How to Set Up a ClickBank Affiliate Account (Step by Step)

ClickBank is an affiliate marketplace that lists mostly digital products such as courses, software, and ebooks, plus some physical goods. Affiliates promote those products with tracked links called hoplinks and earn a commission on each sale.

The setup takes a few minutes. Choosing what to promote takes much longer, and matters more.

Before you start

Have these ready:

• Your legal name, address, phone number, and email
• A tax ID that matches the payee name on the account: an SSN for individuals or an EIN for a business (US)
• Your bank or payment details for receiving commissions

Step 1: Create your ClickBank login

Go to ClickBank and sign up. You enter your country, name, phone number, email, and a password. ClickBank's password rules are strict: it requires a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Step 2: Complete your client profile

Enter your payee address exactly as it should appear on payments, and your tax ID. The tax ID must match the payee name on the account, so if you are signing up as a business, use the business name with its EIN.

Step 3: Create your affiliate account

In the Accounts tab, choose to create an account and select the Affiliate role. You pick an account nickname, which becomes part of your hoplinks.

You only need one affiliate nickname. You do not need a separate account for each product you promote. ClickBank notes that splitting sales across multiple accounts makes it harder to reach the payment threshold and its customer distribution requirement.

Step 4: Add payment information

Open your account nickname, go to Account Settings, confirm your email address, and edit Payment Information. Here you choose your payment method, threshold, and frequency. You must add payment information to receive commissions.

Two payment rules to know:

• Customer distribution requirement. ClickBank holds your first payout until your sales meet its customer distribution rule. Check the current requirement in your account; it has changed over the years.
• Tax forms. ClickBank issues a 1099 to US affiliates who earn over $600 in a year.

Step 5: Find a product and create a hoplink

Browse the ClickBank marketplace by category. On a product listing, use the option to promote it and ClickBank generates your hoplink with your nickname built in. That link is what you place in your content.

How to choose ClickBank products responsibly

ClickBank's marketplace includes excellent products and some aggressive ones. Your name goes on every recommendation. Before promoting anything:

• Buy it or review it yourself. If you would not use it, do not recommend it.
• Read the sales page as a skeptic. Avoid products that promise guaranteed income, miracle health results, or "secret" methods. Promoting exaggerated claims can create legal problems for you, not just the vendor.
• Check the refund rate and reviews. High refunds reverse your commissions.
• Match it to your audience. A product that fits what your readers already trust you for converts better and keeps their trust.
• Disclose clearly. Put an affiliate disclosure near the top of any page or email with a hoplink.

Where to promote hoplinks

• A review or tutorial on your own site that shows your honest experience. See SEO for Affiliate Marketing.
• Your email list, as an occasional relevant recommendation. Check your email platform's affiliate policy first; this comparison covers it.
• YouTube, with the link and disclosure in the description.

Avoid spamming hoplinks in forums, comments, or groups. It rarely works and can get your accounts banned.

FAQ

Does it cost anything to join ClickBank as an affiliate? Signing up as an affiliate is free.

Do I need a website? Not strictly, but a site where you publish honest reviews and guides is the most durable way to earn.

How do I get paid? Through the payment method and schedule you set in your account, once you pass the payment threshold and customer distribution requirement.

Source: ClickBank's onboarding help center, checked October 2026. Program rules change, so confirm details in your account.