Most people know Rakuten as the site that gives shoppers cash back. But Rakuten also runs one of the world’s biggest affiliate marketing platforms, Rakuten Advertising. If you have a blog, website, newsletter or social media following, it can help you earn commission by recommending products from well-known brands.

In this guide, we explain what the Rakuten affiliate platform is, how it works, how to join, how you get paid, and how it compares with Rakuten’s Refer-A-Friend program.

What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a way to earn money by promoting other companies’ products. You share a special tracking link. When someone clicks it and buys, you earn a commission, usually a percentage of the sale.

There are three main players:

• Advertisers: brands and retailers that want more sales.
• Publishers (also called affiliates): bloggers, websites, influencers, cash back and coupon sites that promote products.
• Affiliate networks: platforms that connect the two, track sales and handle payments.

Rakuten Advertising is an affiliate network.

What is Rakuten Advertising?

Rakuten Advertising is the affiliate and advertising business of Japanese technology company Rakuten. It was originally called LinkShare, one of the earliest affiliate networks, founded in the 1990s. Rakuten bought LinkShare in 2005, and it later became Rakuten Marketing before being renamed Rakuten Advertising.

Today, the platform works with thousands of advertisers around the world, including many big names in fashion, beauty, retail, travel and finance. It’s known for working with established brands, which makes it attractive for publishers with a quality audience.

Rakuten Advertising vs Rakuten Rewards

These two are easy to confuse:

Feature	Rakuten Advertising	Rakuten Rewards
Who it’s for	Publishers, bloggers, creators	Shoppers
What you do	Promote brands with affiliate links	Shop through Rakuten
What you earn	Commission on sales you refer	Cash back or Amex points on your own purchases
Sign-up	Apply as a publisher	Free member account

 

Rakuten Rewards also has a Refer-A-Friend program, where you earn a bonus when a friend joins and makes qualifying purchases. That’s a simpler option if you just want to share Rakuten with friends and family. Rakuten Advertising is designed for people who create content or run websites.

How the Rakuten affiliate platform works

1. You join Rakuten Advertising as a publisher.
2. You browse advertisers and apply to the brands that suit your audience.
3. Each brand reviews your application and decides whether to approve you.
4. Once approved, you create tracking links to the brand’s website or specific products.
5. You add those links to your content, such as blog posts, reviews, newsletters or social posts.
6. When readers click your links and buy, the sale is tracked and you earn a commission.
7. Rakuten Advertising collects payment from the advertiser and pays your commission to you.

How much can you earn?

Commission rates are set by each advertiser, not by Rakuten. They vary widely by brand and industry. Fashion and beauty brands often pay a percentage of each sale, while some financial or subscription brands pay a fixed amount per sign-up.

Each advertiser also sets its own cookie window, the period after a click during which a purchase counts toward your commission. Some are just a day, others are a month or longer. Check each brand’s terms before you promote it.

Your earnings depend on:

• How much relevant traffic you have
• How well your audience matches the brands you promote
• The commission rate and average order value
• How much your readers trust your recommendations

How to join Rakuten Advertising as a publisher

1. Go to the Rakuten Advertising website and choose the option to sign up as a publisher.
2. Create your account and add details about your website or channels, your audience and how you plan to promote brands.
3. Add your tax and payment information.
4. Once your account is active, search the advertiser directory and apply to the brands you’d like to work with.
5. Wait for approvals. Some brands approve quickly, while others are more selective.

Joining as a publisher is free. To improve your chances of approval, have a real website or channel with original content, a clear niche and a privacy policy and affiliate disclosure in place.

How do you get paid?

Rakuten Advertising pays publishers by direct deposit in many countries. In general, publisher commissions are paid after the advertiser pays Rakuten for those sales, so there can be a delay between a purchase and your payment. Returns and cancellations can also reduce your commission.

Payment schedules and minimum payment amounts can vary, so check the payment settings in your publisher dashboard for the current rules in your country.

Tools you get with Rakuten Advertising

Publishers have access to a range of tools, including:

• Link generators and deep linking, so you can link straight to a specific product page
• Banners and creative assets from advertisers
• Product feeds for shopping sites and comparison pages
• Reporting dashboards showing clicks, sales and earnings
• Coupon and deal feeds from advertisers who share them

Pros and cons of the Rakuten affiliate platform

Pros:

• Access to many well-known, trusted brands
• Strong tracking and reporting tools
• A long-established network with global reach
• Free to join as a publisher

Cons:

• Each advertiser must approve you separately, which can take time
• Some premium brands prefer publishers with large audiences
• Commission rates and cookie windows vary by brand
• Payments depend on advertisers paying first

Tips for succeeding as a Rakuten affiliate

• Choose a niche. A clear focus, such as travel rewards, fashion or home, helps brands see why you’re a good fit.
• Write helpful content. Reviews, comparisons and how-to guides convert better than plain links.
• Be honest. Only recommend products you’d recommend anyway, and always disclose affiliate links.
• Focus on search. Content that ranks in Google brings steady traffic over time.
• Track your results. Use the reporting tools to see which brands and posts earn the most, and do more of what works.
• Follow each brand’s rules. Some don’t allow paid search ads using their brand name or coupon codes from outside sources.

Who uses Rakuten Advertising?

Many kinds of publishers work with the platform:

• Content sites and blogs that write reviews, guides and gift ideas
• Cash back and loyalty sites that share commission with members, including Rakuten Rewards itself
• Coupon and deal sites
• Influencers and creators on social media and YouTube
• Email newsletters and comparison sites

If you write about travel rewards, for example, you might partner with travel brands, luggage companies or retailers your readers already use. The key is choosing brands that genuinely help your audience.

Should you use Rakuten Advertising?

If you run a content site, blog or newsletter with a clear audience, Rakuten Advertising is worth a look, especially if you want to work with established retail and lifestyle brands. It works well alongside other networks and programs, such as Amazon Associates or direct brand partnerships.

If you just want to earn a little by sharing Rakuten with friends, start with the Rakuten Rewards Refer-A-Friend program instead. It’s simpler and doesn’t require a website.

A note on disclosure

In the US, the Federal Trade Commission expects you to tell readers clearly when you earn money from links. A short, plain note near the top of a post, such as “We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page,” is a common approach. Being upfront also builds trust, and trust is what makes affiliate content work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Rakuten affiliate platform?

It’s Rakuten Advertising, an affiliate network that connects publishers with brands and pays commission on sales publishers refer.

Is Rakuten Advertising free to join?

Yes. Publishers can join for free, but each brand must approve you before you can promote it.

Is Rakuten Advertising the same as LinkShare?

Yes. LinkShare was the original name. Rakuten bought it in 2005, and it’s now called Rakuten Advertising.

How much does Rakuten Advertising pay?

Commission rates are set by each advertiser and vary by brand and industry.

Do I need a website to join?

A website or established channel makes approval much easier. Most advertisers want to see where and how you’ll promote them.

Conclusion

The Rakuten affiliate platform, Rakuten Advertising, is a long-established way to earn commission by promoting well-known brands. Join for free as a publisher, apply to brands that match your audience, and create helpful content with your affiliate links. Be patient with approvals, be honest with your readers, and track what works. If you’d rather keep it simple, Rakuten’s Refer-A-Friend program is an easy alternative.