Rakuten Advertising (formerly LinkShare) – The Global Affiliate Marketing Network

Rakuten Advertising stands as a leading global affiliate marketing network, offering a sophisticated platform where advertisers and publishers collaborate on performance-based campaigns. Formerly known as LinkShare, it has evolved into a powerhouse for managing partnerships, tracking performance, and driving scalable revenue through one of the world's most extensive affiliate ecosystems. Whether you're a brand looking to expand reach or a publisher seeking quality offers, Rakuten Advertising provides the tools, reporting, and network scale essential for success in performance marketing.

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What is Rakuten Advertising?

Rakuten Advertising is a comprehensive, global affiliate marketing network that serves as an intermediary platform connecting advertisers (merchants) with publishers (affiliates). It facilitates performance-based marketing partnerships where publishers earn commissions for driving desired actions like sales, leads, or clicks. Building on the legacy of LinkShare, it offers advanced tracking technology, robust reporting dashboards, and a vast marketplace of reputable brands across numerous verticals, making it a cornerstone for professional affiliate marketing programs worldwide.

Key Features of Rakuten Advertising

Global Network of Advertisers and Publishers

Access one of the world's largest and most diverse affiliate marketplaces. Advertisers can tap into a vast pool of qualified publishers, while publishers can choose from thousands of high-converting offers from globally recognized brands across retail, travel, finance, and more.

Advanced Tracking and Attribution

Utilize sophisticated tracking technology to accurately measure clicks, conversions, and sales across devices and channels. The platform provides transparent reporting and reliable attribution, ensuring both advertisers and publishers have clear insights into campaign performance and commission earnings.

Comprehensive Campaign Management Tools

Manage every aspect of your affiliate program with intuitive tools for creating offers, setting commission structures (CPA, CPC, CPL), generating links and banners, and implementing deep linking. Advertisers have granular control over publisher approvals and payouts.

In-Depth Analytics and Reporting Dashboard

Gain actionable insights with a powerful analytics suite. Track key metrics like impressions, clicks, conversions, EPC (Earnings Per Click), and ROI in real-time. Customizable reports help optimize strategies and maximize campaign profitability for all parties.

Who Should Use Rakuten Advertising?

Rakuten Advertising is ideally suited for established businesses and professional marketers. Advertisers include mid-to-large-sized e-commerce brands, subscription services, travel companies, and financial institutions seeking to build or scale a performance-based marketing channel. Publishers range from content creators and coupon sites to loyalty platforms and large-scale media buyers who require a reliable network with diverse, high-quality offers and timely payments. It is particularly valuable for programs targeting a global audience.

Rakuten Advertising Pricing and Free Tier

Rakuten Advertising operates on a tailored pricing model rather than a publicly listed subscription. Typically, the network charges advertisers a setup fee and/or a percentage of the commission paid to publishers. There is usually no direct cost for publishers to join the network. While there isn't a traditional 'free tier' for advertisers due to the enterprise-level service and technology provided, interested businesses must contact their sales team for a custom quote based on program size and goals. Publishers can generally sign up and access offers at no upfront cost.

Common Use Cases

Launching and scaling a global affiliate marketing program for an e-commerce brand
Monetizing a high-traffic website or app through performance-based advertising offers

Key Benefits

Drive measurable, performance-based revenue by connecting with a vast network of pre-vetted publishers.
Gain access to enterprise-grade tracking, reporting, and fraud prevention tools to protect your marketing spend.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Extensive global network with thousands of reputable advertisers and publishers
Robust, reliable tracking and detailed analytics for data-driven optimization
Strong reputation and legacy, providing trust and stability for partnerships
Comprehensive campaign management and deep-linking capabilities

Cons

Pricing is not transparent and requires direct contact with sales, which may be a barrier for very small businesses
The platform's depth and scale can have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler affiliate solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rakuten Advertising free to use?

For publishers (affiliates), joining the Rakuten Advertising network and accessing offers is generally free. For advertisers (merchants), there is typically a setup fee and/or a revenue share model based on commissions paid, rather than a free tier. You must contact their sales team for specific pricing tailored to your program.

Is Rakuten Advertising good for affiliate marketing?

Yes, Rakuten Advertising is considered one of the top-tier networks for professional affiliate marketing. Its global reach, advanced technology, and high-quality brand portfolio make it an excellent choice for businesses and publishers serious about scaling performance-based campaigns. Its legacy as LinkShare adds to its credibility and network strength.

What is the difference between Rakuten Advertising and LinkShare?

LinkShare was the original name of the affiliate network. Rakuten, a global internet services company, acquired it and rebranded it as Rakuten Advertising. The platform has since been enhanced with more features, integrated into Rakuten's broader marketing suite, and expanded its global footprint, while maintaining its core affiliate network functionality.

Conclusion

For businesses and publishers operating at scale in the affiliate marketing space, Rakuten Advertising represents a premier, enterprise-grade solution. Its combination of a massive global network, reliable tracking technology, and comprehensive management tools makes it a powerful engine for driving performance-based revenue. While its tailored pricing model is best suited for established programs, the platform's robustness and reputation offer significant value for those looking to build long-term, profitable affiliate partnerships on a global stage.