About Groupon
Groupon is an American global e-commerce marketplace that connects subscribers with local merchants by offering activities, travel, goods, and services, usually at a discounted rate through vouchers or coupons.
Launched in 2008, the name is a portmanteau of “group” and “coupon,” referencing its original business model where a minimum number of people had to sign up for a deal before it became available (group buying).
Groupon acts as a digital middleman, providing a platform for businesses to advertise their services to a large, existing customer base, and makes money by taking a fee (a revenue share) from each transaction.
Groupon Affiliate Program Overview
The Groupon Affiliate Program is a Cost Per Sale (CPS) program that rewards affiliates for driving traffic that results in a completed purchase on the Groupon website. It’s an opportunity to earn commissions by promoting a wide variety of discounted local experiences, travel deals, and goods to your audience.
| Factor | Detail |
| Industry | E-commerce, Local Services, Travel, Retail, Media and Marketing |
| Product Type | Digital services, Physical products, Physical services (Deals, Vouchers, Coupons) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
Groupon Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with the necessary tools to promote deals and offers commissions with a relatively short cookie window.
| Factor | Detail |
| Promotional Materials | HTML banners, Image banners, Text link banners, Deep links, Widgets, Product feeds |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | Typically 3 days (Some sources suggest up to 7 or 60 days, but 3 days is most commonly cited for the main program) |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Link and banner advertisements, Social media advertisements, Content sites (blogs, coupon sites), Email marketing (within T&C) |
| Accepted Countries | Worldwide (Program coverage may vary based on the specific network, e.g., North America, International, or country-specific programs) |
| Explicit Content | Not Accepted (Standard affiliate policy for mainstream brands) |
| Religious or Political Content | Not Accepted (Standard affiliate policy for mainstream brands) |
Groupon Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure for Groupon is tiered, meaning the rate changes based on the type of product or service purchased.
| Factor | Detail |
| MLM | No (Single-tier structure) |
| Commission Rate | Up to 12% |
| Commission Structure | Tiered/Fixed Percentage based on the deal category: e.g., 12% on Local deals, 10% on everything else, 8% on Getaways/Occasion/Live/Now, 6% on Goods, 1% on Charity/Promotional. |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (Typically Net 30-60, meaning January commissions are paid in March) |
| Payout Methods | Bank transfers (ACH/EFT), Direct Deposit, PayPal (may vary by network) |
| Minimum Payout | Varies by affiliate network/method, e.g., $25 to $100 |
Suitable Affiliates for Groupon Affiliate
The Groupon Affiliate Program is best suited for affiliates whose audience is highly interested in saving money, discounts, deals, and trying new local experiences or purchasing items at a bargain.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability |
| Bloggers | High. Especially those focused on couponing, local activities, lifestyle, travel, and budgeting. |
| TikTokers | Medium to High. Good for short-form video reviews of local experiences or “what I bought from Groupon” hauls. |
| KOC (Key Opinion Consumer) | High. Authentically sharing personal use of deals on local services (spa, restaurant, events) is highly effective. |
| KOL (Key Opinion Leader) | Medium. Depends on the niche; most effective if the KOL focuses on lifestyle or budget-conscious content. |
| Influencers | High. Local or regional influencers can highly monetize by promoting deals specific to their city/area. |
| YouTubers | High. Can create video reviews of experiences (e.g., travel, restaurants) or tutorials on finding the best deals. |
| Video editors | Low. This is a skill, not a content platform, but they could use their skills to create high-converting promotional videos for others. |
| Livestreamers | Medium. Could showcase real-time searches for local deals or unbox Groupon Goods. |
Groupon Affiliate Software
Groupon primarily uses well-known third-party affiliate marketing networks to manage its program globally, rather than solely using in-house software.
The program is often run through major platforms like CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction) and ShareASale, which handle tracking, reporting, and payments for the brand.
3 Alternatives for Groupon Affiliate Program
Here are three alternatives to the Groupon Affiliate Program, focusing on similar e-commerce/deal/marketplace niches: Amazon Associates, Rakuten Rewards (Cashback/Deals), and Awin (a major global affiliate network hosting many brands).
| Comparison Factor | Groupon Affiliate | Amazon Associates | Rakuten Rewards Program | Awin (Network) |
| Average Bill | Varies widely (Local deal to high-end travel) | Varies widely (Low-cost to high-cost products) | Varies (Cashback on purchases) | Varies by Merchant |
| Entry Fees | None | None | None | Often a refundable application fee for affiliates (approx. $5) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $25 – $100 (Varies by network/method) | $10 (Direct Deposit/Gift Card) or $100 (Check) | $5.01 | Varies by Merchant/Network ($20 minimum is common) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly (Net 60) | Quarterly (or when over threshold) | Monthly (Varies by Merchant) |
| Commission | Up to 12% (Tiered) | 1% – 20% (Category-based) | Up to 5% on referrals (Cashback on purchases) | Varies by Merchant (Can be higher than Groupon) |
| Conversion | High for deal-seekers (strong value proposition) | High due to brand authority and large product selection | High for cashback-focused audiences | Varies by Merchant and Niche |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Text Links, Deep Links, Widgets | SiteStripe, Banners, Product Links, Native Ads | Specific referral links and promotional guides | Extensive banners, product feeds, and deep links (varies by merchant) |
