12 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners

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This page covers 12 programs that a new affiliate is likely to come across, from large retail programs to networks that connect you with many brands at once. I picked them based on how easy they are to join, how widely they are used, and whether a beginner can make sense of their terms without a lot of prior experience.

I have not joined every one of these as a publisher, so I will say so where it matters. The first thing to check is how each program pays, because a high commission rate means little if the approval rules are hard to meet or the payout threshold is out of reach.

You will find a side-by-side comparison first, followed by a closer look at each program. Where a program has its own page on this site, I point you there rather than repeat the detail.

Let's dive in.

Affiliate programs at a glance

Guides on this site

A closer look at each

1. Amazon Associates: The most familiar starting point, and the one many beginners ask about first. You join for free, get a tracking link for almost any product Amazon sells, and earn a commission when a buyer purchases within the cookie window. Amazon's rate varies by category, and its approval rules are strict about sales within the first months.

2. ShareASale: A network with many merchants in one place, useful for beginners who want choice. Instead of signing up with each store separately, you apply to individual merchants through one account. Approval varies by merchant, so a new affiliate often starts with a few programs that accept applications from sites like yours.

3. ClickBank: Digital products with high commission percentages, and a long-standing marketplace. Its catalog is mostly ebooks, courses and software, and many vendors pay a large share of each sale, often in the range of 50 percent or more. Check each product's refund rate and sales page before promoting it, since quality varies widely.

4. CJ Affiliate: A large network with established brands, suited to people who plan to grow. Many well-known retailers and software companies run programs here, and the network offers reporting tools that help you see which links convert. Approval is often more selective, so it tends to suit sites with a steady audience.

5. Awin: A network with a broad merchant range, especially strong in some regions. It works with retailers across many countries, which makes it useful if your audience is outside the US. Like other networks, each merchant sets its own approval rules and commission rates, so read the terms for each program you apply to.

6. Shopify Affiliate Program: A software program that pays for referrals, popular with people who write about business. If you publish guides on starting or running an online store, you can refer readers to Shopify and earn a recurring share while they stay subscribed. Payout terms and requirements are set by Shopify, so read the current terms before you apply.

7. HubSpot Affiliate Program: HubSpot pays recurring commissions on software subscriptions, so a customer you refer can keep generating payments while they stay subscribed. It suits marketing and sales content, since readers already looking at CRM or email tools are the ones who tend to buy. Check the current commission terms and cookie window on the program page before you apply.

8. Rakuten Advertising: Rakuten Advertising is a large network that connects affiliates with many retail brands, which makes it a common alternative to Amazon. Instead of one store, you apply to individual brands through one account and one dashboard. Approval rules and payout thresholds differ by merchant, so read each brand's terms before you promote it.

9. eBay Partner Network: The eBay Partner Network suits people who write about buying and selling secondhand or niche items, such as vintage gear, collectibles or hard-to-find parts. Your links send readers to eBay listings, and you earn a commission when a qualifying purchase is made. Because the inventory is so varied, it works best when your content already covers a specific niche.

10. Free Affiliate Programs: Many affiliate programs cost nothing to join, which matters when you are testing the idea. You can sign up, add a few links to your content, and see whether anyone clicks before you spend anything. Free to join does not mean free to earn from, so check the commission rate, cookie length and payout minimum. The free programs page covers what is free and what to watch for.

11. Programs With Recurring Commissions: A recurring commission pays you each month for as long as a customer you referred stays subscribed. A single sale pays once, but a subscription can keep paying for months or years. This can build income over time, though the early months usually bring the smallest payments. Look for the words "recurring" or "lifetime" in the terms, and confirm how long the payments last.

12. Creator and Course Platforms: Creator and course platforms are tools that creators already use to host courses, newsletters, memberships or online stores. Since you may already know these tools from using them, recommending one is easier to do honestly. Platforms like these often pay a percentage of each sale or subscription, so compare the commission structure and cookie window before you commit.

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