ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation + straightforward reporting, I’d start with Impact. Its platform lets affiliates create tracking links and access performance/payout reporting from the dashboard. Impact Help Automattic Affiliate Knowledge Base

• Impact — Best all-around starting point; modern interface and solid tracking/reporting.
• Amazon Associates — Easiest if you mainly promote physical products; SiteStripe creates affiliate links directly from Amazon pages. Amazon Associates
• Awin — Good if you want access to many consumer brands; it supports a broad merchant catalog and is commonly cited as beginner-friendly. Shopify

My practical choice: Impact for flexibility; Amazon Associates for maximum simplicity.

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting, I’d narrow it to these:

• Amazon Associates — probably the simplest starting point if you’ll promote physical products. Its Associates Central includes link-building tools, tracking IDs, and straightforward reports for clicks, orders, earnings, link types, and daily trends. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Awin — a good general-purpose network if you want to promote products from multiple merchants rather than just Amazon. It has a broad merchant base and is commonly cited as beginner-friendly. Shopify G2 Learn Hub
• Impact — worth considering if you're mainly promoting software/SaaS, services, or recognizable consumer brands. It has more sophisticated tracking and reporting, although that also means a somewhat busier interface. G2 Learn Hub

My practical starting point

I wouldn't join five networks immediately. Pick one that has the merchants/products you actually intend to recommend, create a few links, and learn the reporting first. Merchant-specific approval and commission terms can vary considerably even within the same network. Shopify

If you tell me what niche you want to promote (e.g. AI tools, Amazon products, finance, fitness, travel, fashion), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 platforms that fit it.

If your priorities are easy link generation + simple reporting, I’d narrow it to three:

• Amazon Associates — probably the easiest starting point if you promote physical products. Its SiteStripe lets you create tagged links directly while browsing Amazon, and its reports cover clicks/traffic, earnings, orders, conversion rates, and tracking IDs. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Impact — a good choice if you want to promote brands, software, subscriptions, or DTC products rather than just Amazon products. It has a modern interface, link/deep-link tools, and reporting; individual advertisers still control their own approval requirements. AffBuddy Shopify
• Awin — worth considering if you want a broad multi-merchant network, particularly for retail and international brands. Awin now incorporates the former ShareASale ecosystem, and its current platform emphasizes improved reporting and partner tools. Awin Help Shopify

My practical starting point

If you're completely new, I'd start with Amazon Associates if your content naturally involves product recommendations. The workflow is very straightforward: find product → click SiteStripe → generate link → publish → monitor reports. Amazon Associates

If you're building around software/SaaS or specific brands, I'd start with Impact instead.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. tech, fitness, beauty, finance, travel) and whether you're using TikTok/YouTube, a website, or social media, I can narrow it down to 1–2 platforms and explain why.

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d narrow it to Amazon Associates, Awin, and Impact.

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest starting point

If you're promoting products through a blog, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, or social content, I'd start here. Amazon has built-in product-linking tools, and its reporting covers clicks, orders, earnings, conversion rates, and link types. affiliate-program.amazon.com

Amazon Associates

The downside is that commissions can be relatively low, so I'd eventually diversify.

2. Awin — best general-purpose network

Awin is my choice if you want to promote multiple brands rather than just Amazon products. It gives you one network through which you can find programs across categories such as retail, travel, finance, and more. www.shopify.com

Awin

3. Impact — best if you're promoting software/SaaS

Impact is particularly attractive for software, subscriptions, and recognizable consumer brands. Its modern tracking/link-management tools make it a good step up once you're comfortable with affiliate marketing. affbuddy.com

impact.com

What I'd do if starting today

Start with Amazon + Awin. Don't join 10 networks immediately. Get a handful of relevant offers working, learn which links actually generate clicks and sales, then add Impact if you find brands there that fit your audience.

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform, so older tutorials recommending it are outdated; Awin is the place to look instead. affbuddy.com

If you tell me what niche you're planning to promote (e.g. tech, fitness, finance, travel, beauty, AI/software), I can recommend the 2–3 best networks and specific affiliate programs for that niche.

I’d recommend Awin for most new affiliates who want an easy dashboard, straightforward link generation, and basic performance reporting. Its 2026 platform provides tracking links and a dashboard showing performance, revenue, and trends. Awin Help Center

• Awin: Best all-around beginner choice; broad merchant selection.
• Impact: Better if you’re targeting recognizable brands, SaaS, or creator partnerships; its interface and reporting are particularly strong. affbuddy.com
• Amazon Associates: Easiest if you mainly recommend physical products, but commissions can be lower. monetizemywebsite.com

My pick: Start with Awin, then add Impact once you know which types of offers convert for your audience.

If your priorities are easy link generation + simple reporting, I’d start with Amazon Associates if you mainly promote physical products, and impact.com if you want to work with multiple brands.

• Amazon Associates — easiest starting point. Its SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going into the affiliate dashboard. Reporting includes clicks, orders, earnings, conversion rates, link types, and tracking IDs. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• impact.com — best overall if you want to grow beyond one retailer. Its marketplace lets affiliates find brands, generate tracking links, and view performance reporting; it also supports personalized links and promo codes. impact.com impact.com
• Awin — good general-purpose alternative. It has a broad merchant base and is currently considered one of the more beginner-friendly networks, particularly if you want consumer brands beyond Amazon. Shopify
• ClickBank — worth considering for digital products. It can be easier to get started if your niche is courses, software, or other digital/info products rather than physical goods. Shopify

My pick

If you're completely new: start with Amazon Associates for the simplest workflow.

If you already have a website, newsletter, YouTube channel, or social audience and want to promote multiple companies: go with impact.com. It gives you more room to grow without making link management and reporting unnecessarily complicated. impact.com

One caveat: commission rates and program availability vary considerably by merchant and niche, so I wouldn't choose a network solely on ease of use.

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

If your priorities are easy link generation + simple reporting, I’d narrow it to Amazon Associates, Awin, and Impact.

• Amazon Associates — best for absolute beginners. It’s extremely straightforward to find products and create affiliate links, and Associates Central includes link-creation tools and reporting. Amazon Associates The downside is that commissions can be relatively low and vary by category.
• Awin — best general-purpose affiliate network. It gives you access to a large range of merchants from one dashboard and is a good choice if you want to move beyond Amazon into fashion, travel, home, finance, etc. Shopify AffBuddy
• Impact — best if you want a cleaner, more modern platform. Its link generation and reporting are generally regarded as easier to work with, and it has strong consumer-brand and SaaS programs. AffBuddy

My recommendation

Start with Amazon Associates if you're completely new and promoting physical products. Once you understand clicks, conversions, and disclosures, add Impact or Awin rather than trying to learn five networks simultaneously.

If you're primarily promoting software/SaaS rather than physical products, I'd flip that recommendation and start with Impact.

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; its programs were migrated into Awin, so I'd apply to Awin rather than following older tutorials recommending ShareASale. AffBuddy

affiliate-program.amazon.com · awin.com · impact.com

If you tell me what niche you want to promote (e.g. tech, AI tools, fitness, home products, finance), I can recommend the best 2–3 networks/programs for that niche.

If your priorities are easy link generation + straightforward reporting, I’d start with Impact or Awin rather than jumping into a bunch of networks.

• Impact — best overall for beginners who want a clean interface. It has a modern dashboard, deep-link/link-generation tools, and useful performance reporting. It’s particularly good if you want to promote SaaS, software, subscriptions, or recognizable consumer brands. AffBuddy Shopify
• Awin — best for broad merchant selection. It gives you access to a large range of brands and is a good general-purpose choice, particularly for retail, lifestyle, travel, and international audiences. Shopify AffBuddy
• Amazon Associates — easiest if you're primarily recommending physical products. The huge catalog makes finding something to link to extremely easy, although commissions can be relatively low. Monetize My Website
• PartnerStack — worth considering for B2B/SaaS. If your content is about software, business tools, or startups, its specialization can be more valuable than a general-purpose network. Rubab's Digital

My pick

Start with Impact if you want the simplest combination of link creation, reporting, and quality programs. Then add Awin if you need more merchants.

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform, so if older guides tell you to start there, use Awin instead. AffBuddy

If you tell me your niche (e.g. fitness, AI/software, finance, fashion, Amazon products) and where you publish (website, YouTube, TikTok, newsletter, etc.), I can recommend the 2–3 best networks/programs specifically for you.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with a platform that has a simple dashboard, lots of merchants, and low setup friction. My top picks:

1. Impact.com — best overall beginner experience

impact.com

Why I’d recommend it:

• Clean interface compared with many older affiliate networks
• Easy deep-link creation (turning a product page into your tracking link)
• Good click, conversion, and commission reporting
• Strong selection of recognizable brands and SaaS companies

Best for: creators, bloggers, YouTubers, newsletters, and people who want to grow into larger brand partnerships. AffBuddy

2. Awin — best beginner-friendly network with lots of choices

awin.com

Why it’s good:

• Large marketplace of advertisers
• One account gives access to many programs
• Straightforward tracking links and reporting
• Good for ecommerce, fashion, travel, and general content niches

Awin is often recommended for newer affiliates because it combines broad merchant access with relatively simple onboarding. Shopify Hostinger

3. CJ Affiliate — best if you want major brands

cj.com

Pros:

• Many established advertisers
• Solid reporting tools
• Good tracking and analytics

Cons:

• Some advertiser programs may be harder for brand-new affiliates to get approved for. PainPointMap

4. ClickBank — easiest for digital products

clickbank.com

Good fit if you promote:

• Online courses
• Software
• Digital downloads
• Information products

It’s simple to browse offers and generate links, though product quality varies more than on brand-focused networks. AffBuddy

My simple starter recommendation

If I were setting up a first affiliate account today:

1. Start with Impact if you want a modern interface and recognizable brands.
2. Add Awin for more product variety.
3. Add CJ later once you have some traffic or content history.
4. Use ClickBank only if your niche naturally fits digital products.

A beginner usually does better with one or two networks mastered rather than joining ten platforms and getting overwhelmed. Choose based on what your audience already cares about: product reviews, software tutorials, travel, finance, hobbies, etc.

If your priorities are easy link generation + simple reporting, I’d start with Amazon Associates for physical products, or Impact if you want access to a wider range of brands and software programs.

• Amazon Associates — easiest overall. The product catalog is enormous, link creation is straightforward, and the reporting covers clicks, orders, conversions, and earnings. Amazon also lets you download reports as CSV, Excel, or XML. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Impact — best step up. It has a cleaner, more modern affiliate interface and is particularly useful if you want SaaS, consumer brands, subscriptions, or higher-value offers. Current comparisons also highlight its link-generation and reporting capabilities. AffBuddy SmileGrows
• Awin — best broad network alternative. It now incorporates the former ShareASale ecosystem; ShareASale itself shut down in October 2025, so I'd sign up with Awin rather than following older recommendations to join ShareASale. AffBuddy
• CJ Affiliate — good later, not my first pick. It has lots of established brands and solid reporting, but approvals and the overall experience can be more involved for a complete beginner. PainPointMap

My pick

If you're brand new: Amazon Associates → learn the basics → add Impact or Awin once you know what products/offers your audience actually responds to.

If you already have a niche website, newsletter, TikTok/YouTube audience, or other traffic: I'd lean Impact from the beginning.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. tech, fitness, travel, finance, AI/software, fashion) and whether you have a website, YouTube, TikTok, or email list, I can recommend the best 2–3 networks and the specific programs worth applying to.

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting, I’d keep it simple:

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — best for absolute beginners

• SiteStripe lets you create affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going into a separate dashboard. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Reporting covers clicks/traffic, orders, earnings, conversion rates, link types, and daily trends. Amazon Associates
• Best if you're promoting physical products through reviews, buying guides, social content, etc.
• Downside: commissions can be relatively low, depending on category.
• Impact — my overall recommendation if you want to grow

• The interface is more modern and it supports creating trackable links plus adding reporting parameters to distinguish promotional channels. Impact Help
• You can access programs from recognizable brands and SaaS companies, rather than being limited to Amazon.
• Slightly more to learn than Amazon, but you'll have a much better foundation if you eventually promote multiple brands.
• Awin — good general-purpose alternative

• It gives you access to a broad range of merchants and is commonly recommended for newer affiliates who want variety. Shopify
• I'd choose it particularly if the brands you want to promote are already on Awin.

What I'd do if starting today

Start with Amazon Associates + Impact. Don't join 8–10 networks immediately. Pick a handful of products/programs that genuinely fit your audience, generate links, and learn from the basic click → conversion → commission numbers.

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform, so older affiliate tutorials recommending it are outdated; its operations were migrated into Awin. affbuddy.com

If you tell me what niche you're in (e.g. AI/software, fitness, home products, finance, fashion, etc.) and whether you're using a website, YouTube, TikTok, or email, I can recommend the best 2–3 platforms specifically for you.

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

My recommendation by situation

• You have a blog, newsletter, or general content site: Start with Awin. It gives you access to many merchants without managing separate affiliate accounts. Shopify
• You are a YouTuber, TikTok creator, or influencer: Try Impact because the workflow for finding brands, generating links, and viewing performance is relatively beginner-friendly. AffBuddy
• You review physical products: Add Amazon Associates for convenience, even if you later move higher-volume products to other programs. Easy Monitize
• You want to promote software/SaaS: Look at Impact and similar SaaS-focused networks, where recurring commissions are more common. AffBuddy

If I were starting from zero and wanted the simplest setup, I’d do:

1. Join Awin (broad merchant access)
2. Join Impact (better brand/creator partnerships)
3. Add one niche-specific direct program once I know what my audience buys

I would avoid joining 10+ networks at first. The hard part usually isn’t generating links — it’s finding offers that match your audience and creating content that converts.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with a platform that has a simple dashboard, a good merchant directory, and low setup friction. My top picks:

My recommendation for most beginners

1. Start with Impact.com if you’re a creator (TikTok, YouTube, newsletter, blog) and want a modern dashboard.
2. Add Awin if you want access to many different merchants from one account.
3. Use Amazon Associates as a supplement if you naturally recommend physical products.

A simple beginner setup:

• Pick one niche (fitness, tech, home, finance, beauty, etc.).
• Join 1–2 networks, not ten.
• Create tracking links only for products you genuinely discuss.
• Watch basic metrics: clicks → conversions → earnings per click.

For pure ease of use, I’d rank them:

1. Impact.com
2. Awin
3. Amazon Associates
4. CJ Affiliate
5. ClickBank

The “best” one changes depending on your niche—software affiliates, product reviewers, and social creators often end up on different platforms. AffBuddy

For a brand-new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and straightforward reporting, I’d start with Amazon Associates if you’re promoting physical products, and Impact.com if you want a broader mix of brands and potentially higher-value programs.

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest overall.
Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create an affiliate link directly from the product/page you're viewing, without going into a separate dashboard. It also provides quick access to earnings reporting. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates

2. Impact.com — best if you want to grow beyond Amazon.
Its tools are more sophisticated, particularly around link generation, tracking, and reporting. The downside is that approval can vary considerably by individual merchant, so some programs may be harder for a brand-new affiliate to enter. impact.com AffBuddy

3. Awin — best broad marketplace alternative.
Awin gives you access to a large range of merchants and is particularly useful if you don't want your affiliate business tied to one retailer. Current 2026 comparisons generally put it among the more beginner-friendly major networks. Shopify AffBuddy

One important update: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; it shut down in October 2025 and its programs were migrated to Awin. AffBuddy

What I'd do if starting today

• Product reviews / TikTok / YouTube / general consumer products: Amazon Associates first.
• Software, SaaS, business tools, creator products: Impact.com first.
• Blog with many different retailers: Awin.
• Once you have established traffic: add CJ and individual brand programs.

If your priority is specifically “I want to generate a link in 10 seconds and see clicks/conversions without learning a complicated system,” Amazon is probably the easiest starting point. Amazon Associates

1. Amazon Associates — easiest overall.
Amazon's SiteStripe lets you create an affiliate link directly from the product/page you're viewing, without going into a separate dashboard. It also provides quick access to earnings reporting. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates

2. Impact.com — best if you want to grow beyond Amazon.
Its tools are more sophisticated, particularly around link generation, tracking, and reporting. The downside is that approval can vary considerably by individual merchant, so some programs may be harder for a brand-new affiliate to enter. impact.com affbuddy.com

3. Awin — best broad marketplace alternative.
Awin gives you access to a large range of merchants and is particularly useful if you don't want your affiliate business tied to one retailer. Current 2026 comparisons generally put it among the more beginner-friendly major networks.

One important update: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; it shut down in October 2025 and its programs were migrated to Awin.

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

My picks for a new affiliate

• 🥇 Awin — best overall

• Large selection of advertisers across retail, travel, services, and other niches.
• Its publisher tools include Link Builder, MyAwin (browser extension), and Convert-a-Link, making it relatively easy to create/deploy tracking links. Awin Awin Success
• Reporting covers the essentials—clicks, sales, commissions, advertiser/product performance, etc. Awin
• Awin currently offers publisher applications with a $1 refundable deposit. Awin
• awin.com
• 🥈 Amazon Associates — easiest if you're primarily recommending physical products

• SiteStripe lets you generate affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, so the workflow is exceptionally simple. Amazon Associates
• Reporting includes clicks, orders, earnings, conversion rates, tracking IDs, and link performance. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• The downside is that you're largely confined to Amazon's ecosystem and its commission structure.
• affiliate-program.amazon.com
• 🥉 Impact — worth considering if you're promoting software/SaaS and recognizable brands

• Generally a good next step once you want access to individual brand partnerships and more sophisticated tracking.
• I'd choose it over Awin if the particular brands you want to promote are already there.

What I'd do

If you're brand new and don't have a specific niche yet, start with Awin. If your content is primarily “best products,” reviews, shopping guides, or product recommendations, start with Amazon Associates instead.

You also don't need to join five networks immediately. One network + 2–5 relevant programs is plenty while you're learning what actually converts.

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation + basic reporting, I’d start with Amazon Associates if you mainly promote physical products, and Awin if you want access to many different brands.

My picks

1. Amazon Associates — easiest overall

• Very simple link generation through Amazon’s SiteStripe/linking tools.
• Huge product catalog, so you can usually find something relevant to promote.
• Reporting covers clicks, orders, earnings, conversion rates, link types, and daily trends. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Best for: beginners doing product reviews, blogs, YouTube, Pinterest, or social content.
• affiliate-program.amazon.com
• Awin — best general-purpose network

• Gives you access to many advertisers from one platform rather than joining each program separately.
• Its Link Builder makes creating deep affiliate links straightforward, and its publisher app can generate links and show basic performance information. Awin Partner Success Center Awin Partner Success Center
• Best for: lifestyle, fashion, travel, retail, and creators who want to diversify beyond Amazon.
• awin.com
• Impact.com — best if you expect to grow

• Particularly good link-generation and tracking tools, including custom tracking parameters and reporting by promotional channel. Impact Help Impact Help
• Best for: creators promoting SaaS, larger brands, and multiple types of partnerships.
• The interface has more capabilities than a complete beginner necessarily needs.
• impact.com

My simple recommendation: Start with Amazon Associates + Awin rather than signing up for five networks at once. Amazon gives you the easiest product-link workflow; Awin gives you a broader pool of merchants. Once you know what type of offers your audience responds to, add Impact or another specialized network.

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

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with platforms that have a simple dashboard, lots of advertisers, and low setup friction. My top picks:

My recommendation by beginner type

• You have a blog, newsletter, Pinterest, or general content site: Start with Awin + Impact.
• You make videos or social content: Start with Impact because the creator workflow is usually smoother. AffBuddy
• You review physical products: Add Amazon Associates for easy audience conversion.
• You want to promote online courses/software/digital products: Try ClickBank or Impact. Shopify

A simple beginner setup:

1. Pick one niche (fitness, software, travel, finance, hobbies, etc.).
2. Join 1–2 networks, not ten.
3. Create a few tracking links and learn the basics: - clicks
4. conversion rate
5. earnings per click
6. which content actually drives sales

If I were setting up a first affiliate account today with the goal of minimum complexity, I’d choose Impact first, then add Awin once I knew what type of products my audience responded to. AffBuddy Shopify

If your priorities are easy link generation + basic reporting + low friction for a beginner, I’d start with Amazon Associates if you’re promoting physical products, or Awin if you want a broader range of merchants.

My picks

• 🥇 Amazon Associates — easiest overall

• Excellent if your content is product-focused.
• Straightforward product-linking tools.
• Reporting covers clicks, orders, earnings, link types, and daily trends. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Huge product catalog means you can usually find something relevant without applying to dozens of individual programs.
• Downside: commissions can be relatively modest, and you're primarily tied to Amazon's ecosystem.
• 🥈 Awin — best general-purpose affiliate network

• Good choice if you want to promote lots of different brands rather than just Amazon.
• It absorbed the former ShareASale platform, so if you see older recommendations telling you to start with ShareASale, they're outdated—the ShareASale platform closed in 2025. AffBuddy
• Particularly useful for retail, lifestyle, travel, and international merchants.
• 🥉 Impact — best if you're promoting software/SaaS or recognizable brands

• Generally has a modern interface, link-generation tools, and stronger reporting/automation than the older networks.
• The catch is that you typically apply to individual brands, and some brands can be selective about affiliates. AffBuddy Shopify

What I'd do as a brand-new affiliate

My personal beginner recommendation: don't join five networks immediately. Pick one that matches your niche, create 10–20 pieces of useful content, and learn which links actually generate clicks and sales. Then add a second network when you have a clear reason.

If you tell me your niche (e.g. AI tools, fitness, home products, finance, travel) and where your audience is (US/UK/etc.), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 networks and specific programs to apply to.

If your priorities are easy link generation + straightforward reporting, I’d start with impact.com.

My picks for a new affiliate

Why I lean toward impact.com: its partner dashboard lets you create tracking links and add things like Sub IDs to identify which channel or placement generated the traffic. Its reporting can then break down performance by those parameters. Impact Help Center Impact Help Center

Amazon Associates is arguably even easier if you're primarily recommending physical products. Its tools include product-linking tools, and its reporting covers clicks, orders, earnings, link types, and daily trends. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; it was shut down and its programs were migrated to Awin. So if you see old beginner guides recommending ShareASale, use Awin instead. AffBuddy

My simple recommendation

• YouTube/blog/social + mixed products: impact.com
• Amazon/product recommendations: Amazon Associates
• Software/SaaS: impact.com or PartnerStack
• Lots of retail/lifestyle brands: Awin

If you tell me what kind of products you want to promote and whether you're using TikTok, YouTube, a website, or email, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 platforms for you, including which ones are easiest to get approved by.

Why I lean toward impact.com: its partner dashboard lets you create tracking links and add things like Sub IDs to identify which channel or placement generated the traffic. Its reporting can then break down performance by those parameters. help.impact.com help.impact.com

Amazon Associates is arguably even easier if you're primarily recommending physical products. Its tools include product-linking tools, and its reporting covers clicks, orders, earnings, link types, and daily trends.

One important 2026 note: ShareASale is no longer a separate platform; it was shut down and its programs were migrated to Awin. So if you see old beginner guides recommending ShareASale, use Awin instead.

If your priorities are easy link generation + simple reporting, I’d narrow it to these:

1. affiliate-program.amazon.com — easiest overall

• Excellent if you promote physical products.
• Amazon’s SiteStripe lets you generate affiliate links directly while browsing Amazon, without going back to the affiliate dashboard. Amazon Associates Amazon Associates
• Reporting is straightforward enough for a beginner.
• Downside: commissions can be relatively low and terms vary by product category.
• awin.com — best general-purpose network

• Good choice if you want to promote multiple brands, rather than just Amazon.
• It covers a broad range of retail, lifestyle, travel, and other merchants, and is frequently recommended as a beginner-friendly network. Shopify AffBuddy
• Better choice than trying to manage dozens of individual affiliate accounts.
• impact.com — best interface/reporting

• I'd pick this if you're promoting software, SaaS, consumer brands, or creator-oriented products.
• It has stronger link management, tracking, reporting, and automation than you really need as a beginner—but that makes it a good platform to grow into. Easy Monitize AffBuddy
• The catch is that individual brands can have their own approval requirements.

My recommendation

If you're completely new: start with Amazon Associates if your content revolves around physical products.

If you want one network with lots of different merchants: start with Awin.

If you're building around software/SaaS or expect to take affiliate marketing seriously: start with impact.com.

I wouldn't start with 5–6 networks simultaneously. Pick one, create 10–20 pieces of content, learn which links actually get clicks/conversions, then add another network where it fills a gap.

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

My recommendation for most beginners

1. Start with Impact if you already have a niche (tech, fitness, beauty, business, creator content). It tends to feel more modern and easier to navigate. AffBuddy
2. Add Awin if you want more variety of merchants in one place. Shopify
3. Use Amazon Associates if your content naturally involves product recommendations. Easy Monitize

A simple beginner setup:

• Pick one niche (e.g., home gear, software, travel, fitness).
• Join 1–2 networks, not ten.
• Create a few pieces of useful content.
• Track only basic metrics at first: clicks, conversions, and earnings per click.

If your main channel is TikTok/Instagram, a blog, YouTube, or email, the best choice can change.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with one of these:

My practical starter picks:

1. If you have no niche yet: Start with Awin. It gives you a broad range of advertisers without needing to manage many separate affiliate accounts. Shopify
2. If you are a content creator (YouTube, TikTok, newsletter, blog): Try Impact because the interface and reporting are generally more creator-friendly. Easy Monitize
3. If you want the easiest possible “pick a product → create link → see clicks/sales” workflow: Look at ClickBank for digital products. Shopify

For a first setup, I’d avoid joining 10 networks at once. A simple approach is:

• Pick one broad network (Awin or Impact)
• Join 5–10 relevant programs
• Track clicks, conversions, and earnings
• Drop programs that get clicks but no conversions

The biggest factor is usually not the network itself—it’s whether the products match your audience. A smaller commission on a product your audience actually wants often beats a high commission on a poor fit. painpointmap.com

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with platforms that have a simple dashboard, lots of merchants, and straightforward tracking. My top picks:

1. Impact.com — Best overall beginner experience

• Why I like it for beginners: Clean interface, easy deep-link creation, good click/conversion reporting, and many recognizable brands.
• Good for: SaaS, apps, creator partnerships, lifestyle brands, online services.
• Downside: Some individual merchants on the platform can be selective about approvals. AffBuddy

2. Awin — Best general-purpose network

• Why: Large merchant catalog, simple affiliate dashboard, and good coverage across retail, travel, finance, and services.
• Good for: Bloggers, niche websites, review sites, and social creators.
• Downside: You still need to apply to individual advertiser programs. Shopify

3. CJ Affiliate — Best for established brands

• Why: Strong reporting tools and many recognizable advertisers.
• Good for: Content sites that want mainstream brands.
• Downside: Some programs can be harder for brand-new affiliates to access. PainPointMap

4. Amazon Associates — Easiest if you recommend physical products

• Why: Very easy to understand: find a product, generate a link, track clicks/orders.
• Good for: Product reviews, YouTube, blogs, social content.
• Downside: Commission rates are often lower than specialized programs. PainPointMap

5. ClickBank — Simplest for digital products

• Why: Quick access to many offers and built-in tracking/link tools.
• Good for: Courses, software, ebooks, digital education products.
• Downside: Offer quality varies, so vet products carefully before promoting them. Shopify

My beginner recommendation

If you’re starting from zero:

• General content/blog/social: Start with Awin + Impact
• Product reviews: Start with Amazon Associates + Awin
• Software/SaaS content: Start with Impact
• Digital products: Try ClickBank, but be selective

I’d avoid joining 10 networks at once. Pick one platform that matches your niche, learn how its tracking and reporting work, and expand once you know what your audience actually clicks.

For a new affiliate who mainly wants easy link creation and simple 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:

My usual recommendation by situation:

• You’re starting a blog or review site: Start with ShareASale + Amazon Associates.
• You make YouTube/TikTok/social content: Start with Amazon Associates, then add brand-specific programs through Impact or Awin.
• You’re in software, marketing tools, or B2B: Try Impact or PartnerStack.
• You want the simplest possible first experience: Amazon Associates is hard to beat for link creation.

A good beginner workflow:

1. Pick one niche (fitness gear, travel, software, home products, etc.).
2. Join 1–2 networks, not ten.
3. Create links only for products you can naturally recommend.
4. Watch basic metrics: clicks → conversions → earnings per click.

If you tell me your niche (blog, YouTube, TikTok, email list, etc.), I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 options.

For a new affiliate who prioritizes easy link creation and basic reporting, I’d start with impact.com.

My picks

1. Impact — best overall

• Very straightforward affiliate-link generation.
• Good dashboard for clicks, conversions, commissions, and earnings.
• Large selection of recognizable brands.
• Its publisher marketplace lets you discover programs and generate tracking links from product pages. impact.com impact.com
• Particularly good if you expect to eventually work with both affiliate programs and creator/influencer campaigns.
• Awin — best broad alternative

• Good choice if you want lots of traditional retail/e-commerce merchants.
• It accepts affiliates with either a website or social-media presence, which makes it relatively accessible to beginners. Shopify
• ShareASale is no longer a separate option; its programs were migrated into Awin. SmileGrows
• Amazon Associates — easiest for physical products

• Worth considering if your content is primarily product reviews, recommendations, or buying guides.
• The huge product catalog makes finding something to link to exceptionally easy, although commissions can be less attractive than specialized networks. PainPointMap

What I'd choose

My recommendation: join Impact first, then add Awin once you know which types of products convert for your audience. Impact specifically offers personalized affiliate links and real-time campaign reporting, so it fits your "easy link generation + basic reporting" requirement particularly well. impact.com impact.com

impact.com

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

My picks

1. Awin — best overall for beginners

• Large selection of merchants and niches.
• Its publisher tools include MyAwin, which can generate tracking links directly from a product page. Awin
• Reporting covers clicks, transactions, order value, customer type, and other useful performance data. Awin
• Awin also has a dedicated Link Builder for creating deep links to specific products/categories. Awin Help Center
• Best if: you want one account where you can test lots of merchants without getting overwhelmed.
• impact.com — best interface/tools

• Particularly good if you're promoting SaaS, apps, consumer brands, or larger companies.
• Generally considered stronger than traditional networks for modern partnership management, with good link-generation and reporting tools. AffBuddy Surge Affiliate
• Best if: you care more about a polished platform and expect to scale.
• clickbank.com — easiest for digital products

• Good if you're interested in courses, ebooks, software, and other digital products.
• Lower barrier to getting started than many traditional networks. Shopify
• Downside: product quality varies considerably, so you'll need to be selective.

What I'd do personally

If you're starting from zero, join Awin first, learn how tracking links, clicks, conversions, EPC, and commissions work, and then add Impact once you know your niche.

I wouldn't start with five or six networks. One network + 2–5 relevant merchants is enough to learn the mechanics without drowning in dashboards.

If you tell me what niche you're planning to promote (e.g. Amazon/product reviews, AI software, fitness, finance, travel, fashion), I can recommend the best 2–3 networks and specific affiliate programs for that niche.

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.