About GameStop
GameStop Corp. is a leading American specialty retailer of video games, consumer electronics, and gaming merchandise. Founded in 1984 as Babbage’s, the company is headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, and operates stores under brands like GameStop, EB Games, and Micromania-Zing across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Their core business involves selling new and pre-owned gaming platforms, video game software (physical and digital), accessories (controllers, headsets), and a significant and growing segment of collectibles, apparel, and pop culture merchandise. In recent years, GameStop has focused on transforming into an omnichannel (store, online, and mobile) retailer to meet the demands of the modern gaming market.
GameStop Affiliate Program Overview
The GameStop Affiliate Program allows website owners, content creators, and influencers to earn a commission by promoting GameStop products. Affiliates are provided with a unique referral link. When a visitor clicks the link and makes a qualifying purchase on GameStop.com, the affiliate earns a percentage of the sale. It is free to join.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | Gaming, Retail, Consumer Electronics, Entertainment |
| Product Type | Physical & Digital Goods (Video Games, Consoles, Accessories, Collectibles, Apparel) |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost Per Sale (CPS) |
GameStop Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure for GameStop is tiered, meaning the commission rate depends on the type of product sold.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No (Standard affiliate marketing program) |
| Commission Rate | Up to 5% on qualifying purchases |
| Commission Structure | Tiered Rate:
— New & Pre-owned Games: 5% — Collectibles: 5% — Other Products: 3% — Digital Games & Subscriptions: 1% |
| Payout Frequency | Typically Monthly (standard for most affiliate networks) |
| Payout Methods | Handled by the managing affiliate network (e.g., direct deposit, check, PayPal – depends on the network’s offerings). |
| Minimum Payout | Varies based on the managing affiliate network (e.g., Rakuten typically has a $50 minimum). |
GameStop Affiliate Program Offers (Policies)
The program’s policies, particularly those related to traffic sources and content, are generally set by the affiliate network managing the program (commonly Rakuten Advertising).
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, text links, product images, pre-order bonuses, and exclusive deals. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 1 Day (24 Hours) – One of the shortest cookie durations in the industry. |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Websites, blogs, social media, email newsletters (must comply with network terms). |
| Accepted Countries | Primarily focused on regions where GameStop has a significant online presence: United States, Canada, Australia, and select European countries. |
| Explicit Content | Generally Not Accepted (must adhere to the affiliate network’s strict non-adult content policy). |
| Religious or political content | Generally Not Accepted for promotion (must adhere to the affiliate network’s non-offensive content policy). |
Suitable Affiliates for GameStop Affiliate
The GameStop Affiliate Program is best suited for individuals or entities with an audience deeply engaged in the gaming, technology, and pop-culture space.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability | Rationale |
| Bloggers | High | Excellent for game reviews, hardware guides, deal comparisons, and collectible showcases. |
| YouTubers | High | Ideal for video reviews of new releases, console unboxings, ‘what I bought’ videos, and showing off collectibles. |
| Livestreamers | High | Perfect for promoting games they are currently playing, new gear, and accessories directly to a captive audience. |
| TikTokers/Influencers | Medium to High | Great for short-form content featuring new or trending games, fun pop-culture merchandise, and viral challenges. |
| KOL (Key Opinion Leaders) | High | Those with a large, established following in the gaming community (e.g., esports professionals, renowned streamers). |
| KOC (Key Opinion Consumers) | Medium | Can succeed by sharing their personal shopping experience, hauls, and favorite GameStop finds. |
| Video Editors | Low | Only suitable if they also have a platform (like a YouTube channel or blog) to publish the content and affiliate links. |
GameStop Affiliate Software
GameStop does not use in-house affiliate management software.
The GameStop Affiliate Program is primarily managed through a major third-party affiliate network:
- Affiliate Network: Rakuten Advertising (formerly Rakuten LinkShare).
3 Alternatives for GameStop Affiliate Program
Here are three popular alternatives in the gaming/tech affiliate space that offer a different focus than GameStop’s broad retail model:
- Amazon Associates: The most generalized option, offering a massive selection of all gaming products (consoles, games, accessories). While the commission rate for video games is low, its enormous conversion rate and cookie duration (24 hours on any product) make it powerful.
- Green Man Gaming: Focuses on digital game keys for PC. It’s a strong alternative for affiliates whose audience is primarily PC gamers looking for deals and digital downloads.
- NVIDIA Partner Network: Specializes in high-end PC gaming components and hardware (GPUs, monitors, laptops). It’s perfect for a technical audience interested in PC builds and performance.
| Factor | GameStop Affiliate | Amazon Associates | Green Man Gaming | NVIDIA Partner Network |
| Average Bill | Medium (Mix of games/collectibles and high-cost consoles) | Varies greatly | Low (Digital game keys) | High (Expensive hardware/GPUs) |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Varies (e.g., $50 for Rakuten) | $10 (for gift card/direct deposit) | Varies (Check with network) | Varies (Check with network) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Standard) | Monthly | Monthly (Standard) | Monthly (Standard) |
| Commission | Up to 5% (Tiered) | 1% for Video Games (Varies by category) | 2% – 5% for game sales | 2% – 5% per sale |
| Conversion | Medium (Specific niche) | High (Universal retailer) | High (Deals-focused) | Medium (High price point) |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Links, Exclusives | Site-stripe links, Product Ads | Banners, Text Links | Banners, Product Data Feeds |