Affiliate marketing is a fast-moving world, and with new platforms showing up all the time, there’s more opportunity than ever for anyone to earn online. While the big names like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are pretty well known in the affiliate space, some lesser known and upcoming platforms are carving out their own space. These emerging platforms might not have the massive audiences yet, but they do offer fresh environments with less competition, unique audiences, and creative tools for promotion. I’m going to break down what affiliate marketing on these platforms looks like, why it matters, and how to get started and thrive, even if you’re new to this scene.
Why Try Affiliate Marketing on Emerging Platforms?
Trying out affiliate marketing on new platforms offers a bunch of practical benefits. The early days of a platform give you a chance to stand out before things get crowded. When competition is lower, it’s a bit easier to grab attention, build trust, and grow your following. Plus, if you jump in early, you can build authority as a resource people turn to on that platform.
Marketing on up and coming platforms like TikTok, Discord, Clubhouse, Pinterest, and even smaller podcasting or live audio apps lets you show up where audiences are still figuring things out. Some stats show that nontraditional platforms like Pinterest and TikTok are grabbing a bigger share of users, especially among younger groups who don’t spend as much time on Facebook or Twitter. Tapping into these platforms now can give you a nice foundation as they grow and change.
Being one of the first to provide valuable content in new spaces can help you lock in topical authority and credibility. You might also find that advertising costs are lower, engagement is stronger, and the ability to shape a tight community is bigger at the beginning, before popular trends lock in and the algorithms grow more selective.
Getting Familiar with Emerging Affiliate Platforms
If you’re new to the idea of running affiliate promos anywhere but the big networks, these platforms might look a little confusing at first. Here are a few you might want to check out:
- TikTok: Short, fast paced video content is the bread and butter here. Brands and creators have both jumped on board, offering everything from beauty tips to investment advice, often with some slick affiliate calls to action.
- Pinterest: Unlike most social networks, people come here to search and plan projects, making it a good place for targeted affiliate links in how-tos, tutorials, or collections of inspiring ideas.
- Discord: This platform started as a gamers chatroom, but it’s now packed full of interest based communities. Some power affiliates use private groups or exclusive channels for niche recommendations.
- Reddit: It’s full of subreddits (forums) for everything imaginable. Affiliate marketers who contribute valuable insights, rather than just spamming links, can build trust and recommend products directly to people looking for answers.
- Podcasts & Audio Apps: Podcasting apps and live audio platforms like Clubhouse make it easy to share affiliate links in episode descriptions or chat rooms. These platforms have less clutter, so your links might get more attention.
Each one calls for a different approach. Some are more visual, others are more about conversation or sharing resources. Knowing how people use these apps helps you create posts or content that feels right at home. Spend a little time to get a feel for user demographics, posting formats, and content types that really get people talking and sharing.
Step by Step Guide: Launching Your Affiliate Marketing on New Platforms
It can feel a bit overwhelming to step into a space where there aren’t as many guides and templates yet. I’ve put together a step by step process to get you going.
- Pick Your Platform: Decide which platform lines up with your interests and your audience. If you love short form video, try TikTok. If you’re good at explaining things visually, Pinterest could be your new home.
- Explore the Vibe: Spend some time as a regular user. Watch what kinds of posts get attention, how users comment, and what sorts of content brands and creators share. This helps your first efforts fit in naturally.
- Create Useful Content: Whether it’s a quick tutorial, a product review, or a creative demo, focus on genuinely helping someone or sparking curiosity. Content that comes off as a hard sell rarely sticks around on emerging platforms.
- Slip in Affiliate Links Carefully: Add affiliate links or promo codes in ways that don’t interrupt the flow. On TikTok, you can direct viewers to a link in your profile. Discord allows links in chat rooms or pinned threads. Podcasts give you space to mention deals and share clickable links in show notes.
- Stay Consistent and Interact: Posting regularly and replying to comments, DMs, or group chats really matters. These platforms reward active and helpful users, making it easier for you to build trust and get your recommendations noticed.
- Pay Attention to Rules: Read the platform’s rules. Some places have strict bans on “spammy” links and advertising, so be sure to follow the guidelines and avoid risking your account.
Following this process can set you up for steady growth, even if affiliate marketing isn’t the core purpose of the platform yet. Authenticity wins almost every time, especially when you’re one of the earliest voices sharing real value. Connecting with likeminded users, building conversations around products, and sharing behind the scenes views can foster honest engagement.
Common Challenges When Using New Platforms for Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing on new platforms isn’t always smooth sailing. There are a few hurdles I’ve run into and seen others struggle with, but most have workable solutions.
- Unpredictable Algorithms: Most platforms change how posts are shown. A video that gets thousands of views one day might barely get seen the next. Focusing on building a real, engaged community helps balance out these sudden changes.
- Rules Against Direct Links: Not all platforms allow affiliate links right in a post. Some, like TikTok, only let you share a link in your bio or a specific button. Being creative with how you share links (like using QR codes, short URLs, or promo codes) is pretty useful.
- Low Trust from Audiences: Some users are wary of “sell-y” content. Sharing honest reviews, your real world experience, or demoing products personally feels more genuine and helps build credibility.
- Lack of Reporting Tools: Smaller or newer platforms might not give you much data on how your links perform. You can work around this by using third party tools for tracking or split testing different approaches over time.
- Platform Growth is Uncertain: Not every emerging platform will blow up. It’s smart to test the waters on a few, so if one doesn’t pan out, you’ve already got traction somewhere else.
Unpredictable Algorithms
Getting consistent reach is tricky, since most algorithms keep changing. To keep your exposure up, stay active, post at various times, and don’t hesitate to update older content with fresh info or new links. Running experiments with times, hashtags, or formats helps you pin down what really gets attention on that platform.
Rules Against Direct Links
If a platform limits clickable links, there are workarounds. Linking out from your profile or sending interested followers a DM with info works well. Promo codes are an easy, nonspammy way to promote a product while playing by the rules.
Building Trust with Your Audience
People scroll past pushy ads, but they pay attention to stories or honest reviews. Sharing any personal experience or showing the product in action makes your offers real and trustworthy. Asking real questions, posting feedback from your community, and being transparent about your affiliate relationships can help turn viewers into fans.
Lack of Reporting Tools
Good reporting is still missing on many new platforms. Using separate tracking links for each platform or campaign can help you figure out what’s working. Google Analytics and other free tracking tools are handy supplements. If you post across Discord, TikTok, and Pinterest, keep a log of clicks and conversions to adjust your approach effectively.
Platform Growth is Uncertain
Since new platforms can rise and fall, I keep some of my efforts on the bigger places (like a blog or YouTube) while testing out the newer ones. This way, I can move quickly if a platform’s changes mean less affiliate potential. Building an email list or small website gives you a backup if a platform changes its rules or fades out.
Even with these challenges, the right mix of patience and willingness to experiment can lead to exciting results. It’s about growing along with the platform and adjusting as things evolve. Building strong, supportive communities and collaborating with other creators can also help you weather unexpected changes.
Advanced Strategies for Stronger Affiliate Results
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can move beyond simple link sharing. Here’s how I push my affiliate game even further on these new platforms:
Mash Up Content Types: Combine videos, pictures, and text for richer posts. For example, you can run a TikTok video showing a product in use, then pin a breakdown or full review to your profile or stories.
Find “Micro Niches”: Digging deeper into niche interests pays off. If you’re on Discord, for example, a server dedicated to ultralight hiking or indie game development might have a super engaged, loyal crowd for affiliate suggestions.
Host Live Demos and Q&As: Going live lets you interact in real time, answer questions, and show the benefits of a product honestly. Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces, and even TikTok Live make this easy to do without much setup.
Team Up with Other Creators: Partnering with a few others, even in small ways, can help you reach new audiences. Joint livestreams, podcast interviews, or shared Discord channels raise your profile and bring fresh perspectives.
Automate and Track: Tools like Zapier, Google Sheets, or link shorteners help manage links and get better at tracking what’s working. Even small automations can save you hours if you’re active on several platforms. Consider tools that ping you with alerts when certain links or posts hit engagement milestones so you can jump in and keep the momentum going.
All these moves help make affiliate recommendations valuable rather than disruptive. Good content paired with the right strategy can turn early adopters into lifelong followers. Over time, experimenting with creative formats—like “day in the life” stories, product unboxing, or quick challenge videos—keeps your presence fresh and your audience engaged.
What Products Do Best on New Platforms?
Some products just fit better with the experimental and community driven feel of new or niche platforms. Take a look at these popular choices:
- Trendy Gadgets and Tech: TikTok and Pinterest love cool, visual gadgets, especially if you can demo them short and sweet.
- Online Services & Digital Products: Things like design tools, gaming add ons, streaming platforms, or online courses are easy to promote across most emerging channels.
- Fashion, Beauty, and DIY: Platforms like Pinterest and TikTok have audiences hungry for inspiration, so clothes, makeup, and hobby supplies do well when paired with tips, tutorials, or style guides.
- Hobby Niche Tools: Discord or Reddit servers focused on hobbies (crafting, music, tech repair, etc.) respond best to genuine recommendations on tools or resources.
Matching your affiliate products to the way people use the platform keeps you relevant and increases clicks. When recommending a product, consider how natural it would feel to introduce it in your kind of content. Video tutorials, before and after photos, or real time feedback from users all work well in this landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Curious about getting started or scaling up? Here are a few of the most common questions I’ve gotten from others looking to break into affiliate marketing on new platforms:
Question: How do I know which new platforms are worth my time?
Answer: Watch where your target audience hangs out, and check whether creators in your niche are seeing good results. Join a few platforms and spend time as a normal user to see how things feel before investing a lot of energy.
Question: Can I use the same affiliate links everywhere?
Answer: Yes, but customize your approach for each platform. Sometimes you’ll need to create special links or codes for certain communities. Always read the rules to avoid getting banned or flagged for spam. It’s often smart to make use of shorteners or UTM parameters for tracking.
Question: Do I need to disclose affiliate links on emerging platforms?
Answer: Absolutely. Disclosing your relationship with brands or products is not only ethical but also required by law in many places—including the US (FTC rules). Even quick mentions or hashtags (#ad, #affiliate) work well and keep you transparent with your audience.
Question: What happens if the platform I’m using goes away?
Answer: This can happen. That’s why it’s smart to keep active on a couple platforms and always steer your followers to an email list, website, or another place you control. Owning your audience helps you keep earning even when platforms shut down. Consider using your personal website as a digital home base, so loyal followers always know where to find you.
Jumping Into Affiliate Marketing on New Platforms
Affiliate marketing on emerging platforms lets you get creative, reach new audiences, and build real connections with fellow enthusiasts. Trying these spaces out early is a low risk, potentially high reward move. Spend some time as a regular user, offer honest recommendations, and you’ll find it easier to grow an audience even in places that aren’t totally commercial yet.
The world of affiliate marketing isn’t standing still, and that’s what keeps it exciting. Exploring new platforms is a good way to keep your marketing fun, relevant, and ready for whatever comes next. Keep testing, learning, and sharing genuinely useful resources that help your community, and your affiliate adventures on new platforms can set you apart for years to come.