How I'm Monetizing My Tech Blog With Affiliate Marketing
I started pintusana.net a few months ago with zero audience, zero domain authority, and a pretty simple goal: build a tech blog that eventually pays for itself. This post is my attempt to document exactly how I plan to do that — How I’m Monetizing My Tech Blog, not the polished version from someone who figured it all out years ago, but the real plan from someone who is in the middle of figuring it out right now.
I am writing this publicly for two reasons. First, accountability. Putting the plan in writing forces me to actually commit to it. Second, transparency. Most “how I make money blogging” posts are written by people already making $10,000 a month. I want to document the early stage — what it looks like before any money comes in, when the decisions are still being made.
Here is exactly what I am doing, why I chose affiliate marketing over other options, which programs I joined, and what I realistically expect to earn in the first year.
Why I Chose Affiliate Marketing Over Ads
The most common advice for new bloggers is to sign up for Google AdSense. I looked at it seriously and decided against it for now.
Display ads pay based on impressions. A new tech blog might earn between $3 and $8 RPM. Therefore, 10,000 monthly pageviews could generate around $30 to $80.
In month one, that traffic target is unrealistic. Even by month six, it can remain difficult for many new websites.
Affiliate marketing does not work that way. One well-placed link on a post with 100 visitors can earn $40 if a single reader buys a NordVPN subscription. That same 100 visitors through AdSense might earn $0.50.
Tech also offers strong affiliate opportunities. Software products can pay 20% to 40% on sales that renew annually. VPN companies can pay up to 100% of the first month’s revenue and offer recurring commissions on renewals.
Password managers, antivirus products, and productivity tools also have active affiliate programs. Their payouts can exceed what many display ad networks offer.
The Two Content Pillars I'm Building First
I am not trying to cover every area of tech.
Instead, pintusana.net currently focuses on two specific areas:
- Antivirus and security software
- Video editing software
Why I Chose These Two Topics
Both topics have a relatively straightforward buyer journey.
A reader usually starts by identifying a problem. Then they research possible solutions. Next, they compare products. Finally, they make a purchase.
This journey fits affiliate content well.
For example, informational
How the Pillar-and-Cluster Strategy Works
I am using a pillar-and-cluster content structure.
A pillar article covers a broad topic in depth. Cluster articles then target specific subtopics and link back to the pillar.
The pillar can target broader keywords. Individual cluster articles can target long-tail searches. Internal links then connect the related content.
My Antivirus Content Strategy
For antivirus, the pillar article is “How to choose the best antivirus software in 2026.”
The supporting articles include Bitdefender reviews, Norton reviews, and Malwarebytes reviews.
I also plan comparison articles such as “Norton vs Bitdefender.” List-style articles, such as “best free antivirus options,” will support the same topic.
Each relevant article can link back to the main antivirus pillar.
My Video Editing Content Strategy
For video editing, my pillar article is “7 best free video editing software for beginners.”
Supporting articles can cover DaVinci Resolve, CapCut alternatives, and paid options such as Filmora.
I can also publish a dedicated Filmora review.
The goal is simple: build strong topical coverage instead of publishing random tech articles.
I do not expect to outrank companies such as Symantec for broad searches like “antivirus software.”
Instead, I want to target specific searches such as “best antivirus for Windows 11 beginners” or “is Bitdefender worth it for home use?”
Those searches give a smaller site a better opportunity to provide useful, experience-based recommendations.
The Affiliate Programs I Joined (and Why I Picked Them)
Security and antivirus
This is my primary content pillar, so it made sense to sort out the affiliate programs here first.
Bitdefender has a direct affiliate program paying up to 40% commission. On a Bitdefender Total Security sale of around $45, that is roughly $18 per conversion. The product scores consistently at the top of independent lab tests, which makes it genuinely easy to recommend.
Norton runs through Impact Radius and pays between $25 and $40 per sale depending on the product tier. Norton’s identity protection features are genuinely strong, which gives me an honest angle for recommending it to specific audiences rather than everyone.
Malwarebytes also runs through Impact and pays between $15 and $25 per sale. It earns a mention on almost every security post I write because of its strength at removing existing infections — a specific use case that other tools do not cover as well.
McAfee pays up to $50 per sale through Impact. I have not written a dedicated McAfee review yet, but the commission structure makes it worth covering.
VPN
NordVPN is the standout here. Its affiliate program pays up to 100% of the first payment on short-term plans, plus 30% recurring commission on renewals. A reader who buys a two-year NordVPN plan and renews it once generates more affiliate revenue than most single software sales. I joined through NordVPN’s direct partner program.
Surfshark pays 40% through CJ Affiliate and makes sense to cover as a budget-friendly alternative to NordVPN. The two naturally pair together in comparison content.
Design and productivity
Canva pays up to $36 per new Pro subscriber through Impact Radius.
Canva also has a large user base and strong brand recognition. That can make a genuine review easier for readers to understand and evaluate.
My Canva Pro review was one of the earlier posts I published.
Grammarly pays $20 per paid conversion through Impact. It also pays $0.20 per free signup.
That free-signup commission can add up at scale. Many users start with Grammarly’s free plan before considering an upgrade.
Notion also has an affiliate program for Plus and Business plan upgrades.
I have not published a full Notion review yet. However, Notion fits naturally into the productivity content I plan to build.
Programs I'm planning for later
Web hosting is one of the highest-paying affiliate niches in tech. Hostinger pays around 60% plus a $20 bonus per sale. Bluehost pays $65 or more per sale. SiteGround scales from $50 to $150 depending on the plan. I am not writing hosting content yet because I want to establish the security and video editing pillars first. Adding a third pillar before the first two have real content depth would split my focus without enough benefit.
How I'm Placing Affiliate Links Without Losing Reader Trust
Disclose Affiliate Relationships
Place an affiliate disclosure at the top of any post that contains affiliate links.
The disclosure supports transparency and tells readers that I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
More importantly, I believe readers deserve to know when a recommendation can generate revenue.
Avoid Affiliate Links in Introductions
I do not place affiliate links inside post introductions.
Instead, I first explain the problem and provide useful context. Then I introduce the relevant product.
The reader should understand what the product does before I ask them to visit it.
Place Links After Providing Context
I place the affiliate link after explaining the product, its price, and its intended use.
This approach gives readers enough information to make an informed decision.
The goal is not to push every visitor toward a product. The goal is to help the right reader find the right solution.
Use One Primary CTA
I use one main call to action per post.
I may add secondary links lower in the article. However, I keep the primary affiliate CTA in a sensible location.
Usually, I place it after describing the product in detail or near the conclusion.
A post with affiliate links every few paragraphs can feel like an advertisement. One clear recommendation feels more like useful advice.
Recommend Free Tools Too
I also recommend free tools when they genuinely help the reader.
For example, my free video editing software post includes DaVinci Resolve, OpenShot, and iMovie.
Those products do not pay me a commission.
I still include them because removing useful free options simply to increase commissions would make the article less useful and less trustworthy.
My Realistic Income Timeline
Months 1–3: Build the Content Base
I expect zero income during the first three months.
During this period, I will prioritize the content pipeline.
My target is 15–20 pieces of content before I seriously focus on affiliate revenue.
A new website does not rank overnight. New articles can take several months to gain meaningful visibility in search.
Therefore, I want to focus on building the foundation first.
Months 4–6: Look for the First Sale
During months four through six, I expect to see my first affiliate clicks.
I may also see my first sale.
My initial target is still zero dollars. At this stage, I mainly want proof that the model works.
One reader clicking an affiliate link and making a purchase would show that some visitors have purchase intent.
Months 7–12: Target $200–$500 per Month
During months seven through twelve, I am targeting $200–$500 per month.
This target assumes that 15–20 pieces of content become active and rank for long-tail searches.
I estimate around 500–1,500 monthly unique visitors. I also expect a 1–2% conversion rate on affiliate-linked posts.
I consider this a conservative target for a new tech blog.
Year 2: Target $1,000–$3,000 per Month
In year two, I want to reach $1,000–$3,000 per month.
The web hosting pillar could become a major part of that goal. Additional product reviews and content partnership opportunities could also contribute.
These numbers are targets, not promises.
Most new websites need significant time before affiliate marketing produces steady monthly revenue.
I also expect some months to show little or no growth.
That is part of documenting the process honestly.
Monthly Income Reports
At the end of the third month, I plan to publish a month-to-month report.
The report will show what happened rather than only presenting successful results.
Readers following the journey will be able to see the progress over time.
What I'm Not Doing
No Display Ads Yet
I’m not running display ads for now. RPM can be low for a new tech site compared to the hit you take on page speed. When my traffic rises to well over 10k sessions per month, I will definitely look to revisit a network like Ezoic or Mediavine (I will likely wait for the traffic to go up to over 50k). I’m assuming this will not happen for another year+ at least.
No Sponsored Content
I have decided I will not do sponsored posts on this site for now. I’m not willing to promote anything without some amount of research. The ethical minefield when accepting direct money for promotion, as opposed to just potentially selling my users products that are genuinely beneficial through affiliate links, seems higher here.
No Recommendations Without Research
I want to make recommendations that I trust. If I write a review, especially for tech with independent data on performance like security solutions, I check with third-party testing organizations like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives and work to understand who is the best fit and who to avoid. One bad recommendation is probably not worth the cash.
No Covering Every Tech Topic
I’m also not going to try and cover all there is to cover in the world of tech on this particular site. At the moment, I’ve two pillars I’m focused on, and I want to deepen them before I start building third, fourth, and fifth. Two topics, each with fifteen carefully constructed, in-depth articles, are more valuable than ten topics with three each.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much traffic do you need to make money from affiliate marketing?
Less than many people believe. With 100 monthly visitors, a 2% conversion rate means two sales each month. If those are NordVPN sales and they’re worth $40 a pop, that means $80 per month for just one piece of content with very little traffic. Quality trumps quantity every time – traffic from “buy-intent” search terms (e.g., “best antivirus software for Windows 11” or “nordvpn vs surfshark”) will have vastly better conversion rates than generic tech visitors.
How do you get approved for affiliate programs as a new blogger?
Many programs are willing to approve a new site, so long as the site looks legitimate and produces relevant content. Impact Radius is the easiest way to get started as a new affiliate – Grammarly, Norton, and Canva all have their programs listed on this network, and their approval process is pretty painless for any new site with legitimate content. You may also find it easier to get approved directly for the NordVPN program. Don’t lie when you apply – say where you’re from and acknowledge if your traffic is low.
Is affiliate marketing better than Google AdSense for new blogs?
For tech blogs with relatively low traffic, yes. AdSense pays per impression,n and at 100 monthly visits, you won’t be getting a decent income from it any time soon. Affiliate programs pay per sale or per click, so even 50 visitors can still be quite profitable if they match a buy-intent query.
AdSense doesn’t require much beyond a few simple lines of JavaScript, though.
Affiliate marketing, on the other hand, will require you to be more invested in the content you create.
How long does it take to earn money from a tech blog?
Based on an analysis of the majority of blogs, 9 months seems to be the general threshold where blogs start generating enough consistent monthly income to cover expenses. Some blogs see their first affiliate sale come in between months 3 and 4, though the revenue won’t be significant. This depends heavily on how fast you are able to rank your posts in Google, which will be influenced by factors such as domain authority, your website’s age, and content’s relevancy and value.
Do you need to disclose affiliate links on your blog?
Absolutely, and that even includes those with no money being made. This type of transparency and honesty is extremely vital when providing recommendations to be used by your users. These declarations don’t need to be as prominent in visibility, so just be sure the reader can clearly see that you do get something if they buy based on that referral.
It could go as simple as at the very top of an article.
The following provides the latest information of this sort from the FTC: – This section was included to remind all affiliate marketers about their obligation to properly disclose their affiliate relationships, thereby informing their visitors about anything of value that they, the bloggers/ affiliat, receive from recommending various affiliate products.
conclusion
The plan is straightforward. Two content pillars — antivirus and video editing — built with pillar-and-cluster architecture. Specific affiliate programs that align with the content, placed in ways that help readers rather than pressure them. Conservative income expectations for the first year, with monthly income reports starting at month three so anyone following along can see what is actually happening.
If you run a blog at a similar stage, I am genuinely curious what monetization method you are leading with. Drop it in the comments — I would like to know what the early stages look like for different niches.
The next income report goes up in month three. Subscribe to get it when it publishes.