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Rakuten Advertising
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Rakuten Advertising Review 2026

Global affiliate network with premium retail brand partnerships
Residual Income Rating
2.5 / 5
Last updated:
January 15, 2026

What is Rakuten Advertising?

One of the largest global affiliate networks (formerly LinkShare), owned by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten. Features premium brand partnerships across fashion, retail, finance, and travel.

Pros
  • 29 years in business — Rakuten-backed
  • Limited recurring (~$3-10/mo on some)
  • Premium brands (Walmart, Best Buy)
  • Free to join — stable platform
Cons
  • Interface less user-friendly than CJ or ShareASale
  • Minimum $50 payout threshold
  • Smaller overall network than CJ Affiliate or ShareASale
  • Some advertisers require significant traffic/audience to approve
  • Support response times can be slow

Rating Breakdown

Residual Income
2.5 / 5
Simplicity
3.0 / 5
Transparency
3.5 / 5
Community & Support
3.0 / 5
Value for Money
3.8 / 5
Overall Rating
2.5 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions About Rakuten Advertising

What is Rakuten Advertising?
Rakuten Advertising (formerly LinkShare) is one of the oldest affiliate networks, founded in 1996. It connects publishers with premium advertisers including major retailers. It is owned by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten.
Rakuten Advertising vs CJ Affiliate — which is better?
Both networks feature major brand advertisers. CJ has a larger network and better-known brands overall. Rakuten has strength in retail (Walmart, Best Buy) and is a good complement to CJ for diverse monetization.
Is Rakuten Advertising free to join?
Yes, joining as a publisher/affiliate is free. You apply to individual advertiser programs within the network, many of which have their own traffic and content requirements.

Quick Facts

Overall Rating
2.5 / 5

Founded1996 (as LinkShare)

HeadquartersNew York City

Parent CompanyRakuten Group (Japan)

Cost to JoinFree

SpecialtyPremium retail and brand advertisers

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