What Are Subaffiliate Programs?

In affiliate marketing, there are two common uses for “subaffiliate.”

1. Subaffiliate Networks, which are basically middlemen between affiliates and affiliate programs. The subaffiliate network is the main affiliate and recruits sub-affiliates. Examples include Clickbooth, Skimlinks, and VigLink.
2. Subaffiliate Programs, which are affiliate programs that allow affiliates to earn commissions from referring other affiliates. Any program with a two-tier affiliate structure is technically a subaffiliate program. “Two-tier” and “subaffiliate” are often used interchangeably.

This site is dedicated to documenting, rating, and sharing affiliate programs in the second category: ones with two-tier structures where affiliates can earn extra commissions by referring other affiliates.

Two-Tier Affiliate Structure

Affiliate programs with a subaffiliate structure allow affiliates to earn additional commissions (often recurring) when their referrals earn commissions.

In general, a two-tier structure includes a hefty commission fee on tier 1 referrals and a smaller fee structure on second tier earnings.

Let’s look at an example.

Say an affiliate program pays 35% on tier 1 sales and 5% on second-tier sales.

You refer $1,000/month in first tier sales. You earn $350 on that.

Your 20 subaffiliates bring in a combined $6,000/month in sales. You earn $300.

You can see how a combination of one- and two-tier affiliate commissions can really add up quickly.

Who Can Refer Subaffiliates?

For most of the programs in this subaffiliate program directory, any approved affiliates can refer subaffiliates and earn 2nd tier commissions.

Each program has a different affiliate referral linking structure, but most make it fairly self-explanatory. Once you know which programs offer two-tier commissions—making that easy is the point of this directory—it’s quick and easy to start referring.

How Do I Get Subaffiliates to Sign Up Under Me?

Again, each affiliate program will have different instructions on how to refer your subaffiliates. For many, it’s your usual affiliate referral link. When someone registers through your link, they’re tied to your account as a subaffiliate and you earn a cut on their commissions (or get a bounty upon registration).

As far as actually encouraging affiliates to sign up with your referral link, there are quite a few options.

The people who are posed to earn the most on two-tier affiliate commissions are coaches and trainers who teach affiliate marketing. This group can encourage their students to sign up for their preferred affiliate programs and earn based on their success.

This is also why providing resources and training to your subaffiliates is a great way to increase 2nd tier commissions. With most subaffiliate programs, you earn more when your subaffiliates earn more. So setting them up with the tools and resources to succeed behooves you.

How Do I Start Earning Two-tier Commissions?

If you’re already an affiliate marketer, you’re probably already in several affiliate programs that offer two-tier commissions. All you have to do is start referring other affiliates and/or encouraging your existing subaffiliates to start referring others.