Marketing ClickBank products can be a lucrative way to earn affiliate income, but it does come with some notable disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of the key cons to be aware of:
❌ 1. Low-Quality or Overhyped Products.
Problem: ClickBank has a low barrier to entry for vendors, which means anyone can list a product, including ones that are poorly made or even scammy.
Impact: You risk damaging your credibility by promoting products that don’t deliver on their promises.
❌ 2. High Refund Rates.
Problem: Many ClickBank products (especially in niches like weight loss, make money online, and dating) have high refund rates.
Impact: Even after you earn a commission, it can be clawed back if the customer requests a refund — and that happens a lot.
❌ 3. Intense Competition.
Problem: Popular ClickBank products are heavily promoted by thousands of affiliates.
Impact: You’ll often be competing against people with large lists, high budgets, or SEO-optimized authority sites.
❌ 4. Questionable Marketing Tactics.
Problem: Some vendors use hype, false scarcity, or misleading sales pages.
Impact: These tactics may convert in the short term, but they hurt trust and long-term brand building.
❌ 5. Limited Vendor Control
Problem: You have no say in the product, pricing, or customer experience.
Impact: If the vendor changes their offer or shuts it down, your commissions disappear.
❌ 6. Poor Customer Support
Problem: Some ClickBank vendors offer minimal support to buyers.
Impact: You might receive complaints even though you’re only the promoter.
❌ 7. Payout Delays (Especially for New Affiliates).
Problem: ClickBank has holding periods for new affiliates, and you need to meet certain thresholds before receiving payment.
Impact: You could be waiting weeks or months to get paid at the beginning.
❌ 8. Short Affiliate Cookies.
Problem: ClickBank’s cookie duration is relatively short (60 days or less).
Impact: If the customer doesn’t buy quickly, you may lose the sale to another affiliate.