I’ll be honest, when I first heard about affiliate marketing, I thought it was just YouTubers pushing VPNs and energy drinks for a quick buck. But the deeper I got into gaming, content creation, and building this site, the more I realized affiliate marketing isn’t just a side hustle; it’s a full-blown business model when done right.
The problem? Most gamers go about it completely wrong. They spam links, recommend trash products, and wonder why they’re not making any money. So let’s break it down: What actually works, what’s a waste of time, and what I’d do if I were starting today.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But these are tools and programs I use or trust, or wish I’d known about sooner.
What Actually Works for Gamers
1. Recommending Stuff You Actually Use
If you wouldn’t buy it yourself, don’t promote it. People can smell BS from a mile away. This is Why Building a Community Beats Going Viral!
What works?
- Your gaming setup – Monitors, headsets, keyboards, mice (stuff you actually use and can vouch for).
- Games & in-game content – If a game has an affiliate program (like Steam or Green Man Gaming), you can make money just by recommending games you love.
- Services you believe in – Game server hosting, VPNs (if they’re actually useful), coaching platforms, etc.
Example: I love my Acer 1140 monitor for the price. It’s not the best in the world, but for what I paid, it’s a killer deal. That’s the kind of honest recommendation people trust.
2. High-Traffic Gaming Niches
Affiliate marketing is all about traffic. The more eyeballs, the more potential sales. Here are the best gaming niches for making money:
- Gaming gear & setups (monitors, PCs, peripherals, chairs)
- Esports & competitive gaming (ranked play tips, team setups)
- Streaming & content creation (best mics, cameras, streaming software)
- Game reviews & guides (if you can rank on Google or YouTube, you win)
If you create content in any of these areas, you can add affiliate links naturally without being a sellout. For instance, check out my post Keyboard and Mouse vs Controller (and does it really matter).
If you’re creating content on gaming gear, tools like the OBSBOT are easy to recommend.
3. Big Affiliate Programs That Actually Pay
Some programs pay pennies per sale, while others can stack up fast. Here’s what’s worth your time:
- Amazon Associates – Huge selection of gaming gear, but low commissions (1-3%). Best for volume.
- Best Buy Affiliate – Decent payouts on tech, often better than Amazon.
- GameStop Affiliate – Can be useful if you already talk about game deals.
- CDKeys / Green Man Gaming – Earn commission on digital game sales.
- gg – Affiliates for gaming energy drinks (if you actually like them).
- Streamlabs / OWN3D.tv – Great for monetizing streaming-related content.
- Hostinger / Bluehost – If you’re recommending gaming websites or Discord communities, hosting referrals pay big.
If I were starting today, I’d focus on a mix of Amazon, Best Buy, and a couple of gaming-specific programs that actually fit my content.
4. YouTube & Blogging = Long-Term Money
Affiliate marketing only works if people see your links, and the best way to get free traffic is through:
- YouTube (guides, reviews, gameplay tips)
- Blogging (SEO-driven content like “Best Budget Gaming Setups 2025”)
- Short-term? TikTok and Instagram Reels can drive traffic fast.
- Long-term? Blog posts and YouTube videos keep earning for years.
What’s a Waste of Time?
1. Spamming Affiliate Links Everywhere
Dropping links in random Discord servers, subreddits, or Twitter replies doesn’t work. If no one knows you, why would they trust you? (If you want to get to know me, check out the Journey Tab up top)
2. Sketchy “High Ticket” Programs
If a program claims you’ll make $500 per sale, it’s probably a scam or a pyramid scheme. Stick to legit brands and products you’d actually recommend.
3. Chasing Every New Affiliate Program
Signing up for 20 programs at once just means you’ll make nothing from any of them. Pick 3-5 solid ones and focus.
Skip Sketchy Programs, Stick With brands that pay like SiteGround.
If I Were Starting Today, Here’s My Plan
- Pick a niche that actually fits my content (gaming setups, ranked play guides, esports gear, etc.)
- Sign up for Amazon Associates + a couple of gaming-specific programs.
- Create content first, then add affiliate links where they make sense.
- Stick with it for at least 6 months before expecting big results.
Affiliate marketing isn’t fast money, but if you build trust, stay consistent, and recommend good stuff, it can turn into a long-term revenue stream.