If you're a maker, DIYer, or content creator recommending products to your audience, you've probably already signed up for Amazon Associates. It's the obvious first step — Amazon sells almost everything, your audience trusts it, and the commission shows up like clockwork.
But Amazon Associates is also one of the lowest-paying affiliate programs around. Commissions on most categories sit between 1–4%. If you're recommending $200 power tools and driving real traffic, leaving the rest of the affiliate landscape unexplored is leaving real money on the table.
The Big Three: What They Are
Amazon Associates
Amazon's first-party affiliate program. You apply directly through Amazon, get approved, and start tagging links. The commission structure is category-based — tools and home improvement land at 3%, electronics at 1%, and a handful of categories pay nothing at all.
Best for: Broad audiences, casual recommendations, and products that don't have a dedicated affiliate program elsewhere.
Weakness: Low commissions, 24-hour cookie window, and strict rules around how you display links.
Impact
Impact is an affiliate network that hosts programs for hundreds of brands — many of which you probably already recommend. Brands like Skillshare, Squarespace, Lowe's, and many tool manufacturers run their affiliate programs through Impact. Commission rates vary wildly by brand, but are often significantly higher than Amazon.
Best for: Creators who recommend specific brands consistently and want to build direct brand relationships.
Weakness: You have to apply to each brand program individually, and some are invite-only.
ShareASale
Similar to Impact — a network of brand-run programs. ShareASale tends to skew toward smaller and mid-size brands, crafting supply companies, specialty tool makers, and niche retailers. If you're in the craft or maker space, you'll find programs here that don't exist anywhere else.
Best for: Niche makers, crafters, and creators whose audience shops at specialty retailers.
Weakness: Older interface, slower payouts, and program quality varies significantly.
Which One Should You Use?
The honest answer: all of them, strategically. Amazon Associates for the long tail of products that don't have better programs elsewhere. Impact and ShareASale for the brands you recommend most — where a 10–15% commission rate is on the table instead of 3%.
The key is matching the affiliate program to the product category, not just defaulting to Amazon for everything. A $300 woodworking tool from a brand with an Impact program could earn you $30–45 per sale. The same tool through Amazon earns $9.
The MakerManifest Approach
MakerManifest lets you store affiliate rules per store — so once you've set up your Amazon tag, your Impact links, and your ShareASale tracking, every link you add gets the right tag applied automatically. You don't have to remember which tag goes where. Check the Affiliate Programs page in your dashboard to set up your rules, and visit Supported Programs to see which networks and brands we track.