The Largest Affiliate Networks: A Comprehensive Guide

When you think of affiliate networks, the first names that come to mind are Commission Junction and Linkvana. After all, these two companies have been at the forefront of the industry for many years now. But, with so many players in the game, how do you know which network is right for you? Do they all offer the same services? Are there any other large affiliate networks we should be aware of?

With so much information out there on various affiliate networks, it can be difficult to separate what’s true or not. This article will give you a clear picture of what each network offers and help you choose which one is right for your business.

What Is an Affiliate Network?

An affiliate network is a third-party company that brings together advertisers and publishers to promote and sell products or services. The network acts as a mediator between publishers (affiliates) and advertisers. Affiliate networks provide the infrastructure, support, and technology needed for affiliates to publish promotions and advertisers to create and manage their campaigns.

Most affiliate networks let you promote any products or services, giving you the freedom to choose what products you promote and make money online with.

Affiliate networks help you make money in various ways. First, they help promote your chosen niche or product. Next, they help you find advertisers that are willing to pay you a commission for every sale you drive. And finally, they provide the tools and expertise you need to succeed.

The Largest Affiliate Networks

There are several large affiliate networks operating in the industry today, but the two most popular are Commission Junction (CJ) and Linkvana. These two networks account for about 50% of the affiliate marketing industry, making them the two largest affiliate networks. Below, we take a look at each network and how they stack up against each other.

Commission Junction is the largest affiliate network in the world. It was founded in 1998 and has since become a household name in the affiliate marketing industry. CJ was the first company to provide affiliate marketing services, and they continue to innovate and lead the way.

Linkvana was established in 2006 and is one of the newest affiliate networks in the industry. It is headquartered in the UK and has become extremely popular among online publishers. Like Commission Junction, Linkvana offers many different services and has a large number of publishers using its platform.

Commission Junction: The Old Faithful

Commission Junction has been around since 1998 and is the oldest affiliate network in operation today. It is also the largest network in the world with over 11,000 advertisers and more than 4,000 publishers using its platform. CJ offers several different services and products, including:

•  Reporting - CJ provides accurate and reliable reporting for all advertisers and affiliates. This reports shows the number of clicks, impressions, and purchases made by your referrals.
• Payment - CJ allows affiliates to receive payments via direct deposit, PayPal, or check. If you prefer to receive payment via check, there is a $25 fee, which is deducted from your earnings.
•  Front end - If you choose to promote products hosted on the front end, you will earn a larger commission than if you promote the same product on the back end. The front end is usually for more expensive or high-end products.
•  Online marketing services - CJ’s online marketing services allow you to promote products or services using email marketing, search engine marketing, social media, and more.

Linked Network Ltd.

Linked Network Ltd. is the second largest affiliate network with over 2,500 publishers using its platform. Its primary focus is the finance and tech industries. All products and services on the network are provided and promoted by the affiliate network itself, giving affiliates no choice in the matter. Linked Network’s offerings include the following:

•  Reporting - Like CJ, LL offers accurate and timely reporting and pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Payment - Like CJ, LL pays affiliates via direct deposit.
• Front end - Like CJ, LL is known for promoting more expensive or high-end products on the front end and offers a generous commission rate.
•  Online marketing services - Unlike CJ, LL does not offer any online marketing services.

Media Shower

Media Shower is another large affiliate network in the industry, with over 2,000 publishers using its platform. Like Linked Network, its focus is the finance and tech industries. It also offers a wide range of products and services, including:

•  Reporting - Like CJ and LL, Media Shower offers accurate and timely reporting and pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Payment - Like CJ, Media Shower pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Front end - Like CJ and LL, MS offers a mix of high-end and mid-range products on the front end and offers a generous commission rate.
•  Online marketing services - Like CJ and LL, MS does not offer any online marketing services.

Net Marketing Cloud

Net Marketing Cloud is the smallest affiliate network on our list, with only a few hundred publishers using its platform. It has a special focus on health and wellness products, and is known for offering some of the most lucrative affiliate programs in the industry—including one that pays $1,200 per sale! NM’s offerings include:

•  Reporting - NM does not offer accurate or timely reporting and pays affiliates via PayPal.
•  Payment - NM pays affiliates via PayPal.
•  Front end - Like CJ, LL, and MS, NM offers products on the mid-high range and offers a generous commission rate.
•  Online marketing services - NM does not offer any online marketing services.
•  Back end - NM is known for promoting products on the high end and offers an above average commission rate.

Rakuten Marketing

Rakuten Marketing is the third largest affiliate network in the industry, with over 2,000 publishers using its platform. It is primarily focused on the finance, tech, and ecommerce industries. Like Linked Network, Rakuten Marketing offers all of its own products and services. Its offerings include:

•  Reporting - RM does not offer accurate or timely reporting and pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Payment - RM pays affiliates via direct deposit.
• Front end - Like CJ, LL, and MS, RM offers a mix of high-end and mid-range products on the front end and offers a generous commission rate.
•  Online marketing services - RM does not offer any online marketing services.
• Back end - Like CJ, RM is known for promoting products on the high end and offers an above average commission rate.

Rich Co. Inc.

Rich Co. Inc. is the fourth largest affiliate network in the industry, with over 1,500 publishers using its platform. It has a special focus on health and wellness products, but it also offers many other products and services. These include:

•  Reporting - RCI offers accurate and timely reporting and pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Payment - RCI pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Front end - Like CJ, LL, MS, and RM, RCI offers products on the mid-high range and offers a generous commission rate.
• Online marketing services - RCI does not offer any online marketing services.
•  Back end - RCI is known for promoting products on the high end and offers an above average commission rate.
•  Back end for high end - RCI’s back end for high end products offers an above average commission rate.
•  Back end for mid range - RCI’s back end for mid range products offers an above average commission rate.
•  Back end for low end - RCI’s back end for low end products offers an above average commission rate.

Sync spot Inc.

Sync spot Inc. is the fifth largest affiliate network in the industry, with over 1,500 publishers using its platform. It has a special focus on health and wellness products, and also offers other products and services. These include:

•  Reporting - SSI offers accurate and timely reporting and pays affiliates via direct deposit.
•  Payment - SSI pays affiliates via direct deposit.
• Front end - Like CJ, LL, MS, and RM, SSI offers products on the mid-high range and offers a generous commission rate.
•  Online marketing services - SSI does not offer any online marketing services.
•  Back end - SSI is known for promoting products on the high end and offers an above average commission rate.

Affiliate networks are a great way to make money online. They act as a middleman between you and advertisers—helping you earn money from sales you refer. On top of that, they provide you with the tools and