What Is Happening To Shareasale?

It’s impossible to join Shareasale right now.

If you’ve tried, then you know they’re not accepting new affiliates. So naturally, you might have questions. Like – what is happening to Shareasale?

I wrote an article a while back on the 10 best affiliate networks to join and I put Shareasale as the number one network.

This is because the network was easy to use, had some very good affiliate programs and it was my personal favorite affiliate network to work with.

If you’re new to affiliate marketing, then you might have come across information liked this and decided to take action. Well, most of that information is now outdated.

Here’s what you need to know: You can’t join Shareasale anymore. The platform is closing down by the end of 2005. At the moment, everything is transitioning to a new platform.

So, what should you do?

Shareasale Is No Longer Taking New Users

Shareasale stopped taking new affiliates at the start of 2025. Existing affiliates, like myself were moved to the new platform (AWIN) as early as the second quarter of the year.

If you tried to sign up to Shareasale right now, you’d get redirected to AWIN instead.

This isn’t temporary. Shareasale will shut down completely by the end of 2025.

Why You’re Hearing About Shareasale Everywhere

Shareasale was a popular affiliate network for over 20 years. It was one of the first affiliate network I had ever joined.

Lots of bloggers and YouTubers recommended the network. Most of those reviews and guides are now outdated. They don’t mention that the platform is closing.

This is why you might be confused. All the old information is still online.

While I have written some content about Shareasale and mentioned the network in some articles, I’m actively updating everything to make sure readers are not confused.

What Actually Happened to Shareasale?

Shareasale did not fail or go out of business. Here’s the real story:

Awin, another company with an affiliate network, bought Shareasale back in 2017. They owned the company up until now but decided to operate it as a separate affiliate network.

I guess they finally decided to combine everything.

Now, all Shareasale users are moving to the Awin. Well, not all. Some of my merchants from Shareasale have emailed me saying they’re going to be using other platforms – like WP Engine who is now using Everflow.

Where Should New Affiliates Sign Up Instead?

New affiliates should join Awin directly. It is the same company that owned Shareasale.

You’ll find most of the same merchants and programs there. Plus, Awin has better features than Shareasale ever had.

Here’s why Awin is actually a lot better.

More advanced tracking tools
Better mobile app
AI-powered merchant recommendations
Improved reporting features
Stronger fraud protection

Will You Miss Out On Shareasale Programs?

You wouldn’t. Most of the merchants that were on Shareasale are moving to Awin as well.

Some aren’t but if you can always to go their website and find out where they went through their affiliate program page.

So if you’re browsing affiliate program lists like this one and see programs you’re interested in that are listed as Shareasale programs, you have either option above.

You’ll even find more programs on Awin. The platform has even more advertisers that were never on Shareasale.

How To Get Started with Awin

Getting started with Awin is easy. Here’s what to do:

Go to the Awin website.
Click on the “Get Started” button in the header
Look for “Am I a Publisher?” and click the “Sign up to Awin” button
Next you’ll see the option above. For affiliate marketing, you’ll choose the option on the left.
Fill out the application form.
Wait for approval
Once you’re inside, complete your profile
Join merchants and start promoting products

The process is similar to what Shareasale used to require.

What Makes Awin Different From Shareasale?

I liked Shareasale for it’s simplicity. That simplicity probably meant that they didn’t have all the features they could be offering to affiliates.

Awin offers features that Shareasale didn’t have.

Better Technology

Real-time tracking updates
Advanced attribution settings
Chrome extension for easy linking
Mobile app for on-the-go management

More Opportunities

Global merchant network
Higher paying programs in some niches
Better tools for finding profitable merchants
AI suggestions for program matches

Improved Support

Live chat help
Video training materials
Regular webinars
Detailed help center

Common Concerns for New Affiliates

If you’re still hesitant about joining Awin when you expected to join Shareasale, it may be because you have some unanswered questions.

Here are some of the most common concerns you may have about Awin.

“Can I trust a platform I’ve never heard of?”
Awin is actually bigger than ShareASale ever was. They operate in 15+ countries.

“Is Awin harder to get approved for?”
Not really. The requirements are similar to ShareASale’s old standards.

“Will I make less money on Awin?”
No. Commission rates are set by merchants, not the platform. Whether you’ll make less or more money is totally up to you and the effort you put in.

“Is the interface confusing?”
Awin has a learning curve. But they offer good training to help you.

Other Affiliate Networks to Consider

If you decide that you don’t want to use Awin, there are other options. Here are some other affiliate networks worth exploring.

Beginner-friendly

Amazon Associates (easiest to start)
CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction)
Clickbank (great for digital products)

For Experienced Affiliates

Impact Radius
PartnerStack
Rakuten Advertising

If you specifically wanted to join Shareasale though, your best bet is to join Awin.

You can also check out my 10 best affiliate networks list.

Why Old Shareasale Guides Are Still Helpful

Even though Shareasale is gone, old tutorials can still be helpful.

The basic principles of affiliate marketing haven’t changed much. It’s still pretty much:

Choose products that match your audience
Write honest reviews
Focus on helping people solve problems
Send traffic from diverse sources, eg. YouTube, search engines, Pinterest, etc.
Disclose your affiliate relationships

All you need to do is apply these strategies for Awin merchants instead of Shareasale.

Red Flags to Look Out For

You still need to be on the look out for outdated information outline. Be careful with:

Guides that say ShareASale is “currently accepting” new affiliates
Reviews from 2023 or earlier
Videos that don’t mention the Awin transition
Comparison posts that include Shareasale as an active option

Always check when content was published. Anything published before mid-2025 might be wrong.

Timeline: When Did All This Happen?

If you want a clearer picture of what went down, here’s the full timeline.

2017: Awin purchased Shareasale
2024: Awin announced the platform merger
Early 2025: Shareasale stopped taking new signups
Mid-2025: Existing users started transitioning to Awin
End of 2025: Shareasale will shut down completely

Read Awin’s official announcement about the transition.

Next Steps for New Affiliates

If you wanted to join Shareasale for whatever reason, you now have a clearer picture of what’s going on.

Your next steps?

Sign up for Awin instead
Look for the same types of merchants you planned to promote
Start building your affiliate business

If you’re still doing research, be wary of old guides with outdated information. Look for newer sources with more timely information, especially those that mention Awin.

Also remember that Awin and Shareasale aren’t the only affiliate networks. Consider other affiliate networks too.

Finally, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is to start with one affiliate network. It could be Awin or another beginner-friendly platform like Amazon Associates or CJ Affiliate.

Focus on learning the basics first and don’t worry about what you might have missed with Shareasale.