If you’ve ever wondered how to activate Rakuten on your website, you’re in the right place.
Most of the tutorials online explain how shoppers can click the “Activate Cash Back” button on the Rakuten browser extension. That’s helpful for consumers, but it leaves a big gap for website owners like you and me who want to integrate Rakuten into our sites and start earning commissions.
According to a report by Statista: Affiliate Marketing Industry Growth, global affiliate marketing spending is expected to reach $15.7 billion in 2024, showing just how powerful programs like Rakuten have become for website owners.
This article fills that gap. I’ll show you step by step how to activate Rakuten on your website, whether you’re using WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or even a custom-coded site. You’ll also learn how to test, troubleshoot, and optimize your setup so it actually tracks and pays.
What Does “Activate Rakuten on Website” Really Mean?
For shoppers, “activation” means clicking a button in the browser extension to earn cashback.
For publishers (that’s us website owners, bloggers, or online business owners), activation is different. It means:
- Joining the Rakuten Advertising network as a publisher.
- Integrating Rakuten’s tracking codes, links, or banners into your site.
- Verifying that clicks and conversions are recorded correctly.
In simple words: once your site is activated, you can promote partner brands through Rakuten, and when visitors make purchases, you earn a commission.
Make Sure Your Website is Ready for Rakuten
Before you think about activating Rakuten on your website, the first step is making sure your site is ready for affiliate tools. A site that is slow, unorganized, or poorly built will not only frustrate visitors but also reduce the effectiveness of Rakuten tracking.
Think of it this way: Rakuten works best when it’s integrated into a stable and professional platform. That means having clear navigation, responsive design, and pages where affiliate banners or links can be placed without looking forced.
If you are still in the early stages of building your site, it’s a smart move to explore different ways to build a professional website first. A strong foundation ensures that when you add Rakuten tools, everything runs smoothly. This preparation step may take time, but it will save you from technical issues and improve your chances of earning more through affiliate marketing.
Why Rakuten? (A Quick Fact Check)
Rakuten is one of the world’s largest affiliate networks. According to Rakuten’s official reports:
- More than 150,000 publishers use the network.
- It connects to 1,000+ top brands including Walmart, Best Buy, and Macy’s.
- The global affiliate marketing industry is expected to reach $15.7 billion by 2024 (Statista).
So yes, it’s worth activating Rakuten on your website if you want to monetize traffic.
Understand the Costs and Setup Needs
While Rakuten itself is free to join and activate, many business owners forget that running an affiliate-ready website comes with setup costs. You’ll need hosting, a domain, and possibly premium plugins to track performance smoothly.
Even the design of your site plays a big role in how effectively Rakuten banners or links are displayed. For example, a cluttered layout can lower click-through rates, while a clean design makes your offers stand out. That’s why budgeting for website expenses is just as important as signing up for Rakuten.
If you’re unsure how much to plan for, you can look at the average cost of website design to get an idea. Knowing these costs early helps you avoid surprises and ensures that Rakuten becomes an added source of income, not a financial burden. Smart planning will make your affiliate integration both smooth and profitable.
Step 1: Prerequisites Before You Start
Before you jump in, here’s a simple checklist.
- Rakuten Publisher Account: Sign up at Rakuten Advertising. You’ll need approval before promoting merchants.
- Publisher ID & Token: These are in your dashboard once you’re approved.
- Your Website: WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or custom-built it doesn’t matter as long as you can add code or plugins.
- Affiliate Disclosure Page: A short statement letting visitors know you use affiliate links. (Example: “This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.”)
Step 2: Ways to Activate Rakuten on Your Website
Now let’s talk about how to actually integrate Rakuten. There are three main methods.
A. Use CMS Plugins (WordPress, Shopify, Wix)
If you’re using WordPress:
- Install a plugin like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates.
- Add your Rakuten affiliate links or banners.
- Place them in your blog posts, sidebar, or product review pages.
For Shopify:
- You can use apps like Affiliatly or directly insert Rakuten banners in your theme editor.
For Wix:
- Use the built-in “Embed HTML” widget to paste Rakuten’s banner code.
💡 Example: Suppose you run a cooking blog. You can add a Rakuten link for Walmart’s kitchenware section. When a visitor clicks and buys, you get paid.
B. Manual Script Integration (Custom Sites)
If you’re running a custom-coded site, you’ll need to manually place Rakuten’s tracking code.
- Insert tracking pixels or postback URLs into your “Thank You” or “Order Confirmation” page.
- Use Rakuten’s advertiser-provided links with your publisher ID attached.
This method takes more effort but gives you full control. Developers often prefer it for e-commerce sites.
C. Third-Party Tracking Tools
Tools like AnyTrack or WeCanTrack allow you to connect Rakuten with Google Analytics or Facebook Ads Manager.
Why use them? Because they:
- Track multiple affiliate networks in one place.
- Give you a clear view of which blog post or ad brought the conversion.
If you want professional-level insights, these tools are worth considering.
Step 3: Activating Rakuten in Your Dashboard
Once you’ve added links or code to your site, don’t forget the dashboard activation part.
Here’s how:
- Log in to your Rakuten Advertising account.
- Go to My Account → Websites.
- Add your website details (URL, niche, description).
- Apply for merchant programs (not all merchants auto-approve).
- Get the approved affiliate links and add them to your site.
That’s it you’re officially “activated” as a Rakuten publisher.
Step 4: Testing & Verifying Activation
Adding code is one thing. Making sure it works is another.
Here’s a quick testing checklist:
- Click on your Rakuten link in an incognito browser window.
- Complete a small test action (like adding to cart or checking out if possible).
- Log in to your Rakuten dashboard → Reports → Clicks/Conversions.
- Confirm your test activity shows up as “pending.”
👉 Note: Rakuten reports may take a few hours to update. Some conversions are marked as “pending” for 30–60 days until merchants confirm.
This is normal, so don’t panic if you don’t see instant approval.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Activation Issues
Sometimes things don’t go smoothly. Here are the most common issues and fixes.
1. Clicks not tracking
- Check if your affiliate link includes your Publisher ID.
- Make sure no redirects are stripping tracking parameters.
2. Conversions not showing up
- Some merchants only approve sales after return windows (up to 60 days).
- Ad blockers or cookie blockers may interfere. Test in a browser with no extensions.
3. Wrong site info in dashboard
- Update your website details under Account Settings.
4. Activation button confusion
- If you see “Activate” buttons in the Rakuten browser extension, remember that’s for shoppers not publishers.
👉 If you’re stuck, contact Rakuten support or use third-party trackers for better debugging.
Step 6: How Can You Earn from Rakuten?
This is where it gets exciting. You can earn in two ways:
- Shoppers earn cashback. (Not our focus here.)
- Publishers earn commissions.
As a publisher, you earn a percentage of every sale generated from your site. For example:
- Promote Macy’s via Rakuten.
- Visitor clicks your link and buys $100 worth of items.
- You earn a commission (say 8%, which is $8).
Multiply that by dozens or hundreds of transactions per month, and you can see how it scales.
Step 7: Compliance & Best Practices
To keep things safe and professional:
- Always display an affiliate disclosure on your site.
- Follow Rakuten’s Terms of Service (no spammy tactics).
- Get user consent for cookies if you’re targeting Europe (GDPR).
FAQs (Answering Google’s People Also Ask)
Q: How to activate Rakuten on browser?
A: Install the Rakuten extension, log in, and click “Activate Cash Back” when visiting partner stores.
Q: How to activate Rakuten?
A: Shoppers click the extension. Website owners activate Rakuten by adding links, codes, or plugins to their site via the Rakuten dashboard.
Q: Is Rakuten free to use?
A: Yes. Shoppers earn cashback for free. Publishers also join Rakuten at no cost and earn commissions on sales.
Q: Does Rakuten automatically apply?
A: For shoppers, coupons and cashback may auto-apply if the extension is active. For publishers, you must manually integrate Rakuten.
Q: How long does Rakuten take to confirm?
A: Clicks appear within hours. Sales may take 30–60 days to confirm depending on the merchant’s return policy.
Q: How can I earn from Rakuten?
A: As a publisher, you earn by placing Rakuten affiliate links or banners on your site. Each sale made through your link earns you a commission.
Bonus Tips for Higher Earnings
- Write reviews: Create product review articles with Rakuten links.
- Use banners: Place Rakuten banners in high-traffic spots on your site.
- Email newsletters: Add affiliate links to product roundups.
- Combine with SEO: Target long-tail keywords like “best budget laptops under $500” and monetize with Rakuten links.
Conclusion
Activating Rakuten on your website isn’t complicated once you know the steps.
- Sign up as a publisher.
- Add Rakuten links via plugins, code, or trackers.
- Activate and verify in your dashboard.
- Test, troubleshoot, and optimize.
Done right, Rakuten can become a reliable income stream for your website.
So go ahead activate Rakuten on your website today and turn your traffic into earnings.
