as a way of warming an audience up and then presenting the product.

In other words, this sort of content acts like a native ad (except, of course, it’s not paid for by an advertiser; rather, you are publishing it to push people to an affiliate offer).

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t worry; I’m just going to jump straight into the example.

Example This is another one of my favorite authority sites: The Penny Hoarder.

And The Penny Hoarder is really good at pushing people to affiliate offers by using presales content — highly useful content that essentially functions like a native ad.

Check this one out:

There’s no question this article is highly useful, and the information is very, very good. Anybody reading this will be able to learn something about how to find the credit report.

If, after reading this, you want to find your credit report, The Penny Hoarder provides you with links to do so inside of the article.

And, if you haven’t figured it out yet, these links are affiliate links that go to credit report sites.

This recounting can work well because you are really and truly helping your audience solve a problem. People do need to know how to find and use their credit report. This article does solve that problem. And the product it offers people is actually a good part of the overall solution.

Pros * Good for your users. Writing content that solves problems will, in the end, result in a very good website. * The “pitch” is easy. If you’re already helping somebody solve the problem, it should be very natural to offer a product that is a legitimately good solution to that problem. * Marketing latitude. Because of the style of these posts, they can oftentimes do well on social media or in other kinds of content marketing and/or viral campaigns. * “How to” keywords are often even lower competition. “How to” keywords are typically low competition but also help people solve problems.

Cons * The CTA isn’t as obvious. In a product review or product roundup, people are often actively looking for a place to buy that product, which may not be the case in presales content. * Can feel sneaky to your readers. There is a small risk, if you don’t write high-quality content, that your readers will feel like you are trying to pull one over on them.

Do It 1. Use something like Ahrefs (review) or KW Finder (review) to find good “how to” keywords. 2. Determine which of those can be solved with products. 3. Write comprehensive articles that actually solve the problem. 4. Include those products as part of the solution (not necessarily the whole solution).

Resources Because this type of content functions so similarly to a native ad, the most useful resources are probably native ad copywriting guides.

  • CopyMonk’s Guide to writing your first native ad
  • 12 examples of good native ads on Copyblogger
  • How to make native ads go viral by BuzzFeed
  • Our guide on building blog posts that sell

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Ahrefs * KwFinder

Authority + Recommendations Authority + recommendations = being somebody people want to listen to and simply making recommendations about products you like.

This isn’t necessarily something everyone can do. The first and most important prerequisite is that you have a strong personal brand with loyal followers who trust you.

That is extremely difficult to do for anyone (but especially for the typical basement-dwelling authority site builder).

That said, if you can develop the type of authority that encourages people to take your recommendations to heart just because you are using a product, it’s a very powerful way to leverage affiliate programs.

Example This is going to be the only example in this article that’s not a blog, but I really think it’s one of the best examples that I could find of the power of a recommendation coming from somebody who has a lot real influence.

I’m talking about Casey Neistat.

If you don’t know who he is, Casey Neistat is one of the most popular vloggers on YouTube. As of this writing he’s got 7.5 million subscribers, and his videos regularly generate millions of views.

He mostly just blogs about his life, and people love him.

One of the things Casey does is ride around New York on an electric skateboard called the Boosted Board. Casey loves his Boosted Board. He takes it everywhere.

So, when a company sent him a cheap, obvious ripoff and asked him to review it, you can imagine his reaction.

Honestly, Casey was a lot more fair than I probably would have been, and I do think he tried his best to provide an unbiased review.

But he still burned the living sh*t out of them in a video that garnered about 3 million views.

He also link to to the Boosted Board using an Amazon affiliate link in the description.

Not only did he trash some crappy ripoff company, but he probably made a hell of a lot of money from that Amazon affiliate link.

Pros * Superpowered recommendations. If you actually have the authority to implement this strategy, your recommendations will be far more powerful than any recommendation on a standard blog or affiliate site. * Easier (for the most part). Those of us who do not have as much influence as Casey Neistat are stuck writing exhaustive product reviews and roundups. Casey can just give his two cents and watch the money roll in.

Cons * You gotta have the authority. The level of influence required is difficult to manufacture. Sure, it’s possible to do it on a smaller scale, but it’s still not easy, and it doesn’t work in the way we are talking about here unless you’ve got an army of loyal followers. * Requires a social media presence. Real influencers usually aren’t just bloggers; they are active on (and have followers on) lots of different platforms.

Do It 1. Get famous. 2. In lieu of being famous, invest heavily in your personal brand. 3. Spend time connecting with your audience and solving their problems. 4. Make recommendations that will really work for them. 5. Accumulate trust over time. 6. Keep making good recommendations.

Resources * Influencers weigh in on how to become an influencer * Quick advice from Gary Vaynerchuck on why it’s hard to become an influencer * Affiliate Marketing On Youtube

Lead Generation Yes, I know. Lead generation (lead gen) isn’t technically the same thing as an affiliate program, but in my mind, it’s pretty close and fit here nicely.

Lead gen = capturing and selling leads to either individual companies or lead aggregating firms.

As a business model, lead generation is older than the internet. Businesses have always been willing to pay for leads.

The internet, however, has given businesses a way to tap into huge pools of warm leads–people who have already expressed interest in a product and provided their information, which means they’re typically a lot further along in the buying cycle than a cold lead might be.

And they’re willing to pay quite a bit for them.

As publishers, we can generate warm leads by attracting highly targeted traffic that might be interested in the product advertisers are offering.

This may surprise you, but I spent three whole years writing for a website that does this on a massive scale.

Example This is Learn.org.

I worked as a writer for them for a good chunk of my early career. As an employer, they sucked on a cosmic scale, but as a revenue-generating authority site, they are wildly successful.

The company has changed a lot since I was there, but when I was, the primary revenue engine was lead generation for education programs.

They do other stuff now, but lead gen still seems to be at the core of their business. The basic model is: publish tons of content on various degree programs and capture leads for those kinds of programs.

They’ve built a whole search engine thingy around it.

When you land on an article about, say, associate’s business degrees, you’ll see a search box in the top left corner.

If you click on that, you’ll be taken to a list of their lead gen partners, where you can select one.

And if you “request info,” you come to a screen where you can enter your information, usually after some kind of quiz about your education and career goals.

This works spectacularly well for them.

When I was there, they employed hundreds of writers. They have since developed a lot of their own products, have ridden out massive Google penalties, and have completely rebranded.

Pros * The revenue per visitor is usually high. There are companies out there paying multiple hundreds of dollars for a lead, making each visitor much more valuable. * You don’t need as much traffic. Because the revenue per visitor tends to be so high, you can do well without much traffic.

Cons * Highly niche dependent. Some niches have lots of lead gen opportunities–stuff like insurance, credit cards, and education. Most niches, however, have way fewer opportunities. * The niches are competitive. Let me just repeat those niches again: insurance, credit cards, and education. Yea. There are other niches that will work, of course, but the point is that lead gen niches tend to be competitive.

Do It 1. Evaluate your niche to see if lead gen is viable. 2. Write lots of problem/solution content or reviews. 3. Analyze competition to see who is buying leads. 4. Approach companies individually to establish relationships. 5. Sign up for a network like QuinStreet, Optimize, or CJ to connect with more buyers.

Resources * Monetize Pros’ breakdown of the lead gen business model * Monetize Pros’ list of top lead gen verticals

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * QuinStreet * Optimize * CJ Affiliate

Other Affiliate Tactics Similar to advertising, there are a few affiliate tactics I still haven’t tried (and there are also a few that are just difficult to show with screenshots and examples), so I listed them here along with a brief explanation of some resources for each.

  1. ​​​​Email Affiliate Marketing If you’re building an email list, you’ll probably find at least a couple of affiliate offers to send to your subscribers. You just have to be careful about the terms of service for both your email provider and the affiliate programs you are using.

For example, both Active Campaign and Amazon Associates do not allow you to send affiliate offers directly to email subscribers. Lots of programs do, though, and it can make great money.

  • Short but good list of ways to monetize email with affiliate offers
  • ClickBank’s do’s and don’ts of marketing affiliate products via email
  • 20 Promo emails to our list in 30 days, what happened

  • Socially Driven/Viral/Fun Affiliate Blogs This is a really cool idea that I’ve secretly wanted to try for a long time. I’m talking about blogs like ThisIsWhyImBroke.com, an affiliate blog that is just so damn fun people visit it on their own (most of their traffic is from direct sources).

There are plenty of those out there who are generating loads of social and/or viral traffic. Here are a few for inspiration + a few more resources.

  • ThisIsWhyImBroke.com
  • HiConsumption.com
  • Guide to Pinterest affiliate marketing
  • Guide to Affiliate Marketing on Twitter
  • Guide to Affiliate Marketing on Facebook
  • Guide to Instagram Affiliate Marketing
  • Another guide about the rules of affiliate links on Pinterest

PART 3:Products Physical Products Physical products = eCommerce stores (at least for us today).

Of all the methods on this list, I’d say this is among the most resource-intensive. You have to find suppliers and establish relationships. You have to order or create prototypes. You have to set up the store on your blog. And so on. It’s a lot of work.

Perhaps that’s why, in my research, I couldn’t find many examples of authority sites who had added eCommerce stores. There were plenty of sites selling one or two products. And, of course, there were plenty of eCommerce sites using half-assed blogs to do a bit of marketing. But not many real authority sites who had leveraged their traffic into a store.

But if you get it working, the payoff can be huge. Why?

Because the biggest asset authority sites have is, well, authority. They have an audience. They have size. They have media. They can be their own influencer.

If you want to see what this looks like, here’s one of my favorite examples.

Example: Dr. Axe We love Dr. Axe around here.

They’re brilliant marketers and brilliant authority site builders. What we drool over most, though, is the way in which they leverage their audience to sell products.

If you didn’t know, draxe.com is one of the biggest authority sites in the health space–big enough that Dr. Axe has been on TV shows. They are a massive site with millions of visitors per month.

They write about pretty much anything at all related to health: from nutrition to exercise to supplements, to leaky gut, to aging. Really, everything.

This (plus the ridiculous age and power of their brand/domain) generates loads of targeted traffic from Google.

They also have a store that mostly sells physical goods like supplements and essential oils:

So they’ve got millions of targeted visitors coming to their site from Google, and they have a store. How do they connect the two?

Well, they essentially promote their products and nothing else.

No affiliate offers. No ads.

I think it’s important to note that this is essentially the opposite of what we do. They don’t create “revenue stacks.” Instead, they use their authority to push every ounce of their traffic to their store.

…and they do it in like a billion ways:

  • Direct links
  • Email marketing
  • Banner ads to their own store
  • Quizzes
  • Webinars

I don’t know how much they make, but if I was going to guess, I’d guess they were making a metric boatload of money.

Pros * Extremely high ceiling. If you find a good way to do it, physical goods have a very high revenue ceiling. * Authority sites have a traffic advantage. Retailers who don’t have huge blogs (like we do) don’t have access to all the “free” organic traffic we get, giving us a huge advantage and higher margins. * Cheap retargeting. This is related, but if you pixel your authority site, you can build a big retargeting audience before even launching your store.

Cons * Extremely annoying logistics. Sourcing and fulfilling products is, in my experience, about as annoying as stubbing your toe every time you open your web browser. * Requires lots of customer service. Physical goods just do–and always will–require a lot of customer service.

Do It 1. Look at your best selling physical affiliate products. 2. Contact suppliers to make a dropshipping deal (start with Alibaba). 3. Set up a store using a second install of WordPress in either subdomain or subfolder + either Shopify or WooCommerce. 4. Build out the pages in the store. 5. Set up a dedicated customer service email and maybe even hire a customer service company. 6. Create as many entry points to your store as you can (internal links, navigation, email funnels, retargeting, etc.).

Resources * Ecommerce Fuel: probably the best blog for this kind of thing * Shopify’s guide to finding suppliers * SaleHoo: a dropshipping supplier directory * Shopify’s guide to integrating with WordPress * WooCommerce (has always worked with WordPress) * Oberlo (an AliExpress fulfillment solution)

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Shopify * WooCommerce * Alibaba * SupportNinja

Courses Courses = any kind of training delivered in a digital format that your users have to pay for.

I probably don’t have to tell you that courses are all the rage in the internet marketing community. You probably see ads for them all the time in your Facebook feed, and you may have even bought one of our courses.

When done right, I think courses are one of the coolest ways to monetize a website. I can tell you from first-hand experience: there’s no cooler feeling than sharing all of your knowledge on a topic with a bunch of people who actively want it.

Anecdotally, and in my own experience, courses are much less common outside of the internet marketing community, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

In fact, there are some massive authority sites who monetize this way. Here’s one of my favorites.

Example Body Green is a really, really big site that a lot of you probably already know. I’ve admired them for a long time, so it was cool to see them start monetizing by developing their own amazing courses.

I’m sure there are multiple entry points to the sales pages for the courses, but after poking around for awhile I honestly couldn’t find any (although I am almost positive I have seen blog posts promoting relevant courses in the past), so I think they mostly drive people to the courses through links in the navigation.

And when you get there, you can see a huge selection of courses that would clearly be relevant to anybody reading Mind Body Green.

Courses range from $19 to $100.

One of the things that makes these courses, in particular, so cool is that they are created by actual experts in the field. Obviously, not everybody has the resources to hire “real” experts, but it certainly sets MBG apart (and allows them to charge $100 for a 3-hour course).

Pros * You can charge a lot for courses. People understand the courses are highly valuable and are willing to pay for them. * You can upsell other expensive stuff. People who are willing to pay top dollar for a really good course are typically also willing to pay top dollar for really good coaching, etc.

Cons * You need to be an expert or you need to hire one. You can’t just throw together a course willy-nilly; you or somebody else really does need some expertise. * The tech part of it can be annoying. I see the back end of our course everyday, and I can tell you: there are a lot of moving parts. * You need an audience. Courses are typically best sold to people who already know and trust your brand.

Do It 1. Identify a problem you could help your reader solve with a course. 2. Use a Google Form to ask your audience and validate the concept. 3. Create the content of the course. 4. Use something like a combination of Member Mouse and Thrive Apprentice to deliver it. 5. Recruit affiliates to help you launch if you can. 6. Launch your course to your readers (and your affiliates’ readers).

Resources * Solid guide to creating and launching a course by Natalie Lussier * Videofruit’s case study on their course launch * Teachable’s guide to course launches for folks who already have audiences * Foundr’s excellent guide on course creation * Our podcast on our most recent course launch * What Are The Best Online Course Platforms Of 2022

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * MemberMouse * ThriveApprentice * Google Forms

Non-Info Digital Products Non-info digital products = digital products that aren’t strictly informational.

It can be anything, really. If you’re an artist, maybe it’s a digital painting. If you’re in the tiny home space, maybe it’s a set of detailed floorplans for a tiny house.

I mostly just mean digital goods that are not ebooks or courses.

Example One of my favorite examples of this is from my best friend Suzy’s site.

Suzy isn’t a site builder by trade. She’s a badass quilter who happens to have a website. She has a large and dedicated instagram following, she has appeared in quilting magazines, and she has even made quilts for televised car commercials.

In other words, she’s a boss at designing quilts, and her audience knows it. So when she offers some of her designs, they eat it up.

Here’s her store. She sells lots of stuff here, but her bread and butter is a digital good: quilt patterns.

If you don’t know anything about quilting, creating patterns requires a hell of a lot of work. Beyond that, it takes a hell of a lot of talent.

Not everyone can do it.

Suzy releases one new pattern each month and promotes it with her email list and social reach. She sells them for $7-$10.

I’ve been trying to get her to upsell a subscription to her whole library, but she’s a lazy bum (kidding!). Really, though, Suzy does have lots of opportunity to leverage her digital goods into other kinds of monetization.

Pros * Profit margins. Digital goods do require resources, but most of the time, the resources are time, and after they are created, the margins are basically 100% * Great profit maximizers. As part of your funnel, digital goods can make exceptional profit maximizers because their margins are so high.

Cons * Require high perceived value. These really aren’t something you can just throw together. People typically like to buy digital stuff only if it has high perceived value. * Take time to create. Because they have to be high-value, they usually take time, skills, and/or talent to create.

Do It 1. Figure out what problem you can solve with something digital. 2. Poll your audience to validate the idea. You can use Google Forms. 3. Make the thing (and make it really good). 4. Set up a backend to take payments + deliver digital products (Sellfy and Instamojo are decent options). 5. Launch it with your list, push notifications, and social channels. 6. Put it into your autoresponder and/or other evergreen funnels.

Other Resources * Colorbib’s list of WordPress plugins for selling digital goods * Selling digital goods with Shopify * Selling digital goods with WooCommerce * Suzy’s quilt pattern store for reference and inspiration

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * GumRoad * Sellfy * InstaMojo * Google Forms

Memberships Memberships = recurring subscriptions.

Memberships have been my unicorn for a long time.

We do memberships here, but I’ve never successfully launched a membership in a non-IM, B2C market. And I really want to.

Why? Because they can be profitable as hell and can generate massive recurring revenue.

If you’ve been involved in IM for more than a couple months, you probably know which example we’re about to discuss…

Example We’re talking about Digital Marketer’s flagship site: SurvivalLife.com

Survival Life has been around for a good long while, and according to the latest data I could find, it makes over $1 million every month.

A big chunk of that comes from the membership they offer.

FPA stands for Family Protection Association, which is how they position their membership.

Currently, the membership costs $19.95/mo and is mostly made up of courses; however, it also includes stuff like:

  • A “welcome gift” (not sure what it is)
  • Discounts at major retail chains
  • An FPA card
  • Exclusive content

Digital Marketer also has similar programs on some of their other sites.

Now, there is a lot we can learn from Digital Marketer’s memberships. It could be its own article. For now, though, it’s enough simply to know that they have them, that they are driven mostly by content, and that they work very well.

Pros * Recurring revenue. Recurring revenue is boss. Not only does it add up over time, but it can also increase the value of your site by a lot (buyers love stable revenue). * Low overhead and high margins. This isn’t true all the time, but most of the time, membership sites don’t include physical products, and digital goods usually have very low overhead * You can upsell members. Members–especially those who stay for more than a couple months–are people who know you, like you, and are comfortable buying from you. They will buy more stuff. * Good way to create a real community. The best communities I’ve ever been a part of have been paid ones. People who pay for membership are usually passionate, like-minded folks.

Cons * Lots of work. Even if your membership only offers exclusive content, it usually requires lots of content and regular updates. * Requires high perceived value. Similar to digital goods, people really need to feel like they are getting a lot of value to sign up for a membership. * Won’t work with crappy little niche sites. You need to look and feel like an authority. That usually means you need stuff like good design and great content. * Requires traffic and/or an email list. I could be wrong, but I’ve only seen membership sites work in the context of high-traffic sites and very good email funnels.

Do It 1. Get your traffic and email funnels working. 2. Decide what to offer in your membership (content or video courses, usually) 3. Use something like MemberMouse or Memberful to set up the backend. 4. Create sales pages that include FAQs & membership benefits. 5. Launch the membership to your list.
Create an editorial calendar to keep content coming for members.

Resources * The Membership Guys (the biggest membership authority I’ve found) * Jason Chester’s guide to membership sites on Matthew Woodward’s blog * Good curated list of membership site examples * Digital Marketer’s guide to creating membership sites

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * MemberMouse * Memberfulk * ThriveThemes

Kindle Books (Amazon) Kindle books = eBooks sold on Amazon’s Kindle marketplace.

The strategy here is leveraging an audience to generate sales on the Amazon Kindle store.

Aside from making money directly, the major benefit of this strategy is that by driving continuous sales to your eBook, you can compete really well in the Amazon Kindle store algorithm (especially if your book has good reviews).

This is different from selling your own eBook (which has its own pros and cons), and, in fact, it’s impossible to do them at the same time, since it’s against Amazon’s terms of service to sell your book anywhere else.

In any case, there are very few authority sites adopting this monetization strategy as far as I can tell.

But there is one, and it’s run by a good friend of mine…

Example: Steve Scott Steve runs Authority.pub, where he teaches people how to successfully self-publish Kindle books.

Steve’s been crushing it in the Kindle publishing game for a long time. He has a buttload of successful eBooks published on Amazon.

He specializes in productivity and self-improvement, and he leveraged his loyal Kindle readers to build a pretty impressive authority site called Develop Good Habits, and it’s no small site.

Steve does a lot of cool stuff on this site.

But the primary revenue engine of the site appears to be Kindle books, and he pushes his hundreds of thousands of visitors to his books in all kinds of ways.

For example, if you sign up to get the free eBook he offers in the sidebar (77 Good Habits to Live a Better Life), the thank you page invites you to check out his flagship book, Habit Stacking, on Amazon:

He also uses (very good) blog posts — and the resulting organic traffic — to promote relevant ebooks.

And he uses stuff like a HelloBar, which also links directly to his books on the Kindle store.

As far as I can tell, there are no ads and no affiliate offers on Steve’s site.

It’s all about the Kindle books.

Steve was nice enough to tell us more about how his authority site and Kindle books work together.

Steve Scott’s Note

My primary income model is through self-publishing books (eBook, print and audiobook). While most of the revenue is generated directly from the Amazon platform (in conjunction with two book marketing platforms), I try to supplement this income by running the authority website—DevelopGoodHabits.com (DGH).

On DGH, I target keyword phrases that relate to the topics of my books. My goal is to turn the casual web searcher into a single book buyer and ultimately into a “true fan” who will check out all my future books. The two vehicles I’m using to generate traffic back to DGH is through Search Engine Optimization and through my growing Pinterest account.

Currently, I’m creating mini email funnels on a handful of high traffic pages. The idea here is to provide a quality content through an autoresponder sequence and (hopefully) turn subscribers into a readers or buyers of the few affiliate products that I promote on the backend.

Pros * The Kindle marketplace is huge. If you’re successful with Kindle, you can be really successful. There’s money there. * Not much competition among authority sites. For whatever reason, authority site owners just don’t leverage Kindle. There’s competition on Amazon, of course, but I don’t see site builders doing much of this. * You’ll have an advantage over most Kindle publishers.And that advantage is all the “free” traffic coming from your authority site. It’s a massive asset most people don’t have access to.

Cons * You have to write a book. Duh. It also has to be good, especially since Kindle started paying based on pages read instead of downloads. * You need to sell a lot of books. Kindle books are cheap, so you’ll need to generate real volume to make good money. * You can’t sell your books elsewhere. It’s against Amazon’s terms of service, which is a pretty big drawback if you think you could sell it for more.

Do It 1. Do niche and sub-niche research to validate book ideas. 2. Write the book. 3. Hire an editor and/or proofreader. 4. Use software like Calibre to convert your book into Kindle format. 5. Design a cover or hire someone to do it. 6. Publish the book on Amazon. 7. Set a free week period. 8. Do a bunch of marketing and outreach to prep for your free week. 9. “Launch” your book during its free week.

Resources * Authority.pub: Steve’s site about Kindle publishing * Guest post on eBook marketing on OkDork * Nick Loper’s case study on a highly successful launch * eBook design and formatting * Calibre: formatting software if you want to do it on your own

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * KDP * Calibre * EbookLaunch

On-Site eBooks On-site eBooks = eBooks you sell on your site in the form of a digital download (usually a PDF).

This is a bit different from selling your eBooks on the Kindle marketplace in a couple of ways.

The first and most important difference is that you don’t have access to the massive buying power of the Kindle marketplace.

However…

Because you are selling the product on your own site, you have a lot more latitude to create a good, well-optimized sales funnel that can really push both the ebook and any other upsells or downsells you want.

Examples One of the easiest examples of selling an ebook on your own site is the ebook we sell on our flagship site: Health Ambition.

If you’ve been a fan of ours for a while, you might remember the podcast we did on it: How We Transformed A Successful Blog Post Into $2,500/Month Passive Income.

Here’s the quick and dirty version of that podcast.

We had an article that was performing exceptionally well (on juicing), so we created an ebook on that topic, published about 20 more posts on that topic, and created a sales funnel to push people from those blog posts to the sales page that was selling the ebook.

…and at the bottom…

The result?

$2,500 in completely passive income.

We aren’t the only blog who monetizes this way, of course. In fact, there are some pretty huge Authority sites who monetize by selling their own ebooks.

One of my all-time favorite authority sites, BulletProof.com, monetizes this way. Bullet Proof, if you didn’t know, is all about optimizing your performance as a human being — everything from boosting your productivity to increasing the efficiency of your brain.

S0 it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that this is the book they sell.

Pros * Very low overhead. After everything is created, sales are basically all profit * Can be big money. Profit margins of nearly 100% can be big money if you can move the units. * Can lead to upsells or downsells. Ebooks are great products to sell at the start of a funnel because they’re usually cheap, allowing you to upsell or downsell other products.

Cons * You need traffic. Ebooks are typically tough to sell unless you have quite a bit of traffic coming to read about that one specific thing. * You need a sales funnel. Ebooks are usually best sold in an email funnel, which requires both traffic and technology. * People may be getting tired of ebooks. This is just a gut feeling, but I can see lots of markets just getting tired of seeing so many damn ebooks.

Do It 1. Use Google Analytics to identify which topics attract the most traffic. 2. Plan your ebook on that topic, or hire an editor or ghostwriter to help you. 3. Write the book. 4. Hire a designer to make the PDF look amazing. 5. Use something like Thrive or Elementor to build a simple sales page. 6. Use something like Active Campaign to build a simple email funnel. 7. Use something like Thrive Leads to start capturing leads and pushing people to your ebook.

Resources * Our podcast on this exact process * Another solid guide to selling an ebook on your site * Ebook Architects’ guide to using your site as a sales medium

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * ThriveThemes * Elementor * ActiveCampaign * ThriveLeads * Upwork

Amazon FBA If you’re involved with internet marketing and you don’t know what Amazon FBA is by now, you must be living under a rock.

Amazon FBA = Amazon’s program that allows people to sell products on the Amazon store and use Amazon’s own distribution chain to get products to their customers.

Most of the people doing Amazon FBA aren’t building websites. They’re focusing exclusively on the Amazon store.

A few smart people, though, have realized that if you combine the authority site model with the FBA model, you can generate even more sales on Amazon, boost rankings in their algorithm, and leverage all the other benefits of an authority site.

There is one tiny problem though…

As the Amazon FBA program has become more and more popular (i.e bloated with sellers), it’s also become so intensely cutthroat (people undercutting prices, ripping off marketing copy, etc.), that people almost never share their businesses publicly, making it incredibly hard to find examples.

I can tell you that I helped build a couple of sites that were created specifically to support Amazon FBA products, and those sites (and products) have done very well.

I did manage to find some examples.

Examples Here’s one site called Lift.net.

It’s not a massive authority site, but, according to SimilarWeb, it gets about 35,000 visitors per month. They also sell stuff on Amazon.

They also seem to be selling products in an on-site store.

Here’s one more: Fitness Republic.

This is a slightly bigger authority sites that pulls in around 55,000 visits per month.

They also sell stuff on Amazon (mostly dumbbells and dumbbell sets).

Pros * Great way for Amazon affiliates to own their products. If you are already pushing people to Amazon to buy stuff, it might as well be stuff you are selling yourself. * You can tap into Amazon’s ridiculously large customer base. Instead of just getting commissions on the stuff people buy after visiting your site, you have the chance to start ranking for product terms inside of the Amazon search engine and reaching loads of new customers.

Cons * Logistics are awful. I tried to get into FBA for a while, but just couldn’t bear the logistics required to make it work. It’s’s fantastically annoying (at least to me). * FBA is stupid competitive these days. When you first burst onto the scene, it was relatively easy for anybody to get some products moving out the door. It’s much harder these days.

Do It 1. Use your Amazon Associate dashboard to see which products are your best sellers. 2. Search Alibaba to find suppliers and analyze cost. 3. Negotiate with suppliers. 4. Create your seller account. 5. Use something like Product Photography to get product pictures taken. 6. Create your product pages. 7. Go live. 8. Use something like Tomoson to get real product reviews.

Resources * Scott’s entire blog (The Amazing Seller) * How to Sell on Amazon FBA

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Fulfillment by Amazon * The Amazing Seller * Product Photography * Tomoson

SaaS SaaS = software as a service.

There are lots of authority sites out there. And there are lots of SaaS products out there. But there are very, very few authority sites monetizing with SaaS products.

I think it’s mostly because both of those things require quite a bit of time.

However, when authority sites do monetize this way, the rewards can be absolutely massive.

In my research, I didn’t find any authority sites using this tactic outside of internet marketing, so we’re going to use an oldie but a goodie for our example.

Example Remember this guy?

This is Spencer Haws’s site, Niche Pursuits (an old version of it).

Niche Pursuits has been Spencer’s online marketing blog for several years now, and it’s mostly been a place for him to simply chronicle his online business ventures.

As he began to build an audience, Spencer realized that there was a huge demand in the market for good keyword research software that was not being filled adequately by pretty much anyone else.

So, he created Long Tail Pro, which sold spectacularly well and allowed him to exit nicely several years later.

Pros * The money can be ridiculous. Software is expensive and often includes subscription revenue, which adds up. Software in professional industries, like a medical field, can be astronomically expensive. * Can be easy to recruit affiliates. Affiliates love providing software because software tends to have really high commissions.

Cons * Expensive as hell to create. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but paying a developer to create software is very expensive. * Expensive as hell to maintain. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but paying a developer to maintain software is very expensive. * Expensive as hell to provide customer service for. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but paying a technically savvy customer service rep who knows your software to help you with customer service is very expensive.

Do It 1. Find a problem in your market that can be solved with software. 2. Validate it by testing a minimum viable product or surveying your audience. 3. Find a developer to create your software (and don’t hire a cheap one). 4. Set up a customer service portal way before launch using something like Intercomm. 5. Recruit affiliates by reaching out to blogs in your niche. 6. Set up an ad campaign if you know how. 7. Launch that bad boy.

Resources * Kiss Metric’s SaaS strategy guide * Case study of an SaaS that lead to $7,000/mo in recurring revenue * Pretty epic SaaS launch guide (for startups, but you can use it, too) on Medium

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Upwork * Intercom

Events Events = actual, physical events that people pay money to attend.

Events are kind of tricky, but if you can pull them off, they can be massively lucrative and can position you as one of the foremost authorities in your field.

The reason events are so insanely profitable is usually that you can sell booth space to vendors (i.e. allow vendors to set up little booths to talk to customers as if they are attending a conference).

Clearly, it’s not within the resources of most authority sites, but if you have the audience and the connections, it certainly can work.

In fact, when I was working as an ad salesman at the little medical magazine I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this article, the thing that earned them the most money by far was an annual conference where they sold booth space to vendors.

Example For this example, we can use one that I have actually been to myself: Digital Marketer’s Traffic & Conversion Summit.

Digital Marker started essentially as an internet marketing blog just like we are. They, of course, have lots of different product offerings, and they have for a long time.

But if I was going to guess, I’d say the thing that makes them the most money (aside from their huge portfolio of sites) is their conference.

When I attended, tickets were thousands of dollars, and there were thousands of people at the conference, so the math is pretty impressive.

Of course, it’s extremely difficult to do this unless, like Digital Marketer, you have a huge, loyal audience as well as connections with lots of vendors.

Pros * The money can be stupidly good. You can charge a lot for tickets, which means a big conference can be really insane, revenue-wise. * Great for networking. Conferences are always great for networking, but if you are the person who put the damn thing together, you can make some very important friends in your market.

Cons * The logistics are insane. Hosting a conference is absolutely not something you can do yourself. You almost certainly need to hire an event planning team. * Selling booth space usually requires phone calls. This is especially true for new conferences: to sell booth space, you usually need to call vendors on the phone. * You need a massive audience. It’s unfeasible to host a conference unless you have access to huge numbers of people who would attend. * You have to plan a conference that’s actually worth a sh*t. You need speakers. You need food. You need accommodations. You need parties. It’s a lot.

Do It 1. Validate the idea with your audience and vendors. 2. Plan the conference, line up speakers, etc. 3. Hire an event planning company to help set everything up. 4. Hire a cold calling specialist or a sales company to book vendors. 5. Maybe even hire an accounting service to handle the large amounts of money. 6. Host the conference.

Resources * An alright article with a planning timeline * A decent checklist of all the crap you need for a tradeshow/event

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * Symmetry50 * Upwork * Acquirent * Bench

Other Product Monetization Tactics Of course, there are as many ways to sell things on the internet as there are websites. Here are a few more that I don’t have much experience with and couldn’t find much good data on, but that could be good for the right authority site.

1​​​​. Merchandise I’ve also always loved the idea of creating and selling merchandise. My gut tells me it won’t work with every site, but it probably works fantastically in passion or lifestyle niches.

If you want to give it a whirl, here are a few services that allow you to create and sell merchandise on demand (i.e. you have to keep any inventory).

  • Make Merch
  • Merchify

  • Selling a Single Physical Product This is just different enough for me not to lump it in with eCommerce in general. There are a few brands–usually those with big audiences–who create and sell single physical products.

They usually create lots of content around the problem their product solves. When it works, though, it’s possible to build a single product into an ultra-popular brand of its own. Here’s one of my favorite examples:

  • Chefsteps’ flagship product: Joule (a super easy way to sous vide at home)
  • All the great, highly useful content they create to support their product

PART 4:Services Actual Services Selling “actual services” = providing paid services outside of consulting and coaching.

These can really be anything, but they are probably going to be most common in the more professional spaces on blogs run by actual experts in their field (or blogs that have access to experts).

Example One of the purest examples I found of an authority site marketing actual services is a site called Dietitian Cassie, an authority site that attracts about 34,000 visitors per month.

Cassie, the owner, blogs about all kinds of stuff related to health and nutrition, which is mostly where her traffic comes from.

She monetizes her blog in a lot of different ways, but one of the primary ways seems to be offering dietitian services to her users.

This won’t work in every niche, of course, because often times, especially for independent site builders whose primary skill is building websites, there just may not be any viable services to offer.

However, if you are an expert in your niche, offering services similar to how Cassie does can be pretty lucrative.

Pros * Higher rates than freelancing. Offering services on your website is essentially the same as freelancing, but you can position yourself as an expert and charge higher rates. * Can lead to word-of-mouth and referral business. If you’re doing good work for clients and offering a service, your business can expand beyond just your website.

Cons * Dependent on your time. If you are offering services to your website, you may still find yourself trading your own time for money, which is something a lot of us want to avoid when we start building authority sites. * Difficult to automate. Because, in most cases, you want to sell services by positioning yourself as an expert, it can be difficult to delegate the work to other people (although not impossible).

Do It 1. Position yourself as the expert on your site. 2. Develop your personal brand. 3. Develop a services package. 4. Use your site and email list to generate sales. 5. Perform the service. 6. Use something like Thrive Ovation to automate testimonials. 7. Use something like Active Campaign to setup automated email sequences to ask for referrals.

Resources * Quick Sprout’s guide on developing a personal brand * Guide to setting up an incentivized referral program * Tutorial on Thrive Ovation

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * ThriveOvation * ActiveCampaign

Consulting Consulting = selling your knowledge on a topic.

Consulting is usually a little bit more niche-dependent than other types of services just because people don’t need consultants for everything. Suppose you have a kitchen appliance blog, for example; people don’t need to kitchen appliance consultants.

Likewise, it’s often a lot easier to sell consulting in B2B spaces than it is in B2C spaces.

Still, this is a monetization tactic that can definitely work if you are in the right space.

Example For this example, I’m going to use a friend of mine: Kate Ahl.

Kate was recently on our podcast and runs Simple Pin Media, a blog/business all about Pinterest marketing. She’s really good at it, and her client case studies mostly speak for themselves.

Kate’s business offers several different products, including consulting.

If you buy a session, Kate sits down with you and teaches you about Pinterest, helping you set up your own a plan of attack.

I’m not sure how much revenue it drives overall, but I can tell you that I personally have bought and paid for one of Kate’s consulting packages, so it’s at least worked on me!

Pros * High visitor value. Consulting is usually high-dollar and low-overhead, making the value per visitor very good as long as people are buying it. * Consultations may be the “easiest” service. “Easy” does not mean low-value. But, as someone who does a bit of consulting myself, the standard Q&A format of most consulting calls makes it relatively easy if you are knowledgeable in your field.

Cons * You need to be an expert. Similar to most kinds of services, consulting is difficult to sell unless you are actually an expert in your field. * Still married to your time. Consulting calls may be relatively easy, but they still do take time, so if you book 20 in a week (or whatever) can see how it would quickly add up.

Do It 1. Position yourself as the expert on your site. 2. Develop your personal brand and market your expertise on your site. 3. Decide what consulting you could provide. 4. Use your blog and email list to sell consulting sessions. 5. Use something like Appointment Booking Calendar to book sessions. 6. Use something like Yondo to host consulting calls.

Resources * Growth Lab’s guide to starting an online business (most advice and case studies are about personal consulting businesses) * Podcast with Ramit Sethi about how to get your first consulting client

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * BirchSchedule * Yondo

Coaching Coaching = helping someone achieve a specific goal by being a one-on-one mentor.

Coaching is like consulting on steroids.

Rather than hosting a short consulting call to share a bit of knowledge, coaches are there to hold a client’s hand through the entire process to help them achieve a goal.

Coaching might include a bunch of consulting calls, but also might include other stuff, like videos or blueprints or diet plans.

Example This example is from one of my favorite authority sides of all time: Muscle for Life.

Muscle for Life is run by a guy named Mike Matthews, who, in this sea of crappy fitness faux-experts, is, in my view, as shining beacon of real knowledge.

And people really really respond to the depth of his expertise, making it easy for him to offer coaching packages like this one.

If you sign up, get personal coach who will work with you to develop a diet and nutrition plan to help you lose weight and/or gain muscle.

As of this writing, coaching packages cost $1,997.

It is worth noting here that Mike does not do all the coaching himself; he has a team of coaches who follow his methods that also help his clients; however, for most of us running smaller operations, it’s probably not feasible to hire armies of coaches. We will probably have to do the coaching ourselves.

Pros * The more of an expert you are, the more you can charge. The more of an expert you are, and the more your audience trusts and likes you, the more you can charge for personalized coaching. * Good way to monetize niches that don’t have lots of products. A running blogger, for example, can really only write about running shoes, so selling services of the personal running coach could be a good way to drastically improve your revenue.

Cons * Easy to feel as if you are responsible for client outcomes. If you are acting as a step-by-step mentor, it’s easy for both you and your clients to feel as if you are partly responsible for their outcomes (which is bad). * Still married to your time. Unless you have a big enough business to hire a bunch of coaches, coaching has the same drawback as other types of services: requires you to contribute your own time.

Do It 1. Position yourself as the expert on your site. 2. Develop your personal brand and market your expertise on your site. 3. Use something like a combination of Thrive Apprentice and Yondo to develop a coaching plan that helps people achieve a specific objective. 4. Use your blog and email list to sell coaching sessions.

Resources A lot of the resources in the previous two sections will work for coaching, too, so I figured I would just provide a few more optional tools here.

  • Jigsaw Box: an alternative online coaching platform
  • Coaching Cloud: one more option

Tools & Platforms Mentioned * ThriveApprentice * Yondo

Speaking Gigs Speaking gigs = anytime an organization pays you to speak on the topic you know about.

Typically, speaking gigs require a perception of extreme expertise. If people don’t think you are an expert, there’s really no way they will pay you to come speak at a conference (or whatever).

But if you are an expert, speaking gigs can be fun and can pay pretty well. There are plenty of people who do this in the internet marketing and business spaces, but I want to look at an example from someone a little bit closer to our level…

Example As we discussed earlier in this article, my friend Suzy is a quilting badass.

She is a real expert, and people in her field admire her greatly. So it really doesn’t surprise anybody when she is invited to speak.

In most cases, Suzy’s speaking gigs take the form of quilting workshops like this one. Here’s Suzy explaining how these gigs come about and how much she makes from them.

Suzy’s Note

After publishing quilt patterns in my online shop and promoting them on my blog I have received multiple offers from fabric stores and quilt groups around the country asking me to teach workshops.

I’ve only recently started saying yes to speaking gigs, since I remain very busy continuing to blog and write new patterns. My most recent workshop was tons of fun and filled with laughing, learning and overall fabric-loving.

The shop owner and I decided to split the cost of student sign-ups 60/40 where I received 60%. After one week of open registration the class sold out, making me think I should have charged more. Including travel and lodging fees I made $1,500 from one day of teaching. Not bad for a first time!

Pros * Earnings/hr are good. $1,500 for a few hours of teaching is more than most lawyers make. * Can be a lot of fun. Sitting around talking to a group of people who are highly interested in something you are passionate about is a blast. * Good for networking. If going to a conference yields good networking opportunities, can you imagine what being a speaker or teaching a workshop does for your little black book?

Cons * You usually have to travel. Sometimes you’ll get lucky, and a workshop will be close by, but for most speaking gigs there is going to be a bit of travel involved. * Difficult to use as your main method of monetization. Unless you are famous, it’s difficult to earn a living with speaking gigs only.

Do It 1. Establish yourself as an expert in your field. 2. Create a “Hire Me” page on your site. 3. Connect a simple contact form like Ninja Forms to a dedicated speaking-gigs email address. 4. Negotiate with people you want to hire you. 5. Travel, speak, and ask for another gig.

Resources Similar to the coaching resources section a lot of the same resources apply here, so I thought it would be good to instead show you “Hire Me” pages for inspiration.

  • Gary Vaynerchuck
  • Paul Gough
  • Alex Morton

PART 5:Misc And now we have the misfits — all the monetization tactics that didn’t really fit anywhere else but that I wanted to cover briefly because they can work. You can find people out there crushing it with any one of these.

1​​​​. Sell Your Site Obviously, you can make money from your website by selling it. I’m not sure if it’s strictly fair to call this monetization, but it is certainly a way to make money. If you want to go down this road, here are some of the most popular marketplaces and brokers.

  • Flippa (for small sites)
  • Empire Flippers (small-large sites)
  • FE International (medium-large sites)
  • Latonas (medium-large sites)

  • ​​​​Donations If you have a site people really love, it’s also possible to take donations. I haven’t experimented much with this myself, but my gut tells me it probably won’t work unless you have a super-loyal audience. That said, I do see some sites who monetize this way consistently.

  • Shut Up & Sit Down’s donation page

  • The other side of the argument: why asking for donations might hurt your blog

3​​​​. Patreon Patreon is similar to donations, but it isn’t exactly the same. With Patreon, users agree to donate on a recurring basis and typically also get tiered rewards similar to what you would get on Kickstarter.

Patreon is incredibly popular with content creators on platforms like YouTube, but I don’t see much on blogs. I’m listing it here because as far as I can tell, it’s completely untested, but also because I could see it making money on a blog that publishes regular content that people really enjoy (especially a blog was something like a podcast or video series).

  • Podcaster’s Group Therapy discussion about monetizing with Patreon
  • Vlog Nation’s guide to monetizing with Patreon

4​​​​. Writing for Other Blogs Finally, if you’ve built up expertise on your own blog, it’s possible to leverage the expertise into high-paying writing gigs on other websites–or (and I’ve actually done this) to use the awesome stuff you’ve written on your own blog as experience to get an actual job.

Again, not monetization in the strictest sense, but certainly a way to leverage your blog and make money.

  • Copyblogger’s guide to earning $250/hr as a freelance writer

Information Overload! What Do We DO with All This? Welp. Sorry about that.

It’s not everyday I dump 15,000 words on you guys. But monetization is a vitally important topic that we as independent site builders do not discuss enough.

We all know that the most difficult part about making a living with our authority sites is traffic generation.

If we can master monetization…

…we can make more money with the same traffic. Yes, more traffic is always better, and I don’t plan on stopping my inexhaustible quest for that untamable traffic hockey-stick anytime soon.

I’m just saying: I’d rather make $100 from every thousand visitors than $10. In other words, monetization is a skill, and it’s vitally important.

So what should you do? How should you monetize? Which tactics should you pursue?

I do have an opinion on this, but I wanted to give an opportunity for someone to chime in whose data and information I used extensively in my research (and whose blog I’ve come to love in the course of writing this post).

Here’s a quote from the guys at MonetizePros.com:

MonetizePros Note

Monetization depends on your niche and audience. If your site targets a very small niche market, usually affiliate marketing is the best monetization source. There are usually complementary products that are useful to these users that are interested in your niche. This type of audience tends to have higher intent to become a lead or purchase a product. Therefore, conversions will be higher for smaller niches.

If your site has a mass market appeal like entertainment, online classifieds, news or fitness, then advertising is typically the best fit monetization source. Display and native advertising can only make serious revenue when publishers are getting millions of pageviews though. It takes a while to get to that point, but once a publisher does, they can experience true passive income (Assuming they have a loyal audience and/or significant organic traffic).

If you have a website with mass market appeal and significant traffic, make sure you have a sophisticated ad optimization strategy that does not leave money on the table. Just running AdSense is not an ad optimization strategy. Implementing an ad server like DoubleClick for Publishers, running Google Ad Exchange and additional ad technology like header bidding is the type of ad optimization strategy that would maximize a publisher’s ad revenue return from their audience.

For the most part, I agree.

Still, as I grow as a site builder, my philosophy has shifted away from leaning on just one thing or just a few things that work and more towards what we discussed in the beginning of this piece: stacking revenue.

It seems to me that the quickest way to “real” money — to make “big boy” money — is by combining lots of little monetization strategies into one massive revenue stack.

Maybe I’m overly ambitious. Maybe I’m naïve. Or maybe I’m just dumb. I’m just one guy after all.

I think you could also make a strong argument for mastering just one tactic. There are plenty of blogs that do it. One of the biggest and most notable affiliate sites in existence — the blog that shall not be named (kidding, it’s The Wire Cutter) — monetized with affiliate links only (if I’m not mistaken) and, as we all know, that site was sold to the New York Times for $30 million.

Other massive affiliate sites, like The Penny Hoarder, have also opted to monetize (as far as I can tell) with affiliate offers only.

So tell me what you think.

How do you monetize your website? Which monetization tactics here do you not use but want to try? What did I miss? Are there any sites out there monetizing in completely creative ways I didn’t even think about?

Let me know in the comments below!

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Rich snippets are the most important thing happening in SEO today.

You may not feel any dramatic impacts yet, but slowly and surely, the way people use Google is changing.

That is both good and bad news.

We looked at the articles already out there, we looked at all the credible studies and we researched new data ourselves.

All of that to make this piece the only thing you need to read on the topic this year.

So, let’s not waste time – here is the table of contents:

  • The growth of featured snippets
  • Basic definitions: rich snippets, featured snippets
  • The cons and benefits of rich snippets
  • How to find featured snippet opportunities
  • How to optimize for featured snippets
  • Anatomy of a featured snippet
  • Conclusion

If you’re not new to the topic of rich snippets, feel free to skim through the charts or jump to the sections that you care about right now.

Or read carefully and learn something new, that may impact your business this year.

Rich Snippets Are Taking Over … Recently, we crawled and analyzed over 1 million search results. The study found that well over 40% of all top spots are taken by some sort of snippet placed there by Google.

When we repeated the analysis with high-volume keywords (over 1000 searches a month) and eliminated the likely branded queries, the result was astonishing – 65% of top spots were taken by the top featured rich snippets.

For reference, when Ahrefs did a similar study in 2017, they found figures that were much lower – about 12.3%.

One reason is that Ahrefs’ definition of “featured snippets” is narrower than ours, referring to just one kind of a snippet. But more on that later.

Rich Snippets, Featured Snippets. What’s the Difference. When we’re talking about “rich snippets” (also called SERP features) what we have in mind is any result that isn’t a traditional search result, i.e. the page or a website that ranks.

It can be a summary extracted from a website that answers the question, a widget such as a calculator Google shows when querying for maths, tweet or news snippets, shopping results, and so on.

As you can see on the pic above, Google now resembles a standalone content page with a bunch of widgets and a few search results.

Obviously, I’m using ad blocker so ads are missing but imagine if there were ads above all these results.

As of today, there are many different kinds of snippets. For this article we’ll go with the categories used by Ahrefs, as that’s our main SEO tool.

  • Adwords: Google ads, you know these.
  • Knowledge card: Covers a very diverse set of snippets from widgets and map features to definitions and data partnerships. Appears on top.
  • Knowledge panel: Appears on the side as in the picture above.
  • Image pack: Images.
  • Top stories: Top stories can appear on top but typically you’ll find them on other positions too.
  • People also ask: The expandable links as in the pic above.
  • Featured snippet: There are three main types, a table, paragraph or a bulleted list. They take up the top spot.
  • Shopping results: Showing products from different stores.
  • Tweet box: Tweets, can appear as a featured snippet but only for Twitter related queries.
  • Videos: YouTube links typically.

There is a bunch of different types of rich snippets and a few of them can take up the top spot. Featured snippet and knowledge cards are usually on top, tweet box, top stories and some others may take up the top spot too.

Here is a couple of more examples:

Different rich snippets can take up the top spot, often pushing top organic results below the visible parts. Here is one more:

The ‘shopping results’ at the top of the page falls under the category of ‘knowledge card’ if you use Ahrefs.

Like I said ‘knowledge card’ is rather a broad umbrella term that covers many different kinds of snippets that appear on top of the page.

And finally the featured snippet:

I’ll cut it short, you can read the definition yourself.

What is interesting about these is that Ahrefs found 12.3% of all non-branded search queries display this on top of the page.

As stated before, our study showed that 40% – 65% of top positions are taken by one of the snippet categories, including featured snippets.

Obviously, these little extracts is what SEOs care about the most, as they steal the query, grab attention and provide instant answers.

Let’s have a look at where we are now, two years after the Ahrefs study.

Roughly 50% growth, for featured snippets alone. The trend is clear.

Featured Snippets: Good or Bad News? Google is an advertising company. That means, it gets paid for showing ads on its websites.

It doesn’t get paid for driving traffic to your website, but for driving it to whoever pays for the featured ad on top of the search results page.

That means the search engine wants to make as many people stay on its pages as possible, to make money while keeping the user (not you, the content creator) happy.

And that’s the controversy with featured snippets. You create content, Google gets the benefits.

At the same time, Google still needs to keep publishers happy enough or they won’t have good source material to scrape from.

Plus, the looming of some kind of EU law preventing them from using your content is always hanging over their heads.

So they need to go slow with this.

Many SEO gurus are selling these developments as some great thing that is an opportunity to steal the top spot.

Like many others, I’m not buying it right away.

Consider this – like most people, thanks to this snippet, I haven’t visited a single sports website in the last two years:

There is, however, more to it. The reason I used the words “ right away” in the same sentence as “I’m not buying it” is that gurus are also right.

But it all depends on the query.

As shown in our SERPs study, the top position gets the vast majority of the traffic, while everyone else gets the scraps.

The Ahrefs study has established that featured snippets can steal over 30% of the click-through rates from the top result.

So for the keywords that perform well for you, you might actually be able to get ahead, secure the snippet for you and benefit from it.

You might even be able to steal it.

Our study of 500,000 search results shows that well over 60% of all featured snippets are “stolen” by other than the top ranked website.

As you add up the numbers, taking away 20% of CTR from the top ranked page can be quite a lucrative achievement.

And many SEOs have reported a boost in their traffic.

Another interesting observation we noticed in our analysis was that different searches for the same keyword result in different rich features.

Querying the same keyword from different browsers, with different language or locations settings will yield different snippets.

Here is a good example. I searched the same keyword from Safari, Chrome and Brave browser at the same time, all yielded different SERP features.

I don’t think the browser type matters, rather it’s the different default settings for search, location, privacy and so on that Google adjusts its search engine to.

Indeed, our study has confirmed different geographies yield different results too.

We took 50,000 random long-tail English language keywords, that had a minimum of 1000 searches a month and looked at the results from the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands.

This is what we’ve got:

We’ve also established in the SERPs study that the volume makes a difference i.e. higher volume keywords show more snippets. To my knowledge, this has been observed in other studies too.

Obviously, running queries for the same English language keywords in Canada will show lower volumes compared to the US. But we wanted to check anyway.

So we have different volumes per geography and different snippets too.

But what does all of that mean?

It means there is plenty of opportunities and a premium in CTR to be acquired, as long as you already rank in the top 10.

Let’s get a bit more actionable now.

How to Find Featured Snippet Opportunities The best way to find featured snippets opportunities is to use Ahrefs (review). As our readers know, we use Ahrefs for most of our SEO work, so we are going to use it here once again.

There are a bunch of ways to go about it.

As a healthy sense for strategy suggests, it’s best to start with the low hanging-fruit. In other words, you want to find the opportunities you already qualify for.

For that, you’ll need input your URL in site explorer -> organic keywords.

As previously shown, you’ll automatically qualify for featured snippets if you rank in the top 10. This has been confirmed by other studies as well.

So you look up your top keywords where you rank <= 10 and head over to SERP Features to filter out what you already own, and what’s left to be taken.

The result you get is a list of queries that already have featured snippets and where you stand a chance to take it over.

It’s nice to note that Ahrefs tells you which snippets you already own by putting the icon on the line of the query:

I suppose it’s a good idea to put all of these in a spreadsheet. You can use the Export feature in the top right corner.

Having seen many featured snippets while doing the studies for this article, it appears to me that any non-branded query has a capacity to become a featured snippet.

However, the most common ones contain these words according to our research:

| How to | What (is) | Best | | --- | --- | --- | | Can | vs. | Make | | Top | Get | List |

So pay attention to any queries that are structured around these. However, any plain keyword that can yield a definition such as “affiliate programs” will yield a featured snippet too.

Another thing you don’t want to miss is doing this search for multiple geographies. As shown in our study, different location settings yield different rich snippet variations.

You should know what markets are relevant for you. If you’re only marketing to let’s say Canadians then it won’t make much business sense for you, of course.

In other words, just because you own a featured snippet in the US, it doesn’t mean that’s the case for anyone who searches the same keyword from the UK.

Finally, you want to filter out and look up all the “people also ask” snippets as they provide more featured snippet opportunities you might easily acquire with a little work if you already rank for the main keyword.

The cool thing Ahrefs’ Site Explorer is that you can perform the same analysis for your competitors or big sites in general and find out more ideas for keywords with featured snippets they own to get some content updates inspiration.

So we’re done with picking the low hanging fruit.

Now, let’s say you’re doing your keyword research for new content or to optimize the existing one. You may want to see where you can compete for the featured snippets too.
This is made easy if you head over to Keyword Explorer -> SERP Features.

So here you can filter the keywords that yield featured snippets and high volume keywords that qualify for one but don’t yield it yet.

As mentioned before, higher volume keywords are more likely to return rich snippet results.

Finally, you can go on and look up more ideas for new keywords as well as question queries which, by the nature of being questions are most likely to qualify for featured snippet.

How to Optimize for Featured Snippets So you let’s say you have your content, keywords, URLs, and you’ve exported all of that into a spreadsheet.

Now, the goal is to optimize your content to appear in these snippets.

As it is with all SEO, we have no clear idea of how exactly Google’s algorithms work. But there’s plenty of data easily accessible so it’s not too hard to add a bit of clarity.

The best way to make things a little bit clearer is to remove the clutter. So let’s start with cleaning up.

In our 1.1 million SERPs study, we already stated we believe the ideas of Google relying on sophisticated AI and NLP algorithms are most likely nonsense.

Namely, because these technologies are quite primitive, and all data rather suggest that Google does a great job collecting tons of basic data like keywords, links, etc. and organizing them.

So we did a separate study on pages that show in featured snippets and compared them with the remaining URLs in the top ten results for each keyword. We looked at:

  • Page Speed
  • Wordcount
  • Keywords
  • Links / Referring Domains
  • Domain Rating

All of these we found to correlate with higher ranks. But perhaps, one of them has more weight when it comes to Google picking your page for a featured snippet?

Here are the results:

We looked at Google’s PageSpeed Insights, Keywords in tags overall and each kind, in particular, word count of the page linking domains and Ahrefs’ Domain Rating which measures the overall domain authority.

All of these correlate with higher ranks in Google results and considering the bulk of featured snippets come from top 3 positions it’s reasonable to expect they’ll rate a bit higher.

Nonetheless, these metrics don’t matter.

I would just add that we didn’t even expect them to, except for the page speed as Google Voice uses featured snippets to answer majority of voice search queries.

Length of content was about 15% higher than the average for the top organic result, but in our previous study, we assessed the length matters only as much as it allows you to have more keywords at a non-spammy density.

Related read: Using TF-IDF to make your content rank higher

All these metrics matter in the sense that they put you in the top 10 results and therefore you get qualified for snippets. But it’s not what makes Google take out an extract and feature it.

Anyway, here’s an interesting comment from AuthorityHacker’s Facebook group.

I’ve been playing around with Natural Language API also and I too found it very basic. I think it’s quite reasonable to think that this is how Google picks content for featured snippets.

So here’s our assessment – Google ranks top 10 pages using quite a reliable algorithm. From those top 10 pages it needs a short snippet that most resembles an answer to the query.

It’s not rocket science. There’s 150,000 words in English language. That’s not a huge dataset to work with.

Moreover, you can group most words into synonyms, antonyms, nouns, adjectives, verbs, passive, active and so on.

So what’s my point here? Take a look at this:

The top result does everything right. The title matches the keyword, the URL too, there are keywords in the text, it’s long and has tons of links … so, it’s the number one.

Yet, success.com beats it with the featured snippet.

If you look at Ramit Sethi’s article however, it doesn’t provide a short, straightforward piece of text that can be qualified by a simple algorithm as an answer.

In other words, what matters is that in your content you actually provide a snippet that Google can recognize and instantly grab.

That means, Google will look at simple words, a keyword, a semantic structure the text length and composition that will fit in the snippet.

The Anatomy of an average Featured Snippet Simple things matter.

Just as Abhi found out that changing one word from “unveiled” to “demoed” made Google change the category from news to something else so it is with featured snippets.

So we narrowed it down to two things:

  • Providing the snippet within your content
  • Semantic structure

So what does the average snippet look like?

Analyzing several thousands of snippets ourselves and looking at other studies too we found the typical anatomy is a

or

tag, followed by about 50 words, or 300 characters, in total and a picture.

Let’s check out the actual content of the article:

Then there’s a simple answer and a bunch of links as a reference. As for the reference links we found them to be quite a common element in many articles that get featured snippets.

Perhaps, that’s why Wikipedia does so well in grabbing rich snippets.

A good engineer will always find the most straightforward solution.

So when you look at the content inside the featured links you’ll find that Google doesn’t do much work extracting the content for the snippet rather than taking already existing snippet-like content.

For that reason Google likes clean, structured data.
Clean, structured data means you have a solid HTML structure that makes logical sense. The structure should tell Google stuff like “here’s a pic, here’s the title, here’s the answer”.

Hubspot does it quite well – in some articles they simply highlight the snippet part. This is also known as “snippet bait.”

In fact, Google has quite an extensive documentation on structured data and even a couple of helpful tools to help you clean up your website.

It can be found on this link and you should read it.

Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool. So let’s have a look at a semantic structure. What I mean by that is that Google uses a simple language processing, it recognizes basic words, synonyms and structure.

It’s most reasonable to assume it aims to recognize pieces of content that most resemble a logical structure of an answer to a particular kind of a keyword.

Let’s take our example. What would an answer to “what’s keto diet” look like from the computer program’s point of view?

First, I’d point out that “keto diet” would be a keyword here, while “what’s” represents a generic adjective that determines the format of an answer.

The answer would probably start with something like “the [keyword] is” – this is easily recognizable.

What would you make this algorithm look for after that? It can be a thing or an activity. So you’re looking for a noun. A noun can be preceded by an adjective to specify an attribute.

Most standard computer algorithms are sequential, that means you look for an option A and if that doesn’t validate you go with option B, then option C and so on.

Option A is usually what you really want, it’s the best, fastest solution (e.g a match if you’re seeking a pattern).

My point is: if you’re designing something that is to be processed by a computer algorithm (like most SEO), give it the simplest, fastest solution you can think of.

Therefore, you should follow a basic grammatical structure and provide the simplest, most natural 50 word answer as if speaking to a 5 year old.

That, in our hypothesis gives you the best chance to have your snippet bait on top of that sequence and even steal snippets from others.

For example, what would be a logical answer to a query that starts with “how to”?

“How to” implies you’re going to do something. Therefore it would be an active form, that begins with verbs. It could be a couple of paragraphs or a bulleted list.

So if I was going to write up a featured snippet, I would head over to Ahrefs, filter out all similar queries look at most the common semantic structure.

I would also think about what’s the best way to answer the question. Is it a bulleted list of instructions? A couple of paragraphs? An instructional YouTube video?

I would ask myself, what is the most common structure of such an answer in a natural language in terms of grammar. That is tense, active/passive form, verbs, nouns, adjectives, etc.

I would look at it as if I was an algorithm seeking patterns.

Then I would write a simple answer a 5-year-old can understand in 50 words. Or go on and make a video, a table, a list, and so on.

Obviously, I would look up at what are the most common snippet types with Ahrefs for that particular query, before.

Conclusion As Peter Thiel states in his book, Zero to One, Google is a monopoly disguised as a tech company.

Most people look at Google and think Google voice, Android, self-driving cars, Gmail, and obviously Search.

If you look at their quarterly fiscal results you will see that most of their revenue comes from ads.

And that’s all that matters to Google as it’s a public company and all their shareholders care about is financial performance, else management will have to go.

Let’s take a look at their last quarterly results.

Google made $36 billion, $31 billion came from people clicking on ads and of those $31 billion, $26 billion came from people clicking on ads on Google’s websites (i.e not Adsense ads).

The other $5 billion came from stuff like phones, but that’s not profits … considering you need to pay manufacturing costs, phones will never be as profitable ads, they probably even lose money considering the thin margins hardware has.

What’s my point?

Google is ads. Everything else is just a byproduct of their success in making more people browse Google’s websites, not yours (unless you’re buying ads of course).

“Grand strategy is the art of looking beyond the present battle and calculating ahead. Focus on your ultimate goal and plot to reach it.”

Robert Greene

So the case with rich snippets is that there will be more of them and they will lead to fewer people browsing through the results as they’ll just use Google’s snippets or voice assistant.

Google’s goal here is to keep people on their sites to increase their ad revenue.

At the same time, new traffic opportunities like Google Discover are emerging and replacing some of that lost pure search traffic.

We are starting to get decent traffic from Google discover and didn’t optimize for it yet. You also have to take into account that search is still a growing market.

Sure, most developed populations have internet access at this point.

But the number of searches per day we are doing is still raising massively compared to just a few years ago.

Mostly because people’s time spent on their phones is still growing rapidly.

It’s not uncommon for people to have 5 hours screen on time at the end of the day plus the time they spend on actual computers.

And this growth could partially or completely offset the loss of click through rate per query in terms of raw traffic.

So yes, featured snippets mean less clicks per search.

But it does not mean your Google traffic will necessarily decrease.

Plus, if you apply the tactics we talked about in this post, you might be able to snag some traffic away from huge sites squatting the #1 spot for big keywords.

Have you been optimizing for featured snippets?

We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comment section.