15 Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2026 (High-Paying + Easy Approval)

Did you know that over 80% of brands use affiliate marketing, and the industry is worth more than $17 billion worldwide?

If you’re looking for a way to make money online, affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to get started.

The best part is that you don’t need your own product, inventory, or even a large audience to begin.

With the right affiliate programs, you can start earning by simply promoting tools, products, or services people are already searching for.

Most beginners earn between $50 and $500 per month in their first few months, while more consistent affiliates can scale to $1,000+ per month by focusing on the right niche and strategy.

In this guide, you’ll discover the best affiliate programs for beginners in 2026, including high-paying options, beginner-friendly platforms, and programs that offer long-term earning potential.

To help you get started faster, we’ve also included a quick comparison table so you can easily choose the right program based on your goals.

Let’s get into it.

Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2026 (Quick Comparison)

Program | Best For | Commission | Difficulty
⭐ Amazon Associates | Absolute beginners | ~1%–10% | Easy
Awin | All-around network | ~5%–20% | Easy
⭐ ClickBank | High commissions | ~40%–75% | Easy
Shopify Affiliate Program | High-ticket referrals | Up to ~$150 | Medium
Rakuten Advertising | Big brands | ~2%–20%+ | Medium
CJ Affiliate | Premium advertisers | ~1%–20%+ | Medium
⭐ Impact | SaaS & scaling | ~5%–30%+ | Medium
Etsy Affiliate | Niche content | ~4% | Easy
Fiverr Affiliate Program | Services | ~$15–$150+ | Easy
eBay Partner Network | Product variety | ~1%–6% | Easy
FlexOffers | Multi-niche testing | ~3%–20%+ | Easy
Canva Affiliate | Creators | Up to ~$36 | Easy
Bluehost Affiliate | Blogging | $65+ | Easy
⭐ Semrush | High-ticket SaaS | ~$200 | Medium
Skillshare Affiliate | Free trials | ~$7–$10 | Easy

Quick Tip: If you’re just starting out, pick 1–2 programs from this list instead of trying to promote everything at once. Focus beats variety when it comes to affiliate marketing.

15 Best Affiliate Programs For Beginners:

Amazon Associates

Awin

ClickBank

Shopify Affiliate Program

Rakuten Advertising

CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)

Impact

Etsy Affiliate Program

Fiverr Affiliates

eBay Partner Network

FlexOffers

Canva Affiliate Program

Bluehost Affiliate Program

Semrush Affiliate Program

Skillshare Affiliate Program

What to Look For in an Affiliate Marketing Program

Several very important things to consider when choosing an affiliate marketing program include the commission rate and payout structure.

Favor those programs that have both competitive commission rates and strong, clear payout structures for payouts. The higher the commission offered, the more money you can make per sale or lead.

Brand Reputation: A program relating to a good brand is quite important. Famous brands convert more because people trust their products or services.

Product/Service Fit: Make sure the product or service is in your niche and something that interests your audience. Marketing relevant products to your audience increases the rate of conversions and recurring sales.

Support: A good affiliate program will have resources like banners, text links, and product details. Training material or an affiliate manager can help you further optimize your campaigns.

Ease of Use: The platform should be user-friendly, with an easy sign-up process, affiliate link creation, and an interface for managing your account and commissions.

Top Affiliate Marketing Programs for Beginners in 2026

1. Amazon Associates

Site: Amazon (Global ecommerce marketplace)

Commission: ~1%–10% depending on product category

Amazon Associates is one of the most widely used affiliate programs, giving you access to millions of products across nearly every niche.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Amazon’s brand trust and massive product selection make it easy to get started without choosing a single niche upfront. It’s especially effective for review content, “best of” lists, and comparison articles targeting high-intent buyers.

Amazon Commission Rates for Specific Product Categories:

Cons:

Their 24-hour cookie duration is not the best for beginners.

How to Get Started with Amazon Associates

Sign up for the program: Visit the Amazon Associates website and create an account.

Choosing a Niche: Narrow down to a particular niche related to your audience or your liking.

Generate and Share Affiliate Links: Utilize the SiteStripe toolbar on Amazon to create affiliate links for all products you’ll be promoting.

Add Worth to Your Content: Create product reviews, “best of” lists, or how-to articles that include your affiliate links.

Drive Traffic and Track Results: Share your content across social media, forums, and newsletters.

Mistakes to Avoid

Link Overload: Too many affiliate links to your content may appear spammy and too pushy.

Neglecting Mobile Optimization: Make sure your content looks great on mobile devices; many users shop through their smartphones.

Neglecting SEO: Poor keyword research and optimization decrease your audience reach.

Selling Irrelevant Products: Only sell products your audience wants.

2. Awin

Site: Awin (Global affiliate network)

Awin (formerly ShareASale) is one of the largest affiliate networks, bringing thousands of advertisers together on a single platform.

Key Features

Wide Range of Advertisers: Access thousands of brands across industries, from ecommerce to SaaS and finance.

Flexible Promotion Options: Generate custom tracking links and choose offers that fit your audience.

Advanced Tracking & Reporting: Monitor clicks, conversions, and performance through Awin’s dashboard.

Awin Commission Rates

Affiliate commissions vary by advertiser, but typically range from ~5% to 20%, with some offers going higher depending on the niche and product type.

How to Get Started with Awin

Create an Account: Sign up on the Awin platform and complete your publisher profile.

Browse Advertisers: Explore available brands and apply to programs that match your niche.

Generate Links: Create affiliate links for products or landing pages you want to promote.

Track Performance: Use the dashboard to monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Awin gives you access to a wide variety of advertisers in one place, making it easy to test different niches and find what converts. Its structured platform and reliable tracking make it a strong starting point for new affiliates.

3. ClickBank

ClickBank is a well-known affiliate network and one of the OG’s in the market. It is important to note that ClickBank offers some of the highest commission rates in the industry, often reaching up to 75% depending on the product.

Key Features

High Payouts: ClickBank offers high commission rates, often above industry standards

Recurring Income: Promote subscription-based products to earn monthly commissions.

Affiliate Support: Access training resources and forums to learn from experts.

ClickBank Commission Rates

– Typically between 40% and 75%, with some products offering recurring payouts.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

ClickBank is great for complete beginners to get into affiliate marketing. The reasons it is favored include its user-friendly interface, very high commission rates, a wide range of products, and timely payments.

4. Shopify Affiliate Program

Shopify’s Affiliate Program pays out commissions to affiliates who refer new merchants to its platform. You can sell Shopify through your website, blog, social media, or other channels.

Key Features:

High Commission Structure: A significant amount of commission on each referral.

Easy to Join: It’s free to join, and pretty easy to sign up.

Easy tracking and reporting: Always on top of your performance with detailed analytics tracking your earnings.

Shopify Commission Rates

Affiliates earn a one-time commission for each new merchant who signs up for a paid Shopify plan using their referral link. Payouts typically reach up to ~$150 per referral, but vary depending on the plan, region, and partner tier.

The program uses a ~30-day cookie window, meaning affiliates receive credit if a user signs up within that period. In some cases, users who start a free trial through your link and convert later may still be attributed to you.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

Many people actively search for ways to start an online business, creating strong intent-driven traffic. This makes Shopify easy to promote through tutorials, guides, and “how to start” content.

5. Rakuten Advertising

While it may not be as widely recognized as Shopify, Rakuten has a strong global presence and a proven track record of delivering results for advertisers and publishers.

Key Features

– Intuitive interface: This means easy access to features like rotating banners and customized deep linking for the better management of affiliate campaigns.
– Access to big brands: Affiliates can promote products from esteemed companies such as Macy’s, NordVPN, and Microsoft, enhancing credibility and potential earnings.
– Advanced Reporting Tools: Affiliates have access to up-to-date information on clicks, conversions, and revenue, facilitating informed decision-making

Rakuten Commission Rates

Commission rates vary by merchant on Rakuten, typically ranging from ~2% to 20%+, with many retail programs falling around 5%–10%, and higher rates available in certain niches like SaaS or digital products.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Rakuten is beginner-friendly because it offers an easy-to-use interface, in addition to having a well-established brand portfolio that raises your credibility and conversion rate. Moreover, with a versatile way of paying commissions, reporting can easily be followed up and optimized by beginners too.

6. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)

CJ Affiliate, aka Commission Junction, is one of the oldest affiliate networks, offering the best selection of advertisers in combination with an excellent support system.

Key Features

-Top-notch Advertisers: Represent brands such as GoPro and Disney.
-Dedicated Support: Work one-on-one with affiliate managers.

CJ Affiliate Commission Rates

Commission rates vary by advertiser, typically ranging from ~1% to 20%, with some high-ticket or digital offers reaching 30%–50%+.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

CJ Affiliate is perfect for beginners because of its large number of premium advertisers and the fact that it offers access to affiliate managers who can assist one-on-one. This platform provides advanced tools that make the process of linking and performance tracking easy to manage and optimize to drive conversions from new affiliates.

7. Impact

Impact is a modern partnership platform that connects brands with affiliates, influencers, and publishers. It’s widely used by fast-growing companies and offers more advanced tracking and automation compared to traditional affiliate networks.

Key Features

Advanced tracking & attribution: Impact provides detailed tracking across devices and channels, giving you better visibility into performance.

High-quality brand partnerships: Work with well-known companies across SaaS, finance, ecommerce, and tech.

Automation tools: Automate workflows like onboarding, payments, and campaign management to save time as you scale.

Impact Commission Rates

Commission rates vary by advertiser, typically ranging from ~5% to 30%+, with higher payouts common in SaaS and digital products.

Why It’s a Good Option

Impact is ideal for affiliates who want more control, better tracking, and access to premium partnerships. While it may take a bit more setup than simpler networks, it offers strong long-term earning potential.

8. Etsy Affiliate Program

The Etsy Affiliate Program allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting Etsy’s unique marketplace of handmade, vintage, and craft-supply items.

Key Features

-Wide Range of Products: Promote unique handmade and vintage items across various categories.

-Easy Management: Operates through Impact Radius for easy link tracking and analytics.

-Niche Appeal: Perfect for creators targeting DIY and home decor audiences.

Etsy Affiliate Commission Rates (Average)

Etsy affiliate commission rates are typically around 4% per sale, with higher rates (up to ~8%) available during select promotions or campaigns.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Etsy is very beginner-friendly, especially in niches like crafts or sustainable goods, thanks to its product range and established audience.

9. Fiverr Affiliate Program

The Fiverr Affiliate Program allows you to earn commissions by promoting Fiverr’s marketplace of freelance services, including graphic design, writing, and digital marketing.

Key Features

-Flexible Commission Structure: Earn up to $150 per referral, depending on the service tier.
-Huge Service Range: Promote gigs in business, technology, and creative niches.

Fiverr Affiliate Commission Rates

Fiverr offers a mix of commission models, including fixed payouts ranging from ~$15 to $150+ per referral, as well as hybrid options that combine a smaller upfront payment with ongoing revenue share.

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Fiverr’s variety of services and easy-to-use affiliate dashboard make it ideal for beginners exploring different niches.

10. eBay Partner Network

The eBay Partner Network allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting the wide range of products available on eBay. Affiliates can share links to listings across categories such as electronics, fashion, home goods, and collectibles, benefiting from eBay’s large global customer base.

Key Features

Wide range of products: Promote millions of listings across categories like electronics, fashion, and collectibles, making it easy to match any audience.

Simple linking tools: Create custom tracking links, smart links, and banners to promote products across your website or social media.

Global marketplace: Access buyers and sellers from around the world.

eBay Partner Network Commission Rates

Commission rates typically range from ~1% to 6%, depending on the category and region.

For example (U.S. market, approximate):

Fashion: ~5%–6%

Trading Cards: ~3%

Collectibles: ~1%–4%

Note: Commissions are based on a percentage of eBay’s revenue from the sale, not the full product price.

Why It’s a Good Option

eBay is a strong option for beginners due to its low barrier to entry, massive product selection, and easy-to-use linking tools. You can start promoting products quickly without needing advanced experience.

11. FlexOffers

Platform: FlexOffers

Cost: Free to join

Key Features

Large advertiser network: Access over 12,000 advertisers across categories like finance, retail, travel, and SaaS.

Easy approvals: Faster onboarding compared to stricter networks, making it easier to start promoting offers.

Multiple payout options: Choose from different payment methods with reliable and consistent payouts.

Deep linking tools: Create custom affiliate links to specific products or pages to improve conversions.

Why It’s a Good Option

FlexOffers is a great choice for affiliates who want a wide variety of offers without the friction of stricter approval processes. It works well for both beginners and intermediates looking to test multiple niches.

Commission Structure

Commission rates vary by advertiser, typically ranging from ~3% to 20%+, with higher payouts available in finance, SaaS, and digital offers.

12. Canva Affiliate Program

Platform: Canva

Cost: Free to join

Key Features

Massive user base: Canva is used by millions worldwide for social media, presentations, and marketing assets.

Beginner-friendly product: Drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for anyone to start designing.

Wide use cases: Promote to students, creators, businesses, and marketers.

High conversion potential: Free plan + strong brand recognition improves signups.

Canva Commission Rates

Affiliates typically earn up to ~$36 per new Canva Pro subscriber, depending on region and plan.

Why It’s a Good Option

Canva is ideal for affiliates targeting a broad audience, as it solves a universal need. Its ease of use and strong demand make it especially effective for tutorials and content-creation guides.

13. Bluehost Affiliate Program

Platform: Bluehost

Cost: Free to join

Key Features

High fixed payouts: Earn competitive commissions per sale.

Beginner-focused hosting: Popular choice for new bloggers and website owners.

Strong brand recognition: Widely recommended in the blogging and WordPress space.

Simple promotion angle: Easy to integrate into “how to start a website” content.

Bluehost Commission Rates

Affiliates typically earn $65+ per sale, with higher payouts available based on performance and volume.

Why It’s a Good Option

Bluehost is a strong choice for beginners because hosting is a natural first step for anyone starting online. The high payout per sale makes it one of the most profitable entry-level affiliate programs.

14. Semrush Affiliate Program

Platform: Semrush

Cost: Free to join

Key Features

All-in-one marketing tool: Covers SEO, PPC, content marketing, and competitor analysis.

Trusted by professionals: Used by agencies, marketers, and businesses globally.

Multiple earning opportunities: Earn from trials, leads, and paid subscriptions.

Strong demand: SEO tools are consistently searched and promoted.

Semrush Commission Rates

Semrush uses a hybrid commission model, typically offering:

~$200 per subscription sale

Smaller payouts for trial signups and leads

Why It’s a Good Option

Semrush is ideal for affiliates in the marketing, blogging, and SEO space. While more advanced, its high payouts make it one of the most lucrative programs to promote through educational content.

15. Skillshare Affiliate Program

Platform: Skillshare

Cost: Free to join

Key Features

Large course library: Thousands of classes in design, business, tech, and more.

Subscription-based model: Encourages ongoing learning and engagement.

Broad audience appeal: Suitable for creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Easy promotion angle: Works well in educational and productivity content.

Skillshare Commission Rates

Affiliates typically earn ~$7 to $10 per free trial signup, depending on region and campaign.

Why It’s a Good Option

Skillshare is beginner-friendly because free trial offers convert easily, allowing new affiliates to generate commissions without requiring users to make an upfront purchase.

Best Affiliate Programs by Use Case

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. The right choice depends on your goals, your audience, and how you plan to promote your offers. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

Best for beginners: Amazon Associates, Fiverr, Skillshare
Easy to join, simple to promote, and great for building your first commissions.

Best for high commissions: ClickBank, Semrush, Shopify
Higher payouts per sale, ideal if you want to maximize earnings with fewer conversions.

Best for trusted brands: eBay, Etsy, Bluehost
Strong brand recognition helps improve conversion rates and buyer confidence.

Best for long-term income (SaaS): Semrush, Impact
Ideal for scaling with higher-value or recurring commissions over time.

Tip: If you’re just starting out, focus on one or two programs that match your niche instead of trying to promote everything at once. This makes it easier to build trust and improve your results.

Choosing the right program is only part of the equation. How you promote it matters just as much.

Most beginners fail not because of the program they choose, but because they try to promote too many offers instead of focusing on one niche and mastering it.

How to Actually Make Money With Affiliate Programs

Create “best of” and comparison articles targeting buying intent keywords

Write product reviews that solve specific problems

Use TikTok or short-form content to drive traffic quickly

Build simple landing pages to improve conversion rates

Focus on SEO to generate consistent long-term traffic

Which Affiliate Program Should You Start With?

Absolute beginners: Amazon, Fiverr, Skillshare

High commissions: ClickBank, Semrush, Shopify

Trusted brands: eBay, Etsy, Bluehost

Long-term SaaS income: Semrush, Impact

Affiliate Marketing FAQs

What is the best affiliate program for beginners?

Amazon Associates is often the best starting point for beginners because it is easy to join, trusted by shoppers, and gives you access to millions of products across many niches. Other beginner-friendly options include Fiverr, Skillshare, and Etsy, depending on your audience.

Can beginners make money with affiliate marketing?

Yes, beginners can make money with affiliate marketing, especially by creating helpful content around products or services people are already searching for. Most new affiliates start small, then grow their earnings over time by focusing on one niche and improving their content strategy.

Which affiliate programs pay the highest commissions?

Programs like ClickBank, Semrush, Shopify, and some Fiverr offers can pay higher commissions than standard retail programs. High-paying affiliate programs usually come from SaaS, digital products, or premium services rather than physical products.

Do I need a website to start affiliate marketing?

No, you do not always need a website to start affiliate marketing. Some beginners use social media, YouTube, TikTok, or email newsletters. However, having a website gives you more control, helps with SEO, and makes it easier to build long-term traffic.

How do I choose the right affiliate program?

Choose an affiliate program based on your niche, your audience’s needs, commission potential, brand trust, and how easy the offer is to promote. It is usually better to start with one or two relevant programs instead of joining too many at once.

What is the easiest affiliate marketing strategy for beginners?

One of the easiest strategies is to create product reviews, comparison posts, and “best of” articles targeting keywords with buying intent. This works well because readers are already looking for recommendations before making a decision.

Serious About Affiliate Marketing? Your Landing Page Matters.

Even the best affiliate offer can underperform if your landing page is weak. LanderLab lets affiliates create landing pages and quizzes with AI, test ideas faster, and improve conversions without the usual complexity.

Start Building With LanderLab

Final Thoughts

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest monetization strategies for new online entrepreneurs as of 2026. However, it is essential to be very selective when choosing your affiliate marketing campaigns. The campaigns mentioned earlier are highly sought after for a reason. They are trusted, user-friendly, and include a variety of products/services,

If you are new to affiliate marketing, you will want to start by choosing a program or two that target the audience you want to attract. Creating valuable content, endorsing a product you love, and analyzing data to learn from mistakes will all contribute to success.

It’s well worth noting that affiliate marketing is not a get-rich-quick scheme. In reality, it provides an excellent reward for patience and testing. With a good set of programs, there is no reason why this business opportunity cannot become a stable source of income.

If you’re serious about turning traffic into revenue, your landing page matters just as much as your offer. Tools like LanderLab help you build, test, and optimize high-converting pages so you can maximize every click you generate.