Guide
Affiliate ProgramsIndia2026Creator15 Best Affiliate Programs for Indian Creators in 2026
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Some pay ₹15 per sale while others pay ₹8,000. This guide ranks the 15 best affiliate programs for Indian creators based on commission rates, reliability, and real earning potential.
Last updated: February 25, 2026
Step-by-Step Guide
Research and select programs
Identify the best affiliate/monetization programs for your specific niche and audience. Start with 2-3 programs maximum.
Create your first monetization content
Produce 5 pieces of content designed to drive conversions — reviews, tutorials, or comparison posts with proper links and CTAs.
Optimize link placement
Place links where they get maximum visibility: video descriptions, bio links, Story stickers, and pinned comments. Every piece of content should have a monetization path.
Track and analyze performance
Monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings per content piece weekly. Identify which content types and products generate the most revenue.
Scale what works
Create more of the content that converts best. Expand to additional programs as your audience grows. Aim to add 25% more affiliate income each quarter.
Top 15 affiliate programs ranked
Ranked by earning potential for Indian creators:
| Rank | Program | Commission | Avg Earning/Conversion | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hostinger | ₹2,000-₹8,000 | ₹4,000 | Tech creators |
| 2 | Zerodha | ₹500-₹2,000 | ₹1,200 | Finance creators |
| 3 | Groww | ₹500-₹1,500 | ₹800 | Finance creators |
| 4 | Canva Pro | 15-30% recurring | ₹150/month recurring | All niches |
| 5 | Amazon Associates | 3-10% | ₹50-₹500 per sale | All niches |
| 6 | Flipkart Affiliate | 4-12% | ₹50-₹600 per sale | Tech/electronics |
| 7 | PolicyBazaar | ₹200-₹1,000 | ₹500 | Finance creators |
| 8 | Myntra | 5-15% | ₹75-₹300 per sale | Fashion creators |
| 9 | Nykaa | 5-10% | ₹40-₹200 per sale | Beauty creators |
| 10 | Teachable | 30% recurring | ₹300-₹2,000/month | Education creators |
| 11 | ConvertKit | 30% recurring | ₹600/month recurring | Newsletter creators |
| 12 | Notion | 50% first payment | ₹200-₹500 | Productivity creators |
| 13 | Audible India | ₹150 per trial | ₹150 | Book/education creators |
| 14 | Cuelinks | Varies | ₹10-₹500 per sale | All niches (aggregator) |
| 15 | EarnKaro | Varies + cashback | ₹5-₹300 per sale | Beginners |
How to choose the right affiliate programs
Selection criteria:
1. Commission relevance to your niche:
- Finance creator → Zerodha, Groww, PolicyBazaar
- Tech creator → Hostinger, Amazon, Flipkart
- Beauty creator → Nykaa, Myntra, Amazon
- Education creator → Teachable, Audible, course platforms
2. Commission type:
- One-time: Good for quick income (demat signups, product sales)
- Recurring: Builds compounding income (SaaS tools, memberships)
- Hybrid: Some programs offer both
3. Cookie duration:
- Amazon: 24 hours (very short — user must buy within a day)
- Hostinger: 30 days
- Most SaaS: 30-90 days
- Longer cookie = higher conversion chance
4. Payment reliability:
- Amazon: Reliable, monthly payouts (₹1,000 minimum)
- Direct programs: Varies — check reviews before committing
- Aggregate platforms: Usually reliable with monthly payouts
5. Product-audience fit:
- Only promote products your audience would actually buy
- Fake recommendations destroy trust and long-term earnings
- Test products yourself before recommending when possible
Maximizing earnings from each program
Amazon Associates optimization:
- Create "best of" lists for every product category in your niche
- Promote during sale events (Great Indian Festival, Prime Day) — conversion rates 2-3x higher
- High-value items (electronics, appliances) earn more per sale
- Use Amazon's native shopping links for better conversion tracking
Finance affiliate optimization:
- Create educational content about investing, then recommend platforms
- Step-by-step tutorials ("How to open a demat account") convert best
- Target beginners who haven't opened accounts yet
- Tax season (Jan-Mar) drives highest finance signups
SaaS affiliate optimization:
- Create tutorials showing how to use the tool
- Comparison content ("Canva vs Figma") ranks well and converts
- Negotiate custom landing pages or discount codes with the SaaS company
- Recurring commissions compound: 100 Canva referrals = ₹15,000/month forever
General tips:
- Place links where they're most visible: first link in description, pinned comment, Story sticker
- Track which content drives most conversions using UTM parameters
- Create dedicated review/tutorial content (not just casual mentions)
- Use FluxNote to create short-form review videos for consistent affiliate content
Common affiliate marketing mistakes to avoid
1. Promoting too many products:
- Your audience gets confused and trusts none
- Focus on 5-10 products maximum that you genuinely use
2. Not disclosing affiliate relationships:
- It's legally required in India (ASCI guidelines)
- Use "Affiliate link" or "I may earn a commission" disclosure
- Transparency actually increases trust and conversions
3. Ignoring analytics:
- Track clicks, conversions, and earnings per content piece
- Double down on what converts, cut what doesn't
- Most programs provide basic analytics — use them
4. Only using Amazon:
- Amazon commissions are low (3-10%) and cookie is only 24 hours
- Supplement with high-ticket programs (hosting, finance, SaaS)
- One Zerodha signup = 10-30 Amazon sales in commission
5. Not creating evergreen content:
- Product reviews continue earning for months/years
- "Best [product category] 2026" posts get search traffic all year
- Create content that compounds, not just trends that expire
Pro Tips
- High-ticket affiliates (₹1,000+ per conversion) are more efficient than volume programs — one finance signup equals 20+ Amazon sales
- Always disclose affiliate relationships — transparency builds trust and is legally required in India
- Evergreen review content earns for months/years — invest time in comprehensive, searchable reviews
- Track earnings per content piece to identify your most profitable content format
- Combine time-sensitive promotions (Amazon sales) with evergreen content for optimal income mix