Overview of AliExpress Affiliate Program

AliExpress, a global retail marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, offers an affiliate program designed to help marketers monetize their traffic by promoting millions of products available on its platform. The AliExpress Affiliate Program provides access to a vast product inventory spanning numerous categories like electronics, fashion, home & garden, and more. Affiliates can earn commissions by driving qualified sales through their unique affiliate links.

The program is popular for its worldwide reach, competitive commission rates, and user-friendly affiliate management tools. Since AliExpress frequently updates its commission policies, it is important to stay aligned with information directly from their official sources.

Commission Structure

• Commission Rates: AliExpress affiliates earn commissions based on a percentage of the product sale price. The commission percentages vary by product category, typically ranging from approximately 3% to 9%. For example, categories like electronics and mobile phones tend to have lower rates (around 3-5%), while fashion and accessories often offer higher commissions (up to 9%). The exact rate depends on AliExpress’s current promotions and internal policies, which may change periodically.
• Commission Type and Duration: Commissions are paid as a one-time percentage of each qualified sale made through the affiliate’s link. There are no recurring or lifetime commissions for repeat purchases from the same customer.
• Sub-Affiliate Commission: Yes, AliExpress supports sub-affiliate (tiered) commissions. Affiliates can earn a percentage of the earnings generated by sub-affiliates they have referred. This sub-affiliate commission typically ranges around 5% of the sub-affiliate’s commission amount, although this rate can vary.
• Cookie Duration: The cookie period for AliExpress affiliate links is 30 days. This means that if a user makes a qualifying purchase within 30 days of clicking an affiliate link, the commission will be credited to the affiliate.
• Affiliate Network Partners: AliExpress manages its affiliate program primarily through its own internal platform, AliExpress Portals. However, it also partners with major affiliate networks such as Admitad, Awin, and ShareASale, which provide additional tracking and reporting tools for affiliates worldwide.

AliExpress Affiliate Program Promotion Policy

✅ Permitted Marketing Channels

• Personal websites, blogs, and content platforms targeting relevant niches
• Social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
• YouTube channels and video content promotion
• Email marketing campaigns compliant with local regulations (opt-in required)
• Paid advertising such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and native ads, when aligned with AliExpress’s brand guidelines

❌ Prohibited Marketing Channels

• Spamming or unsolicited bulk messaging
• Use of unauthorized coupon or discount code websites without approval
• Trademark bidding or using “AliExpress” and related terms in PPC campaigns without permission
• Infringement of AliExpress branding or intellectual property
• Pop-ups, pop-unders, or misleading advertisement tactics

Commission Payment

• Commission Approval Time: After a successful purchase, commissions enter a verification period usually lasting between 30 and 60 days to allow for order processing, returns, and cancellations.
• Minimum Payout Threshold: The standard minimum threshold to request payment is generally around $16 to $20 USD, depending on the affiliate platform used.
• Payment Frequency: AliExpress affiliates typically receive payments on a monthly basis, generally around the 5th to 10th day of each month following the commission approval.
• Payment Methods: Common payment options include PayPal, wire transfer (bank transfer), WebMoney, and e-wallet payments through affiliated networks such as Admitad or Awin. The availability of payment methods may depend on the affiliate’s country and chosen network.

Summary: The AliExpress Affiliate Program offers a robust opportunity for affiliate marketers to earn competitive commissions by promoting a wide array of products internationally. Its flexible promotion policy, tiered commission system, reliable cookie duration, and multiple payment options make it a solid choice for both beginner and experienced affiliates. Staying compliant with AliExpress’s official policy ensures long-term success and sustained earnings from the program.