A lot of new affiliates pick programs based on the highest commission percentage and nothing else — and then wonder why they're not making money. Here's what actually matters when evaluating an affiliate program.
Cookie duration – A 24-hour cookie is far less valuable than a 30 or 60-day one. Longer cookies mean you still get credit even if the buyer doesn't convert on their first visit.
Conversion rate, not just commission rate – A 5% commission on a product that converts well can beat a 50% commission on something nobody buys.
Average order value – Higher AOV means bigger payouts per sale, even at a modest commission percentage.
Payment terms – Check minimum payout thresholds and how often you actually get paid (monthly, net-30, net-60).
Reputation of the merchant – A great commission structure means nothing if the company has a history of late payments or shady tracking.
Recurring vs one-time commissions – Subscription-based products with recurring commissions can be far more valuable long-term than one-off sales.
Relevance to your audience – The best-paying program in the world won't convert if it doesn't match what your audience actually wants.
Tracking reliability – Look for programs with solid attribution (first-click/last-click clarity) so you're not losing credit for sales you drove.
Before joining any program, it's worth searching for other affiliates' experiences first — payment issues and tracking problems show up in community discussions long before they show up in official marketing material.
What affiliate programs have worked best for you, and which ones would you warn people away from?
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