![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-homepage-screenshot-1024x372.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSkimlinks<\/a> is a UK-based company that\u2019s been active on the affiliate marketing scene since 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But they didn\u2019t really make an impact in the market until the Amazon sales tax debacle of 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was when Amazon cut ties with all of its affiliates in states like Connecticut because of sales tax issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So affiliates terminated by Amazon just signed up with Skimlinks instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly affiliates were introduced to a network that did all the hard work of linking out to merchants for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as you\u2019re happy with them taking a 25% cut of your earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because that\u2019s the cost involved in doing business with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What has Skimlinks got to offer you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n An almost-instant relationship with over 25,900 merchants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And a more hands-off approach to monetization than any of the other affiliate networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s look at how that all ties together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the first step is actually creating a Skimlinks account which you can do from the navigation menu visible on every page:<\/p>\n\n\n Then enter your email address and create a password:<\/p>\n\n\n Then enter the URL of the website you want to use Skimlinks on and your company name.<\/p>\n\n\n And once you verify your email address you\u2019ll bypass the Skimlinks login to be brought to the following screen:<\/p>\n\n\n Skimlinks has an approval process so you can be rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But your JavaScript snippet is ready to be copied and pasted into the bottom of your <Body> tag before you\u2019re even approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That snippet only works though on the site you applied with though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s it \u2013 a painless application process but with a built-in delay.<\/p>\n\n\n It\u2019s not quite the \u201cminutes\u201d that Skimlinks claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tiny bit hyperbolic, guys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was this a once-off or are there other things to concern you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wait…isn\u2019t using Skimlinks automated?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, adding Skimlinks to your site does automate your monetization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But wouldn\u2019t you like to know what programs you\u2019re linking out to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just to make sure you\u2019re aligning your site with merchants like Booking.com and not SuperCheapSunHolidaysOnABudget.ru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the brand names you\u2019ll be able to promote through your affiliate links:<\/p>\n\n\n And what\u2019s unusual about Skimlinks is that these types of merchants are the rule rather than the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, they\u2019ll obviously have brands you\u2019ve never heard of on their books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But a quick look at the Skimlinks \u2018Merchants\u2019 hub shows you what you to expect:<\/p>\n\n\n It seems like they have a program to suit every niche<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But how easy is Skimlinks to use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, nobody wants to end up in a UX swamp, no matter how good the programs are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or worse again\u2026get stuck in payment hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now…I cheated a little here because I used a Skimlinks account I set up years ago and promptly forgot about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So there\u2019s no site currently attached to it…because I flipped it 8 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyways, how easy is the Skimlinks dashboard to navigate?<\/p>\n\n\n 1. Snapshot <\/strong>\u2013 the overview you see above which includes revenue, top-performing pages, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Performance<\/strong> \u2013 tons of reporting options<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Merchants<\/strong> \u2013 where you find advertisers <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Offers<\/strong> – promos currently being run by advertisers<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Toolbox<\/strong> \u2013 generating deep or short links to specific pages<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Payments<\/strong> \u2013 where you enter your payment details<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only other menu function is \u2018Settings\u2019 in the top right-hand corner:<\/p>\n\n\n Sites<\/strong> \u2013 where you apply to add new sites to your account<\/p>\n\n\n\n Install<\/strong> \u2013 get your code snippet here<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced settings<\/strong> \u2013 enable, disable, or customize \u2018Skimlinks\u2019, \u2018SkimWords\u2019, and \u2018Audiences\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Team management<\/strong> \u2013 add or remove users and set their roles within Skimlinks<\/p>\n\n\n\n Account details<\/strong> \u2013your business information and to change your password<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notification<\/strong> \u2013 control what emails you receive in relation to merchant offers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: SkimWords appears to be Skimlink\u2019s attempt to turn more of your outbound links into affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only real standout within the dashboard is the \u2018Performance\u2019 area \u2013 Skimlinks go all-in on their reporting:<\/p>\n\n\n Several of these new Beta reports directly address two key issues that Skimlinks affiliates have had for quite some time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s great to see Skimlinks has been so receptive to what affiliates actually asked for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what you get with Skimlinks is a bright clean interface that keeps things simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that makes it easy to navigate and use for affiliates at all levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally at this point, we\u2019d talk about how easy or difficult a given network makes it to find an affiliate program<\/a> you want to promote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing is though that with Skimlinks you don\u2019t have to apply to an affiliate program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only thing you need to do is create content that contains links with commercial intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLogitech wireless keyboard\u201d<\/strong> = good commercial intent<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy politics suck!\u201d<\/strong> = shitty commercial intent<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s it though \u2013 Skimlinks does all the actual linking to offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why then do they have a \u2018Merchants\u2019 section on their dashboard?<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you can research the various advertisers present in certain categories and then tailor your content to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is like reverse affiliate marketing because you\u2019re using an affiliate program to dictate the type of content you create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this approach appears to work.<\/p>\n\n\n You can search Skimlinks\u2019 merchants by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you can also filter the merchant list by column values like (1) \u2018Effective EPC\u2019 and (2) \u2018Average commission rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if we sort by EPC we can see the top-paying programs, which are mostly CPA offers<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n Basically, you can find the types of content that pay the most or convert best, and then just create content around those topics, brands, or keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then allow Skimlinks to monetize it with affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you can also get a more detailed breakdown of each advertiser if you want to know more about their conversion rates, average order size, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n So, there\u2019s no need to set up affiliate links manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or is there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having your monetization automated for you by Skimlinks probably seems like the best thing ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But what if you need to create a deep link or maybe even affiliate links for social media?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In that case, you have two options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first of these is to head over to the \u2018Toolbox\u2019 section from Skimlinks\u2019 main menu:<\/p>\n\n\n And simply paste in the URL of the page you want to turn into an affiliate link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or generate a shorter version of that same link so it works in your social media post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second option is to install the \u2018Skimlinks Editor<\/a>\u2019 extension for Chrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This allows you to do the same thing, but on the fly from within the merchant\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you\u2019ll only ever need to use either of these options if you\u2019re intent on setting up affiliate links manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now it\u2019s time to get down to getting money in the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is as good a time as any to mention the Skimlinks referral program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll get a 35% cut of what your sub-affiliates earn for their first 12 months on the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So there\u2019s more than one revenue stream possible here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now let\u2019s take a look at when and how your commissions arrive in your bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t get paid until Skimlinks gets paid by the merchant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you\u2019ll be waiting at least 90 days for those commissions to hit your bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is the \u201cpayment hell\u201d I mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not so much hell\u2026as just a huge pain in the ass to wait 3 months to get paid your commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a US or UK-based affiliate<\/a>, you can choose between direct deposit and PayPal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But affiliates from anywhere else in the world can only use PayPal to receive payment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I could bitch about them offering more options, but what other payment methods might you need apart from maybe crypto?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to earn at least US$65 to receive your first and subsequent payments from Skimlinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve waited 90 days for your attributed sales to clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even relatively experienced affiliates will need a helping hand from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s always good to know you can turn to support for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first place you can do this with Skimlinks is using their \u2018Resources\u2019 page:<\/p>\n\n\n Which is also where you access their \u2018Support\u2019 page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their \u2018Resources<\/a>\u2019 page is kind of a mixed bag of guides, blog posts, and case studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you will find \u2018Getting Started\u2019 guides for Publishers and Merchants here:<\/p>\n\n\n The \u2018Support\u2019 section of the site is very much the same:<\/p>\n\n\n You get access to a series of FAQs and a chat support bot:<\/p>\n\n\n The thing is that the bot is obviously limited to the information it finds in the Skimlinks knowledgebase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So that\u2019s a bit \u201cMeh\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I just want to briefly cover this comparison because it\u2019s an obvious one to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how does using Skimlinks compare?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key difference between the two networks is that with VigLink<\/a> you do need to apply to offers whereas with Skimlinks you\u2019re automatically approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that\u2019s pretty much it when it comes to a VigLink vs. Skimlinks comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re remarkably similar otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So far I\u2019ve had a lot to say about Skimlinks in as unbiased a manner as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But let\u2019s get some other opinions into the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the first review I found where the guy seems to love the simplicity that Skimlinks offers affiliate marketers.<\/p>\n\n\n And here\u2019s another one from the same site \u2013 again somebody who seems to really enjoy the automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it does sound a little bit \u201cscripted\u201d doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n I actually recognize this next guy from a previous review where he complained about another affiliate network being a \u201cscam\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So he\u2019s obviously a frequent flyer on Air Karen.<\/p>\n\n\n And the rest of the negative reviews all came from the usual \u201cThey stole all my commissions but I did nothing wrong\u201d crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several of whose names I recognized complaining they had the same problems with other affiliate marketing networks and platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost as if…they were running some kind of cross-network scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But one recurring issue that Skimlinks does have is complaints about their customer support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would seem they take several days to respond to a query.<\/p>\n\n\n\n URL: <\/strong>Skimlinks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Year established:<\/strong> 2007<\/p>\n\n\n\n Number of merchants: <\/strong>25,900<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offer types: <\/strong>CPC, CPA<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how do Skimlinks compare to other affiliate networks when you break it all down to the basic pros and cons of using them to monetize your site<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that folks is a wrap on our Skimlinks review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what we have here is a unique network that\u2019s easy to use if you don\u2019t want to go down the route of manually setting up affiliate links on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You get a ton of merchants to work with, and all you have to do to make money is add some links to your pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something you already do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But then again, are you willing to lose 25% of your income to use Skimlinks to make your life easier?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only you can answer that question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does Skimlinks work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skimlinks is a network that\u2019s worth checking out, especially if you\u2019ve had no luck applying for more mainstream affiliate programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It just might be what you need to get your start with making money online. (Our affiliate marketing statistics<\/a> show that the average affiliate marketer is making more than $8,000 per month.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or you could drop by our free training<\/a> on how to set up an affiliate site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something we know a thing or two about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll learn tips and strategies that have taken us over a decade to put together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without paying us anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, tell us the best email address<\/a> to send your invite to \u2013 we take care of the rest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Signing Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-signup-1024x175.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-signup-detaills-1024x376.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-company-details-1024x364.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-java-snippet-1024x324.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-publisher-account-signup-1024x176.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhat brands can you promote?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Brands](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//brands-to-promote-skimlinks.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Merchants](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//merchants-on-skimlinks-1024x348.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEase of Use<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-dashboard-1024x301.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-settings-menu-1024x293.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-performance-reports-1024x264.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Finding affiliate programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-merchant-filters-1024x422.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-top-cpa-programs-1024x340.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Advertiser](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//advertiser-breakdown-on-skimlinks-1024x255.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCreating affiliate links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Link](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//link-generator-skimlinks-1024x436.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nGetting Paid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Payment timeframe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Payment methods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Payment threshold<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Publisher Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-publisher-help-1024x305.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-getting-started-1024x278.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-support-1024x365.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-support-chat-1024x480.png/")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSkimlinks vs. VigLink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Skimlinks Reviews<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-review1-1024x365.png/")
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-review2.png/")
![\"Skimlinks](https://www.authorityhacker.com/"https:////www.authorityhacker.com//wp-content//uploads//2022//01//skimlinks-review3-1024x357.png/")
Skimlinks Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Weighing it up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n