Want to earn faster? Check out 5 Passive Income Ideas That Actually Work for Digital Creators for additional opportunities.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a method where you promote a product or service using a special tracking link. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
It’s a win-win: brands get exposure, and bloggers get paid for referring customers. It’s particularly effective when paired with helpful blog content such as:
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Product reviews
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How-to guides
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Listicles (like this one!)
If you’re still working on your blog structure, check out How to Write Blog Posts That Rank on Google – Even as a Beginner for guidance on creating SEO-friendly content that converts.
Why Affiliate Marketing Works for New Bloggers
Affiliate marketing is beginner-friendly for several reasons:
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Low startup costs: You don’t need to create products.
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Passive income potential: Your posts can earn money months after publishing.
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Scalable: You can promote multiple products across different niches.
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Flexible: Works alongside other monetization methods like ads or digital products.
By starting with trusted affiliate programs, you set a foundation for long-term blogging income.
7 Best Affiliate Programs for New Bloggers
Here are the top affiliate programs that are easy to join, free to use, and beginner-friendly.
1. Amazon Associates
Amazon is one of the world’s largest online stores. Its Amazon Associates program lets you earn money by promoting almost anything, from books to gadgets.
Pros:
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Easy approval process
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Huge product selection
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Trusted brand among buyers
Best For: Bloggers in any niche, from lifestyle to tech.
Example: If you run a self-publishing blog, you can promote books and Kindle tools. Learn more with Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First $100 on Amazon KDP.
2. ShareASale
ShareASale is a large affiliate network connecting bloggers with thousands of brands in industries like fashion, tech, and finance.
Pros:
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User-friendly dashboard
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Many trusted brands
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Reliable payments
Best For: Bloggers in multiple niches who want diverse options.
Tip: Create blog posts around specific products and embed affiliate links naturally to boost clicks.
3. Impact
Impact is a modern affiliate platform used by brands like Canva, ConvertKit, and Bluehost.
Pros:
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High-quality programs
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Advanced reporting tools
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Easy link management
Best For: Bloggers in tech, digital marketing, or online tools.
If you’re in the design niche, consider promoting Canva templates and tutorials. For example, How to Design a KDP Cover That Grabs Attention and Converts can inspire related content and affiliate links.
4. PartnerStack
PartnerStack specializes in software and SaaS affiliate programs, making it ideal for bloggers writing about business, tech, or productivity.
Pros:
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Recurring commissions
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Easy-to-use dashboard
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Programs include Grammarly, Thinkific, and more
Best For: Bloggers in digital marketing, education, and productivity niches.
Tip: Highlight tools you use personally and explain their benefits. Authentic reviews convert better.
5. CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
CJ Affiliate is one of the oldest and most trusted affiliate networks, with brands like GoDaddy, Skillshare, and TurboTax.
Pros:
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Long list of affiliate programs
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Global reach
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Advanced tracking and reporting
Best For: Bloggers who want to scale long-term with multiple products.
Avoid traffic loss by following strategies in Top 5 SEO Mistakes New Bloggers Make and How to Fix Them.
6. Rakuten Advertising
Rakuten connects you with big-name brands like Walmart, Samsung, and Sephora.
Pros:
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High-quality brand partnerships
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Strong reputation
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Reliable payouts
Best For: Bloggers in lifestyle, tech, or shopping niches.
Example: A fashion blogger can create seasonal gift guides featuring Rakuten affiliate links.
7. ClickBank
ClickBank specializes in digital products like courses, eBooks, and software, many with high commission rates up to 70%.
Pros:
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High payouts
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Easy approval
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Wide range of niche products
Best For: Bloggers in health, self-help, finance, and education niches.
Tip: Focus on high-quality products that solve real problems for your audience.
Tips to Succeed with Affiliate Marketing as a Blogger
Affiliate marketing success requires strategy and patience. Here are key tips:
Write Helpful, Value-Driven Content
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Focus on solving problems, not just promoting products.
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Include step-by-step guides, tutorials, or comparisons.
Use Internal Links
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Guide readers naturally to other posts, like you’ve seen in this article.
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Example: Link How to Use Pinterest to Drive Blog Traffic Like a Pro in your social media marketing posts.
Create Multiple Posts Around One Product
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Make tutorials, reviews, and case studies for a single product.
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Example: Promote Canva with a “Beginner’s Canva Tutorial” post and a “Best Canva Templates for Bloggers” post.
Track Links and Optimize
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Use tracking tools from your affiliate dashboard to see which posts perform best.
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Test different calls-to-action, pin designs, or placement.
Be Consistent and Patient
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Results take time.
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Follow strategies in Ultimate SEO Checklist for New Bloggers in 2025 to grow traffic steadily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Dropping links without context: Always explain why a product is useful.
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Ignoring SEO: Without traffic, affiliate links won’t convert.
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Promoting too many products at once: Focus on a few high-quality products.
How to Integrate Affiliate Marketing Into Your Blog
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Blog Categories: Dedicate categories like “Tools & Resources” for affiliate content.
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Email Marketing: Add affiliate links naturally in newsletters.
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Social Media: Share affiliate-focused tutorials on Pinterest or Instagram.
Example: A post like Top 10 Digital Side Hustles You Can Start with Zero Budget in 2025 can include affiliate links to recommended tools.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways for new bloggers to start earning money online. These 7 beginner-friendly programs offer diverse options and great earning potential.
Remember: success comes from helping your readers solve problems using products you trust, rather than just dropping links.
Start with one program, create helpful content, and gradually scale. Over time, your blog can become a reliable source of passive income.
