Top 5 Affiliate Networks

An affiliate network is vital to both affiliate marketers and the merchants they represent. Affiliate marketers, known as ‘publishers’ within the networks, build sites that drive traffic to the merchant affiliate programs. The ‘merchants’ are any company that has set up a program within the affiliate network.

Think of an affiliate network as a meeting ground for merchants and publishers. The network manages the transactions and payouts to the publishers and collects the payments from the merchants. The network is an important intermediary entity that helps everyone get along.

Here are the top 5 Affiliate Networks according to size, traffic and reputation. Keep in mind that there are many other networks that are highly qualified to act as a go between for merchants and publishers.

Linkshare

Shareasale

Pepperjam

Commission Junction

Google Affiliate Network