Affiliate Networks in Singapore: Compare Involve Asia, ShareASale and More
Table of Contents
What Affiliate Networks Do
Understanding affiliate networks Singapore businesses and publishers use is essential for anyone entering the affiliate marketing space. An affiliate network serves as a marketplace connecting merchants who want to promote their products with affiliates who have audiences to reach. The network provides the technology, tracking, reporting and payment infrastructure that makes the partnership work.
Without networks, every merchant would need to build their own tracking system, recruit affiliates individually and process payments directly. Networks centralise these functions, making affiliate marketing accessible to businesses of all sizes. For affiliates, networks provide a single dashboard to manage multiple merchant relationships, track earnings and receive consolidated payments.
Networks earn revenue through fees charged to merchants, typically a percentage override on commissions paid to affiliates, setup fees or monthly platform fees. Affiliates generally use networks free of charge, with their commissions paid directly by the merchant through the network.
The Singapore affiliate network landscape includes regional specialists focused on Southeast Asia, global networks with Singapore presence, e-commerce platform-specific programmes and niche networks serving particular industries. Each offers different strengths, merchant bases and features. For a foundational understanding of how affiliate marketing works, see our affiliate marketing beginners guide.
Involve Asia
Involve Asia is the leading affiliate network for Southeast Asian markets, making it the most relevant platform for Singapore-focused affiliate marketing. Headquartered in Malaysia with strong Singapore operations, Involve Asia understands the regional market dynamics that global networks sometimes miss.
The network hosts over 500 merchant programmes across categories including e-commerce, travel, finance, insurance, telco and services. Major Singapore merchants on Involve Asia include Lazada, Shopee, Grab, Klook, Zalora and numerous local brands. This regional merchant base is Involve Asia’s strongest differentiator.
For affiliates, Involve Asia offers a user-friendly dashboard, real-time reporting, smart link technology that automatically redirects users to the correct regional store and multiple payment options including Singapore bank transfer. The minimum payout threshold is typically USD 10 to 50 depending on payment method, making it accessible for beginners.
For merchants, Involve Asia provides programme setup support, affiliate recruitment assistance, fraud detection and regional market insights. Commission overrides and setup fees are competitive with global alternatives. The network’s regional expertise and local support team make it particularly valuable for Singapore businesses expanding across Southeast Asia.
Involve Asia’s limitations include a smaller overall network size compared to global platforms and less representation of international brands outside the APAC region. For affiliates promoting primarily Western brands, supplementing Involve Asia with a global network is advisable.
ShareASale
ShareASale, now owned by Awin, is one of the largest global affiliate networks with over 30,000 merchant programmes. While not specifically focused on Southeast Asia, its vast merchant base and reliable technology make it a popular choice for Singapore affiliates targeting international audiences.
The network excels in mid-market merchants across fashion, home and garden, business services, software and lifestyle categories. Many well-known international brands run their affiliate programmes through ShareASale, giving Singapore affiliates access to products with global appeal.
ShareASale’s platform offers detailed reporting, advanced link generation tools, product data feeds and a merchant discovery feature that helps affiliates find relevant programmes. The interface is functional if not the most modern, with a comprehensive suite of features for both beginners and experienced affiliates.
Payment to Singapore affiliates is available via international bank transfer or Payoneer. The minimum payout threshold is USD 50. Note that payments are in USD, so currency conversion applies for Singapore affiliates. Payment is made on the 20th of each month for the previous month’s confirmed commissions.
For Singapore merchants, ShareASale provides access to a vast global affiliate base, which is valuable for businesses selling internationally. Setup involves a one-time fee plus ongoing commission overrides. The platform integrates well with major e-commerce platforms including Shopify and WooCommerce. To understand how to set up your programme on ShareASale or similar platforms, see our affiliate programme setup guide.
CJ Affiliate
CJ Affiliate, formerly Commission Junction, is one of the oldest and largest affiliate networks globally. It hosts premium brand programmes from major international companies and is a strong choice for Singapore affiliates and merchants operating at scale.
CJ’s merchant portfolio includes many Fortune 500 companies across retail, travel, finance, technology and B2B categories. Brands like GoPro, IHG Hotels, Grammarly and hundreds of others run their affiliate programmes through CJ. This premium merchant base attracts high-quality affiliates who produce sophisticated content.
The platform offers advanced features including cross-device tracking, real-time transaction monitoring, deep link creation, situational commissioning based on customer type or product and robust API access. CJ’s analytics and reporting capabilities are among the most comprehensive in the industry.
For Singapore affiliates, CJ provides access to international premium brands that may not be available on regional networks. Payment options include direct deposit and Payoneer, with payments in USD. The minimum payout is USD 50 for direct deposit.
CJ’s limitations for the Singapore market include a smaller regional merchant base compared to Involve Asia, higher barriers to entry for new affiliates who may struggle to get accepted into premium programmes and a platform complexity that can overwhelm beginners. CJ is best suited for established affiliates with proven traffic and conversion capabilities.
Other Networks and Platforms
Beyond the three major networks, several other platforms serve the Singapore affiliate market effectively.
Amazon Associates is the world’s largest affiliate programme by merchant count. Singapore affiliates can promote millions of products across Amazon’s global marketplaces. Commission rates are generally lower than specialised programmes, ranging from 1 to 10 percent depending on category, but the massive product range and Amazon’s high conversion rates compensate. The 24-hour cookie duration is a notable limitation.
Rakuten Advertising hosts premium brand programmes with a focus on quality over quantity. The network is strong in fashion, luxury, travel and financial services. Singapore affiliates can access international premium brands, though the network’s acceptance process is selective.
Impact is a newer platform gaining traction with technology-forward brands and direct-to-consumer companies. Its partnership automation technology goes beyond traditional affiliate tracking to manage influencer, B2B and other partnership types. Several Singapore-relevant brands use Impact for their affiliate programmes.
Shopee and Lazada affiliate programmes deserve separate mention given their dominance in Singapore e-commerce. Both platforms offer affiliate programmes that allow publishers to promote specific products and earn commissions. These programmes are particularly relevant for content creators and reviewers in Singapore.
Awin, the parent company of ShareASale, operates its own network with strong European and APAC merchant representation. For Singapore affiliates targeting European brands or merchants, Awin provides relevant programmes that complement the ShareASale offering. For businesses exploring affiliate marketing as part of a broader strategy, our digital marketing services can help integrate affiliate marketing with other channels.
Choosing the Right Network
Selecting the right network depends on whether you are a merchant launching a programme or an affiliate looking for products to promote, and on your specific market focus and business needs.
For Singapore merchants targeting local and regional customers, Involve Asia is the strongest starting point. Its regional affiliate base, local market knowledge and Singapore-specific support give it a clear advantage for companies focused on Southeast Asian markets. Supplement with ShareASale or CJ if you also target international customers.
For Singapore affiliates creating content in English for a global audience, a combination of ShareASale or CJ for international brands and Involve Asia for regional programmes provides the broadest opportunity set. Start with one network to learn the fundamentals, then expand.
For affiliates focused on e-commerce product reviews, Shopee, Lazada and Amazon affiliate programmes provide access to millions of products with established consumer trust. These platform-specific programmes work well alongside network memberships.
Consider joining multiple networks. Most successful affiliates and merchants use two to three networks simultaneously to maximise their reach and options. There is no exclusivity requirement, and diversifying across networks protects against changes at any single platform.
Evaluate each network on its merchant or affiliate quality, tracking reliability, payment terms and methods, reporting capabilities, support responsiveness and overall ease of use. Where possible, test a network with a small commitment before investing significant resources. Our SEO services can help ensure your affiliate content ranks well regardless of which networks you use.
Network vs In-House: Which Is Right for You
Merchants face a key decision between running their programme through a network or managing it in-house using dedicated affiliate software. Each approach has clear advantages and trade-offs.
Network advantages include instant access to an established affiliate base, built-in tracking and payment infrastructure, fraud detection systems, and reduced technical and administrative burden. Networks are ideal for companies launching their first affiliate programme or those without dedicated affiliate marketing expertise.
In-house advantages include lower ongoing costs without network commission overrides, complete control over the programme experience and data, the ability to build direct affiliate relationships without network intermediation, and flexibility to customise tracking and attribution models. In-house is ideal for mature programmes with established affiliate relationships and internal expertise.
Many Singapore businesses start with a network and transition to in-house as their programme grows. This approach lets you learn affiliate marketing fundamentals, build relationships and validate the channel before investing in your own infrastructure. Some businesses run a hybrid model with their core affiliates on an in-house platform and a network presence for ongoing recruitment.
Popular in-house affiliate platforms for Singapore businesses include Post Affiliate Pro, Refersion, PartnerStack, Tapfiliate, FirstPromoter and GoAffPro. Evaluate these based on your e-commerce platform integration, feature requirements, budget and technical capabilities.
For companies looking to launch an affiliate programme as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy, our digital marketing services and content marketing services can ensure your affiliate channel works in harmony with your broader marketing efforts. For a complete walkthrough of the setup process, see our guide on affiliate marketing in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join multiple affiliate networks at the same time?
Yes, and most successful affiliates do. There is no exclusivity requirement on any major network. Joining multiple networks gives you access to a wider range of merchant programmes and allows you to compare commission rates for the same or similar products.
Do affiliate networks charge affiliates any fees?
No. All major affiliate networks are free to join for affiliates. The networks make money through fees and commission overrides charged to merchants. As an affiliate, you receive your full commission as set by the merchant, with no deductions from the network.
Which network is best for beginners in Singapore?
Involve Asia is the best starting point for Singapore beginners due to its regional relevance, user-friendly interface and lower acceptance barriers. Amazon Associates is also beginner-friendly given the universal familiarity with the Amazon platform. Start with one of these, then expand to ShareASale or CJ as you build experience.
How do I get accepted into premium affiliate programmes?
Build a professional website with quality content, demonstrate consistent traffic and show relevance to the merchant’s product category. When applying, write personalised applications explaining how you plan to promote the merchant’s products. Having existing content in the merchant’s niche significantly improves your acceptance chances.
What payment methods do networks offer for Singapore affiliates?
Common payment methods include international bank transfer to Singapore bank accounts, PayPal, Payoneer and in some cases cheque. Involve Asia supports local bank transfer in SGD. Global networks typically pay in USD, with currency conversion applied at the time of transfer. Check each network’s payment options and minimum thresholds before committing.
How reliable is tracking across different affiliate networks?
Major networks invest heavily in tracking accuracy. Involve Asia, ShareASale and CJ all offer reliable cookie-based tracking supplemented by server-to-server tracking options. However, no tracking is perfect, particularly with increasing browser privacy restrictions. Monitor your click-to-conversion ratios and raise discrepancies with network support promptly.
Can Singapore merchants use international affiliate networks?
Absolutely. Singapore merchants can list their programmes on any network that accepts international merchants. ShareASale, CJ, Rakuten and Impact all welcome Singapore-based merchants. The key consideration is whether the network’s affiliate base includes publishers who can reach your target customers.
What should I look for in an affiliate network’s reporting?
Look for real-time or near-real-time reporting, transaction-level detail, click and conversion tracking, sub-ID tracking for campaign attribution, customisable date ranges and export capabilities. Advanced features like cross-device tracking, customer journey analysis and lifetime value reporting add significant value for data-driven affiliates and merchants.
