If you're into affiliate marketing sa Philippines, Shopee and Lazada are the two biggest e-commerce affiliate programs you need to consider. Both platforms have millions of Filipino shoppers, both offer affiliate programs, pero which one actually pays more and is better for your content strategy?
I've dug into the details of both programs — commission rates, cookie durations, payment terms, and ease of use — to give you a clear, honest comparison. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which platform (or both) to focus on.
Shopee Affiliate Program Philippines Overview
Shopee has become the dominant e-commerce platform in the Philippines, with the highest number of active users and daily transactions. Their affiliate program lets you earn commissions by promoting Shopee products.
Key details:
- Commission rates: 1-10% depending on product category
- Cookie duration: Varies (typically 7 days from click)
- Minimum payout: P500
- Payment methods: Bank transfer, GCash
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Platform: Shopee Affiliate Program (accessible through Shopee app or website)
Commission rates by category:
- Fashion and apparel: 5-10%
- Health and beauty: 5-10%
- Home and living: 3-8%
- Electronics: 1-4%
- Groceries: 1-3%
- Mobiles and gadgets: 1-3%
- Mother and baby: 4-8%
Pros of Shopee Affiliate:
- Largest user base in Philippines — higher chance of conversions
- Frequent sale events (5.5, 6.6, 7.7, etc.) drive massive buying activity
- Easy to share links through social media
- In-app affiliate tools are user-friendly
- Free shipping promos increase conversion rates
Cons of Shopee Affiliate:
- Lower average order value compared to Lazada
- Commission caps on certain categories
- Some categories have very low commission rates
- Tracking can be inconsistent during mega sales
Lazada Affiliate Program Philippines Overview
Lazada, backed by Alibaba, is the other major e-commerce platform in the Philippines. Their affiliate program has been around longer and offers some unique advantages.
Key details:
- Commission rates: 1-10% depending on category
- Cookie duration: 7 days (standard)
- Minimum payout: P500
- Payment methods: Bank transfer
- Payment frequency: Monthly (with processing delay)
- Platform: Lazada Affiliate Program or through affiliate networks like Involve Asia
Commission rates by category:
- Fashion: 5-10%
- Health and beauty: 5-10%
- Home and living: 3-8%
- Electronics and IT: 1-4%
- Groceries: 1-3%
- Sports and outdoor: 3-7%
- Digital goods: 2-5%
Pros of Lazada Affiliate:
- Higher average order value (people buy more expensive items on Lazada)
- LazMall brand shops have better product quality
- More established affiliate program with better reporting tools
- Available through affiliate networks (Involve Asia) giving additional tracking options
- Strong during 11.11 and 12.12 sales
Cons of Lazada Affiliate:
- Slightly smaller user base than Shopee in Philippines
- Approval process can take longer
- Payment processing delays can be frustrating
- Some affiliate features are less intuitive than Shopee's
Direct Comparison: Which Pays More?
Let's compare with real scenarios:
Scenario 1: Fashion/Beauty blogger promoting a P1,000 product
- Shopee commission (8%): P80
- Lazada commission (8%): P80
- Winner: Tie on commission rate, pero Shopee may convert better due to larger user base
Scenario 2: Tech reviewer promoting a P25,000 laptop
- Shopee commission (2%): P500
- Lazada commission (3%): P750
- Winner: Lazada — higher commission rate on electronics and higher-ticket items tend to convert better on Lazada
Scenario 3: Lifestyle blogger with 100 clicks per day
- Shopee: Higher traffic volume, more impulse purchases, average order P400, 3% conversion = 3 sales/day = P36/day
- Lazada: Lower traffic volume, more deliberate purchases, average order P800, 2% conversion = 2 sales/day = P48/day
- Winner: Lazada by a slim margin for higher-value niches
Overall verdict: Neither platform clearly "pays more" across all categories. The best choice depends on your niche, your audience's shopping preferences, and the types of products you promote.
The Smart Strategy: Use BOTH Platforms
The most successful Filipino affiliate marketers don't choose one — they use both. Here's how:
Strategy 1: Price comparison content
Create "Best Price for [Product]" content that links to both Shopee and Lazada. Whichever platform has the better deal gets the primary recommendation, but include links to both. You earn commission regardless of where the reader buys.
Strategy 2: Platform-specific content during sales
- Before Shopee 6.6 sale: Create "Best Shopee 6.6 Deals" content with Shopee affiliate links
- Before Lazada 6.6 sale: Create separate "Best Lazada 6.6 Deals" content with Lazada links
- Double your content opportunities and commissions during sale periods
Strategy 3: Dual links in product reviews
In every product review, include both: "Buy on Shopee" and "Buy on Lazada" links. Readers have their preferred platform — let them choose while you earn either way.
Strategy 4: Know your audience
- Younger audience (students, teens): Shopee links tend to convert better
- Professional/older audience: Lazada often converts better for premium items
- Budget shoppers: Shopee (more vouchers and free shipping)
- Brand-conscious shoppers: Lazada (LazMall for authentic products)
Maximizing Earnings from Both Platforms
Content types that convert best:
- "Best of" lists: "10 Best Air Fryers Under P3,000 Philippines 2026" with links to both platforms
- Comparison reviews: "[Product A] vs [Product B]: Which is Better?" with purchase links
- Sale roundups: "Top 20 Deals This 11.11 Sale" — create separate posts for each platform
- Unboxing videos: Show the product, give honest review, include affiliate links in description
- Haul videos: Popular on TikTok — "Shopee Haul Under P500" or "Lazada Office Supplies Haul"
Best channels for promotion:
- Blog/website: Best for SEO-driven traffic and evergreen content. Start your own review blog with Hostinger Philippines hosting.
- TikTok: Product showcase videos and hauls go viral. Include links in bio.
- YouTube: Review and unboxing videos have long shelf life. Links in description.
- Facebook: Share in relevant groups (don't spam — add genuine value).
Beyond Shopee and Lazada: Diversify Your Affiliate Income
Smart Filipino affiliate marketers don't rely on e-commerce commissions alone. Combine with higher-paying programs:
- Digital services: Join Fiverr as an affiliate — earn $15-$150 per first-time buyer referral. Great for freelancing-related content.
- Financial services: Payoneer Philippines referral program, credit card affiliate programs, investment platform referrals
- Web hosting: Hosting affiliate programs pay P2,000-P8,000 per sale — much higher than e-commerce commissions
- Software/SaaS: NordVPN, Canva Pro, Grammarly — recurring commissions of 20-40%
A diversified affiliate portfolio might look like: Shopee/Lazada for product content (60% of content), high-paying digital affiliates for service content (40% of content). The product content brings volume, the digital affiliates bring higher per-sale commissions.
Common Mistakes and Final Tips
- Don't violate platform terms: Both Shopee and Lazada prohibit certain promotional methods. Read the terms carefully.
- Always disclose affiliate links: Be transparent with your audience. Trust leads to more clicks over time.
- Track your performance: Monitor which products, platforms, and content types generate the most commissions. Data-driven decisions beat guessing.
- Don't neglect SEO: Social media gives quick traffic, pero SEO gives sustainable traffic. Invest in both.
- Be authentic: Only recommend products you'd actually use. Fake reviews damage your credibility and long-term earnings.
Whether you choose Shopee, Lazada, or both (recommended), the key to success in Philippine e-commerce affiliate marketing is creating genuinely helpful content that guides shoppers to the best products for their needs. Focus on value, be consistent, and the commissions will follow. Happy earning, kabayan!