Adult affiliate marketing - beginner questions

Hey y'all, I'm entering the field of adult affiliate marketing. My idea is to create a cosplay erotica site featuring cosplay porn videos and camgirls. Would appreciate answers to some of the questions I have, as well as any additional advice you might have


1. How much content and site design do you need to have in place for a potential partner to sponsor you? I'd say my site at this moment looks decent at best, and all it features are 8 videos I embedded from Pornhub (yes, I know I won't get any commissions from Pornhub, but I wanted to have at least some content)

I applied to one big tube sponsor 2 days ago, my site is still awaiting moderation. Tried a cam affiliate 4 days ago, still waiting. Is this usual?

2. Being a cosplay-oriented site, I figure I'll need as many sponsors as possible to fill my site quality cosplay content. Is this a good a strategy?

Hey! Great to see you're getting into adult affiliate marketing with a niche like cosplay erotica — that’s a solid angle.

1. Site Design & Content: Having some decent design and initial content (even embedded) is a good start. But sponsors typically prefer to see unique content, a functional layout, and some sign that you're serious — like a custom domain, niche branding, and maybe even social presence. So yes, 8 embedded videos might not be enough for quick approval, but it's a start. And yeah, 2–5 days of waiting is pretty normal for affiliate approvals.
   
   
2. Sponsorship Strategy: You're thinking in the right direction — since cosplay is a specific niche, working with multiple sponsors (tube sites, cam platforms, clip stores, etc.) can help you fill the site with quality, relevant content. Just be mindful of banner clutter — good UX and targeted placements go a long way.

Also, if you ever plan to drive paid traffic to boost your site visibility or test offers, I can help you out with that too — feel free to reach out anytime.

Best of luck with your project — niche sites like yours have great potential when done right!

Adult affiliate marketing, with its high commission potential, attracts many beginners, but it also comes with unique considerations due to strict policies and platform rules. Here are key questions and answers for newcomers to help you get started:
1. What is adult affiliate marketing?
Adult affiliate marketing involves promoting adult-related products/services (e.g., dating sites, adult toys, premium video platforms, intimacy products) to earn commissions. You don’t need to create your own products—simply get referral links from affiliate networks, drive users to click, register, or purchase, and earn a cut (via models like CPA, CPL, or RevShare).
2. Which adult affiliate networks are best for beginners?
Choosing reputable, commission-reliable networks is critical. Here are top picks for newcomers:

CrakRevenue: A veteran in the industry, focusing on dating and adult subscription services. Offers high CPA commissions ($10–$100+), supports multiple payment methods (crypto, Paxum, etc.), and provides clear analytics—ideal for beginners.
AdultFriendFinder Affiliate Program: Specializes in dating, with a large user base and stable conversions. Flexible commission models (CPL/CPA).
MaxBounty: Includes select adult niches (e.g., intimacy products). Stricter approval but trustworthy, suitable for those prioritizing compliance.
JuicyAds: Functions as both an ad network and affiliate program, focusing on adult traffic exchanges—great for testing low-cost traffic.

Note: Be honest about your promotion methods (e.g., "website promotion," "social media") during registration to avoid rejection for "false information."
3. Where can beginners get compliant traffic?
Mainstream platforms (Google, Facebook) heavily restrict or ban adult content, so focus on "friendly" channels:

Adult ad networks:
ExoClick, TrafficJunky: Specialize in adult traffic, offering pop-ups, banners, and push ads. Ideal for scaling quickly, with CPC as low as $0.01–$0.05.
PropellerAds (adult section): Push and pop traffic with global coverage, perfect for testing different GEOs (regions).
Native ads:
Use "soft pitches" (e.g., "dating tips," "intimacy guides") on platforms like Taboola or Outbrain. Redirect users from landing pages to adult dating/product offers to avoid direct promotion violations.
Forums and communities:
Relevant Reddit subreddits (e.g., r/sex, r/dating_advice): No hard ads allowed. Embed links subtly by "sharing experiences" or "answering questions" (strictly follow community rules to avoid bans).
Adult forums (e.g., AdultDVDTalk): Engage in discussions after building credibility, then include referral links in signatures or replies (first).
SEO and content sites:
Build adult review blogs (e.g., "Best intimacy toys 2024," "Reliable dating site comparisons"). Target long-tail keywords (e.g., "intimacy tips for long-distance couples") to attract organic traffic and embed affiliate links.
4. What compliance issues should I watch for?
Compliance is critical in adult affiliate marketing—violations can lead to bans, fines, or legal risks:

Age verification: Promoted products/landing pages must include strict age checks (e.g., "18+ confirmation pop-ups"), especially in countries (U.S., EU) with strict laws.
Regional restrictions: Avoid promoting in countries/regions where adult content is banned (e.g., China, most Middle Eastern nations). Use ad platforms to block these GEOs.
Platform rules: Even on adult ad networks, "deceptive tactics" (e.g., false claims of "free access" that lead to paid content) or violent/non-consensual content are prohibited and can result in permanent bans.
Payment compliance: Mainstream payment tools (Stripe, PayPal) rarely support adult niches. Use crypto (Bitcoin, USDT), Paxum (adult-friendly e-wallet), or bank wires to receive commissions.
5. Common mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)?
Posting hard ads: Blatant promotions like "Click here for free stuff" get deleted or banned on almost all platforms (including adult forums). Fix: Wrap links in value-driven content, e.g., "I tried 3 dating apps—this one worked best → [link]."
Ignoring traffic quality: Buying cheap bot traffic may boost clicks but yields zero conversions and risks being flagged as "fraud" by networks (freezing commissions). Fix: Start with reputable ad networks; prioritize EPC (Earnings Per Click) over "low cost."
Neglecting tracking: Failing to analyze which traffic sources, creatives, or GEOs perform well leads to wasted spending. Fix: Use tracking tools (Voluum, Binom) to monitor clicks, registrations, and conversions—cut underperforming channels quickly.
Spreading too thin: Promoting dating, toys, and video subscriptions simultaneously dilutes focus. Fix: Newcomers should start with 1 niche (e.g., dating, with broad audience appeal and stable conversions) before expanding.
6. How to choose a commission model?
Common commission models in adult affiliate marketing:

CPA (Cost Per Action): Earn commissions when users complete actions like registration or first payment (e.g., "$20 per sign-up"). Best for beginners (low risk, fast results).
RevShare (Revenue Share): Earn a cut of users’ ongoing spending (e.g., 30–50% of a user’s monthly $30 subscription). Higher long-term but requires nurturing high-retention users.
PPL (Pay Per Lead): Earn commissions when users click links and share basic info (e.g., email) ($1–$5). Good for testing traffic quality but low-paying.

Beginner tip: Start with CPA to quickly validate traffic-offer fit, then add RevShare for long-term gains once stable.

If you have specific questions (e.g., promoting a particular type of offer, platform-specific tips), feel free to ask—I’ll provide tailored advice!