ShopMy vs LTK

When it comes to picking an affiliate platform with whom to work, it can seem overwhelming. There are many platforms out there, but there are two high-performing ones. The two main platforms that bloggers, influencers, and even just anybody sharing links look to are ShopMy and LTK. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of ShopMy vs LTK, so you can make the best decision for you and your business.

ShopMy vs LTK

I’ve been part of LTK (formerly RewardStyle) since about 2013 or so – back when they first started. I joined ShopMy last year when a brand I worked with for a long time moved to that platform, so I had to open an account to continue working with them (spoiler alert: I’m so happy I did – join here)! Below is a rundown of the features and benefits of each as well as what is absolutely the better platform.

What is LTK?

LTK (formerly standing for LiketoKnow.It) is a platform that offers affiliate links from a WIDE variety of brands. Some of their partnerships are direct with brands and its website. Others are pulled through a third party affiliate platform (e.g. AWIN, Impact, CJ, etc.). Unlike those other platforms, LTK allows you to use and share links from all their connected brands in one place.

The platform offers a widget to pull links directly from a brand’s website. They have an app to get links quickly on-the-go. You can also organize items into folders and share groups of links – two ways. On the app, you can create an LTK post that has links to products attached to photos. These can also be connected to your social account posts.

If you’re a website/blog owner, there is also a way to create clickable components to add into your websites.

What is ShopMy?

ShopMy is incredibly similar to LTK in what it is – an affiliate platform for any kind of creator. It is a newer platform, however, and while I think they copied many of the basic ideas of LTK, they’ve done a great job at becoming more relevant, more accessible, etc.

Their website and app are easy to use, offering more functionality, more incentives to use the platform (think cash bonuses), and the ability to incorporate links from brands and platforms they aren’t connected with.

This last feature is probably the biggest selling features of ShopMy for me. I have a number of brands with whom I have direct relationships with higher commission rates and personalized discount codes. I LOVE that I can include these products and my links in the same visual roundups and shelves as all the items ShopMy offers – it really pulls my whole affiliate life together!!!! Think all my Crunchi advocate links alongside my favorite clean beauty items from Nordstrom! Like this…

Who Can Join LTK?

LTK is now only open to applicants and referrals. They only take bloggers and influencers, so you’d need to share your website and/or social links for them to determine your eligibility. According to their website:

Once you join, however, every brand, link, and feature is available to you. More on the features below.

Who can join ShopMy?

ShopMy is available by invite and application; you can join here! Yep, that’s my referral link, and now you can join*. The platform is designed for creators (bloggers and Instagrammers), but they’ve been accepting creators and individuals of all “following” sizes. So if you’re sharing regularly, then you should absolutely apply! I think you’ll be fine.

Once you join, you can also use all their features and start earning money. I have a few video tutorials that I will share with you if you sign up with my link as well to help you get started!

LTK Features

LTK has some great functionality for those of you with active social media and/or website presences. These are also great in email marketing!!

• fairly easy to use app
• shoppable links
• quickly accessed links
• connected to thousands of brand
• social post and blog integration
• desktop extension to get links
• weekly payouts ($25 minimum)
• LTK app for followers to see all your new posts

LTK has placed most of their emphasis on social creators and encouraging followers to use the LTK app. I’ve never personally had much luck with this because it adds an additional step for people to take to find your links and make purchases. Obviously others have had more luck, but I think this is probably best for those of you with large social media followings.

ShopMy Features

ShopMy has some great functionality for those of you with active social media and/or website presences. These are also great in email marketing!! I also like the ease for grabbing links for my friends and family. As I mentioned above, the ability to pull in items and websites they aren’t connected with has been (professionally) life-changing!

• easy to use app
• shoppable links
• quick integration to get affiliate link through mobile browser
• quickly accessed links
• connected to thousands of brands
• cash bonus for hitting each new level⟡
• points earned from clicks, sales, activity, and referrals⟡
• ability to chat directly with brands
• responsive customer service
• ability to add personalized affiliate links to the program
• ability to create links and “products” to 3rd party brands with no affiliate program
• weekly payouts ($11 minimum)

One major feature of ShopMy is their tier program. They have four levels, each attained by earning points (specifics below). Points are earned a variety of ways (not just sales, though that’s the most important). You can earn points immediately and easily hit the first level just by completing your profile setup and starting to create links and collections.

Points are earned by clicks on your links, consistently creating links, talking to brands quickly when they reach out to you, and referring other creators.

ShopMy Tiers:

There are up to 120 points possible through the various ways to earn points. Points are accrued on a 3 month average, so you can move up and down through the tiers. Also, cash bonuses are a one-time payment.

Can you Be a Member of Both ShopMy & LTK?

While there is a lot of crossover in brands and functionality, you can absolutely join both ShopMy and LTK – I’m a part of both. One thing I love about being a part of both is that there are a number of brands that aren’t connected to both platforms, so you get a wider range of brands. I also like to check which platform has a higher commission rate for a brand – they’re often different (sometimes drastically so).

ShopMy vs LTK: Which is Better?

It’s probably pretty obvious who wins in my overview of ShopMy vs LTK. ShopMy is better in its functionality and options on all accounts save one. ShopMy collections (see my storefront and public collections) are saved into new groupings. You can continually reference them, add products to the groups, and even edit links to certain products – all through the app. Unlike LTK, it’s ever editable and you only need to edit through the platform to have changes take effect (meaning updates and auto populates on previously shared links and embeds on your site) – no needing to recreate or re-upload to blog posts or social posts.

The one feature I prefer about LTK is that you can make a collection of links to embed into a post and you don’t have to save it and create a new “shelf.” Though I can hide and organize shelves in ShopMy, it feels a little chaotic and I feel like I have to search for the few basic shelves I want displayed.

One other thing is that if you want a single product in more than one grouping, you have to “duplicate” it in ShopMy, so you end up adding multiples of the same product/link in your shop. This may be the only way to have all the other functionality, however, so that is all the complaining you’ll ever hear from me on the topic.

ShopMy Affiliate Program

ShopMy does offer an affiliate program, and a good one at that. First of all, you can share your referral link directly with anyone (here’s mine). And then when your referrals reach new levels, you get paid the following amounts:

• Ambassador: $20
• Trendsetter: $80
• Icon: $900 

You also get points to work toward a higher tier – each with its own cash bonus for hitting it the first time as well as getting more opportunities to connect with brands. Even if referred creators don’t hit these higher tiers, you get points for getting them to sign up.

LTK Affiliate Program

Comparatively, LTK has a very weak affiliate program. You can recommend creators to them via the invite page. If the creator is accepted, you both earn $25.

Please send any and all questions my way. Comment below is great, so everyone can benefit from your questions and any discussion.

And if you aren’t doing some sort of email marketing, I can’t encourage you enough to start NOW. Email is the most direct way to connect with consumers. Start here with a free trial with Kit!