Walmart Affiliate Program: How It Works and How to Join

Walmart affiliate marketing means earning a commission when people buy on Walmart.com through your tracked links, and Walmart runs two programs for it: Walmart Affiliates, on the Impact platform, aimed at websites and publishers, and Walmart Creator, aimed at social media creators. As of 2026, Walmart's affiliate FAQ says affiliates can earn up to 4% on eligible sales, while Walmart Creator sets category rates in terms that approved creators can see.

Which program fits depends on where you publish. This guide explains how each works, what they pay, who can join, how payouts work and the rules that get affiliates removed.

What are Walmart's two affiliate programs?

Walmart Affiliates is the long-running program for websites, blogs and other publishers, tracked through Impact. Walmart Creator is a newer platform for social media creators, with storefronts and creator tools.

Sources: Walmart's affiliate FAQ, affiliate terms (last updated April 2026) and Walmart Creator terms (last updated June 2026).

Walmart launched the Creator platform in 2022, and in 2025 it announced new features such as tiered bonuses and Walmart Creator Collabs, which connect creators with Marketplace sellers for higher commissions on select products.

How much does the Walmart affiliate program pay?

Walmart Affiliates advertises up to 4% on each eligible sale. Walmart Creator pays category-based rates that it lists in payout terms for approved creators, and it runs promotions on some categories.

A few details change what you actually receive:

• Net sales only. Walmart's FAQ says commissions are paid on monthly net sales and do not include returns, sales tax or shipping and handling.
• Returns are deducted. Returns and chargebacks result in commission debits.
• Some purchases don't count. Walmart Creator's terms exclude Sam's Club and Samsclub.com, Walmart's pharmacy, travel and financial services, tires, and purchases made with gift cards.
• Promotional rates are temporary. When we checked in September 2026, the Walmart Creator homepage was advertising a 20% commission on fashion. Treat banner rates like that as promotions that can end, and check the current rate card in your dashboard.

Example (hypothetical): a reader buys a $60 kitchen scale through your Walmart link, and the item earns 4%. You'd receive $2.40, and nothing if the scale is returned. Ten such sales in a month would be $24 before any returns.

How do you join the Walmart affiliate program?

Pick the program that matches where you publish, have real content live, then apply and wait for review.

1. Pick the right program. Choose Walmart Affiliates if you publish on a website or blog, or Walmart Creator if you publish mainly on social media.
2. Publish content first. Have useful, original content live so reviewers can see what you publish and who it's for.
3. Apply and wait for review. Apply through affiliates.walmart.com or creator.walmart.com. Walmart says affiliate applications are reviewed individually and it can reject or remove sites at its discretion.
4. Set up payouts and links. Add your payment details, create links with the program's tools and add a clear disclosure next to every link.

Walmart Creator eligibility, and a contradiction

Walmart's corporate announcement says anyone who creates content and shares it on social media can apply, and a Walmart Creator help article describes welcoming creators of all sizes. The binding terms are stricter: you must be at least 18, reside in the United States, have an active Walmart.com account, not be a current Walmart employee and have a minimum of 1,000 followers across connected social accounts. Go by the terms.

If you're outside the US, note that Walmart Creator requires a US bank account for payouts and says adding a foreign bank account will terminate your account and forfeit commissions. Both programs are built around shoppers on Walmart.com.

How and when does Walmart pay affiliates?

Later than most beginners expect. Commissions are calculated on net sales after returns, so money earned in one month isn't paid right away.

Walmart's affiliate terms say that approximately 90 days after the end of each calendar month, affiliates receive payment for the commissions earned. Walmart Creator pays to a US bank account. In both programs, a sale can still be reversed if the customer returns the item.

Plan your cash flow around that delay. A strong holiday season shows up in your bank account well into the new year.

What rules must Walmart affiliates follow?

Walmart's terms are specific, and breaking them can cost you your account and your unpaid commissions. These are the ones that matter most.

The FTC's disclosure guidance applies on top of Walmart's rules: disclose in plain words close to the link, and in videos say and show it in the video itself. Our guide on how to promote affiliate links covers disclosure wording for the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Walmart vs Amazon Associates: which should you start with?

Start with the store your audience already uses. Both programs are free, category-based and modest per sale, so the fit with your readers matters more than the headline rate.

• Rates. Amazon lists category rates from 0% to 10%, with many categories at 3% or 4%, on its published rate page. Walmart Affiliates advertises up to 4%.
• Referral window. Amazon credits items added to the cart within 24 hours of the click. Walmart's terms refer to a cookie window without stating its length publicly, so check it in your dashboard after approval.
• Payment speed. Walmart's terms describe payment roughly 90 days after month end, which is slow for a beginner.
• Audience fit. Budget-conscious, grocery, household and back-to-school content may suit Walmart; broad product reviews often default to Amazon.

Many affiliates join both and link whichever store their readers prefer, or show both options. For the Amazon side in detail, read our Amazon Associates guide, and for other free programs with clear terms, compare the best affiliate programs for beginners.

Is the Walmart affiliate program worth it?

It can be, if your audience already shops at Walmart and you publish buying-intent content consistently. It's rarely a fast earner, because rates are low per sale and payment is delayed.

It tends to suit:

• US audiences that shop Walmart for household, grocery, kids and seasonal items.
• Deal-aware content that compares prices and value honestly.
• Social creators who already meet Walmart Creator's follower requirement.

It tends not to suit beginners who need income soon, audiences outside the US, or niches where Walmart has thin selection. Results depend on your effort, niche and execution, and most beginners earn little at first.

Next steps

Decide which Walmart program matches where you publish, get useful content live, then apply.

• For the full beginner route from niche to first commission, see our affiliate marketing guide for beginners.
• Looking at the wider picture of online income? Start with our guide to making money online.

When you're ready to build the content that makes any retail program worthwhile, our page on how to make money with affiliate marketing lays out each step.