ChatGPT answers, unedited

If you’re a freelance writer just starting affiliate marketing, I’d start with ClickBank.

• ClickBank: Probably the lowest-friction starting point. It doesn’t require a website or established traffic just to get started, and you can browse offers immediately. It’s particularly strong for digital products, courses, and software. Daily Intel Service Shopify
• Awin: A better choice if you want to write about mainstream products, retail, travel, fashion, etc. Approval is generally accessible, although individual advertisers can have their own requirements. Awin Awin Help Center
• Impact: Worth trying once you have a few published articles and a clear niche. The network is accessible to newer affiliates, but individual brands can be selective. Shopify
• CJ Affiliate: I'd put this slightly later. It's useful for bigger brands, but tends to make more sense once you have some content and traffic to show. AffTank

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with ClickBank, but don't promote random high-commission offers just because they're easy to join. As a writer, your advantage is content that genuinely helps someone make a purchasing decision.

For example, instead of "10 ways to make money online," write something like:

"Best invoicing software for freelance writers: X vs. Y"

Then find a relevant affiliate program and disclose the relationship clearly.

Once you've published ~5–10 genuinely useful pieces around one niche, I'd apply to Awin and Impact. That gives you a much stronger application than simply saying you're a beginner.

One important distinction: easy network approval doesn't mean every advertiser inside the network will approve you. The merchant/program can impose its own rules and traffic requirements. AffiliateJob

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, personal finance, travel, SaaS, home products, etc.), I can point you toward the 2–3 easiest affiliate programs that actually fit your writing niche, rather than generic beginner networks.

For a freelance writer just starting with affiliate promotions, I’d prioritize easy entry + products that fit naturally into articles rather than chasing the highest commission rates. A few networks that are generally beginner-friendly:

My suggested path for a freelance writer:

1. Start with ClickBank or Awin to learn the mechanics (tracking links, disclosures, conversions). www.shopify.com
2. Pick one writing niche where affiliate links feel natural:
   • software/tools
   • home office
   • personal finance tools
   • travel gear
   • hobbies
   • education/courses
3. Create “commercial intent” articles, not just informational ones:
   • “X vs Y”
   • “Best X for beginners”
   • “X alternatives”
   • “Is X worth it?”
4. Add a few stronger networks after you have examples of your work.

One caution: the easiest networks to join often have the most low-quality offers, especially in digital products. Vet the product yourself—your reputation as a writer is worth more than a quick commission.

If you’re mainly planning to publish on your own blog, Medium/Substack, client sites, or social media/newsletters, the best starting network changes a bit.

If you’re a freelance writer starting from scratch, I’d try awin.com first.

• Awin: Probably the best fit for a beginner content writer. It accepts websites as well as social platforms, newsletters, and other digital content, and there’s no requirement for prior affiliate-marketing experience. There is a $1 refundable deposit, and Awin says applications go through compliance checks. Awin Awin Help Center
• clickbank.com: Easiest if you want minimal gatekeeping. It doesn't require a website to browse its marketplace, though you'll want to be selective about products because quality varies. Shopify
• impact.com: Worth joining once you have a small portfolio/site. Getting onto the network is relatively accessible, but individual brands can still reject your application, so it's not quite as frictionless. AffBuddy
• affiliate-program.amazon.com: Very beginner-friendly for product-review/content writing, but there's an important catch: Amazon requires 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days and reviews your content/sites. Amazon Associates

One important 2026 update: don't bother applying to ShareASale as a new publisher. The platform shut down in October 2025 and its advertisers were migrated to Awin. AffBuddy

My pick for you: Start with Awin + Amazon, then add Impact when you have some published affiliate-style articles to show advertisers.

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, travel, personal finance, beauty, SaaS, etc.), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 networks/programs most likely to accept you and have worthwhile commissions.

If you’re a freelance writer starting from zero, I’d try ClickBank first.

Why:

• Low barrier to entry: current 2026 sources consistently describe ClickBank as one of the easiest networks for beginners, with no established website or traffic history required. dailyintelservice.comwww.shopify.com
• Lots of offers: it’s particularly strong for digital products, courses, software, and information products—categories that can work well with review/comparison articles.
• You can learn the mechanics—tracking links, conversions, EPCs, disclosures, etc.—without first having to convince a network that you're an established publisher.

What I'd try after that

1. Awin — probably my next choice if you're writing about consumer brands, travel, retail, fashion, home, etc. Awin says prior affiliate experience isn't required, although individual advertisers can impose their own approval requirements. www.awin.com

2. Impact — worth adding once you have a small portfolio/site. It gives you access to recognizable brands and is particularly useful for SaaS and online-business content, though individual brands may still vet you. dailyintelservice.comwww.shopify.com

3. Amazon Associates — attractive for a writer doing product reviews, but I wouldn't call it the least-vetting option. Amazon currently requires 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days, and its review process looks for substantial original content; social profiles generally need a substantive organic following. affiliate-program.amazon.com

My pick for your situation:
ClickBank → Awin → Impact, rather than immediately applying to a bunch of selective networks.

One important distinction: getting accepted to a network doesn't necessarily mean you're accepted by every advertiser inside it. Merchant-level approval can still range from automatic to manual.

If you tell me what you write about (e.g. tech, personal finance, travel, SaaS, careers, health, home), I can point you toward the 2–3 beginner-friendly networks/programs with the best fit and commissions for that niche.

If you’re a freelance writer starting from zero, I’d try ClickBank first.

• ClickBank — probably the lowest-friction starting point. You can create an affiliate account and browse its marketplace without needing an established audience or website, according to ClickBank’s own getting-started documentation. support.clickbank.com ClickBank
• Awin — my second choice if you already have a blog, newsletter, or social profile. It accepts publishers beyond traditional websites, including social media and newsletters, but does run applicants through compliance checks and has a $1 refundable verification deposit. www.awin.com Awin
• Impact — worth applying to once you have some published writing/content. The network itself is relatively accessible, but individual brands decide whether to approve you, so you can still encounter rejection. www.shopify.com impact.com

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with ClickBank, but don't just grab the highest-commission offer. As a writer, pick a product that fits a topic you can genuinely write useful content around—e.g. software, productivity, career development, personal finance education, or a hobby niche.

Then publish 3–5 genuinely useful pieces that naturally lead into the affiliate product. Once you've got that portfolio, apply to Awin/Impact and individual programs. That gives you something credible to put in applications rather than saying you're brand new.

One caution: Amazon Associates isn't as frictionless as it sounds. Amazon requires at least three qualifying sales within the first 180 days and reviews your content/site; it also says sites should generally have substantial original content. affiliate-program.amazon.com

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, finance, travel, health, SaaS, etc.), I can suggest 5–10 beginner-friendly affiliate programs that actually fit a freelance writer rather than generic affiliate offers.

If you’re a brand-new freelance writer, I’d start with Awin or ClickBank, depending on what you write about.

My picks

1. Awin — best overall
   • Beginner-friendly application process.
   • Broad mix of retail, travel, software, and lifestyle advertisers.
   • Current 2026 guides describe approval as relatively easy, with a small refundable deposit. www.shopify.com
   • Particularly good if you have—or are building—a blog, niche website, or established social profile.

2. ClickBank — easiest if you have little/no audience
   • One of the lower-friction options: current guides report that it doesn't require a website to get started.
   • Large marketplace, particularly strong in digital products, courses, and information products. www.shopify.com
   • Caveat: the quality of offers varies considerably, so I'd be selective about what you recommend to readers.

3. Impact.com — worth joining once you have some content
   • Good selection of recognizable brands and SaaS companies.
   • The network itself can be accessible to newer creators, but individual advertisers can still reject you. impact.com
   • I'd put this slightly behind Awin for your first application.

One I'd not make your first choice

Amazon Associates sounds perfect for writers, but it has a catch: after joining, you need at least 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days, and Amazon reviews your site/content. Amazon says a good rule of thumb is around 10 original posts. affiliate-program.amazon.com

For a freelance writer specifically, I'd do this:
Awin → Impact → ClickBank, then add individual programs relevant to your writing niche. Don't apply to 20 networks at once; get one account working and build a few genuinely useful affiliate articles first.

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, finance, travel, health, home, AI, etc.), I can point you toward the 3–5 easiest affiliate programs in that niche that are realistic for a beginner.

For a freelance writer just starting with affiliate promotions, I’d focus on networks that care more about having a real content platform and a clear niche than having huge traffic numbers. The easiest path is usually to start with a network, build a few relationships, then move into higher-paying programs. afftank.com

Good beginner-friendly options:

1. Awin — probably my first pick for a new writer

• Large marketplace with many merchants.
• Good fit if you write blog posts, newsletters, reviews, or niche guides.
• Approval is generally less intimidating than some premium networks, though individual merchants still decide whether to accept you. affbuddy.com

Best for: lifestyle, fashion, home, travel, finance, software, and product-focused writing.

2. ClickBank — easiest if you write about digital products

• Historically beginner-friendly because many offers are open to new affiliates.
• Lots of ebooks, courses, and online tools.
• Quality varies a lot, so be selective.

Best for: personal development, marketing, fitness, education niches.

3. Amazon Associates — easiest for product writers

• Great if your writing naturally includes product recommendations.
• Lower commissions than many programs, but Amazon’s brand trust can make conversions easier.

Best for: reviews, buying guides, “best X for Y” articles.

4. Impact.com — worth joining early

• More polished brands and software companies.
• The network signup itself is not the hardest part, but individual brands may review applications. Impact asks partners to provide information about their promotional properties and verify media properties. help.impact.com

Best for: SaaS reviews, newsletters, professional audiences, creator-style content.

5. FlexOffers — another beginner option

• Broad merchant catalog.
• Useful when you want to test different niches quickly. affbuddy.com

For a freelance writer specifically, I’d avoid applying everywhere immediately. A simple approach:

1. Pick one writing niche (examples: productivity tools, outdoor gear, personal finance apps, parenting products).
2. Publish 5–10 strong pieces that show your style and audience fit.
3. Create an affiliate disclosure page and a short “about” page.
4. Apply to 2–3 networks, then apply to individual merchants inside them.

A writer with no audience but good niche content can often get accepted faster than someone with a vague “I’ll promote products on social media” application. afftank.com

If your writing is mainly blog SEO articles, email newsletters, or client content for other businesses, the best network choice changes a bit.

If you're a freelance writer starting affiliate marketing, Impact would be my first choice—but with one caveat: you still need at least one verified media property (such as a website or social profile) to enter its marketplace. Impact says applications are reviewed within 72 hours, and it has a “Pre-qualified” filter for brands that automatically approve eligible partners. help.impact.com

My shortlist:

1. Impact — Best overall for a writer. Good selection of SaaS, creator, ecommerce, and consumer brands. The network itself isn't especially intimidating; the individual brands decide whether to accept you. help.impact.com
2. Awin — Probably the best alternative if you want lots of merchants. Current beginner-oriented guides describe its application process as relatively easy, with a small refundable deposit. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com
3. ClickBank — Worth considering if you're writing about digital products, courses, or software. It's notably low-friction, although the quality of individual offers varies considerably. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com
4. Amazon Associates — Easy conceptually and enormous product selection, but don't assume it's completely hands-off: Amazon currently requires 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days, and it expects substantial original content. affiliate-program.amazon.com

For your situation, I'd start with Impact + Awin, rather than applying to a bunch of CPA networks that advertise “instant approval.” Then pick 2–5 products you can genuinely write useful content about.

One practical tip: don't describe yourself as “brand new” in applications. Instead, accurately describe your writing niche, where you'll publish, what kind of readers you're targeting, and the type of content you'll produce. That's much more useful to a merchant evaluating you.

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, finance, travel, home, health, SaaS, etc.), I can suggest the 3–5 easiest affiliate programs for that niche with decent commissions.

If you're a freelance writer starting from scratch, I’d try Awin first.

• Awin — best overall starting point. Awin accepts publishers without requiring prior affiliate-marketing experience, and it explicitly supports websites, newsletters, and social platforms. There is a small $1 verification deposit, refunded after your first sale. www.awin.com
• impact.com — good second choice, particularly if you write about software, business, marketing, travel, or consumer brands. The catch is that individual advertisers decide whether to accept you, so getting into the network doesn't mean automatic approval everywhere. affbuddy.com
• ClickBank — lowest-friction option if you're comfortable promoting digital products. It's much less selective, but you'll want to be choosy about merchants/products because quality varies.
• Amazon Associates is worth considering if you write product-focused articles, but I wouldn't call it the easiest long-term starting point: Amazon requires at least 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days, and reviews your content/sites. www.awin.comaffiliate-program.amazon.com

One important 2026 update: don't bother looking for a new ShareASale account. ShareASale was shut down in October 2025 and its advertisers/publishers were moved to Awin. affbuddy.com

What I'd do in your position

Awin → apply to 5–10 relevant merchants → start publishing genuinely useful articles → add Impact once you have some content.

And don't worry about having huge traffic initially. Your application is much stronger if you can show a real, focused writing portfolio/site, an About page, and an obvious audience/niche than if you simply claim you're going to generate traffic.

If you tell me what you write about (e.g. tech, finance, travel, health, SaaS, lifestyle), I can suggest 5–10 beginner-friendly affiliate programs that fit that niche.

If you're a freelance writer starting from scratch, I’d try Amazon Associates first, then branch into a broader network once you have some content and traffic.

My beginner-friendly picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest starting point
   • You don't need an established affiliate business.
   • Amazon reviews your application after you generate 3 qualifying sales within 180 days, rather than requiring heavy pre-approval. affiliate-program.amazon.com
   • Amazon says it looks for original, useful content; its current guidance suggests having roughly 10 substantive posts before applying.
   • Great fit for a writer doing product roundups, reviews, "best X" articles, buying guides, etc.

2. Impact.com — best second step
   • You can join its marketplace as a publisher/creator, but you need at least one verified media property. Impact says marketplace applications are reviewed within 72 hours. help.impact.com
   • The advantage is access to lots of individual brands rather than being limited to Amazon.
   • Individual brands can impose their own eligibility requirements, so acceptance isn't automatic. help.impact.com

3. Awin — worth trying once you have a site
   • Awin's signup itself is fairly straightforward, but it currently performs identity and content checks before admitting publishers. help.awin.com
   • Individual advertisers also decide whether to accept you, so it's less "sign up and immediately promote anything" than Amazon.

For your situation, I'd do:
10-ish useful articles → Amazon Associates → publish a few affiliate articles → apply to Impact → add Awin.

One important distinction: "network accepts beginners" doesn't mean every advertiser on the network does. A brand may still reject a new publisher even after the network accepts you.

If you tell me what you write about (tech, travel, finance, home, software, etc.), I can point you toward 3–5 beginner-friendly affiliate programs that fit your niche and aren't dependent on having a big audience.

If you're a freelance writer with little or no affiliate track record, I’d start with PartnerStack if your writing niche is SaaS/B2B, or Amazon Associates if you write consumer/product content.

My picks for a beginner

1. PartnerStack — best for SaaS
   • Its network application is relatively lightweight: PartnerStack says it asks for about 8–10 pieces of information, rather than the much longer applications some networks use. support.partnerstack.com
   • Good fit for writers covering software, productivity, marketing, AI, business, hosting, etc.
   • Caveat: individual programs can still approve/reject you separately.

2. Amazon Associates — easiest practical starting point for product writing
   • Huge selection of products and a straightforward application.
   • There is an important catch: Amazon reviews you after you generate at least 3 qualifying sales within your first 180 days, and it expects original, publicly available content. affiliate-program.amazon.com
   • So it's accessible, but you don't want to sign up and then leave the account dormant.

3. Impact — worth trying once you have a small portfolio
   • It's not especially "zero-vetting": Impact requires at least one verified media property before you can enter its Brands Marketplace. help.impact.comwww.shopify.com
   • Once you're established, though, there are lots of recognizable brands and software programs.

I'd not make Awin/CJ your first priority if your sole objective is minimizing approval friction. Experiences vary considerably by applicant and advertiser, and getting into a network doesn't automatically mean every merchant will approve you. www.shopify.com

For a freelance writer specifically, I'd do this: create a simple portfolio/site with 5–10 genuinely useful articles in one niche, then apply to PartnerStack + Amazon (or another network appropriate to your niche). Even a small portfolio makes you look much more legitimate than an empty affiliate profile.

Also, make sure affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed in your content; the FTC expects disclosures to be clear and conspicuous. arxiv.org

If you tell me what you write about (e.g. tech, finance, travel, health, home, B2B), I can suggest 5–10 beginner-friendly programs that actually fit your niche.

If you’re a brand-new freelance writer, I’d start with ClickBank if your priority is getting approved without a lot of vetting. It’s been around for years, has no signup fee, and is generally regarded as beginner-friendly. www.techradar.com

A few good options:

1. ClickBank — easiest starting point
   • Broad selection of digital products.
   • Generally straightforward signup.
   • Often higher commissions than retail affiliate programs.
   • Downside: product quality varies, so you need to vet offers carefully. www.techradar.com

2. Amazon Associates — best for ordinary product writing
   • Particularly useful if you write reviews, buying guides, comparisons, or “best X” articles.
   • Huge product selection and strong consumer trust.
   • The application process is relatively painless, although Amazon has specific program requirements you need to follow. www.techradar.com

3. PartnerStack — good if you write about software/SaaS
   • Worth considering if your writing is about business tools, AI, marketing, productivity, hosting, etc.
   • It does have an approval process: PartnerStack says you provide roughly 8–10 pieces of information, including a functioning website/business presence, and applications are reviewed by its network team. support.partnerstack.com
   • So I wouldn't call it no-vetting, but it's reasonable once you have a basic portfolio/site.

I'd skip CJ and Awin initially if your main concern is avoiding approval friction. CJ can evaluate your website/content before letting you in, while Awin currently performs identity and content checks before network admission. www.techradar.com

My pick for you: start with Amazon + ClickBank, then add a SaaS-oriented network such as PartnerStack once you've got a small portfolio and some published content.

One important distinction: network approval doesn't necessarily mean automatic approval for every merchant/program inside the network. Individual advertisers can still reject you.

If you tell me what topics you write about (tech, finance, travel, AI, health, home, etc.), I can narrow this down to 3–5 beginner-friendly programs that actually fit your writing niche.

If you're a freelance writer starting from zero, Awin is probably the network I'd try first.

Why:

• No prior affiliate experience is required. Awin explicitly accepts content creators, bloggers, editorial sites, influencers, and other publishers. www.awin.com
• You don't necessarily need a website—Awin says social accounts, newsletters, and other digital platforms can qualify. www.awin.com
• There is still a review, so it isn't completely "no vetting." Awin verifies applicants and conducts compliance checks. help.awin.com
• Once you're accepted into Awin, you apply separately to individual advertiser programs, and some retailers use auto-approval. www.awin.com
• There's a $5 refundable deposit for the standard signup, so it's not literally free of friction. www.awin.com

Awin publisher signup

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with Awin + a handful of specific brands related to the topics you already write about, rather than joining 10 networks at once.

For example, if you write about:

• Software/AI: look for SaaS programs
• Personal finance: fintech/financial education programs
• Travel: hotels, luggage, travel services
• Home/lifestyle: retailers and DTC brands
• Tech: software, accessories, electronics

I'd put Amazon Associates second if your writing involves product reviews/listicles. It's extremely accessible, although the economics and program rules aren't necessarily as attractive as some direct brand programs.

One important distinction: getting accepted by a network doesn't mean you'll automatically get accepted by every advertiser inside it. That's where having a credible-looking writing portfolio, a clear niche, and a description of exactly how you'll promote products makes a big difference.

If you tell me what topics you plan to write about (e.g. AI tools, travel, fitness, personal finance, tech), I can give you 3–5 beginner-friendly affiliate programs with decent commissions that fit that niche.

If you’re just starting as a freelance writer, I’d try Awin first.

Why:

• It explicitly supports beginners, including publishers/content creators. www.awin.com
• Some advertiser programs offer automatic approval, so you can start promoting without waiting for each merchant to manually review you. success.awin.com
• There’s a large selection of advertisers, and you can apply to programs that fit your writing niche. success.awin.com

My beginner shortlist

Amazon Associates is particularly useful if you're writing product roundups or reviews. It gives creators access to millions of products, but there's an important catch: after applying, you need 3 qualifying sales within 180 days before Amazon evaluates the application. affiliate-program.amazon.com

For your situation, I'd probably do Awin + Amazon, rather than signing up for ten networks at once. Build a small portfolio of genuinely useful articles first, then add higher-paying SaaS programs as you find products that naturally fit your writing.

One other important point: don't choose offers solely because they're easy to get approved for. The advertiser/product needs to be a natural fit for your article and audience—otherwise you'll have affiliate links but very few conversions.

For a freelance writer just starting with affiliate promotions, I’d look for networks that are open to publishers without a big audience, have lots of beginner-friendly programs, and don’t require a long approval process.

Here are some good starting points:

My suggested path for a new freelance writer:

1. Start with ShareASale or Amazon Associates
   • Good for learning how affiliate links, disclosures, clicks, and conversions work.
   • Easier if you’re writing articles, newsletters, or niche blog content.

2. Add Impact.com once you have a clear niche
   • Better earning potential with software and services.
   • Good match for writers covering tools, productivity, marketing, finance, careers, or small business.

3. Look for direct affiliate programs from companies you already write about
   • Many SaaS companies pay recurring commissions and accept small creators.

A few niches that tend to work well for freelance writers:

• AI/software tools
• Personal finance (with careful accuracy)
• Career and education
• Marketing tools
• Home improvement
• Travel gear
• Fitness equipment (avoid unsupported health claims)

A realistic beginner setup:

• Pick one niche
• Create 5–10 useful pieces of content (reviews, comparisons, tutorials)
• Apply to 5–10 relevant programs
• Focus on helping readers choose, not just inserting links

One caution: avoid networks or “affiliate programs” that promise easy money, require you to buy a starter package, or emphasize recruiting other affiliates over selling real products.

If you tell me what topics you usually write about (tech, lifestyle, finance, etc.) and whether you have a blog/newsletter/audience yet, I can narrow this down to the best 3–5 programs for you.

For a freelance writer starting from scratch, I’d try Awin first.

Why:

• Beginner-friendly entry: Awin accepts publishers using a website, blog, social account, newsletter, or other digital platform; it doesn’t require an established high-traffic site. www.awin.com
• Broad merchant selection: useful if you write across lifestyle, tech, travel, home, finance, etc. www.shopify.com
• Low initial friction: there’s a small refundable deposit, and Awin does perform compliance checks, so it isn't completely automatic. help.awin.com

Awin publisher signup

My beginner shortlist

1. Awin — best overall starting point
Good if you're writing articles, reviews, buying guides, or niche content and want lots of advertisers to choose from.

2. ClickBank — easiest if you're writing about digital products
It's particularly accessible to newcomers and doesn't require a traditional website to start browsing offers. The downside is that offer quality varies considerably, so you'll need to be selective. www.shopify.com

3. Impact — worth joining after you have a little portfolio/content
It has strong SaaS and consumer brands, but individual advertisers can be considerably more selective even if getting onto the network itself isn't difficult. affbuddy.com

One important distinction: getting accepted by the network doesn't necessarily mean you're accepted by every advertiser inside it. You'll often apply separately to individual programs.

If you're primarily going to make money through written articles/SEO, I'd start with Awin + a handful of direct affiliate programs relevant to your writing niche, rather than signing up for 10 networks at once.

If you tell me what you write about (e.g. tech, personal finance, travel, health, SaaS, lifestyle), I can suggest the easiest beginner-friendly programs in that niche.

If you're just starting out as a freelance writer, it's often easier to join affiliate networks that don't require an established audience or significant sales history. Here are some beginner-friendly options:

1. Impact
   • You apply to the network once, then separately to individual brands.
   • Many brands accept newer publishers if your content is relevant.
   • Good if you write about software, business, travel, or consumer products.

2. CJ Affiliate
   • One of the largest affiliate networks.
   • The network itself is fairly accessible, though each advertiser sets its own approval criteria.
   • Plenty of beginner-friendly merchants alongside more selective ones.

3. Awin
   • Large global network with thousands of merchants.
   • Generally approachable for new affiliates who have a legitimate website or blog.
   • Strong in retail, finance, travel, and software.

4. ShareASale
   • Well known for accepting smaller publishers.
   • Offers thousands of merchants across many niches.
   • A solid starting point for content-focused affiliates.

5. PartnerStack
   • Excellent if you're writing about SaaS, AI tools, productivity software, or B2B services.
   • Many software companies actively recruit content creators.

6. Amazon Associates
   • Very easy to get started.
   • Huge product catalog and high conversion rates because people already trust Amazon.
   • Commission rates are generally lower than specialized programs.

Even easier: direct affiliate programs

Many companies run their own affiliate programs without requiring a network. For example, software companies, web hosts, newsletter platforms, and AI tools often accept smaller creators if your content fits their audience.

Tips to improve your approval odds

Before applying, make sure you have:

• A simple website or portfolio with 5–10 quality articles.
• An About page and Contact page.
• Clear disclosure that you'll use affiliate links.
• A niche (even if it's broad, like freelance writing, AI tools, personal finance, or productivity).

Best choice if you're a freelance writer

If your goal is writing reviews, tutorials, and resource lists:

• PartnerStack for software and SaaS.
• Impact for access to many well-known brands.
• Amazon Associates for physical products you mention in articles.
• ShareASale for a wide mix of merchants with relatively approachable approval processes.

A good strategy is to start with Amazon Associates plus one major network (such as ShareASale or Impact), then add direct affiliate programs from products you genuinely use and recommend. This keeps your application process simple while giving you a broad range of products to write about.

If you're just starting out as a freelance writer and don't yet have a large audience or established affiliate income, it's usually best to begin with networks that have straightforward applications and plenty of beginner-friendly merchants.

Here are some of the best options:

My top recommendations

1. Amazon Associates

• Easiest place to start.
• Works well if you write buying guides or product roundups.
• Low commission rates, but very high conversion because people trust Amazon.

Good if you're writing:

• Home office
• Books
• Tech
• Kitchen
• Outdoor gear

2. ShareASale
One of the best first affiliate networks.

Pros:

• Thousands of merchants
• Many accept small publishers
• Easy dashboard
• Good mix of physical and digital products

Great for freelance writers in:

• Lifestyle
• Parenting
• Business
• Education
• Home
• Fashion

3. Impact
Excellent if you write about software.

You'll find programs for:

• Website builders
• Email marketing
• AI tools
• Productivity apps
• VPNs
• Online education

Many companies approve newer creators if your site looks professional and your content matches their niche.

4. PartnerStack
Fantastic for writers covering:

• SaaS
• AI
• Marketing
• Freelancing
• Entrepreneurship

Many software companies pay recurring commissions, so one referral can generate income over multiple months.

5. Awin
Good once you have:

• A blog
• Portfolio website
• Newsletter
• Medium publication
• LinkedIn audience

They host thousands of recognizable consumer brands.

Networks I'd wait on

These aren't impossible to join, but they often expect a more established publisher or review applications more carefully:

• CJ Affiliate
• Rakuten Advertising
• FlexOffers (depends on the advertiser)
• Individual enterprise SaaS programs with strict traffic requirements

Increase your approval chances

Even as a beginner, you'll have a much better success rate if you have:

• 10–20 high-quality articles published.
• An About page with your background.
• A Privacy Policy and Contact page.
• A niche focus (rather than writing about everything).
• Your own domain instead of only social media.

A strong beginner stack

If I were starting today as a freelance writer, I'd apply in this order:

1. Amazon Associates
2. ShareASale
3. Impact
4. PartnerStack
5. Individual direct affiliate programs from companies you already write about

This combination gives you access to physical products, software, and recurring-commission programs while keeping application hurdles relatively low.

One additional tip: if your goal is to earn meaningful affiliate income, specializing in a niche—such as AI tools, personal finance, productivity software, web hosting, or outdoor gear—usually outperforms promoting a wide variety of unrelated products. Merchants are also more likely to approve applications from publishers with a clear, relevant focus.

If you're just starting out as a freelance writer and don't yet have a large audience, it's worth focusing on affiliate networks that either have light approval requirements or allow you to apply to individual programs after joining. Here are some of the most beginner-friendly options:

1. Amazon Associates
   • Very easy to join in most countries.
   • Huge catalog of products.
   • Good for blogs, reviews, and resource pages.
   • Keep in mind you'll need to generate qualifying sales within the initial evaluation period to remain in the program.

2. Impact
   • The network itself is relatively straightforward to join.
   • Individual brands decide whether to approve you.
   • Many SaaS companies, business tools, and writing-related products use Impact.

3. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
   • Network approval is generally accessible.
   • Some advertisers accept newer publishers, while others prefer established sites.
   • Good long-term option as your portfolio grows.

4. Awin
   • Accepts many newer publishers, though some advertisers have stricter requirements.
   • Strong selection of retail, finance, travel, and software offers.

5. PartnerStack
   • Excellent if you write about business software, AI tools, marketing, or productivity.
   • Many B2B SaaS companies welcome content creators with niche expertise rather than massive traffic.

6. ShareASale
   • Large marketplace with thousands of merchants.
   • Approval standards vary by merchant, and many are open to smaller publishers.

If you don't have a website yet

Some affiliate programs allow creators who primarily use:

• Medium
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Newsletters
• Social media

However, having even a simple website with:

• an About page,
• a Privacy Policy,
• a few high-quality articles, and
• a contact page

can noticeably improve your approval chances.

For freelance writers specifically

Since you're a writer, consider promoting products you actually use:

• AI writing tools
• Grammar software
• Email marketing platforms
• Web hosting
• SEO tools
• Freelance marketplaces
• Online courses

These often pay much higher commissions than physical products—sometimes recurring monthly commissions instead of one-time payouts.

A practical way to start

Instead of applying to 20 programs immediately:

1. Publish 5–10 useful articles in one niche (for example, freelance writing, AI tools, or blogging).
2. Join Amazon Associates plus one larger network such as Impact or PartnerStack.
3. Apply to 5–10 relevant affiliate programs that match your content.
4. Keep writing helpful content rather than focusing on promotional posts alone.

That combination gives you a better chance of building sustainable affiliate income while avoiding the stricter vetting common with premium programs.

If you're just starting out as a freelance writer and don't yet have much traffic or a large audience, there are several affiliate networks that are relatively beginner-friendly.

Here are some of the best options:

A few practical tips that improve your chances of acceptance:

• Have a simple portfolio website or blog with at least 5–10 quality articles.
• Clearly explain how you'll promote products (SEO articles, newsletters, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Apply to merchants that match your niche instead of applying to dozens at once.
• Avoid applying before your site has any original content—many merchants reject empty or "coming soon" sites.

If you're a freelance writer, software and creator tools often convert well because you can naturally recommend products you actually use. Examples include:

• Writing and editing tools
• AI software
• Web hosting
• Email marketing platforms
• Graphic design tools
• Online course platforms

These tend to pay much higher commissions than physical products.

If I were starting from scratch today with a new writing website, I'd prioritize:

1. Amazon Associates for easy product recommendations.
2. ShareASale for a broad range of beginner-friendly merchants.
3. Impact for access to well-known software brands.
4. PartnerStack if writing about business, marketing, or productivity tools.

That combination gives you plenty of opportunities while you build traffic and experience, without relying on networks known for stricter vetting.

If you’re a freelance writer just starting with affiliate promotions, you’ll usually have the easiest time with networks that let you apply with a basic website, blog, newsletter, or content plan rather than requiring a large audience or proven sales history.

Here are some beginner-friendly options:

A practical beginner path:

1. Start with Amazon Associates if you write consumer content (books, tools, gear, home products, hobbies). It’s easy to understand and helps you learn affiliate basics.
2. Add ShareASale/Awin or Impact once you have a niche and some sample articles. These often have better commissions than Amazon.
3. Consider SaaS affiliate programs if your writing is about freelancing, marketing, productivity, AI tools, websites, or business software—commissions can be much higher.

A few things that improve approval odds even as a beginner:

• Have a simple website or portfolio page with 5–10 quality articles.
• Use a professional email address tied to your site if possible.
• Describe your traffic plan honestly (SEO, newsletter, social media, client audience, etc.).
• Apply to specific merchant programs rather than dozens randomly.

For a freelance writer, I’d generally prioritize Impact + ShareASale/Awin + a few direct SaaS programs over joining every big network, because your advantage is creating persuasive content—not just sending traffic.