Introduction
After getting approved by advertisers in CJ Affiliate, the next step is creating affiliate links that track your referrals and commissions. These links allow CJ Affiliate to identify the visitors you send to an advertiser's website and credit you for qualifying sales or actions.
Fortunately, creating affiliate links in CJ Affiliate is simple once you know where to find the right tools. In this guide, you'll learn how to create affiliate links, customize them, and use them effectively to maximize your affiliate earnings.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Platform | CJ Affiliate |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Time Required | 2–5 Minutes |
| Approval Needed | Yes (Advertiser Approval) |
| Deep Linking | Yes |
| Link Tracking | Automatic |
| Best For | Bloggers, Website Owners, Content Creators |
What Are CJ Affiliate Links?
CJ Affiliate links are unique tracking URLs assigned to your publisher account. Whenever someone clicks your link and completes a qualifying purchase or action, CJ Affiliate tracks the referral and records your commission.
These links ensure that advertisers know the customer came through your website.
Before You Create Affiliate Links
Make sure you have:
- An approved CJ Affiliate publisher account
- Approval from the advertiser
- A live website or approved promotional method
- Access to the CJ Affiliate dashboard
Without advertiser approval, you won't be able to generate tracking links.
Step 1: Log In to Your CJ Affiliate Account
Sign in to your CJ Affiliate publisher dashboard using your account credentials.
From the dashboard, you'll have access to advertisers, reports, links, and promotional tools.
Step 2: Open the Advertisers Section
In the navigation menu:
Advertisers → My Advertisers
Here you'll see every advertiser that has approved your application.
Only approved advertisers allow you to create affiliate links.
Step 3: Choose an Advertiser
Click on the advertiser you want to promote.
Inside the advertiser profile, you'll usually find:
- Text Links
- Banner Ads
- Product Links
- Deep Link Generator
- Promotional Materials
Choose the type of link that best matches your content.
Step 4: Generate a Standard Affiliate Link
For a standard text link:
- Open the advertiser.
- Click Links.
- Select a text link or promotional link.
- Copy the tracking URL provided by CJ Affiliate.
You can now paste this link into your blog posts, buttons, or website pages.
Step 5: Create Deep Links
Deep links send visitors directly to a specific product or webpage instead of the advertiser's homepage.
For example:
Instead of sending visitors to:
www.example.com
You can send them directly to:
www.example.com/product-name
Deep links usually improve conversion rates because visitors land on the exact page they're looking for.
Step 6: Copy Your Tracking Link
After generating the link:
- Copy the affiliate URL.
- Paste it into your website.
- Use descriptive anchor text.
- Test the link before publishing.
Always verify that the link opens correctly.
Where Can You Use CJ Affiliate Links?
You can place affiliate links in:
- Product reviews
- Buying guides
- Comparison articles
- Tutorials
- Resource pages
- Email newsletters (if allowed by the advertiser)
Social media (when permitted)
Always follow each advertiser's promotional guidelines.
Best Practices for Higher Conversions
To improve clicks and sales:
- Write honest product reviews.
- Recommend products relevant to your audience.
- Add clear call-to-action buttons.
- Use deep links whenever possible.
- Keep your content updated.
- Place affiliate links naturally within your content.
Helpful content usually converts better than excessive promotional links.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Promoting advertisers before approval
❌ Using broken affiliate links
❌ Sending visitors to unrelated pages
❌ Hiding affiliate disclosures
❌ Stuffing too many affiliate links into one article
Pro Tips
- Use deep links for product-specific content.
- Test every affiliate link before publishing.
- Track clicks and conversions regularly.
- Update old affiliate links if advertisers change offers.
- Focus on helping readers first, then promoting products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create affiliate links before advertiser approval?
No. You must first be approved by the advertiser before CJ Affiliate allows you to generate tracking links.
What is a deep link?
A deep link directs visitors to a specific product or landing page instead of the advertiser's homepage.
Can I shorten my affiliate links?
Yes, but ensure the link still works correctly and complies with the advertiser's policies.
How do I know if my link is working?
Click the affiliate link yourself to confirm it opens the correct page. You can also monitor clicks and transactions from your CJ Affiliate reports.
Final Thoughts
Creating affiliate links in CJ Affiliate is one of the most important steps toward earning affiliate commissions. Once you've been approved by advertisers, generating tracking links is quick and straightforward. By using deep links, testing your links regularly, and placing them naturally within helpful, high-quality content, you can improve user experience, increase conversions, and grow your affiliate income over time.
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