Affiliate networks – we hear about them over and over again. Some people love them. Others hate them. Nevertheless, everyone who wants to deal with promotion via the Internet should know what they are, what they earn from, and what they can be useful for.
What does it look like in Germany?
We checked it out.
What is affiliate marketing?
Generally, the word affiliation refers to the establishment and maintenance of cooperation by an individual, group, or organization with other groups and organizations. The cooperating entities here will be advertisers who want to acquire new customers and advertisers who can provide such customers (called partners or publishers) to, e.g., marketplaces in Germany.
The advertiser will most often be a large company producing good data or providing specific services, while the advertiser will be the owner of a website, mailing database, blogger, or other person making money (or wanting to make money) from online promotion.
These two entities conclude special agreements with each other, under which the publisher receives a commission for acquiring the client for the advertiser. In affiliate marketing, the basis for receiving remuneration is usually the occurrence of a specific event – the so-called effect – it can be, for example, clicking on a link, selling, or generating a lead.
From a technical point of view (apart from offline partner programs), each partner has its own unique URLs referring to subpages of the website offering the possibility of selling their products (for example, by linking from the footer or placing special banners). If a transaction is made after switching to such a link, a commission is charged to the person participating in the program.
Affiliate Marketing Statistics in Germany
The German market of promotional partnerships is valued at $1099.62 million. However, it is the United States that has 39% of activity in this type of marketing. This is followed by the United Kingdom (15%) and Germany (11%) in third place.
Also, Influencer Marketing Hub forecasts that global spending on affiliate marketing will reach as much as $15.7 billion by the end of 2024.
This shows how globally accepted and used affiliate marketing strategies are. And how big a role Germany plays here.
Marketers from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, gave their opinions on the unique strengths associated with affiliate marketing. 28% said that the greatest value comes from new, innovative marketing partners entering the channel. Another strength is that this type of marketing provides clear and incremental value (28% of respondents believe so). What else is very important to them, is that affiliate marketing is easy to manage (27%).
In Germany, affiliate marketing plays a huge role in driving e-commerce and online sales. Voucher sites, cashback platforms, CSS partners, and price comparison sites are some of the top-performing affiliate areas. Brands are leveraging these strategies to tap into consumers’ increasing focus on finding the best deals amidst economic uncertainties.
Technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, are helping brands automate processes like report generation, content creation, and lead generation. The use of performance-based influencer marketing is also on the rise, with the convergence of influencer and affiliate marketing becoming more pronounced.
A key trend in 2024 is the growing importance of privacy regulations, such as DSGVO and TTDSG, which affect tracking and performance measurement. Affiliate networks and brands are working together to find innovative solutions to ensure compliant and efficient performance tracking.
How to choose the best affiliate program in Germany
When choosing an affiliate program, Arne Preuss from Coffeeness.de recommends you should consider a few factors:
- High commissions. You should look at the percentage you get from the sale of a given product and the amount of goods sold. Participating in partner programs operating at high product prices may be a much better solution.
- Low payout threshold. The lower the threshold, the faster you can earn the money and not keep it frozen in the affiliate program.
- Technical support. The absolute minimum is access to advertising banners in the affiliate program, which you can put on your website/social media. An additional advantage is that all types of scripts help make purchases and reservations.
- Management of a given affiliate program. The most professional approach is using affiliate management software. It lets you track your performance accurately, provides materials, allows for quick contact, and enables earning in affiliate programs. One of the best tools on the market that allows you to manage your partner program easily is Post Affiliate Pro, used by customers around the world, also in Germany.
- Your experience. Do you have any expertise on that topic? Are you looking for an extra source of income only? Or do you want it to be your full-time job? Ask yourself these questions, identify your opportunities, determine goals, and don’t rush the process. Then, you will not take hasty action. You will move slowly but effectively.
But it’s not the end. According to Acceleration Partners, to choose the best affiliate program in Germany in 2024, you need to focus on quality over quantity.
- Start by personalizing your affiliate partner selection. Pick partners that align with your target audience. Instead of joining every program, focus on these materials that resonate with your brand and customers’ value. These specific partners can maximize the relevance and success of your affiliate strategy.
- Look for affiliates whose goals align with yours. When both parties share common objectives, it moves beyond a transactional relationship.
- Don’t overlook content partners. Many affiliate strategies focus solely on the last click, but content partners often make the first contact with your audience. Ensure you recognize their value by properly attributing their role.
- Consider influencers as affiliates. Influencers are becoming increasingly important in Germany, and performance-based influencer marketing can be a powerful tool. Select influencers who align with your brand and audience, and focus on results-based partnerships to drive sales.
- Experiment with new partnership models such as Card-Linked Offers (CLOs) or explore on-site technology partnerships to optimize conversion rates and user experience. Keep communication open with affiliates and remain flexible to thrive in a cookieless future.
Types of affiliate marketing networks in Germany
Germany is a popular market for affiliate programs, and it’s not a problem to join one. When it comes to affiliate marketing networks operating in Germany, you can recognize a few sorts of programs and networks.
#1 Divided by regions:
- Global affiliate marketing networks also operating in Germany.
- European affiliate marketing networks also operating in Germany.
- German affiliate marketing networks operating only in Germany or alternatively, in the DACH region.
#2 Divided by types:
- Own affiliate programs and referral programs run by e-commerce stores or other products/services based in Germany.
- Own affiliate programs and referral programs run by e-commerce stores or other products/services based elsewhere (e.g. SaaS businesses).
- Affiliate marketing networks gathering a couple of offers in one place, allowing affiliates to earn money all in one.
Having access to various affiliate marketing networks in Germany offers great flexibility and diverse earning opportunities. Whether you opt for global, European, or specifically German networks, the ability to choose based on regional focus and program type means you can align your partnerships more effectively with your target audience.
The most popular affiliate marketing networks in Germany and the DACH region
Admitad
Admitad has built a strong reputation in Germany, partnering with well-known brands like Alibaba, Lenovo, and Shein. It has more than 100,000 active publishers worldwide and specializes in retail, travel, and finance affiliate programs, providing a robust platform for both advertisers and publishers. As one of the more reliable platforms, Admitad offers a variety of tools for affiliate marketing, including flexible commission structures and performance tracking. It continues to expand its presence across Europe, with a notable focus on integrating with German and DACH markets.
Amazon Assiociates
Amazon Assiociates is one of the largest affiliate marketing programs globally, with a vast network spanning 19 countries, including Germany. It offers content creators, publishers, and bloggers the opportunity to earn commissions by promoting millions of products from Amazon’s vast catalog. Through customized linking tools, affiliates can recommend products to their audiences, earning up to 10% in commissions from qualifying purchases and specific programs.
Awin
Awin operates in over 180 countries, making it one of the largest and most influential affiliate marketing networks globally. It connects over 1 million publishers with more than 30,000 advertisers across various industries like retail, finance, and travel. Awin has a strong presence in the DACH region, including Germany, and is renowned for its innovative affiliate partnerships and advanced tracking capabilities, which help advertisers and publishers optimize their performance.
CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate remains a leading platform for large-scale affiliate marketing, connecting over 2,800 companies from 240 countries with affiliates globally. Known for working with top-tier companies in various sectors like health, electronics, and fashion, CJ operates with advanced tracking tools to help businesses improve conversion rates. Headquartered in Munich for its DACH operations, CJ Affiliate provides detailed analytics and consolidated payments to simplify the affiliate marketing process, making it a go-to for affiliates looking to work with established brands. It’s widely regarded for its global reach and is ideal for high-traffic affiliates seeking commission-based opportunities.
ClickBank
ClickBank is a well-established affiliate marketing network that specializes in digital products, including eBooks, software, and online courses. As of 2024, it connects over 190 countries and more than 5,000 customers. What makes ClickBank stand out is its high commission rates, often reaching up to 75% for certain products. Affiliates benefit from an easy-to-navigate marketplace and real-time tracking tools.
CPAlead
CPAlead has been a go-to affiliate marketing network for CPA and CPI (cost-per-install) offers. Known for its simplicity and efficiency, it focuses on mobile app installations and other lead generation offers. This makes it highly popular in the digital products and mobile industries. As of 2024, CPAlead works in 180+ countries.
Maxbounty
MaxBounty is a significant player in the global affiliate marketing landscape, particularly in the CPA (cost-per-action) space. Known for its high payouts and performance-driven approach, MaxBounty connects affiliates with advertisers across a range of industries, from e-commerce to financial services. It offers over 3,000 active campaigns, and affiliates are provided with robust analytics and optimization tools to improve conversions.
Tradedoubler
Tradedoubler remains one of the largest affiliate marketing networks in Germany. It operates in 90+ countries, with nearly 180,000 publishers. It collaborates with brands like Avis, T-Mobile, and Groupon. Known for its cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights, Tradedoubler enables affiliates to manage campaigns effectively while optimizing performance through AI-driven analytics and automation tools.
TradeTracker
TradeTracker has grown to become a global player with 5,000 active merchants and more than 250,000 publishers in 25 countries. Its network spans multiple industries, including retail, travel, and finance, offering real-time data to help affiliates make informed decisions. The platform’s user-friendly interface and transparency make it a top choice for those seeking to run multiple affiliate campaigns across Europe.
Webgains
Webgains is one of the top-performing affiliate marketing networks, with a strong foothold in Germany and across the DACH region. It has over 1,800 advertisers and 250,000 publishers and works in more than 150 countries. Webgains is known for its innovative use of AI and machine learning to optimize affiliate campaigns, enhance conversions, and improve user experience. Its data-driven platform allows advertisers and affiliates to scale campaigns efficiently.
Other affiliate networks include, for example:
- Digistore24 – another affiliate marketing network operating also in German. It aims for affiliate marketing for digital products, for example online courses, software, or webinars.
- SuperClix – as a publisher (affiliate, partner) at SuperClix, you can earn money quickly and easily with affiliate marketing with paid links (eg, homepage, email, search engines) since 2000. SuperClix is a recognized network that includes an agency and award-winning provider direct from Germany.
- Adtraction – that’s one of affiliate marketing programs that work both globally and in Germany, collaborating with ReifekDirekt, Tirendo, or Elodie.
- FinanceAds – a premium affiliate marketing network, focused on the banking and fintech sector, not only in Germany. It works for Commerzbank, ING, DKB or Barclaycard.
- Belboon – another affiliate marketing platform that works with various German brands, publishers and advertisers.
- Adcell – a prominent affiliate marketing network in Germany with nearly 60,000 advertisers and a wide array of categories for affiliates. It provides secure tracking, an intuitive interface, and personalized assistance.
Of course, there are many more affiliate programs you can join, and above we rather mentioned the big and popular ones that work with German or DACH companies.
However, you may also check smaller referral programs that are only limited to the location or industry – e.g. for SaaS products or e-commerce stores operating in Germany. While these programs are more exclusive, it may also be more difficult to gain substantial money out of them – but that’s for you to test out.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, Germany’s affiliate marketing landscape will likely continue to evolve with more focus on personalization, brand-to-brand partnerships, and new models like CLOs. Networks like Awin, Webgains, and MaxBounty cater to a wide range of industries, from retail and finance to digital products and SaaS.
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