When I first dipped my toes into affiliate marketing, Amazon Associates was where I started. And honestly, I think that’s true for most parent bloggers. It felt safe, familiar, and simple to set up.
But over time, I realised there’s more to affiliate marketing than just sharing links for products we already use. Each program has its own strengths, quirks, and payout structures that fit different blogging styles and goals.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Amazon Associates is the best fit or if you should branch out into platforms like ShareASale, ClickBank, or CJ Affiliate. This post will help you figure it out. I’ve tested them all, and today I’m breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and which combination fits a parent-friendly lifestyle best.
Before we dive in, if you’re completely new to affiliate marketing, you might find it helpful to read Affiliate Marketing for Parents: A Family-First Approach. It walks you through the basics and shows you how to start earning income on your terms.
Why Choosing the Right Affiliate Program Matters
Not every affiliate network fits every family’s goals. Some focus on physical products that are easy to share in everyday posts. Think of kitchen gadgets or toys you already use at home. Others focus on digital courses, apps, or online tools that require a bit more confidence (and trust) to promote.
Choosing the right program isn’t just about commissions; it’s about alignment. For parent bloggers like us, that means finding networks that match our values, time, and audience. A flexible, transparent program can make the difference between frustration and steady, stress-free growth.
I’ll walk you through each platform based on my own experience. Starting with the one that most of us begin with: Amazon Associates.
Why Amazon Associates Is Often the Starting Point for Parent Bloggers
Amazon Associates is the “gateway” program for many new bloggers, and it’s easy to see why. The setup takes minutes, there’s no approval barrier, and you can link almost any product under the sun.
As a parent, this felt like a natural fit; I was already recommending toys, home office supplies, and books to other parents. Turning those links into small commissions made sense.
Here’s why it works so well when you’re starting out:
- Familiar and trusted: Almost every parent shops on Amazon, so there’s built-in trust with your audience.
- Easy to start: You can be up and running with affiliate links in less than an hour.
- Huge product range: From parenting books to blogging gear, you’ll find endless options to match your niche.
- Low payout threshold: You don’t need huge sales to see your first earnings.
When I first added Amazon links to my blog, the biggest surprise was how quickly the small commissions added up, even from unrelated products. Someone might click a link to a planner and end up buying baby wipes, a phone case, and a coffee mug, all contributing to your earnings.
But like anything in blogging, it’s not perfect. Amazon’s short cookie window and smaller commission rates mean it’s best treated as a stepping stone, not a long-term foundation. We’ll talk about that next.
The Drawbacks of Relying Solely on Amazon Associates
While Amazon Associates is a fantastic starting point, it has limits that most bloggers only discover after a few months. The first challenge is the short 24-hour cookie window. If someone clicks your link but doesn’t buy until the next day, that sale doesn’t count. For parents who create content around routines, toys, or home hacks, that narrow window can be frustrating.
The second issue is the low commission rate. It’s easy to make small sales, but they don’t add up fast unless you’re driving big traffic numbers. This is why many bloggers – myself included – start looking for platforms that reward creativity and trust rather than volume.
Think of Amazon as your training ground: it helps you learn how affiliate links work, what your audience likes, and how to write natural recommendations. Once you’ve mastered that, exploring new programs becomes the next logical step.
ShareASale: Best for Family-Friendly Brands and Transparency
ShareASale quickly became one of my favourite affiliate programs because it’s packed with genuine, family-focused brands. I found eco-friendly toy companies, wellness products, home goods, and even flexible online learning tools that fit my audience perfectly.
What makes ShareASale stand out for parents is its transparency. You know exactly what kind of content fits each brand and what they expect in terms of promotion. There’s a real sense of partnership rather than pressure to push endless links.
The approval process is slightly stricter than Amazon’s, but it’s still beginner-friendly. Once you’re accepted, you can choose from thousands of brands that match your lifestyle and values.
If you want to dive deeper into what ShareASale offers, check out my full post:
ShareASale for Parents: How To Earn by Sharing Brands You Already Love
ClickBank: Digital Courses and Why Caution Matters
ClickBank is a different kind of marketplace. One focused on digital products like online courses, e-books, and memberships. It can be an amazing opportunity for bloggers who love recommending educational resources or creative tools.
However, it’s also the platform that requires the most research. For every high-quality product you’ll find, there are others that overpromise or lean into the “get rich quick” side of marketing. That’s why I always look for offers with clear refund policies, transparent creators, and solid reviews before sharing anything.
The upside? ClickBank often offers higher commissions and longer cookie durations than Amazon or ShareASale. The downside is credibility… Your readers need to trust that what you’re recommending is truly worth their time and money.
If you want a full breakdown of how to find trustworthy offers on ClickBank, you can read my review here:
ClickBank for Parents: How To Find Real, Family-Friendly Offers (Without the Hype)
For context on how the online landscape is shifting, you can also see my post on Google’s 2025 Crackdown on High-Ticket Scams – it’s a good reminder of why transparency matters more than ever for parent bloggers.
CJ Affiliate: Best for Established Bloggers Ready to Scale
CJ Affiliate (previously Commission Junction) feels like the “next level” for bloggers who are starting to see consistent traffic and want to partner with bigger, established brands. Think household names in retail, travel, and lifestyle.
What I really like about CJ is the professionalism. Brands here often have clear expectations, detailed creative assets, and longer campaign cycles. It’s a great step once you’ve built trust with your audience and want to start collaborating on more premium content.
That said, it’s not the easiest network for absolute beginners. Approval can take a little time, and some merchants prefer blogs with steady traffic. But if you’re building momentum and want to bring in more stable, higher-paying partnerships, it’s worth the effort.
You can learn more about how CJ Affiliate works and how it fits into a parent blog strategy in my full review: CJ Affiliate for Parents: Earn With Trusted Brands You Already Know
Comparing the Platforms: At-a-Glance Guide
Here’s a simple comparison table to help you decide which platform matches your current stage and goals.
| Feature | Amazon Associates | ShareASale | ClickBank | CJ Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Beginners | Family-friendly physical products | Digital offers | Established blogs |
| Approval Process | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Selective |
| Payout Threshold | Low | Low to Medium | Medium | High |
| Cookie Duration | 24 hours | 30–90 days | 60 days | 30 days |
| Product Type | Physical | Physical | Digital | Physical + Digital |
| Transparency | High | High | Variable | High |
Each of these networks can play a role in your blogging journey. The trick is finding the right mix that matches your time, values, and audience.
For most new parent bloggers, I recommend starting with Amazon Associates and ShareASale, then experimenting with ClickBank or CJ once you’ve built confidence and traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which affiliate program pays the most?
It depends on what you’re promoting. Programs like ClickBank or CJ Affiliate often have higher commissions per sale, but they usually require more effort and trust-building with your readers. For most parent bloggers, a mix of Amazon and ShareASale offers a solid balance between reliability and earnings.
Can I join multiple affiliate programs at once?
Absolutely. In fact, I recommend it. Each network offers different types of products and payout systems, so diversifying gives you more flexibility. You can easily test which links perform best on your blog.
Is Amazon Associates still worth it in 2025?
Yes, but with a clear strategy. It’s still a great beginner platform for learning affiliate marketing and adding supplemental income, especially if you write product-based content. Just don’t rely on it as your only source.
Do I need a website to join these programs?
Most affiliate networks prefer you to have an active website or blog, even if it’s new. It shows that you’re serious about sharing genuine recommendations, not just dropping links. If you don’t have one yet, you can check out my post on How To Start Affiliate Marketing as a Busy Parent (Beginner’s Guide) for step-by-step help.
Which program works best for parent bloggers?
For flexibility and family-friendly options, ShareASale usually takes the top spot. Combine that with Amazon Associates for daily-use products, and you’ll have plenty of relevant, trusted options for your readers.
Bringing It All Together
The best affiliate program is the one that fits your stage of blogging, your audience, and your energy. Amazon Associates is perfect for getting started, ShareASale shines for lifestyle content, ClickBank rewards digital creators, and CJ Affiliate scales beautifully when you’re ready to grow.
If you take anything from this post, it’s that affiliate marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on the products and services that genuinely help families like yours; the commissions follow naturally when your audience trusts you.
Consistency and honesty are your biggest assets as a parent blogger. Keep showing up, testing what works, and celebrating small wins along the way. That’s how sustainable, family-first income grows.
Let’s Chat
Blogging and affiliate marketing can feel like a maze when you’re juggling kids, schedules, and a hundred other things. I’d love to hear what’s worked for you so far. Are you currently using Amazon, or have you branched out into other programs?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Your experience could be exactly what another parent blogger needs to hear today.
