15 Types of Affiliate Marketing Content to Create in 2024 (with examples)

The content you share as an affiliate marketer can make or break your career in this competitive industry.

Affiliate content is strategic content created to promote a product or service in a style that engages with your website visitors in a way that generates conversions and clicks and drives sales.

We know that the best type of content in affiliate marketing has to be valuable and consistent.

In this article, we list the most successful content types for affiliate marketers that will help to boost their affiliate sales and commissions.

15 Best-performing Affiliate Marketing Content to Create in 2024

1. Blog posts

Blog posts are the backbone of affiliate marketing content because they provide detailed, valuable information that helps build trust with readers.

They allow for in-depth product reviews, comparisons, and tutorials, making it easier to naturally incorporate affiliate links.

Additionally, blog posts can use SEO techniques to rank high in search engine results which will attract organic traffic.

Blog posts should feature detailed reviews and comparisons that help readers make informed purchasing decisions. For example, their articles include extensive product testing, interviews with experts, and real-world usage scenarios.

Your goal must be to enhance the content's credibility and value. Each review should clearly state the affiliate links and any existing affiliate partnerships.

In essence, blogging works very well in affiliate marketing because of low overhead. You don't have to deal with holding inventory, storage, hiring staff, managing products, and so on. You just need website hosting and writing skills.

The three major benefits of running a blog as an affiliate marketer are:

• Reaching your target audience
• Boosting your website SEO and attracting organic traffic
• Developing trust with your audience
• Building your site's authority

Examples:

No wonder all the best affiliate marketers start from a blog and build their businesses from there. The most famous affiliate blogs include Smart Passive Income, Neil Patel's Blog, and Authority Hacker.

One of the most famous affiliate sites Wirecutter (previously The Wirecutter), was founded by Brian Lam in 2011 as a product review blog.

In 2016, Wirecutter was purchased by The New York Times Company for about $30 million. Today, the blog is considered to be the best example of affiliate marketing content that has been done right.

2. Videos

YouTube is the powerhouse of affiliate marketers. Why? Because it has 2.7 billion monthly users around the world.

They spend 1 billion hours watching Youtube videos every single day. That's a major source for potential target audiences in affiliate marketing.

In essence, YouTube videos are an excellent content format for affiliate marketing because they engage the viewers visually and directly.

In videos, marketers can demonstrate products in action, and show their features in real-life.

This visual engagement builds trust as viewers can see and hear the reviewer, creating a personal connection.

What's particularly useful is that videos retain audience attention longer than text, increasing the chance of conversions.

Additionally, YouTube, being the second largest search engine, offers significant SEO benefits as videos can rank on both YouTube and Google.

Affiliate links in video descriptions and end screens provide easy click-through opportunities for viewers.

YouTube videos cover various content types, such as reviews, tutorials, unboxings, guides, and so on.

The three major benefits of creating YouTube videos as an affiliate marketer are:

• Videos provide a visual and auditory experience that helps build a personal connection with viewers. This hugely increases audience engagement and trust.
• The dynamic nature of videos keeps viewers engaged longer, making it easier to showcase product features and benefits, which can lead to higher conversion rates.
• YouTube's platform has huge SEO benefits: it enables videos to rank highly on both YouTube and Google, which drives significant traffic to affiliate links.

Example:

An excellent example of video content is the Unbox Therapy YouTube channel, which effectively incorporates affiliate links in video descriptions through product unboxings and reviews.

It has 24.5M subscribers, and each of their video amass at least one million views. Their most popular video titled "iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test" has 73M views.

3. Product reviews

This is the most common type of affiliate marketing. Creating good product reviews is one of the most effective ways to convince people to buy your affiliate links.

The reason why product reviews are so successful has to do with the fact that people want to know the best options before buying.

There's so much information and paid advertising on the internet that unbiased and genuine product reviews are considered a very legitimate source for product information.

A well-crafted product or service review should:

• feature in-depth product knowledge,
• focus on the audience,
• include real-life examples,
• have high-quality visuals,
• explain how a product solve your problem,
• be relatable and easy to understand,
• feature clear CTAs.

The three major benefits of choosing product reviews as your go-to affiliate content are:

• Detailed and honest reviews establish you as an authority which foster trusts and creates a lasting reputation.
• Comprehensive reviews help potential buyers make informed decisions about what to buy and what not.
• Well-optimised product reviews rank very well in search engine results.

Examples:

Some of the most successful product review content has been shared by sites like Wirecutter, PCmag, Byrdie, The Spruce, and many more.

4. Tutorials

Tutorials are some of the best affiliate marketing content because they provide practical, step-by-step instructions that solve specific problems.

The practical application makes tutorials and how-to guides particularly appealing to the audience.

This is a hands-on approach to engage viewers by showing them exactly how to use a product or service, step by step.

How-to tutorials immediately make the content highly relevant and useful. As trust is built through clear and helpful guidance, viewers are more likely to follow through on affiliate recommendations.

Tutorials also naturally integrate affiliate links, as viewers seeking solutions are already primed for purchasing the product being demonstrated.

Additionally, tutorials can be easily optimized for SEO, drawing consistent organic traffic from users searching for how-to solutions.

The three major benefits of creating tutorials and how-to guides as an affiliate marketer are:

• Tutorials provide clear, practical steps that capture and maintain viewers' attention.
• By demonstrating the product's or service's usefulness in real time, tutorials easily build credibility and trust with the audience.
• Viewers who find solutions through tutorials are more likely to purchase the recommended products.

The best thing about tutorial content is that it can be used for any niche. It doesn't matter the product or service you promote; tutorials will be equally relevant since people want to know how to use, build, apply, and do things to get the most out of a thing you sell.

Tutorials will always be the most effective and timeless marketing tactic that's resistant to market changes and new trends.

5. Comparisons

There's tons of information about everything out there. No wonder comparison articles and videos perform so well in affiliate marketing—they help people make a choice.

This format provides clear pros and cons, which allows readers or viewers to see the differences and similarities at the same time.

Because product or service comparisons present objective information unlike reviews (where marketers share their own impressions of using a product), comparison content builds trust and positions the affiliate marketer as an authority.

These articles and videos usually attract high-intent users who are close to making a purchase decision.

Additionally, they rank well in search engines for keywords like "best" or "vs," driving targeted traffic instantly.

Most importantly, comparison articles and videos make users feel confident about their choices. This leads to more frequent use of affiliate links.

The three major benefits of creating product or service comparisons are:

• Comparison content helps users easily understand the differences and pros and cons of various options making a decision to buy more likely.
• Users who want to compare products are close to buying, which makes them very likely to convert through your affiliate links.
• Well-optimized comparison articles and videos rank very well for high-intent search terms. They drive targeted and sustained organic traffic to your content, increasing the level of your domain authority.

6. Podcasts

Podcasts are excellent for affiliate marketing because they offer an intimate, engaging format that builds a loyal audience.

Listeners often tune in regularly, creating a strong connection with the host. This trust makes them more receptive to recommendations.

Podcasts can seamlessly integrate affiliate promotions within the content, making them feel like natural endorsements rather than intrusive ads.

The format allows for detailed discussions, giving the host time to explain the benefits of a product or service thoroughly.

No wonder podcasts have been so popular lately. They offer the flexibility to listen while commuting, exercising, or doing household chores. Because they're so convenient, the likelihood your audience will hear your full message is higher than in articles.

Being audio-based, podcasts also reach an audience that prefers listening over reading or watching, expanding your potential affiliate market.

The three major benefits of creating podcasts as an affiliate marketer are:

• Podcasts build a loyal and trusting audience who regularly tune in, which makes them more receptive to affiliate recommendations.
• Affiliate promotions can be naturally included into the content so they feel like genuine endorsements rather than intrusive ads.
• Listeners can easily consume podcasts during daily activities, increasing the likelihood they will hear the entire message and seriously consider the promoted products or services.

Examples:

The Smart Passive Income podcast by Pat Flynn is a great example of podcast content used in affiliate marketing. It integrates affiliate offers within each podcast series in a way that it aligns well with the subject that's being discussed. It has over 47 million downloads and is among the top iTunes business podcast.

7. Listicles

Listicles are very effective for affiliate marketing because they offer concise and easily digestible information.

They feature a straightforward format and can be consumed even if you are really busy.

Readers always appreciate the clear structure since they can quickly scan for relevant points.

Each item in the list provides an opportunity to feature different products, increasing the chance of clicks on affiliate links.

Moreover, listicles naturally rank well in search engines due to their popular format and can target various keywords, driving organic traffic.

They're also super shareable, broadening their reach through social media.

The three major benefits of creating listicles as an affiliate marketer are:

• Readers quickly absorb information through a clear and structured format.
• Each list item can highlight different products, improving the chances of affiliate link clicks.
• Listicles rank well in search engines and are highly shareable on social media, driving more organic traffic.

8. Case studies

Case studies are a format popular among B2B marketers and affiliates.

They feature real-world examples and success stories that illustrate how the affiliate product solved a problem or delivered benefits.

This problem-solution approach is one of the most effective methods to drive conversions since they offer tangible evidence.

What's more, case studies can address potential concerns and doubts by giving useful advice on what to do in a particular situation.

Evidence-based content builds trust, enhances credibility, and builds authority and reputation. All of these are crucial for driving more conversions and convincing people to buy.

The three major benefits of sharing case studies as an affiliate marketer are:

• They provide real-world examples and detailed evidence.
• They demonstrate the tangible benefits and success of a product or service, making it easier for potential customers to see its value.
• In-depth analysis and storytelling keep the audience engaged while educating them, leading to higher interest and conversion rates.

9. E-Books and playbooks

E-Books and playbooks are a great affiliate content format for providing in-depth expertise and showcasing your knowledge to your audience.

This type of content is normally provided for users for free, and it's a super effective way to generate qualified leads.

It's not as easily digestible as other content forms like podcasts or listicles, but in the long run they are very effective.

In affiliate marketing, most of the content relies on visual formats, like YouTube videos, TikTok, or social media channels. But E-books not only capture leads for your marketing efforts but also create a perfect space for sharing detailed affiliated promos.

The three major benefits of using e-Books and playbooks as an affiliate marketing strategy are:

• They attract and capture leads by offering valuable content in exchange for contact information.
• Providing in-depth information and insights positions you as an expert in your niche, building trust with your audience.
• Allow for detailed promotion of affiliate products within the content.
• Are very useful in B2B marketing.

10. Email campaigns

Email campaigns are still one of the best digital marketing channels and are very relevant in affiliate marketing.

Most affiliate marketers use email marketing to earn money. Their goal is to build solid email lists of potential buyers that can be used for targeted campaigns.

Email campaigns excel in promoting a product or service to followers who were already interested in similar items. Follow-up emails can easily increase chances if conversion.

Email marketing can be used in combination with E-Books, where users sign up by providing their email addresses and agreeing to receive emails with similar offers.That's where targeted email campaigns come into play.

For example, if you are promoting a software product, you can use lemlist to send personalized emails to a list of potential leads, highlighting how the product can solve specific pain points.

The automated follow-ups can remind them of the benefits and include testimonials or case studies to further build your authority and trust.

Campaign sequences can gradually introduce different features of the software, encourage trial sign-ups, and ultimately convert leads into customers through targeted affiliate links.

The three major benefits of using email campaigns in affiliate marketing are:

• Emails allow you to directly reach and engage your audience with personalized and targeted content.
• Email campaigns are cost-effective and typically generate a high return on investment.
• Automated email sequences can nurture leads and scale your marketing efforts without additional time or resources.

12. Social media posts and influencer affiliates

This one is a no-brainer.

Social media is home to affiliate marketers called influencers, who make their money by promoting brands and their products, sharing affiliate links, doing sponsored posts, making public appearances on other creators' media channels, and so on.

All the most popular social media influencers have enormous audiences with hundreds of millions of followers. The reach you can potentially get on social media is not comparable to anything.

All the successful affiliate marketers have active Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn (B2B affiliate marketers) accounts where they engage with an audience on a daily basis.

And since everyone's on social media these days, there's always an audience for your niche. You can share everything from product demos to short tutorials, from daily reels with call-to-actions.

The best thing about doing your affiliate marketing on social media is that you can create interactive stories, influencer endorsements, and content created by users, that seamlessly integrate your affiliate links.

The pros of social media in affiliate marketing are that:

• It's very scalable and can grow exponentially
• It allows to capture your audience easily
• It makes your content highly shareable

Examples:

The best examples of affiliate marketers on social media are Charli D'amelio (155.5M followers on TikTok), Shradha Sharma (over 2M followers on LinkedIn), Neil Patel (466.2K followers on X).

The next step from creating social media posts is becoming a solid influencer with a big following and many affiliate partnerships.

Knowing that influencer marketing is one of the most powerful marketing methods, it's no surprise that influencer collaborations are very effective in enhancing your affiliate marketing efforts.

In affiliate marketing, Influencer and brand collaborations are very effective because:

• Influencers typically have a big following and an engaged audience
• Influencers have already established their names in a relevant niche
• Their followers already trust them in their recommendations
• It's a win-win strategy for both brands and affiliate influencers

Unlike sharing your posts or reels on social media, influencer collaborations with brands are more strategic and focus on long-term goals.

This type of partnership between companies and influential individuals are connected with a specific niche or industry.

Typically, influencer affiliates use bigger affiliate marketing network for such partnerships. Here are three main categories of influencers:‍

• Micro Influencers are typically solo bloggers with an audience between 5k-100k. Because they’re smaller and feel more authentic, their audiences tend to have a high trust factor leading to a high engagement rate. Average cost for brands to partner with a micro influencer is under $1000.

• Macro Influencers (also called Power Middle) can either be solo bloggers or may work through an agent. Their audience ranges between 100K - 500K on their key social channel. The audience engagement should be moderate to high. In terms of affiliate, they tend to be the highest converter. The average cost for companies is typically $1K - $10K.‍
• Mega Influencers are celebrity tastemakers. Most often they will have an agent or team that manages communication and placements. Due to size, engagement may appear high, but engagement rate may be lower. Perfect brand alignment will lead to affiliate revenue. We’ve seen average costs range from $10K - $30K+.

What sets influencer collaborations apart from other formats of affiliate marketing is that there's a huge potential for big money.

To put that into perspective, these are the highest paid TikTok influencers:

• Charlie d'Amelio: €17.5M / 148M Followers
• Dixie d'Amelio: €10M / 57M Followers
• Addison Rae: €8.5M / 88M Followers
• Bella Poarch: €5M / 92M Followers
• Josh Richards: €5M / 26M Followers
• Kris Collins: €4.75M / 47M Followers
• Avani Gregg: €4.75M / 42M Followers
• Riyaz Aly: €2M / 45M Followers

‍Examples:

CJ Affiliate, formerly Commission Junction, is a famous affiliate marketing network where influencers can feel at home.

Big and established brands gather at CJ Affiliate, and, most of the time, they are on the lookout for the next best influencer to become the face of their affiliate program.

13. SEO-optimized content

All your affiliate marketing content should be optimized for search engines.

Otherwise, you won't get any traffic to your blog or video, and your promotions will never reach their potential buyers.In other words, SEO is a must for all the successful affiliate campaigns because:

• Attracts organic traffic, which is made of potential buyers
• Enhances your online presence and visibility
• Ranks your content higher on search engines

There are many tactics to optimize your content for SEO, but the most common ones include:

• Spend time doing your keyword research
• Identify the search intent
• Update your content constantly to maintain you position on search engines
• Make your content informative, relevant and deliver value to the readers
• Naturally integrate your affiliate links
• Use guest posting to crosslink popular personalities in your niche
• Add FAQs and Summary sections
• Use featured snippet to your advantage
• Identify your competitor's top content and make yours even better
• Improve on-page performance
• Make paragraphs digestible
• Use Quora to improve search visibility of your newly published article

14. Deals and coupons

Deals and coupons are extremely effective tools for an affiliate marketer with digital coupon redemption on track to surpass $90 billion in 2022.

This kind of content allows your audience to make use of your affiliate offers and as a result get a discount, a freebie, or multiple items for the price of one.

They’re a much needed final push when a person is a step away from buying.

Digital deals and coupons can take various forms, like:

• site banner,
• pop-ups,
• limited time offer,
• first time buyer offer, and so on.

What makes deals and coupons very effective, is that you don’t have to convince people to use them.

People search for deals themselves, and it’s usually at the final stage of a buyer’s journey, which means they are ready to make a purchase.

15. Gift guides

Gift guides is another very effective type of content you can create as an affiliate. They work because they’re both super convenient and helpful.

They’re also something that never gets old— we all have birthdays, weddings, holidays, mom’s and dad’s days, there’s an occasion for everything.

The best way to structure your gift guide is to approach it from a comparison guide perspective.

Include things like prices, features, dimensions, user ratings, and all the relevant info you yourself would like to know when buying something for someone.

Make sure your readers not only get a good view of the best gift ideas but they can also compare their pros and cons, and unique features.

The proven best formula for creating a gift guide is:

Keyword: best gifts

Formula: [adjective] best gifts [profession]; best gifts [age]; best gifts [hobby]

The best-performing gift guides that have high potential to sell products through affiliate links must include:

• Clear CTA's
• Product comparison tables with alternative products
• A product round up
• Short intro and short summary
• Solve the gift buyer's problem
• Catchy title

How to create the best affiliate marketing content to make people buy?

The content you create must reflect your niche, the audience you engage with, and the life you lead with your interests.

The content format must align with the channels where you promote your affiliate links.

We can conclude that content that has these features is likely to succeed better in generating money from affiliate links:

• Be genuine and transparent
• Be entertaining, fun
• Be educational, informational, and create value to your audience
• Solve the problems or concerns of your audience
• Be relevant and sensitive to the current trends
• Be shareable on social media
• Be easily digestible and convenient to read, watch, or listen to
• Be SEO optimized
• Be straight to the point
• Be actionable

Here are 10 most important steps to follow when creating content as an affiliate:

1. Understand your audience: Identify their interests, pain points, and buying behavior to tailor your content that resonates with them.
2. Choose the right platform: Select the platform where your audience is most active (a blog, YouTube, a social media channel, or email marketing.) The pro tip is to combine them all.
3. Provide value: Focus on delivering valuable, informative, and actionable content that helps your audience solve problems or make informed decisions.
4. Use high-quality Visuals: Incorporate engaging images, videos, and infographics to make your content visually appealing and easy to digest.
5. Be authentic and transparent: Clearly disclose your affiliate relationships and provide honest, unbiased reviews and recommendations to build trust.
6. Optimize for SEO: Implement SEO to make your content ranks well in search engines, driving organic traffic.
7. Include clear CTAs: Use strong calls-to-action (CTAs) to guide your audience towards clicking on your affiliate links.
8. Engage with your audience: Encourage comments, shares, and feedback to build a community around your content and maintain engagement.
9. Stay consistent: Regularly update your content to keep it relevant and maintain a consistent posting schedule.
10. Learn from the best affiliate marketing examples: Check what other affiliate marketers do, identify their tactics, and apply them to your content.