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As a content creator, affiliate programs and networks like RewardStyle, Amazon Associates, Creator Hero and ShareASale provide excellent opportunities to monetize your content and increase your revenue. By promoting products and services through personalized affiliate links, you can earn commissions while engaging your audience. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 influencer affiliate programs and networks, highlighting the ones with the highest payouts, key features, and those best suited to your niche.
Our research tracked 50 top creators over a 5-week period to analyze which programs were most frequently used, providing you with data-driven insights on the most effective and popular options. To skip the rest and directly access the results of this research, click here.
Before we dive into the different options available, let's first take a quick look at what affiliate programs & networks are and how they work.
Affiliate networks are platforms that help to connect brands & advertisers with content creators and publishers. You can consider it a matching platform where content creators and publishers can browse through different affiliate programs.
Once you sign up for these affiliate networks, they provide the tools to track your affiliates. This typically works through a personalized link that you, as the content creator, can embed into your social media posts, blog articles or newsletters.
Every time someone from your audience clicks on that link, you will be compensated based on certain actions.
Affiliate networks often offer different ways content creators and publishers are being compensated. Below are some of the most common examples.
The most common way affiliates are compensated is based on conversions. E.g. if you are a beauty influencer and someone from your audience places an order through your affiliate link you would receive a commission.
Some brands offer a certain amount for each click you receive. The term used to explain this is CPC (cost per click) and tells how much the brand / advertisers pays for each click.
Certain business models also compensate based on leads. Leads can be a user filling out a form, subscribing to a newsletter or any other action taken by the prospective customer. The term referred to this is CPA (cost per action) or CPL (cost per lead).
The Amazon Influencer Program is one of the biggest affiliate programs for creators. It allows you to earn commissions by recommending Amazon products through personalized storefronts or affiliate links. With a vast range of products available, you can promote items that align with your niche and audience. The program is ideal for influencers on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, making it easy to share products with followers and track performance.
Below are some of the most important benefits of the Amazon influencer program.
With over 350 million different products across various categories. Amazon offers the biggest catalogue of products to choose from. Ranging from electronics, fashion, and home goods to beauty, books, groceries and more.
Many consumers already trust Amazon as a go-to marketplace, so you benefit from promoting products on a platform that their audience is likely familiar with and trusts. This can lead to higher conversion rates and hence bigger earnings for you as a content creator.
Influencers can create their own customized storefronts, showcasing recommended products in an organized manner. This gives creators a unique space to display their favorite items in a way that reflects their personal brand.
Amazon provides access to performance data, including clicks, earnings, and conversion rates, allowing you to track how well your affiliate links are performing in real time.
Since Amazon operates in multiple countries, if you have an international audience you can promote products to followers worldwide, increasing your earning potential.The Amazon influencer program is currently available in: the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Canada and India.
Below are some of the most important drawbacks of the Amazon influencer program.
Depending on the product category, commission rates can be as low as 1%, especially for electronics and certain other items. This might limit your earnings, particularly if you focus on high-ticket products with low margins. Below is an overview of the commission you earn for each category on the Amazon influencer program.
Amazon's 24-hour cookie window is relatively short compared to other affiliate programs, meaning you’ll only earn a commission if a purchase is made within that time frame. This can make it harder to capitalize on conversions unless customers act quickly.
While the Amazon storefront allows some personalization, there are limits to how much you can design and brand it to match your personal style. You may find it less flexible compared to Creator Hero or running your own e-commerce shop.
Creator Hero is a customizable storefront which allows you to create your own custom shop. The main difference to other affiliate programs & networks is that you have your own shop, which makes it very similar to operating your own e-commerce but without all the operational aspects of running an e-commerce business.
You can browse through a large catalog of different brands, drag them into your custom storefront, customize the product pages by uploading your own images, change the product descriptions (optional) and start selling. Once someone clicks on the product, it refers to the respective brand. Creator Hero offers the highest affiliate commissions.
Below are some of the most important benefits of Creator Hero.
With 20 - 50% commission rates Creator Hero offers the highest commission rates of all affiliate programs making it an attractive option if you are looking to maximize your earnings.
Although not as extensive as Amazon Creator Hero offers a wide range of different brands you can choose from making it attractive for content creators in different niches.
As Creator Hero uses an approval system from brands to be part of their network the catalogue of brands includes high quality products with brands offering good customer service avoiding any issues with complaints and making it easy to create a good looking storefront with high quality images.
Creator Hero offers two ways for you to get started. A one pager which is a simple one click set up page where you can add your favourite products or the full store option. If you have limited time the one pager is an easy way to get started with a few clicks
If you choose to go for the full store option Creator Hero offers a wide range of personalization elements allowing you to create your own beautifully designed shop. You can change the images on the product page to upload images of you using the product, update the product descriptions and more more.
Creator Hero is probably the closest you get to building your own business without having to take are of logistics, fulfillment and customer support. Creator Hero allows you to build up your own customer list by collecting the emails of your customers.
Through Creator Hero’s blog creation CMS you can create your own blog which is ideal for subtle product placements. Imagine adding various affiliate links to kitchen products throughout your recipe.
Below are some of the most important drawbacks of Creator Hero
As the brand catalogue isn’t as big as Amazon, if you are a content creator looking to sell very long tail niche products they might not be available within Creator Hero.
With LTK, you can seamlessly earn commissions by sharing shoppable links across your social media, blog, or the LTK app. It's especially popular in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle niches, helping you transform your content into a revenue stream while making it easy for your followers to shop your recommendations.
Below are some of the most important benefits of LTK.
In addition to earning affiliate commissions, LTK creators often have the opportunity to engage in sponsored collaborations with brands. These partnerships might involve creating exclusive content, such as product reviews, tutorials, or featured posts, in exchange for a fixed fee on top of commissions from sales.
Due to the many customers shopping or doing research on LTK people outside of your own audience could discover your content which can lead to increased following and earnings if they purchase sth through your page.
Although not as high as Creator Hero LTK offers higher commission rates compared to Amazon.
LTK makes it easy for you to share shoppable links across your social media channels, blog, or the LTK app, making it seamless for your followers to purchase products you recommend.
You’ll benefit from comprehensive analytics that track your sales, commissions, and audience interactions, helping you fine-tune your strategy to maximize results.
LTK provides timely and reliable payouts, ensuring you can access your earnings easily without unnecessary delays.
Below are some of the most important drawbacks of LTK
Some creators complain about the overall look and feel of the LTK platform. It often looks very commercial and unorganized.
Due to the lack of customization, it can be difficult to create a unique shipping experience for your followers.
LTK is more popular in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories, so if your content is outside these niches, opportunities might be more limited.
Not all creators get approved for LTK, and the application process can be selective, particularly if you’re just starting and haven’t built a significant following yet.
While LTK provides commissions, payments can sometimes take longer to process, especially when dealing with international brands, creating cash flow delays.
Like many influencer platforms, changes in LTK’s algorithm or policies can impact your reach, visibility, and earnings, requiring constant adaptation.
ShareASale is a more traditional affiliate network that acts as a matching platform between brands & advertisers and content creators & publishers. You can browse through various brands which offer their affiliate program on the platform.
ShareASale offers access to a wide range of niches, from fashion and beauty to technology and home goods. Its easy-to-use interface, reliable tracking system, and transparent reporting make it a great platform to monetize your content through affiliate partnerships.
Below are some of the most important benefits of ShareASale.
You have access to over 30K brands across various industries, allowing you to promote products that align with your niche and audience interests.
ShareASale’s user-friendly platform makes it simple for you to find, apply to, and manage affiliate partnerships.
You can promote products in multiple categories such as fashion, tech, home goods, and more, giving you flexibility in your content.
ShareASale ensures that you get paid regularly and reliably, with multiple payout options available for your convenience.
Whether you’re a new or established content creator, ShareASale has affiliate programs with varying entry requirements, making it accessible to creators at all levels.
Below are the biggest drawbacks of using ShareASale as a content creator
Compared to Creator Hero or LTK, ShareASale limits it self in providing a marketplace. Although it is great to find affiliate programs it doesn’t provide sophisticated tools to support you as a content creator.
You must apply and get approved by individual merchants, which can be time-consuming, and some brands may reject your application based on their criteria.
ShareASale caters to many industries, but it might not be as specialized in certain niches compared to other platforms, limiting your options if you focus on a specific area.
The majority of merchants are U.S.-based, which may limit your options if you have a global audience or want to promote international products.
Delayed Payments: While ShareASale pays reliably, payments can sometimes take longer if merchants are slow to approve commissions or if there are delays in transaction processing.
Awin is a global affiliate marketing network that connects you with over 21,000 brands across various industries. Similar to ShareASale Awin is a traditional matching platform connecting brands & advertisers with publishers and content creators.
The platform offers reliable tracking, detailed reporting, and flexible payment options, making it easy for you to manage your affiliate partnerships and maximize your earnings. Awin’s global reach ensures opportunities for both local and international markets.
Below are some of the most important benefits of using Awin as a content creator.
Awin connects you with over 21,000 brands, allowing you to tap into both local and international markets, expanding your reach and opportunities. Although by being a German company it has a stronger presence in Europe.
Many merchants offer cookies lasting 30 to 90 days, giving you a longer window to earn commissions from your audience’s purchases.
Awin provides real-time analytics, helping you easily track clicks, sales, and commissions to optimize your affiliate marketing strategy.
You can count on timely payouts with multiple payout options, ensuring you receive your commissions without hassle.
Partner with globally recognized brands like Etsy, HP, and AliExpress, boosting your credibility and appeal to followers.
Awin’s advanced tracking technology ensures you earn commissions from sales made on different devices, improving your earning potential.
Below are some of the most important drawbacks of using Awin.
You need to apply to each merchant individually, which can be time-consuming, and not all applications may be accepted.
Same as ShareASale, Awin also limits it self in providing a marketplace. Although it is great to find affiliate programs it doesn’t provide sophisticated tools to support you as a content creator.
The platform’s extensive features can be overwhelming for new content creators unfamiliar with affiliate marketing.
Some merchants have strict rules about how their affiliate links can be used, which may limit your creative freedom in promotions.
Refersion is a leading affiliate and influencer marketing platform used by over 60,000 brands to manage their affiliate programs. As a content creator, you can tap into a marketplace featuring thousands of affiliate programs and potentially earn commissions of up to 20% or more per sale, depending on the brand.
Refersion’s real-time tracking and detailed analytics ensure transparency, so you always know how your promotions are performing. Additionally, brands on Refersion collectively drive over $1 billion in annual sales, making it a powerful tool for boosting your affiliate marketing success.
Below are some of the most important benefits of using Refersion as a content creator.
Refersion gives you access to over 60,000 brands, allowing you to choose affiliate programs that align with your niche and audience.
With average cookie durations between 30 to 90 days, you have a better chance of earning commissions even if your audience doesn’t purchase immediately.
The platform offers detailed analytics, helping you understand your performance and refine your strategies to boost conversions and earnings.
Refersion’s intuitive design makes it easy for you to manage your affiliate relationships, track performance, and navigate the platform efficiently.
You can count on timely payouts with multiple payout options, ensuring you receive your commissions without unnecessary delays.
Refersion allows you to create customized affiliate links, making it easier to tailor your promotions to your audience’s preferences.
You can explore the Refersion Marketplace, where you’ll find a variety of affiliate programs across industries, giving you plenty of options to diversify your revenue streams.
Many brands on Refersion offer performance-based incentives, allowing you to earn extra commissions or bonuses for hitting certain sales targets.
Below are the most important drawbacks of using Refersion as a content creator.
You must apply to each brand individually, which can be time-consuming and may result in rejection if you don't meet specific criteria.
Commission rates vary significantly across merchants, meaning you may not always earn the same amount for promoting different products.
Some brands offer shorter cookie durations, reducing your window to earn commissions after a user clicks your affiliate link.
Payment schedules are controlled by individual brands, which can lead to delays in receiving your commissions.
Many content creators promote the same products on Refersion, making it harder for you to stand out and drive conversions.
ShopMy is a curated affiliate platform designed specifically for content creators, offering an easy way for you to monetize your influence. With ShopMy, you can create personalized, shoppable storefronts featuring products you recommend, making it simple for your audience to shop directly from your curated picks.
The platform provides seamless integration with social media, reliable tracking, and transparent commissions. Whether you're in beauty, fashion, or lifestyle, ShopMy allows you to showcase your favorite products and turn your recommendations into earnings.
Below are some of the most important benefits of using ShopMy.
ShopMy allows you to create customized, shoppable storefronts where you can feature products you recommend, giving your audience a direct and personalized shopping experience.
You can easily integrate your ShopMy storefront with your social media profiles, making it simple for your followers to shop directly from your curated product lists.
ShopMy provides clear commission rates, so you always know how much you’ll earn from each sale, helping you maximize your earnings.
The platform is intuitive and easy to use, making it simple for you to set up, manage, and promote your storefront without technical hassle.
ShopMy offers reliable tracking tools and analytics, allowing you to monitor your performance and optimize your strategy for better conversions and commissions.
The storefronts are simple and clean giving it a nice look when you care about aethetics.
Compared to larger affiliate platforms, ShopMy may have fewer brands available, which could limit your options when curating products for your audience.
ShopMy is particularly popular in lifestyle, beauty, and fashion niches, so if your content falls outside these areas, you may find fewer relevant products to promote.
The custom storefront is very simple but doesn’t provide much tools for customization. While it is easy to set up the personal touch is quite limited which can lower conversion rates.
ShopStyle Collective is a popular affiliate marketing platform designed for content creators, offering tools to monetize your influence through shoppable links and curated collections. As part of the ShopStyle Collective, you can partner with top fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands, earning commissions when your audience purchases through your links.
The platform provides advanced analytics, customizable widgets, and seamless integration with social media, making it easy to promote products and track your earnings. It’s an ideal choice for creators in the fashion and lifestyle niches looking to maximize their affiliate income.
Below are some of the most important benefits of Shopstyle Collective.
ShopStyle Collective allows you to create personalized storefronts, enabling your followers to easily shop all your recommended products in one place, which enhances the shopping experience.
You can partner with well-known brands in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, providing your audience with access to high-quality, recognizable products.
ShopStyle Collective offers competitive commission rates, allowing you to earn significant commissions on each sale driven through your links.
The platform provides detailed performance analytics, helping you track your sales, clicks, and commissions to optimize your affiliate strategy.
You can easily share shoppable links across social media platforms, making it convenient for your followers to shop your recommendations directly from your posts.
Below are some of the top drawbacks of using Shopstyle Collective
ShopStyle Collective primarily caters to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle niches, which limits opportunities if your content is outside these areas.
With many influencers promoting similar products, it can be challenging to stand out and drive conversions in a saturated market.
Commission rates vary across different brands and products, so your earnings may not always be consistent or predictable.
The platform’s extensive features and analytics tools may be overwhelming for new content creators unfamiliar with affiliate marketing.
Payments can sometimes take longer to process, especially if there are delays in confirming sales or commissions from merchants.
ShopYourLikes is a performance-driven affiliate platform designed specifically for content creators and influencers. It allows you to monetize your social media content by sharing shoppable links that generate earnings based on clicks and sales.
With a focus on simplicity, ShopYourLikes enables you to quickly create and share affiliate links from a wide range of brands across various niches. The platform also offers real-time tracking and transparent earnings reports, making it easy to track your performance and optimize your content for higher payouts.
Below are some of the most important benefits of using ShopYourLikes.
ShopYourLikes allows you to earn money based on clicks, not just sales, making it easier to generate income without needing your audience to make purchases.
You can promote products from a variety of popular brands across different industries, giving you flexibility to recommend products that resonate with your audience.
The platform provides real-time tracking of clicks and earnings, allowing you to monitor your performance and optimize your content quickly.
ShopYourLikes simplifies the process of creating affiliate links, so you can quickly generate and share them across your social media platforms.
Unlike some platforms, ShopYourLikes does not require a minimum follower count, making it accessible to creators of all sizes, from beginners to experienced influencers.
Below are some of the most important drawbags of using ShopMyLikes.
ShopYourLikes does not offer the ability to create customized storefronts, limiting how you can present products to your audience.
Earnings Based Solely on Clicks
While the pay-per-click model is straightforward, it may result in lower earnings compared to commission-based platforms that reward for actual sales.
Since ShopYourLikes focuses on clicks, it doesn’t offer traditional cookie tracking, meaning you won’t earn commissions from follow-up purchases made after the click.
The platform is heavily geared toward social media, which could limit its effectiveness if your primary content is on blogs or other platforms.
Earnings per click can vary significantly based on the brand and product, meaning you might not always see consistent returns for your efforts.
Rakuten Advertising is a global affiliate marketing network that connects content creators with top-tier brands across a wide range of industries. As a creator, you can monetize your content by promoting products from well-known companies in categories such as fashion, travel, and technology.
Rakuten Advertising offers competitive commission rates, advanced tracking, and detailed reporting, giving you full transparency into your earnings. With its global reach and reliable payment structure, it’s an excellent platform for creators looking to expand their affiliate marketing opportunities.
Below are some of the most important benefits of using Rakuten Advertising.
Rakuten Advertising connects you with top-tier global brands across multiple industries, giving you a wide selection of products to promote to your audience.
With commission rates often ranging from 5% to 20%, you can earn significant commissions by partnering with reputable brands.
Many merchants offer cookie durations between 30 to 90 days, giving you a longer window to earn commissions from your referrals.
The platform provides detailed performance analytics, helping you track your clicks, sales, and commissions, and optimize your affiliate marketing strategy.
Rakuten Advertising has a strong reputation for timely and reliable payouts, ensuring you receive your earnings consistently without delays.
Below are the most important drawbacks of using Rakuten Advertising.
You need to apply and get approved by individual merchants, which can be time-consuming, and not all applications may be accepted.
Commission rates can vary widely depending on the merchant, meaning you may not always earn as much as you expect for certain products.
The platform’s extensive tools and reporting features might be overwhelming for creators who are new to affiliate marketing.
While Rakuten Advertising is reliable overall, payment delays can occur if individual merchants are slow to confirm sales or process commissions.
Rakuten Advertising does not offer customizable storefronts, limiting how you present products to your audience compared to other platforms.
To find out which affiliate platform is most popular we tracked 50 influencers over a 1 month period and counted how often they link to their Amazon storefront, LTK or to brands (direct affiliate partnerships).
Below is an overview of the number of times the influencer posted to their Amazon, LTK and direct brand partnerships on average per week over 1 month period.
The findings revealed that Amazon storefronts were the most frequently used, with influencers linking to their Amazon pages an average of 12 times per week. LTK (LIKEtoKNOW.it) followed with an average of 7 posts per week, while direct brand affiliate partnerships were used about 6 times per week. This data shows that Amazon remains the dominant platform for influencer affiliate marketing, with LTK and direct brand partnerships also playing significant roles.
In conclusion, affiliate programs and networks provide a fantastic way for content creators to monetize their influence by promoting products that align with their niche. Whether you're looking for high commission rates, personalized storefronts, or seamless integration with social media, each platform offers unique benefits and drawbacks. It's essential to choose the affiliate program that best fits your audience and content style to maximize your earning potential. By understanding these platforms' strengths and limitations, you can make informed decisions and successfully grow your affiliate income.
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