How to Get Approved for Affiliate Programs

Q1: How many affiliate programs should I join as a beginner?

Start with 2–5 niche-relevant programs, not 20+. More programs doesn’t mean more income; it usually means less focus and weaker promotion for each one.

On The Income Plug, I have 2 programs right now (Hostinger + Systeme.io). I’ll add more as I create content that supports them. Think of it as a content-first approach: build the content cluster, then join the affiliate program for that cluster.

The right programs promoted well outperform 50 random programs promoted half-heartedly every single time.

Q2: Can I get approved for affiliate programs with a brand-new blog?

Some programs are accessible to new bloggers: Systeme.io, Hostinger, and Amazon Associates are all relatively beginner-friendly. However, most programs expect at least some published content and a professional-looking site.

My advice: get to 10–15 posts before you start applying. It doesn’t take long, and it dramatically improves your approval rate. Use that time to get really clear on your niche, too. The more specific your content focus, the stronger your applications will be.

Q3: Do I need traffic to get approved?

Not always, but it depends on the program. Many SaaS programs care more about niche relevance than raw traffic numbers. I was approved for both Hostinger and Systeme.io without massive traffic; the niche fit did the work.

High-end programs on CJ Affiliate are the exception. Some merchants there genuinely do require 5,000–10,000+ monthly visitors. For those, focus on building traffic first and revisit in 6–12 months.

Q4: What if I don’t use the product I want to promote?

You can still apply, especially if your niche clearly aligns. But using the product gives you two significant advantages: a stronger application story and authentic content that actually converts.

If you genuinely can’t afford to use the product, be honest in your application about why you want to promote it and how you’ll research it thoroughly. Some programs will still approve you. But if the budget allows, try a free trial or the entry-level plan before applying.

Q5: Is Amazon Associates a good place to start?

Yes and no. It’s the easiest to get approved for and works across almost every niche. But the commissions are low (1–10%), and the 24-hour cookie window is brutal; if someone doesn’t buy within a day of clicking your link, you get nothing.

Treat Amazon Associates as a supplementary program, not your primary income strategy. It’s great for product roundup posts and gear recommendations, but for serious affiliate income, SaaS programs with recurring commissions (like Systeme.io’s 50% recurring) are far more powerful long-term.

Q6: What’s the difference between CJ Affiliate and ShareASale?

CJ tends to attract larger, more corporate brands, banks, major retailers, and well-known tech companies. It’s more selective and better suited to established blogs with decent traffic.

ShareASale has a wider diversity of merchants, including many small-to-mid-sized companies and niche-specific brands. It’s generally more accessible to newer bloggers. Both are legitimate, reputable networks; the right choice depends on your niche.

Q7: What is PartnerStack, and who is it for?

PartnerStack is a platform built specifically for SaaS and software affiliate programs. If you write about tech, AI tools, marketing software, or productivity apps, PartnerStack is probably your best starting point for network affiliates. It hosts 500+ programs and lets you manage multiple applications in one dashboard.

It’s not the right fit if your blog is about parenting, health, or lifestyle, as there won’t be many relevant programs for you. But for tech-focused bloggers, it’s a goldmine.

Q8: Can bloggers outside the US and Canada get approved for affiliate programs?

Yes, many major programs, including Hostinger, Systeme.io, PartnerStack, ShareASale, and Impact, accept international affiliates.

That said, some programs do restrict certain countries, and a few US-based financial programs have strict geographic limitations. Always read the terms before applying. If geography is a concern for a specific program, reach out to their support team directly — sometimes exceptions can be made.

Q9: How long does affiliate approval usually take?

It varies widely. Systeme.io approved me instantly. Hostinger took 1–2 days. Amazon Associates typically takes a few days to a week. CJ Affiliate approves your account quickly, but then individual merchant approvals within CJ can take days to weeks.

The more precisely your niche matches the program, the faster the approval tends to be in my experience. Mismatched applications get deprioritized or rejected outright.