Amazon Associates
Broad retail · easiest approval
Commission — 1–10% by category · 24-hour cookie
Best for beginners who want a huge catalog and a simple start.
Visit programHonest affiliate income · No hype
Earn real income through your network.
A free, plain-English guide to earning legitimate affiliate commissions from the things you already recommend. Affiliate marketing is not an MLM — it's single-level, free to join, and you earn only when someone actually buys through your link.
Pick your path
Where are you starting from?
Four honest routes in. No course to buy, nothing to "unlock" — just the next useful page.
I'm a beginner
Start free with Amazon Associates plus one low-barrier app. First steps, realistic benchmarks.
Getting startedI'm a creator
Match the platform to your niche — LTK, TikTok Shop, ShopMy, Amazon Influencer — and diversify.
For creatorsShow me programs
A directory of real, free-to-join affiliate programs with commission ranges and direct links.
Programs directoryKeep me safe
Spot MLMs, fake gurus, and pay-to-join "programs" with a simple 7-point vetting checklist.
Avoid scams
The distinction that matters
Affiliate marketing ≠ MLM.
If a "program" pays you to recruit a team, charges a buy-in, or pushes monthly purchases, that's a multi-level marketing structure — not affiliate marketing.
- Affiliate: single-level commission on real sales through your tracked link. Free to join. No recruitment, no inventory.
- MLM: income partly from recruiting a "downline," usually with a buy-in or recurring purchases. The FTC found most participants made $1,000 or less per year.
Where to start
Real programs, all free to join.
A taste of the directory. Every one of these is legitimate and costs nothing to join — rates and terms change, so verify on each program's own site.
Free to join
LTK
Fashion · beauty · home
Commission — up to ~30% · 5,000+ followers to apply
Best for creators in lifestyle niches with an engaged following.
Visit programMavely
Everyday real people · big-box retailers
Commission — SmartLinks across Walmart, Target, Amazon & more · no follower minimum
Best for sharing with friends, family, and local networks.
Visit program
Promotion is half the battle
It's how you share.
Success comes from sharing things you genuinely use, with real context — online and in person. Short-form video reviews convert highest; QR codes and referral codes carry your recommendation into real life.
- Honest reviews with pros and cons, comparisons, tutorials, and roundups
- Short-form video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) — the highest-converting format
- QR codes and vanity codes for events, cards, and local groups
- An owned email list — the one audience you fully control
The honest numbers
What you can realistically earn.
Not the cherry-picked "$8,038/month average" — that's skewed by top earners. Here's the grounded picture.
$0–1k
Per month, year one
3–6mo
To your first $100/mo
6–12mo
To consistent income
~$2.4k
Avg. minus top 10%
Median earnings land around $1,200–$2,500/month for established affiliates. Most people who quit do so at months 4–6, right before momentum builds. Figures vary widely and are often self-reported. See the full breakdown →
Required · and it builds trust
Always disclose. Clearly.
The FTC requires a "clear and conspicuous" disclosure placed with your recommendation — not buried in hashtags or an "about" page. Plain language like "paid link" works; "affiliate link" alone may not be clear enough. Disclosing openly protects your relationships and your account — it's a feature, not a tax.
Read the disclosure guide
Free · honest · no upsell
Start earning the honest way.
Browse real programs, learn to promote without being spammy, and keep your numbers realistic. No course to buy — ever.