Rakuten Advertising is an affiliate network formerly known as Linkshare. Now owned by Japan’s Rakuten Group (the same one that owns Rakuten Viber, Rakuten TV, and Rakuten Mobile).
Scale: operates in 180 countries, partners with 7000+ advertisers. Strengths — the US and Asia. If your audience is in Japan or Korea — this is practically the only option.
Rakuten features
Rakuten doesn’t just give out links. The platform has its own technologies:
- Rakuten Analytics — advanced analytics
- DCT (Dynamic Campaign Targeting) — campaign targeting
- Cross-device tracking — tracking across devices
Offer categories: retail and e-commerce (main focus), travel, finance, telecom. In the US, positions are especially strong in the fashion segment.
Registration
Apply at partner.rakuten.com. You need a site with content. Moderation — 3-5 days. They check:
- Domain age (preferably at least 3 months)
- Content quality
- Niche relevance
Rejections are more common than with ShareASale. If rejected — you can appeal.
Commissions and payouts
Commissions are set by the advertiser. Average rates:
- E-commerce: 4-15%
- Fashion: 6-12%
- Travel: 3-8%
- Finance: $15-75 per lead
Payouts: NET30 or NET60 (30 or 60 days after month end). Minimum — $50.
Pros and cons
Pros: access to major brands, strong fashion positions, advanced analytics, support in Asia. Cons: strict selection, long payout cycles (NET60), complex interface.
Verdict
Official website: https://rakutenadvertising.com Rakuten is top-tier for fashion and e-commerce. If you promote clothing, cosmetics, or home goods — this is your channel. For B2B and SaaS, there are better options.