About MasterClass
MasterClass offers a premium online learning experience featuring courses taught by world-renowned experts, celebrities, and industry leaders. It is distinct for its high production value, cinematic visuals, and focus on delivering inspiration and big-picture insights from masters in fields like culinary arts (Gordon Ramsay), filmmaking (James Cameron), writing (Margaret Atwood), and business. The service is subscription-based, offering unlimited access to a vast library of classes.
MasterClass Affiliate Program Overview
The MasterClass Affiliate Program allows content creators, marketers, and influencers to earn a commission by promoting MasterClass memberships to their audience. It’s a Cost Per Sale (CPS) model, meaning affiliates are paid for each successful subscription generated through their unique tracking links.
| Category | Details |
| Industry | Online Education, E-Learning, Digital Services |
| Product Type | Digital Subscription (All-Access Memberships/Courses) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale), Single-Tier |
MasterClass Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with necessary resources and clear guidelines to effectively promote the product.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Image banners, Text link banners, SmartLinks, and tracking URLs. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Link and banner advertisements, Social media advertisements, Other (blogs, email marketing, etc.). Coupon/deal sites are often rejected. |
| Accepted Countries | Worldwide (Global Coverage) |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (Standard policy for reputable brands; promotes premium, educational content). |
| Religious or political content | Not accepted (Standard policy to maintain brand neutrality and focus on education). |
MasterClass Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program offers a competitive commission rate within the education niche, with payouts typically handled through the affiliate network.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) | No, it operates on a single-tier structure. |
| Commission Rate | Up to 25% per sale (on a new membership sign-up). |
| Commission Structure | Fixed percentage per sale. Sales bonuses are sometimes offered for reaching volume milestones. |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (handled by the affiliate network, e.g., Impact). |
| Payout Methods | PayPal, Wire Transfer, and other methods offered by the network (e.g., Impact). |
| Minimum Payout | No minimum payout (as managed through the affiliate network). |
Suitable Affiliates for MasterClass
The ideal affiliate for MasterClass is a content creator whose audience is interested in personal development, creative skills, business, and lifestyle. Because the courses are high-quality and premium, the audience should be willing to pay for valuable educational content.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability | Notes |
| Bloggers | High | Especially those in niches like creativity, business, writing, cooking, and self-improvement. Content reviews and “best of” lists convert well. |
| TikTokers | High | High-production value, engaging video content (e.g., “5 things I learned from X MasterClass”) aligns perfectly with the brand’s visual style. |
| KOC/KOL/Influencers | High | Individuals with a strong, engaged audience interested in specific niches (e.g., a photographer promoting Annie Leibovitz’s class). |
| YouTubers | Highest | Video content, such as course reviews, comparisons, and behind-the-scenes insights, is exceptionally effective due to the visual nature of the product. |
| Video editors | Low-Medium | Can be suitable if they create content for others in the relevant niches or run a channel about editing/filmmaking (e.g., promoting James Cameron’s class). |
| Livestreamers | Medium | Suitable if the stream’s focus aligns with MasterClass topics (e.g., a gaming streamer with a side focus on creative/business growth). |
MasterClass Affiliate Software
MasterClass does not use in-house affiliate management software.
They utilize well-established, third-party affiliate networks to manage their program, including:
- Impact (Impact Radius)
- ShareASale
- FlexOffers
- Skimlinks (for specific GEOs)
3 Alternatives for MasterClass Affiliate Program
MasterClass competes in the wider e-learning and creative course space. Below are three popular alternatives for affiliates: Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy.
Comparison Table
| Factor | MasterClass | Coursera | Skillshare | Udemy |
| Core Offering | Premium, celebrity-taught courses (Inspiration/Insight) | University/Company courses, Degrees, Professional Certificates (Academic/Career) | Creative and practical skills courses (Project-based/Community) | Individual courses on almost any topic (Broad/Budget) |
| Average Bill | $120 – $240/year (Subscription) | Varies greatly: Single courses ($30-$100), Certificates ($200-$400), Degrees. | $168/year (Subscription) | Varies: $10 – $200 per course (often heavily discounted) |
| Entry Fees | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Varies by Network (often $50-$100) | Varies by Network (often $50) | $10 (Paid via PayPal) | Varies by Network (often $10 – $50) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | Up to 25% per sale | 15% to 45% on eligible purchases | $10 flat rate per new Premium sign-up (free trial to paid) | 10% net revenue (standard) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 7 days |
| Marketing Materials | Links, Banners, SmartLinks | Text links, Banners, Course Lists | Banners, Text links | Wide range of assets, Deals/Coupon codes |
