If you’re an affiliate marketer in the education space, you might wonder what the best affiliate programs are to promote this year. Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of the best education affiliate programs and the benefits of promoting them.
In 2022, the affiliate marketing market is expected to reach $13 billion and $15.7 billion in 2024.
As a 6-figure affiliate marketer, I understand the importance of choosing the right program. I created this list based on the proven success of affiliate marketers in the industry.
I’ve included an example of how top affiliate marketers promote these programs.
Why Promote Education Affiliate Programs?
There are several reasons why you should consider promoting education affiliate programs:
1. These programs offer high commissions.
2. They’re evergreen and provide long-term earnings potential.
3. They have a large target market with a high lifetime value.
4. Trusted brands with a good reputation back them.
5. There are many different products and services to promote.
Now let’s look at the most popular education affiliate programs and how the top affiliate marketers promote them.
Best Education Affiliate Programs
Udemy affiliate program
Udemy is an online learning platform aimed at professional adults and students, with over 80% of its users being from the United States. As of Jan 2021, there are over 130,000 courses on the Udemy platform.
Most courses are in development and IT, although health, fitness, and language courses are also popular. Courses are taught by instructors who create their own content, including videos, lectures, articles, and quizzes.
Udemy affiliate program details
Udemy pays a base price of 10% and offers a 7-day universal cookie. If you refer more than $5000 in a month, commissions are up for negotiation. Udemy has various affiliates, including bloggers, review sites, coupon sites, and general affiliate sites. They also have a referral program for existing users.
How to promote Udemy
Udemy provides affiliates with various resources to help them promote courses, including banners, text links, deep links, and course widgets. They also have a dedicated affiliate team to help affiliates succeed.
For best results, focus on promoting courses relevant to your audience that you think they will find valuable. You can also email the Udemy affiliate team to request custom creative assets or promotional opportunities.
Various blog formats work for promoting the Udemy affiliate program. For example, Learnopoly created a product comparison that compares Udemy to Coursera.
It appears that Learnopoly has affiliate links to both products. This works well because it’s an unbiased review of each product and helps the reader decide which one to choose.
Another popular blog format is the roundup post. For example, this roundup post by Pythonista Planet compiles the best Udemy courses for learning programming languages. A roundup post is a great way to promote multiple courses at once while still providing valuable content to the reader.
While Google has been working on its algorithm to improve product review posts, a blogger can still create a product review that ranks on Google. Google wants to see that the content creator has personal experience with the product they are reviewing.
Bob Villa published an article about testing Udemy courses. It includes pros, cons, pricing, and his experience with the product.
Nicole Enesse published a video about her thoughts on the Udemy courses and whether or not they would help someone get a job in tech. She lists several courses she has taken and how they’ve helped her.
Both of these reviews are detailed and personal, which makes them more trustworthy to Google and helpful to the reader.
David Utke compared the Udemy and Skillshare affiliate programs. He pointed out that Skillshare’s affiliate network is easier to use than Udemy, which is part of the Rakuten network.
I think Rakuten is a “clunky” affiliate network as well.
The Udemy affiliate program is a great opportunity for affiliate marketers to earn commission on sold courses. With a wide variety of courses available and a variety of ways to promote them, there are many ways for affiliates to be successful. For best results, focus on promoting courses relevant to your audience that you think they will find valuable.
What I like about the program:
-The base commission of 10%
-The variety of courses available
-The dedicated affiliate team
What I don’t like about the program:
-Udemy is part of the Rakuten affiliate network, which can be clunky to use.
-There is no recurring commission.
-Courses can be free or cheap, earning little commission.
Overall, the Udemy affiliate program is a great opportunity for affiliates to earn commission on sold courses. With a wide variety of courses available and a variety of ways to promote them, there are many ways for affiliates to be successful. For best results, focus on promoting courses relevant to your audience that you think they will
Pluralsight Affiliate Program
Pluralsight affiliate program: Pluralsight is an online training platform that offers courses in various tech-related topics. Its mission is to help developers keep up with the rapidly changing world of technology. As a Pluralsight affiliate, get $5 for free trials (Woah, sign me up), 50% for monthly subscriptions, and
15% for annual subscriptions.
It’s part of the Impact Radius Network, one of the more reputable affiliate networks. The Pluralsight affiliate program is a popular education affiliate program because it offers a 60-day cookie, a last-click model (which means you get credit if someone signs up even if they found Pluralsight through another affiliate first), and high commissions.
How to Promote Pluralsight as an Affiliate Marketer
There are a few different ways to promote Pluralsight courses.
One of the best ways to promote Pluralsight courses is by creating a list post. For example, AKRAYA created a list of 8 of the best places to learn cloud computing. A list post is popular among affiliate marketers because it’s an easy way to promote multiple products while providing valuable content to the reader.
Google has expressed its desire to have articles that give users multiple choices. The article briefly describes each resource and why it’s included on the list.
2) Create a Comparison Post
Another popular blog format is the comparison post. For example, this article by MakeUseof.com compares Pluralsight vs. Udemy. It compares the quality of the instructors, the courses offered, the price, and the learning experience.
Comparison posts allow you to directly compare the product or service you promote to similar products or services on the market. This can be a very effective way to show potential customers why your product or service is the best option for them.
Creating a comparison post can be a bit tricky, however. You should be comparing apples to apples and not comparing oranges to apples. In other words, you want to make sure that you are comparing products or services that are similar enough that they can be fairly compared.
Always provide accurate and up-to-date information. Nothing will turn off a potential customer more than outdated information.
3) Review a Course
Another popular way to promote Pluralsight is by reviewing a course, or the entire platform, like the Youtube Channel Tech Course Review, did in this video. Since they put their own money into an annual membership, they offer an insider’s look at the courses, instructors, and overall experience.
Product review bloggers often see higher conversions because they have actually taken the time to use the product or service they are promoting. This gives them a level of authority that other affiliate marketers may not have. In addition, potential customers are more likely to trust a review from someone who has used the product than a review from someone who is just trying to make a quick buck.
When writing a review, make sure that it is an honest review. Don’t try to hide the flaws of the product or service you are promoting. Instead, use your review as an opportunity to show potential customers why your product or service is still the best option for them despite its flaws.
But is Pluralsight a good affiliate program? While I prefer recurring commissions that pay each time the subscriber pays their monthly bill, the high initial payouts with Pluralsight (up to $125 per sale) make this a program worth promoting.
The pay-per-lead model that offers $5.00 per free trial sign-up is also a good way to generate income from Pluralsight without waiting for someone to purchase a course.
Overall, the Pluralsight affiliate program is a great option for education affiliates.
Plus, having a mix of high and low-ticket items in your affiliate marketing portfolio is always good. This way, if one product or service doesn’t perform as well as you’d hoped, you have others who can make the difference.
What I like about the program:
- The high initial payouts (up to $125 per sale).
- The pay-per-lead model offers $5.00 per free trial sign-up.
- Various membership options might increase conversions.
What could be improved:
- A longer tracking cookie (although 60-days isn’t bad)
- Scaleable commissions
Bionic Turtle Affiliate Program
While the target audience of Bionic Turtle isn’t mainstream education, this education affiliate program offers a unique solution for those in the financial industry who want to get their FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification.
The FRM exam is notoriously difficult, with a pass rate of less than 50%. Bionic Turtle offers an online course that has helped thousands of students pass the exam.
The program pays 20% to affiliates promoting its course, with referrals that convert. This learning platform is part of the ShareASale network and offers online education for financial certifications.
Financial risk management is a niche market, but plenty of people are still searching for solutions to help them pass their exams. If you have a website or blog in this space, the Bionic Turtle affiliate program could be a good fit.
Coursera
Join Coursera’s Affiliate Program and Earn Up to 45% Commission on 4,000+ Courses! Did you know that you could earn a commission on Coursera courses by promoting them on your website or blog? It’s true!
As a Coursera affiliate, you’ll receive baseline commissions between 10% and 45% on any eligible purchases your users make within 30 days of clicking a qualified link. Plus, there are bonuses for strong performance! Joining Coursera’s affiliate program is fast, easy, and free – so what are you waiting for?
How the Coursera Affiliate Program Works
Joining the Coursera affiliate program is simple. Just sign up for a free account on the Linkshare network, and you’re ready to start promoting Coursera courses!
You can choose from over 4,000 courses and Specializations to promote using Coursera’s custom banners and text links or your unique format. Tracking the traffic you’re sending to Coursera is easy with Linkshare’s tracking links, and you can earn up to 45% commission on purchases your users make on Coursera.com.
Why You Should Promote Courses on Coursera
If you have an audience of professionals or students interested in furthering their education, promoting Coursera courses is a great way to monetize your site or blog.
As a Coursera affiliate, you’ll be able to offer your audience access to some of the best online courses available – from programming and data science to business and personal development. With over 4,000 courses to choose from, there’s something for everyone!
Not to mention, the commission structure is very favorable – so you can earn good money while helping your audience learn more about the topics they’re interested in.
How to Promote Courses on Coursera
Product Review Videos: Richard Walls published a great example of a product review video where he reviews Coursera after using it for five years and taking 40 online courses. The video walks the viewer through the features and benefits of Coursera while being personal and relatable throughout.
One of the reasons why a review video like this would work so well for Richard is because he’s a specialist in career development. It’s a perfect example of an affiliate program aligning with an influencer’s niche.
In-depth Blog Posts: If you’re uncomfortable being on camera, you can also create in-depth blog posts reviewing the Coursera platform and specific courses you’ve taken.
Your readers will appreciate your honesty and first-hand experience with the product, and you can include your affiliate links.
Take a look at this article by Learn a Course Online.
It’s a great review of the Coursera platform that explains how it works and what you can expect as a user.
Social Media: You can also promote Coursera courses on social media using your affiliate link.
This could be a great way to generate some sales if you have a large following on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Just be sure not to spam your followers with too many links – a few well-placed mentions will do the trick!
But is Coursera a good affiliate program?
It certainly can be. Mike Vesti breaks down how affiliate marketers are earning between $100 and $700 per day promoting this online education platform. And while some content creators only promote their own online courses, many people use the Coursera affiliate program to monetize their site or blog.
are you waiting for? Sign up today!
Masterclass Affiliate Program
As an affiliate marketer, you’re always looking for new programs that can help you earn more commission. And with the MasterClass affiliate program, you can do just that! The affiliate program pays out 25% commission on all sales so that you can earn a good chunk of change promoting their online courses.
What is MasterClass?
MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers courses taught by some of the world’s best instructors. You can find courses on everything from cooking and gardening to writing and photography – and everything in between.
With MasterClass, you get access to hours of video content and supplementary materials to help you master the subject. And best of all, you can learn at your own pace! For example, college students can use MasterClass to supplement their education, while working professionals can use it to learn new career skills.
How the MasterClass Affiliate Program Can Help You Earn More Commission
Starting at $180 USD per year, MasterClass offers unlimited access to all its on-demand content, making it a great value for your audience. Plus, with a 30-day cookie window and a dedicated account management team at Acceleration Partners, you can be sure you’re getting the most out of the program.
Why You Should Promote MasterClass
There are plenty of reasons to promote MasterClass to your audience. In addition to being a great value at $180 USD per year, it’s also a streaming platform that makes it easy for anyone to learn from experts in various fields. Whether your audience is interested in cooking, writing, or business, there’s a class for them on MasterClass.
And with over 150 classes available, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Plus, with new classes added regularly, your audience will always have something new to explore. With all this great content available, you can be sure you’ll earn plenty of commission promoting MasterClass.
How to Promote MasterClass
There are lots of ways to promote MasterClass to your audience. A great way to start is by highlighting some of the platform’s key features in a blog post or email newsletter. You can also create graphics or videos showcasing available classes and sharing why your audience should sign up for a membership.
Another great way to promote MasterClass is by offering exclusive discounts to your audience. You can share promo codes with your followers or create special links that offer a discount when clicked. Not only will this help you earn more commission, but it will also give your audience an incentive to sign up for a membership.
What I like about this program:
- Incredibly high-quality courses
- Recognizable instructors
- Useful and actionable content
What I’d like to see improved
- Fewer restrictions on joining (you need an invite to join)
- The platform can be a bit glitchy at times
- I would love to see more classes in business and marketing.
If you’re looking for a new affiliate program that can help you earn more commission, look no further than MasterClass. With over 150 classes and new content added regularly, it’s easy to find something your audience will love. And with exclusive discounts and a dedicated account management team, you can be sure you’re getting the most out of the program. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and start promoting MasterClass!
Rocket Languages Affiliate Program
There are a lot of great language learning affiliate programs out there. But which one is the best? That’s a tough question to answer. It depends on what you’re looking for. Some programs have higher commission rates than others. Some have longer cookie durations. And some have higher conversion rates. I included one of the most generous language affiliate programs on my list: Rocket Languages.
Generous Commission Percentage: 45% may not sound like much, but it’s high for the education industry. And when you factor in their cookie duration (more on that below), it’s even more impressive.
Cookie Duration: Most affiliate programs only offer a 30-day cookie duration, which means that if a potential customer doesn’t purchase within that time frame, you don’t get credit for the sale. But with Rocket Languages, you have a full 60 days to make the sale. That’s double the industry standard!
High Conversion Rates: Not only does Rocket Languages have a high commission percentage and generous cookie duration, but they also boast high conversion rates. In other words, when people click on your affiliate link, they’re more likely to sign up for the free trial than with other programs.
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider promoting Rocket Languages as an affiliate marketer. If you’re looking for a high-converting, high-commission program in the education industry, look no further than Rocket Languages.
Thinkific Affiliate Program
If you sell online courses or other digital products, then you need to check out the Thinkific affiliate program. It might be the best affiliate program on this list of education affiliate programs because it offers a recurring affiliate commission.
Other affiliate programs on this list only pay a one-time commission. But the best affiliate marketing strategy when it comes to software is to find recurring commissions.
Why the Thinkific affiliate program is one of the most lucrative around
If you’re an affiliate marketer, you know that there are many different programs to choose from. So, what makes the Thinkific affiliate program so special? Put simply, it’s one of the most lucrative programs around, offering a 30% lifetime recurring commission on all monthly or annual paid subscriptions.
That’s right – every time someone you’ve referred pays their subscription fee, you’ll earn a commission. And because it’s a recurring model, you’ll continue to earn that commission as long as they remain a paying customer.
Plus, with a 90-day tracking cookie, you can be sure you’ll get credit for any referrals you send.
How the Program Works
The Thinkific affiliate program is pretty simple – they pay you a commission for every paying customer you refer to them. Your customers get access to Thinkific’s powerful online course creation platform, and you earn money for every paying customer you refer.
What Makes Thinkific Different?
There are a lot of course creation platforms out there, so why should your audience choose Thinkific? Here are just a few reasons:
• They offer a free version of their platform, so your audience can try them out without commitment.
• They have an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes creating courses easy and fun.
• They provide world-class support to help their customers succeed.
• They offer numerous features and integrations to make courses more interactive and engaging.
•Thinkific is trusted by some leading brands, including TEDx, Skyword, and Shopify Experts.
These are just some of the reasons we think Thinkific is one of the top 3 best course creation platforms – and your audience should too. By becoming an affiliate and promoting the online course builder platform, you can earn a 30% lifetime recurring commission on all monthly or annual paid subscriptions, making it one of the most lucrative affiliate programs.
My favorite example of an affiliate marketer earning five figures per month on the Thinkific affiliate program is Adam Enfroy. He shares his income reports in his tutorial videos and explains how he can generate so much revenue with the program.
He published a product review and tutorial on Thinkific and generates affiliate income from various blogs related to creating online courses. This type of evergreen content is the key to building a passive income with affiliate marketing. Of course, he includes his referral link in every blog post and video.
The best part is that he doesn’t have to create any new content each month because his old content continues to generate affiliate income. And as his audience grows, so does his income. If you’re looking for a great way to earn a passive income with affiliate marketing, I recommend checking out the Thinkific affiliate program for promoting courses and educational products.
