Affiliate/Sheet

Affiliate Programs for Content Creators

A roundup of affiliate programs creators may look at, with each program's stated terms.

Section
How affiliate programs work
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What this page covers

Affiliate programs for content creators come in many shapes. Some name bloggers and publishers directly. Some pay recurring commissions. Some let anyone join. This page reports each program's terms as that program states them.

No program here is ranked or judged. Each one's numbers belong to it alone. Read the program's own page before you join, since terms change.

What a program involves

An affiliate program pays you a share when a reader buys through your link. Two parts matter most. One is the payout: the minimum balance, the wait, and how the money is sent. The other is the cookie window: how long the program keeps counting your click.

Programs whose pages name creators

These programs say on their own pages that they want creators, bloggers or publishers.

  • ActiveCampaign's affiliate page says the program is for content creators, influencers and publishers.
  • Printful's affiliate page says its program fits bloggers, marketing agencies, independent creators and online store owners.
  • Teachable's partner page says it is looking for bloggers, writers, educators, industry experts, course strategists and review sites.

Saying who they want is not the same as accepting everyone. ActiveCampaign's page says you do not need to be a customer, but you must be approved. Teachable's page says it reviews applications within 2-3 business days.

Commission terms each program states

Each line below gives a program's commission in its own page's words.

  • systeme.io's affiliate page says it pays 60% recurring commission for as long as the referral stays subscribed.
  • Thinkific's affiliate page says it pays 30% lifetime recurring commission on monthly or annual paid plans.
  • Teachable's partner page says affiliates earn 30% recurring commission for a full year on every sale they refer.
  • Kit's affiliate page says it pays 50% for the first 12 months of every referred customer.
  • ActiveCampaign's affiliate page says it pays 30% of the subscription value for up to 12 months.
  • GetResponse's affiliate page says new affiliates start at 40% commission for 12 months. It also says 100 or more sales in 12 months earns 60% commission for 12 months.
  • beehiiv's partner page lists up to 60% commission every month for each paying customer a partner brings in.
  • Printful's affiliate page says affiliates earn 10% commission on each referral's orders for 12 months after the first purchase.

Programs with no application

systeme.io's affiliate page says anyone can join for free, with no application and no purchase. Its page also says referrals are tagged to you for life, not just for 30 or 60 days.

Terms to check before you join

Check the tracking window, the payout terms and the restrictions on each program's own page.

Tracking windows:

  • beehiiv's page says its cookies are valid for 60 days.
  • Printful's page says its commission cookie lasts 30 days.
  • Teachable's page says commissions come with a 30-day cookie window.
  • Thinkific's page says its referral cookie is valid for 90 days.
  • GetResponse's page says a referred visitor can still earn you a commission if they convert within 90 days.

Payouts:

  • beehiiv's page says payments are made on the 15th of each month for the prior month's earnings.
  • GetResponse's page says payments are released around the 13th of each month.
  • Thinkific's page says commissions are paid on the 13th of the month after a 30-day hold. They can be cashed out by PayPal or Stripe, with a $25 minimum.
  • systeme.io's page says it pays by PayPal or wire transfer, with a $30 minimum, monthly on the 10th.
  • Printful's page says earnings can be withdrawn through PayPal, with a $25 minimum.

Restrictions:

  • beehiiv's page says search ads on Bing or Google, especially on branded terms, are prohibited.
  • Printful's page says not to use Printful as a keyword in SEO or PPC ads, and that it does not approve of self-referrals.
  • Kit's page says referrals made with paid methods such as pay-per-click ads do not count toward status levels.

Disclosure

Disclosure is covered in FTC affiliate disclosure requirements.

Programs on PartnerStack

Thinkific's page says it runs on PartnerStack. ActiveCampaign's page says its affiliate portal is powered by PartnerStack. GetResponse and Teachable say PartnerStack manages their programs. beehiiv's page says Dub.co manages its partner payouts.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be approved?

ActiveCampaign says yes. systeme.io says no application is needed. Teachable says it reviews applications within 2-3 business days.

Are there promotion restrictions?

Yes, for some. beehiiv's page prohibits search ads on Bing or Google, especially on branded terms. Printful bars its own name as a keyword. Kit does not count paid referrals toward status.

What commission does each program state?

Each program's own commission wording is listed above.

Where can I read about one program in depth?

Try the Shopify affiliate program or the Amazon affiliate program.

Sources