Affiliate marketing has quickly become one of the most accessible, affordable, and efficient ways to promote products online. With millions of people around the world gaining internet access every day, digital marketing has transformed how merchants connect with customers and how everyday individuals can earn money from home.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, affiliate marketing presents a golden opportunity. It allows individuals to earn commissions by promoting other people’s products without the need to develop inventory, manage logistics, or provide customer service. For merchants, it’s a low-risk way to expand their reach and generate more sales, since they only pay when a result (like a sale or lead) is achieved.
But here’s a common challenge for both merchants and affiliates: how do they find each other?
That’s where affiliate networks like LinkShare come in.
What Is LinkShare?
LinkShare, now known as Rakuten Advertising, is one of the largest and most established affiliate networks in the world. Originally launched in the mid-1990s, it connects thousands of merchants and affiliates in a single online platform. Merchants offer affiliate programs through LinkShare, while affiliates use the network to discover and join programs that fit their content and audience.
With over 6,000 affiliate sites and a wide variety of product categories from fashion and electronics to travel and software LinkShare helps both sides streamline their affiliate relationships and grow revenue.
How Does LinkShare Work?
LinkShare operates as the middleman between merchants and affiliates. It provides the technology, tracking, and infrastructure needed to:
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Monitor clicks, sales, and commissions
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Generate unique affiliate links
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Track performance through dashboards and reports
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Handle commission payouts securely
For merchants, LinkShare manages their affiliate programs, helping them reach a broader audience without the burden of setting up their own affiliate infrastructure. For affiliates, it offers a marketplace where they can find and compare multiple affiliate programs all in one place.
Why Affiliates Use LinkShare
If you're new to affiliate marketing, you might wonder: Why use a third-party network like LinkShare instead of partnering directly with merchants?
The answer lies in convenience, security, and centralized management.
Here are some of the key benefits of using LinkShare as an affiliate:
✅ 1. Access to Hundreds of Merchants
LinkShare allows you to explore a wide variety of affiliate programs without visiting each merchant’s website individually. Whether you're in fashion, tech, wellness, or travel, you can find partners that match your audience.
✅ 2. Centralized Dashboard
Manage all your affiliate relationships, links, commissions, and reports from one single login. This is especially useful if you’re working with multiple merchants no need to juggle different platforms.
✅ 3. Reliable Tracking and Analytics
Track your clicks, sales, and earnings with real-time reports. These analytics help you understand which programs are performing well and which need adjustment.
✅ 4. Consolidated Payments
Instead of receiving multiple payments from various merchants, LinkShare pays your commissions in one lump sum each month. This simplifies bookkeeping and cash flow management.
✅ 5. Security and Support
Because LinkShare handles transactions and tracking, you’re protected from fraudulent activity, missed commissions, and inaccurate reports. Plus, support is available if issues arise.
✅ 6. Free to Join
There are no costs to join LinkShare as an affiliate. Simply register, submit your website, and start applying to programs.
What About the Downsides?
Of course, LinkShare like any tool is not perfect. Here are some disadvantages to consider:
⚠️ 1. Lower Commission Rates
Some merchants offer lower commission percentages through affiliate networks like LinkShare, since they have to cover network fees. You might earn more with a direct partnership.
⚠️ 2. Payment Delays
Since LinkShare acts as the middleman, your payments depend on when the merchant pays them. If there’s a delay on the merchant’s end, your earnings might not arrive as quickly.
⚠️ 3. Limited Merchant Flexibility
Some merchants only run their affiliate programs through networks like LinkShare. In such cases, you don’t have the option to negotiate terms or work directly, making you dependent on network policies.
Should You Use LinkShare?
The answer depends on your situation.
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If you're just starting out and want easy access to a variety of affiliate programs in one place, LinkShare is a great choice.
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If you're an established affiliate marketer seeking higher commissions and custom deals, you might prefer direct partnerships when available.
However, keep in mind that many top merchants only offer their affiliate programs through networks like LinkShare, so joining one could be your only route to access them.
In many cases, the advantages ease of use, centralized reporting, secure payments outweigh the drawbacks, especially for beginners or those managing multiple programs.
Final Verdict: Is LinkShare Right for You?
If you're looking to start or grow an affiliate marketing business, using a trusted affiliate network like LinkShare (Rakuten Advertising) can give you a significant edge. It streamlines the process, saves you time, and gives you access to hundreds of merchants with just one registration.
Yes, you might earn slightly less per sale than if you worked directly with a merchant. But what you gain in efficiency, organization, and scalability often makes up for the difference especially when you're managing multiple campaigns.
Ultimately, your success as an affiliate will depend on your promotional strategies, content quality, audience targeting, and consistency not just the platform you choose.
