Dating and matchmaking are among the most lucrative advertising types in affiliate marketing. The online dating market is substantial, with an annual market size of around $2 billion, and it continues to grow at about 10% per year.
Dating, health, and wealth are considered the three core themes in affiliate marketing. This is because over half of the global population is single and looking for ways to address their dating needs, making dating and matchmaking websites a top choice.
Therefore, if you’re unsure about what type of website to focus on, choosing dating and matchmaking is definitely a smart move.
Moreover, the dating industry has a wide range of keywords, so even as a beginner, you can easily drive traffic through Google search and major social media platforms, guiding visitors to affiliate programs and make money online.
Today, I’ll be sharing 6 Best Dating Affiliate Programs in 2024
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1.eHarmony
eHarmony should definitely be at the top of the list. If I remember correctly, many affiliates have promoted it through the Commission Junction (CJ) affiliate platform, and CJ has paid out commissions. Not only does eHarmony offer $10 per sale lead, but it also provides a 30% sales commission.
What’s most impressive is that eHarmony’s 7-day EPC (earnings per click) on Commission Junction is $468. This figure far exceeds many other industries, showcasing just how lucrative dating and matchmaking affiliate programs can be.
Founded in 1997, eHarmony is one of the oldest dating sites on the internet. Its long-standing operation and growing popularity can be attributed to its effective algorithm matching system, which enhances user success rates. The platform has built a strong reputation over the years.
In the past 20+ years, eHarmony has helped over 2 million people find love online, with a new match being made approximately every 14 minutes.
eHarmony’s affiliate program is hosted on Commission Junction. You need to register on this affiliate platform and then apply for the ad offer. By the way, Commission Junction operates on an instant approval basis, so you don’t need a manager to approve your application—just register and you’re good to go.
2.Cupid Media
Cupid Media, an Australian company, operates the largest network of niche dating sites globally, serving over 500 million users annually.
Cupid Media owns over 32 different dating sites and offers personalized services to users.
I’ve placed Cupid Media in second place not only because of its extensive reach, strong reputation, and large customer base but also because it offers exceptionally high commissions.
While eHarmony, despite its strong presence, provides a 30% commission per sale, Cupid Media offers a 75% commission per sale, which is 2.5 times higher.
Clearly, from a revenue-boosting perspective, promoting Cupid Media is more advantageous.
However, to earn commissions from Cupid Media, users must register and pay to become Gold or Platinum members—free memberships do not qualify for commissions. This is where eHarmony has an edge since you earn $10 for each user who registers through your link, regardless of their membership level.
Cupid Media’s affiliate program is managed through its own platform rather than a third-party network.
To join, simply visit the Cupid Media website, find the “Affiliates” link in the top right corner of the navigation menu, click on it, and register.
3.Match
Match.com is also a well-established dating site, founded in 1993, making it four years older than eHarmony. However, despite its long history, Match has not grown as extensively as eHarmony over the past 20+ years.
Match currently has around 9 million members. For those genuinely seeking online dating, Match is a solid choice, as it tends to attract serious users rather than the more casual or extreme profiles often found on other platforms.
In terms of website functionality and design, Match is considered one of the best in the industry.
However, due to its more modest growth, the affiliate commission rates for Match are not very high. According to Commission Junction (CJ), Match offers £3 per lead and a 30% commission per sale, similar to eHarmony but with a significantly lower 7-day EPC (Earnings Per Click).
This data suggests that most affiliates prefer promoting eHarmony’s ads on CJ due to its higher earnings potential.
Additionally, Match’s affiliate program on CJ is limited to the UK market, rather than a global audience, which may contribute to the lower number of affiliates and EPC.
4.Zoosk
Commission Junction, as one of the largest affiliate networks in the world, certainly lives up to its reputation.
Zoosk is also partnered with CJ Affiliate.
According to the data from Commission Junction, Zoosk offers a $4 commission per sale (user registration) but does not provide any sales commissions. This means that regardless of how much money users spend on Zoosk afterward, affiliates will not earn additional commissions from those expenditures. This is relatively uncommon in the dating affiliate space, where most programs offer sales commissions. As a result, Zoosk’s 7-day EPC (Earnings Per Click) is only $3, and its network earnings on CJ are rated at only 2 out of 5, indicating that promoting Zoosk may not be very profitable for affiliates. Zoosk is not considered a high-quality advertiser in this context.
Despite being a well-known global dating site with 40 million singles, and having unique technology like its behavioral matchmaking system, where Zoosk matches users based on their subscription and behavior, the affiliate program’s low earnings suggest it may not be the best choice for affiliates looking to maximize their income.
5.Jdate
Jdate is quite different from the dating sites mentioned above because it is specifically designed for Jewish dating, representing a niche market within the dating industry.
With only about 15 million Jews worldwide, Jdate’s membership base is significantly smaller compared to the other dating sites discussed.
However, the major advantage of niche markets is less competition and typically weaker competitors. As a result, Jdate has been able to maintain a decent operation and generate considerable revenue.
Because Jdate operates in a niche market, it offers the lowest commission for affiliates among all the sites mentioned, providing only $2 per lead.
Like Cupid Media, Jdate’s affiliate program is independently managed and not partnered with third-party affiliate networks.
6.Seeking
Seeking is a well-known site, primarily because it caters to wealthy individuals seeking relationships.
Despite its controversies, Seeking undeniably boasts a significant presence, with over 46 million members across more than 130 countries and regions. This makes it one of the largest dating sites globally.
How to Start Make Money with Dating Affiliate Programs
Recommendations for Beginners: Choose Cost-Per-Lead Affiliate Offers
If you’re a beginner, I recommend starting with affiliate offers that pay on a cost-per-lead basis. This approach can help you earn commissions more quickly.
Generally, out of 100 users who register on a dating site, only 3 to 5 might be willing to pay for premium features. By choosing cost-per-lead offers, you can earn a commission as soon as a user registers through your promotional link, without waiting for them to make a purchase.
Start Promotion on Social Media Platforms
While building a website is the best way to promote dating affiliate programs, it can be challenging for beginners. Therefore, I suggest starting with social media platforms.
For example, LinkedIn can be a great place to begin. LinkedIn has high authority on Google, so articles posted there often rank well in search results.
For instance, if you search Google for “Best Dating Affiliate Programs in 2024,” you might find an article from LinkedIn ranking at the top. Such articles often include affiliate links.
So, the task is clear: follow the example, and you’ll be on your way to earning affiliate commissions.
