Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to start making money online. You don’t need your own product, complicated tech skills, or even a big audience to get started. But choosing the right affiliate program can make all the difference, especially when you’re new.
If you’re a beginner looking for simple, reliable affiliate programs, this guide is for you. Here’s a list of the best affiliate programs for beginners—with easy approvals, great commissions, and user-friendly platforms.
1. Amazon Associates
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Commission Rate: 1%–10% (depending on the product)
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Cookie Duration: 24 hours
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Amazon sells nearly everything, so it’s easy to find products your audience will love. Plus, people already trust Amazon, making conversions easier.
Pro Tip: Focus on niche products (like fitness gear, tech accessories, or home decor) for higher commissions.
2. ClickBank
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Commission Rate: 20%–75% (depending on the vendor)
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Cookie Duration: 60 days
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
ClickBank specializes in digital products (courses, eBooks, software) with high commissions. Approval is instant, and there’s a huge marketplace to browse.
Pro Tip: Look for products with high “gravity” scores (which means lots of other affiliates are successfully selling it).
3. ShareASale
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Commission Rate: Varies by merchant
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Cookie Duration: Varies (commonly 30 days)
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
ShareASale hosts thousands of merchants across many industries—fashion, tech, finance, and more. It’s beginner-friendly, easy to navigate, and full of trustworthy brands.
Pro Tip: Search for “auto-approval” merchants to get started faster.
4. Rakuten Advertising
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Commission Rate: Varies by merchant
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Cookie Duration: Varies (generally 30 days)
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Rakuten is one of the largest affiliate networks and partners with big brands like Walmart, Best Buy, and Sephora. It’s great for building credibility by promoting familiar names.
Pro Tip: Be patient—some merchants take a few days to approve applications.
5. Fiverr Affiliates
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Commission Rate: $15–$150 per new buyer
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Cookie Duration: 30 days
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Fiverr is a global freelance marketplace, and their affiliate program is perfect if your audience is interested in freelancing, entrepreneurship, or business growth.
Pro Tip: Promote popular gigs (like logo design, SEO services, and video editing) that businesses and startups always need.
6. Bluehost
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Commission Rate: $65–$130 per sale
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Cookie Duration: 60 days
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting companies, especially for beginners starting blogs and websites. Their affiliate program pays high flat commissions and is trusted across the web.
Pro Tip: If you’re a blogger or planning to teach others how to build websites, Bluehost is an ideal partner.
7. Impact.com
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Commission Rate: Varies by brand
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Cookie Duration: Varies
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Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Impact is a major network hosting brands like Canva, Adidas, and Uber. It’s a little more professional in setup but still beginner-friendly once you get the hang of it.
Pro Tip: Focus on easy-to-promote services like Canva (which offers free signups) to get started faster.