Nayan Dhumal
The easiest way to find affiliate programmes for your blog is to start with the products you already use and recommend, then check whether each company has its own programme or works through an affiliate network. This guide shows where to look, how to judge a programme before you join and what to do after you are approved.
Searching “best affiliate programmes” gives you endless lists, most of them unrelated to your blog. A programme only earns money if your readers actually want the product.
So the better question is not “which programme pays most?” but “which products do my readers already need?”
Key takeaways
- Start with tools and products you already use and trust.
- Check the company’s website footer for an “Affiliates” or “Partners” link.
- Affiliate networks list many programmes in one place.
- Judge a programme by relevance, commission terms, cookie length and payout rules.
- Read the programme terms before you add links.
- Disclose affiliate links clearly and mark them as sponsored.
Step 1: List what you already recommend
Open a document and write down:
- Tools and software you use for your blog or work.
- Products you have bought and would recommend to a friend.
- Products you mention often in your posts.
- Products your readers ask you about.
This list is your starting point. Recommending what you know is easier to write about honestly, and readers trust it more.
Step 2: Check each company for a programme
- Visit the company’s website.
- Scroll to the footer and look for links such as Affiliates, Partners, Referral programme or Become an affiliate.
- If there is no link, search Google for the brand name plus “affiliate program”.
- Read the programme page: who it is for, what it pays and how to apply.
Many software, hosting and digital product companies run their own programmes. Others use an affiliate network.
Step 3: Look at affiliate networks
An affiliate network is a platform that hosts programmes from many companies. You sign up once, then apply to individual brands inside it. Networks are useful because you can browse programmes by category and see their terms in one place.
Big online stores often run their own programmes too. Each network and store has its own approval rules, payout methods and minimum payouts, so read the terms for your country.
Step 4: Judge a programme before you join
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Relevance | Your readers must actually want the product |
| Commission type | One-time, recurring or a fixed amount per sale |
| Cookie length | How long after a click a sale still counts |
| Payout rules | Minimum payout, payment method and schedule |
| Restrictions | Rules on coupons, paid ads, email or link cloaking |
| Product quality | A bad product damages your reputation |
A smaller commission on a product your readers love usually earns more than a big commission on something nobody needs.
Pro tip
Before applying, write down the one post on your blog where the product fits best. If you cannot think of one, the programme is probably not a good match yet.
Step 5: Apply and get approved
- Make sure your blog has useful content, an About page, a contact page and a privacy policy. Some programmes review your site.
- Describe your blog and audience honestly in the application.
- If you are rejected, publish more relevant content and apply again later.
If you are setting up those basic pages, see my guide on how to make a contact page in WordPress.
Step 6: Add links the right way
Once approved, get your affiliate link from the programme dashboard and add it where it genuinely helps the reader, such as in a review, a comparison or a tutorial step.
Mark affiliate links with rel=”sponsored”, and add a clear disclosure near the top of the post. My guide on how to add affiliate links to a blog walks through this, including how I use Pretty Links to keep links tidy.
Types of affiliate programmes
- Software and SaaS: often recurring commissions while the customer stays subscribed.
- Hosting and domains: popular with blogging and business audiences.
- Digital products: courses, templates and ebooks.
- Physical products: through large stores, usually with smaller percentages.
- Services: some agencies and freelancers pay referral fees.
Common mistakes
- Joining too many programmes. Focus on a few that fit your content.
- Promoting products you have not checked. One bad recommendation can cost you a reader’s trust.
- Ignoring the terms. Breaking rules on coupons or paid ads can get your account closed.
- Hiding the disclosure. Be upfront with readers.
For the bigger picture, including how affiliate marketing works and how long it takes to earn, start with my guide to affiliate marketing for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find affiliate programmes in my niche?
Start with products you already use, check each company’s website footer for an affiliate link, and browse affiliate networks by category.
Can I join affiliate programmes with a new blog?
Many programmes accept new blogs with useful content and basic pages. Some require more traffic. Read each programme’s requirements.
Which is better, a high commission or a popular product?
A product your readers genuinely want usually earns more, even with a smaller commission.
Do I need a website to join affiliate programmes?
Most programmes ask for a website or social profile where you will promote them. A blog with relevant content makes approval easier.
How many affiliate programmes should I join?
Start with a few that match your content well. Add more only when you have posts where they genuinely fit.