7 Best Affiliate Networks For 2023

Every week, someone in Alston’s private Facebook group asks the same question: “I can’t find an affiliate program for my niche.” And every time, Alston asks back: “Did you try a different affiliate network?” The answer is almost always no. Most beginners go straight to one or two programs they heard about on YouTube and give up when those programs don’t fit. The real solution is knowing where to look, and that means knowing your networks.

In this post, Alston walks through the seven best affiliate networks for 2023 and explains exactly why he steers clear of two of the most hyped ones on YouTube. If you have been spinning your wheels trying to find programs that match your content, this list gives you a concrete starting point. Each network houses hundreds to thousands of programs, which means one approval can open the door to dozens of opportunities inside a single niche.

What You’ll Walk Out With

A clear explanation of what an affiliate network actually is and how it differs from a standalone program
Why Impact Radius has become home to elite brands like Canva, Airbnb, and Bluehost
How ShareASale serves both sports and finance niches with programs most creators overlook
Why Commission Junction pays out $1.8 billion in annual publisher commissions and what that means for you
The honest truth about Amazon Associates: why low commissions do not tell the whole story
How Awin can put you in front of Nike, Under Armour, and Etsy, and why brands may start reaching out to you
The real reason Alston avoids ClickBank and Digistore24, and it is not what most people think
How to match your niche to the right network starting today at finder.platformproof.com

What Is an Affiliate Network and Why Should You Use One?

An affiliate network is essentially a marketplace that houses hundreds or thousands of individual affiliate programs under one roof. Think of it like a grocery store. When you walk into a grocery store, you do not have to visit the Heinz factory, the Hellmann’s plant, and the Hunt’s warehouse separately to buy ketchup and mustard. You go to one place and find multiple brands, multiple price points, and multiple options all in one trip. An affiliate network works the same way.

Instead of hunting down individual companies and applying to their private programs one at a time, you join the network once. After you are accepted at the network level, you apply to specific programs inside that network. Your dashboards, payment schedules, marketing materials, and tracking links all live in one place. For someone just getting started or for someone who keeps hitting dead ends with standalone programs, a network can completely change the game.

Most of the top networks also require that you have a platform before you can get accepted into individual programs. That is why Alston consistently recommends building a website or blog as your base of operations. A website gives you a place to send traffic, a place to swap out affiliate links when a program changes, and credibility when program managers review your application.

Network 1: Impact Radius (impact.com)

Impact Radius, also known simply as impact.com, is Alston’s first pick on the list. The primary reason is one specific program that Alston has promoted for years: Bluehost. Bluehost used to run as a standalone affiliate program and was one of the best-known hosting affiliate offers on the internet. A while back, Bluehost moved its affiliate program over to Impact Radius, and that move made Impact even more attractive as a network.

Beyond Bluehost, Impact Radius works with a wide range of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. On the platform you will find programs from brands like Canva, Airbnb, and McAfee, along with many others spanning technology, travel, software, and finance. The interface is clean and genuinely easy to use. Finding programs, pulling your links, and checking your earnings is not a chore the way it is on some older networks. That simplicity is part of why Impact sits at the top of the list.

If you create content around software, design tools, web hosting, or online business, Impact Radius should be one of your first applications. The brands inside the network carry real recognition, which makes your recommendations easier for an audience to trust.

Network 2: ShareASale

ShareASale has been around long enough that a lot of creators overlook it in favor of newer, shinier platforms. That would be a mistake. ShareASale carries affiliate programs for collegiate athletics and NFL shop teams, which means if you are building content in the sports niche, this network gives you a direct path to official merchandise programs that are hard to find elsewhere.

The network also has a strong presence in personal finance. Acorns, the micro-investing app, runs its affiliate program through ShareASale. For anyone creating content around budgeting, saving, or investing for beginners, that is a high-relevance program with an audience that already trusts the product.

One of the things that makes ShareASale worth your attention is the range of merchant sizes. The network works with mom-and-pop shops that have tight affiliate budgets and personal support as well as Fortune 100 companies running large-scale affiliate programs with dedicated managers. If you are in a niche that is somewhere between mainstream and specialty, ShareASale is likely to have something that fits. The breadth of options is a genuine strength.

Network 3: Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate)

Commission Junction, which most people know as CJ or CJ Affiliate, is one of the most established networks in the industry. One number tells you a lot about its scale: CJ pays out $1.8 billion in annual publisher commissions. That is not a projection. That is real money going to the affiliate publishers who promote the programs inside the network. When a network is paying out at that level, it means the advertisers are investing seriously in their affiliate programs and the payouts are consistent.

The advertiser roster inside CJ reads like a list of household names. Priceline is there for travel content creators. Office Depot is there for business and productivity niches. TurboTax shows up for personal finance and tax season content. J.Crew covers fashion and style. Blue Apron gives meal kit content a direct path to commission.

That last one is worth dwelling on. If you are in the cooking niche, CJ does not just have Blue Apron. The network also carries programs related to cookbooks, kitchen utensils, cookware sets, and food subscription services. One niche, multiple programs, all inside a single network. That is exactly why Alston keeps coming back to CJ as a top recommendation. The depth inside any given category is hard to match.

Network 4: Rakuten Advertising

Rakuten Advertising operates one of the most recognized affiliate networks globally, with a strong lineup of brand-name programs. Inside the network you will find Udemy, the online learning platform, which is a strong fit for any creator covering education, career development, or skill-building. JetBlue Vacations is also on the platform, making it useful for travel content.

The process at Rakuten works the same way as the other networks on this list. You apply to join Rakuten at the network level first. Once you are accepted, you apply individually to each program you want to promote. Some programs will approve you automatically. Others will review your platform and make a decision. Either way, getting accepted to the network itself is the key first step, and from there you can build out a portfolio of programs that match your content.

Rakuten’s reputation for working with established global brands gives it a particular value if your content skews toward travel, e-learning, or premium lifestyle topics where your audience expects well-known names. A recommendation backed by a brand people already recognize converts better than a recommendation backed by a name no one has heard of.

Network 5: Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is the one Alston calls “Old Faithful.” The most common objection is that the commissions are low, and that is fair. Depending on the product category, Amazon pays anywhere from 1% to around 10%, which is on the lower end compared to digital products or subscription-based programs. But the low commission rate does not tell the whole story.

Here is what the commission rate does not capture: the cookie window covers the entire shopping cart, not just the product you linked. Someone can click your affiliate link to look at a security camera, decide they do not want it, and then spend $200 on a weighted blanket and a set of kitchen knives. You earn commission on all of it. That behavior happens constantly on Amazon because it is the default shopping destination for millions of people. The sheer size of the catalog turns every link into a potential windfall.

Amazon also has one of the most accessible approval processes. You do not need a website to apply. A YouTube channel or an app qualifies. That makes Amazon one of the few networks where a video creator can get started without building a separate web presence. You do have to generate three qualified sales during an initial review period to keep your account, but if you do not hit that threshold you can reapply. There is no permanent ban for missing the target. The only friction is that you will need to update your affiliate links if you reapply with a new account, which is another reason to run links through a landing page or a blog post where you can swap the URL in one place rather than hunting through dozens of videos or posts.

Network 6: Awin

Awin rounds out the list of networks Alston recommends, and it brings some brand names that are difficult to find in other networks. Nike runs its affiliate program through Awin. Under Armour is there as well. Etsy, the marketplace for handmade goods and vintage items, is also available through Awin. For creators in fitness, fashion, lifestyle, or creative goods, these are programs that carry immediate brand recognition and strong audience alignment.

Awin works the same way structurally as the other networks. You apply to the network, get accepted, then apply to individual programs. Nike may require a review of your platform before approving you. Etsy may be more open. The approval process varies by advertiser, but your acceptance into Awin opens the door to all of them.

There is also a longer-term benefit to joining Awin that most beginners do not think about. Once you start generating sales and building a track record inside the network, advertisers can see your activity. Business owners running affiliate programs on Awin get reports showing which publishers are performing in their category. If your numbers look good, program managers will reach out to you directly and invite you to join their program, sometimes with higher commission rates or exclusive bonuses that are not available to publishers who simply applied through the standard process. Getting to the point where brands are chasing you is a significant shift, and Awin is one of the networks where that dynamic plays out.

Why Alston Avoids ClickBank and Digistore24

Alston is clear that his objection to ClickBank and Digistore24 is not about the networks themselves. Both platforms host real products, pay affiliates, and have been around long enough to establish credibility. His issue is with how those platforms have been used and presented on YouTube over the years.

The dominant strategy taught in countless YouTube videos about ClickBank and Digistore24 is what Alston calls “spray and pray.” The idea is simple: grab your affiliate link and paste it everywhere you can, across social media posts, comment sections, forums, and groups, and hope that someone eventually clicks and buys. The math behind this approach treats people like anonymous clicks rather than a real audience. It burns trust on every platform it touches and rarely produces consistent results.

The problem is not the product marketplaces. The problem is the pattern of promotion those marketplaces became associated with on YouTube. If you are going to use ClickBank or Digistore24, that is your call. But the marketing approach matters more than the network. Building real traffic, creating honest content, and matching products to an audience that actually wants them will always outperform a spray-and-pray campaign. That principle applies on any network, and it is the foundation Alston builds everything on.

Not sure which affiliate network matches your niche?

Answer a few questions and get a clear recommendation at finder.platformproof.com.

Honest Drawbacks: What This List Does Not Tell You

Every network on this list has strengths, but none of them solves the underlying problem of getting traffic. Joining Impact Radius, ShareASale, CJ, Rakuten, Amazon, and Awin does you no good if you do not have an audience that trusts your recommendations. The network is the store. You still have to bring the customers.

Approval is also not guaranteed. Some programs inside these networks have strict requirements around monthly traffic, domain age, or content type. You may apply to Nike on Awin and get denied on your first attempt. You may apply to Bluehost on Impact and find the approval takes weeks. Rejection is a normal part of the process, not a reason to quit.

Commission structures vary widely inside each network. Two programs in the same niche on the same network can have commission rates that differ by 10x. Reading the terms before you apply saves you the frustration of discovering after 90 days that the program you have been promoting pays half of what a comparable program was offering. Spend time comparing before you commit to promoting.

Finally, payment thresholds and schedules differ from network to network. Some pay monthly, some pay on a net-60 basis, and most require you to hit a minimum earnings threshold before releasing a payment. For someone just starting out, that means your first commission check may take longer to arrive than you expect. Plan for that delay rather than being surprised by it.

A Simple Framework for Choosing Where to Start

If you are not sure which network to prioritize, use the following decision path based on what Alston lays out in the video.

Identify your primary content niche first. Write it down in one sentence: “I create content about X for people who want Y.”
Match to the network with the deepest program selection in that niche. Sports or finance? Start with ShareASale. Cooking, travel, or tax? Start with CJ. Hosting and software? Start with Impact Radius.
Apply to the network first, then apply to individual programs inside it. Do not jump straight to a program application without network-level approval.
If you have no website yet, start with Amazon. It accepts YouTube channels and does not require a standalone web presence for initial application.
Set a goal of generating three to five sales on your first program before expanding. Proof of conversion gives you a stronger application when you go after branded programs like Nike or Blue Apron.
Build every affiliate link through a central landing page or blog post. When a program changes its links, or when you reapply after a lapse, you update one URL in one place rather than editing every piece of content that references it.

Find Your X

Finding the right affiliate network is step one. Finding the right program inside that network, for your specific niche and your specific audience, is the work that actually builds income. If you are trying to figure out which program matches your skills, your content, and the way you want to spend your time, that is exactly what the Platform Proof Finder is built to help you with. Head to finder.platformproof.com to get a clear answer on where to focus your energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an affiliate network and an affiliate program?

An affiliate network is a platform that hosts many individual affiliate programs in one place. Think of the network as the marketplace and the programs as the individual stores inside it. You apply to the network first, then apply separately to each program you want to promote. A standalone affiliate program operates independently, with its own sign-up process, its own dashboard, and its own payment system.

Do I need a website to join these affiliate networks?

Most networks require some form of platform, and a website is the most commonly accepted option. However, Amazon Associates is a notable exception: a YouTube channel or an app qualifies for initial application. For Impact Radius, ShareASale, CJ, Rakuten, and Awin, a website is strongly recommended and often required by individual programs inside those networks even if the network itself approves you without one.

How long does it take to get approved by these networks?

Network-level approval is typically fast, sometimes the same day. Individual program approvals vary. Some programs approve automatically when you apply. Others are reviewed manually by a program manager and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In some cases, programs do not notify you of a denial and simply leave the application in a pending state indefinitely. Check back after two weeks and reapply if needed.

Is Amazon Associates actually worth it given the low commission rates?

It depends on your traffic volume and your niche. Amazon’s commission rates range from roughly 1% to 10% depending on the product category, which is lower than most digital product programs. But Amazon’s cart cookie means you earn commission on everything a buyer purchases during their session after clicking your link, not just the item you promoted. For high-traffic content in physical product niches, Amazon Associates can generate consistent income at scale. For low-traffic sites, the math may not work until the audience grows.

Can I join multiple affiliate networks at the same time?

Yes, and Alston recommends it. There is no rule that says you can only use one network. Most successful affiliate marketers promote programs from multiple networks simultaneously, matching each program to the content where it fits best. The only thing to manage is keeping your dashboards organized and making sure you are hitting the minimum payout threshold on each network you join.

What happens if Amazon denies me or I do not hit three sales during the review period?

You can reapply. Amazon does not issue a permanent ban for failing to meet the initial three-sale requirement. The catch is that a new application comes with new affiliate links, which means any existing content pointing to your old links will need to be updated. This is one of the main reasons Alston recommends routing Amazon links through a central landing page or blog post. Updating one page is much faster than tracking down every video description, social post, or article where you dropped a direct link.

Why does Alston say ClickBank and Digistore24 are not his favorites?

His objection is not to the platforms themselves. Both ClickBank and Digistore24 operate legitimately and host real products. His concern is with the “spray and pray” promotion style that became the dominant strategy promoted in YouTube videos about those platforms. Pasting affiliate links across comment sections, Facebook groups, and forums without building real content or a real audience produces low conversion rates and burns credibility. The platform is not the problem. The promotion strategy is. If you use either network with a proper content-first approach, the objection disappears.

How do brands on Awin find affiliates to reach out to?

Advertisers on Awin have access to reports showing which publishers are generating sales in specific categories. Once your sales activity becomes visible, program managers can reach out directly to invite you into their program. These invitations sometimes come with higher commission rates or exclusive promotional access that is not available through the standard application process. It does not happen on day one, but as your account builds history it becomes a real path to better program terms.

Sources

Alston Godbolt, “7 Best Affiliate Networks For 2023,” YouTube, https://youtu.be/jgAQmQAvw6Q
Impact Radius (impact.com): affiliate network featuring Canva, Airbnb, McAfee, Bluehost
ShareASale: affiliate network with collegiate athletics, NFL shop, and Acorns programs
CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction): $1.8 billion annual publisher commissions; partners include Priceline, TurboTax, Blue Apron
Rakuten Advertising: affiliate network featuring Udemy and JetBlue Vacations
Amazon Associates: affiliate program accessible via YouTube channel; requires 3 qualified sales for full acceptance
Awin: affiliate network featuring Nike, Under Armour, and Etsy