Rakuten Marketing was established in 1997 under the brand LinkShare. It is one of the most recognized affiliate marketing
companies in the world.
With all their experience in the business, it continues to grow and look for new ideas. There are over 1000 merchants within their network.
This company is also an international one and has ten offices around the world that serve eight networks. That allows the company to work together and gives the impression of being a global company.
Continue reading to learn more about the process and the pros and cons of being a Rakuten associate.
Discovering Affiliate Programs
You can also use the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the interface. When you type in the keyword for a product or niche you will see a list of affiliate programs that match your search criteria.
It’s easy to find affiliate programs because the interface is exceptionally user-friendly, despite being a design from the 1990s. Click on Programs and Categories to find the best ones for your niche.
Each program will require you to apply separately. Some programs will approve your application automatically, while others will require you to submit a separate application.
The rest is easy. The interface allows you to create links quickly by either generating the HTML code or selecting the banner that best suits your site’s design.
Product Categories in Rakuten
- Auto
- Business and Career
- Clothing and Accessories
- Computer and Electronics
- Department Store
- Entertainment
- Family
- Financial Services
- Food and Drink
- Games and Toys
- Gift and Flowers
- Health and Beauty
- Hobbies and Collectables
- Home and Living
- Internet and Online
- Office
- Sports and Fitness
- Telecommunications
- Travel
You will certainly find products for any niche in their vast range of goods and services.
Join the Rakuten Affiliate Network
You can use this network in two main ways: Advertisers and influencers (though affiliate marketers and bloggers are also eligible).
People trust these brands, so you don’t need to be a pushy promoter of products or services that are almost unknown.
All it requires to get started with the network is to fill out an application form. The website must be a decently trafficked site. The application process is simple, and you don’t need to worry about how many visitors your site gets. Both small and large sites can get approved quickly.
You can promote various brands, some of which are massive, like Macy’s and NordVPN, Lyft, and Microsoft. There are over a thousand brands you can choose from.
What Does the Company Have to Offer?
It is easy to create ads on the site. Before you can use this feature, the advertiser must have approved you. Once you make your ad unit, you will get a code to display the ad on your site.
The company represents over 200 countries. You can pay in any of the 25 currencies if you reside in these countries. You can display tech-integrated ads on your blog or website. You have the option to personalize the ads or place them on your website.
It is now easy to use the deep linking feature. This feature allows you to direct users where you want them. It is easy to use the reporting system. This system is accessible even to the most technologically challenged.
To make it simple to add rotating banners to your website, the company has made it possible for you to facilitate this. The site allows you to test which ads unit works best for your needs quickly.
You will have many tools to improve your skills as an affiliate marketer. Access to newsletters, videos, and personal training will be available.
Your dashboard will show you the top advertisers and how much you can earn from them. It is simple to use the control panel to view your settings, link codes, or create custom reports.
Payments
The affiliate network works similarly to Amazon Associates, where it pays its affiliates 60 days after the deadline. If you earn a commission in January and the affiliate program authorizes payment in February, you will receive your payment in the month of March.
There were some instances where affiliates got paid after the 90-day mark. That can be very pleasant.
What are the cool ways to get paid?
There are three options:
- Bank deposits
- PayPal
- Check
PayPal is the most straightforward of all three, as you don’t have as much hassle with it as receiving payments by check. While all three of these payment options are available in the US, they are not available in other countries.
A payment threshold is also in place. However, it’s $50 which is lower than other affiliate networks.
Are Rakuten Affiliate Marketing Efforts worth it?
It certainly appears that it is. Even though Rakuten has a slower payment process and a less modern interface, affiliates can still promote the most famous brands around the globe with this network.
This affiliate network is worth a look if you have a website that receives thousands, or even tens to thousands, of unique visitors each month.
The Pros:
- You have access to huge brands through Rakuten and the ability to create banners and links with ease.
- Signing up is easy; you can get approved for many affiliate programs (with some even automatically).
- It is an accessible network to use in terms of benefits.
The Cons:
- The company does not have a standard payday. After an advertiser pays the business, you get paid. It can take about sixty days to get your commission from the company.
- Delays in payments are common, especially as a lot of feedback comes from affiliates.
- This company is not suitable for new websites that are just getting started in affiliate marketing. The company will assess your website traffic and quality traffic. If you have high-quality traffic to your website, you will get accepted as an affiliate marketer.
- Although the interface is intuitive, it hasn’t been up to date in years. It means that you may still need to learn how to use it.
- Rakuten does not use PayPal. You will need your money to be deposited directly into your bank account.
Conclusion
This company is an excellent choice if you want to get started with affiliate marketing on your blog or website. This company has been out there for many years and became the best affiliate marketing company for six years running. Linkshare was the original name of the company when it started. It later changed its name to Rakuten.
The company does not accept PayPal as a payment method. Affiliate commissions are paid directly to the bank accounts of everyone who earns them.
You can receive payments in up to 25 currencies around the world. It might take up to 2 months for the money to reach your account but you will get paid.
Rakuten is an excellent and stable platform for website marketers to find products that they wish to promote and be paid a commission.
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Let me know how you went with this information and if I can help in any way. Leave a comment.
Warm Regards,
Lily
Thanks for exposing this information, two years plus I joined LinkShare but never really used it, now to find out it has changed the name. I wonder if my account is still valid! Anyway, my hands are full of other things so I will not let this detour me.
Great post with valid information to offer.
Great to hear Elizabeth. You will probably find that it is still valid but if not you can reapply, they are very forgiving.
Great article and informative information, In my reading of affiliate marketing I came across that affiliate name, but I had no idea it was the same as LinkShare in which I had an account but never utilized it for the past two years plus.
When articles like these are put out for the public to see and read, it is important to do so because you never know what the benefit and information you are missing out on. I am glad I took the time to enlighten myself with this important information’
I’m so pleased that my article reminded you of this affiliate platform. They are really great and have so many products. I think that changing their name has thrown a lot of people.
An interesting read here.
I have heard of the Rakuten affiliate program a couple of times, but I’m yet to check out what it’s all about.
Reading this post gave me all the information I needed to get started.
My main challenge is their not having a standard payday and delays in payment. I hope they can sort this out soon.
Do they pay through Paypal? I read earlier in the article that they do, but I’m not sure I got it right.
Thank you
Hi Muslimah, yes Rakuten does pay through PayPal. They can be a bit erratic with payments and I don’t see them sorting it out soon, unfortunately. They do eventually pay.
Thank you very much for the information you share. I want to start my online business and I am in the phase of research. And you inspired me to search a little bit Rakuten and I found some brands that I am a fan of :). Thank you for it. I am so glad. But, If I get you well I can`t apply immediately for an affiliate? I need to work on the content and after a while to apply. But sounds good if it is as you say “Signing up is easy; you can get approved for many affiliate programs (with some even automatically).”
You are correct Zorana. You need to have at least 35 posts on your website so that companies can see what you will be promoting. They will ask for your website link to check it out and make a decision. As in anything we have to pay it forward. But it will be easy to get accepted if you have fleshed out your website first.
The first time I came across this Japanese company called Rakuten was watching an F.C. Barcelona game. Rakuten sponsors the Spanish Soccer team, and their name is on their jersey.
I like that their threshold is low. $50 is nothing. And I also like that it pays via PayPal. I am starting to get decent traffic to my site, so I will apply to their program.
That sounds like a good plan Paolo. They are a good solid company that has a wide range of products that you can be an affiliate promoter for.
Wow, I was not aware of this affiliate marketing network. From what I can see here, there are quite good in cooperation with other networks. For example, ClickBank is going down from my point of view. I found many affiliate programs in there that were scammers, either scamming the customers, the affiliate marketer, or both. I was robbed of my commission on there. Here, even as you mention, the payments are slow from time to time, I like that there are professionals and are not messing with your earnings.
Absolutely Johnny. They are a reputable company although a little delayed in paying but at least you will get paid. I’m so sorry to hear that ClickBank let you down. Unfortunately, they have let some scammers in with garbage programs and are best to stay away from if possible.
Rakuten Affiliate Network is one of the widely used networks and they are very popular worldwide. Rakuten Affiliate and Rakuten Publishers are very popular terms in the field of affiliate marketing. Applying for Rakuten Affiliate is very easy just you have to fill up their online forms along with your website information along with your personal information and the steps are very straightforward. Rakuten has the widest range of categories so it’s a good choice for an affiliate marketer who wants to promote different products. Many top brands are associated with Rakuten Network like Microsoft, Mcafee, ESET, NordVPN, Skylum, Wondershare and the list goes on. The interface is very friendly and with little research, you can easily copy the advertising links onto your site. Most importantly the payment structure is good and once you reach the $50 you can withdraw your money to your bank account. Thanks, Lily for the informative post.
You are welcome Preetam. Rakuten is one of my favorite affiliate platforms although they can be a bit slow to pay they always do pay. I’m amazed at the range of products that you can promote from them. You will find lots to fill your niche and start making good money.
I have heard of Rakuten but I was never really sure what it was. Well, you learn something new every day. I will try to apply for this affiliate program. The more programs you are under the better. I will also recommend this article to everyone I know that are into market affiliating.
Finding the best companies to promote on your website is so important Daniel and Rakuten have a very good name around the world. There extensive range of companies and products mean that you can always find something that you will enjoy promoting.