Many affiliate marketers have started their journey with the Amazon affiliate network for years. Known formally as Amazon Associates, it has earned a reputation for being one of the easiest programs to join and use. With millions of products and a familiar shopping experience, it offers an accessible entry point for anyone monetizing their content.
However, as the affiliate marketing world matures and marketers gain experience, many feel the limits of relying on Amazon alone. The commission structure is relatively low, cookie durations are short, and sudden policy changes can dramatically impact your income. Looking beyond Amazon and exploring what other networks offer becomes essential for those who want to build sustainable, diversified, and scalable affiliate income.
This article takes you on a deep dive into alternative affiliate networks that can match or even exceed the potential of Amazon’s program. Whether you are new to affiliate marketing or an experienced creator looking to expand your portfolio, understanding the broader affiliate landscape is the first step to unlocking new earning opportunities.
Why Diversifying Beyond the Amazon Affiliate Network Matters
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Amazon is a global e-commerce leader. The trust it has built with consumers means higher conversion rates. People are already shopping there, so recommending a product on Amazon often feels seamless.
However, depending solely on the Amazon affiliate network creates several long-term challenges:
Commission rates are modest. Most categories pay between 1 and 5 percent. However, specific categories have been slashed dramatically over the years, and these changes can happen with little notice.
The cookie window is very short. Amazon offers a 24-hour cookie duration. You get nothing if a user clicks your link but does not buy within that period.
Policy changes affect earnings. Amazon can and has changed its terms, payout rates, and rules with little warning. This unpredictability is risky, especially if Amazon is your primary or only affiliate income source.
Product selection can be limiting. While Amazon sells almost everything, you may find that higher-quality or niche-specific products are only available through other platforms or direct partnerships.
Expanding your affiliate marketing strategy beyond Amazon reduces these risks and opens up new ways to serve your audience more authentically and profitably.
A Closer Look at Major Affiliate Networks Outside Amazon
Several established affiliate networks offer access to thousands of merchants across various industries. These networks allow you to work with individual brands, often with higher commissions and longer cookie durations than Amazon.
Let’s explore some of the most well-known alternatives.
ShareASale
Founded in 2000, ShareASale is one of the most respected affiliate networks on the market. It offers access to thousands of merchants across categories such as fashion, home and garden, tech, education, and financial services.
What sets ShareASale apart is its user-friendly dashboard and search functionality. You can easily find merchants by keyword, category, or performance metrics such as EPC (earnings per click). Many of the brands on ShareASale offer higher commissions than Amazon, sometimes up to 30 percent or more, depending on the product.
ShareASale offers deep linking tools, real-time reporting, and customizable tracking options. Whether you are blogging, running a YouTube channel, or promoting through email marketing, the platform provides tools for a wide range of promotional strategies.
Popular brands on ShareASale include Grammarly, Reebok, and WP Engine.
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
CJ Affiliate is a veteran in the affiliate marketing industry, known for its strong brand partnerships and advanced performance tracking tools. It connects affiliates with brands in retail, travel, finance, software, and many other sectors.
One of CJ’s most significant advantages is the caliber of its advertisers. You can partner with household names like Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, and GoPro. The network is highly selective about which publishers and brands it admits, which can be a positive if you seek professional and reliable partners.
CJ Affiliate’s reporting tools allow for granular performance insights. This is helpful if you want to optimize campaigns based on device type, traffic source, or geographic region. The network also supports API integration for developers and advanced marketers.
Although the learning curve may be slightly higher than that of Amazon or ShareASale, the potential for higher commissions and premium partnerships makes it well worth the investment.
Rakuten Advertising
Rakuten is another major player that offers an expansive network of merchants and a reputation for professionalism. Formerly known as Rakuten LinkShare, it provides access to brands across categories including electronics, fashion, financial products, and wellness.
Rakuten has a slightly more curated approach to brand relationships. As an affiliate, you must apply to individual network programs. However, this structure can result in more focused and meaningful partnerships. Rakuten has worked with brands like Walmart, Best Buy, and Macy’s.
The platform provides strong analytics, link customization, and creative asset libraries to help affiliates succeed. If you are serious about building lasting relationships with trusted brands, Rakuten is a reliable platform to explore.
Impact
Impact is a newer but rapidly growing affiliate network that emphasizes data, automation, and modern user experience. It is particularly appealing to content creators and tech-savvy marketers.
Impact partners with a range of both global and emerging brands. Its tools include dynamic payouts, real-time tracking, and customizable dashboards that measure KPIs beyond basic clicks and conversions. Impact offers a powerful environment for affiliates who want to take a performance-based marketing approach and scale intelligently.
You will find programs in categories like software, wellness, fashion, education, and financial services. It is also popular with influencers and content creators who use Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok as primary channels.
Awin
Awin is a global affiliate network with over 20,000 advertisers and a robust European presence. It merged with ShareASale in 2017, but the platforms still operate independently.
Awin offers fashion, travel, tech, finance, and more programs. It features a fast sign-up process, a browser extension for easy link creation, and access to small and large advertisers. If you are based outside the US or want to tap into international markets, Awin may be the best fit.
Notable brands include Etsy, Under Armour, and AliExpress.
Exploring Niche-Focused and Direct Affiliate Programs
While large affiliate networks offer convenience and variety, many affiliate marketers find their highest converting programs by working directly with companies providing affiliate setups.
Direct affiliate programs are usually managed in-house or through smaller platforms like Refersion, Tapfiliate, or Post Affiliate Pro. They are often niche-specific and offer highly targeted products and services that align perfectly with your audience.
For example, if you run a blog on sustainable living, you might find better alignment promoting a boutique eco-products shop that runs its affiliate program rather than trying to find relevant products through Amazon.
These direct programs often have higher commissions, customized support, and flexible promotional materials. Brands are usually more invested in their affiliates and may offer incentives, bonuses, or co-marketing opportunities.
To find these programs, search for “[brand or product] affiliate program” directly in Google. Check the footer of product websites you love. Reach out to companies and ask if they offer referral partnerships. You might be surprised how many are open to working with quality creators, even if they don’t publicly advertise an affiliate program.
How to Transition Smoothly From Amazon to Other Networks
If you have been relying heavily on the Amazon affiliate network, shifting your strategy may feel overwhelming. But the process can be approached incrementally and strategically.
Begin by auditing your existing content. Identify which products generate the most traffic and conversions. Then, search for similar or identical products on other networks or direct programs. The same product is often available elsewhere with a better commission and a longer cookie window.
Next, integrate alternative links into new content first. Keep your Amazon links in older content while gradually replacing them with alternatives as appropriate. This soft transition allows you to test performance without risking a sudden drop in earnings.
Track everything. Monitor your click-through rates, conversions, and commission data. Use this information to determine which networks and offers are worth scaling up.
Keep your audience informed. If you recommend a new brand or shift your strategy, let your followers know why. Transparency increases trust and builds authority in the long run.
Building a Resilient Affiliate Strategy
The affiliate marketing landscape is evolving, and relying solely on one program, whether trusted or popular, is risky in an unpredictable online environment. The Amazon affiliate network has served many marketers well, but it should be one part of a broader, more diverse affiliate strategy.
Exploring other big networks gives you access to higher payouts, better-aligned products, and tools that help you grow more efficiently. Whether you are drawn to ShareASale’s ease of use, CJ Affiliate’s premium brands, or Impact’s data-driven platform, there is a wealth of opportunity outside of Amazon.
The affiliate marketers who thrive are not the ones who cling to comfort. They are the ones who adapt, test, and refine continuously. Expanding beyond Amazon and embracing other big affiliate networks allows you to position yourself for greater control, higher earnings, and a stronger long-term business.
In the end, diversification is not just a smart strategy. It is peace of mind. You can grow on your terms when your income does not depend on a single company’s policies. And that is what true success in affiliate marketing looks like.