ClickDealer Review: Is This Affiliate Network Worth It?

Digital Media Solutions shocked the affiliate marketing world in 2023 when they paid $40 million to acquire ClickDealer.

But was this hefty price tag justified?

After diving deep into this performance marketing powerhouse, I’m here to give you an in-depth review about what makes ClickDealer tick, and whether it deserves a spot in your affiliate arsenal.

The ClickDealer Story: From Startup to $40M Acquisition

ClickDealer didn’t start as the industry big company it is today. Initially established as a modest affiliate network in 2012, this Amsterdam-based company has successfully navigated through various challenges in the digital marketing industry, including global pandemics and geopolitical upheavals.

What sets ClickDealer apart isn’t just their longevity but their relentless focus on innovation. In 2018, they made a pivotal decision that would define their future: instead of relying on third-party software, they built their own internal technology platform from scratch. This bold move paid off spectacularly, eventually contributing to their recognition as Europe’s leading CPA network.

Quick Facts That Matter:

• Founded: 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Global Reach: 6 offices worldwide, 1,000+ active advertisers
• Industry Recognition: mThink Blue Book Top 5 (2024), #1 European CPA Network
• Recent Milestone: $40M acquisition by Digital Media Solutions (2023)

My rating is 8.5/10. This is exceptional for experienced affiliates who can navigate their approval process and meet payout thresholds.

What Makes ClickDealer Different? (Spoiler: It’s Not What You Think)

While most affiliate networks make lofty promises, ClickDealer takes a different approach.

Instead of boasting about having “millions” of offers, they focus on quality partnerships with over 1,000 carefully vetted advertisers across their main verticals:

Core Verticals Where ClickDealer Shines:

• Lead Generation & Vouchers
• Electronic Giveaways
• Dating & Social Networking
• E-commerce & Retail
• Software & Utilities
• Mobile Entertainment
• Health & Beauty
• Crypto & Binary Options
• Gaming & Social Casino
• Pay-per-call – Their crown jewel (rated #1 by Lasso and OfferVault in 2022)

Their SmartLink technology automatically redirects users to the most suitable destination based on location, device, and other click data parameters, maximizing your earning potential without the guesswork.

The Real Talk: Getting Approved (And Why Many Don’t)

Let’s tackle the most important issue: The approval process at ClickDealer is not a simple task. They reserve 72 working hours to review applications, but here’s what they’re really looking for:

The Approval Reality Check:

1. Fill out their registration form and verify your email
2. Wait for their team review (they typically respond sooner than 72 hours)
3. Expect contact via email, Telegram, or phone from one of their managers
4. Pro tip: Taking initiative and following up can expedite your approval

Why the strict standards?

Simple. ClickDealer works exclusively with qualified and licensed call centers, maintain direct advertiser relationships, and can’t afford to jeopardize these partnerships with low-quality traffic.

Do you have any inquiries regarding approval? Email affiliates@ clickdealer.com – their managers will get back to you!

Show Me The Money: ClickDealer’s Payment Reality

Here’s where ClickDealer gets both impressive and intimidating. Their payment structure reflects their premium positioning:

Standard CPA Network Payments

• Terms: Monthly NET15
• Minimum: $500 per billing cycle
• Methods: Wire Transfer, PayPal, Payoneer, ACH, and 7 other options
• Reliability: Consistently on-time for over 10 years

SmartLink Payments (The Game Changer)

• Terms: Monthly NET15
• Starting minimum: $100 per billing cycle
• Upgrade potential: Switch to $500+ weekly payouts after traffic quality approval
• Bonus: Individual deals with advertisers who love your traffic

VIP Treatment: Trusted partners can access weekly NET5 payments or even more frequent payouts. This isn’t marketing fluff, it’s how they retain their top performers.

Traffic That Converts: What ClickDealer Actually Wants

Forget the generic “we accept all traffic” nonsense. ClickDealer is specific about what works for their offers:

Green Light Traffic:

• Display (banners)
• Native advertising
• Search marketing
• Social media campaigns
• Email marketing

Yellow Light Traffic:

• Pop/redirect traffic (select offers only)
• Incentivized promotions (limited campaigns)

The Golden Rule: All traffic must be white hat, and you need to carefully study offer descriptions before launching.

The SmartLink Revolution: Why Everyone’s Talking About It

SmartLink is a buzz right now in the industry.

How SmartLink Actually Works:

1. User clicks your smartlink
2. AI analyzes location, device, connection type, and dozens of other parameters
3. The system automatically redirects to the highest-converting offer for that specific user
4. You earn the maximum possible commission without manual optimization

SmartLink Advantages:

• Network-wide reporting with eCPM breakdowns by geo and device
• Individual deals with advertisers (payout increases for quality traffic)
• Constantly updated and tested creatives
• Weekly payouts with just a $100 minimum threshold

It’s like having a team of optimization experts working 24/7 to maximize your earnings.

Pay-Per-Call: ClickDealer’s Secret Weapon

Unlike other networks, ClickDealer has built an empire around pay-per-call.

What Makes Their Pay-Per-Call Special:

• Qualified call centers only – No fly-by-night operations
• Dedicated manager support – High-yield keywords and dayparting optimization
• Multiple verticals: Car insurance, home services, Medicare, pest control, HVAC
• White-hat approach – Suitable for all major traffic types

And from what we heard, their managers don’t just hand you a link and disappear. They actively help with keyword research, dayparting strategies, and campaign optimization to ensure your traffic converts at the highest possible rate.

The Technology Edge: Why ClickDealer Built Its Own Platform

In 2018, ClickDealer had a decision to make: continue using third-party solutions or create a superior platform. They chose the latter, and it shows:

Platform Capabilities:

• Global and individual postbacks for precise tracking
• Custom domains for all tracking links
• Comprehensive API access for offer feeds and reporting
• Multi-language tutorials (English, Russian, Chinese)

As their CEO puts it: “Technology is at the heart of everything we do – this is why we launched our own internal technology platform in 2018 and why we continue to update, expand and launch new features for our partners.”

This isn’t just tech for tech’s sake. Its infrastructure is built for serious affiliates who need reliable, scalable solutions.

Industry Recognition: The Numbers Don’t Lie

ClickDealer’s trophy cabinet tells a compelling story:

Recent Achievements:

• mThink Blue Book 2024: Top 5 globally alongside MaxBounty and Perform[cb]
• European Leadership: Ranked #1 CPA network in Europe
• Industry Awards: Publishers’ Choice at European Performance Marketing Awards
• Financial Validation: $40 million acquisition by Digital Media Solutions

This isn’t self-promotion, it’s peer recognition from the industry’s most respected publications and competitors.

Real Talk: Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Join ClickDealer

✅ ClickDealer is perfect if you:

• Have affiliate marketing experience and proven traffic sources
• Can consistently generate enough volume to hit $500 monthly minimums
• Value quality over quantity in offer selection
• Want dedicated account management support
• Focus on the US and European markets

❌ Look Elsewhere If You:

• Are completely new to affiliate marketing
• Need immediate access to low minimum payouts
• Prefer lenient approval processes
• Target primarily non-Western markets

🤔 On the Fence? Consider this:

The $500 minimum payout isn’t just a barrier, it’s a filter. ClickDealer seeks partners who can drive significant volume, as this is how they maintain their premium advertiser relationships and high payouts.

Frequently Asked Questions (The Ones That Actually Matter)

CPV Lab Partnership: Better Tracking & Optimization

ClickDealer is an official CPVLab partner, which means you get seamless integration between the network and our industry-leading tracking platform. This partnership enables

• Direct S2S integration for real-time conversion data
• Advanced conversion tracking across all ClickDealer offers
• Enhanced reporting with granular analytics

For affiliates serious about scaling their ClickDealer campaigns, CPV’s tracking capabilities provide the data insights needed to maximize ROI and identify winning combinations faster.

You can find a special bonus from Clickdealer inside your tracker in the Bonuses Section.

Here you can find a step by step guide where you will find:

• how to setup a campaign in CPV Lab | CPV One ad tracker
• How to get conversions from ClickDealer Server to Server via Postback URL
• How to make sure you check the right data for your campaign performance

The Bottom Line: Is ClickDealer Worth Your Time?

After analyzing everything from their technology stack to their payment reliability, here’s my honest assessment:

ClickDealer succeeds because they’ve chosen to be exclusive rather than inclusive. Their $40 million acquisition validates a business model built on quality partnerships, advanced technology, and selective affiliate recruitment.

If you’re an experienced affiliate who can meet their standards, ClickDealer offers something increasingly rare in this industry: a genuine partnership with a company that values long-term relationships over quick wins.

The recent acquisition of Digital Media Solutions signals expansion and innovation ahead. For qualified affiliates, this represents an opportunity to partner with a network that’s clearly positioned for growth.

Are you prepared to test your eligibility?

🎯 Apply Now – Get started with ClickDealer

Note: for CPV Lab users, you can get a bonus from inside the tracker! Check the Bonuses section!

Disclaimer: Affiliate performance varies based on individual traffic quality, optimization skills, and market conditions. This review is based on publicly available information and industry analysis as of June 2025.