13 Best Free Affiliate Marketing Courses for Beginners [2026]

Can you really learn affiliate marketing for free? Yes.

But most so-called “free” courses are just marketing tactics designed to upsell expensive programs.

We’ve curated 13 of the best free affiliate marketing courses for beginners in 2026 that deliver real training with no hidden fees, no upsells, and no fluff.

This updated list includes dedicated AI courses, combined affiliate marketing and AI courses, and foundational programs from platforms like Ahrefs, Google, HubSpot, Voluum, and more.

What You’ll Learn from all this:

How to choose the best affiliate programs for beginners based on your niche and target audience to maximize your earnings potential.

How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to create content, automate workflows, and run campaigns faster without sacrificing quality.

Tried and proven ways of generating free traffic using SEO, social media, and content marketing.

Tactics for converting clicks into actual commissions. Plus, discover how the right affiliate tracking software can help you monitor performance and optimize conversions.

This list was updated for 2026 to reflect the most relevant free affiliate marketing courses, current AI tools, and modern affiliate workflows.

Why These Are the Best Free Affiliate Marketing Courses for Beginners in 2026

In 2026, affiliate marketing is no longer just about placing links in blog posts. Competition is higher, traffic is more expensive, and platforms demand higher-quality users.

AI has also changed the game: affiliates who use it to produce content, research niches, and optimize campaigns are moving faster than those who don’t.

Successful affiliates now rely on landing pages, funnels, lead qualification, tracking, and AI-assisted workflows to stay competitive. Courses that teach only basic link placement are no longer enough on their own.

13 Best Free Affiliate Marketing Courses for Beginners (2026)

1. Adsterra Affiliate Crash Course

Platform: Thinkific
Level: Beginner
Duration: ~2 hours
Format: Video lessons + quizzes
Cost: Free

What you’ll learn with Adsterra:

✔️ Affiliate Marketing Essentials: Learn the key terms, offer types, verticals, and understand the core principles of affiliate marketing.
✔️ Getting and Optimizing Traffic: Discover how to drive traffic and improve campaign results, learn all about CPA networks and advertising networks, and get a grip on your target audience.
✔️ Running Campaigns: Get step-by-step guidance on setting up and managing your first campaigns with Adsterra. Become a pro in ad formats, targeting, and other smart optimization perks.
✔️ Tips for Growth: Pick up practical tricks to scale your campaigns and boost profits. Make your creatives work and get first-hand tips in different verticals.

Adsterra Affiliate Crash Course breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration

Chapter 1: Affiliate Marketing Basics

What is Affiliate Marketing?

How to Select an Offer and a Vertical? + Traffic Sources

How to Choose an Advertising Network & a CPA Network

Types of Verticals in Affiliate Marketing

How to Find Your Target Audience

Affiliate Marketing KPIs

23 min

Chapter 2: What is Adsterra?

What is Adsterra?

Top Ad Formats by Adsterra

What You Shall Do Before Running a Campaign

42 min

Chapter 3: Useful Tools for Affiliate Marketing

How to Spy on Your Competitors

Trackers. Why They are Good and How to Choose Them

17 min

Chapter 4: Your First Ad Campaign in Adsterra

Your First Ad Campaign in Adsterra

Targeting

Adsterra’s Self-Service Platform and Its Features

Tips for Specific Verticals

17 min

Chapter 5: How to Optimize Your Campaigns Successfully

How to Get More Traffic Without Increasing Bids?

How to Optimize Your Campaigns Successfully

Whitelists & Blacklists

How to Work With Statistics

How to Make Your Creatives Work

26 min

Learn Now

2. Udemy Free Affiliate Marketing Course for Beginners

Platform: Udemy
Duration: Self-paced
Cost: Completely free with no additional fee.

What You’ll Learn with Udemy:

✔️ Affiliate Marketing Basics: Learn how affiliate marketing works and why it’s a great way to earn passive income.
✔️ Choosing the Right Niche & Affiliate Programs: Learn to select a profitable niche and find affiliate programs that fit your content.
✔️ Building a Basic Affiliate Site: Discover how to build a website or blog optimized for affiliate marketing step-by-step.
✔️ Traffic Generation: Learn how to use SEO, content marketing, and paid ads along with these free affiliate marketing tools to boost your affiliate success.

Udemy Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Affiliate Marketing Basics | What is Affiliate Marketing? | 23 min
Module 2: Building Your Website | How to Build a Website for Affiliate Marketing | 42 min
Module 3: Strategies for Success | Review the Best Strategy for High Profits | 17 min
Module 4: Niche Selection | Choosing a Niche for Your Affiliate Marketing Business | 17 min
Module 5: Affiliate Programs | Affiliate Programs and Networks | 26 min
Bonus Content | Bonus Lectures | 13 min

Enroll Now

3. Affiliate Marketing Course for Beginners by Great Learning

Platform: Great Learning
Duration: Self-paced
Cost: Completely free upon sign-up.

Skills you’ll Learn from this course:

✔️ Affiliate Programs
✔️ Affiliate Marketing Networks
✔️ Affiliate Marketing Techniques
✔️ Finding a Niche Market
✔️ Adopting best practices of Affiliate Marketing

Great Learning Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson
Module 1: Introduction to Affiliate Marketing | What is Affiliate Marketing?
Module 2: Benefits and Networks | Benefits of Affiliate Marketing
Module 3: Affiliate Networks | Affiliate Marketing Networks
Module 4: Techniques and Strategies | Different Techniques used for Affiliate Marketing
Module 5: Niche Selection | How to Choose a Niche?
Module 6: Website Creation | Main Components to Create an Affiliate Marketing Website
Module 7: Traffic Generation | Strategies Used for Getting Traffic
Module 8: Mistakes and Best Practices | Common Mistakes Done by Beginners
Module 9: Best Practices | Best Practices in Affiliate Marketing

Enroll Now

4. Affiliate Marketing Course for Beginners by Ahrefs

Platform: Ahrefs Academy
Duration: ~2 hours
Cost: Totally free with no hidden fees.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ An understanding of affiliate marketing and its operational mechanisms.
✔️ Key components that contribute to a successful affiliate website.
✔️ Guidelines for selecting an appropriate niche.
✔️ Top affiliate programs and networks applicable to various niches.
✔️ A comprehensive framework for developing an effective affiliate marketing strategy.
✔️ Methods for conducting keyword research specific to affiliate marketing.
✔️ Templates designed for crafting affiliate content.
✔️ Strategies for building links for affiliate websites.

Ahrefs Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Affiliate Marketing Basics | What is Affiliate Marketing and How Does it Work? | 1:46
What You Need to Get Started with Affiliate Marketing | 2:33
How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing | 1:56
Blueprint to Start Your Affiliate Marketing Website | 4:17
Module 2: Affiliate Niches and Programs | Keys to Choosing the Right Affiliate Marketing Niche | 6:00
How to Find the Perfect Niche for an Affiliate Marketing Site | 12:03
Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Any Niche | 10:21
Module 3: Planning Your Affiliate Site | Designing a Winning Affiliate Marketing Strategy | 3:56
Keyword Research for Affiliate Marketing Sites | 10:22
Content Strategy for Affiliate Marketing Sites | 10:15
Planning Your Affiliate Site’s Homepage and Navigation | 6:29
Module 4: Creating Affiliate Content | Affiliate Content Ratio: Balancing Informational vs. Commercial Content | 4:12
Blog Post Templates to Write Money-Making Affiliate Content | 10:10
How to Write Informational Content for an Affiliate Site | 12:29
Module 5: Link Building for Affiliate Sites | Easy Affiliate Link Building Strategy | 4:25
Proven Affiliate Link Building Tactics for Beginners | 8:33

Enroll Now

5. Affiliate and Partnership Industry Fundamentals by Impact

Platform: Impact Academy
Duration: Self-paced
Cost: Free access when you sign up.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Acquire multiple digital marketing models and pricing mechanisms – Understand how several online business models function, including how firms set prices.
✔️ Acquire key players in partnership marketing – Get to know the four most significant participants in the partnership and affiliate space and how they collaborate to fulfill customers.
✔️ Acquire knowledge on why partnerships lead to business success – Witness how strategic partnerships propel companies’ growth and development of more revenue.
✔️ Analyze different payment systems and monitoring methods – Find out how affiliates are compensated for commissions and how businesses monitor performance.
✔️ Observe how other sectors use partnerships – Find out how business categories can thrive through affiliate marketing and set fair commission rates.
✔️ Get an overview of the partnership process – Find out about the whole partnership process, from installation to viable success.

Impact Course Details:

✔️ 8 Lessons
✔️ 16 Videos
✔️ 1 Final Exam
✔️ Total Duration: 60 Minutes

Impact Free Course Breakdown:

# | Lesson | Duration
1 | Digital Marketing Channels and Pricing Models | 10 min
2 | The Power of Partnerships in Driving Business Growth | 3 min
3 | Affiliate Marketing Players and Attribution Models | 3 min
4 | Partnership Payment Types | 2 min
5 | Affiliate Marketing Verticals and Examples | 4 min
6 | Affiliate KPIs | 3 min
7 | Affiliate and Partnerships Goal Setting | 3 min
8 | High-Level Overview of the Partnerships Life Cycle | 3 min
Exam: Affiliate and Partnerships Industry – Fundamentals Certification Exam | 30 min

Enroll Now

6. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google

Platform: Google Digital Garage
Duration: ~40 hours
Cost: 100% free with certification.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ SEO + Google Ads Strategies for Affiliate Success: Discover ways to use search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Ads to develop repeat traffic.
✔️ Driving Traffic & Growing Your Affiliate Business: Discover content marketing, paid ads, and email marketing to grow your audience.
✔️ FREE Certification on Completion: Stand out by obtaining an official Google certification, proving your digital marketing expertise.

Enroll Now

7. Content Marketing Certification Course by HubSpot

Platform: HubSpot Academy
Duration: ~8 hours
Cost: Free with certification included.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Creating High-Converting Content for Affiliate Sales: Discover the art of creating engaging, informative, and compelling content that gets people to buy.
✔️ Content Distribution Strategies: Learn how to promote your content across different channels, including social media, email, and forums.
✔️ Measuring Content Performance & Improving Results: Find out about analytics tools like Google Analytics and how to make your content more conversion-friendly.

Enroll Now

8. Affiliate Marketing Course by Coursera

Platform: Coursera
Duration: Varies
Cost: Free to audit, but payment is required for certification.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Learn the Basics: Know how affiliate marketing works, key players, tracking methods, and commission models.
✔️ Choose the Top Platforms: Discover top affiliate networks like Amazon Associates and ShareASale to maximize your earnings.
✔️ Build Profitable Partnerships: Learn how to network with brands, affiliate networks, and platforms to boost your income streams.
✔️ Promote Products Effectively: Learn to use email marketing, social media, and blogging to drive traffic and increase conversions.
✔️ Track and Optimize Performance: Learn how to track affiliate links, read statistics, and optimize your results for higher earnings.
✔️ Stay Ahead of the Curve: Learn about new trends and methods to keep your affiliate business growing in a competitive market.

Coursera Course Details

✔️ 2 In-Depth Modules
✔️ Beginner Level – No Experience Required
✔️ Flexible Learning – 3 Hours in Total (1 Hour/Week for 3 Weeks)
✔️ Self-Paced – Learn at Your Own Pace
✔️ 1 Assignment to Test Your Knowledge

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Introduction to Affiliate Marketing | Learning Objectives | 1 min
What Is Affiliate Marketing | 3 min
How It Works | 6 min
Key Takeaways | 2 min
Module 2: Affiliate Marketing Platforms & Partnerships | Learning Objectives | 0 min
Different Affiliate Marketing Platforms | 3 min
Associate with Affiliate Websites | 11 min
Connect with Affiliate Partners | 7 min
Module 3: Earning with Affiliate Marketing | Learning Objectives | 1 min
Different Methods to Earn an Affiliate Income | 0 min
Email | 5 min
Social Media | 2 min
Website or Blog | 1 min
Discussion Forum and Communities | 3 min
Decide Suitable Platforms for Promotion | 2 min
Module 4: Tracking & Analyzing Affiliate Performance | Learning Objectives | 1 min
Affiliate Link Creation Process | 8 min
Analyze the Data Tracked | 2 min
Affiliate Partner Platform Data Analysis | 3 min
Affiliate Income Payout Process | 2 min
Future of Affiliate Marketing | 0 min
Key Takeaways | 1 min
Additional Readings | Introduction to Affiliate Marketing | 10 min
Affiliate Marketing Basics to Earn Online | 10 min
Affiliate Marketing Platforms and Promotion | 10 min
Affiliate Data Tracking and Analysis | 10 min

Enroll Now

9. Affiliate Academy by Voluum

Platform: Voluum Academy (Thinkific)
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Duration: Self-paced (3 courses)
Format: Video lessons + reading materials + quizzes
Cost: 100% free with certificate

What You’ll Learn with Voluum:

✔️ Affiliate Marketing Foundations: Learn how the industry works, how to choose a niche, find your first offer, and buy traffic the right way.
✔️ Campaign Setup and Tracking: Get hands-on guidance on setting up a real campaign funnel, integrating traffic sources and affiliate networks, and implementing conversion tracking from day one.
✔️ Optimization and Scaling: Learn how to analyze data, A/B test creatives and landing pages, use whitelists and blacklists, and cut losing placements before they drain your budget.
✔️ Ad Creative and Copy: Practical lessons on writing better headlines and building creatives that convert across different verticals.

Voluum Affiliate Academy Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration

Course 1: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners

Introduction to Affiliate Marketing

How to Choose a Niche and Find Offers

Traffic Sources Overview

Affiliate Glossary and KPIs

Varies

Course 2: Set Up Your First Affiliate Campaign

The Holy Trio of Affiliate Marketing

Tracking Methods

Conversion Flows and Offer Selection

Integrating Traffic Sources with Voluum

Creating, Testing and Tracking Campaigns

Varies

Course 3: Optimize Your Campaigns

Data Analysis and Reporting

A/B Testing Strategy

Bidding, Whitelists and Blacklists

Creative Optimization and Headlines

Campaign Automation

Varies

Enroll Now

10. AI Marketing Course by Alison

Platform: Alison
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced
Format: Video lessons + assessments
Cost: Free to enroll and complete (certificate available)

What You’ll Learn with Alison:

✔️ AI in Modern Marketing: Understand how artificial intelligence integrates into marketing strategy, from consumer analysis to campaign execution.
✔️ Machine Learning for Marketers: Learn how ML algorithms analyze consumer behavior, identify patterns, and improve campaign targeting over time.
✔️ AI-Driven Content and Personalization: Discover how to use AI tools for content creation, chatbots, and delivering personalized user experiences at scale.
✔️ Ethical AI Use: Understand the responsible use of AI in marketing, including privacy considerations and avoiding bias in automated systems.

Alison AI Marketing Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: AI and Marketing Strategy | How AI integrates into modern marketing strategies and real-world applications | Varies
Module 2: Machine Learning for Consumer Analysis | Using ML to understand audience behavior, segmentation, and predictive targeting | Varies
Module 3: AI Tools in Practice | Chatbots, AI-driven content creation, campaign optimization, and personalization engines | Varies
Module 4: Ethics and the Future of AI Marketing | Responsible AI use, data privacy, bias considerations, and emerging trends | Varies

Enroll Now

11. Free Affiliate Marketing Course by WsCube Tech

Platform: WsCube Tech
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: Self-paced
Format: Video lessons
Cost: 100% free with certificate

What You’ll Learn with WsCube Tech:

✔️ Affiliate Marketing Fundamentals: Get a full overview of how affiliate marketing works, its benefits, and the key techniques used by successful marketers today.
✔️ Multiple Affiliate Platforms: Learn how to earn commissions on ClickBank, JVZoo, and Instamojo, covering platforms most other free courses don’t touch.
✔️ Advanced Sales Techniques: Discover upselling and cross-selling strategies that experienced affiliates use to increase earnings per visitor.
✔️ Building and Optimizing Your Affiliate Site: Learn the core components of a high-converting affiliate website, including WordPress optimization and traffic strategies.

WsCube Tech Affiliate Marketing Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Affiliate Marketing Overview | What affiliate marketing is, how it works, and its benefits for beginners and professionals | Varies
Module 2: Affiliate Networks and Platforms | How affiliate networks work, how to join them, and a breakdown of ClickBank, JVZoo, and Instamojo | Varies
Module 3: Building Your Affiliate Website | Core components of an affiliate site, WordPress setup and optimization, and content structure | Varies
Module 4: Traffic Strategies | Organic and paid traffic methods to drive visitors to your affiliate offers | Varies
Module 5: Advanced Techniques and Best Practices | Upselling, cross-selling, common beginner mistakes, and best practices for long-term success | Varies

Enroll Now

12. AI in Digital Marketing Course by Simplilearn

Platform: Simplilearn SkillUp
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced (~4 hours)
Format: Video lessons + assessments
Cost: 100% free with certificate

What You’ll Learn with Simplilearn:

✔️ AI Fundamentals for Marketers: Understand how AI applies across digital marketing, from content creation and SEO to campaign automation and audience targeting.
✔️ AI-Powered Content Strategy: Learn how to use AI tools to generate, optimize, and distribute content that drives affiliate traffic and conversions.
✔️ Personalization and Targeting: Discover how AI enables smarter audience segmentation and personalized experiences that improve click-through and conversion rates.
✔️ AI Tools in Practice: Get hands-on familiarity with the AI tools and platforms top marketers are using today to save time and scale results.

Simplilearn AI in Digital Marketing Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Introduction to AI in Marketing | What AI is, how it applies to digital marketing, and why it matters for affiliates in 2026 | Varies
Module 2: AI for Content and SEO | Using AI to research, create, and optimize content for search and affiliate funnels | Varies
Module 3: AI for Targeting and Personalization | Audience segmentation, behavioral targeting, and delivering personalized experiences at scale | Varies
Module 4: AI Tools and Automation | Overview of leading AI marketing tools, automation workflows, and practical use cases | Varies

Enroll Now

13. Free Affiliate Marketing Course with ChatGPT by Udemy

Platform: Udemy
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced
Format: Video lessons
Cost: 100% free

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Affiliate Marketing Foundations with AI Built In: Learn how affiliate marketing works from the ground up, with ChatGPT integrated into every step rather than treated as a separate add-on.
✔️ AI-Powered Content Creation: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm content ideas, write product reviews, craft compelling copy, and produce SEO-optimized articles without starting from a blank page.
✔️ WordPress Site Setup: Get step-by-step guidance on setting up your affiliate website on WordPress, including structure, pages, and affiliate link placement.
✔️ Traffic and Conversions: Learn how to drive visitors to your offers using free traffic methods, and how to use ChatGPT to optimize your campaigns and automate responses.

Udemy ChatGPT Affiliate Marketing Course Breakdown:

Module | Lesson | Duration
Module 1: Affiliate Marketing Fundamentals | What affiliate marketing is, how commissions work, and the core components of a working affiliate system | Varies
Module 2: Getting Started with ChatGPT | How to use ChatGPT as your daily marketing assistant, prompt basics, and practical use cases for affiliates | Varies
Module 3: Building Your Affiliate Website | Setting up WordPress, structuring your site, and placing affiliate links the right way | Varies
Module 4: AI-Powered Content Creation | Using ChatGPT to write product reviews, blog posts, and marketing emails that convert | Varies
Module 5: Traffic and Promotion Methods | Free traffic strategies, SEO basics, and using ChatGPT to optimize and scale your promotional efforts | Varies

Enroll Now

Final Thoughts

These 13 best free affiliate marketing courses for beginners cover the full spectrum: affiliate fundamentals, traffic, content, tracking, partnerships, and AI tools that can cut your workload in half.

What has changed in 2026 is the bar.

Basic link placement and generic blog content no longer move the needle.

The affiliates seeing real results are the ones combining solid fundamentals with AI-powered content workflows, proper tracking, landing pages that qualify traffic, and funnels built around data, not guesswork.

Pick one course that matches where you are right now. Finish it. Then build something. A landing page, a funnel, a tracking setup.

Education without execution is just reading.

The gap between affiliates who earn and those who do not almost always comes down to what happens after the course ends.

Now Put What You Learned to Work

Build AI-powered landing pages, run A/B tests, and turn your affiliate traffic into commissions with LanderLab.

Start Free Trial