7 Affiliate Networks New Bloggers Should Actually Try (No Huge Audience Needed)

If you’ve been told you need a giant audience to make money with affiliate marketing, let’s clear that up right now: you don’t. What you do need is the right network – one that’s beginner-friendly, approves new bloggers, and gives you tools you can actually use.

Let’s break down some affiliate networks that are perfect for brand-new bloggers (without the intimidation factor).

💰 7 Affiliate Networks New Bloggers Should Actually Try (No Huge Audience Needed)

Don’t forget to bookmark: Affiliate Marketing For Beginners: How To Earn Money From Your Blog. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re just getting your feet wet.

✅ ShareASale

One of the most beginner-friendly platforms out there. You apply to ShareASale first (now owned by Awin), then apply to individual merchants inside the platform. They work with thousands of brands, many of which are small or niche-focused – great if you’re not in a giant mainstream category.

🔗 You can promote physical products, digital tools, and even subscriptions.

✅ Awin

Awin has a small approval fee of $1 (you get back on your first commission payment), but it’s worth it for the range of brands available. Think Etsy shops, tools, and smaller lifestyle products that fit right into a blog post.

💡 Bonus tip: Once you’re in, apply to promote Canva – it’s one of Awin’s most popular affiliate programs and great for bloggers in any niche.

✅ Amazon Associates

This one’s a classic for a reason. It’s easy to get started and has a huge catalog of products in every category. Yes, commissions are low – but you’ll earn from anything someone buys after clicking your link, not just the product you recommended.

🛒 Favorite beginner tools to promote:

• Wireless keyboard and mouse combo: great for blog desk setup roundups.
• Flexible desktop phone tripod: easy to recommend in content creation tutorials.

📎 Keep your links authentic – only recommend what you’ve used or truly believe in.

✅ Impact

Once you get the hang of affiliate marketing, Impact is a great next step. It’s home to popular digital brands like Buzzsprout, ConvertKit, and more. The dashboard’s clean and tracks performance well, which is helpful as your blog grows.

📊 If you plan to scale your affiliate strategy, learning this platform early can help.

✅ Rakuten

Not as flashy, but still worth exploring. Rakuten works with big-name brands (Walmart, Macy’s, Best Buy) and occasionally offers promotions that let you earn more per click or sale.

🏷️ Great for bloggers in parenting, home, or frugal lifestyle niches.

✅ FlexOffers

FlexOffers is like a middle ground – easier to get into than Impact, but with more structure than ShareASale. It has both niche programs and big box retailers, and its approval process is usually pretty fast.

📌 Some programs inside FlexOffers also use performance boosts and incentives.

✅ CJ (Formerly Commission Junction)

A bit more advanced, but CJ does have programs that accept new bloggers. It’s a good option if you’re targeting financial tools, education products, or tech. The dashboard takes a little getting used to, but they offer strong reporting and resources.

💬 Tip: When applying to individual advertisers, write a short, friendly intro about your blog and audience. It helps!

💼 Want to plan your affiliate strategy out on paper first? The Affiliate Marketing Kickstart is a great way to get organized and start building a system that actually earns.

📥 And if you’re wondering what else you can monetize on your blog (without being pushy), grab the free 5 Monetization Mistakes Guide. It’s a quick way to spot where most bloggers go wrong — and how to fix it fast.