In the evolving landscape of digital commerce, affiliate marketing has become one of the most cost-effective and scalable methods for driving sales and growing brand reach. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or business owner looking to monetise your online presence, joining an affiliate program or network can be a powerful strategy.
Below you will find a selection of what we consider the most interesting programs (standalone initiatives run by a single company) and networks (intermediaries between multiple advertisers and affiliates). But first, a few things to bear in mind when choosing.
How to Choose the Right Affiliate Option
With so many choices available, selecting the right affiliate program or network requires a strategic approach. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. Commission Rate refers to the percentage of a sale an affiliate earns. While programs like the eBay Partner Network offer up to 70% of revenue share, others like Currys may offer between 1–5% depending on the product category. Higher commissions are attractive, but they should be weighed against average order value and conversion rates.
2. Cookie Duration determines how long after a user clicks your affiliate link you’ll still earn a commission if a purchase is made. Some programs like Amazon Associates offer a 24-hour window, while networks like Awin or Partnerize often provide cookie durations ranging from 30 to 90 days, which increases long-term earning potential (Forrester Research, 2022).
3. Program Access and Cost: Most UK programs and networks are free for affiliates. However, networks like Awin require a refundable deposit (£5), and others such as Partnerize may be invite-only or geared toward high-traffic publishers.
4. Niche vs. General Focus: Some affiliate options target broad product categories—ideal for generalist content creators—while others are tailored to specific industries. For example, PrettyLittleThing and ASOS focus exclusively on fashion, while UKPDA specialises in online professional education. If your audience is highly targeted, a niche program may offer better conversion rates (Chaffey, 2023).
5. Services and Tools: Modern affiliate platforms offer tools like real-time tracking, API access, deep linking, and automated link conversion. Networks like CJ Affiliate and Skimlinks stand out in this area, offering advanced features suitable for tech-savvy publishers or businesses with technical capabilities.
Ultimately, your choice should align with your content and your audience’s needs. For example, a travel blog might perform best with programs like Booking.com or Skyscanner, while a lifestyle influencer might benefit more from partnerships with The Body Shop or Marks & Spencer. The key is choosing programs that are relevant to your audience.
Our Top Pick: FOREO
It really could not have been any other way—of course, we are our top pick! But we have our reasons for this confidence. Our affiliate program leads the pack when it comes to combining innovation, earning potential, and partner support. As a global leader in skintech, products like our LUNA™ 4 facial cleanser, UFO™ 3 smart mask, and BEAR™ microcurrent tool are an easy recommendation for beauty-tech-savvy creators.
On top of a 5–15% commission per sale, we also provide customisable coupons, exclusive content, and seasonal promotions. Our FOREO Affiliate Program runs through some of the top affiliate networks like Awin, CJ Affiliate and Rakuten, ensuring trusted tracking, and 30–60 day cookie durations, far exceeding many industry benchmarks (Awin, 2025; CJ Affiliate, 2024). Even better, there are no minimum follower requirements, so it is accessible to rising influencers and established publishers alike.Whether you’re a beauty blogger, skincare reviewer, or tech-savvy content creator, FOREO’s affiliate platform is optimized for success. Join the UK’s top skintech affiliate program and start earning with confidence. Learn more here.
Top 3 UK Affiliate Programs
Going into network-independent affiliate programs, we have also selected three that we consider especially appealing based on their brand strength, commission potential, and alignment with UK general audiences.
1. Amazon Associates UK
One of the most widely used programs globally, Amazon’s affiliate program is ideal for affiliates with broad or diverse content. It offers up to 12% commission depending on the product category, although the 24-hour cookie duration is relatively short. Its main advantage lies in its vast product catalogue and user trust (Amazon Associates, 2024).
2. eBay Partner Network
The eBay Partner Network offers direct access to one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, allowing publishers to promote millions of listings without relying on a third-party platform. Don’t let the name trick you — this is technically a program, not a network in the affiliate marketing sense. With a performance-based commission model offering 50–70% of eBay’s revenue share, it presents strong earning potential (eBay, 2024). Although the cookie lasts only 24 hours, eBay’s dynamic marketplace and product diversity compensate with high conversion rates.
3. LEGO UK Affiliate Program
A timeless brand with cross-generational appeal, LEGO offers affiliates around 3% commission with a 30-day cookie window. The program is ideal for family, education, and toy-focused content, especially around seasonal launches. With a direct application process and a well-established online presence, it remains a standout choice for UK affiliates in the toys and gifts niche (LEGO, 2024)
Top 3 UK Affiliate Networks
As for affiliate networks, here are our top three for their merchant diversity, user support, and technical capabilities.
1. Awin
A top choice in the UK and internationally, Awin hosts thousands of merchants, including Currys, Etsy, and Boots. Commission rates vary but can reach up to 50%. Awin provides strong analytics, fast payouts, and robust reporting tools. While it requires a refundable deposit for sign-up, the network’s scale and flexibility make it a worthwhile investment (Awin, 2024).
2. CJ Affiliate
Renowned for its advanced tracking and real-time reporting, CJ offers affiliates access to big-name advertisers like Nike, Adidas, and Airbnb. Commission rates typically range from 5–20%, and cookie durations vary by advertiser. Its mobile SDK and deep-linking capabilities are excellent for affiliates managing multiple platforms (CJ Affiliate, 2024).
3. Skimlinks
Ideal for content-heavy websites, Skimlinks automatically converts product links into affiliate links from thousands of merchants. It offers 5–30% commissions depending on the advertiser and integrates seamlessly with editorial workflows. This makes it especially valuable for publishers and bloggers looking to monetise without managing individual partnerships (Skimlinks, 2024).
To conclude…
Affiliate marketing remains one of the most accessible and scalable ways to generate passive income online. The UK offers a mature ecosystem of both affiliate programs and networks, with options for every niche and audience type.
When choosing between them, it is essential to align program features—such as commission structure, cookie duration, and target market—with your own platform’s strengths and your audience’s preferences. By carefully selecting a combination of general and niche programs or networks, affiliates can diversify their income and maximize long-term success in this dynamic space.
References
Amazon Associates. (2024). Amazon.co.uk Associates Central. Retrieved from https://affiliate-program.amazon.co.uk/
Awin. (2025). Awin Access Affiliate Marketing Advertiser Agreement. Retrieved from https://www.awin.com/
Chaffey, D. (2022). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation, and practice (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
CJ Affiliate. (2024). CJ.com. Retrieved from https://www.cj.com/
eBay. (2024). eBay Partner Network – United Kingdom. https://partnernetwork.ebay.co.uk/
Forrester Research. (2022). Affiliate marketing trends and benchmarks. Cambridge, MA.
LEGO. (2024). The LEGO.com Affiliate Program. LEGO UK. https://www.lego.com/en-gb/page/affiliate-program
Skimlinks. (2024). Accelerate your affiliate revenue growth. Retrieved from https://skimlinks.com/
