What Walmart's Affiliate Program Is and Who Can Join
Walmart's affiliate program lets you earn a commission when someone buys through a link you share. You create content — a blog post, video, social media post, or website — that includes a special tracking link to a Walmart product. When a visitor clicks that link and makes a purchase within a set time window, Walmart pays you a percentage of the sale.
Walmart runs its affiliate program through a third-party network called Rakuten Advertising (formerly Impact Radius). You do not sign up directly with Walmart; you join through Rakuten, which handles tracking, payments, and support. The program is open to residents of the United States and several other countries, though the commission rates and terms vary by location.
You need a website, blog, YouTube channel, or social media presence where you can post links. Walmart does not pay you for straightforward referring people; you must have a platform where you can reach an audience. The program is free to join, and there is no minimum traffic requirement, though sites with more visitors tend to earn more.
Key Takeaways
- You join Walmart's affiliate program through Rakuten Advertising, not directly through Walmart, and the process takes about 15 minutes to complete.
- Commission rates range from 1% to 4% depending on the product category, and you earn money only when someone buys within 24 hours of clicking your link.
- You must have an active website, blog, YouTube channel, or social media account where you can post affiliate links before you can be accepted.
- Walmart pays affiliates monthly via direct deposit, check, or other methods, and you can track your clicks, conversions, and earnings in real time through your Rakuten dashboard.
Step-by-Step: Signing Up for the Walmart Affiliate Program
Go to the Rakuten Advertising website and click the button to become a publisher (not an advertiser). You will create an account with your email address and a password. Rakuten will ask for your name, address, phone number, and tax ID or Social Security number — this information is used for payment and tax reporting.
On the next screen, describe your website or platform. Be specific: tell Rakuten what your site is about, what audience you reach, and how you plan to promote Walmart products. If you have a blog about kitchen gadgets, say that. If you run a YouTube channel about home organization, say that. Rakuten reviews applications to prevent spam and fraud, so vague descriptions take longer to approve.
Once your account is created, search for Walmart in the advertiser directory and click "Join Program." Walmart's program usually approves applications within a few days. You will receive an email confirming your acceptance, and your Rakuten dashboard will show Walmart as an active program you can promote.
How to Find Products and Create Affiliate Links
Log into your Rakuten dashboard and navigate to the Walmart program. You will see a link to Walmart's product feed or a search tool. Use this to find products related to your content. If you write about fitness equipment, search for dumbbells, yoga mats, or treadmills. Rakuten shows you the commission rate for each product — this varies by category.
When you find a product you want to promote, Rakuten generates a unique tracking link. This link contains a code that tells Walmart the sale came from you. Copy this link and paste it into your blog post, video description, social media post, or website. Do not modify the link or it will not track correctly.
You can also use Rakuten's browser extension, which generates affiliate links while you browse Walmart.com. This is faster than searching the product feed, especially if you are writing about specific items. The extension adds your affiliate code automatically.
Commission Rates and What You Earn
Walmart's commission rates range from 1% to 4% depending on the product category. Electronics, for example, typically pay 1% to 2%, while home and garden items may pay 3% to 4%. You can see the exact rate for each product before you create the link.
The commission is calculated on the sale price, not the discount. If a product costs $100 and you earn 2%, you make $2 per sale. If the customer uses a coupon and pays $80, you still earn 2% of the $100 original price — Walmart covers the difference.
Your tracking link remains active for 24 hours. If someone clicks your link and buys within 24 hours, you earn the commission. If they click, leave, and come back three days later, the sale will not count. This is shorter than many affiliate programs, so it rewards timely, relevant content.
Payment and Tracking Your Earnings
Rakuten tracks every click, conversion, and dollar you earn in your dashboard. You can see real-time data on how many people clicked your links, how many made a purchase, and how much you earned. This data updates daily and breaks down by product, date, and traffic source.
Walmart pays affiliates monthly. Rakuten holds your first payment for 30 days to verify the sales are legitimate and not fraudulent. After that, you receive payment on the 20th of each month for earnings from the previous month. You can choose to receive payment by direct deposit, check, or other methods depending on your country.
There is no minimum earning threshold to receive a payment. Even if you earn $5 in a month, Rakuten will pay it out. However, if your account has been inactive for 180 days, Rakuten may close it and forfeit any remaining balance, so log in at least once every six months.
Content Ideas That Work Well for Walmart Affiliate Links
Product reviews perform best. Write a detailed review of a specific item you have used or researched — compare it to competitors, explain what it is good for, and link to the Walmart product. Readers trust reviews because they feel honest and specific.
Buying guides also convert well. Create a post like "The Best Coffee Makers Under $100" or "Top Luggage Sets for Travel" and include Walmart links alongside brief descriptions of why each product made your list. Buying guides help readers make decisions and naturally include multiple affiliate links.
Roundup posts and listicles work too — "5 Kitchen Gadgets That Save Time" or "10 Affordable Desk Organizers" give you room to link to several products. Video content on YouTube performs especially well because viewers can see the product in action and click the link in the description.
Avoid posting links with no context. A link by itself, or a link with only the product name, rarely converts. Readers need to understand why they should buy the product and how it solves a problem. The more helpful your content, the more likely someone will click and buy.
Rules and Restrictions You Must Follow
Walmart's affiliate agreement prohibits certain practices. You cannot bid on Walmart brand keywords in paid search ads — you cannot buy Google Ads for "Walmart" or "Walmart [product name]" and direct people to your affiliate link. You can bid on product category keywords like "best coffee maker," but not on Walmart itself.
You must disclose that your links are affiliate links. This is a legal requirement under the FTC's endorsement guides. Add a sentence like "I earn a commission if you buy through these links" or "This post contains affiliate links" somewhere visible on your page. Many affiliates put this in a disclaimer at the top or bottom of the post.
Do not use deceptive practices like hiding links in shortened URLs or disguising them as non-affiliate links. Do not spam social media or email lists with links. Do not create fake reviews or misleading content to drive clicks. Walmart and Rakuten monitor for fraud and will terminate your account if they find violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for the Walmart affiliate program?
Most applications are approved within 3 to 5 business days. Rakuten reviews your website or platform to make sure it is real and active. If your site is new or has very little content, approval may take longer or be denied. Having at least a few posts or videos up before you explore speeds up the process.
Can I promote Walmart products on social media like Instagram or TikTok?
Yes, you can post affiliate links on any platform where you have an audience. On Instagram, put the link in your bio or in a link-in-bio tool. On TikTok, include the link in your video description. You must still disclose that the link is an affiliate link, usually with a hashtag like #ad or #affiliate or a sentence in your caption.
What happens if someone clicks my link but does not buy within 24 hours?
You do not earn a commission. The 24-hour window is strict. If someone clicks your link, browses for an hour, and comes back the next day, the sale will not be attributed to you. This is why content that encourages when ready action — like time-sensitive deals or urgent recommendations — tends to convert better than general product information.
Can I use the same affiliate link on multiple websites or posts?
Yes. A single affiliate link works everywhere. You can post the same link on your blog, YouTube channel, Instagram, and Twitter, and all sales will be tracked to your account. However, Rakuten may flag unusual patterns, so avoid posting the same link thousands of times or in spam-like ways.
Do I need to pay taxes on affiliate income?
Yes. Affiliate income is taxable income. Rakuten will send you a 1099 form at the end of the year if you earn over $600, and you must report this on your tax return. Even if you earn less than $600, you should still report the income. Keep records of your monthly payments and earnings from your Rakuten dashboard.