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.

Disclaimer
Affiliate program terms can change frequently. The figures below are based on general information and may vary based on specific campaigns or affiliate tiers.

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.

FactorDetail
IndustryE-commerce, Local Services, Travel, Retail, Media and Marketing
Product TypeDigital services, Physical products, Physical services (Deals, Vouchers, Coupons)
Affiliate Program TypeCPS (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.

FactorDetail
Promotional MaterialsHTML banners, Image banners, Text link banners, Deep links, Widgets, Product feeds
Affiliate Cookie DurationTypically 3 days (Some sources suggest up to 7 or 60 days, but 3 days is most commonly cited for the main program)
Accepted Traffic SourceLink and banner advertisements, Social media advertisements, Content sites (blogs, coupon sites), Email marketing (within T&C)
Accepted CountriesWorldwide (Program coverage may vary based on the specific network, e.g., North America, International, or country-specific programs)
Explicit ContentNot Accepted (Standard affiliate policy for mainstream brands)
Religious or Political ContentNot 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.

FactorDetail
MLMNo (Single-tier structure)
Commission RateUp to 12%
Commission StructureTiered/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 FrequencyMonthly (Typically Net 30-60, meaning January commissions are paid in March)
Payout MethodsBank transfers (ACH/EFT), Direct Deposit, PayPal (may vary by network)
Minimum PayoutVaries 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 TypeSuitability
BloggersHigh. Especially those focused on couponing, local activities, lifestyle, travel, and budgeting.
TikTokersMedium 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.
InfluencersHigh. Local or regional influencers can highly monetize by promoting deals specific to their city/area.
YouTubersHigh. Can create video reviews of experiences (e.g., travel, restaurants) or tutorials on finding the best deals.
Video editorsLow. This is a skill, not a content platform, but they could use their skills to create high-converting promotional videos for others.
LivestreamersMedium. 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 FactorGroupon AffiliateAmazon AssociatesRakuten Rewards ProgramAwin (Network)
Average BillVaries widely (Local deal to high-end travel)Varies widely (Low-cost to high-cost products)Varies (Cashback on purchases)Varies by Merchant
Entry FeesNoneNoneNoneOften a refundable application fee for affiliates (approx. $5)
Withdrawal Threshold$25 – $100 (Varies by network/method)$10 (Direct Deposit/Gift Card) or $100 (Check)$5.01Varies by Merchant/Network ($20 minimum is common)
Payment FrequencyMonthlyMonthly (Net 60)Quarterly (or when over threshold)Monthly (Varies by Merchant)
CommissionUp to 12% (Tiered)1% – 20% (Category-based)Up to 5% on referrals (Cashback on purchases)Varies by Merchant (Can be higher than Groupon)
ConversionHigh for deal-seekers (strong value proposition)High due to brand authority and large product selectionHigh for cashback-focused audiencesVaries by Merchant and Niche
Marketing MaterialsBanners, Text Links, Deep Links, WidgetsSiteStripe, Banners, Product Links, Native AdsSpecific referral links and promotional guidesExtensive banners, product feeds, and deep links (varies by merchant)