Affiliate Network
An affiliate network (CPA Network) is a specialized platform that connects advertisers with media buyers (publishers) and provides access to offers, creatives, tracking, and analytics to efficiently promote products and services.
Affiliate Network (CPA Network)
An affiliate network is a specialized platform that connects advertisers with media buyers (publishers) and provides access to offers, creatives, tracking, and analytics to efficiently promote products and services.
Main functions of an affiliate network:
- Centralized access to multiple offers across different verticals
- Managing payouts and reporting for partners
- Providing trackers, postback, and API integrations
- Moderating traffic and monitoring conversion quality
- Offering support and training for publishers and media buyers
Examples of popular affiliate networks:
- Clickadu — focused on push traffic and In-Page ads; suitable for iGaming and Nutra verticals
- AdCombo — a versatile network with a wide selection of Nutra and eCommerce offers
- MaxBounty — a global CPA network popular for finance and Nutra offers
- Mobidea — a mobile CPA network focused on apps and mobile offers
Typical features of an affiliate network:
- Filtering offers by geo, vertical, and payout
- Analytics by traffic source and conversion
- A/B testing of creatives and landing pages
- Partner ratings and offer reviews
- Automatic payouts and budget management
Payment models in affiliate networks:
Affiliate networks offer various payment models to reward publishers and media buyers:
- CPA (Cost per Action) — payment for a specific user action (registration, purchase, download)
- CPL (Cost per Lead) — payment for a lead, i.e., user contact information
- CPS (Cost per Sale) — payment for a sale or completed transaction
- RevShare (Revenue Share) — the partner receives a percentage of the advertiser’s profit from the user
- Hybrid models — combine fixed rewards with a percentage of revenue
Affiliate network in simple terms:
An affiliate network is a platform where media buyers and publishers can quickly find offers to promote, get creatives, track performance, and receive payment for conversions. It simplifies working with many advertisers and reduces the risks of mistakes when working directly with them.
Example workflow through a network:
- A publisher registers in the network and selects a Nutra offer
- Receives a ready-made landing page and push creatives
- Launches a campaign through advertising sources
- Tracks conversions via the network’s tracker
- Receives CPA payment for each successful registration
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How is an affiliate network different from an affiliate program?
An affiliate program is a specific offer with its terms; a network is a platform to work with multiple programs at once.
Can you work without an affiliate network?
Yes, directly with advertisers, but it requires more time, oversight, and resources.
Which payment model is more profitable for a media buyer?
It depends on the offer and traffic quality. CPA works well for leads, while RevShare is better for long-term monetization.