How to create an affiliate link starts with joining the affiliate program of whatever you’re promoting, which then gives you a unique tracking link or ID tied to your account. From there, the process is mostly about cleaning that link up so it actually gets clicked.
Key Takeaways
- You need to be accepted into an affiliate program before you have a link to create.
- The program gives you a unique link or ID, which you then shorten and brand for sharing.
- Raw affiliate links, packed with tracking parameters, get fewer clicks than clean short ones.
- Disclosure is required wherever you share the link.
- Some programs restrict how much you can disguise the destination, so check the rules first.
Step 1: Join an Affiliate Program
Apply to the program for the product or service you want to promote, such as Amazon Associates, a SaaS company’s own affiliate program, or a network like ShareASale or Impact. Approval gives you access to your unique affiliate ID and generated links.
Step 2: Get Your Unique Tracking Link
Inside the program’s dashboard, generate the link for the specific product or page you’re promoting. This link contains your affiliate ID embedded in the URL, which is how the program knows to credit you for a sale.
Step 3: Shorten and Brand the Link
Affiliate links are usually long and full of tracking parameters, which looks untrustworthy in a caption or email. Run it through a shortener like RocketLink to turn it into something short and clean, using your own branded domain if you have one.
| Link version | Example shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Raw affiliate link | example.com/product?aff=48291&tag=xyz | Internal tracking only, rarely shared directly |
| Shortened link | yourbrand.link/product-name | Social captions, bio links, print |
| Vanity URL | yourbrand.link/deal | Memorable, spoken, or repeated promotions |
Step 4: Track Clicks and Retarget
Once your affiliate link is shortened, you get click data beyond what the affiliate program itself shows you: device, location, and timing. Add a retargeting pixel to reach people who clicked but didn’t buy, with ads later.
Step 5: Disclose and Follow Program Rules
Every affiliate link needs a clear disclosure that you’ll earn a commission, regardless of how the link is shortened or branded. Some programs, including Amazon Associates, have specific rules about how much a link’s destination can be disguised, so check the program’s current terms before you get creative with link cloaking.
Where to Share Your Affiliate Link
- Your Instagram bio or link in bio page.
- A QR code on printed materials, if you promote products offline.
- Email newsletters, with a clean link instead of a raw tracking URL.
- Blog posts and reviews, ideally with a consistent, branded link format across every post.
FAQ
Do I need a website to create an affiliate link?
No. Many creators share affiliate links directly through social bios, videos, or newsletters without a website.
How do I make affiliate links look less spammy?
Shorten them with a branded domain instead of sharing the raw, parameter-heavy URL from the affiliate dashboard.
Can I track how many people click my affiliate link?
Yes, both through the affiliate program’s own dashboard and, in more detail, through the link shortener you use to brand it.
Is it legal to shorten affiliate links?
Yes, shortening is standard practice. What matters is disclosure and following the specific affiliate program’s rules on disguising the destination.
Ready to shorten, brand, and track your affiliate links in one place? See RocketLink’s plans.
