Affiliate Marketing Schemes for 2025

Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to make money online by promoting products or services from other companies and earning a commission for each sale or lead generated through your unique affiliate link.

You can start by creating a blog or website in a niche you're passionate about, where you share valuable content and naturally incorporate affiliate products that align with your audience's interests. Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok are also excellent for affiliate marketing, allowing you to share engaging posts or stories with affiliate links.

Additionally, creating YouTube videos, such as product tutorials or reviews, can help you reach a broader audience and establish trust, increasing your affiliate income potential. With consistency and strategy, affiliate marketing can become a sustainable source of passive income.

Building an email list is one of the most effective strategies for monetizing your blog with affiliate marketing because it allows you to directly reach an engaged audience who has already shown interest in your content. When someone subscribes to your email list, they’re giving you permission to send them valuable information, product recommendations, and exclusive offers. Unlike social media platforms where algorithms control who sees your content, email marketing puts your message directly in the inbox of your most loyal readers. This increases the likelihood of them clicking on your affiliate links, as they are already familiar with you and trust your recommendations. Moreover, you can segment your email list based on interests, enabling you to send personalized and relevant affiliate offers to different groups, which boosts conversions and enhances your affiliate revenue potential.

The amount you can earn through affiliate marketing varies greatly and depends on several factors, including the niche you're in, the size and engagement of your audience, the quality of the products you're promoting, and how well you execute your strategy. That said, here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect:

1. Beginner Level (Under 6 months)

Average Earnings: $0 - $500 per month.
Why: At this stage, most people are still learning the ropes of affiliate marketing and have small, growing audiences. Earnings typically come from occasional sales or low-ticket items.

2. Intermediate Level (6 months to 1 year)

Average Earnings: $500 - $2,000 per month.
Why: After several months of consistent content creation, SEO optimization, and building an email list, bloggers and marketers begin to see more regular affiliate sales. You might be promoting a mix of low-ticket and higher-ticket items.

3. Advanced Level (1 year and beyond)

Average Earnings: $2,000 - $10,000+ per month.
Why: With more experience, a larger and more engaged audience, and a refined content strategy, affiliate marketers at this level are promoting high-converting products and may have multiple streams of affiliate income. Successful bloggers often use multiple income channels (e.g., multiple affiliate programs, product reviews, tutorials, etc.) to maximize earnings.

Top Earners

Earnings: $10,000 - $100,000+ per month.
Why: This level includes those who have mastered affiliate marketing, with massive audiences or highly targeted niches. Top affiliates typically promote high-ticket items or recurring commissions (e.g., subscription services or software). They may also leverage paid ads and a variety of content platforms (blog, YouTube, social media, email) to drive traffic and increase conversions.

Here is a list of the top affiliate marketing schemes we think you should be looking at for 2025

1. Amazon Associates

Commission: Typically 1-10% based on the product category.
Why It’s Easy: Amazon is a household name, and most people already shop there. Amazon’s program is easy to sign up for and offers an enormous variety of products to promote.
Getting Started: Once approved, you get an affiliate dashboard where you can grab links for products you recommend. Amazon offers tools for creating text, image, and “native shopping” ads that are easy to add to your site or social media.
Payout: Payouts are monthly after you meet the minimum threshold (usually around $10 for bank deposits).

2. ShareASale

Commission: Varies by merchant (usually a percentage of each sale).
Why It’s Easy: ShareASale is an affiliate network that connects you with thousands of merchants across many industries. It’s ideal if you want flexibility and a wide range of products to choose from.
Getting Started: Create an account on ShareASale and browse merchants to find products and brands that align with your niche. Each brand has specific terms, but you’ll have access to creatives and links for easy promotion.
Payout: Monthly payments, with a minimum balance requirement of $50.

3. Rakuten Advertising

Commission: Varies by retailer (usually a percentage of sales).
Why It’s Easy: Rakuten is similar to ShareASale but is especially popular with larger retailers like Macy’s and Walmart. It’s a user-friendly platform, and you’ll find a wide range of big-name brands.
Getting Started: Sign up and apply to individual programs within Rakuten’s network. Once approved, you’ll get access to a selection of banners, links, and other tools for promoting products.
Payout: Payments are monthly with a $50 minimum for bank transfers or checks.

4. Canva Affiliate Program

Commission: Up to $36 for each Canva Pro subscription referral.
Why It’s Easy: Canva’s affiliate program is simple and a great fit if you’re active in content creation, social media, or design niches. Canva provides a range of resources, from banners to link options, making promotion simple.
Getting Started: Apply on Canva’s affiliate page, and once approved, you can start sharing your affiliate link on your blog, social media, or YouTube channel.
Payout: Monthly payments once your balance reaches $10.

5. Skillshare Affiliate Program

Commission: $7 for every new customer who signs up for a free trial.
Why It’s Easy: Skillshare’s program is great if your audience is interested in learning and self-improvement. You earn a commission when people sign up for a free trial, which is often easier to promote than a direct purchase.
Getting Started: Once you sign up, you’ll get an affiliate link to share across your platforms. Skillshare also offers ready-made creatives like banners and ads.
Payout: Monthly payments with a minimum threshold of $10.

6. Etsy Affiliate Program

Commission: Usually 4-8% on referred sales.
Why It’s Easy: Etsy is popular for handmade and unique products, and there are tons of niches to choose from, from fashion to home decor. If your audience loves creative, one-of-a-kind items, Etsy is a great option.
Getting Started: Sign up through Awin (Etsy’s affiliate network), and you’ll be able to share links to any Etsy product, collection, or shop.
Payout: Monthly payments through Awin once you hit a $20 threshold.

7. Bluehost Affiliate Program

Commission: $65+ per sign-up.
Why It’s Easy: Bluehost is a popular web hosting provider, making it a great option if your audience includes bloggers, freelancers, or small business owners looking to start their own websites.
Getting Started: Sign up on the Bluehost affiliate page, and once approved, you’ll get a unique link to share. Bluehost offers extensive resources and tutorials for promoting web hosting effectively.
Payout: Monthly payouts with a $100 minimum threshold.

8. Awin (Affiliate Network)

Commission: Varies by merchant.
Why It’s Easy: Awin is another popular affiliate network with access to thousands of brands and products, making it versatile for any niche. It’s beginner-friendly, offering a range of easy-to-use tools.
Getting Started: Create an account and pay a $5 application fee (refundable). Then, browse the available merchants, apply to programs that suit your niche, and start promoting.
Payout: Monthly payouts with a minimum threshold of $20.

9. CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)

Commission: Varies by merchant.
Why It’s Easy: CJ Affiliate offers a wide range of merchants, from well-known brands to niche companies, giving you lots of flexibility. It’s easy to track performance through its detailed dashboard.
Getting Started: Sign up on the CJ Affiliate website, get approved, and select from their list of merchants. CJ provides a range of tools to help you create custom links, banners, and tracking.
Payout: Payments are monthly with a minimum threshold of $50 for direct deposit.

10. Target Affiliate Program

Commission: Typically 1-8%, depending on the product category.
Why It’s Easy: Target is a well-known retailer, so promoting products from their website is fairly simple if your audience is interested in everyday items, home goods, or apparel.
Getting Started: Sign up for the affiliate program through Impact, a network Target uses. Once approved, you can create custom links for any product and track your performance easily.
Payout: Monthly payouts once you hit the minimum threshold, generally around $50.