Apple launches an affiliate program for paid podcast subscriptions

Apple is introducing a new program that will help podcast creators grow their subscriber base: affiliate marketing. The company's "Apple Services Performance Partner Program," which already exists to help market other Apple services like Apple TV, Apple News and Apple Books, is today expanding to include paid podcasts.

The new program — "Apple Services Performance Partner Program for Apple Podcasts" will be open to anyone. When users convert by clicking through one of the links and subscribe to a premium podcast, the partner will receive a one-time commission at 50% of the podcast subscription price, after the subscriber accumulates their first month of paid service. Podcast creators can also use the affiliate links to promote their own paid programs, which would allow them to generate incremental revenue.

While anyone can apply to join the affiliate program, there is an approval process involved. This is mainly about keeping spammers out of the program, and ensuring that those signing up do have at least some marketing channels where they can distribute the links. The sign-up form asks for specific criteria — like how many channels are available and how the partner intends to use them to promote the affiliate links, among other things.

The program will be made available to anyone in the 170 countries and regions where paid podcasts subscriptions are being made available.