The Three Networks Every Beginner Hears About

You’ve heard the names: ClickBank, ShareASale, Amazon Associates.

They’re in every beginner guide, YouTube video, and forum thread.

But nobody gives you a straight answer about which one to actually use.

I’ve used all three and earned real money from each one.

They’re not competitors—they solve different problems.

Most successful people I know use all three at the same time.

Most people think the answer is simple. It’s not.

The real question isn’t “which is best.”

It’s “which one matches what I’m building right now, with my actual audience?”

I’m breaking down real numbers in this guide—real pros, real cons, no hype.

ClickBank: High Commissions on Digital Products

ClickBank specializes in digital products: courses, ebooks, software, memberships.

The appeal is obvious: commission rates from 30% to 75% and some products paying $100+ per sale.

Here’s what you actually need to know before joining.

I wrote a full guide on how to make money with ClickBank for deeper details.

ClickBank Pros

• High commissions (30–75%): A single sale means $20 to $150+.
• No approval needed: Sign up and start in minutes.
• 60-day cookie: Buyers have 60 days to purchase after clicking your link.
• Fast payments: Get paid weekly or bi-weekly after hitting $10.
• Gravity score: See which products are actually selling.
• Recurring commissions: Some offers pay monthly for subscriptions.

ClickBank Cons

• Quality varies: Some offers are overhyped or low quality.
• High refunds: Weight loss and “make money” niches see 10–20% refunds.
• Aggressive sales pages: Many feel scammy, which reflects on you.
• Digital only: Can’t recommend physical products here.
• Heavy competition: Popular products have hundreds of other promoters.

ShareASale: Versatile Merchant Network

ShareASale connects you with 30,000+ individual brands instead of acting like a marketplace.

You’ll find everything here: fashion, SaaS, home goods, retailers, niche tools.

This is where most people earn their longest-lasting affiliate income.

ShareASale Pros

• 30,000+ merchants: Almost any niche has relevant brands here.
• Physical + digital products: Full product range coverage.
• Reputable brands: Promote Reebok, Etsy, Wayfair, WP Engine, and more.
• Strong reporting: Detailed analytics and earnings data.
• Monthly payments: Paid on the 20th of each month like clockwork.
• Deep linking: Link to specific product pages, not just homepages.

ShareASale Cons

• Per-merchant approval: Join ShareASale, then apply to each brand individually.
• Website required: Need an active site to apply.
• Variable rates: Each brand sets their own commission (5–50%).
• Cookie duration varies: Usually 30–120 days, merchant dependent.
• $50 threshold: Higher than ClickBank before you can withdraw.
• Outdated interface: Dashboard feels older than competitors.

Amazon Associates: The Trusted Giant

Amazon is the world’s largest affiliate program with hundreds of millions of products.

People already trust Amazon and are ready to buy.

But the low commissions trick most beginners into wasting months here.

Amazon Associates Pros

• Universal brand trust: High conversion rates because people know Amazon.
• Enormous catalog: Link to almost any physical product.
• 24-hour cart bonus: Earn on everything the visitor buys in 24 hours, not just your link.
• Easy integration: Browser toolbar makes link creation simple.
• Quick approval: Most accounts approved in 24 hours.
• International programs: Monetize traffic from different countries.

Amazon Associates Cons

• Low rates (1–10%): Most categories pay just 3–4%.
• Three-sale requirement: Need three qualifying sales within 180 days or account closes.
• Website required: You need a blog, YouTube channel, or app to apply.
• Cookie duration: 24 hours is shorter than competitors.
• Commission caps: Many categories have monthly earnings limits.
• Policy changes: Amazon frequently updates terms without notice.

Tired of Choosing Between Incomplete Solutions?

I’ve been where you are — stuck comparing options that each solve part of the puzzle but never give you the complete picture. I bounced between different courses and systems for eight months.

The breakthrough came when I stopped looking for the “best” individual component and started looking for a complete, integrated system. That’s when I found OLSP Academy.

If you’re tired of comparing partial solutions, here’s the complete system that ended my comparison shopping.

Check Out OLSP Academy

Affiliate disclosure: I earn a commission if you sign up through my link, at no extra cost to you.