Maximize Your Earnings: The 5 Best Places to Put Affiliate Links in Your Blog Post

Are you frustrated with low affiliate commissions despite writing high-quality blog posts? You’re not alone. Many bloggers create amazing content, but they struggle with one critical piece of the puzzle: strategic affiliate link placement. Simply scattering your links randomly and hoping for clicks is a surefire way to get lost in the noise. The secret to transforming your blog into a passive income machine isn’t just what you promote, but where and how you promote it.

This advanced guide is designed to move you from hopeful blogger to profitable affiliate marketer. We are going to dive deep into the five most effective, high-converting places to put affiliate links in your blog post for maximum clicks and revenue. Forget the guesswork. It’s time to learn the specific, proven strategies that top earners use to optimize their affiliate link placement. We’ll explore the psychology behind why these spots work and how you can implement them immediately to see a real difference in your earnings.

Why Strategic Affiliate Link Placement is Non-Negotiable

Before we jump into the “where,” let’s understand the “why.” You could have the most helpful post on the internet, but if your affiliate links are buried, in-your-face, or placed illogically, your readers will either miss them or be turned off. The goal of strategic placement is to integrate your recommendations so seamlessly that they enhance the reader’s experience.

A well-placed affiliate link feels less like a sales pitch and more like a helpful recommendation from a trusted friend. It’s about meeting your reader at their exact moment of need. For example, a reader searching for “how to start affiliate marketing” is in a learning mindset. A reader searching for “best laptop for bloggers” is in a buying mindset. Your link placement must respect and leverage this user intent.

This post will show you how to master the art of contextual affiliate link placement, using advanced techniques to improve your affiliate marketing conversion rates without compromising the trust you’ve worked so hard to build. This is a core component of sustainable success, a topic we cover extensively in our ultimate guide to starting affiliate marketing.

1. The Introduction: The High-Traffic “Above the Fold” Sweet Spot

Many bloggers save their affiliate links for the middle or end of the post, fearing they’ll appear too “salesy” upfront. This is a massive mistake. Your introduction is prime real estate. It’s the first thing your reader sees, and for many, it might be the only part they read in detail before scanning. Placing a link “above the fold” (the area visible without scrolling) can be incredibly effective if done correctly.

How to Use Affiliate Links in Your Introduction Effectively

The key here is subtlety and value. Don’t just drop a link to a product. Instead, use your introduction to identify the reader’s problem and hint at the solution.

The “Problem-Solution” Tease: If your post is “The 5 Best Blenders for Green Smoothies,” your intro might say, “Tired of chunky smoothies and blenders that quit? My hunt for the perfect blend ended when I found [Brand A’s Power Blender] (affiliate link), but I also tested four other amazing options to help you decide.” This immediately frames the recommended product as the hero.
The “Summary Box” Solution: For “best of” listicles, an increasingly popular and high-converting method is using a “Top Picks” or “Quick Summary” box right after the intro. This box lists your top 3 recommendations with brief call-to-actions (CTAs) and affiliate links. This technique is perfect for skimmers who just want the answer now. It respects their time and gives you an immediate chance for a click.

Best Practices for Intro Links:

Always Disclose: Your affiliate disclosure should be one of the very first things your reader sees, ideally right before or after your first paragraph. Transparency builds trust.
Use Contextual Anchor Text: Don’t use “click here.” Use descriptive anchor text like “my favorite all-in-one email marketing tool” or the product name itself.
Link to a “Hero” Product: The intro is best for promoting your top, most-recommended product. Don’t crowd it with multiple options.

2. In-Content Contextual Links: The Trust-Building Workhorse

This is the most common and, when done well, the most natural-feeling place for an affiliate link. In-content contextual links are affiliate links placed directly within the body of your text. They are the bread and butter of effective affiliate marketing because they are presented at the precise moment the reader is learning about a topic.

When you’re explaining a complex process, like choosing your affiliate marketing niche, and you mention a tool that makes it easier, linking to that tool is not just a sales tactic—it’s a helpful resource. The reader is already engaged with your content and trusts your expertise.

Advanced Strategies for In-Content Affiliate Links

To make your contextual links invisible in their seamlessness yet impossible to miss in their helpfulness, follow these advanced SEO-friendly practices:

Focus on Hyper-Relevancy: A link should never feel forced. If you’re writing about “how to set up a WordPress blog,” a contextual affiliate link to your recommended web host (e.g., “The first step is securing a reliable web host like [Hostinger]“) is perfectly relevant. A link to a camera in that same post would be jarring and destroy trust.
Prioritize Value, Not Density: Don’t fall into the trap of “keyword stuffing” your affiliate links. There’s no “perfect” number of affiliate links per post. A 3,000-word post could have 15-20 links if they are all relevant and helpful. A 1,000-word post might only have 3-4. The golden rule is: Does this link help my reader solve their problem? If yes, include it.
Use Bolding and Formatting (Sparingly): Sometimes, you want your link to stand out. If you’re directly recommending a product, bolding the anchor text (e.g., “This is the exact microphone I use for my podcast“) can draw the eye and improve click-through rates (CTR). Don’t overdo it, but use it to emphasize your most important recommendations.
Link Deep, Not Just to Homepages: Don’t just link to a product’s homepage. If you’re recommending a specific pair of running shoes, link directly to the product page for those shoes. This reduces friction for the buyer and increases your conversion likelihood.

3. Comparison Tables and Product Showcase Boxes

This is where you shift from casual recommendation to active selling, and it’s one of the highest-converting strategies you can use, especially for “best of,” “review,” or “vs.” style posts. Humans are visual creatures. We are programmed to scan, and a well-designed table or box breaks up the text and makes information easy to digest.

Why Comparison Tables Win for Affiliate Clicks

A comparison table organizes complex information—features, pros, cons, pricing—into a simple, scannable format. You’re not just recommending one product; you’re empowering the reader to choose the best product for them.

Build Your Table: For a post on “The 5 Best Email Marketing Services,” your table should have columns for Product Name, Key Feature, Best For, Price, and a Link column.
The Magic of the CTA Button: This is the most critical part. Don’t use a simple text link in your table. Use a brightly colored, high-contrast Call-to-Action (CTA) button with text like “Check Price,” “Learn More,” or “Start Free Trial.” These buttons are psychological triggers that scream “click me” and will almost always outperform text links.
Use “Showcase Boxes” for Single Reviews: If you’re doing a deep-dive review of a single product, use a “Product Showcase” or “Review Summary” box near the top. This box should include:
- An image of the product.
- A short summary.
- A star rating.
- A list of Pros and Cons.
- A prominent CTA button with your affiliate link.

This strategy caters to both detailed readers (who will read your full review) and skimmers (who just want your final verdict), doubling your chances of a click.

4. Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons and Banners

While contextual links are subtle, CTA buttons and banners are direct, “no-fluff” drivers of action. They should be used at strategic points in your post to capture a reader who is ready to make a decision. A well-placed button can dramatically increase your affiliate revenue.

Best Practices for High-Converting CTA Buttons

Action-Oriented Text: Avoid “Submit” or “Click Here.” Use strong, specific, and benefit-driven text.
- Instead of “Buy,” try “Get Your [Product] Now!”
- Instead of “Link,” try “Start Your 14-Day Free Trial”
- Instead of “Click,” try “See Best Price on Amazon”
Strategic Placement: The best places for a CTA button are:
- In a Comparison Table: As mentioned above, this is essential.
- After a Mini-Review: When you finish describing a product’s benefits, drop a CTA button.
- At the End of a Section: After you’ve “solved” a part of the reader’s problem, offer the tool that helps.
- In the Conclusion: Your final call-to-action is a perfect place for a button.
A Note on Banners: Traditional sidebar banners have notoriously low click-through rates (this is called “banner blindness”). However, a well-designed, custom banner placed within the content of your post can perform well. For example, after a section on “why you need a VA,” you could place a horizontal banner for a virtual assistant service you recommend. Use them sparingly, as they can slow down your site and look spammy if overused.

5. The “Resources” Page and In-Post Resource Boxes

Not every affiliate link fits perfectly into a blog post. Sometimes you have a list of 10-20 tools you use and love—from your web host and email provider to your camera gear and an-e-book. Cramming all of

these into one post is unnatural.

The solution is a dedicated “Resources” or “Tools I Use” page on your blog.

How a “Resources” Page Becomes an Affiliate Goldmine

One-Stop Shop: This page becomes a central hub of value for your readers. It’s a curated list of your top recommendations. Readers will bookmark this page and return to it.
Build It and Link to It: Create this page, organize it by category (e.g., “Blogging Tools,” “Podcast Gear,” “Favorite Books”), and write a short, honest blurb about why you recommend each item. Then, add your affiliate links.
The Internal Linking Strategy: Now, you can link to this one page from all over your site. You can add a link to it in your main navigation menu, your blog sidebar, and, most importantly, within your blog posts.
In-Post Resource Boxes: A more advanced tactic is to create a small, reusable “Resource Box” that you can insert into relevant posts. For example, at the end of every post about blogging, you could have a box that says, “My Top 3 Recommended Blogging Tools” with affiliate links to your host, theme, and email provider.

This strategy not only generates revenue but also positions you as a genuine authority and a helpful expert, which is the cornerstone of Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) criteria. For more on how to structure your content to build this authority, the experts at Backlinko offer industry-leading advice.

Putting It All Together: Ethics and Legal Rules

You can’t just add links and call it a day. To build a long-term, sustainable business, you MUST be ethical and transparent.

Affiliate Link Disclosure: You must, by law, disclose your affiliate relationship. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) guidelines are clear: your disclosure must be “clear and conspicuous.” Place it at the top of your post, before any affiliate links appear.
Program-Specific Rules: Major programs like Amazon Associates have their own rules. For example, Amazon requires you to state, “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” They also forbid using affiliate links in emails or “cloaking” links. Always read the terms of service.
Promote Only What You Trust: This is the most important rule. Your reputation is your greatest asset. If you promote low-quality products just to make a quick buck, your readers will find out, and you will lose their trust forever. The best content marketing strategies, like those from ContentWriters, are all built on a foundation of authentic, high-value content.

By combining these five strategic placements with a foundation of trust and transparency, you create a powerful system for how to write a high-converting blog post. You’re not just selling; you’re serving your audience. And that is the true secret to winning at affiliate marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Affiliate Link Placement

1. How many affiliate links are too many in a blog post?

There is no magic number. A 5,000-word product roundup could have 50+ links (in tables, images, and text) and be perfectly helpful. A 1,000-word personal story might only have one. The rule is relevance and reader value. If the link is helpful and relevant, include it. If it feels forced, leave it out.

2. Is it better to use text links or buttons for affiliate links?

Use both. Use text links for in-content, natural recommendations. Use buttons for high-intent actions, like in comparison tables, product boxes, and at the end of your post. Buttons almost always have a higher click-through rate for direct “buy” or “sign up” actions.

3. What is affiliate link cloaking and should I do it?

Link cloaking is the practice of hiding a long, ugly affiliate URL (like www.product.com/tracking-id=12345) and making it look like a clean internal link (like www.yourblog.com/recommends/product). Tools like Pretty Links make this easy. It’s great for link management and tracking, but be careful: some programs, like Amazon Associates, explicitly forbid it.

4. Where must I put my affiliate link disclosure?

It must be “clear and conspicuous.” The best practice is to place it at the very top of your blog post, before the first paragraph or introduction. A disclosure buried in your footer or on a separate page is not compliant with FTC guidelines.

5. Do affiliate links hurt my website’s SEO?

No, not if used correctly. Using affiliate links does not inherently hurt your SEO. However, Google wants you to identify them. Best practice is to mark all affiliate links with a rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” attribute. This tells Google the link is part of a commercial agreement and shouldn’t pass “link juice.”

6. Can I put affiliate links on all my blog posts?

You can, but you shouldn’t. Only add affiliate links to posts where they are relevant and add value. If you write a personal update or a news story, forcing in an affiliate link will look spammy and hurt your credibility. Focus on informational and commercial-intent posts.

7. Should I use affiliate links in images?

Yes, this is a great strategy, especially for product-heavy posts. Making your product images clickable with an affiliate link is a smart way to capture clicks from visual-minded readers. Just make sure it’s clear the image is a link.

8. What is the best-converting affiliate link text?

The best anchor text is specific and action-oriented. Instead of “click here,” use “Check the Latest Price on Amazon,” “Start Your Free Trial of [Product],” or “Learn More About [Brand].” Be clear about where the link is taking the reader.

9. Do I need a “Resources” page if I put links in my posts?

You don’t need one, but it’s a powerful asset. A Resources page acts as a central, evergreen hub for all your recommendations. It builds authority, is a great internal link target, and provides a simple link you can share with readers who ask for your recommendations.

10. How do I find high-volume long-tail keywords for my affiliate posts?

Use a combination of keyword research tools (like Ahrefs or Semrush) and common sense. Think about what you would type into Google. “Best blender” is a head term. “Best blender for green smoothies under $100” is a long-tail keyword with high buyer intent.

11. Can I use affiliate links on social media?

Yes, most platforms allow it, but you must still disclose. Use hashtags like #ad or #sponsored or #affiliatelink. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are powerful for affiliate marketing, especially in your “link in bio.”

12. What’s the difference between nofollow and sponsored for affiliate links?

Google introduced rel=”sponsored” specifically for paid or compensated links, which includes affiliate links. rel=”nofollow” is a more general “don’t pass value” tag. The current best practice is to use rel=”sponsored” for all affiliate links.

13. What is a contextual affiliate link?

It’s an affiliate link that is placed naturally within the body of your text, as opposed to a button or a banner. For example: “The best tool I’ve found for managing all my social media is [SocialBee].” This is a contextual link.

14. Why are my affiliate links not converting?

There are many possible reasons:

Low Traffic: You don’t have enough visitors.
Wrong Audience: Your traffic isn’t interested in what you’re promoting.
Bad Product Fit: The product isn’t a good match for your content.
Poor Placement: Your links are buried or hard to find.
Lack of Trust: You haven’t built enough authority or credibility with your audience.

15. Is affiliate marketing still profitable?

Absolutely. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s not a “get rich quick” scheme; it’s a real business model that requires you to build an audience, create helpful content, and earn trust. By implementing the strategic placements in this guide, you are building the foundation for a very profitable blogging business.