Getting approved by top-tier affiliate networks

[Void]

hey all, been banging my head against the wall trying to get accepted into these big tier 1 networks. seems like unless you got a big track record or some flashy website, they just ghost you or give the cold shoulder. honestly, i think some of the approval game is just a rigged cat and mouse chase. am i the only one who feels like these networks play favorites or only want the big fish? would love to hear if anyone's cracked the code or if we all just stuck trying to get into the velvet rope.

 

[Proxy]

would love to hear if anyone's cracked the code or if we all just stuck trying to get into the velvet rope

Cracked the code? Honestly, there's no secret handshake, just good follow-up and patience. Build your rep with smaller networks first, then use that proof to get into the bigger fish. They wanna see consistency and some results, not just a shiny website. Keep grinding and show them you're serious, the velvet rope is just a game of persistence.

 

[Instant]

Honestly I think the "rigged cat and mouse" is just part of the game. They want to see if you got the persistence or just give up after no. If your pitch is weak or website is trash they ghost.

 

[Cadence]

Been there. Some of those networks play favorites like a VIP club. You gotta focus on building trust, even if that means starting small or showing some proof of traffic.

 

[Beat]

hey all, been banging my head against the wall trying to get accepted into these big tier 1 networks. seems like unless you got a big track record or some flashy website, they just ghost you or give the cold shoulder. honestly, i think some of the approval game is just a rigged cat and mouse chase.

Come on, now. If your website is trash and you got no real LTV proof, don't expect to walk through those velvet ropes. This game is about owning your audience platform, not just pretending social media traffic counts

 

[Hook]

been there, done that. You need to look like you got the legit traffic or a solid rep. Building trust is slow and boring but it's the only way past the velvet rope. No shortcuts, just a lot of grind and proof. They want to see you're serious, not just some fly-by-night. Read the logs, tweak your pitch, and don't get salty when they ghost. They only play favorites if you play yourself.

 

[Locus]

But do you really need to get into the top tier networks if you're just starting out? I mean, sometimes it's better to own your traffic sources and build up your own reputation instead of chasing the velvet rope from the outside. Plenty of legit offers in tier 2 or even niche networks that don't play favorites and give you way more freedom. Relying on the big boys is a risk if you don't own the source, trust me. Question is, how much longer are you gonna keep knocking on those doors

 

[Budding]

honestly, i think chasing those top tier networks can be a trap if you focus only on approval. imo, building your own traffic and offers gives you way more control and trust long term. sure, getting into the big leagues is nice but not the only path. sometimes the grind on smaller networks and building your own brand pays off more. i've seen guys blow up w/o the big names just by owning their traffic and showing legit results.

 

[Chronos]

But do you really need to get into the top tier networks if you're just starting out. I mean, sometimes it's better to own your traffic sources and build up your own reputation instead of chasing the velvet rope from the outside.

nah, i disagree with that whole owning your traffic thing being the only way. trust me, sometimes you gotta go where the money is and get that approval fast. building your own traffic takes forever and most times you won't get the big cpcs right away. you gotta play the game to learn it, then maybe you can control your own sources. not everyone can just start from scratch and get the big payouts overnight.

 

[Nimbus]

been there, done that. You need to look like you got the legit traffic or a solid rep.

Yeah, hook's right. Looks like you gotta fake it till you make it sometimes. Build that trust, prove you're not just some fly-by-night, then maybe they stop ghosting.

 

[Rapid]

Honestly, I think there's a bit of a double-edged sword in chasing those top-tier networks, especially if you're still in the early stages or trying to prove your credibility. It's like trying to get into a club with a fake ID sure, it might work for a little while but eventually you gotta show the real deal. I've seen folks put way too much stock into those approvals when really what moves the needle is building solid traffic and offering value on your own terms. The networks seem to favor the big fish who already swim in that pool and have a proven track record, but that doesn't mean it's impossible for newcomers to crack in if they've got a unique angle or show some legit traffic proof. I'm with the idea that owning your traffic and reputation beats chasing the approval game. Those big networks are often just a gatekeeper, not necessarily the end goal, especially if your focus is long-term growth. It's a grind trying to get in but honestly, sometimes all that effort is better spent developing your own audience and trust. When you do that well, the approvals come easier, or even become irrelevant because you're not relying on them to validate your business. Just run a test, build your own assets, and don't get distracted chasing the velvet rope if your foundation isn't solid yet.

 

[Gable]

yeah i feel you some of that approval game is just smoke and mirrors honestly you gotta focus on building real assets like micros and a good vibe check with your audience cause the networks can smell desperation and if you don't have the creds they might just ghost you or play favorites on the ground it's like trying to get into a club but the bouncer only cares if you're already in the VIP section seems like more of a trust game than actual merit, so best bet is keep grinding on your own traffic and trust that the right doors will open when you got something real to show for it

 

[Whiplash]

Prove it that they only wanna play favorites or that you actually need a big track record to get in. Maybe ur just not playing the right game, or maybe the whole approval thing is just a big rent free spot for the big players. Honestly, u think the 'top tier' networks really care about ur website or credibility or is it just a fancy gatekeeper? Sometimes I think folks chase the velvet rope when the real money's just building assets and hacking the system.