ChatGPT answers, unedited

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting, I’d start with Amazon Associates or Impact, depending on what you plan to promote.

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest overall.
If you're reviewing/recommending products, Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going back to the affiliate dashboard. It also provides access to your earnings report. affiliate-program.amazon.com
Amazon Associates

2. Impact — my choice if you want to grow beyond Amazon.
Impact has a more modern affiliate workflow, including tracking-link creation and reporting parameters that let you see which promotional channels are generating traffic. help.impact.com It's particularly attractive if you're promoting software, subscriptions, travel, or recognizable consumer brands. help.impact.comaffbuddy.comwww.shopify.com
impact.com

3. Awin — good "one dashboard, lots of merchants" option.
Awin is especially useful if you want access to many retailers and brands rather than being tied to one marketplace. ShareASale has also been folded into Awin, so I'd go directly to Awin rather than looking for a separate ShareASale account. help.impact.comaffbuddy.comwww.shopify.com
Awin

What I'd do as a new affiliate

Start with Amazon Associates + Impact. Amazon gives you the simplest possible link-generation experience, while Impact gives you exposure to a much broader range of potentially higher-value programs.

If you tell me what niche you're in (e.g. tech, fitness, finance, AI tools, fashion, home products) and whether you're using a website, YouTube, TikTok, or social media, I can narrow it down to the 2–3 best networks/programs for you.

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting + low friction for a beginner, I’d start with Awin.

My picks

Why Awin: Its publisher tools are particularly beginner-friendly. The MyAwin browser extension can generate tracking links while you're browsing an advertiser's site, and Convert-a-Link can automatically turn qualifying links on your site into affiliate links. Its reporting also gives you useful basics such as clicks, sales, order value, and customer information. www.awin.com

Awin is also a good choice if you don't yet know exactly which brands you'll promote because it gives you access to a broad range of advertisers from one account. Current 2026 comparisons consistently put Awin among the more beginner-friendly major networks. www.shopify.comhelp.impact.comaffbuddy.com

I'd choose Impact instead if you're primarily promoting software/SaaS or higher-profile brands and expect to care more about analytics as you grow. Its tracking links support additional reporting parameters, giving you more granular insight into which promotional channels are generating traffic and conversions. help.impact.com

Simple recommendation:

• 🥇 Just starting / broad niche → Awin
• 🛒 Amazon-heavy content → Amazon Associates
• 💻 SaaS/software → Impact or PartnerStack
• 📚 Digital products/courses → ClickBank

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; its programs were migrated to Awin, so older guides recommending ShareASale are outdated. www.shopify.comhelp.impact.comaffbuddy.com

If you tell me your niche (e.g. AI tools, fitness, finance, travel, tech, etc.) and where you plan to promote (website, TikTok, YouTube, email), I can narrow this down to the best 1–2 options.

For a brand-new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation + simple reporting, I’d start with affiliate-program.amazon.com if your niche is physical products, and impact.com if you want a broader range of brands.

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest starting point

• Very large product catalog, so finding something to promote is straightforward.
• Built-in product-linking tools make generating affiliate links relatively simple.
• Reporting covers clicks, ordered items, earnings, etc. Amazon officially documents its link-creation and reporting tools. Amazon Associates
• Downside: commissions can be relatively low and vary significantly by category.
• Impact — best overall if you want to grow

• Cleaner, more modern interface than many traditional networks.
• Good tracking and reporting.
• Lets you create tracking links and, where the merchant permits it, deep links directly to specific product pages. Impact Help
• Particularly attractive for SaaS, software, lifestyle, and established consumer brands.
• Downside: you generally apply to individual brands, so getting accepted isn't always as effortless as Amazon.
• Awin — good middle ground

• Large selection of merchants across retail, travel, lifestyle, and other categories.
• Particularly useful if you want to promote multiple brands rather than just Amazon.
• Current 2026 comparisons generally put Awin among the more beginner-friendly major networks. Shopify AffBuddy

What I'd actually do

If you're starting from zero, I'd use:

Amazon → learn the basics → add Impact or Awin once you have some content/traffic.

That gives you an extremely simple first experience while leaving room to move into programs with potentially better commissions.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. AI tools, fitness, fashion, finance, travel, Amazon products) and whether you're promoting through a website, YouTube, TikTok, or social media, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 networks for you.

If you’re brand-new and prioritize easy link creation + straightforward reporting, I’d start with Impact.com.

My picks

Why Impact is my #1: its dashboard has several ways to generate tracking links, including a browser extension, and you can add reporting parameters to distinguish traffic sources. help.impact.com

Awin is my second choice if you're primarily promoting retail products. It's particularly broad across e-commerce and has been positioned as a beginner-friendly network. www.shopify.com

Amazon Associates is arguably the easiest of all if your niche revolves around Amazon products. Its SiteStripe lets you generate links directly while browsing Amazon, and you can access earnings reporting from the same toolbar. affiliate-program.amazon.com The downside is that you're limited to Amazon's commission structure and program rules.

My recommendation:

• General niche / multiple brands → Impact
• Retail/e-commerce → Awin
• Product reviews / Amazon-focused content → Amazon Associates
• Big established brands → CJ

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; its advertisers/publishers were migrated into Awin, so I'd go directly to Awin rather than following older recommendations to join ShareASale. affbuddy.com

If you tell me your niche (e.g., tech, fitness, finance, fashion, deals) and whether you're promoting through a website, TikTok/Instagram, YouTube, or email, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 networks for you.

If you’re brand new to affiliate marketing and your priorities are easy link creation + straightforward reporting, I’d rank them:

1. Awin — best overall
   • Its Link Builder turns a product/page URL into a trackable affiliate link with your publisher ID. help.awin.com
   • Its reporting covers clicks, sales, revenue, and other performance data, with date/filter options. help.awin.com
   • The MyAwin Chrome extension can generate links while you're browsing an advertiser's site, which is particularly convenient for beginners. www.awin.com
   • Awin also accepts publishers using social platforms, so you don't necessarily need a traditional website. www.awin.com

2. Amazon Associates — easiest if you're mainly promoting physical products
   • Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going back to the Associates dashboard. affiliate-program.amazon.com
   • Reporting is simple and beginner-friendly, with earnings, orders, conversion rates, link types, and daily trends. affiliate-program.amazon.com
   • The downside is that you're essentially limited to Amazon's ecosystem and its commission structure.

3. impact.com — best if you want to grow beyond beginner level
   • It gives affiliates access to a large marketplace of brands/products and lets you grab tracking links directly from product listings. impact.com
   • Reporting is considerably more sophisticated, including real-time campaign reports and drill-downs. impact.com
   • I'd choose it if you expect to work with recognizable brands or multiple types of partnerships rather than just product links.

My recommendation

Start with Awin if you want one general-purpose network. It's a good middle ground between simplicity and access to lots of advertisers.

If your content is something like "10 useful Amazon products for a home office," I'd actually start with Amazon Associates because the SiteStripe workflow is exceptionally easy.

If you tell me your niche (e.g., tech, fitness, finance, fashion, travel) and where you plan to promote (website, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.), I can recommend the best 2–3 networks for that specific setup.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link generation + basic reporting, I’d start with Awin.

My picks

1. Awin — my overall recommendation.
Awin has a browser extension called MyAwin that can generate tracking links directly while you're browsing an advertiser's site. Its publisher interface also provides reporting across clicks, sales, order value, and other performance metrics. www.awin.com

Awin for Publishers

2. Impact — best if you want to grow into more sophisticated affiliate marketing.
Impact has straightforward tracking/deep-link tools and strong dashboards and reporting. I'd choose it over Awin if the brands you specifically want to promote are already on Impact. help.impact.com

Impact affiliate platform

3. Amazon Associates — easiest if your niche is product recommendations.
Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly from Amazon product pages, including short links with your tracking information already attached. affiliate-program.amazon.com

Amazon Associates

What I'd do if starting today

Start with Awin + Amazon Associates. Awin gives you access to lots of advertisers from one dashboard, while Amazon is extremely convenient for individual product links. Once you have some traffic and know what converts, add Impact for brands that aren't available elsewhere.

One important caveat: the network matters less than whether it has the merchants/products you actually want to promote. So I'd pick based on your niche rather than signing up for every network.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. tech, fashion, finance, fitness, travel) and traffic source (TikTok, YouTube, blog, Instagram, etc.), I can narrow it down to the 2–3 best networks and specific affiliate programs for you.

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting, I’d start with Awin.

My pick: Awin

Awin is probably the best balance for a new affiliate. Its 2026 platform has a dashboard showing performance, revenue, and trends, and it gives you access to a large range of advertisers from one account. help.awin.comwww.shopify.com

Why I'd choose it:

• Easy-to-use publisher dashboard
• Large selection of merchants
• Straightforward affiliate-link tools
• Basic performance/revenue reporting without needing separate tracking software
• Good fit if you're doing content, social media, niche websites, or product recommendations

Awin

When I'd choose something else

Impact — I'd pick this if you're primarily interested in SaaS, creator tools, subscriptions, or recognizable brands. It's particularly good once you want more sophisticated tracking and partnership management. help.awin.comwww.shopify.com

impact.com

Amazon Associates — easiest if your strategy is simply “recommend physical products people can buy on Amazon.” Link creation is very approachable, but commissions can be relatively low, so I'd view it as a complementary program rather than your entire affiliate strategy. affiliatemarketingforsuccess.com

Amazon Associates

Bottom line: If you're starting from zero and don't yet know exactly which merchants you'll promote, join Awin first. If your niche is software/online services, I'd lean Impact instead.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. fitness, tech, finance, fashion, AI tools) and whether you're using a website, TikTok/YouTube, or email, I can narrow it down to the 2–3 networks I'd actually start with.

For a brand-new affiliate, I’d start with Awin.

My picks

Why Awin: its current platform has a straightforward dashboard, link-creation tools, and performance reporting. Its mobile app also has a dedicated Link Builder, letting you paste a product URL and generate an affiliate link quickly. help.awin.com

One important 2026 update: ShareASale is no longer the platform I'd recommend starting with. ShareASale was closed and publishers/advertisers were migrated toward Awin, so I'd go directly to Awin rather than following older tutorials recommending ShareASale. help.awin.comaffbuddy.com

Impact would be my second choice if you're interested in SaaS, creator tools, or recognizable brands. It has strong link-generation and tracking functionality, but individual advertiser approval can be more restrictive. help.impact.com

If you're primarily promoting Amazon products, skip the networks and start with Amazon Associates. It's probably the simplest possible setup, although commissions tend to be lower.

Bottom line:

• 🥇 Awin — best all-around beginner network
• 🥈 Impact — best if you're targeting brands/SaaS
• 🛒 Amazon Associates — easiest for physical products
• 💻 ClickBank — easiest for digital/info products

If you tell me what niche you're planning to promote (e.g. AI tools, fitness, Amazon products, finance, software) and whether you'll use TikTok/YouTube, a website, or email, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 programs for you.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with a platform that has a clean dashboard, lots of merchants, and doesn’t require advanced tracking knowledge. My top picks:

affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com

My recommendation by situation

If you have a blog, YouTube channel, newsletter, or social following:
→ Start with Impact. It feels the most modern and gives you straightforward performance reporting. It’s a good fit if you want to work with recognizable brands rather than random offers. affbuddy.com

If you want the widest variety of products to test:
→ Try Awin. It’s a strong general-purpose network and is often recommended for newer affiliates because it gives access to many merchants from one dashboard. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com

If you want the absolute simplest first affiliate links:
→ Amazon Associates is hard to beat for ease of use, though commissions are often lower than specialized programs. www.techradar.com

If you’re promoting ebooks, courses, software, or digital products:
→ ClickBank can be easier to start with because offers are centralized and link creation is simple. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com

What I would avoid as a first step

• Joining 10 networks at once — it becomes hard to know what’s working.
• Chasing the highest commission offers without checking product quality.
• Choosing a network only because it has “thousands of merchants”; relevance to your audience matters more.

A simple beginner stack would be:

1. Impact (quality brands + good dashboard)
2. Awin (more merchant variety)
3. One direct program in your niche (often higher commission)

If you tell me your niche (e.g., tech, fitness, finance, travel, beauty, AI tools, etc.) and where you’ll promote links (blog, TikTok, YouTube, email), I can narrow it down.

If you're brand new and your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting, I'd start with Awin.

My picks

1. Awin — my recommendation.
Awin's current platform has a straightforward dashboard, link-building tools, and centralized reporting. Its publisher app also has a dedicated Link Builder for quickly creating affiliate URLs. help.awin.com

Join Awin

2. Amazon Associates — simplest if you're promoting products.
If your content is about things like gadgets, household products, books, clothing, etc., Amazon is hard to beat for simplicity. Its reporting includes earnings, orders, conversion rates, link types, and tracking IDs. affiliate-program.amazon.com

Amazon Associates

3. Impact — best step up.
I'd choose Impact if you expect to work with recognizable brands or eventually become more sophisticated. It provides link/tracking capabilities and substantially more detailed performance reporting. impact.com

impact.com

What I'd do as a beginner

If you don't have a niche yet: start with Awin and apply to a handful of relevant merchants rather than joining 10 networks.

If you're specifically doing product reviews/recommendations: start with Amazon Associates, then add Awin/Impact once you have some traffic.

If you're doing SaaS, business, or creator content: I'd lean toward Impact instead.

One important distinction: ShareASale is no longer a separate option to prioritize—Awin absorbed it, and the ShareASale platform closed in 2025. affbuddy.com

If you tell me what niche/content you plan to promote (TikTok, YouTube, blog, Instagram, etc.), I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 networks and the easiest programs to get approved for.

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation and simple reporting, I’d start with Awin or Amazon Associates, depending on what you plan to promote.

My pick: Awin

Awin is probably the best all-around starting network if you don't want to be limited to one retailer. Its 2026 platform has a dashboard showing performance, revenue and trends, and Awin has a broad advertiser marketplace. help.awin.comaffbuddy.com

Easiest possible: Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is hard to beat for simplicity if you're promoting consumer products. Its SiteStripe lets you create an affiliate link directly from the Amazon product page without going into the affiliate dashboard. affiliate-program.amazon.com

The downside is that you're essentially building around Amazon rather than having access to many independent merchants.

Best if you're promoting software: Impact

Impact would be my choice if your niche is SaaS, online services, creator tools, or other digital products. It has a modern interface and strong tracking/reporting, although individual advertiser approvals can be more involved. affbuddy.com

My beginner progression:
Amazon Associates → Awin → Impact. Start with one platform rather than joining five at once, learn how clicks/conversions/commissions work, then expand once you know what your audience actually buys.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. tech, fashion, fitness, finance, AI tools) and traffic source (TikTok, YouTube, blog, Instagram, etc.), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 programs for you.

For a new affiliate who wants easy link generation and basic reporting, I’d start with platforms that have a simple dashboard, lots of merchants, and minimal technical setup. My top picks:

My beginner-friendly ranking:

1. Amazon Associates — easiest if you’re just learning how affiliate links work.
2. Impact.com — best if you want to promote software, subscriptions, or creator-friendly brands.
3. ShareASale — best “middle ground” for exploring different niches.
4. CJ Affiliate — better once you have some traffic and want bigger brands.

A simple starter setup:

• Pick one niche (fitness gear, software, travel products, cooking tools, etc.).
• Join 1–2 networks, not ten at once.
• Create a few tracked links.
• Watch basic metrics: clicks → conversions → earnings per click.

For a brand-new affiliate with no audience yet, I’d usually choose Amazon Associates for physical products or Impact.com for digital products/SaaS. s3.amazonaws.comwww.techradar.com

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation + straightforward reporting, I’d start with Awin.

My picks

Why Awin: it gives you access to a large range of merchants from one account, and current comparisons consistently rate it as one of the more beginner-friendly networks. ShareASale is also worth knowing about, but Awin absorbed ShareASale, so I wouldn't sign up for old ShareASale recommendations you may find in older guides. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com

Impact is my alternative if you're promoting software, online services, or recognizable brands. Its interface and automation tools are particularly appealing if you want to grow beyond basic affiliate links. affbuddy.comwww.shopify.com

Amazon Associates is probably the absolute simplest if your content is primarily product recommendations—its huge catalog makes finding something to link to very easy. The tradeoff is generally lower commissions and a short attribution window. systeme.io

My practical recommendation: start with Awin + Amazon Associates rather than joining five networks at once. Pick one niche, create 10–20 pieces of useful content, and track which links actually generate clicks and sales.

If you tell me what niche/content you plan to promote (e.g. tech, fitness, fashion, finance, AI tools, blogging), I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 networks and programs for that niche.

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation + straightforward reporting, I’d rank them:

1. Awin — Best overall
   • Very good for beginners: its Link Builder turns product/page URLs into affiliate links, and the MyAwin browser extension can generate links directly while browsing an advertiser’s site. www.awin.com
   • Reporting covers clicks, sales, order value, customer type, and other useful metrics. www.awin.com
   • My pick if you expect to promote products from multiple brands.

2. impact.com — Best for creators/social affiliates
   • Lets you find brands, generate tracking links, and access product catalogs from within the platform. impact.com
   • Reporting is particularly strong, with real-time campaign reports and detailed drill-downs. impact.com
   • Its mobile app can generate affiliate links from websites, which is convenient if you're primarily posting from your phone. impact.com

3. CJ Affiliate — Best for established brands
   • Deep Link Generator makes it easy to create links directly from advertiser websites.
   • Reporting lets you see performance by channels, brands, products, and offers. www.cj.com
   • I'd choose CJ if the particular brands you want to promote are stronger there than on Awin/impact.

4. Amazon Associates — Easiest if you're only promoting Amazon products
   • Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going into the affiliate dashboard. affiliate-program.amazon.com
   • Extremely simple, but you're limited to Amazon's ecosystem.

Bottom line: If you don't have a specific niche yet, I'd start with Awin. If you're mainly a TikTok/Instagram/YouTube creator, I'd lean toward impact.com. If you're building a content site around products sold on Amazon, Amazon Associates is the easiest starting point.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. tech, fashion, finance, fitness) and where you'll promote (website, TikTok, YouTube, etc.), I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 networks.

For a new affiliate, I’d prioritize ease of generating links and a clean basic dashboard over having the largest possible merchant catalog.

My shortlist:

• Amazon Associates — easiest if you primarily want to promote products sold on Amazon; link creation is straightforward, and reporting covers clicks and earnings.
• Impact — good all-around choice if you want access to many brands and a relatively polished interface for creating tracking links and viewing performance.
• CJ Affiliate — established network with lots of advertisers and solid reporting, though the interface can feel a little less beginner-friendly.
• Awin — strong option for broader merchant coverage, especially if you expect to promote brands outside Amazon.

My pick for most beginners: Impact. It strikes the best balance between easy link generation, recognizable brands, and useful basic reporting without requiring you to build a complicated tracking setup.

If you're mainly promoting Amazon products, I'd choose Amazon Associates instead.

For a new affiliate, I’d prioritize easy link creation, a simple dashboard, and lots of merchants.

My top picks:

1. Amazon Associates — probably the easiest starting point if you already recommend physical products. Link creation is straightforward and reporting is beginner-friendly.
2. Impact — my pick if you want to work with multiple brands. The interface is relatively polished, and generating tracking links is easy once you're approved by a brand.
3. Awin — good merchant variety and solid basic reporting; slightly more setup than Amazon.
4. CJ Affiliate — established network with many advertisers, though the interface can feel less beginner-friendly.
5. Rakuten Advertising — reputable network, but I'd generally choose Impact or Awin first if simplicity is your priority.

My recommendation: Start with Amazon Associates for the simplest possible workflow. If your niche involves software, services, or direct-to-consumer brands rather than Amazon products, start with Impact.

If you tell me what niche/products you plan to promote and where you'll publish (website, TikTok, YouTube, email, etc.), I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options.

If you're just starting with affiliate marketing, I'd prioritize platforms that make it easy to generate links, provide straightforward reporting, and have a low barrier to entry. Here are some solid options:

My recommendations

1. ShareASale (best overall for beginners)

• Thousands of merchants across many niches.
• Simple deep-link generation.
• Clean, understandable reporting.
• Easy to find programs with reasonable approval requirements.

Good if you want variety without being overwhelmed.

2. Awin

• One of the largest affiliate networks.
• User-friendly dashboard.
• Easy custom link creation.
• Reliable tracking and reporting.

Good if you want access to both well-known brands and smaller merchants.

3. Amazon Associates

• Fastest way to start.
• Generate product links in seconds.
• Nearly every product imaginable.
• Reporting is basic but sufficient for beginners.

The downside is relatively low commission rates compared with many other programs.

4. Impact

Excellent once you've gained some experience.

• Many premium brands.
• Strong link management.
• Great reporting and attribution.
• Modern interface.

Many individual programs have their own approval criteria.

5. PartnerStack

If you're interested in promoting software, AI tools, or B2B products:

• High commissions are common.
• Easy link generation.
• Straightforward reporting.
• Many recurring commission programs.

If I were starting today

I'd use a combination of:

1. Amazon Associates for everyday consumer products.
2. ShareASale or Awin for higher-commission retail brands.
3. PartnerStack for software and SaaS.
4. Impact whenever a brand I want to promote uses it.

This gives you access to a broad range of products while keeping link creation and reporting relatively simple.

If your goal is content websites or blogs, ShareASale and Awin are especially strong starting points. If your focus is YouTube or social media, combining Amazon Associates with SaaS programs on PartnerStack often works well because you can promote both physical and digital products.

If your priorities are easy link generation, a low learning curve, and basic reporting, these are among the best options for new affiliates:

My recommendations by use case

1. ShareASale — Best overall for beginners

• Very straightforward interface
• Generate affiliate links in a few clicks
• Plenty of beginner-friendly merchants
• Reporting includes clicks, sales, commissions, and EPC without being overwhelming

Good if you're starting a blog, YouTube channel, Pinterest account, or niche website.

2. PartnerStack — Best for software affiliates
If you plan to promote:

• AI tools
• Marketing software
• Productivity apps
• Business SaaS

PartnerStack is one of the easiest platforms to use. It has:

• One-click tracking links
• Referral dashboards
• Clear monthly payouts
• Simple reporting

3. Impact — Best if you want room to grow
Many well-known brands run their affiliate programs through Impact.

Pros:

• Excellent link builder
• Deep linking tools
• Strong reporting
• Easy-to-understand dashboard once you're familiar with it

It's a good choice if you expect to expand your affiliate business over time.

4. Awin — Good balance
Awin offers:

• Thousands of merchants
• Easy custom link generation
• Reliable reporting
• Good payment history

It's beginner-friendly while also supporting more advanced features as you gain experience.

If you only want simplicity

I'd rank them:

1. PartnerStack (SaaS)
2. ShareASale (general)
3. Impact (best long-term)
4. Awin
5. CJ Affiliate (powerful but a bit more complex)

If you're just getting started, I generally recommend ShareASale for physical products and a variety of merchants, or PartnerStack if your focus is promoting software. Both make it easy to create tracking links and monitor clicks and commissions without a steep learning curve.

If you're just getting started with affiliate marketing, the best platform depends on whether you want lots of merchants, simple link creation, or easy-to-read reporting. For most beginners, I'd recommend these:

My top recommendations

1. ShareASale

• One of the easiest places for beginners.
• Simple dashboard.
• Fast affiliate link generation.
• Plenty of merchants across many niches.
• Basic reports are straightforward (clicks, sales, commissions).

2. Impact

• Excellent if you want to promote well-known brands.
• Very easy deep-link generator.
• Clean reporting dashboard.
• Good if you plan to scale.

3. Awin

• Large marketplace of advertisers.
• Good interface for creating links.
• Useful reporting without being overly complicated.

If you're focused on software

Choose PartnerStack.

It specializes in SaaS companies and usually provides:

• one-click referral links,
• recurring commission tracking (where offered),
• clear reporting,
• easy payout history.

If you mainly promote Amazon products

Amazon Associates is still one of the easiest programs to use. Its SiteStripe tool lets you create affiliate links directly from product pages, and the reporting is simple, though commission rates are generally lower than many independent programs.

For a brand-new affiliate

A practical starting setup would be:

1. Join ShareASale for a broad range of merchants.
2. Join Amazon Associates for physical products.
3. Add Impact as you start working with larger brands.

This combination gives you access to a wide variety of products while keeping link generation and reporting relatively simple.

If you're just getting started, I'd prioritize platforms that make it easy to create links, offer straightforward reporting, and have a wide selection of merchants. Here are some of the best options:

My top recommendations

1. Impact (Best overall)

• Clean, modern interface.
• Easy deep-link generation.
• Good dashboard for clicks, conversions, and commissions.
• Many well-known brands across different industries.

Good if you plan to promote multiple companies over time.

2. PartnerStack (Best for software affiliates)

• Very easy to generate referral links.
• Excellent if you're promoting SaaS products.
• Clear reporting and recurring commission tracking.
• Popular with startups and B2B software companies.

3. ShareASale (Most beginner-friendly)

• Simple approval process for many merchants.
• Quick link creation.
• Large merchant catalog.
• Easy-to-understand reports.

Despite its older-looking interface, it's straightforward once you're familiar with it.

4. Awin

• Thousands of advertisers.
• Simple deep-link generator.
• Good reporting.
• Helpful if you're targeting international audiences.

5. Amazon Associates

• Probably the easiest program to begin with.
• Simple link creation.
• High conversion rates because shoppers already trust Amazon.
• Lower commission rates than many specialized affiliate programs.

If your main priority is "easy link generation"

1. PartnerStack ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. ShareASale ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
4. Awin ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
5. CJ Affiliate ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

If you want the simplest reporting

• Impact: intuitive dashboards with filters and export options.
• PartnerStack: clean reporting, especially for recurring SaaS commissions.
• CJ Affiliate: very powerful reporting, though it has more features to learn.
• Awin: balanced and beginner-friendly.
• Amazon Associates: basic but sufficient for new affiliates.

If you're building a content site, blog, newsletter, or social media presence, a practical approach is to join Impact, PartnerStack, and Amazon Associates. That combination gives you access to a wide range of merchants, straightforward link creation, and reporting that's easy to understand as you learn.

If you're just getting started, the best choice depends on whether you value simplicity, product selection, or commission rates. For most beginners, I'd recommend one of these:

My top recommendations

1. Impact

• Clean, modern interface
• Fast link creation
• Easy-to-understand reports (clicks, conversions, commissions)
• Many major brands across different industries

A good choice if you plan to promote multiple brands over time.

2. ShareASale

• Beginner-friendly
• Thousands of merchants
• Simple deep-link tools
• Basic reporting is easy to understand

Great for bloggers, niche sites, and content creators.

3. Amazon Associates

• Easiest affiliate program to learn
• Nearly any product can be linked
• Link generation takes only a few clicks
• Reporting is simple

The tradeoff is lower commissions than many independent brands.

If you primarily use social media

If you're creating content on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest, also consider:

• PartnerStack for software and SaaS products.
• Rakuten Advertising for well-known retail brands.

What I'd look for as a beginner

Prioritize platforms that offer:

• A bookmarklet or browser extension for quick link creation.
• Deep linking (link directly to a product page).
• Click, conversion, and commission reporting.
• Reliable monthly payouts.
• A large selection of merchants, so you don't have to join multiple networks immediately.

For most new affiliates, Impact is an excellent all-around starting point, while Amazon Associates is the quickest to begin using if you mainly recommend consumer products. If your focus is blogging or niche content, ShareASale remains a solid, beginner-friendly option.