Mailchimp Affiliate Program Guide 2025: Complete Review & How to Join

Mailchimp runs multiple affiliate programs, which is kind of confusing at first. The main one most people encounter is MonkeyRewards — that’s the $30 credit system for existing customers. Then there’s Mailchimp & Co for agencies, which pays real money. And they’ve got a CJ Affiliate program too, though that one’s less talked about.

MonkeyRewards is straightforward: you get $30 in account credits per referral. Not cash, credits. Mailchimp & Co works differently — 25% commission for new customers, 5% for existing customer upgrades. The CJ program offers 30% commissions, but good luck finding much information about it.

Base Commission Structure

MonkeyRewards pays $30 flat, doesn’t matter which plan your referral chooses. Those credits go straight to your bill. Can’t cash them out, can’t save them if they exceed your monthly cost. Mailchimp & Co actually pays percentages based on what your connected clients spend.

Recurring vs One-Time Payments

MonkeyRewards is one-and-done per referral. Your person has to stay active for 60 days before you see anything, though. Mailchimp & Co keeps paying as long as your clients stay on paid plans — some members can earn up to 12 months of commissions depending on their tier.

Bonus Payments & Incentives

MonkeyRewards doesn’t do bonuses. Just the same $30 forever. Mailchimp & Co has membership levels based on how many clients you connect. Hit 10+ and you’re Partner level. Get to 20+ and you’re Pro. Higher levels come with training requirements and better support.

Realistic Earning Examples

With MonkeyRewards, five referrals monthly means $150 in credits. Sounds good until you realize excess credits just disappear. If your bill is $50 and you earn $150, you lose that extra $100. Mailchimp & Co earnings depend on your client base and what they’re spending.

How to Join the Mailchimp Affiliate Program

The process varies a lot depending on which program you want. MonkeyRewards is almost automatic if you’re already a customer. Mailchimp & Co requires an actual application since they’re looking for professionals who manage client accounts.

Step 1: Visit the Affiliate Program Page

MonkeyRewards doesn’t have a special signup page. You just enable it in your account settings under Account & Billing > Extras > Referrals. For Mailchimp & Co, you need to visit mailchimp.com/andco/ and start their application process.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

MonkeyRewards has no application — you just flip a switch. Mailchimp & Co requires accepting additional terms and providing some business details. Nothing too invasive, but they want to verify you’re actually running a business.

Step 3: Wait for Approval (Timeline)

MonkeyRewards is instant. Toggle the switch and you’re live. Mailchimp & Co typically takes a few business days while they review your application and confirm you manage client accounts professionally.

Step 4: Access Your Affiliate Dashboard

MonkeyRewards lives in your regular account under the Rewards section. Click “Show my Referral Link and Badge” to get your materials. Mailchimp & Co gives you a separate Partner Center with commission tracking and client management tools.

Step 5: Generate Your Affiliate Links

MonkeyRewards provides a unique link and customizable badge. The badge can be edited for different platforms while keeping tracking intact. Mailchimp & Co moved away from manual links — commissions now track automatically through connected accounts.

Step 6: Start Promoting and Earning

You can promote MonkeyRewards immediately. Add badges to email signatures, websites, campaigns. People need to click with cookies enabled and sign up within 60 days. Mailchimp & Co is about directly connecting and managing client accounts.

Mailchimp Affiliate Program Requirements

The requirements differ significantly between programs. MonkeyRewards is pretty relaxed since it’s designed for existing customers. Mailchimp & Co has higher standards since they’re targeting professionals.

Website & Traffic Requirements

MonkeyRewards doesn’t care about your traffic or whether you have a website. It’s meant for casual referrals from existing users. Having a website helps, but you could probably succeed with just social media or email promotion.

Content Quality Standards

Mailchimp allows affiliate links but prohibits traditional affiliate marketing as a business model. Your content needs to appear under your branding, in your voice. They want authentic recommendations, not generic promotional content that screams “affiliate spam.”

Geographic Restrictions

MonkeyRewards seems open globally for existing users. Mailchimp & Co operates internationally but pays through Payoneer, which might have country limitations. They pay quarterly with no minimum threshold.

Prohibited Promotional Methods

Don’t use Mailchimp’s platform to promote other affiliate products. Don’t make affiliate links the primary focus of your emails. They scan for problematic URLs automatically, so keep your links clean and relevant.

Mailchimp Affiliate Payment Terms

Payment structures are completely different between these programs. MonkeyRewards is credits only, while Mailchimp & Co pays actual money.

Payment Methods Available

MonkeyRewards pays credits that go straight to your bill. No cash, no PayPal, no exceptions. Mailchimp & Co pays real money through Payoneer with quarterly deposits to your bank account.

Payment Schedule & Timing

MonkeyRewards has a 60-day waiting period before credits appear. Your referrals need to stay active that long. Mailchimp & Co processes payments quarterly without minimum requirements.

Minimum Payout Threshold

MonkeyRewards technically has no minimum since credits appear automatically. But excess credits above your monthly bill get discarded — no accumulation allowed. Mailchimp & Co doesn’t require minimum earnings for quarterly payouts.

Cookie Duration & Commission Processing

MonkeyRewards gives people 60 days to sign up after clicking your link. Cookies must be enabled or tracking fails. Mailchimp & Co tracks through direct account connections, so no cookie concerns.

Mailchimp Affiliate Resources & Support

Support quality varies quite a bit across programs. MonkeyRewards is pretty basic, while Mailchimp & Co offers more comprehensive resources.

Available Creative Assets

MonkeyRewards provides customizable badges in different designs. They’re clickable with unique tracking and work across websites, emails, forms. You can edit them for different platforms too.

Email Templates & Swipe Copy

MonkeyRewards is bare-bones on marketing materials. It’s mostly about badges and organic referrals — email signatures, website footers, campaign footers. Mailchimp & Co provides better resources including templates and training materials.

Support & Training Resources

Everyone gets Mailchimp’s general support and knowledge base. Mailchimp & Co members get extras like Mailchimp Academy access. Higher tiers require completing specific certifications but offer better support.

Mailchimp Affiliate Program Pros & Cons

Each program has clear strengths and weaknesses worth considering before jumping in.

Advantages of the Program

MonkeyRewards is incredibly easy to join if you’re already a customer. No approval process, no requirements. The $30 rate stays fixed regardless of plan type. Mailchimp’s brand recognition helps with conversions.

Potential Drawbacks

The credits-only structure is MonkeyRewards’ biggest weakness. No cash, no savings, excess credits disappear. That 60-day waiting period feels long compared to other programs. If you want actual income, look elsewhere.

Who Should Join

MonkeyRewards works for existing users who naturally recommend Mailchimp anyway. Content creators and consultants who organically mention email tools can benefit without extra effort. Makes sense if you’re already paying for Mailchimp.

Who Should Skip This Program

Anyone wanting cash income should avoid MonkeyRewards. Competitors like AWeber offer 30% recurring cash commissions. If you don’t use Mailchimp yourself, the credit structure provides zero value.

Mailchimp Affiliate Program FAQs