The Best Networks for Affiliate Marketing in 2025

Do you want to generate passive money or monetize your blog? If so, you may want to think about becoming a member of an affiliate network.

This comprehensive tutorial explains what an affiliate network is, why you should join one, and a list of the best networks available to help you choose the best one for your platform.

What is an Affiliate Network?

An affiliate network links businesses wishing to advertise their goods and services with publishers, such as influencers or blog owners.

These networks frequently provide training, reporting tools, and other resources to help you succeed as an affiliate marketer.

Amazon is the most well-known example of an affiliate network. It enables influencers and publishers to market hundreds of products and receive a commission for each purchase made by their readers or followers.

Affiliate networks: How Do They Operate?

Affiliate networks function as an affiliate program marketplace. Site owners or publishers register, select the goods or services they wish to advertise, and get unique links that monitor the number of purchases made on their websites. After that, they receive a tiny commission for every sale, often around 5%.

Why Become a Member of an Affiliate Network?

You can reach hundreds or even thousands of brands through affiliate networks. They are therefore among the simplest methods for making money from a blog or generating passive revenue.

Additional advantages of joining an affiliate network include the following:

• The platform takes care of payments for you, so you don't have to.
• Select goods or services that are appropriate for your target market.
• Because some affiliate networks provide incentives and awards, your commission rates may increase as you sell more.
• Having access to reporting and analytics tools to monitor your progress.

Affiliate networks have certain drawbacks. For instance, some require sites to have a certain volume of traffic before they can apply, or they provide extremely low commission rates. On the whole, though, they can be a very effective method of making money off of website visits.

Top Affiliate Networks To Consider

When you search for "affiliate networks" on Google, hundreds of platforms appear, some of which are legitimate and others of which are somewhat dubious.

How do you pick the best one, then?

Think about your audience first. Which goods and services are most likely to be of interest to your readers?

For instance, I might pick an affiliate network that can provide me with online tools and marketing analytics platforms because digital marketers are more likely to be interested in SEO tools than women's fashion.

When comparing the best affiliate networks, keep the following points in mind:

• Commission rates: What is your expected earnings for each sale? Networks can be very different.
• Selection of goods and services: Will the network introduce you to companies that your target market will find appealing?
• Requirements for approval: Certain networks demand that your website be well-known or receive a specific volume of traffic.
• Additional costs: A few affiliate networks impose setup or training fees.
• Cookie duration: This is the amount of time a program keeps track of and credits you as a potential customer. Platform-to-platform variations in duration can be significant. For instance, Avangate's cookie length is 120 days, whereas Amazon's is 24 hours.

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Let's explore some of the top affiliate marketing networks.

7Search PPC

7Search PPC is an up-and-coming PPC affiliate network that focuses on providing a cost-effective advertising platform for small to medium-sized businesses.

 It offers a wide range of ad formats, including search ads, display ads, and mobile ads, making it a versatile choice for affiliates looking to monetize their traffic.

• Commission Rate: Varies by merchant; averages between10% and 35%
• Diverse Ad Formats: The platform supports various ad formats, allowing affiliates to choose the ones that best suit their audience.

ShareASale

You can interact with over 4,000 programs as a ShareASale affiliate and receive commissions on a variety of goods, such as Etsy, Reebok, and Cricut.

Offering very attractive commission rates, this is one of the biggest companies in the affiliate marketing space. I advise using the training they provide, though, as the UI can be a little challenging to use.

• Commission Rate: Varies by merchant; averages between 5% and 20%
• Product Types: Wide range, including accessories, clothing, art, computers, automotive, and even online dating services.

Awin

It's worth taking into account because Awin is among the biggest affiliate networks. They provide access to a large number of retailers, such as UnderArmour, Hyatt, StubHub, and AliExpress.

They are reliable, although there is a $5 application cost. Since it is credited to your account upon approval, it functions more like a deposit. It can be a little off-putting, though. Additionally, you must submit separate applications to each program, which can be a pain.

• Commission Rate: Varies by merchant, but averages around 5%
• Product Types: Huge variety, including travel, fashion, technology, finance, insurance, and e-commerce

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is arguably the most well-known affiliate network. Amazon, the biggest online retailer in the world, offers millions of things ranging from makeup to home goods, baby gear, and much more.

However, they can be pretty strict about their terms and conditions, and commission rates tend to be lower than most other platforms.

• Commission Rate: Around 5%; varies by product type
• Product Types: Nearly any physical product you can think of: gardening, school, books, cooking, home goods, fashion, accessories, makeup, etc

CJ Affiliate

One of the biggest and most established affiliate marketing networks in the world is CJ Affiliate.

They have a rather quick approval procedure overall, and there are no application fees. Earnings per click (EPC) is used to rank each product.

• Commission Rate: Varies by merchant
• Product Types: Retail, software, travel, and finance

Peerfly

Peerfly is a novel affiliate network that is being marketed as the "fastest-growing affiliate network." Although they haven't been in the industry as long as some of the others, they have won multiple accolades and put a lot of effort into making sure their platform is both practical and user-friendly.

They offer access to a wide range of products and services from brands like Target, Fiverr, UGG, and CBS.

• Commission Rate: Varies by merchant
• Product Types: Mostly physical products, but some digital

Conclusion

One of the greatest strategies to make money off of your site can be affiliate marketing. Connecting with merchants is much simpler with an affiliate network, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best—publishing excellent content.

However, managing hundreds of applications and merchants might be difficult. Additionally, you should read the fine print. Not all affiliate networks are legitimate, and even well-known brands may not carry the kinds of goods that appeal to your target market.

FAQs

What are the best affiliate marketing networks for beginners?

Ans: The best affiliate marketing networks for beginners include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, a wide range of products, and comprehensive support, making them ideal for those new to affiliate marketing.

How do I choose the right affiliate marketing network?

Ans: To choose the right affiliate marketing network, consider factors such as commission rates, product relevance to your niche, cookie duration, and available support. It’s also helpful to read reviews and testimonials from other affiliates to gauge their experiences with the network.

Can I join multiple affiliate marketing networks?

Ans: Yes, you can join multiple affiliate marketing networks. In fact, this strategy can diversify your income streams and provide access to a broader range of products. 

How do affiliate networks pay their affiliates?

Ans: Affiliate networks typically pay their affiliates through various methods, including direct bank transfers, checks, or PayPal. Each network has its payment schedule and minimum payout threshold, so be sure to review these details when joining.