Overview of the ShareASale Affiliate Program

ShareASale is one of the most established and respected affiliate marketing networks in the industry, with over two decades of experience facilitating partnerships between merchants and affiliates. As an affiliate program platform, ShareASale provides robust tools, a large selection of advertisers, and reliable payouts, making it a go-to choice for both beginner and seasoned affiliates globally. The program supports a wide range of niches, allowing affiliates to find products and services that match their audience perfectly.

Commission Structure

• Commission Rates: ShareASale affiliates earn commissions based on the individual merchant’s offer, which vary widely. Commissions can be either a percentage of the sale or a fixed dollar amount per action, depending on the advertiser. Rates typically start from as low as 5% for some merchants and can go up significantly—even upwards of 30% or more for certain niches or special programs.
• Recurring or One-Time Commissions: The program supports both one-time commissions and recurring payments for subscriptions or ongoing services, depending on merchant preferences. For example, SaaS and membership programs may offer recurring commissions as long as the referred customer remains subscribed.
• Sub-Affiliate Commissions: ShareASale does provide opportunities for sub-affiliate referrals through their network, allowing you to earn a commission on affiliates you refer who join the program. However, these sub-affiliate commission rates are variable and depend on the specific merchant agreements.
• Cookie Duration: The cookie duration in ShareASale typically ranges from 30 to 90 days, depending on the merchant’s setup. This cookie window gives affiliates ample opportunity to capture commissions on returning customers.
• Network Management: ShareASale operates as an independent affiliate network and manages its own affiliate program infrastructure internally. It does not rely on third-party affiliate networks for program administration, ensuring direct and transparent relationships between merchants and affiliates.

ShareASale Promotion Policy

✅ Allowed Promotion Channels:

• Content websites (blogs, review sites, niche sites)
• Email marketing (with proper opt-in and consent)
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
• Paid search advertising, provided compliance with merchant guidelines
• Coupon and deal sites
• Video marketing through YouTube and similar platforms

❌ Not Allowed Promotion Channels:

• Spam or unsolicited bulk messaging
• Trademark bidding or misuse of merchant brand names without permission
• Use of unauthorized coupon codes or hacked content
• Pop-ups, pop-unders, or any intrusive ad experiences violating merchant policies
• Incentivized clicks or fake leads

Commission Payment

• Approval Timeframe: Commissions are typically approved and become payable once the merchant verifies the completed action and the return period expires. This approval process generally takes between 30 to 60 days to safeguard against returns or chargebacks.
• Minimum Payout Threshold: Affiliates must reach a minimum earnings threshold of $50 to request a payout.
• Payment Frequency: Payments are issued on a monthly basis. Specifically, you can expect payments around the 20th of each month for commissions approved in the previous month.
• Payment Methods: ShareASale offers several payment options, including direct deposit (ACH) for U.S. affiliates, wire transfer, and Payoneer. Unfortunately, PayPal is not offered as a payment method currently.

Overall, the ShareASale Affiliate Program stands out for its reputable network, wide range of advertisers, flexible commission models, and reliable payment system. Its established policies ensure a fair, transparent, and scalable environment for affiliates seeking to monetize their traffic with quality products and services.