5 Best Affiliate Networks in 2023

Imagine being part of a streamlined platform where you can easily join multiple affiliate programs, receive timely payouts, access valuable support, and use performance tracking tools to optimize your campaigns and maximize your earnings. Sounds good, right? This is exactly what the best affiliate networks offer.

Whether you have years of experience as an affiliate marketer or you’re just starting out, this article serves as your introduction to the top affiliate marketing networks in 2023. We will be providing you with valuable insights,assisting you in understanding the fundamentals as well as helping you select the ideal network that aligns with your specific requirements.

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What Are Affiliate Networks and How Do They Work?

Affiliate networks are like matchmakers in the digital marketing world. They connect affiliate marketers (that’s you!) with companies that have products or services to promote.They also handle all the tracking, payments, and support, allowing you to focus on what you do best – promoting your brand and earning those commissions.

It’s a win-win situation: the companies get the much needed exposure and sales, while you earn your commission for driving up those sales.

Let’s jump right in and discover the inner workings of these networks.

1. Partnering Up. Affiliate marketing networks act as intermediaries between you and the advertisers. They have a pool of affiliate programs from various companies that you can choose to promote. By joining a network, you gain access to a wide range of products and services.
2. Getting Your Unique Tracking Link. Once you’ve selected an affiliate program, the network provides you with a unique tracking link. This link is your secret weapon. It allows the network to track the sales or leads you generate. So, when someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase or signs up, the network knows it was you who referred them.
3. Promoting Like a Pro. Armed with your tracking link, it’s time to get creative and show your marketing skills. You can promote the products or services through various channels like your website, blog, social media, email marketing, YouTube. etc. The goal is to improve traffic and encourage people to click on your link.
4. Earning Commissions. When someone clicks on your link and completes a desired action (like making a purchase), the affiliate network records the transaction. You earn a commission based on the agreed-upon terms, which could be a percentage of the sale or a fixed amount per lead.

The Benefits of Affiliate Marketing Networks

Affiliate networks are a great way to generate revenue without the all the fuss of searching for an advertising partner/solution. Here are some benefits to using affiliate networks:

• Low risk. As an affiliate, you don’t have to put in money to create, produce, or store products.
• Efficient. Top affiliate networks provide a comprehensive dashboard that allows you to easily track impressions, clicks, conversions, sales, and revenue.
• Dedicated account management. Account managers are on hand to help you with any issue, whether it be understanding the network, technical matters or selecting the right kind of publisher.
• Centralized payment. Affiliate networks are an all-in-one solution, with centralized payment, account management and campaign reporting.
• Real-time reporting. Real-time reporting is available on most dashboards. Combined with stored historical data, you get an incredible amount of information and transparency from both the publishers and the networks.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Network

When it comes to affiliate marketing, choosing the right affiliate network is crucial for success. With the plenty of options available in 2023, it’s essential that you make an informed decision.

Understanding the Different Types of Affiliate Networks

There a few types of affiliate marketing networks to consider before you start:

• Vertical-Specific Networks. These networks focus on specific industries or niches, such as fashion, technology, or health. They offer a wide range of products and services tailored to a particular target audience. If you have expertise or interest in a specific vertical, joining a vertical-specific network can be advantageous.
• Generalist Networks. Generalist networks cover a wide array of products and industries, offering a diverse range of opportunities. They are suitable for affiliates who enjoy promoting various products across different verticals.
• CPA Networks. CPA (Cost Per Action) networks pay affiliates based on specific actions like lead generation, app installations, or form completions. If you’re interested in driving specific actions rather than just sales, CPA networks can be a good fit.
• Pay-Per-Sale Networks. These networks pay affiliates a commission for each sale generated through their referral. If your primary goal is to earn a percentage of each sale, pay-per-sale networks are a suitable choice.

Tips to Choose the Right Affiliate Network

Here are some tips to consider when selecting an affiliate network:

• Research and Reputation. Conduct thorough research on best affiliate networks and assess their reputation. Look for reviews, testimonials, and ratings from other affiliates to gauge their reliability and track record.
• Commission Structure. Evaluate the commission structure offered by the network. Compare the commission rates, payment terms, and cookie duration to ensure they align with your earning goals.
• Product/Service Quality. Examine the quality of the products or services offered by the network. Ensure they are reputable, reliable, and align with your target audience’s interests and needs.
• Support and Resources. Consider the level of support and resources provided by the network. Look for networks that offer dedicated affiliate managers, training materials, marketing tools, and regular communication channels to assist you in your affiliate marketing journey.
• Tracking and Reporting. Check the network’s tracking capabilities and reporting tools. Accurate tracking is essential to monitor your performance and optimize your campaigns. Look for networks that provide real-time reporting and comprehensive analytics.
• Payout Methods and Frequency. Explore the payout methods and frequency offered by the network. Ensure they are convenient for you and meet your financial requirements.
• Terms and Conditions. Carefully review the network’s terms and conditions to understand their policies, restrictions, and any potential conflicts with your marketing strategies.
• Community and Networking. Consider the network’s community and networking opportunities. Engaging with other affiliates can provide valuable insights, tips, and collaboration opportunities.
• Mobile-Friendly and International Reach. In today’s mobile-driven world, ensure that the network’s platform is mobile-friendly and optimized for different devices. Additionally, if you have an international audience, look for networks that offer global coverage and support.

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5 Best Affiliate Marketing Networks in 2023

Amazon Associates

With over 20% market share, Amazon Associates is one of the top affiliate networks.
The program is free to join and offers easy link-building tools. The commission rate varies depending on the product category and the qualifying purchases.

To participate in the program, one needs to create an Amazon Associates account on the platform. Amazon provides each website owner with a unique Associate ID 2. Website owners can then create unique product links, promote them on their website, and drive referral traffic back to Amazon. They earn commission on products they refer traffic to and may also earn on other products their guests/customers may purchase on Amazon.

Here are five examples of participating brands in the Amazon Associates program:

1. Kindle: Amazon’s e-reader that allows users to read books, newspapers, magazines, and other digital media
2. Audible: A subscription-based audiobook service that provides access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content
3. Amazon Basics: A line of affordable and high-quality products ranging from electronics to home goods
4. Amazon Fresh: A grocery delivery service that offers fresh produce, meat, dairy, and other household essentials
5. Amazon Music: A music streaming service that provides access to millions of songs, playlists, and stations.

Amazon Associates has three available payment methods: direct deposit to a bank account (available in 48-52 countries), Amazon gift card, or payment by check.

Commission income for qualifying purchases and programs differ based on product category. Commission income is paid approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which it was earned

Amazon Associates provides support through its Help Center where participants can find answers to frequently asked questions.

ShareASale

ShareASale is a retail-focused Performance Marketing Network with over 6,500+ different brand partners to choose from.

Affiliates can sign up and promote any merchant they wish for free. Unlike the Amazon Associate Program, each brand on ShareASale dictates their own commission rates. This diversified partnership approach mitigates the risk of all network affiliate efforts and commissions being cut at once.

To join ShareASale as an affiliate, one needs to sign up on the platform and create an account. Once approved, affiliates can search and join individual merchant programs and create trackable affiliate links.

Here are five participating brands in the ShareASale program:

1. Reebok: Offers a sales commission of 7% per sale.
2. US POLO ASSN: Offers 5% per sale.
3. SHEIN: 10% commission per sale.
4. Claire’s: Offers 5% like US POLO.
5. Yes Style: Offers 10% per sale.

ShareASale offers multiple payment options for its affiliate program, including Check, Direct Deposit, Wire, and Payoneer.

Affiliates can select their payment options and settings within their accounts. The fastest and easiest way for affiliates to receive their commission payments is via Direct Deposit.

ShareASale provides support through its Affiliate Account Support page where participants can find answers to frequently asked questions.

Awin

Awin is a retail-focused performance marketing network with over 16,500 merchants across more than 70 niches and more than 230,000 active publishers from 180 countries.

Affiliates can sign up and promote any merchant they wish for free. Each brand on Awin dictates their own commission rates. This diversified partnership approach mitigates the risk of all network affiliate efforts and commissions being cut at once.

To join Awin as an affiliate, one needs to sign up on the platform and create an account. Once approved, affiliates can search and join individual merchant programs and create trackable affiliate links.

Here are five examples of participating brands in the Awin affiliate network:

1. Etsy: Offers 5% commission per sale.
2. Sephora: Same as Etsy.
3. Nike: Offers a sales commission of 7% per sale.
4. Adidas: Offers 7% like Nike.
5. ASOS: Offers a commission of 6%.

Awin offers multiple payment options for its affiliate program, including ACH, Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer, and SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area).

Affiliates can select their payment options and settings within their accounts. The minimum payout is $20. Payment is on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Awin provides support through its Partner Success Center.

Avangate Affiliate Network

Avangate is a worldwide affiliate network for software and digital goods, offering CPS affiliate programs and fixed commissions. It is a platform that enables software companies to sell online regardless of the channel, model, or market .

Affiliates can sign up for free and start promoting products from the Avangate marketplace. They earn a commission on every sale they make.

Some of the participating brands on Avangate Affiliate Network include:

1. NortonLifeLock: A cybersecurity company that produces antivirus software, VPNs, and identity theft protection.
2. Corel: A graphic design software company that provides both video editing software, and productivity software.
3. Bitdefender: A cybersecurity company that distributes antivirus software, VPNs, and internet security solutions.
4. ABBYY: A software company that provides OCR software, PDF tools, and language software.
5. CyberLink: A multimedia software company that offers video editing software, photo editing software, and media player software.

Avangate Affiliate Network offers three methods of payment for affiliates: direct deposit, check, and PayPal. Affiliates can choose the method that best suits their business needs 2. The minimum payout threshold is $100 or 100€.

Avangate Affiliate Network has a support team available 24/7 to help affiliates with technical inquiries.

Rakuten Affiliate

Rakuten Affiliate Network is a global affiliate marketing network that connects advertisers with publishers. It is a platform that offers a wide range of products, including clothing, electronics, and home goods.

Affiliates can sign up for free and start promoting products from the Rakuten marketplace. They earn a commission on every sale they make.

Some of the participating brands on Rakuten Affiliate Network include:

1. Macy’s: A department store that offers clothing, jewelry, and home goods.
2. NordVPN: A cybersecurity company that provides VPN services.
3. Lyft: A ride-sharing service that provides transportation services.
4. Microsoft: A technology company that distributes software and hardware products.
5. Lego: A toy company that makes building blocks and sets.

Rakuten Affiliate Network offers their affiliates three methods of payment: PayPal, direct deposit, or check.The minimum payout threshold is $50.

Rakuten Affiliate Network provides support for affiliates through its support team available 24/7 to help affiliates with technical inquiries.

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Wrap Up

In the dynamic landscape that is affiliate marketing , the top networks in 2023, have proven their worth. Each of these platforms offers a tailored solution, empowering marketers to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Staying ahead requires not only aligning your strategy with the best affiliate networks, it’s about ensuring sustainable success within the affiliate marketing domain.