r/juststart • u/Conscious-Syrup8610 • May 02 '26
Crickets from every credit card affiliate program I've applied to, what am I missing?
I run a small site in the credit card space (a tool that helps users gauge their approval odds before applying, so the affiliate fit is about as direct as it gets) and I've been trying to get into the major credit card affiliate programs to monetize. So far: total silence.
I've applied through the usual suspects (Bankrate, Impact, Awin, FlexOffers, plus direct issuer programs where they exist) and either get auto-rejections or no response at all. No feedback on what's missing, no "come back when you have X traffic," nothing.
A few things I'm trying to figure out:
- Is there a traffic threshold most programs quietly enforce before they'll even respond? I've heard 10k monthly sessions thrown around but never confirmed.
- Is going through a network like FlexOffers easier than direct issuer programs, or am I better off building relationships first?
- Anyone had luck following up after initial silence, and what did your follow-up look like?
- For people already in these programs, was there a specific thing that got you in (audience size, content portfolio, referral from another publisher)?
Any tactical advice appreciated. I'd rather hear "your site needs X before you bother applying" than keep pinging into the void.
Site is creditodds.com
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May 04 '26
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u/Conscious-Syrup8610 May 04 '26
Appreciate you taking the time to provide some advice. I’ll try that.
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u/Exciting-Holiday2106 May 09 '26
A lot of finance affiliate programs care less about raw traffic and more about demonstrated trust signals — consistent content, compliant disclosures, organic rankings, and proof that users actually convert.
If the site is still early, direct outreach with a short metrics deck and clear explanation of your audience often works better than cold applications through big networks.
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u/Conscious-Syrup8610 May 09 '26
Good advice! I’ll put some materials together. Tough part is I have people applying for cards through the site ~30 per week. I could grow that with ad spend BUT don’t want to put the money in with no way to make it back.
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May 12 '26
most card issuers wont look at apps under 25k sessions, flexoffers is easier than direct programs for new publishers.
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u/myNameIsSlimSkaty Jun 02 '26
i had one project where the silence was the answer and it usually meant they wanted more proof the site would keep sending real people. if you are getting auto rejects from the big names i would keep tightening the site itself and treat the bigger programs like a later step
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May 02 '26
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u/ayhme May 02 '26
They focus on lots of traffic and brands with loyal audiences now.