November 13, 2024
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy something through the links on this page (at no extra cost).
Content monetization is a business and revenue stream for many entrepreneurs and digital nomads. The category includes vlogging, blogging, selling books and courses, and more. Creating and monetizing video content correlates highly with YouTube. YouTubers upload their videos to generate revenue from ads. They can also make money through affiliate marketing, merchandise, sponsorships, and endorsement deals.
It’s highly competitive on YouTube, and the competition will only increase. However, it’s not too late to start a YouTube channel because billions of people use it. First, with so many users, there’s always a chance enough individuals will subscribe to a new channel. Secondly, many creators make four, five, and six figures monthly.
On the other hand, YouTube algorithm updates and impulsive management decisions create an unpredictable, unfair, and untransparent environment. When problems arise, YouTube’s lack of accountability and humanoid interaction worsens. Therefore, it makes sense to tread cautiously on YouTube and diversify revenue streams due to the possibility of demonetization.
For all that YouTube is and isn’t, it’s still a viable method to monetize content. To support your goals and help you thrive, TubeBuddy offers a robust app for planning, strategizing, and growing a channel. Its free browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, and Opera features many tools for productivity, keyword research, tags, bulk processing, analytics, and more. Its web app provides dashboards and charts for various video and channel metrics. Many features are free to access, while others are available on paid plans. Lastly, TubeBuddy is a YouTube-certified app.
Company Profile
- Founded by Phil Starkovich, Jim Starkovich, Eric Hogan, and Chuck Starkovich in 2014
- Headquarters: San Diego, California
- Employees: 10 to 20
- 1,000,000+ users through the Chrome Web Store
- Chrome Web Store app rating: 4.5 out of 5
Plans and Pricing
TubeBuddy offers a free browser extension, and paying customers can access premium features. Discounts are available for annual payments. TubeBuddy’s plans include the following:
| TubeBuddy Plans | Monthly Billing | Annual Billing (50% Off) | Features |
| Free | $0 | $0 | 17 |
| Pro | $7.50 | $45 ($3.75/mo.) | 36 |
| Legend | $32.99 | $199 ($16.50/mo.) | 60+ |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | n/a | 60+ |
TubeBuddy Affiliate Program
TubeBuddy has an affiliate program. It’s self-hosted and uses in-house affiliate marketing software. Here’s a snapshot.
- Cost per action (CPA): Cost per sale
- Commission rate: 15%
- Commission type: Recurring
- Cookie duration: Lifetime
- Payout threshold: $0 or $10
- Payment options: PayPal
- Affiliate software: In-house
Note: TubeBuddy’s affiliate program is currently closed to new affiliates. For an alternative, explore VidIQ’s affiliate program.
Program Eligibility
TubeBuddy doesn’t have eligibility requirements. Instead, its program is open to bloggers, YouTubers, social media marketers, content creators, influencers, and deal/coupon sites.
How to Sign Up or Apply
Here are the steps to sign up for TubeBuddy’s affiliate program:
- Visit the TubeBuddy affiliate program page.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button or login.
- Go to the Affiliate Center and Dashboard to get started.
- Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
How to Promote TubeBuddy
Here are ways to promote TubeBuddy across different funnel stages: ToFu, MoFu, and BoFu.
📹 Top of the Funnel (Awareness)
Social Media: Create short, engaging videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram explaining “Best Tools for Growing a YouTube Channel” or “How TubeBuddy Helps You Rank Higher on YouTube,” directing viewers to TubeBuddy’s pricing or features page.
Blog Posts and Guides: Write broad, informative articles like “Top 12 Tools for YouTube Creators” or “How to Optimize Your YouTube Channel for Free,” embedding affiliate links to TubeBuddy’s sign-up page.
SEO: Target general keywords like “best YouTube optimization tools” or “how to grow a YouTube channel,” driving organic traffic to TubeBuddy affiliate content.
🎥 Middle of the Funnel (Consideration)
Webinars and Podcasts: Host a webinar or podcast episode on “How to Optimize Your YouTube Videos” or “YouTube SEO Tips,” featuring TubeBuddy as a critical tool for success.
Email Marketing: Segment email lists for YouTubers or content creators. Send comparisons of YouTube growth tools and tutorials with affiliate links to TubeBuddy.
Comparison Articles: Write detailed posts like “TubeBuddy Vs. VidIQ: Which YouTube Tool is Right for You?” or “7 TubeBuddy Features You Need to Know,” linking to TubeBuddy after outlining the benefits.
▶️ Bottom of the Funnel (Conversion)
Discounts and Coupons: Offer special discount codes or extended free trials for TubeBuddy’s premium plans. A dedicated landing page highlighting these offers can push potential buyers to convert.
Success Stories and Case Studies: Share testimonials and case studies from YouTubers who grew their channels significantly using TubeBuddy. You can highlight key features like SEO optimization, A/B testing, and analytical tools to encourage sign-ups.
Retargeting Ads: Use retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who viewed your TubeBuddy content but didn’t sign up. Feature testimonials or limited-time discounts in the ads to drive conversions.
Program Benefits
The commission payout threshold is low. TubeBuddy issues payments when commissions exceed $10 and $0 for “Super Affiliates.” Payouts are sent to the affiliate’s PayPal account.
Affiliates get a lifetime cookie. One of my biggest criticisms of some programs is their short cookie/conversion windows. TubeBuddy’s referral period exceeds the 30-day industry standard and is one of a few programs that offer a cookie that doesn’t expire. That allows for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Deep linking isn’t available, but it’s how an affiliate creates a link to a specific page on the merchant’s site. Instead of using a standard homepage affiliate link, you can link to a product, page, or article related to your content to increase relevance and conversion rates. For instance, you can deep-link to their pricing page by adding your affiliate code to the URL like this: https://www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=07nbz
Affiliates can easily track their results and earnings. TubeBuddy offers a robust affiliate marketing solution to monitor activities, including clicks, impressions, sales, and commissions.
TubeBuddy is a pioneer and top-rated social media company. It’s also the #1 YouTube tool for thousands of YouTubers. With over 60 features and a constant flow of innovative functions, it’s a SaaS company that never sleeps. Explore TubeBuddy’s YouTube channel for tips, updates, and insights on how to succeed.
Affiliates can get a free Pro or Legend license by referring enough people, even if those referrals don’t convert.
TubeBuddy only has a handful of robust competitors, such as VidIQ. Because customers’ choices are limited, its duopolistic status can lead to above-average conversion rates.
Program Drawbacks
Commission rates have fallen from 50% to 30% to 15%, making TubeBuddy less appealing to promote.
The affiliate program landing page has been updated but still lacks pertinent details and an FAQ.
There isn’t an affiliate marketing manager. However, TubeBuddy provides a video tour of the affiliate dashboard, a beginner’s handbook, and a support forum.
Communication is lacking, and TubeBuddy keeps affiliates in the dark. For example, I’ve discovered new pricing on numerous occasions.
More great reads:
- 39 High-Paying Affiliate Programs
- 29 Pay Per Lead Affiliate Programs
- 24 High-Ticket Affiliate Programs
- 36 Best Recurring Affiliate Programs
Start Earning
Can you make $1,000 a month as a TubeBuddy affiliate? Not anymore. TubeBuddy’s dwindling commission rate and lack of support produce lower earnings. The affiliate program has also been mismanaged since its acquisition in 2020.
Where should TubeBuddy rank in your marketing activities? It should be a low to mid-priority. YouTube is a high-traffic site where thousands of creators go to monetize their videos. YouTube’s Studio application is terrific but lacks in many areas, such as keyword research, competitor insights, and bulk processing. Third-party apps like TubeBuddy seek to address those problems.
TubeBuddy’s mission is to “make you and the rest of the YouTube Community happier and more productive.” It also wants to “build tools to make it easier” to succeed on YouTube. Most TubeBuddy users will tell you the company is fulfilling those objectives.
I recommend joining TubeBuddy and VidIQ affiliate programs to see which generates more income.
