This Thrifty Girl

I’m a pretty new blogger-slash-content-creator and wanted to share a platform I’ve been using and have had some good affiliate marketing success with — Benable.

I’ve been spending a lot of time figuring out the ins and outs of this platform, and after cashing out 3+ times, I wanted to share some of my biggest takeaways directly with you. This isn’t just about throwing links up; it’s about building a sustainable way to share what you love and get rewarded for your influence.

What I’ve Learned About Making Benable Work For Me (And Hopefully You Too!)

1. Smart Links = Smart Earnings

When you’re aiming to earn, picking the right links matters. You can use Benable’s own Brand Partner Links (super easy, tracked right there!), or if you’re already with programs like ShareASale or LTK, you can often use your own affiliate links. As of now, I’m using the Benable partner links since they’re easier to create, auto generated by Benable, and don’t require a large following to access. However, once I get a larger following on my main blog and can qualify, I think I may switch over to using my own affiliate links as they typically offer better analytics and tracking as opposed to Benable’s in-house offerings. Benable’s links, as of now, do not show you how many clicks your links recieve or much of any analytic information other than views and likes or comments notifications as they happen.

2. Get That “Optimized List” Badge

Benable actually rewards high-quality, personally curated, and well-organized lists with their “Optimized List Badge.” This is a big deal because it tells Benable’s algorithm your list is valuable to readers, and it starts sending more traffic your way. To get it, I focus on, in addition to the factors they mention in their guide:

• Making it look good: High-quality images and videos are a must. If Benable doesn’t pull one, I find or create one and manually upload it!
• Keywords: I use descriptive keywords in my titles, descriptions, and categories. Think about what people would search for while sticking true to the matter at hand.
• Personal Curation: Recommend products you actually know, use, and like. Personalize your descriptions and recommendations to really reach your readers.
• Organization: Grouping related items and using clear section headers makes a huge difference in readability. A tidy list just feels more professional and keeps people Browse longer.

3. It’s Not All About the Money (Seriously!)

This might sound counterintuitive, but I’ve found it’s super beneficial to create some non-affiliate, purely informational lists. These are just about providing value with no expectation of a commission. Why? Because it builds genuine trust with your audience, establishes your authority in your niche, and frankly, it just feels better. It’s about long-term growth, not just quick sales.

4. Don’t Be Shy — Share Your Lists!

You can’t just build it and expect them to come. I always promote my best Benable lists across all my channels:

• Socials: Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter
• Visuals: Pinterest boards
• Content: Blog posts, newsletters, forums
• Link-in-bio tools: Linktree, etc.
• Etc.

This pushes fresh eyes to your content, helps your audience grow, and yes, boosts those affiliate earnings!

5. The Non-Negotiable: Affiliate Disclaimers

This one is crucial and often overlooked in my experience browsing Benable thus far. If you include any affiliate links, you are legally required to have a disclaimer. The FTC mandates this for transparency. Benable might not explicitly tell you this, but it doesn’t exempt you from the rule. I always include a short, clear disclaimer like: “This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you.” Make sure it’s super easy to find, ideally at the top of your list or in your profile and not under a cutoff. Seriously, don’t skip this.

6. Engage, Engage, Engage!

Benable isn’t just a static sales-y platform; it rewards active participation. I try to:

• Like and comment with relevant insights on other creators’ lists and recs.
• Respond to all comments on my own content.
• Check my notifications regularly.

Benable actually tracks this activity in a monthly “Wrapped Report” and gives you an Engagement Score. The higher your score, the more your content gets promoted across the platform. It’s a nice incentive to be a good community member!

7. Keep Your Lists Fresh

Benable has a “Tune-Up” tool that identifies broken links or incomplete lists, which is super handy! But it’s not real-time and it’s not all-knowing. So, I still make sure to manually audit my lists regularly. Things like out-of-stock products won’t always show up on the tool, and keeping your lists up-to-date makes them more valuable.

8. Your Bio Matters!

Think of your profile bio as your personal billboard. It’s one of the first things people see! I make sure mine includes:

• What kind of lists I make
• What makes my perspective unique (my background, experience, etc.)
• A touch of personality! Because people connect with people, not just links.

I’ve put all of these strategies and more into action on my own Benable profile. If you want to see how I’m applying these tips, you can check out my full guide here:

🔗 My Benable Guide (in all honesty, it’s still a WIP. I keep learning more to share!): https://benable.com/brittney/a-beginner-s-guide-to-affiliate-marketing-on-benable-strategies-tips-and-more-e1c5fc

Would love to hear your thoughts on Benable, or any other platforms you’re using for recommendations! What’s working for you, and what are your biggest challenges? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!