Guides · 2026-06-15

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs

Look past the headline rate

A 50% commission on a product nobody buys earns nothing. Weigh the commission against conversion rate, average order value and refund rate. A 10% rate on a high-AOV product with a great funnel often beats a flashier number.

Cookie window matters

The cookie window is how long after a click you still get credit. Thirty days is standard; 60–120 days is generous. Lifetime cookies — common in some SaaS and crypto programs — mean you can earn from a referral months later.

Recurring vs one-time

One-time payouts are simple, but recurring revenue-share compounds. If you can send steady traffic to subscription products, recurring commissions build a predictable monthly income that one-time CPA can't match.

Check the network and payment terms

Reputable networks (Impact, CJ, ShareASale, Awin, PartnerStack) handle tracking and payments reliably. Note the payout threshold and schedule so you know when money actually reaches you.

Find programs to put this into practice

Browse the directory and shortlist affiliate programs that match your niche.

Browse the Directory

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