This article was fact-checked against current program data on 2026-09-13. Some claims have been updated or removed where the current data differs. If you're comparing LiquidWeb vs Fastly as potential affiliate programs to promote, you're looking at two very different business models and commission structures. LiquidWeb focuses on managed hosting and VPS solutions, while Fastly specializes in edge computing and CDN services. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right program for your audience and traffic. ## Commission Comparison ### LiquidWeb: $150 Per Sale
1. Website audit: Must demonstrate relevant content (hosting reviews, tech blogs, SaaS comparisons) 2. Traffic quality: Need to show decent monthly traffic (typically 1,000+ sessions) 3. Promotional methods: Specify how you'll promote (blog posts, email, PPC, social media) 4. No prohibited tactics: No keyword bidding on LiquidWeb brand terms; no misleading claims 5. Contact method: Affiliate manager will likely request a call or message Timeline: 3-7 business days Approval rate: ~70% for legitimate publishers ### Fastly: Hard Approval What you need to get approved: 1. Technical credibility: Your site must demonstrate genuine developer/engineer audience 2. Infrastructure content: Blog posts, tutorials, or case studies related to edge computing, CDN, or performance optimization 3. Significant traffic: Typically need 5,000+ monthly sessions from technical audience 4. Brand alignment: Fastly is selective; they want partners who understand their product deeply 5. Professional presence: LinkedIn profile, bio, or speaker history helps 6. Direct outreach: Often requires applying through their partner portal or getting referred Timeline: 2-4 weeks (longer review process) Approval rate: ~40% (rejection is common for non-technical publishers) ### Which Is Easier? LiquidWeb approves faster and has lower barriers to entry. Fastly is gatekeeping their program for legitimate technical publishers only, which protects brand integrity but limits access. --- ## Features & Program Highlights ### LiquidWeb - Generous cookie window: 120 days (industry-leading for hosting)
2. Your audience is small-to-medium businesses or freelancers: Agencies, consultants, and solo business owners use LiquidWeb; this is a massive market 3. You want predictable, immediate income: $150 per sale is straightforward and doesn't depend on customer retention or plan size ### Promote Fastly When: 1. Your audience is developers and DevOps engineers: If your content reaches CTOs, infrastructure architects, or senior developers, Fastly is their tool 2. You publish infrastructure, performance, or edge computing content: Deep technical blogs on caching, CDN, or distributed systems align perfectly with Fastly's positioning 3. You have relationships with growth-stage SaaS companies or platforms: Fastly's typical customer is a rapidly scaling app; if you influence these buyers, recurring revenue will add up --- ## FAQ ### 1. Can I promote both LiquidWeb and Fastly at the same time? Yes. They serve different markets and use cases. In fact, some customers use both: LiquidWeb for origin hosting and Fastly for CDN acceleration. Promote whichever fits your content context naturally. Avoid promoting one as "better" if you lack expertise to back that claim. ### 2. Which program is more likely to reject applications? Fastly has a significantly higher rejection rate (~60% of applicants). If you're new to affiliate marketing or your site isn't technical-focused, LiquidWeb is a safer first affiliate program. You can build credibility there, then apply to Fastly later. ### 3. How do I maximize earnings with each program? LiquidWeb: Write detailed hosting reviews, comparison posts, and tutorials. Focus on conversion optimization and email list building. Each conversion is worth $150, so optimize your funnel. Fastly: Build a smaller but highly qualified audience of engineers. Publish technical case studies, performance benchmarks, and architecture guides. Focus on attracting customers with significant usage and long-term commitment. Verify commission structure and earning potential in your affiliate dashboard.
- Structure: Flat $150 per referred customer signup
- Payout: One-time commission per new customer
- Recurring potential: Limited (no ongoing revenue share)
- Best for: High-volume publishers with conversion-optimized landing pages ### Fastly: Commission Not Publicly Disclosed
- Structure: Percentage-based CPA with recurring payouts
- Payout: Monthly, as long as customer stays active
- Details: Commission rates and specific structures are not publicly disclosed — confirm inside your affiliate dashboard
- Best for: Publishers who can drive enterprise or committed customers ### Earnings Comparison (1,000 clicks/month) Assuming a 2% conversion rate (typical for SaaS hosting): LiquidWeb scenario:
- 1,000 clicks × 2% = 20 conversions
- 20 × $150 = $3,000/month Fastly scenario:
- Earnings depend on non-public commission structure and customer plan tiers; see your affiliate dashboard for projections LiquidWeb's advantage: Transparent, predictable payouts with no hidden variables. ## Network & Reliability Both programs operate in-house affiliate tracking systems rather than third-party networks. ### LiquidWeb
- Tracking: Proprietary system; well-established, reliable
- Payouts: Consistent monthly payouts; no reported delays
- Support: Dedicated affiliate manager for active publishers
- Transparency: Dashboard shows real-time click and conversion data
- Reliability rating: Strong (minimal technical issues reported) ### Fastly
- Tracking: Proprietary system; enterprise-grade infrastructure
- Payouts: Monthly; depends on customer billing cycles
- Support: Affiliate liaison available for partners
- Transparency: Dashboard with conversion tracking; specific details available upon approval
- Reliability rating: Strong (CDN infrastructure backing ensures uptime) ### Head-to-Head Both are reliable. Fastly may have a slight edge in infrastructure reliability (they're a CDN company, after all), but this rarely impacts affiliate tracking. LiquidWeb's advantage is faster, more hands-on support for affiliate queries. --- ## Approval Requirements ### LiquidWeb: Medium Approval What you need to get approved:
- Flat-rate commission: No surprises; $150 is guaranteed
- Marketing assets: Banners, landing pages, email templates provided
- Deep linking: Full support for linking to specific hosting plans
- Affiliate portal: Real-time tracking and reporting
- Tiered bonuses: Some reports of $250+ commissions for high-volume referrers (varies by performance)
- Brand flexibility: Easier to promote alongside competitor reviews ### Fastly - Recurring revenue model: Build passive income from retained customers
- Enterprise customer support: Help with onboarding to increase retention
- Technical resources: Whitepapers, performance benchmarks, case studies
- Developer focus: Partners can attend Fastly conferences and events
- API documentation: Deep linking and integration options for tech-heavy publishers
- Higher ceiling: No stated commission cap; verify earning potential in your dashboard
- Brand prestige: Association with a tier-1 CDN provider --- ## Publisher Fit — Who Should Promote Which? ### Promote LiquidWeb When: 1. You write hosting reviews and comparisons: LiquidWeb is a top-tier managed hosting provider; hosting-focused blogs are LiquidWeb's ideal audience