Why was my Publisher application denied? – Skimlinks Publishers

Skimlinks manually reviews all publisher applications to maintain network quality. While the following list is not exhaustive, the most frequent reasons for denial include non-live sites, a lack of original content, or being a merchant attempting to sign up as a publisher.

Important: Are you a Merchant (Advertiser)?

No Merchant Logins: Skimlinks does not work directly with merchants, and there is no login for merchants on our platform.
Join a Network: We work with brands exclusively through affiliate networks. If you want Skimlinks publishers to promote your products, you must first join a supported affiliate networks. [See supported networks here].

Technical & Ownership Requirements

Non-live sites: If your site is not yet live or is password-protected, we cannot assess its suitability. Please reapply once your content is public.
No proof of ownership: If we cannot verify that you own the domain or social media account, the application will be denied. Ensure your contact info or social links are verifiable.
Restricted URLs: We generally do not approve websites that include specific merchant brand names or trademarks in their URL, as this violates most merchant terms.

Content Quality & Commercial Value

Lack of Content: We need to see enough articles to determine the purpose of your site and its revenue potential.
No Commercial Opportunity: Your content must be relevant to affiliate marketing. If you don't write about products or services available for purchase online, our technology cannot monetize your site.
Low Value & UX: Sites with non-original (copy-pasted) content or poor user experience (UX) are unlikely to be approved.
Geographic Coverage: While we are global, we prioritize regions where our merchant coverage is highest.

Restricted Publisher Types

Editorial Focus: Skimlinks is optimized for editorial sites, blogs, and shopping platforms.
Software & Apps: We do not work with downloadable software, browser extensions, or mobile apps.
Cashback & Loyalty: These models usually require a separate, transparent account setup and are not approved through the standard process.
Sensitive Content: We do not partner with sites featuring adult content or unoriginal/copyrighted material.

Can I reapply?

Yes: If your site was denied because it wasn't live or lacked content, you are welcome to reapply once you have established a solid base of original articles and traffic.
Final Decision: If the denial was due to restricted content, prohibited publisher types, or trademark violations, the decision is typically final.