Thinking of getting into affiliate marketing? Good shout — but before you sign up to the first shiny program that flashes “90% commission!” at you, let’s slow down and in this article I m going to show you how to spot good affiliate programs and what to avoid.
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Some are solid partnerships with long-term potential. Others will waste your time, confuse your audience, and vanish the second you hit the payout threshold.
Here’s how to spot the good ones, dodge the bad ones, and make smarter choices that actually move your business forward.
What Makes a Good Affiliate Programs?
A good affiliate program does more than just offer a decent commission. It gives you tools, strong support, and products that are genuinely worth promoting — not just hype and high pressure.
Here’s what to look for:
1. A product you believe in
Would you recommend it to a friend without feeling awkward? If not, don’t promote it. Your audience can smell fake enthusiasm a mile off.
2. Decent, realistic commissions
High ticket’s great — but only if the offer converts and the company pays reliably. Look for commission structures that are fair, clear, and don’t require you to hit 27 thresholds before seeing a payout.
3. Support and resources
Good programs don’t just give you a link and leave you to figure it out. They offer swipe files, templates, training, and (ideally) a real person you can contact.
I personally use and recommend Master Affiliate Profits (MAP) because it does exactly that — clear steps, helpful support, and a community that actually talks to you like a human.
4. Transparency
You should know exactly how tracking works, how long cookies last, how payouts are calculated, and where to get help. If the fine print’s buried in legal waffle or hard to find, that’s a red flag.
5. A decent reputation
Do a quick Google search. Check sites like Trustpilot, Reddit threads, or check out this article from Neil Patel if you want a beginner-friendly breakdown of how affiliate marketing works (no pitches inside, just basics). If people are shouting “SCAM!” in every review, steer clear.
Red Flags: What to Avoid
Let’s be honest — there’s a lot of fluff out there. Here’s what to avoid if you value your time (and your audience’s trust).
❌ Dodgy “get rich quick” programs
If a program focuses more on “making passive income fast” than offering a solid product, it’s probably a scheme, not a business.
❌ Over-the-top commissions on rubbish products
If it looks like snake oil and smells like snake oil… it’s probably not worth pushing. A 75% commission on a product no one trusts = zero sales.
❌ Lack of transparency
Can’t find the commission breakdown? Cookie policy? Refund rules? That’s not a program you want to tie your name to.
❌ No support or ghost town communities
If the Facebook group is filled with spam or the help desk hasn’t responded in weeks, walk away.
❌ Pay-to-promote models
If you have to pay to become an affiliate, think twice. Real affiliate programs don’t charge you just to hand you a link. It’s one thing paying $7 for a program that promises the earth but paying $700 is a complete different story.
How to Choose Wisely
Here’s how to pick programs you’ll actually stick with (and see results from).
1. Start with your niche
If you’re in blogging, stick to affiliate tools, email platforms, training. Don’t jump into crypto or weight loss just because they offer higher commissions. Keep it aligned.
2. Try before you promote
Test the product if possible. Use it yourself, or at least go through a proper demo. If you can’t understand what it does, your audience won’t either.
3. Ask around
Join affiliate communities (like on Facebook or even Reddit) and ask what others have tried. You’ll learn quickly which programs are worth your energy — and which ones ghost you after sign-up.
4. Track your performance
Use Pretty Links, your affiliate dashboard, or analytics to see what’s converting. If one program performs well, focus more energy there instead of juggling ten half-baked links.
5. Start small
You don’t need to sign up for every program under the sun. Choose one or two good ones, give them proper attention, and track what works. Once you’ve got one converting — build from there.
My Go-To Programs
Right now, I recommend starting with either MAP (Master Affiliate Profits). It’s beginner-friendly, free to join, and actually made affiliate marketing make sense to me after 20 years of faffing.
And if you’re not sure what to promote yet, I’ve put together a free checklist to help you avoid the common mistakes which I myself and hundreds of other new affiliates make.
👉 Download it here
Final Thoughts
Affiliate marketing can be a brilliant income stream — if you work with the right partners. Do your homework, read about 6 ways how to spot good affiliate programs and what to avoid so that you don’t get stung. Test what you promote. And stick to programs you’d happily stand behind.
Don’t fall for shiny nonsense. Trust takes time, and your reputation is worth more than a quick commission.
Start smart — and the sales will come.
Here’s to your continued success!
Want no-fluff tips for building your online biz?
If this post gave you a lightbulb moment or a sigh of relief, you're not alone — that's exactly why I started sharing what I've learned.
Pop your name and email below and I'll send you beginner-friendly advice, useful tools, and the truth behind what really works online — straight to your inbox, no pressure.
👇 Sign up below and let's do this together.
Affiliate Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
I only recommend tools I truly believe in and use myself. It helps support my blog and keeps the coffee flowing ☕
💬 Over to You:
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before starting your online business?
I'd love to hear it — just hit reply to any of my emails and tell me, or share it with me over on my Facebook page. I read every single one.
SHARE – If you found this post helpful, why not share it with someone else who’s figuring it out too?
