How to Start Affiliate Marketing in India for Free: So, you are part of Gen Z and want to earn online without any investment. Maybe you have heard people talk about affiliate marketing, or you have seen YouTubers share “special links” to Amazon deals and like this, “Can I actually make money doing that?”
Good news — yes, you absolutely can. In fact, affiliate marketing in 2025 is more beginner-friendly than ever before. And you don’t need a website, money, or any other pro level experience to get started.
But before you get ahead of yourself, let’s break down How to Start Affiliate Marketing in India for Free, and what steps Gen Z can take today to build a zero investment affiliate income start from scratch.
What Is Affiliate Marketing and Why Should Gen Z Care?
Affiliate marketing is a simple concept: you promote products or services, and when someone buys through your special link, you earn a commission. That is it.
Unlike traditional business models, you don’t need to create the product, manage shipping, or handle customer service. Now, you just give some valuble insight to buyer and got profit.
Now, why is this perfect for Gen Z in India?
Because Gen Z already spends hours on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Telegram. you are already sharing memes, trends, and viral finds. Affiliate marketing simply adds a link to what you are already doing, and pays you for it.
In 2025, with the rise of UPI, digital shopping, and social commerce, affiliate marketing has exploded in India. There’s no better time for digital natives like you to jump in.
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Is It Really Free to Start? Yes. Here’s How.
Let’s clear one thing: you don’t need to buy a domain, spend on ads, or hire anyone. You can start affiliate marketing with:
- A smartphone
- A stable internet connection
- Free platforms (like Instagram, Telegram, Quora, or YouTube Shorts)
In fact, many successful Indian affiliate marketers in 2025 began on free blogging sites like Blogger or started promoting deals in WhatsApp groups.
Your job is simple: find a product people need, grab your affiliate link, share it where people hang out, and help them make a decision. No investment required.
Let’s Discuss Plan: How to Start Affiliate Marketing in India for Free
Step 1: Choose the Right Affiliate Program
You will first need to sign up for an affiliate program. These are free to join.
Top free affiliate networks in India:
- Amazon Associates – Great for general products
- Flipkart Affiliate – For electronics, fashion etc.
- EarnKaro – Allows link sharing on WhatsApp, Telegram
- Cuelinks – 800+ merchant options, including Nykaa, Ajio etc.
- Impact or Digistore24 – Good for digital products
Some programs auto-approve your application, while others might take a day or two to verify your account.
Suggestion: Start with Amazon or EarnKaro if you are a total beginner.
Step 2: Pick a Niche (Don’t Try to Sell Everything)
If you promote everything to everyone, you will end up selling nothing. Pick a niche — that means a focused category.
Examples:
- Budget tech gadgets
- Beauty under ₹500
- Gaming accessories
- Study tools for students
- Fashion finds under ₹999
- Work-from-home products
Choose something you either like, use, or know your audience needs. It makes your content more authentic and convincing.
Step 3: Use Free Platforms to Share Your Links
Here’s where the “free” part truly shines. You can promote your affiliate links on:
- YouTube Shorts or Reels (example “Top 3 budget headphones under ₹999”)
- Instagram Stories & Highlights (with Link Stickers)
- Telegram Channels (daily deal sharing, review posts)
- Medium/Blogger posts (SEO blogs with affiliate links)
- Pinterest (great for listicles and fashion products)
- WhatsApp Broadcasts (but don’t spam)
Don’t just paste links randomly. add value. For example:
Instead of: “Buy this now – [link]”
Say: “I have used this budget mic for 2 months. Clear sound, works on mobile too. Found it on sale here – [affiliate link]”
That is the kind of content people trust and click.
Step 4: Track, Test, and Improve
Most affiliate programs give you dashboard with:
- Number of clicks
- Number of sales
- Conversion rate
- Commissions earned
Check your stats weekly. See which posts get the most clicks, and double down on that format or platform. Experiment with different times of day, product types, or formats (videos, carousels, short reviews).
The goal is to understand what your audience responds to — and scale it up without spending a dime.
Step 5: Build Trust, Not Hype
Gen Z is sharp. You can smell a fake pitch from miles away.
So when you are recommending affiliate products, always:
- Be honest about pros and cons
- Mention if you have used it yourself
- Avoid overhyping (“Best ever!” “Must buy!”) unless it’s genuinely great
- Respond to comments and DMs to help buyers
Long-term affiliate income comes from being helpful and relatable — not pushy.
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Realistic Earnings in the First 3–6 Months
Let’s be real. You probably will not make ₹50,000 in your first month. But here’s what’s realistic if you are consistent:
- Month 1: ₹0–₹500 (learning phase)
- Month 2: ₹1000–₹3000 (a few sales through your links)
- Month 3–6: ₹3000–₹15,000 (if you niche down and scale)
Many young Indian affiliate marketers who started in 2022–2023 are now earning ₹30,000 to ₹1 lakh per month just by staying focused.
Tools to Make Affiliate Marketing Easier (All Free)
- Canva – Make thumbnails, reels, carousels
- Bitly – Shorten and track links
- InShot – Edit videos and reels
- Grammarly – For writing captions or blog posts
- Google Trends – Discover trending products to promote
- Linktree – Combine multiple affiliate links in your bio
All these tools have free plans and work perfectly for beginners.
FAQs – Affiliate Marketing for Gen Z in India 2025
Q: Is a website must for start affiliate marketing?
A: No. You can start using free platforms like Instagram, Telegram, or YouTube. A website helps long term but is not required upfront.
Q: Can students do affiliate marketing legally?
A: Yes, absolutely. no age limit, but if you are under 18, you may need to use a parent’s bank account and other details for payments.
Q: Which is best affiliate program for beginners in India?
A: Amazon Associates and EarnKaro are beginner friendly and don’t require a website to join.
Q: How do I receive affiliate payments in India?
A: Most programs pay via bank transfer or UPI. You’ll need a PAN card and Indian bank account (or Paytm in some cases).
Q: Can I promote affiliate links on WhatsApp, Instagram and other social Platform?
A: Yes, but ensure you follow the link-sharing rules of platform and avoid spamming. Provide helpful content instead of just links.
Conclusion: Affiliate Marketing Is Gen Z’s Free Startup
Affiliate marketing in India is not just for tech bloggers or YouTubers anymore. If you are a Gen Z with a phone and a curious mindset, you have already got what it takes to start. No need for money, fancy gadgets, or even a laptop.
Start small. Stick to one platform. Build trust, not hype. And remember — consistency is your biggest asset. What you plant today can start paying you tomorrow.
What is your first product that you had love to promote online? Share your plan below — come together to build this community.
FunPay is a dedicated digital entrepreneur and content creator passionate about helping people unlock new income streams online. Specializing in topics like online earning, making money through digital platforms, and cashback opportunities, FunPay blends industry knowledge with real-world experience to share practical tips and proven strategies. With an eye for trends and a commitment to clarity, FunPay guides readers toward smarter, more profitable choices in the digital world.