Posting “Top 10 Lists” is not one of my favorite things to do but once in a while there’s a need to break with convention and create a list that will appeal to my readers. So, here we have my list of “10 Best Affiliate Programs for 2009″ based on my interaction and earnings with them for 2008. As a content publisher looking to monetize my search engine traffic, I would highly recommend any of the programs/networks listed here as “top tier”. I’m sure there are “performance marketing” networks that PPC marketers will say I’ve overlooked, so if you know of a network or program that should receive mention, please leave a comment on this post with the details.
10. Ads4Dough - Why I like this network is because a4D has a very personal feel even though it’s a DirectTrack system. A4D is a startup by experienced performance marketers who wanted to go the next step. So - if you join A4D you get another DT interface, handy if you want to run split testing across multiple ad networks to find out who is scrubbing leads… and …with Ads4Dough you get to jump onboard something new that will be around for a long time to come.
9. Commission Junction - Slap yourself really hard if you call yourself an affiliate or performance marketer and you don’t have a CJ account. Despite CJ’s problems with the *class action suit* and the *cookie stuffing* incedent, CJ is a market leader, innovater and still an industry standard. [low deactivated advertiser rating]
8. LinkConnector - I’ve been with LC for half a year and though my experiences are very limited, bI do knbow that LinkConnetor is rock solid. Their reporting is accurate, the campaigns they offer are above most DirectTrack systems making them closer to Commission Juntion in quality of advertisers. [low deactivated advertiser rating]
7. Amazon Associates - Most all other performance marketing networks leave you crying in your eggnog over the holidays but Amazon is always there to rescue with holiday cheer. I usually make the most money from Amazon during the holidays, especially from about two weeks before Christmas. If there was only a way to tap into that elusive “birthday gift” market ???
6. Hydra Network - I haven’t run very many campaigns through Hydra but from what I’ve seen, this network is about solid performance marketing with a side stream for content based affiliate marketers. Hydra’s affiliate interface is one of the best in the business, only second to PepperJam’s. Hydra also has fast phone support as well as prompt email support. Being that Hydra Network is “performance based”, they provide affiliates with regular email updates of the best performing programs and any other tips to help increase earnings.
5. NeverBlueAds - NBA are up on their game and once you find an offer that converts for you, NBA are rock solid with their statistics. They are also very professional with affiliate support, they answer phone calls and if you leave a message, they will have your issue fixed before they call you back. Yeah, they really return your calls.
4. MarketLeverage - If you’re a PPC marketer and you aren’t using organic SEO as your primary means of delivering traffic, ML is highly recommended because MarketLeverage is all about performance marketing. Content based affiliates can expect to see slightly higher earnings over older, traditional networks such as Commission Junction or Amazon. The affiliate managers for MarketLeverage are the best in the business. These people are on top of things, they’re intelligent and they’re experts at motivating affiliates.
3. Chitika Premium - I find myself more of a content devloper than a PPC Marketer. The reason being, with content, the SEO work is already started and content is there to be linked to, so in the long run, you will get search engine traffic without paying for it. Chitika Premium ads only show when your site is visited from somebody clicking on a search engine result. It’s a good first stream product for maximizing earning potentials from content based networks.
2. PepperJam Network - PJN has grown by leaps and bounds despite this being a recession year, however, the thing about PJN that stands out to mne most is their personal service and support is in my mind. One of the greatest aspects of this performance marketing network.
1. Google Adsense - For somebody who operates content based networks, Google Adsense is the bread and butter. Publishers who have grown with Adsense have grown in ways that are beneficial to the development of the internet as a whole. None of us want internet commercials but in a text based business, Google has managed to contextualize advertising as well as educate publishers to quality guidelines.
If you’re wondering how much money I made in 2008 from these programs and what the breakdowns are, Google Adsense is 40% of my totaly monthly revenue and it earned middle five figures for me in 2008. Amazon, Pepperjam, Chitika and CJ were the next biggest earners. My bread and butter comes from direct ad sales on my forums, paid subscription services and SEO consulting work but affiliate earnings have been on the rise.
What are your favorite networks/programs?
Till so far, I have found Adsense the best program and have been earning with it since 1 year. Although it is not very remarkable earning but I hope to earn a lot in future. My blogs are taking their time to be my earning arsenal so I am not disappointed with my progress so far.
I think Amazon Associates is the best of all the affiliate programs. I know the holiday sales are a great hit, but the truth is, you can always make good money from the program throughout the year.
I’ve tried a lot of these programs and indeed, GA is still the top of the list.
Google Adsense is still the best if you are publishing content. I’ve just signed up for Pepperjam because they have some offers in my nich I would like to expose. Will see how that goes.
Most of the programs works well with US traffic only.
[…] programs. I suppose it’s only fair that if I’m going to post an article detailing the 10 Best Affiliate Networks, there should be some award for the Worst Affiliate Programs and Affiliate […]
Thanks, Dave,
As a teacher, this is super “added value” for my students. Thanks for the honesty. I hope you get “paid” for your freely offered education.
- Dawn “Cybergirl”, Florida
Like most people adsense contributes to a major revenue share.
How could you miss Ebay? Ebay offers one of the best affiliate programs on the internet. Ebay has over 26,000 product categories. When a customer is sent to Ebay through your affiliate tracking link, their buying choices are almost limitless!
I am making my vote for NeverBlue Ads
I have tested a lot of programs and can say the only one here I don’t recommend is Adsense. Google is too flaky to be trusted with my money. As a former adwords buyer and an adsense user there is a lot of discrepancy between what they say and what they do. They are also too quick to cancel accounts for reasons they won’t discuss and there is no recourse, even filing a court case against google is technically a violation of your TOS.
The one company I would add to to the list is Monetize This I have never once had a problem with them, they pay ontime and went to bat for me when a company called into question some of the leads my sites generated.
I’m not sure why you don’t have Shareasale on this list but they’re one of the best for me.
What is so special about Pepperjam? I see a lot of people talk about it like it’s the best? Is it better than CJ?
Pepperjam is the best for good payouts and they have the best offers.
I have had limited experience with pepperjam. I’d still prefer CJ over them.As for adsense,they are definitely one of the best because earning with adsense doesn’t involve any additional work on the part of the publisher.
Thanks for share, my favourite still adsense.:D
Well If you are a starter in any field Google adsense is the best way to monetize you site with well I was banned from it although, even when I was not involved in the internet program, some unconscious silly mistakes. Well nice post will try some programs in the near future,
Response to Richie I currently use Google Adsense and have started to introdue pepperjam to 1 area of my website.
What about Linkshare?
I would have to agree with a few of the comments with Linkshare adsense and NeverBlue.
eBay kills it for us…KILLS IT every Month
Excellent list dave, thnx for the review
have thought about pepperjam before and will be using it and trying it out after reading this review.
Well I have learn a big lesson with cookie based programs. they are a waste of time.
1st. any program that will pay you when a person clicks on an ad it sets a cookie on the persons computer. If that person comes back within 30-120days a purchases somthing, you get credit for the lead or commsion of the sale.
ABSOULUTE LIE: Every day people have cookie removers and history clean ups, and most toolbars, browers, and spyware addons just block or remove those so called COOKIE clicks.
2nd, Well what about the redirect clicks with the publishers account attached.
Same thing, Just like an iframe or script which can be placed on many pages. Well I did my own script to monitor so called click through and impressions. the results were that they out right denied every click and impression ratio.
Example: my count over 12,000 impressions over 108 click throughs on said such scripts. yet they claimed 3 clicks, no sale. Take that above mentioned (I would love to list them here) waste of time and effort.
I should have actually turn it over to a legal matter for fraud and theft of services rendered putting the ads up and wasting bandwith.
HOPEFUL WISHING HERE: here is the best program someone pays you space to post thier ads for a time frame or impressions. But that is very rare to come by. So that leaves just clicks as they happan with no cookie blocking which leave Google adsense as thee option to go with.
PRO So far google atleast account for 97% of my actual page impression and click count script. So I give them the benefit of doubt due to server downtime or maintenance.
CON the only thing with adsense is they automatically match products for your keywords and content. that can be a big problem if you are trying to sell home loans or car insurance or sporting books, either site will get ditect ads, gieco, or buy socks at amazon.
anyway good luck any of you putting effort into it. Just stick with the per impression or per click, NOT SALES LEADS or COMMISSION in sales when they buy something later in a few weeks.
If your site has traffic and an audeince they want, advertisers will contact you for some web real estate.
I am completely and utterly disgusted with Amazon. Not only are certain states not eligible, you have to apparently be willing to kiss butt as well. I DO NOT recommend anyone joining Amazon for anything much less purchasing things from them. For all those here that trust Amazon, it’s only a matter of time before you too will be posting negative things about them and your experiences as well. Change now while you still have some dignity!!!
I think neverblue is a good one. Adsense is a highest source of income for me and it will only cost you an effort.
Hello,
Is Cj still paying regularly