5 Best SEO Affiliate Programs of 2023: A Comprehensive Buyers Guide

Affiliate marketing has grown exponentially in recent years, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) affiliate programs have become one of the most popular and profitable niches for online marketers. 

The demand for practical SEO tools and services is ever-increasing as businesses and website owners realize the significance of high search engine rankings in driving organic traffic, generating leads, and ultimately boosting sales.

In this comprehensive buyers guide, we will explore the top 5 SEO affiliate programs in 2023, providing you with valuable insights to make an informed decision and maximize your earnings. 

So, let’s dive in and discover the best SEO affiliate programs to join today!

SEMrush Affiliate Program (BeRush)

SEMrush is a comprehensive all-in-one marketing toolkit for digital marketing professionals, offering more than 40 tools for SEO, PPC, content marketing, and social media marketing. 

SEMrush’s affiliate program, BeRush, is one of the most lucrative SEO affiliate programs available.

Key Features:

40% recurring commission on every new subscription and renewal

Payouts twice a month

10-year cookie life

Pre-designed promotional materials and widgets

Dedicated affiliate support

Advantages:

High commission rates (40% recurring commission)

Long cookie duration (10-year cookie life)

A comprehensive suite of SEO tools

Trusted by top industry professionals

Dedicated affiliate support

Disadvantages:

The slightly higher learning curve for new users

Pricing may be steep for some potential customers

Free trial: Yes, 7-day free trial

Pricing:

Pro Plan: $119.95/month

Guru Plan: $229.95/month

Business Plan: $449.95/month

Ahrefs Affiliate Program

Ahrefs is another popular SEO toolset widely used by digital marketing professionals for competitor analysis, keyword research, backlink analysis, and rank tracking. 

The Ahrefs Affiliate Program offers a competitive commission structure, making it an attractive option for affiliates.

Ahrefs Affiliate Program is suitable for those who want to promote a powerful SEO toolset with a proven track record in the industry. 

While the commission rate may be lower than SEMrush, Ahrefs’ reputation and accuracy make it a viable option for affiliate marketers.

Key Features:

20% recurring commission on every new subscription and renewals

30-day cookie life

Detailed affiliate dashboard with real-time tracking

Access to Ahrefs Academy for learning materials

Advantages:

Reliable and accurate SEO tools

Wide range of tools for various digital marketing tasks

Recurring commission structure (20%)

Access to educational resources

Disadvantages:

Lower commission rate compared to SEMrush

Shorter cookie life (30 days)

Free trial: Yes, a 7-day trial for $7

Pricing:

Lite Plan: $99/month

Standard Plan: $179/month

Advanced Plan: $399/month

Agency Plan: $999/month

Serpstat Affiliate Program

Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform offering tools for keyword research, competitor analysis, site audit, rank tracking, and backlink analysis. 

Their affiliate program provides a solid commission structure and support for affiliates.

Serpstat Affiliate Program is an excellent choice for promoting an affordable yet comprehensive SEO toolset. 

Its 30% recurring commission rate presents an excellent opportunity for affiliates to earn passive income while catering to a broader audience due to its competitive pricing.

Key Features:

30% recurring commission on new subscriptions and renewals

30-day cookie life

Wide range of promotional materials

Real-time reporting and analytics

Dedicated affiliate support

Advantages:

High recurring commission rate (30%)

Comprehensive SEO tools at a more affordable price

Easy-to-use interface

Good support for affiliates

Disadvantages:

Smaller toolset compared to SEMrush and Ahrefs

Shorter cookie life (30 days)

Free trial: Yes, a limited free version is available

Pricing:

Lite Plan: $69/month

Standard Plan: $149/month

Advanced Plan: $299/month

Enterprise Plan: $499/month

Mangools Affiliate Program

Mangools is a user-friendly SEO toolset that includes popular tools like KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, and LinkMiner. 

It’s an excellent choice for beginners or those who prefer a simplified approach to SEO. 

The Mangools Affiliate Program offers a competitive commission structure and support for its affiliates.

Mangools Affiliate Program is perfect for those who want to promote a user-friendly, beginner-oriented SEO toolset. 

With a 30% recurring commission rate and a simplified approach to SEO, Mangools presents an attractive opportunity for affiliate marketers targeting beginners or those who prefer a less complex toolset.

Key Features:

30% recurring commission on new subscriptions and renewals

30-day cookie life

Wide range of promotional materials, including banners and screenshots

Real-time reporting and analytics

Dedicated affiliate support

Advantages:

High recurring commission rate (30%)

Beginner-friendly and easy-to-use SEO tools

Competitive Pricing

Good support for affiliates

Disadvantages:

Limited toolset compared to other SEO platforms

Shorter cookie life (30 days)

Free trial: Yes, 10-day free trial

Pricing:

Basic Plan: $49/month

Premium Plan: $69/month

Agency Plan: $129/month

The HOTH Affiliate Program

The HOTH is a popular white-label SEO service provider, offering a wide range of services such as link building, content creation, local SEO, and more. 

The HOTH Affiliate Program provides a unique opportunity for affiliates to earn commissions by promoting SEO services rather than just SEO tools.

The HOTH Affiliate Program is an excellent option for those interested in promoting SEO services rather than just tools. 

With up to 25% commission for every sale and a wide range of white-label SEO services, The HOTH presents a unique opportunity for affiliates to diversify their income sources.

Key Features:

Up to 25% commission for every sale

45-day cookie life

Wide range of promotional materials

Real-time reporting and analytics

Dedicated affiliate support

Advantages:

Opportunity to promote SEO services instead of just tools

Competitive commission rates (up to 25% per sale)

Longer cookie life (45 days) compared to some competitors

Good support for affiliates

Disadvantages:

Non-recurring commission structure

More challenging to promote for those not familiar with SEO services

Free trial: No, but they offer various pricing options depending on the service

Pricing:

Pricing for The HOTH’s services varies depending on the type of service and package chosen. 

Services include link building, content creation, local SEO, and more, with prices ranging from as low as $60 to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope and scale of the project.

SEO affiliate programs offer a lucrative opportunity for affiliate marketers to generate passive income by promoting essential tools and services that help businesses and website owners improve their online presence. 

The top 5 SEO affiliate programs of 2023 discussed in this guide—SEMrush (BeRush), Ahrefs, Serpstat, Mangools, and The HOTH—provide various commission structures, toolsets, and support levels, catering to different affiliate needs and preferences.

When choosing the right SEO affiliate program for you, consider factors such as commission rates, cookie duration, promotional materials, and the reputation of the SEO tool or service provider. 

By carefully evaluating each program’s offerings and aligning them with your target audience, you can maximize your earnings and establish a successful affiliate marketing business in the SEO niche.