Starting your affiliate marketing journey can feel like showing up to a party where everyone already knows each other. You’re excited but also a little lost. You see seasoned affiliates talking about high-ticket commissions and complex funnels, and you’re just wondering, "Where do I even sign up?"

The good news is that many of the biggest and best affiliate programs are incredibly welcoming to beginners. The key is to choose programs with low barriers to entry (easy to get accepted) and high support (great resources and reliable tracking).

This guide cuts through the noise to bring you the five best affiliate programs for those just starting out. We’ve chosen these based on a simple criteria: they are easy to join, offer a wide range of products, have trustworthy tracking systems, and provide the educational support you need to succeed.

Let's get in.

What Makes an Affiliate Program "Beginner-Friendly"?

Before we get to the list, let’s define what we’re looking for. A beginner-friendly program has:

  • Easy Approval: Doesn’t require a massive website or huge social media following to get accepted.
  • User-Friendly Platform: The dashboard where you get your links and track earnings should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
  • Reliable Tracking & Timely Payouts: You can trust that your clicks and sales are counted accurately and that you’ll get paid on time.
  • Great Support & Resources: Provides banners, links, product data feeds, and helpful content to make your job easier.
  • Wide Product Selection: Allows you to promote products people are already looking for.

The 5 Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2025

1. Amazon Associates

The Gist: The world’s largest online retailer. You can promote almost anything imaginable.
Why it's great for beginners: Unmatched brand recognition. Everyone knows and trusts Amazon, which means people are more likely to click your links and buy. The application process is straightforward.
Commission Rate: Typically low (1-10%, often on the lower end). It’s a volume game.
Cookie Duration: 24 hours. This is short—if someone clicks your link but buys something else three days later, you don’t get a commission.
Payout Method: Direct Deposit, Amazon Gift Card, or Check.
Minimum Payout: $10 for gift cards, but it varies by payment method and location.

2. ShareASale

The Gist: A massive affiliate network that acts as a middleman between you (the publisher) and thousands of individual merchants.
Why it's great for beginners: This is your one-stop shop. One application grants you access to over 16,000 merchants. The interface is a bit dated but incredibly powerful and reliable. Their reporting is excellent.
Commission Rate: Varies wildly by merchant. You can find everything from 5% to 50%+ commissions.
Cookie Duration: Varies by merchant. Always check the terms of each program.
Payout Method: Direct Deposit or Check.
Minimum Payout: $50 for direct deposit, $100 for check. They pay on a reliable net-30 schedule.

3. CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)

The Gist: Another giant affiliate network, home to many major, well-known brands (like Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, and Expedia).
Why it's great for beginners: While some big-name merchants here can be picky, many are accessible to beginners. The platform is modern, robust, and offers deep linking tools and reporting. It’s a great place to grow into.
Commission Rate: Varies by advertiser.
Cookie Duration: Varies by advertiser.
Payout Method: Direct Deposit or Check.
Minimum Payout: $50 for direct deposit, $100 for check. Also operates on a net-30 schedule.

4. Rakuten Advertising (formerly LinkShare)

The Gist: A major global network similar to ShareASale and CJ, with a strong roster of retail advertisers (Walmart, Macy’s, Best Buy).
Why it's great for beginners: Rakuten is known for its user-friendly interface and reliable technology. It’s another fantastic network to browse for merchants in your niche once you’re approved.
Commission Rate: Varies by advertiser.
Cookie Duration: Varies by advertiser.
Payout Method: Direct Deposit or Check.
Minimum Payout: $50.

5. Shopify Partners

The Gist: This program is for promoting the Shopify e-commerce platform itself.
Why it's great for beginners: The commission is outstanding. You earn a massive 100% of the monthly fee for each person you refer for their first month, and then a recurring 10-20% commission for as long as they remain a customer. This is one of the best recurring revenue models for beginners. The barrier to entry is also low.
Commission Rate: 100% of first month's fees + 10-20% recurring.
Cookie Duration: 30 days.
Payout Method: Direct Bank Transfer (via PayPal).
Minimum Payout: $25.

In-Depth Beginner Q&A: Your Questions, Answered

This section tackles the most common questions and fears beginners have when starting with these programs.

Q1: I literally just launched my website. Will I get rejected?

A: This is the number one fear. The answer depends on the program.

  • Amazon & Shopify: They are generally more forgiving of new sites. For Amazon, ensure your site has some original content (a few blog posts, an "About Me" page) and is publicly accessible (no "under construction" pages). For Shopify, as long as you can explain your plan to refer customers, you have a good chance.
  • Networks (ShareASale, CJ, Rakuten): Your application to the network itself is usually approved easily. However, each individual merchant within the network sets their own rules. Some will approve anyone; others require a certain amount of traffic. The key is to apply to many merchants within the network. If one rejects you, simply apply to another.

Pro Tip: Before applying, make sure your website has 2-3 published posts, a contact page, and privacy policy page. This makes you look legitimate.

Q2: I don't have a website! Can I use social media?

A: This is tricky. Most programs, including Amazon, require a website as part of their application. They want to see where you’ll be placing the links.

  • The Workaround: Some programs within ShareASale or CJ may approve you if you have a strong, engaged social media following (e.g., a TikTok or Instagram account with thousands of real followers). You would list your social profile URL in the application.
  • The Reality: For long-term success and control, you need a website. Social media platforms are "rented land." They can ban you or change their algorithm overnight. Your website is your own asset. Start one. It’s easier and cheaper than you think.

Q3: Amazon's commissions are so low. Why should I bother?

A: This is an excellent question. While the commission rates are low, Amazon makes up for it in three ways:

  1. Trust & Conversion: People are 100% comfortable buying from Amazon. This "trust transfer" means a higher percentage of people who click your link will actually buy something, compared to a lesser-known store.
  2. The Volume Play: You get a commission on anything the customer adds to their cart within 24 hours. If someone clicks your link for a $20 book and also buys a $1,200 laptop, you get a commission on the entire cart. This is huge.
  3. The Learning Tool: Amazon’s interface for creating links is simple. It’s the perfect place to learn the mechanics of affiliate marketing without the stress of managing multiple network dashboards.

Q4: What's the difference between a network and a single program?

A:

  • A Single Program (like Amazon or Shopify) is a direct relationship with one company.
  • An Affiliate Network (like ShareASale or CJ) is a platform that hosts thousands of individual programs. It’s like a shopping mall for affiliates. You get one login, one payment, and one reporting system for all the merchants you work with inside that mall.

Networks are fantastic for beginners because you can explore countless options in one place.

Q5: How and when do I get paid?

A: This is crucial. Payment terms are different for each program.

  • Payout Threshold: This is the minimum amount you must earn before you get paid. For example, ShareASale won’t send your money until you hit $50. Amazon’s is just $10 for gift cards.
  • Payment Schedule: Most programs operate on a Net-30, Net-45, or Net-60 schedule. This means they pay you for January's earnings at the end of February (Net-30) or March (Net-60). Read the terms carefully so you know when to expect your money. This prevents panic when you have $40 in your account but don't get paid—you just haven't hit the threshold or the payment period hasn't closed yet.
  • Payment Method: Most offer direct bank transfer (ACH) or a physical check. Some, like Amazon, offer payment via gift card.

Q6: What if someone uses an ad-blocker? Will my sale still be tracked?

A: This is a common concern. Generally, affiliate tracking is done via cookies stored in the user's browser. Most ad-blockers do not block these first-party affiliate cookies because they are part of the natural browsing experience on the merchant's site.
However, if a user manually deletes their cookies between clicking your link and making a purchase, the tracking will be lost. This is just a part of the business. It’s called "cookie loss," and it’s why you should focus on creating honest content that builds trust and encourages people to buy soon after clicking your link.

Q7: I got rejected by a merchant! What do I do now?

A: Don’t take it personally! Merchant approval is often automated. Simply move on and apply to another merchant in the same niche. Focus on building your content and traffic. You can almost always re-apply after 30-60 days. In the meantime, use Amazon links as a fallback to start generating some data and income.

Q8: Is it okay to join multiple programs and networks?

A: Absolutely! In fact, you should. Diversifying your income sources is a key strategy for stability. You might promote a product from ShareASale, a tool from CJ Affiliate, and use Amazon links for general product recommendations, all on the same website. Just always remember to disclose your affiliate relationships.

Q9: What's the single biggest mistake beginners make with these programs?

A: Spamming their links without providing any value. The biggest mistake is thinking affiliate marketing is about pasting links everywhere. It’s not. It’s about marketing. Your job is to create such helpful, compelling, and honest content that your reader is grateful for your recommendation. Focus on writing genuine reviews, creating helpful tutorials, and building "best of" lists. The links are a natural part of that content, not the main event.

Your Action Plan: Getting Started in the Next Hour

  1. Pick Your Poison: Choose one program to start with. If you have a website, Amazon Associates is a no-brainer for your first application. If you want to explore more niche-specific brands, sign up for ShareASale.
  2. Get Your Site in Order: Make sure your website has a few posts and a privacy policy page.
  3. Apply: Fill out the application honestly. For the "How will you promote us?" section, write a simple, straightforward sentence like: "I will create detailed product review articles and buying guides for my audience in the [Your Niche] niche."
Start Creating: Once approved, don't just add links to old posts. Write a new,
  1. helpful article built around a product you're excited to promote. Your passion will show.

The door to the affiliate marketing party is open. These programs are your invitation. Walk in, find your crowd, and start adding value. The commissions will follow.