I started doing affiliate marketing around 2021. Back then I had no idea what I was doing. I signed up for every program I could find, threw links around, and hoped something would stick. Most of the time, nothing did.
Over the years I figured out what actually works. I learned which programs pay on time and which ones find excuses not to. I learned that a 50% commission rate means nothing if the product has a 90% refund rate. I learned that cookie duration, payout thresholds, and tracking reliability matter more than whatever number is on the signup page.
AffPicks came out of that experience. I wanted to build the directory I wished I had when I started: one that tells you what's actually worth joining, backed by real data instead of recycled marketing copy.
What I do differently
Most affiliate directories are built by people who don't actually run affiliate campaigns. They scrape program details from signup pages, maybe rewrite them a little, and publish. There's no real testing, no personal experience, and no accountability.
I take a different approach. For programs I've personally promoted, I share my real numbers: EPC, conversion rates, and how the payout experience went. For programs I haven't promoted myself, I research them properly, talk to affiliates who run them, and check whether they actually pay.
If a program turns out to be bad, I don't just remove it. I write about what happened. Affiliates deserve to know which programs waste their time.
What AffPicks Verified means
The verified badge means one of two things:
I promoted the program myself and have real performance data to show. You'll find my actual EPC and conversion numbers in the listing.
Or I've done enough research to confirm the program is legit. That means verified payouts, fair terms, working tracking, and positive feedback from other affiliates. I don't give the badge to programs just because they asked for it or because the commission rate looks good on paper.
Why I built this
The affiliate space has a trust problem. Too many "best affiliate programs" articles are written by people who've never promoted a single product. They rank programs by commission percentage and call it a review.
I've actually been in the trenches. I've promoted programs across AI tools, adult, software, ecommerce, and other verticals. I've dealt with late payments, commission clawbacks, tracking issues, and programs that disappeared overnight. That experience is what makes AffPicks different from every other directory out there.
If you're an affiliate looking for programs that actually work, you're in the right place. And if you run a program and want to be listed, hit the submit button and I'll take a look.
Get in touch
You can find me on X, YouTube, and Telegram. If you have questions about a specific program or want to suggest one for review, reach out anytime.