Automattic Affiliate Program

Founded in 2005 by Matt Mullenweg, Automattic is a global, remote-first company dedicated to democratizing publishing and commerce. Best known for WordPress.com, which powers over 40% of the web, Automattic also drives innovation through products like WooCommerce, Jetpack, Pressable, Sensei, and Akismet. With a mission to make the internet more accessible, the company supports millions of websites, from personal blogs to enterprise-grade platforms, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship worldwide. Its distributed workforce of over 1,700 employees across 90+ countries reflects a commitment to diversity and open-source values, ensuring tools are available to anyone with a story to tell or a product to sell.

The Automattic Affiliate Program invites content creators, bloggers, influencers, educators, and businesses to earn commissions by promoting its suite of trusted products. Managed through a single, user-friendly dashboard powered by Impact, the program simplifies campaign creation and tracking across multiple brands, including WordPress.com hosting, WooCommerce Marketplace, Jetpack plugins, Pressable hosting, and Sensei learning management systems. Affiliates receive unique referral links and access to creative assets like banners and text links, designed to boost conversions. The program’s transparent reporting, multi-currency support, and dedicated account assistance make it accessible for both novices and seasoned marketers aiming to monetize their audiences.

How It Works: Affiliates apply via the Automattic website and, once approved, gain access to the Impact dashboard. Here, they can select products to promote, generate tracking links, and monitor performance metrics like clicks, conversions, and earnings. Commissions are earned when referred users purchase qualifying plans or services within the cookie period, which varies by product. Payments are processed reliably through Tipalti, offering flexibility with methods like PayPal or bank transfers. The program emphasizes compliance with FTC disclosure rules, requiring affiliates to clearly indicate their promotional relationships.

Commission Rates: The program offers competitive payouts tailored to each product. For WordPress.com, affiliates earn 100% of the first monthly or annual plan payment (up to $300) for Business or eCommerce plans, or 20% for other plans. WooCommerce and Woo Express pay 30% on first purchases and 10% for returning customers. Jetpack offers 40% on new subscriptions, while Sensei and WP Job Manager provide 20%. Pressable delivers a $200 bounty per purchase, provided accounts remain active for three months. Domains yield a 5% commission, reflecting their lower price point.

Product Overview: Automattic’s portfolio caters to diverse online needs. WordPress.com provides scalable hosting for blogs, portfolios, and businesses, with plans ranging from free to enterprise-level. WooCommerce, powering millions of online stores, offers extensions, themes, and services for e-commerce success. Jetpack enhances WordPress sites with security (VaultPress Backup, Anti-Spam), performance (Boost, Site Search), and marketing tools. Pressable delivers managed WordPress hosting optimized for speed and reliability, ideal for agencies and businesses. Sensei enables creators to build and sell online courses, integrating seamlessly with WordPress. Akismet ensures spam-free comments and forms with AI-driven filtering. WP Job Manager powers job boards, while WordPress.com’s design services craft custom sites for clients.

Why Join?: The program stands out for its high conversion potential, thanks to Automattic’s recognizable, open-source brands. Affiliates benefit from a 30-day cookie for most products (90 days for Pressable), increasing earning opportunities. The single dashboard streamlines management, while creative assets simplify promotion across blogs, social media, or YouTube. However, affiliates must avoid prohibited tactics like cookie stuffing or trademark bidding to maintain compliance. For agencies, a separate Automattic for Agencies program exists, focusing on bulk discounts and client management, but affiliates cannot earn commissions for clients hosted through that program.

Sign-Up Process: Joining is straightforward—applicants submit details about their platform and audience via automattic.com/affiliates. Approval typically takes hours to days, with instant access for some. Post-approval, affiliates set up payment details via Tipalti and start creating campaigns. The program is free to join, with no hidden costs, and offers robust support through a Knowledge Base and email assistance at [email protected].

FAQs:

1. Who can join? Bloggers, influencers, educators, or businesses with an established audience can apply, provided they align with Automattic’s values.
2. What are the costs? Joining is free, with no fees for accessing the dashboard or creative tools.
3. How are payments made? Commissions are paid via Tipalti (PayPal, ACH, wire transfer, or check), with no fees for PayPal or checks.
4. Can I promote globally? Yes, in supported countries, with multi-currency transactions available.
5. What’s the cookie duration? 30 days for most products, 90 days for Pressable, ensuring extended earning potential.
6. Is support available? Affiliates access a Knowledge Base, reporting tools, and email support for queries.

Review: The Automattic Affiliate Program excels for its diverse product range and high payouts, particularly for WordPress.com and Jetpack. The 30-day cookie (90 for Pressable) is competitive, though some programs offer longer windows. The Impact dashboard is intuitive, and Tipalti’s payment system is reliable, though wire transfers incur fees. Affiliates targeting tech-savvy or creative audiences will find the open-source ethos and trusted brands resonate well, driving conversions. Restrictions on trademark bidding and stacking limit promotional flexibility, but the program’s transparency and support make it a strong choice for affiliate marketers.

Automattic’s affiliate program is a compelling opportunity for those passionate about web publishing and e-commerce. Its blend of high commissions, reliable tracking, and globally trusted products empowers affiliates to build sustainable income streams while promoting tools that shape the digital landscape.

Joining the Automattic Affiliate Program requires a streamlined yet thorough application process designed to ensure alignment with the company’s open-source ethos and product offerings. Applicants must provide detailed information about their promotional platforms, such as websites, blogs, YouTube channels, or social media accounts. This includes a primary website URL, a description of the content focus, and an overview of the target audience. Automattic evaluates these platforms to confirm they are active, professional, and capable of driving meaningful traffic. Incomplete blogs, placeholder sites, or accounts with minimal followers are likely to face rejection, as the program prioritizes established creators with genuine influence.

The application, submitted via automattic.com/affiliates, also collects personal or business details, including name, email, address, and tax information for payment processing. Applicants must outline their promotional strategy—whether through reviews, tutorials, or social posts—to demonstrate how they’ll endorse products like WordPress.com or Jetpack. Transparency is key; misrepresenting traffic sources or audience size can lead to denial or later account suspension. While no fees are required to join, affiliates must comply with Automattic’s Terms of Service and FTC guidelines, clearly disclosing their affiliate relationships in promotions.

Approval typically occurs within hours for straightforward applications, though complex cases may take days. Automattic’s team reviews content for compatibility, favoring platforms that resonate with tech, creative, or entrepreneurial audiences. Once approved, affiliates set up a Tipalti account for payments, selecting from PayPal, ACH, wire transfer, or check. They gain access to the Impact dashboard, where they can generate referral links, access creative assets, and track performance. Affiliates must avoid prohibited practices, like bidding on Automattic trademarks for PPC or using spam tactics, to maintain active status. Continuous engagement is expected—accounts with low activity may be reviewed or removed to ensure the program supports committed partners.