How I Went from ShareASale Loyalist to Awin Convert (Sort Of)
“Affiliate marketing isn’t about luck — it’s about learning what changes, and adapting faster than the rest.”
Back in early 2023, when I first started learning the ropes of affiliate marketing, ShareASale quickly became my comfort zone. I was juggling Rakuten, Impact, and ShareASale — but something about ShareASale felt grounded, familiar, and easy to navigate. It didn’t have all the flash or complexity of other dashboards. It was straightforward, honest, and gave smaller affiliates like me a fighting chance.
My first payout — just over $60 USD — might not sound like much, but man, that felt like I’d hit gold. I still remember refreshing my dashboard, watching commissions shift from ‘processing’ to ‘approved’. It was real proof this business model actually worked.
Then came the “hiccup” moment. One day, a flood of fake transactions hit my account. Sixteen bogus purchases from the same IP address — all voided. It stung. But it also taught me one of the most valuable lessons I’ve carried since: transparency always wins in affiliate marketing. When I reached out to ShareASale support, they didn’t penalize me; they helped me clean it up. That kind of integrity left a mark.
Fast forward to mid-2025. Out of nowhere, I received an email from the Awin Upgrade Team. It announced that ShareASale — my go-to platform for two years — would soon be fully merged with Awin. “Nothing to worry about,” they said. “It’s all happening automatically.”
At first, I wasn’t happy. I liked ShareASale’s simplicity — it felt personal. Awin, on the other hand, looked like a high-rise office tower compared to my little home office desk setup. But I gave it time, and to their credit, the transition was smooth. My affiliate links carried over, my payments landed on time, and by October 2025, the lights officially went out on ShareASale — quietly, gracefully, like the end of a favorite local diner that just couldn’t keep up with the big city expansion.
Why this review matters: This isn’t just a product breakdown — it’s a look at what really happens when a platform you trust evolves. For affiliates, transparency matters more than ever. And for me, the ShareASale-to-Awin story is personal — because it’s proof that even in affiliate marketing, growth comes with change.
What Really Happened to ShareASale (and How It Affects Us)
Quick version: most partnerships and links automatically ported to Awin. A handful didn’t—either brands moved to other networks or closed. For me, access was odd: login worked the whole time, but the dashboard was unavailable for a couple months and support confirmed it was “part of the process.” When the back office finally opened, I discovered Awin had created a second profile for me during the migration. Not harmful—just clunky.
Official Timeline (from Awin upgrade communications)
- Aug 27 ShareASale tracking disabled. New transactions no longer recorded on ShareASale. Existing links continue tracking on Awin automatically.
- Sep 22 Final ShareASale payment run. Positive balances paid out regardless of thresholds (make sure payment/tax details were correct).
- Oct 6 Platform shutdown. Account access to ShareASale ended; export any historical reports you wanted to keep.
What went smoothly
- Most of my existing merchant relationships and links carried over to Awin with no changes needed.
- Payments were handled on schedule, including the final ShareASale payout.
- No loss of tracking once Awin took over.
What felt clunky
- Dashboard access was unavailable for a while even though login worked.
- A second Awin profile was created during migration (support can merge/advise).
- The Awin UI is powerful but could be more user-friendly for smaller affiliates.
Action for readers: If you relied on ShareASale, log into Awin and confirm your brands appear, reporting works, and payments are configured. If you see duplicate profiles (it happens), open a ticket and ask them to consolidate your account IDs.
What Awin Is Today
After fully absorbing ShareASale, Awin has become one of the largest affiliate networks in the world — home to over 25,000 advertisers and 270,000 publishers. It’s where small niche site owners and major brands now coexist, all under a single umbrella platform. If you were part of ShareASale, you’re now officially an Awin partner — even if you didn’t sign up twice.
Think of it like this: ShareASale was the cozy, well-run diner where everyone knew the menu. Awin is the upgraded city restaurant — bigger, flashier, maybe a little intimidating at first, but the food (and service) are still worth it once you get familiar with the layout.
The Modern Dashboard
The new Awin dashboard runs on a modernized framework with faster tracking updates and real-time data — but it’s not without quirks. It offers improved link generation tools, conversion graphs, and reporting filters that go beyond what ShareASale offered, though the interface takes time to master. In my case, I had access to my account the whole time but couldn’t view metrics for nearly two months during migration. When the doors finally reopened, all my brands were sitting there waiting for me — under two separate profiles.
Key Features You’ll Notice Today
- Cross-network tracking: Awin integrates all your previous ShareASale merchants and adds new brands from Impact, Rakuten, and CJ cross-promotions.
- Global marketplace: Programs now reach over 180 countries with localized payment options and tax forms built in.
- Faster payout cycle: Standard 30-day net remains, but Awin offers earlier “Auto-Payment” once merchants approve transactions.
- Affiliate toolbox: Deeplinks, banners, and API data feeds now live under one menu instead of three different tabs.
- Dedicated compliance section: They’ve added a built-in FTC Disclosure reminder — a feature I wish I had back when my own ShareASale links were flagged.
Pricing: Free to join, no monthly fees. Standard 20% network override on advertiser commissions. Minimum payout remains $20 USD.
My Honest Take
Functionally, Awin is an upgrade. The tracking is stronger, payments are prompt, and their advertiser list keeps expanding. But let’s be honest — it’s not as simple or personal as ShareASale was. If you liked the “one-click and done” simplicity, you’ll miss that. However, for affiliates running multiple sites, the power and scalability of Awin make it worth learning.
Quick verdict: Awin’s the new home base for ShareASale affiliates — bigger stage, steeper learning curve, better long-term potential.
Pros & Cons (My Real Experience with Awin)
Pros
- Huge merchant pool (post-ShareASale): More programs in more niches, all under one login.
- Reliable tracking & prompt payouts: Final ShareASale payout cleared smoothly; Awin payments land on time.
- Country switching & regional insights: Easy to view performance across US/CA programs to see where traction happens (clicks, commissions).
- Marketplace opportunities: Built-in discovery surface for new partners and campaigns.
- Partner Recommendations: Useful suggestions based on your current merchants and content focus.
- Awin Chrome extension: Quick program checks and deeplinks while you browse (note: I’m on Edge, so haven’t adopted it yet).
Cons
- Beginner-unfriendly UX: Feels “wonky” at first—expect a steeper learning curve than ShareASale’s cozy interface.
- Navigation requires deep dives: Menus work, but you’ll click into multiple layers before it “clicks” mentally.
- Migration quirks: I ended up with a second profile during the transition—support can merge, but it’s extra admin.
Jeremy’s quick verdict: If ShareASale was the friendly local shop, Awin is the upgraded superstore—busier aisles, more selection, and better systems once you learn the layout. For multi-site affiliates, the power and payout reliability outweigh the learning curve.
Comparing Awin to the Rest (And Why It’s Leading the Pack in 2025)
With ShareASale now fully merged into Awin, the affiliate landscape shifted dramatically. I’ve worked with most of these platforms hands-on — from Rakuten and Impact to Ascend and CJ Network — and here’s how they really stack up for digital entrepreneurs and niche site builders.
Where Wealthy Affiliate Fits In
Here’s the twist — Wealthy Affiliate goes beyond networks like these. Inside your Hubs → Affiliate Programs section (see screenshot below), you can instantly find programs across all these networks — Awin, Rakuten, CJ, Impact and more — filtered by niche, commission rate, or keyword. It’s the only place I’ve seen that simplifies discovery while keeping everything ethical, transparent, and education-first.
See below: screenshot of my WA Hubs Affiliate Programs view.
Common Questions About Awin (and Getting Started the Right Way)
When the ShareASale → Awin transition was first announced, the affiliate world lit up with questions. Here are the most common ones I’ve heard — along with some real, field-tested answers based on my own experience and conversations with other affiliates.
Is Awin replacing ShareASale completely?
Yes — as of October 6, 2025, all ShareASale tracking and logins are officially closed. Every program has either been absorbed into Awin or deactivated. If you had active brands, they’ve been ported automatically — you can now manage them right inside your Awin dashboard.
What if I never received my last ShareASale payment?
The final ShareASale payout date was September 22, 2025. If you had pending earnings, they were automatically processed — even if they didn’t meet the payout threshold. If you missed it, reach out to shareasale@shareasale.com for confirmation. After that, all new earnings will flow directly through Awin’s payout system.
How do I find affiliate programs now that everything’s moved?
Inside Awin’s Advertiser Directory, you can browse programs by category, country, or commission rate. However, if you’re part of Wealthy Affiliate, the process is ten times easier. In your Business Hub → Affiliate Programs section (see screenshot above), WA automatically curates programs from Awin, Rakuten, CJ, and more — organized by niche and potential commission value. No more jumping between platforms or guessing which networks fit your brand.
How long does it take to get paid through Awin?
Payouts typically occur once per month, following advertiser approval. Compared to older systems, Awin’s payment tracking is cleaner and more predictable — just make sure your tax and payment details are up to date in your profile. In my case, all migrated balances appeared without issue and future commissions hit my account like clockwork.
What’s the biggest difference between Awin and its competitors?
Platforms like Impact and CJ still dominate enterprise spaces, while Rakuten serves a smaller retail base. Awin’s strength lies in its hybrid model — mid to large brands across nearly every niche, plus seamless access for smaller publishers thanks to its ShareASale roots. It’s the best middle ground for affiliates running multi-site operations like mine.
Can I still promote Awin merchants if I’m new to affiliate marketing?
Absolutely. Most merchants on Awin are beginner-friendly. Start by building your foundation inside Wealthy Affiliate — you’ll learn to structure content, apply for affiliate programs correctly, and disclose links properly (so your commissions don’t get voided like mine did once!). Once you’re trained, scaling with Awin is smooth sailing.
Pro Tip: Keep a running list of your active Awin brands in a Google Sheet or Notion tracker. Include payout thresholds, contact names, and recurring promo codes — it’ll save hours when optimizing or swapping out underperforming merchants.
My Awin Migration Experience — The Real Story Behind the Transition
When I first learned that ShareASale was being absorbed by Awin, I was cautiously optimistic. I had already been using Rakuten, Impact, and Ascend, and while each platform had its quirks, ShareASale had always felt like home. It was easy to navigate, fast to approve, and — despite the occasional glitch — it just worked.
The migration process itself was fairly smooth. My brands were transferred automatically, and I didn’t have to lift a finger. The only hiccup came when I realized Awin had accidentally created a duplicate profile for me. For a few months, I could log in, but I couldn’t access my dashboard or see my commissions. Support assured me it was all part of the process, and sure enough, the issue eventually resolved itself.
By October 2025, all my previous ShareASale connections were visible again in Awin’s backend. I didn’t lose any tracking data, and I received my final ShareASale payout exactly as promised — even those two small commissions that had been sitting in limbo since 2023.
What’s changed since the switch? Awin feels more robust and enterprise-level, but also more complex. It’s not the most beginner-friendly system — menus are deep, reporting can feel buried, and you really need to spend time inside the platform to understand its flow. Once you do, though, it opens up opportunities far beyond what ShareASale offered.
The biggest benefit, in my view, is the expanded merchant pool. Not only do I have access to all my old ShareASale partners, but Awin’s own ecosystem adds hundreds more — often with better data visibility and faster payouts. That alone makes the learning curve worthwhile.
Final Verdict — Awin in 2025
Awin isn’t perfect, but it’s setting the new standard for affiliate platforms in 2025. The transition from ShareASale has been handled with professionalism, and the network’s global reach makes it a serious contender for anyone running multiple niche sites or managing a broad affiliate portfolio.
For new affiliates, the interface might feel intimidating — but the payout consistency, brand selection, and data accuracy make up for it. And if you’re learning through Wealthy Affiliate, it’s an easy system to integrate into your training flow.
My only real critique? Awin could take a cue from ShareASale’s simplicity. Not everything needs to be buried under five menus and multiple tabs. For long-time affiliates, it’s a manageable nuisance. For beginners, it’s a hurdle.
Rating: 4.7 / 5 — reliable, data-rich, and the new default for serious affiliates.
If you were a ShareASale user like me, don’t worry — your hard work hasn’t gone to waste. The programs are still there, the commissions still track, and the affiliate world keeps turning. Just make sure your new Awin account is verified, your links are active, and your focus stays where it belongs: creating great content that converts.
Final Thoughts — Why Awin’s Move Matters for Affiliates
The merger between ShareASale and Awin isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a redefinition of how affiliate networks operate in 2025. While many affiliates (myself included) were skeptical at first, it’s becoming clear that this integration has made the system more scalable, more accountable, and better aligned with the direction online business is heading.
Awin is now built for the modern marketer — influencers, content creators, niche publishers, and data-driven entrepreneurs who need performance and precision under one roof. It’s not the “log in, grab a link, hope for the best” kind of platform anymore. It’s a professional toolkit for those serious about building long-term affiliate income.
Whether you came from ShareASale or you’re stepping into affiliate marketing for the first time, the key takeaway is this: affiliate marketing has matured. Networks like Awin are adapting to higher transparency standards, and that’s something the whole industry can get behind.
For those who want to see how Awin supports creators directly, here’s a short official webinar that explains their approach to influencer and content creator partnerships.
I’ll be continuing to test how Awin performs over time — tracking click-throughs, payout cycles, and merchant approvals — and I’ll share future updates on From0to100k.com as they come in.
For anyone just getting started with affiliate marketing, I’d recommend pairing Awin with structured training from Wealthy Affiliate. That combination — a proven education platform and a strong affiliate network — is what turns beginners into consistent earners.
Leave a Reply