The Ultimate Guide to ClickBank: Top Offers and Affiliate Success Strategies

Maybe you’ve seen ads like this:

“Make $XXXX per day using ClickBank now!” or “Start earning $XXXX in your sleep through affiliate marketing, today!”

There are plenty of these ads on social media and might lead you to believe that ClickBank is a scam. Don’t worry – it isn’t.

ClickBank is legit and you can make money using affiliate links. It’s a platform that lets you sell other people’s products to your audience, using your own ads or content.

Top affiliates can earn six, or even seven, figures annually, but it takes a lot of work to reach the higher levels.

• Beginner affiliates dedicating 5 to 10 hours per week can make up to $1000 per month 
• Intermediate affiliates dedicating 10 to 15 hours per week can make up to $10,000 per month
• Advanced affiliates dedicating 15 to 30 hours per week can make up to $100k per month
• Super affiliates dedicating 30+ hours per week can make $100k+ per month

Beginners are assumed to have a small audience or ad budget, and super affiliates have a much larger audience and budget. Please also bear in mind that the figures above aren’t set in stone and depend on many factors, including the niche you choose. 

In this complete guide to ClickBank, we’re going to explore what the platform does, how it works, what are the top products on the network right now, and give you a step-by-step guide to set up your affiliate account and start earning money.

What is ClickBank?

Image: Screenshot of Top Offers on ClickBank’s affiliate dashboard

ClickBank is the grandaddy of affiliate networks, launched back in 1998.

It’s a place where affiliates find thousands of products to sell through their blog, YouTube channel, podcast, social media, webinars, email list, ads, etc.

The main purpose of ClickBank is to connect product owners with affiliate marketers. The dashboard lists relevant offers, providing details such as initial and future conversion values and gravity score, which indicates how well a certain product is performing.

Let’s say you write a fitness blog. You can visit ClickBank, find an exercise program that’s a good fit for your audience with a good gravity rating and conversion value. Then, you can promote it with a special link, earning commission on each sale.

How Does Clickbank Work?

Affiliate marketers attract customers and in return, the product owner pays a percentage on each sale. A small cut also goes to ClickBank for setting up the connection.

Imagine an exercise program that costs $100 and offers a commission of 65% on each sale. Each sale is split up between the three parties.

• ClickBank gets 7.5%, plus a $1 transaction fee on the total price, equating to $8.50 in this case. $6 is also deducted for taxes and shipping. This means ClickBank takes a total of $14.50, leaving $85.50 in the pot.
• The affiliate marketer gets 65% of $85.50, which is $55.58.
• The product owner takes home the remaining money which is $29.92.

As you can see, the affiliate gets the biggest reward. This stands to reason, as the affiliate does most of the leg work to attract and convert the customer.

Another thing to note is that ClickBank holds back a portion of your earnings to cover any possible refunds or chargebacks from customers, known as a “return allowance”. The standard amount is 10%, but ClickBank can adjust this amount at any time.

How does ClickBank track affiliate links?

When you sign up with ClickBank, you get to choose your “account nickname” which is your unique affiliate ID. Choose it carefully, as you won’t be able to change it without closing your account and setting up a new one. The account nickname is used in the following ways.

• Sales Materials: Your nickname shows up in payment links and links called HopLinks. HopLinks are the links you use to convert your audience and make sure you get credit for any sales you bring in. This nickname is visible to customers when they make a purchase and also appears on any checks ClickBank sends you as payment.
• Reports and Multiple Accounts: If you have more than one nickname linked to different ClickBank accounts, they all tie back to your main account. This makes it easier to manage everything from one place and keep an eye on how each account is doing.

Top ClickBank Products to Promote in 2024

ProDentim 

ProDentim has been in and around the top ten ClickBank products for the past few years. It’s a dental health candy that helps fill your mouth with good bacteria to protect your teeth. It’s a firm favorite for its good affiliate tools and consistent performance.

EPC (Earnings Per Click) = $1.38

APV (Average Purchase Value) =  $141.95

Hop Conversion Rate (percentage of clicks that turn into sales) = 0.97%

Sugar Defender  

A strong performer in the blood sugar support niche, Sugar Defender has good customer retention because of how well it works, which means good potential for recurring affiliate commission.

EPC = $0.93

APV = $140.39

Hop Conversion Rate = 0.66%

Nagano Tonic

Weight loss supplement popular for its blend of antioxidant ingredients. It has high conversion rates and extensive affiliate support.

EPC = $1.83

APV = $145.23

Hop Conversion Rate = 1.26%

BioVanish 

Rounding out the top five, this one mimics the effects of a keto diet but without being as strict. It has a tasty chocolate flavor and dissolves easily, which customers love.

EPC = $1.80

APV = $135.44

Hop Conversion Rate = 1.32% 

Want to see more ClickBank top offers? Check them out here. 

Clickbank Honest Reviews and User Experience

Trustpilot

As of this writing, ClickBank gets an overall 4.4 star rating on Trustpilot, with over 75% 5-star ratings. Many of the reviewers point out the excellent and prompt customer service, even giving a shout out to the specific service rep by name. Strong customer support is a good sign for affiliates considering trying out ClickBank. 

Below you’ll find some current Trustpilot reviews of ClickBank from affiliate marketers.

YouTube ClickBank reviews

Below you’ll find some reviews of ClickBank from respected YouTubers.

Reviews show that ClickBank is a genuine affiliate platform that always tries to deliver on their promises. No platform is perfect, and you may encounter some problems along the way, but most people agree that ClickBank’s support team is good at resolving issues.

The main concern people have is with the quality of products on ClickBank.

There is a big range to choose from on the platform, and not all of them are great. You might fear promoting a dud, which will hurt your reputation if your audience doesn’t like it. 

The good news is, ClickBank grades each product with a “gravity score”, based on recent sales performance and amount of commission earned by affiliates, amongst other factors. This helps you decide which products are high-quality and worth promoting.

Tips & Tricks to Navigate the ClickBank Marketplace

When you visit the ClickBank marketplace, you have several ways to narrow down the range of products you see. ClickBank lists the most popular different categories along the top of the screen, including top offers and new offers. Simply click on any of those to see a curated list.

You can also use the “Sort results by” drop-down menu to order the results by rank, conversions, or gravity.

Along the left side of the page, you’ll see a more detailed list of categories, including things like “Arts and Entertainment” and “Education”. If you scroll down and keep your eye on the left side menu bar, you’ll see options to filter by language, commission type, product type, gravity, and more. 

If you want to narrow down your search to find high-converting offers in your niche, then select the relevant category, e.g. health and fitness, then add some minimum limits for Avg $/Conversion and gravity. 

Here are some top tips for finding the best products to promote.

Understand the metrics

• Gravity: Tells you how many affiliates have successfully sold the product in the past 12 weeks. Higher gravity means the product sells well, but it also suggests there is more competition.
• Avg $/Conversion: Shows the average amount you can expect to earn for each sale. Look for products with a higher average to maximize your earnings per click

Read the reviews

• Before you choose to promote a product, check out what others are saying about it. 
• Don’t just check out customer reviews, but feedback from other affiliates too. 

Look for quality sales pages

• Products with more convincing sales pages are more likely to convert. Go for ones that have clear, appealing design and good copy that speaks directly to the consumer. 
• A good sales page generates curiosity and desire, while also countering any concerns people might have before buying.

Check the affiliate support

• Unless you want to put time, money, and effort into making your own marketing materials, then you should look out for good affiliate support. Many product owners provide pre-made banners, email templates, and other resources to make your life easier. 
• Read the reviews to check that the vendor responds well to customer and affiliate queries.  

Start small

• Don’t go all out on a single product to begin with. Test a few products in your chosen niche and track the performance of each. 
• See which products resonate well with your audience and adjust your strategy to suit.

Monitor your progress

• Use ClickBank’s analytics tools to track the products that bring in the most commission. Adjust your focus towards those. 
• You might need to refine your approach based on what the data says. For instance, let’s say you’re promoting five products. After looking at the data, you see that two of those are bringing in 90% of your commissions, then you should probably shift most of your marketing efforts towards those products.

Becoming a ClickBank Affiliate: Getting Started

To get set up on ClickBank, first you need to register for an account, which only takes a few minutes. Head over to the ClickBank website and click Start Here in the top right corner.

On the next screen, enter your details including name, email address, and phone number.

After reading and accepting the platform’s terms and conditions, you can log in to your dashboard. Here, you can complete your profile by adding your postal address and payment details.

To see the affiliate marketplace, click the relevant section in the left-hand menu bar. Here you can see and filter the different products available for affiliate promotion.

Exploring ClickBank Offers and Promotions

Look out for the promotional tools offered by ClickBank such as ad banners, email swipe files, and even landing pages. Use these tools to your advantage! 

The email swipes are particularly handy because they’re often made by the vendors themselves, and are optimized for high conversions. Just tweak them a bit to match your voice and your audience, and you’re good to go.

A note of caution on email swipes – if they have been abused by spammers, then they could affect your sender reputation or increase bounce rate, so test them on a small group of recipients first. 

Actually, you should test any promotional resources to see how well they resonate. Track the performance of any written content, videos, or emails you share. 

ClickBank Alternatives: How Does ClickBank Compare?

In this section, we’ll explore some popular ClickBank alternatives and see how they stack up.

1. Amazon Associates:
   • Pros: Vast product range, beginner-friendly, reliable.
   • Cons: Lower commission rates compared to ClickBank.
2. BuyGoods:
   • Pros: Offers both digital and physical products, multiple commission models (CPA and RevShare).
   • Cons: Complex payout schedule, less ideal for beginners due to payout constraints.
3. MaxWeb:
   • Pros: Top-notch for paid social and media buying, offers excellent tracking tools.
   • Cons: Affiliates get paid only for new customers, which might limit earnings potential.
4. Rakuten Advertising:
   • Pros: Strong brand partnerships, multiple commission models.
   • Cons: Stringent selection process, longer payout period (net 60).
5. JVZoo:
   • Pros: Focus on digital products, multiple payment methods.
   • Cons: Refund policy can affect earnings, commission is only on successful sales.
6. CJ Affiliate:
   • Pros: Access to exclusive brands, multiple commission types.
   • Cons: Each offer requires a separate application, not as many digital products as ClickBank.
7. Shopify:
   • Pros: Enables you to start your own store, great for entrepreneurs.
   • Cons: Primarily for product owners rather than affiliates.
8. ShareASale:
   • Pros: Extensive product variety, good for experienced marketers.
   • Cons: High entry requirements and stricter affiliate performance evaluations.

ClickBank Platinum: What is it and How to Achieve it?

The ClickBank Platinum Program is the VIP lounge of ClickBank. It’s reserved for the top 1% of people who have truly excelled in their efforts on the platform. Below you’ll find a rundown of how to qualify and what the program offers.

What Is ClickBank Platinum?

The ClickBank Platinum Program is an exclusive “club” for the top 1% of ClickBank’s clientele, including both affiliates and sellers. To join, you have to hit $250K in gross sales within one calendar year. This could be through direct sales, affiliate promotions, or joint ventures on the platform.

ClickBank Platinum perks

• Exclusive networking opportunities: Invitation to the Platinum Summit — a premium event for industry leaders. Access to a private Facebook group for ongoing networking.
• Dedicated support: Account manager who acts as your primary contact at ClickBank, giving you personalized advice and facilitating valuable introductions.
• Industry recognition: Platinum members receive a custom Platinum award (weighing in at a hefty 6 lb!). It’s a symbol of your top-tier status within ClickBank’s community.
• Priority support: Benefits such as expedited approvals for new products, bi-weekly payments, and exclusive partnership opportunities.

In summary, ClickBank Platinum is an opportunity to join a community of high achievers and learn from each other. You also get access to high-tier support and more opportunities.

Best Ways to Generate Traffic to ClickBank Offers Using Native Advertising

If you’re thinking about running native ads to drive traffic to ClickBank offers, then you first need to find the right platform. Look for a platform that aligns with your target audience and product types.

Platforms like Outbrain are ideal as they have large, premium publisher networks. You can easily narrow down your market with various targeting tools. This means your ads will appear in just the right places to get maximum engagement from high-quality traffic sources.

Outbrain also offers a wide range of AI tools for performance marketing that help you create attention-grabbing ads and optimize them. For instance, there are tools to automatically generate ad titles for A/B testing, image optimization, and automated bidding strategies for engagement or conversions.

Other AI capabilities include analyzing user behavior and preferences. This helps you identify and target the right fit for the products you’re promoting. Using tools like this helps maximize your return on ad spend (ROAS). 

Outbrain’s Top Tips for Successful Clickbank Offers

To maximize your success with ClickBank offers on Outbrain, here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

• Choose undersaturated products: Instead of following the crowd, aim to capitalize on emerging trends. Offers that aren’t already oversaturated can bring in higher returns, as early adopters often see the most success.

• Get creative with your ads: Standard creatives might not cut it in a competitive marketplace. Use unique and eye-catching visuals, such as Carousel. Click-to-Watch video or Clip ads. Check out all the Outbrain ad specs here. Also, consider leveraging AI tools, such as Outbrain’s AI Title Generator to enhance your creative strategy and to make A/B testing faster and easier. Tailoring ads to resonate with your audience will help drive conversions.

• Use a pre-lander page: Instead of sending users straight to a long video or sales page, consider using a pre-lander. This is a shorter page that feels more like an article, providing a natural transition before leading to the main content. This helps retain user interest and warms them up before they engage with lengthier content.

• Adhere to Outbrain advertiser guidelines: Ensure your campaigns meet Outbrain’s content guidelines for quick approval and safe promotion. Following these rules is essential for a smooth campaign launch.

Should You Sign Up for Clickbank? Pros and Cons

Deciding whether to sign up for ClickBank means weighing up the potential rewards against the time (and money) investment. Here is a rundown of the pros and cons to help you decide whether to give it a go or not.

ClickBank pros

• Wide range of products: Large selection of digital and physical products across various niches, so you can choose based on your audience’s interests.
• High commission rates: Affiliates earn commissions as high as 75%, more than most other platforms.
• Reliable payments: Known for its reliable and on-time payments.
• Beginner-friendly: User-friendly and accessible for new affiliates and product creators. You also get lots of resources to optimize your campaigns.
• Reliable: Reliability in tracking sales and distributing commissions promptly.

ClickBank cons

• Variable product quality: With such a wide array of products, some aren’t as good as others. If you market a dud to your audience, it could impact your reputation.
• High competition: Highly competitive, especially for popular products. New affiliates may find it challenging to compete against more established marketers with bigger budgets and well-developed strategies.
• Market saturation: Some niches, especially in the health and wealth creation categories, are oversaturated. This makes it hard to find unique offers that haven’t been heavily promoted already.
• Refund rates: Some products have high refund rates. ClickBank has a no-questions-asked refund policy that might be exploited by some buyers.
• Dependence on external traffic: You must have a solid strategy for traffic generation, which might involve additional costs like paid ads or content marketing.
• Limited control over offers: You have limited control over products and sales pages, which leads to messaging or branding mismatches that don’t align with your audience, values, or standards.

All in all, ClickBank is an excellent platform for new and experienced marketers alike. It offers:

• A vast range of products to promote in dozens of niches
• High earning potential with generous commission
• High reliability, user-friendliness, and good support

If you’re willing to invest the time in learning how to use the platform and market the products effectively, then you can start earning money fairly quickly on the platform, but don’t expect to be an overnight success. It usually takes a least a few months of consistent effort to start seeing results.