Many beginners want to earn money online and wonder if they can promote Costco products. Costco is a well known store that sells food, household items, electronics, furniture, and more. People trust the brand, so the idea of earning commissions from Costco feels appealing. The good news is that you can join an affiliate program for Costco, but it runs through a partner network. This guide shows how to sign up, what to expect, and simple ways to start earning.
Does Costco Have an Affiliate Program?
Yes, Costco has an affiliate program, but it does not run it directly. The program is managed through Rakuten Advertising, which is an extensive affiliate network. When you join through Rakuten, you can promote items sold on Costco.com. You earn a small commission when someone clicks your link and buys something.
Costco.com includes many categories such as home goods, electronics, appliances, outdoor items, and health products. These categories fit well with blogs, deal pages, and social media posts.
How the Costco Affiliate Program Works
Here is a simple look at how the program runs inside Rakuten:
- You join Rakuten Advertising and apply for Costco.
- Rakuten tracks clicks and sales made through your affiliate link.
- When a shopper buys something, you earn a commission.
- Your Rakuten dashboard shows clicks, conversions, and payouts.
- Rakuten sends payment after you reach the payout minimum.
Costco benefits because affiliates bring traffic, and affiliates earn money for sending shoppers.
How to Sign Up for the Costco Affiliate Program
To join the program, follow these steps:
- Go to Rakuten Advertising and create an account.
- Add your website, social media profile, or content channel.
- After your account is approved, search for Costco in the advertiser list.
- Apply to the Costco program.
- Wait for approval. Sometimes it takes a short time, sometimes longer.
Once you are accepted, you get access to Costco’s affiliate links, banners, and tracking tools.
Requirements for Beginners
The approval rules are simple but still important. Rakuten checks every account before letting it promote Costco.
You may need:
- A real website or an active social profile
- Content that shows you are not posting spam
- A clean layout without copied text
- A working contact page
- Honest product content
These basics help Rakuten and Costco trust your page.
Commission Rates and Cookie Duration
Rakuten lists the commission details inside your dashboard. Rates can vary based on the product category or promotion. Cookie duration means how long the shopper is tracked after clicking your link. If they buy within that time, you earn a commission.
Payouts follow Rakuten’s schedule. You can choose bank deposit or other supported payment methods. Exact numbers may change, so always check the current details inside Rakuten.
Read Also: What Time Does Costco Open and Close?
How to Create Costco Affiliate Links
Making links is simple once you have access.
Steps:
- Log in to your Rakuten dashboard.
- Search for Costco in your advertiser list.
- Find the link generator tool.
- Choose a landing page or product page you want to promote.
- Copy your unique affiliate link.
- Paste it into your blog, social post, email, or video description.
Rakuten tracks every click through that link.
Best Ways Beginners Can Earn With Costco
There are several simple ways to earn commissions. You do not need advanced skills to start.
Ideas for beginners:
- Write product reviews on a blog
- Make Costco deal posts on social media
- Share seasonal finds or gift ideas
- Create Pinterest boards with Costco links
- Build a niche site about home items or kitchen tools
- Send a small newsletter with top Costco deals
- Create simple list posts like “Best Costco snacks”
Costco buyers are loyal, and many search for product tips before buying.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
Beginners often make the same mistakes when starting out. These tips help you avoid problems:
- Always add an FTC disclosure when using affiliate links
- Do not make false claims about products
- Avoid spamming affiliate links on random sites
- Update your content so links stay fresh
- Follow Rakuten’s rules and Costco’s guidelines
Good content earns trust, and trust leads to conversions.
Costco vs Other Affiliate Programs
Costco’s program is different from Amazon Associates, Walmart Affiliates, and Target Partners. Each has strengths.
Costco:
- Strong brand trust
- Good for home, food, and bulk items
- Runs through Rakuten
Amazon:
- Wide range of products
- Fast approval
- Lower commission rates in many categories
Walmart and Target:
- Big retail names
- Popular for home and daily use items
- Also run through large affiliate networks
Most beginners join more than one program to compare earnings.
Final Notes
The Costco affiliate program is a solid choice if you want to promote trusted products. It runs through Rakuten, so the sign up process is simple. Once approved, you can create links and start earning from your website, blog, or social channels. If you found a good strategy or want to share your results, feel free to post your ideas so others can learn from your experience.