One of the main income sources for my blog is affiliate marketing and I believe it’s one of the best ways for bloggers to make passive income from their blog. But it can be difficult to find suitable affiliate programs, so I wanted to share the top affiliate programs for bloggers that I’ve found.
My experience is mainly within the budgeting, blogging, personal finance and making/saving money niches, so I’ve devoted two sections to each of those niches. However, there are quite a few affiliate programs that suit virtually any niche and I’ve listed those first.
There are lots of lucrative affiliate programs for bloggers, but I wanted to start by answering a question that I see often.
What is the Number One Affiliate Program for Bloggers?
I believe that the number one affiliate program for bloggers is the Amazon Associate’s Program. Before you say “but they pay such a low commission” or “they’ve just dropped their affiliate payout rates” hear me out.
It’s true that the Amazon affiliate program for bloggers doesn’t pay as a high a percentage as other affiliate programs. And yes, it’s true that they recently dropped their rates (which admittedly, sucks.) But there are a few reasons why I believe that Amazon is the best affiliate program for bloggers.
1. Almost everybody shops on Amazon. Statistics show that 79% of Americans shop online, and a CNN article states that 55% of online shoppers start their shopping on Amazon. That’s a HUGE amount of people.
2. Amazon sells virtually everything you can think of, so regardless of your niche, you’re going to find something to link to. Sure, you can link to run of the mill things like pots and pans if you’re a food blogger. But you can also link to things like this life-size Bigfoot statue… See what I mean when I say Amazon has everything you need (and a million things you don’t.)
3. Even if people click on your affiliate link buy don’t buy what you linked to, you still get commission on anything they buy within the next 24 hours.
I’ve had amazing success with the Amazon associate’s program. (I’ve also written an eBook called “Cracking the Code on the Amazon Associate’s Program“.)
So now that I’ve (hopefully) convinced you to start monetizing your blog with the Amazon associate’s program, let’s get into some other lucrative affiliate programs for bloggers!
Top Affiliate Programs for Bloggers
Best Affiliate Programs for ALL Bloggers:
Amazon
The affiliate program that every blogger should be a member of. Click here to join. Then scroll all the way to down to the bottom menu and click on “Become an affiliate” under the “Make Money With Us” section.
Ebates
Ebates is a website that I’ve been using for years to get cashback on my online shopping. They also have a great refer-a-friend program, so it’s definitely an affiliate program you should sign up for. Click here to join and you’ll get a $10 gift card.
FlexOffers
FlexOffers is an affiliate network that manages the affiliate programs of hundreds of different companies. Click here to join FlexOffers then search through to find affiliate programs you want to join. They have partnered with tons of companies so you’re bound to find at least a few to promote. I make a few hundred dollars a month with FlexOffers.
Shareasale
Shareasale is another affiliate network that is very popular with bloggers. They work exactly the same as FlexOffers but they work with different merchants, so it’s worth signing up for both. Here’s the link to join Shareasale.
Ultimate Bundles
Ultimate Bundles offers new bundles of digital products almost every month, on topics like homemaking, parenting, blogging, marketing, healthy living, fitness and more. They pay affiliates 40% for every bundle that you sell, and offer excellent affiliate marketing training. Click here to join the Ultimate Bundles affiliate program.
Best Blogging Affiliate Programs:
If you’ve taken a course or read an eBook about blogging that you’ve enjoyed, be sure to check if they have an affiliate program. Most bloggers do have affiliate programs for their products. With that said, here are a few ideas.
Bluehost
Bluehost is another hosting company that is very popular with bloggers. I don’t host my site with Bluehost so I don’t actively promote them, but I hear they have a lucrative affiliate program. If you host your site with Bluehost and genuinely enjoy the service they provide, then it’s worth joining the Bluehost affiliate program.
Tailwind
Tailwind is the Pinterest scheduler of choice for many bloggers, and they happen to have affiliate program which pays $15 credit for each person you refer who joins. Click here to join the Tailwind affiliate program.
StudioPress
StudioPress is one the premier companies for WordPress themes. Their affiliate program pays 35% per sale, and you can join the program through Shareasale.
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is one of the most popular affiliate marketing courses, created by Michelle from Making Sense of Cents (who makes 50k+ per month from affiliate marketing.) The course itself is excellent, especially for affiliate marketing beginners, so if you want to learn about affiliate marketing from a pro, then it’s worth checking out the course. Michelle also pays 40% for every affiliate sale you send.
Best Personal Finance/Budgeting Affiliate Programs
Zaycon Fresh
If you blog about frugal living, saving money or food, then Zaycon Fresh is one of the best affiliate programs I’ve come across. Zaycon Fresh is a company that sells farm fresh meat in bulk online. They pay $15 for every customer who signs up and places their first order using your affiliate link. That can add up very quickly! Join the Zaycon Fresh influencer program here.
Ibotta
I absolutely love Ibotta and use it all the time to get cashback on my groceries, so it’s only natural that I would recommend it to everyone. Ibotta gives everyone that signs up a $10 bonus in their account, and they also pay $5 affiliate commission. Join Ibotta and their affiliate program here.
Ebates
A must for anyone that does online shopping, Ebates is another cashback site that I love. They will give your readers a $10 gift card after they join, and they have a refer-a-friend program that you can join here.
Online Survey Affiliate Programs
Completing online surveys is a popular way to make some extra cash from home. Here are some survey companies that have affiliate programs:
- American Consumer Opinion – join through Sharesale
- Swagbucks
- InboxDollars
$5 Meal Plan
A popular service that delivers healthy, budget-friendly meal plans every week to your inbox for just $5 a month. Join the affiliate program here.
MyFreezEasy
Another popular meal planning service is MyFreezEasy. They deliver freezer meal plans every week which will help your readers save time and money!
Thrive Market
Thrive Market delivers organic and non-GMO products directly to your door for up to 50% less than what you’d pay in the grocery store. They pay $25 for each signup.
There are tons of other affiliate programs out there, it’s just a matter of searching for them. If there’s a company you’d love to promote and you’re wondering if they have an affiliate program for bloggers, just google “company name affiliate program.” Another option is to visit their website and scroll all the way to the bottom menu. If they have an affiliate program there is usually a link that says “partner with us” or something similar.
And finally, if you can’t find any information online, you can always email a marketing representative for the company that you’d like to work for and ask if they have an affiliate program. You never know, it might not be something they’d even considered, and they may start one specifically because you asked.