What makes an affiliate marketing network lucrative?

The lucrative nature of an affiliate network depends on several factors such as commission rates, the quantity, and quality of advertisers, reliability of tracking, regularity of payments, quality of support, and the reputation of the network.

Are affiliate networks free to join?

In most cases, affiliate networks are free to join as an affiliate or publisher, though they often use an approval process to ensure affiliates are suitable for their advertisers.

Start From the Top: The 9 Most Lucrative Affiliate Marketing Networks

Q: What are Affiliate Marketing Networks?

Affiliate Marketing Networks are platforms where publishers can connect with brands that offer affiliate programs. These networks make it easier for both parties to manage, track, promote, and settle their affiliate marketing efforts.

August 28, 2023

Affiliate Marketing is an extremely powerful way to drive traffic and revenue, and it has made many people rich in the last couple of decades. Merchants are constantly on the lookout for fresh talent that can help them drive sales through intelligent marketing strategies — and that is where affiliate networks come into play.

There are many opportunities to make big bucks with the right affiliate marketing networks, and in this article, we will explore 9 of the best networks that can help you drive sales and traffic like never before.

However, before we dive into the subject, let us first go through the basics of affiliate marketing networks.

Affiliate marketing networks offer significant opportunities for businesses and marketers alike. These networks serve as a bridge, connecting merchants eager for sales with marketers equipped with the right strategies for high-profit returns. Leveraging strong affiliate marketing networks can provide powerful outcomes – including boosting your online presence and increasing revenue. Check out our comprehensive guide on the general workings of these networks, and if you’re particularly interested in software as a service (SaaS) businesses, we’ve also compiled an insightful resource on affiliate marketing for SaaS businesses.

What Are Affiliate Marketing Networks?

Affiliate marketing networks are intermediaries between merchants and affiliate marketers. They provide various services such as tracking and reporting, payment processing, and management of affiliate relationships. Affiliate marketers use these networks to find and promote products from merchants, and earn commissions on resulting sales.

Here’s how it works:

A merchant will join the network and list their products or services. They will then set the commission rate that they are willing to pay to affiliate marketers for promoting their products.
Affiliate marketers will then join the network, and browse through the merchant’s products or services. They will then choose the ones they wish to promote, and the network will provide them with a unique link or code to track the sales that they generate.
The affiliate marketer will then promote the merchant’s products through their website, social media, email, or other marketing channels.
When a customer clicks on the affiliate’s unique link and makes a purchase, the sale is tracked by the network, and the affiliate is credited with the commission.
The network will then pay the affiliate the commission, and the merchant will pay the network a fee for its services.

Note: It’s important to mention that the commission rate and payment methods vary depending on the network, merchant, and the agreement between them.

So, without further ado, here are 9 of the best affiliate marketing networks currently available.

9. Skimlinks

Skimlinks is an affiliate marketing network and platform that offers a service primarily geared towards publishers and content creators. It enables these publishers to easily monetize their content by automatically converting regular product links within their content into affiliate links, thus allowing them to earn commissions on sales generated through those links. Here are some key points about Skimlinks:

Content Monetization: Skimlinks is designed to help publishers monetize their websites, blogs, or other content-driven platforms by turning regular product mentions or links into affiliate links. This means that if a reader clicks on a product link and makes a purchase, the publisher earns a commission.

Wide Network of Merchants: Skimlinks has partnerships with a wide range of online retailers and merchants, including major e-commerce companies. This allows publishers to promote products from various categories and industries.

Automatic Link Conversion: One of the primary advantages of Skimlinks is its automation. Publishers don’t need to manually join individual affiliate programs for each merchant they want to promote. Instead, Skimlinks handles this process by automatically affiliating links to participating merchants.

Ease of Use: Skimlinks provides publishers with an easy-to-use platform. After integrating Skimlinks into their website or content management system, publishers can typically set it and forget it, letting the platform handle the affiliate link conversion process.

Analytics and Reporting: Skimlinks offers analytics and reporting tools that allow publishers to track the performance of their affiliate links. This includes information on clicks, conversions, and earnings, which can be valuable for optimizing content and marketing strategies.

Payment Processing: Skimlinks aggregates earnings from various affiliate programs and merchants and pays publishers regularly, often on a monthly cycle. Payment methods and minimum payout thresholds can vary depending on the publisher’s location.

Compliance and Transparency: Skimlinks emphasizes compliance with affiliate marketing regulations and transparency. They work to ensure that publishers are aware of the affiliate relationships being created and that the necessary disclosures are in place.

Customization: Publishers can customize their affiliate settings within the Skimlinks platform, allowing them to control which merchants and types of products they want to promote. This helps align affiliate marketing efforts with their content and audience.

Support and Resources: Skimlinks typically provides support and resources to help publishers make the most of their affiliate marketing efforts. This may include educational materials, webinars, and access to a support team.

Costs and Fees: Skimlinks operates on a revenue-sharing model, where they take a percentage of the commissions earned by publishers as a fee for their services. The exact percentage can vary.

8. FlexOffers

FlexOffers is a well-established affiliate marketing network that connects advertisers and publishers to facilitate performance-based marketing partnerships. Here’s some key information about FlexOffers:

Affiliate Network: FlexOffers operates as an affiliate marketing network, which means it acts as an intermediary between advertisers (brands or businesses) and publishers (individuals or websites) looking to promote products or services. It provides a platform for advertisers to reach a broader audience through various publishers.

Advertisers: FlexOffers works with a diverse range of advertisers across various industries, including e-commerce, finance, health, technology, and more. Advertisers partner with FlexOffers to promote their products or services through affiliate marketing.

Publishers: Publishers, also known as affiliates, partner with FlexOffers to access a wide range of affiliate programs. These publishers promote advertisers’ offerings through their websites, email marketing, social media, or other digital channels. They earn commissions for driving desired actions, such as clicks, leads, or sales.

Affiliate Programs: FlexOffers provides a marketplace of affiliate programs from different advertisers. Publishers can browse and choose programs that align with their niche or audience. Each program has its own set of terms, commissions, and promotional materials.

Reporting and Analytics: FlexOffers offers robust reporting and analytics tools that allow both advertisers and publishers to track the performance of their campaigns. This data helps them make informed decisions and optimize their marketing strategies.

Payment: FlexOffers manages payments between advertisers and publishers. Publishers typically receive payments on a predetermined schedule, often monthly, based on the commissions they’ve earned.

Compliance: FlexOffers emphasizes compliance with industry regulations and best practices, ensuring that affiliates adhere to ethical marketing standards.

Support: The network offers customer support and assistance to both advertisers and publishers, helping them navigate the affiliate marketing landscape effectively.

7. eBay Partner Network

The eBay Partner Network (EPN) is eBay’s official affiliate marketing program that allows individuals and businesses to earn commissions by promoting eBay products and driving traffic to the eBay platform. Here’s an overview of the eBay Partner Network affiliate program:

Affiliate Marketing: EPN is an affiliate marketing program, which means participants (affiliates or publishers) partner with eBay to promote eBay listings and earn commissions on successful transactions.

Affiliate Types: EPN accommodates various types of affiliates, including content creators, bloggers, website owners, social media influencers, and marketers. Affiliates can promote eBay listings through a range of digital channels.

Commission Structure: Affiliates earn commissions based on the transactions generated through their affiliate links. Commissions are typically a percentage of the final sale price (excluding taxes, shipping, and returns) and vary depending on the product category. Some product categories may offer higher commission rates than others.

Tracking and Reporting: EPN provides tracking tools and detailed reporting to affiliates, allowing them to monitor their earnings, clicks, impressions, and conversion rates. This data helps affiliates optimize their marketing efforts.

Link Generation: Affiliates can create custom affiliate links for eBay listings using the EPN portal. These links are unique to each affiliate and are used to track referrals.

Promotional Tools: EPN offers various promotional tools, including banners, widgets, and product feeds, to help affiliates effectively promote eBay listings and integrate them into their websites or content.

Payment: Affiliates typically receive payments every month, provided they meet the minimum payment threshold. Payment methods may vary by region but often include PayPal and direct deposit.

Global Reach: eBay is a global e-commerce platform, so EPN offers affiliates the opportunity to promote products to a worldwide audience, potentially increasing their earning potential.

Policies and Guidelines: Affiliates are required to adhere to eBay’s policies and guidelines when participating in the program. Violations of these policies can lead to account suspension or termination.
Support: EPN provides customer support to assist affiliates with any questions or issues they may encounter while using the program.

6. PartnerStack

PartnerStack is a popular affiliate network and partner management platform that helps companies manage and grow their affiliate and partner marketing programs. Here’s an overview of PartnerStack:

Affiliate Management Platform: PartnerStack provides businesses with a comprehensive platform to manage their affiliate and partner marketing activities. It’s designed to streamline the process of recruiting, onboarding, and managing affiliates and partners.

Diverse Network: PartnerStack connects businesses with a diverse network of affiliates and partners, including content creators, influencers, marketers, and other individuals or organizations interested in promoting products or services.

Recruitment: Companies can use PartnerStack to find and recruit affiliates and partners who align with their brand and target audience. This includes searching for affiliates based on specific criteria, such as industry, niche, or geographical location.

Onboarding and Training: The platform offers tools for onboarding and training affiliates. This ensures that affiliates understand the product or service they’re promoting and have the resources they need to be successful.

Campaign Management: PartnerStack allows businesses to create and manage marketing campaigns specifically tailored to their affiliates. This can include providing affiliates with marketing materials, tracking links, and performance metrics.

Tracking and Analytics: The platform provides robust tracking and analytics capabilities. Businesses can monitor affiliate performance, track conversions, measure ROI, and gain insights into which affiliates are driving the most sales or leads.

Commissions and Payouts: PartnerStack automates commission tracking and payout processes. Companies can set commission rates, manage payouts, and ensure affiliates are compensated accurately and on time.

Customization: The platform is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor their affiliate programs to their unique needs and branding.

Integration: PartnerStack integrates with various e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and marketing tools, making it easier for businesses to incorporate affiliate marketing into their existing tech stack.

Compliance and Fraud Prevention: PartnerStack includes features for compliance monitoring and fraud prevention to maintain the integrity of affiliate marketing programs.

Support and Resources: PartnerStack offers support and resources to assist businesses and affiliates in getting the most out of the platform. This can include educational materials, webinars, and customer support.

5. Rakuten Marketing

Rakuten Marketing is a global digital advertising and marketing company that offers a wide range of services to help businesses reach and engage their target audience, drive sales, and grow their brand presence online. Here are some key aspects of Rakuten Marketing:

Global Presence: Rakuten Marketing operates on a global scale, with offices and partners in various countries, providing businesses with access to an extensive network of publishers and advertisers around the world.

Affiliate Marketing: Rakuten Marketing is known for its affiliate marketing platform, which connects businesses with a network of affiliate publishers. These publishers promote the products or services of advertisers, earning a commission for each successful sale or lead they generate.

Ad Management: The company offers advanced ad management solutions, including display advertising, paid search, and social media advertising. These services help businesses create and manage effective digital ad campaigns to reach their target audience.

Attribution Modeling: Rakuten Marketing provides tools and analytics to help businesses understand the customer journey and attribute conversions to various touchpoints. This enables a more accurate measurement of the effectiveness of marketing channels.

Personalization: The platform includes personalization features that allow businesses to tailor their marketing messages to individual users based on their behavior, preferences, and demographics.

Data and Analytics: Rakuten Marketing offers robust data analytics and reporting tools, giving businesses insights into their campaigns’ performance and helping them make data-driven decisions.

Creative Services: The company provides innovative services to assist businesses in designing compelling digital ad creatives, landing pages, and marketing materials.

Partnerships and Alliances: Rakuten Marketing has formed strategic partnerships and alliances with major brands and publishers, enhancing the reach and capabilities of its advertising network.

Technology Integration: The platform is designed to integrate with various e-commerce platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and other marketing technologies, allowing for seamless data exchange and campaign management.
Customer Support: Rakuten Marketing offers customer support and account management services to help businesses get the most out of their marketing efforts.

4. Commission Junction

Commission Junction, often referred to as CJ Affiliate is one of the world’s largest and most well-established affiliate marketing networks. It serves as an intermediary between advertisers (often e-commerce businesses) and publishers (website owners and marketers). CJ Affiliate facilitates partnerships that allow publishers to promote products or services from advertisers and earn commissions on sales, leads, or other desired actions. Here are some key features and aspects of the Commission Junction affiliate network:

Vast Network: CJ Affiliate boasts a vast network of advertisers and publishers, making it one of the most extensive affiliate marketing platforms globally. This network spans various industries, including retail, finance, travel, and more.
Advertiser Diversity: Advertisers in the CJ Affiliate network range from small businesses to well-known brands and corporations. This diversity provides publishers with a wide array of products and services to promote.
Publisher Types: CJ Affiliate accommodates various types of publishers, including content creators, bloggers, social media influencers, coupon sites, and more. Publishers can choose the advertiser partnerships that align with their content and audience.
Performance-Based: Like most affiliate marketing networks, CJ Affiliate operates on a performance-based model. Publishers are compensated when their referred visitors take specific actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a form.
Advanced Tracking and Reporting: CJ Affiliate offers robust tracking and reporting tools, allowing both advertisers and publishers to monitor the performance of their affiliate marketing campaigns. This data helps optimize strategies and improve results.
Real-Time Insights: The platform provides real-time insights into clicks, conversions, and commissions earned, enabling publishers to make informed decisions about their campaigns.
Payment Processing: CJ Affiliate manages commission payments, ensuring that publishers receive their earnings accurately and on time. Payment methods typically include checks, direct deposits, and wire transfers.
Support and Resources: CJ Affiliate offers support to both advertisers and publishers, including educational resources, best practices, and dedicated account management.
Global Reach: CJ Affiliate operates internationally, connecting advertisers and publishers from around the world. This global reach opens up opportunities for businesses to expand their reach to new markets.
Integration: The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with various e-commerce and content management systems, making it easier for publishers to incorporate affiliate links into their websites and content.

3. ClickBank

ClickBank is a prominent and long-standing affiliate marketing network that specializes in digital products. It has been a key player in the industry since its founding in 1998. ClickBank serves as a marketplace connecting product vendors (creators of digital products) with affiliate marketers (publishers) who promote those products in exchange for commissions. Here are some important aspects of the ClickBank affiliate network:

Digital Products: ClickBank primarily focuses on digital products, such as e-books, online courses, software, and digital downloads. This niche distinguishes it from networks that deal with physical goods.
Wide Product Variety: ClickBank offers a wide range of product categories, from self-help and health to business and marketing. This diversity allows affiliate marketers to select products that align with their niche or target audience.
Ease of Use: ClickBank is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced affiliate marketers. Publishers can quickly navigate the platform to find suitable products to promote.
Affiliate Marketplace: ClickBank’s marketplace lists available products, providing details about each product, its commission rate, and other relevant information. Marketers can search for products that match their interests.
High Commissions: Some ClickBank products offer high commission rates, often exceeding 50% of the product’s price. This can be attractive to affiliate marketers seeking substantial earnings.
Performance Metrics: ClickBank provides performance metrics and reporting tools that enable affiliates to track clicks, sales, and commissions in real time. This data helps optimize marketing strategies.
Payment Reliability: ClickBank is known for its reliable and consistent payment system. Affiliates receive their earnings on time, typically via check or direct deposit.
Refund Policy: ClickBank has a refund policy for customers who purchase products through the platform. While this protects consumers, affiliates may experience chargebacks if refunds occur.
Global Reach: ClickBank has a global presence, allowing affiliates from various countries to participate in its network.
Affiliate Resources: ClickBank offers educational resources, training materials, and a support center to help affiliate marketers succeed.
Vendor Services: ClickBank not only serves affiliates but also provides services to product vendors, making it a full-service platform for digital product creators.
Gravity Score: ClickBank assigns a “Gravity” score to each product, indicating its popularity and performance. Higher Gravity scores may suggest products with more potential for affiliate success.

2. ShareSale

ShareASale is an affiliate marketing network that connects product vendors with affiliate marketers. Founded in 2000, it has become one of the well-established players in the affiliate marketing industry. Here are some key features and aspects of the ShareASale affiliate network:

Diverse Merchants: ShareASale works with a wide range of product vendors, from small businesses to large corporations. This diversity means affiliates can find products in various niches and industries.
Variety of Products: Affiliates have access to a vast array of products and services to promote, including physical goods, digital products, software, and more. This variety allows marketers to choose products that align with their interests and expertise.
User-Friendly Interface: ShareASale provides an intuitive and user-friendly platform that allows affiliates to search for products, generate affiliate links, and track their performance quickly.
Real-Time Reporting: The network offers real-time reporting and analytics tools, enabling affiliates to monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings as they happen.
High-Quality Merchants: ShareASale is known for its rigorous merchant approval process. This ensures affiliates can partner with reputable and trustworthy vendors.
Affiliate Recruitment Tools: ShareASale provides tools for affiliates to recruit sub-affiliates, expanding their network and potentially increasing their earnings.
Reliable Payments: Affiliates can expect reliable and on-time payments from ShareASale. Payment options typically include checks, direct deposit, and wire transfers.
Performance Incentives: Many merchants on ShareASale offer performance-based incentives and bonuses to top-performing affiliates.
Deep Linking: Affiliates can create deep links to specific product pages, increasing the relevance and effectiveness of their promotions.
Customizable Widgets: Some merchants offer customizable widgets that affiliates can embed on their websites, enhancing the user experience and potentially boosting conversions.
Affiliate Support: ShareASale provides customer support and resources to help affiliates navigate the platform and succeed in their marketing efforts.
Affiliate Recruitment: In addition to being an affiliate, ShareASale allows marketers to become merchants. This means affiliates can create and manage their affiliate programs, recruiting other marketers to promote their products.
Tracking Technology: ShareASale employs advanced tracking technology to ensure accurate affiliate commission tracking.
Network Reputation: ShareASale has a reputation for being a reliable and reputable affiliate network, attracting both new and experienced affiliates.

1. Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is an affiliate marketing program run by Amazon, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. It allows individuals and website owners to earn commissions by promoting and driving traffic to Amazon products through unique affiliate links. Here are some key points about the Amazon Associates affiliate network:

Affiliate Commissions: Amazon Associates members can earn commissions on products sold through their referral links. The commission rates vary depending on the product category, ranging from around 1% to 10% or more, with higher rates often offered for Amazon’s products like Kindle devices or Amazon Echo.
Easy to Join: It’s relatively easy to join the Amazon Associates program. You can sign up for free on the Amazon Associates website and gain access to a variety of promotional tools, such as text links, banners, and widgets, to help you promote products.
Wide Product Selection: Amazon offers a vast selection of products, making it possible for affiliates to find products that align with their niche or target audience. This wide range of products is one reason why Amazon Associates is popular among affiliate marketers.
Geographical Flexibility: Amazon has separate affiliate programs for different countries and regions, allowing affiliates to earn commissions from Amazon’s international websites. This flexibility makes it accessible to a global audience.
Cookie Duration: When a user clicks on an affiliate link, Amazon places a cookie on their browser. This cookie lasts for 24 hours, which means that the affiliate will earn a commission on any purchases made by the user within that time frame. Some other affiliate programs offer longer cookie durations, but Amazon’s 24-hour window is still competitive.
Payment Options: Amazon pays affiliates through various methods, including direct bank deposit, Amazon gift cards, and checks. The minimum payout threshold varies depending on the payment method and the country.
Reporting and Analytics: Amazon Associates provides affiliates with access to a robust reporting and analytics dashboard. This allows affiliates to track their performance, monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings, and optimize their marketing efforts accordingly.
Compliance and Policies: Amazon has strict guidelines and policies that affiliates must adhere to. Violating these policies can result in the termination of an affiliate’s account. These guidelines are designed to ensure that affiliates promote Amazon products fairly and transparently.
Product Linking: Amazon offers various tools for creating affiliate links, including individual product links, native shopping ads, and entire product storefronts. Affiliates can choose the method that best suits their content and audience.
Content Creation: Successful Amazon Associates often create content such as product reviews, tutorials, and blog posts that incorporate affiliate links naturally. Building trust with their audience is essential for long-term success.

Final Words

Affiliate marketing is one of the most lucrative ways to grow your audience and business in today’s competitive climate. Affiliate systems make it much easier for you to connect with partners so that you can focus on what you do best: making your product or service as best as it can be.

However, before you make the jump, make sure to research affiliate marketing networks carefully and find out which platform would best fit your specific business needs.

While you’re here, you may also want to learn more about…

TheAffiliatePlatform by Smartico.ai: A Dedicated Solution For All Your Affiliate Marketing Needs

Powered by Smartico.ai, TheAffiliatePlatform is a comprehensive software solution that allows for multi-brand campaign creation and tracking while keeping each brand’s affiliate registrations and access separate.

With this affiliate system tailor-made for online casinos and sports betting, you can build strong partner relationships and expand your affiliate network on your terms. Its flexible tools can also help you optimize your affiliate marketing spending with surprising efficiency.

This white-label platform is designed specifically for casino, poker, sportsbook, and fintech operators and comes in various languages.

In addition, TheAffiliatePlatform offers the following features and benefits:

Collaboration With Partners — The Dedicated Account Manager is part of the service via any of the instant messaging apps (Slack, Skype, Teams) and Jira.
Convenient Pricing — We don’t charge by your results, clicks, or conversion — one price for all.
Ease of Use — Allows your team total control over your entire affiliate operation, including overseeing your team of affiliate managers, affiliate management, real-time reporting, payments, and comprehensive BI reporting.
Total Control In One Customizable Platform — Tap into the power of a fully customizable affiliate management solution designed to manage your affiliate marketing campaigns, payouts, creative assets, and more. Upload, update, and manage all your creatives across your entire affiliate network.
Track Everything In One Place, Build The Partnership You Want — TheAffiliatePlatform can make your next campaign the most successful one yet. It is a powerful affiliate software platform that brings casino and betting operators advanced solutions for creating, running, and tracking multi-brand affiliate marketing campaigns.
Comprehensive Feature-Rich Tracking — TheAffiliatePlatform provides real-time and accurate conversion tracking and records via API integration, FTP solutions, traffic sources, and media placements. It also features broadly advanced no cookie dependencies methods like Server 2 Server (S2S/Postback), Image pixel, iFrame, Client JS Block, and Facebook pixel, which are ideal for advanced affiliate marketers.
Multi-Product & Multi-Brand System — TheAffiliatePlatform allows for multi-brand campaign creation and tracking and keeps the affiliate registrations and access separate for each brand. Different commission plans can be assigned per product and brand. Unite your iGaming brands into one affiliate program and manage them from one admin panel.

TheAffiliatePlatform offers many more tools, and, driven by customer requests, new features and functionalities are released every month. Please schedule your free in-depth demo below.

Remember to choose the tools that align with your specific tracking and measurement needs, budget, and technical capabilities. It’s also beneficial to experiment with different tools and find the ones that work best for your affiliate marketing strategies.

TheAffiliatePlatform team wishes you the best of luck on your journey in affiliate marketing!