What an affiliate network does
- Lists merchants’ programs, so affiliates can find and join them
- Provides tracking links and records sales and leads
- Pays affiliates on behalf of merchants, often in many currencies
- Checks affiliates and traffic to prevent fraud
- Offers reporting to both sides
Well-known affiliate networks
Awin, CJ Affiliate, Rakuten Advertising and Impact are among the largest. Some brands run their own programs instead, such as Amazon Associates.
Network or in-house?
A network gives quick access to many affiliates and ready-made tracking, in exchange for fees on top of the commissions. An in-house program gives more control and lower fees, but you have to recruit affiliates and manage the technology yourself.
Affiliate network example
A software company wants affiliates but has no tracking system. It joins an affiliate network, uploads its product details and sets a 20% first-month commission. Hundreds of publishers in the network can apply to promote it. The network tracks each sale, deducts its fee and pays the affiliates, and the company sees all results in one dashboard.
What to compare when choosing a network
- Fees: setup, monthly and a percentage of commissions.
- Quality and type of affiliates: coupon sites, bloggers, comparison sites or influencers.
- Tracking methods, including cookie length and cross-device tracking.
- Payment schedule and currencies.
- Rules to prevent fraud, such as brand-bidding and fake leads.
Affiliate network mistakes
- Merchants: setting commission too low to interest good affiliates.
- Merchants: not checking where affiliates place the links.
- Affiliates: joining too many programs and promoting none well.
- Ignoring the network’s terms on coupon sites and paid search.
Affiliate network FAQs
Do affiliates pay to join a network?
Usually not. Joining is free for publishers, while merchants pay fees. Check each network’s terms.
What is the difference from an ad network?
Affiliates are paid for results. An ad network typically sells clicks or impressions. Read more about affiliate marketing.
When a network is not needed
If you sell only a few products to a narrow audience, a handful of direct partnerships with a simple tracking link and a monthly payment can work better than a large network. You keep the relationship and avoid network fees, but you need to check sales and pay affiliates yourself.