Google Affiliate Program: How It Works, Payment Details & More

Many affiliate programs are available, but I want to focus on Google’s affiliate programs.

When building this Google Affiliate program review, I uncovered some interesting revelations.

First, Google’s most available affiliate program is Google Workspace, and their second and more widely used is Google AdSense.

Google AdSense operates differently from other affiliate programs, so I’ll focus on its Google Workspace Affiliate program.

Does Google Have An Affiliate Program?

Google does have a few affiliate programs, and the most prominent and profitable one is Google Workspace.

Google has a referral program for Google Workspace too.

Additionally, Google offers Google Adsense, which operates on an affiliate structure.

You earn commissions dependent on traffic and a pay-per-click model.

What Is the Google Affiliate Program?

Google’s affiliate program centers around the business feature upgrades to Google’s already robust software library.

A Google Workspace affiliate earns money by promoting Gmail, Google Meet, Drive, and other Google software.

How Does the Google Affiliate Program Work?

First, users will join the Google Workspace affiliate program through CJ Affiliate.

CJ Affiliate will then thoroughly review your application.

Next, you’ll receive a link that you can actively promote with the support of Google.

Google will provide exclusive offers and a library of banners to help you actively promote your link.

Finally, you’ll earn money through the users you refer.

Google provides you with tracking tools to help you optimize your referral rate and keep track of your earnings.

Is the Google Workspace Affiliate Program Free?

Google’s affiliate programs are completely free to join.

You’ll register through CJ affiliate, and they do not charge you.

What Products Can You Promote for the Google Affiliate Program?

Google provides plenty of services for users, and most are free.

Still, for those willing to pay extra, they expand and enhance their services to provide an unmatched experience.

1. Gmail Business Email

Google enhances your Gmail experience by providing more storage, a custom-branded Google email, and the ability to assign different email IDs to employees.

For users who want to look more official and professional, paying extra for Gmail makes sense.

2. Drive Secure Cloud Storage

With more storage for your Drive, Google provides extra security, 24/7 email and phone support, advanced reporting, and an abundance of sharing tools.

Since most of their work is online, storage has become crucial, especially for freelancers and small businesses.

3. Google Meet

Google Meet provides video conferencing with enterprise-grade quality.

Up to 100 Google users can participate in an hour-long meeting without disruptions. Additionally, Workspace users can live-stream and include over 500 participants.

4. Sheets, Docs, and Slides

Google Docs and Sheets are extremely popular already, but their business version is useful for people.

Google provides frictionless collaborative features and seamless insights into your documents and data.

5. Google Calendar

Typically, people see calendar applications as irrelevant or unnecessary.

Google takes them a step further by allowing users great flexibility with Google Calendar.

For consultants and freelancers who schedule and book appointments, Google Calendar will help them better streamline their work.

With the business version of Google Calendar, you can instantly automate bookings and schedule appointments.

Google provides seamlessly synchronized calendars and the ability to share them.

Other Things You Can Promote with This Program

While the main features involve the standard Google applications, there are other features you can promote with Google Workspace.

Jamboard, Sites, and Forms are all applications and software that increase the value of Google Workspace.

What Products Are Excluded from the Google Affiliate Program?

Every plan includes all of Google’s products besides YouTube premium.

They don’t exclude anything and even use bundle niche software like Jamboard.

How Much Do Google Affiliates Make?

Google’s affiliate program is by no means one of the highest-paying affiliate programs on the market.

Still, you do make good money from it.

The amount of money you’ll earn from Google’s affiliate program depends on how many referrals you make.

Typically, most affiliates try to set a goal to refer at least one hundred people a year.

While this number can fluctuate, we can use that as a baseline.

Suppose you were to refer one hundred people to purchase the standard workspace business starter package Google provides.

In that case, you could expect to earn $900 per 100 referrals.

If you were to sell their highest tier package, business plus, you could expect to make $2,700 per 100 referrals.

On average, you can expect an annual rate of $1,800, assuming you have a mix of the starter, standard, and business plus package.

Google Affiliate Program Commission Rates

The most crucial thing affiliates want to know is the Google affiliate commission rates.

Fortunately, Google does pay well when it comes to commissions.

Google has three plans that pay a different rate and no monthly or annual limit to how many users you can refer.

Business Starter

The first and basic plan Google Workspace offers will provide you with $9 per user you successfully recruit.

This plan will be the most enticing option for many users and probably the easiest for you to refer users.

Business Standard

The middle-of-the-road option is Google’s standard package, giving you $18 per user you successfully recruit.

This package is for freelancers who need the extra perks that the starter package doesn’t provide.

Business Plus

Finally, business plus is Google’s most expensive package, and it’ll net you $27 per user you manage to recruit.

Business Plus is for more active freelancers and business owners.

If your target audience needs business plus, you’ll make good money by referring them to Google.

How Long Does the Google Cookie Last?

The cookie for Google Workspace lasts about 30 full days, which is about average for most affiliate links.

You can get paid whenever someone uses your link to join during this time.

How Do You Get Paid from Google?

Google pays its users via direct deposit, or you can set up a PayPal option.

The total amount a user can make from being a Google affiliate depends on how much effort they put into recruiting users via their affiliate link.

Google has no limit to how much affiliates can earn.

I found no other accompanying fees, so you can expect full pay, depending on how many referrals you have each month.

When Does Google Pay Affiliates?

Google distributes payments to its affiliates monthly.

Unfortunately, the date when they pay isn’t consistent, but it does happen near the end of each month.

You’ll most likely receive payment(s) from the 21st to the 26th of each month.

What Marketing Materials and Promotional Tools Are Available?

There are a few marketing and promotional tools that Google offers to help businesses and affiliates better promote themselves and their products.

Additionally, Google provides you with a unique affiliate link.

Google Marketing Kit provides free stickers, posters, social posts, and more to help share and promote your business in tactful and existing ways.

Other than that, it’s up to each affiliate to provide their creative ways of promoting Google Workspace.

You can use Google’s products to help optimize your content.

Still, Google doesn’t provide any promotional material outside their Google Marketing Kit.

I recommend keeping an eye on your analytics with Google Analytics to monitor your website traffic.

Keeping a keen eye on your website traffic can help you better understand how your visitors react to your affiliate marketing attempts.

Who Should Join the Google Affiliate Program?

People who can generate high volume referrals typically want to join the Google Workspace Affiliate program.

For those who generate less than 100 referrals a year, it’s best to join Google’s referral program instead.

Bloggers

Making money with a blog can be highly challenging.

That’s why affiliate programs are crucial to improving your income as a blogger.

Depending on your blog, Google Workspace may be the perfect referral for your target audience.

Assuming you’ve found your niche as a blogger, you’ll be in a prime position to endorse Google’s products like Sheets and Docs, which are very popular for writers.

There are limitations for bloggers.

For example, some blogs, such as weapons or sports-based blogs, aren’t typically fit to promote Google products.

Still, if you have a marketing, writing, analytics, or business-based blog, you will benefit heavily from Google’s affiliate program.

Freelancers

Consultants, writers, and small marketing teams benefit the most from affiliate programs.

Since freelancers have a small yet loyal following, they typically have a higher conversion rate from referrals.

Not only that, but freelancers also have a better opportunity to customize their content to fit the products they’re promoting.

Most of the time, bloggers have limitations depending on their niche and core audience, but freelancers have more room to expand.

Influencers/Businesses with Brand Loyalty

Suppose you have a high degree of influence on your demographic or consumers.

In that case, taking advantage of affiliate programs like Google Workspace is crucial.

Influencers with high brand loyalty will find affiliate programs beneficial as their audience will trust their recommendation more.

Similarly, businesses also create high degrees of brand loyalty and will discover that their consumers show interest in their recommendations.

Is the Google Affiliate Program Worth It?

Google Workspace has plenty of products to promote and is affordable for small businesses and freelancers.

Pros of the Google Affiliate Program

Google Workspace is extremely easy to endorse and promote, and Google’s reputation makes it easy for affiliates to promote and support their products actively.

Here are some pros to the Google Workspace Affiliate program.

• A great commission rate: Google offers an impressive rate for promoting its Workspace products. Even on the lower end, affiliates will still make a sizable amount of money with no downsides.
• Multiple products to promote: Most affiliates aim to promote a product or service actively. Thankfully, Google provides reliable and expansive software options for you to encourage and entice your audience.
• A straightforward application process: The application process for becoming a Google affiliate is a straightforward process with minimal chance of making mistakes that could prolong your application process.
• No high traffic requirement to join: The bare requirements for becoming an affiliate aren’t as strict as some other affiliate programs. Since there is no high traffic requirement, you can start endorsing Google products with a smaller audience and make cash immediately.
• Low payment threshold: While there is a payment threshold, it’s relatively minimal for Google affiliates. Google affiliates can cash out at $100.

Cons of the Google Affiliate Program

There aren’t many negatives to Google’s affiliate program, but it’s still important to mention some inherent inconveniences and downsides.

• Doesn’t accept global affiliates: Unfortunately, Google’s Workspace Affiliate program doesn’t offer opportunities for all areas. If you’re in North America, you don’t have to worry about this. Still, for others, you should look to see if Google’s affiliate program is supported.
• Getting paid takes time: The amount of time it takes to get paid can be frustrating for many affiliates. Affiliates get paid monthly, and the day they get paid isn’t always consistent.
• Not for low volume referrals: Google lets you apply to the program without traffic requirements. You’ll struggle with Google’s affiliate program if you have a low referral rate. It’s best to ensure you can refer a minimum of one hundred people annually.
• Have to follow Google’s policies: You must adhere to Google’s guidelines. Ensure that your content that promotes Google’s programs are appropriate for Google’s target audience.
• Needs a Google AdSense account: There is a slight inconvenience of needing a Google AdSense account. The time to sign-up extends if you don’t already have a Google AdSense account.

Conclusion: Is the Google Affiliate Program Worth It?

After reviewing the pros and cons, it’s safe to say that the Google Workspace Affiliate program is worth it.

The cons of the affiliate program are mostly mild inconveniences such as a longer wait time for payments and the need to make a Google AdSense account.

How To Join the Google Affiliate Program

Here are some of the requirements and a brief tutorial on how to join Google’s affiliate program.

Requirements To Join the Google Affiliate Program

The only primary requirement you need to join Google’s affiliate programs is a Google AdSense account.

Once you have Google AdSense, you’ll have to go through an application process through CJ Affiliate.

How To Apply [Step-by-Step Tutorial]

For those who want to make the sign-up process as painless as possible, Google has simplified the process into five simple steps.

1. The first thing you want to do is complete the form provided by CJ Affiliate. You’ll need to provide the following information: confirm your email, make a password, and provide your country of residence.
2. Read and accept all the CJ Affiliate publisher agreements.
3. Sign into your new account.
4. Check if your Google Workspace Affiliate application is pending. Then, you will have to activate your account by completing CJ’s onboarding checklist.
5. Finally, wait for your approval.

How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for the Google Affiliate Program?

The process can take a few days, but it’s also possible that your application can take more than two weeks and as long as four weeks to complete.

You will receive a notification when your application is approved.

Does Google Support the Affiliate Program?

Google does support its affiliates and affiliate advertising on its search engine, but they don’t offer much direct support.

They have their Marketing Kit, but other than that, you won’t find much support from Google besides their guidelines on what they expect from affiliate content.

How To Make Money with the Google Affiliate Program

Starting an affiliate program isn’t necessarily difficult, but being able to appeal to your audience and earn a sizable commission actively is challenging for newer affiliates.

Here are some great tips that will send you on your way to gaining the referrals you need.

Know the Product You’re Promoting

You should become familiar with Google’s Workspace feature to understand what aspects will interest your audience.

While the idea is to make money off of referrals, you want to ensure you have your audience’s best interest in mind.

Research the most relevant features your target audience will use and endorse how those features will help.

Additionally, make sure you read and follow Google’s terms.

Content that violates the agreement gives Google the right to revoke your partnership.

Take Advantage of Your Marketing Tools

A great way to ensure success is to take advantage of your affiliate marketing tools.

For example, Google provides you with its marketing kit and other data tracking tools like Google Analytics.

SEO software is another fantastic option that can help optimize your affiliate-based content and increase traffic to help your conversion rate.

Don’t cheap out on the quality of your content to promote your affiliate link.

Use the marketing kit Google provides and your SEO tools.

Don’t Lie about the Product

While making money off your audience is important, you shouldn’t lie about the product.

Research is essential but telling your audience the truth about the product is more important.

Additionally, ensure that you’ve given them a full affiliate disclosure.

Don’t lose your credibility to make a quick buck and ensure all your research is accurate.

Understand Your Niche

Forcing a product onto your target audience is a common outcome for new affiliate marketers.

While the quality of their content may not degrade, it may have a similar perception to the reader.

Affiliates will try to bend their typical style and content to be relevant to their affiliate promotion, but this isn’t the correct approach.

Please ensure you understand your audience and what they need and want.

That’s how you decide if an affiliate program is right for you. It’s easier to recommend a product to someone who needs it.

It’s more challenging to convince someone who doesn’t need a product to buy it.

Alternatives to the Google Affiliate Program

Bloggers always need to keep their options open, especially when looking for affiliate programs.

Consider these other great affiliate programs if you think Google isn’t for you.

1. Hubspot Affiliate Program

Hubspot is an excellent CRM tool that goes above and beyond other marketing software.

The commission rate is decent at 15%, with their lowest plan starting at $50.

Consider joining the Hubspot affiliate program if you’re a blogger with a marketing niche.

According to Hubspot, most affiliates expect an average payout of around $276 with an impressive 90-day cookie window.

2. GoDaddy Affiliate Program

The unique part about joining the GoDaddy affiliate program is that its sign-up process is as easy as Google’s, and they have a wide variety of products to promote actively.

Email marketing, websites, and domain names are just a few things you can promote with GoDaddy.

3. Software Affiliate Programs

If you don’t find physical products essential to recommend to your audience, you should consider joining other software affiliate programs.

Right now, software-as-a-service is growing in popularity, so there is no lack of choices when finding software to endorse as an affiliate.

Some software affiliate programs offer great commission rates, like NordVPN, Autodesk, Adobe, Quickbooks, and Dashlane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions I encountered while researching Google’s affiliate program.

Wrapping Up

Google’s affiliate program provides terrific opportunities for businesses and freelancers looking to make extra money off their loyal customers.

The commission rates are great, and the sign-up process for the affiliate program is simple, straightforward, and fast.

Google’s Workspace affiliate program provides something for everyone, which makes it flexible and easy to generate referrals.

If you’re new and looking to be part of an affiliate program, I highly recommend going with Google.