Affiliate marketing is on the rise, now more than ever. And, with that said, this lucrative marketing strategy is also becoming more and more saturated. With so many companies committing to online marketing and digital advertising, there’s a wide array of affiliate programs out there to choose from. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know what programs are worth your time or money. Lucky for you, we’ve put together the ultimate list of the best affiliate marketing programs on the web. We’ve taken the time to thoroughly research each program listed below, and we can confidently say that you can’t go wrong with any of these. Our Pick for Best Affiliate Marketing Program: Affiliaxe What makes an affiliate marketing program the best are high commission rates, advanced tools, no restrictions on affiliates, and a large network of reputable affiliates. Affiliaxe has them all. It’s the biggest affiliate marketing program out there with one of the highest average affiliate commissions. They also offer some of the most advanced tools and widgets to help you advertise your product online with ease. What Is the Best Affiliate Marketing Program for 2022? Affiliaxe – The best choice for global affiliate marketers Amazon Associates – Top choice for retail and shopping affiliates Commission Junction – Leading name brand affiliate program ShareASale – Great for affiliates looking to make around $300 on average per referral ClickBank – One of the oldest affiliate programs out there Rakuten Advertising – A great alternative or add-on to your eBay and Amazon affiliations Impact – Ideal for affiliates looking for instant approval Awin – Great for affiliates who want prompt payments Etsy – The top choice for any affiliate who wants to promote handmade products eBay Partner Network – The most flexible product and service options Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners: Reviewed Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn passive income. But it’s not always an easy road. The best affiliate marketing programs offer the opportunity to monetize your hard work and gain recurring income for years to come. Here are some programs you should look out for:
1. Affiliaxe – The Best Choice for Global Affiliate Marketers Affiliaxe is a great choice for any marketer looking to make a global impact. It lets you reach a wide range of markets. With this huge range in products and deals, it’s easier to choose what works best for you and your business. It also comes with a dedicated Affiliate Manager to assist you to optimize traffic and designing a special bonus scheme to maximize your earning potential if accepted into the program. Plus, Their referral program adds an extra 4% to your payouts! As a global network with numerous nations to reach, Affiliaxe is certainly a decent choice when starting an affiliate account. Many perks come with the site, such as the account managers it provides to each affiliate, who assist them in optimizing their connections, locating the best deals, and maximizing their earnings. It’s also worth noting that affiliates gain an additional 5% for each new member they bring on board, owing to the referral scheme. Your website or traffic sources can benefit greatly from this method of generating revenue. Although there is little advertising on the site and the registration process is cumbersome, some users choose not to sign up for an account nevertheless. Pros A world-wide network of people and resources It has a good payout rate Its merchants are insured A personal assistant with real-time monitoring capabilities Cons It’s hard to get in Only a limited number of advertisers Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing AffiliaXe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
2. Amazon Associates - Top Choice for Retail and Shopping Affiliates Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is a sharp cookie. He's also obscenely wealthy, as evidenced by the fact that his bank account amount resembles the binary representation of his name. This success is the result of foresight, such as offering an affiliate program in 1996, one of the early years of online retail. What’s even more amazing, Amazon Associates can earn up to 20% in comms. In 1996, there existed an Internet, but you could hear it when you picked up the phone because it was being broadcast. If you don't know what that implies, ask your parents. An associate program with a long history, the Amazon Associates Program dates back to 1998. It's also extensive, containing all of the items they offer for sale on their website. It's possible to earn a portion of the sale price by selling items that you locate on the Amazon marketplace. In addition, there is something for everyone, from books to bullhorns and everything in between. In order to get you started, we refer new affiliates to Amazon, which has a very user-friendly affiliate marketing network (s). Pros Brand recognition around the world — everyone knows about Amazon Amazon Associates get access to 385 million products to promote You gain from the fact that they concentrate a lot of emphasis on customer service It’s a breeze to create and manage links Affiliate dashboard that’s simple to use Cons Amazon’s commission rates tend to fluctuate frequently The 24-hour cookie duration isn’t ideal
3. Commission Junction - Leading Name Brand Affiliate Program As one of the oldest affiliate networks out there, CJ Affiliate (previously known as Commission Junction) is one I've been using since 2002. What sets CJ Affiliate apart from Amazon is that it focuses on both big and small brands and providers alike. The commission rates vary from merchant to merchant, but you can always expect a decent payout on the platform. The companies they represent include, at the time of this writing, Zappos, Walgreens and Verizon as well as Under Armour, Tripadvisor and Staples to name a few. As well as roughly 2,473 other affiliate marketing programs. To top it all off, you'll have access to a wide variety of brands and items, as well as all the tools you need to succeed as an affiliate. CJ Affiliate's numbers, on the other hand, allow me to evaluate whether or not an affiliate program is profitable. That'll save you a ton of time, no doubt about it. As a result, you won't have to make any educated guesses about which affiliate programs to advertise or the approximate profit margins you may expect to achieve per sale. Pros Affiliate marketing novices will appreciate the user-friendly dashboard and layout All of the most well-known companies are under one roof Opportunities for direct display advertising (for a set cost or a commission) You don’t have to guess to identify profitable affiliate programs Help and tutorials make it a breeze to get up and running Is a top contender for the best email marketing program spot Cons It’s a constant battle to keep big names on this network When compared to Amazon, there is a learning curve
4. ShareASale - Great for Affiliates Looking To Make Around $300 on Average per Referral It's safe to say that ShareASale is one of the most underrated affiliate networks out there. To some extent, this is due to the interface still looking how it did when I first joined up for my account back in 2002. Some new affiliate marketers are put off by the absence of a "Wow" factor. But don't be fooled. If you're looking for some of the top affiliate programs out there, look no further. There is a range of $300 to $350 for each sale. In reality, they represent over 5,000 distinct affiliate programs, with a concentration on smaller, but no less profitable, businesses rather than the big, well-known ones. There isn't much to the affiliate marketing dashboard, but it does the job, and simplicity can be a good thing. When it comes to online marketplaces, ShareASale is one of the best. Pros Promotion of thousands of goods and services Often overlooked, yet highly profitable, affiliate programs that don’t have a lot of attention Comparatively, the “Find Merchants” function is significantly superior to Commission Junction, for example.” Their ‘PowerRank’ metric tells you where an affiliate program ranks in the top 1000 on the platform It’s no longer necessary to put up with months of delays in receiving your pay It’s a great place to find the best herbal affiliate marketing program Cons The interface is dated Affiliate programs’ approval procedures might be erratic at times Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing ShareASale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
5. Clickbank - One of the Oldest Affiliate Programs Out There With a history dating back to 1998, ClickBank is another "grandparent" affiliate network. One of the most remarkable business stories ever told is that of two friends who started the company in their garage and turned it into one of the world's most profitable companies with annual revenues of more than $3 billion. Clickbank affiliates earn roughly $15 to $50 per sale. Rather than focusing on shipping physical things like their competitors, ClickBank's affiliates decided to sell digital products instead, which allowed them to make a profit while they were at it. That meant immediate delivery, low overheads, and direct access to the artists. Even if they had no idea social media existed, their products are perfectly suited to those audiences' needs. The majority of their products may be found on the ClickBank Marketplace, however, they have recently added a few physical offerings. While the Marketplace's design hasn't altered much since 1998, it is still functional. Despite the fact that it's only a small complaint, it's long past due for a facelift. Pros To promote this best buy affiliate program, you don’t have to get the go-ahead from the company Without a doubt, the best network for affiliate marketers who don’t have their own site Their top-tier programs have an average sale price of $50 Opportunities for recurring commission programs will be many Because the merchant’s landing page does so much pre-selling for you. With email marketing and social media, digital items can operate together It’s very easy to create an affiliate link It’s a great contender for the best digital marketing affiliate program Cons Despite the fact that the Marketplace hasn’t changed in 19 years, it is still a useful tool Refund rates can be incredibly high in some programs Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing ClickBank ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
6. Rakuten Advertising - A Great Alternative or Add-on to Your Ebay and Amazon Affiliations Rakuten is a Japanese affiliate marketing service provider that you may not be familiar with. When they purchased LinkShare in 2005, they got their foot in the door of the affiliate marketing landscape. Rakuten Linkshare has gone from being a little player in the market to consistently receiving honors. Why do they work so well for affiliates who are just starting out? Similar to most other affiliate networks, the user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate. They are the voice of more than a thousand different companies. Everything from flowers and presents to gadgets and office necessities is available from their vendors. Because Rakuten is a major player in affiliate marketing, the approval process may be lengthy, especially if your site receives little or no traffic at all. Although the commission rates for affiliates vary from vendor to vendor, it’s clear that you can earn a good commission here. Rakuten, on the other hand, is an affiliate network that many newbies overlook. Despite the claims of some affiliates, I've never had a problem getting paid by this network. Pros Some of the most well-known affiliate programs can be found here An easy-to-use interface that does the job Each year, they deal with sales of over $100 million One of the most well-known affiliate networks in the world today Cons The user interface is extremely dated There is a lack of data measurement metrics and tools Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing Rakuten ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
7. Impact - Ideal for Affiliates Looking for Instant Approval To be fair, it isn't as ancient as the likes of ClickBank and ShareASale, but it is a major affiliate marketing network nonetheless (despite its claims to the contrary). But age is just a number, so don't be put off by Impact's relatively youthful appearance. Founded by the people who established Commission Junction, this company definitely knows what it's doing. There are several well-known brands on Impact, such as Adidas, Airbnb, and HSBC, much as on other major networks. Over 2,517 firms were advertising on the network at the time of writing, with more joining on a daily basis. Not to mention, you can earn up to 30% per sale. Even though Impact is only a few years old, its user interface is a lot more advanced than most other affiliate networks. There are also some innovative, user-friendly elements incorporated into its design. In the "brands to work with instantly" area, you'll find a list of all advertisers who give immediate approvals. New affiliate marketers can get up and running quickly thanks to this wonderful tool. Pros Brand approval is usually quick Numerous affiliate programs to choose from (more than 2,500 at time of writing) In comparison to older networks, the smart interface is easier to use You’ll find top brands like Adidas and AirBnb Variety of products, from footwear and apparel to business-to-business services You can withdraw your money in a variety of ways, including through PayPal and direct deposit Cons New affiliate marketers may find it difficult to navigate due to the abundance of options Compared to Commission Junction, this one isn’t quite as well-known Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
8. Awin - Great for Affiliates Who Want Prompt Payments Awin has more than 16,500 advertisers and 225,000 publishers at the time of this writing, making it the largest affiliate network in the world. Plus, they offer around $30 in payouts per referral. With 182 million sales in 2020 and $1 billion in commissions made by the platform, it's clearly a huge thing. Even more impressively, it's one of the oldest networks in existence. Although Awin has only been around since 2017, its roots can be traced all the way back to the zanox and Affiliate Window networks, which both got their start in the year 2000. Even while Awin already ran its own network, it bought ShareASale a couple of years ago and now runs both of these networks as well. It's possible for successful affiliates to sign up for both because they function as independent businesses with their own merchants. Awin is home to a slew of household names, including Emirates, Etsy, and Under Armour, among others. My favorite aspect of Awin as an affiliate marketer, on the other hand, is its dedication to expedited payouts. The majority of Awin's affiliate programs offer expedited payments, and you'll get paid regardless of when the advertiser pays Awin. Pros Commissions can be paid more quickly via accelerated payments With a wide range of affiliate programs to choose from Clear and consistent labeling and layouts make this a simple platform to work with Through your Awin dashboards, it’s simple to keep track of your campaigns Most networks have a slicker interface Many high-profile companies to collaborate with Cons 260 new affiliates join the network every day, which means that you’ll have a lot of competition Despite the fact that it works globally, the majority of its advertising comes from the United Kingdom and the European Union Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing Awin ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
9. Etsy - The Top Choice for Any Affiliate Who Wants To Promote Handmade Products The Etsy affiliate program is a combination of affiliate marketing and advertising. There has been some "creep" with overseas manufacturers trying to claim a foothold in the marketplace because the products sold through the site are manufactured by individual craftsmen, vintage dealers, and artists. You could think of it as an affiliate network for one-person shops. Etsy has become the dominant platform in their sector, and no one else has even come close. Their rapid rise from obscurity to publicly traded firm has taken place in just a handful of years. That a lot of individuals I know have either purchased something from Etsy or are selling their own handmade goods on the site is interesting to me. As part of the affiliate network, you can earn money by promoting things you find on Etsy or by writing reviews of them. For each customer that purchases from your link, you'll be paid 4 percent of the total price. So, is this one of the greatest affiliate marketing programs for newbies? Well, you can't expect to live off Etsy commissions alone, but it does give you a terrific opportunity to earn some extra money. Affiliates can earn up to 4% per referral - which isn’t much, but it’s still quite substantial. Pros A sleek, modern user interface makes it simple to go about Stock is always being replenished, so there’s always something new to choose from Craft/vintage/gift industry’s top affiliate program When you advertise Etsy, you help micro-businesses (independent goods makers) There is enough variety in their product line to keep customers on the site for several hours Cons Vendors come and go, so don’t bank on one seller being around forever Algorithm updates on the Etsy platform have been met with disapproval by traders Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing Etsy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free
10. Partner stacks Network - The Most Flexible Product and Service Options We won't bore you with a lengthy history of eBay, because everyone knows what it is already. What began as a method for people to clear out their garages and make a few money has evolved into a global marketing platform for individuals and large corporations alike. The vast majority of the 1.4 billion listings on eBay are for new products. It's more than just a platform to sell your used stuff. Even if Amazon is a good choice for newcomers, few consider eBay's affiliate program as an option. With no "middlemen," you're dealing directly with eBay while using their affiliate program. You'll get the opportunity to get to know their team of affiliate managers, which might be quite beneficial to you in the future. In brief, the eBay Partner Network (EPN) isn't ideal, but it's an excellent place for new affiliates to get started, often in conjunction with the Amazon Associates Program. The commission’s quite attractive too - you can earn up to $12.49 per sale. Pros The EPN actively invites newcomers and has a low admission threshold A well-known brand name that is recognized worldwide Products available for purchase in the tens of millions The value you can provide your customers is often better than what Amazon offers Somewhat high commissions, up to 70% for each sale PayPal is an option for receiving payments. Cons Only a session-based cookie, with a lifespan of 24 hours, could make this situation even more dire than it is Reproductions and knockoffs abound on their webstore’s shelves Affiliate Platform Our Score Pricing eBay ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free Which Type of Affiliate Marketing Program Is Best for You? Choosing the right affiliate program is a significant decision. If you're interested in making money online, then affiliate marketing is a great way to do it. It's possible to make money from your blog, videos, and images when you're part of an affiliate program. Performing well within affiliate marketing programs is not as simple as it sounds. You need to either be a creative type or have a knack for marketing if you want to be successful. Here are a few things you need to consider: How easy the program is to navigate and use. As a new affiliate marketer, you want to minimize the amount of work you have to do. That means joining up for affiliate programs that not only make sense, but are also equal parts superb management and outstanding design. So why bother with a sophisticated interface when you don't even have to interact with it at all? A
