How to start an affiliate program on Shopify

Last updated: 24 September 2026

To start an affiliate program on Shopify: set a commission (the median across 400 Shopify brand programs is 10%, and 15% or more puts you in the top quarter), use a 30-day cookie (what most brands use), choose a tool (an affiliate app from the Shopify App Store, Shopify Collabs for creators you invite, or a pay-per-sale marketplace like CartViral Earn), then recruit creators and give them ready content. Data: our Shopify affiliate commission benchmarks.

1. Set the commission

Creators compare programs before they post. In our sample of 400 Shopify brand programs (checked 24 September 2026):

The median commission is 10%; half of brands pay between 10% and 15%.
Skincare pays the most (median 15%); gadgets the least (median 8%).
Paying 15% or more puts you in the top quarter; 20% or more gets you noticed in a directory.

Work back from your margin: commission plus any buyer discount has to leave profit on a first order, and repeat purchases make a higher rate affordable.

2. Pick the cookie length

Most brands use 30 days (263 of the 301 programs in our sample that state a cookie). Short cookies (7-14 days) make creators wary; 60-90 days is a perk worth mentioning.

3. Choose the tool

Option	Good for	Who brings creators
Affiliate app from the Shopify App Store (for example UpPromote, GoAffPro)	Running your own program with links, codes and payouts	You recruit them
Shopify Collabs	Creators you invite directly (Collabs isn't taking new creator signups on its own)	You invite them
CartViral Earn	Pay only for confirmed sales, creators already in the marketplace, AI makes the product clips	Creators join your offer; a deposit from $100 backs payouts

4. Recruit creators

Start with customers who already post about you: they convert best.
Put the signup link in your footer, order confirmation email and packaging insert.
Get listed where creators look for programs: affiliate directories and marketplaces.

5. Give creators content

Most affiliates stall because they don't have good footage. Give them product photos, 3-5 hooks and the formats that sell your category (see the TikTok playbooks by category). On CartViral Earn the AI makes ready clips from your product photos, so creators can post the same day.

6. Track and pay

Use unique links and discount codes so every sale is attributed.
Pay on a fixed schedule after the return window; late payouts lose creators fast.
Show a leaderboard or share results: creators recruit other creators when they see real payouts.

FAQ

What commission should a Shopify store offer affiliates?

The median across 400 Shopify brand programs is 10%, and half pay 10-15%. Offer 15% or more to stand out, as long as your margin covers it.

How long should the affiliate cookie be?

30 days is the norm: most programs that state a cookie use exactly 30 days.

Can I use Shopify Collabs?

Yes for creators you invite; Collabs isn't accepting new creator signups on its own, so it won't bring you new creators.

How do affiliates get content to post?

Give them product photos, hooks and formats, or use CartViral Earn, where the AI makes ready product clips from your photos.

Pay creators only for sales

List an offer on CartViral Earn: set the commission, creators join, the AI makes the clips. First 50 brands: 10% platform fee for life.

See how it works for brands

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