The global online gaming market has been on an upward trajectory, growing consistently in revenue since it began in the early 90s. It earned an estimated US$18B in 2020. Not even the Covid-19 pandemic, which negatively affected various industries, was able to slow it down. The pandemic even gave the gaming industry a boost as people turned to various digital entertainment channels to ease boredom during those long lockdowns.
With roughly 900M online gamers worldwide, there’s certainly a big enough market to target in the online gaming niche. But like the anime niche, the online gaming niche is often overlooked despite its potential to be profitable.
Most likely because it is a “special interest” kind of niche. Unless you’re a gamer yourself, or at the very least, someone who engages in online and mobile games, you won’t really think twice about promoting online gaming products and its related services.
But even if you aren’t into online games, stay around and check out our recommended gaming affiliate programs. Maybe they’ll change your mind about the gaming niche.
At the very least, you’ll know there is yet another niche to explore and earn from.
Top Shelf Gaming Affiliate Programs
These are 10 of the best gaming affiliate programs right now. It’s a mixture of games, game strategies and accessories.
Gaming Computers and Other Accessories
Online gaming and sports aren’t that far apart from each other. Both can be physical, and both need good equipment in order to play … and win.
Microsoft
This brand doesn’t need any introduction. Aside from various software and their operating system, Microsoft also develops and sells XBOX gaming consoles.
Their affiliate program is available mainly through Rakuten but you’d also find it in FlexOffers and Tradedoubler. Their highest commission is 7{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4} and that’s for getting sales for their XBOX and its games.
Commission: 1{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4} to 7{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 14 days
Affiliate Network: Rakuten
NVIDIA
A pioneer in computer graphics, NVIDIA is a powerhouse brand in its field. They have since branched out from computer graphics chips to gaming laptops and monitors.
Commission: 2{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 45 days
Affiliate Network: Rakuten
Astro Gaming
Offers top-of-the-line gaming headphones that you can customize along with mixamps, controllers and other gear.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: Impact
Turtle Beach
They manufacture and sell gaming headsets, controllers and other gaming gear.
Commission: 4{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: CJ Affiliate
Acer
They manufacture and sell the usual array of desktops, laptops and other computer accessories. Their top-of-the-line gaming computer is called “Predator”.
Commission: 4{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 14 days
Affiliate Network: Commission Junction
Alienware
A subsidiary of technology giant Dell, Alienware develops and manufactures premium gaming laptops and accessories.
Commission: 1.5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 3 days
Affiliate Network: FlexOffers
Corsair
A leading manufacturer of gaming gear, streaming accessories, PC components, Corsair’s website is a hub for gamers and content creators.
Commission: 1{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: Impact
GT Omega
Wide range of high-quality gaming chairs, cockpit chairs and racing simulators. They also offer gaming merch like floor pads and mouse pads.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: —
Affiliate Network: In-House
Ubisoft
Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six are just some of the best games developed and released by Ubisoft. They also offer a subscription service that gives you early access to their new games.
Commission: 3{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: Impact
Origin
US-based Origin offers custom-built gaming PCs and laptops.
Their affiliate program used to be part of the CJ Affiliate network, but it now looks like they are running it on their own. There isn’t much info on their affiliates page other than the registration form and their requirements.
Commission: —
Cookie Duration: —
Affiliate Network: In-House
Secret Lab
The gaming chairs for gamers and streamers, Secret Lab creates and sells durable, ergonomic chairs that ensure comfortable gaming for hours.
Commission: $10
Cookie Duration: 7 days
Affiliate Network: Refersion
Online Gaming Stores
These are the one-stop shops for gamers where they could get their daily supply of games, gadgets and gear.
GameStop
They sell a wide range of games, mobile devices, and collectibles.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 1 day
Affiliate Network: Rakuten
Green Man Gaming
More than an online gaming store, they also offer digital partnerships and publishing services for game developers and creators.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: CJ Affiliate
Fanatical
A PC gamer’s treasure chest with its massive collection of digital games
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: CJ Affiliate
CDKeys
With 20 years of industry experience, CDKeys has been offering gamers digital codes, top-up and expansion packs at competitive prices.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: —
Affiliate Network: In-House
SCDKey
As the name suggests, they offer a similar service as CDKeys. They have
Commission: 8{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4} to 20{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: In-House
SEGA Shop
You won’t find any online games in this store. Instead, they have a wide range of toys and other collectibles featuring popular SEGA characters like Sonic the Hedgehog.
They also have a separate store for the UK which has its own affiliate program: SEGA Shop UK.
Commission: 7{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Affiliate Network: CJ Affiliate
Wargaming
This is not an online store pre se, Wargaming is actually a developer and publisher of free MMO games World of Tanks and World of Warships.
They have a Premium shop where players can get unique vehicles and top-up on in-game currency.
Commission: $1 to $7.50
Cookie Duration: —
Affiliate Network: In-House
Kinguin
More than an online store, Kinguin is an online gaming marketplace where members can buy and sell online games.
Commission: 5{57b8cc37fd24bce1cf64c8b05d9407ce9171516056c1f5e762677747187a0de4}
Cookie Duration: 7 days
Affiliate Network: In-House
Streaming and Online Gaming Platforms
You won’t find a lot of affiliate programs in this category as there aren’t that many game streaming platforms.
YET.
We will be sure to update this list when new game streaming platform affiliate programs come up.
Twitch
A popular game streaming platform where gamers can earn by live streaming game plays. You need to be a streamer first, before you can join their affiliate program.
Commission: Varies depending on whether you get new subscribers, ads or bits.
Cookie Duration: —
Affiliate Network: In-house
Marketing Gameplan
Level up on your link building strategy to get as many gamers on your website
And now we come to the challenging task of link building and inbound marketing. This, like content creation, can be outsourced to professionals – for a fee. If you have the resources, then go ahead and outsource. Still, make sure you have at least a basic understanding of how SEO, link-building and marketing work so that you will be able to monitor the link-building work being done on your site.
Outsourcing or not, make sure to have a link building strategy in place. You can hand this over to the person who will do the link building for you. At the very least, you have a guide to refer to when it’s time to drive traffic to your site.
Social Media Marketing
Facebook has started streaming games from within their platform. Engage these game streamers and their followers by watching the streams and commenting. Make sure to post timely updates and relevant info then link it back to your own website.
The more traffic you get to your website, the higher the chances of making a sale.
Content Strategy
You would think that having a site about online games, you won’t need to bother much with content. But you do, because there’s plenty to know about a game. Like a good strategy on how to get past a difficult level, for one thing. A review of a new game is something gamers frequently look out for, too.
Content strategy is about having a game plan for your site’s content, from research until the content is published on your site. Having a plan gives you time to think about the kind of content to present on your site in between updates.
Blog and Forum Commenting
This method is time consuming, but the effects are long-term, making the effort well worth it. There are plenty of gaming forums you can frequent to interact with fellow gamers and offer recommendations.
It’s a great place to learn about the online gaming niche, too. You can find out what games have a lot of followers, and which keywords are frequently used in relation to specific games.
Gaming Affiliate Programs: No Child’s Play
It’s more of The Queen’s Gambit. Strategy is the name of the game.
With all that competition, the online gaming niche is definitely no child’s play. This is a niche that requires careful planning and strategy. All niches do, but all the more for this niche because: one, there are plenty of gaming sites out there that will most likely have similar content to yours, so you need to be creative on the content you will publish on your site; two, you need to be smart with link building and how you drive traffic to your site. Don’t just bring people into the site, bring people who are interested in playing and subscribing to games.
So, no, this niche is not for the faint-hearted. The commissions you’ll get are good. But if you’re looking for something more substantial than a few dollars a sale, then this is not the niche for you.
But if you have a site about games or gaming, and have not monetized it, then take your pick from the above. It’s never too late to start earning from your website.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Niche of the Week! Would you be interested in going into this niche? Are there any niches you want featured here? Just leave a comment and let me know!
PS: You can now create your own niche website the easy way by getting our top-selling course in affiliate marketing. Subscribe to our AffiloBlueprint course now to head start your affiliate marketing journey!
