Tier 2 Affiliate Marketing: Benefits, Risks, and Best Strategies
Hey! Push.House here 👋
Looking for GEOs where you don’t need Tier 1-level budgets — but also don’t want the unpredictability of Tier 3? Then Tier 2 might just be your sweet spot. It’s the perfect zone for affiliates who want steady profits, room to scale, and a lot less competition.
At Push.House, we see affiliates crushing it in Tier 2 markets every single day. So here’s your ultimate breakdown:
Which countries make up Tier 2
What verticals work best
What can go wrong — and how to avoid it
Ready to level up? Let’s go.
What is Tier 2?
Tier 2 is a loose group of countries with solid digital infrastructure, growing economies, and accessible audiences. These markets sit between Tier 1 (developed, expensive) and Tier 3 (developing, low-CPC, min budget).
People in Tier 2 countries are used to online payments and don’t bounce at the sight of a checkout form. They’re also less burned out by ads — making them ideal for moderate budgets and flexible testing across verticals.
Why go for Tier 2?
Tier 2 gives you the best of both worlds: reasonable entry costs + solid profit potential.
Here’s why affiliates love it:
- Affordable CPCs – You can run tests, collect data, and validate funnels without burning thousands.
- More engaged users – These audiences aren’t ad-fatigued. They’re curious, clicky, and more open to trying new things.
- Diverse audience base – You’ll find both young and older users, so campaigns can be tailored for all kinds of segments.
- Vertical flexibility – Nutra, dating, antivirus, even gambling — almost anything works here if you play it smart.
The challenges you’ll face
Tier 2 isn’t a perfect market and there are some pecularities:
- Localization is a must – If your ad doesn’t feel local, it won’t convert. Language and cultural fit matter.
- Behavior varies by country – What works in Romania might flop in Brazil. Always test before scaling.
- Different payment habits – Make sure your offer supports local payment preferences.
- Low brand awareness – Don’t rely on global brand names. Build trust through your funnel.
Tier 2 Countries (from most challenging to easiest)
| Country | Notes |
| Singapore | High CPC, small audience, heavy competition |
| Hong Kong | Language barrier, pricey traffic |
| Japan | Requires full localization, complex platforms |
| South Korea | Tough entry, Korean language, pricey traffic |
| Malta | Small market, expensive traffic |
| Cyprus | Limited reach, needs custom approach |
| Greece | Picky users, language matters |
| Russia | Huge market, high competition, unique flow |
| Turkey | Great engagement, must localize |
| Brazil | Massive market, requires Portuguese |
| Argentina | Big volume, unstable economy |
| Baltics (LV, LT, EE) | Small, but testable with tailored ads |
| Hungary | Mid-tier CPC, stable audience |
| Slovakia | Moderate entry, low costs |
| Romania | Great for testing, local language = win |
| Bulgaria | Cheap traffic, low competition |
| Serbia | Easy entry, local language helps |
| Croatia | Stable but small market |
| Belarus | Best for Russian-speaking offers |
| Ukraine | Big volume, political/economic instability |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Low competition, niche market |
| North Macedonia | Low entry, almost no competition |
| Montenegro | Tiny market, easy entry |
| Albania | Ultra-low CPC, needs smart approach |
| Moldova | Cheap traffic, basic offers work well |
| Andorra | Micro-audience, niche targeting only |
Top Verticals in Tier 2
- Dating – Works in almost every market with proper localization.
- Info products & subscriptions – Users are willing to pay for value or entertainment.
- Antivirus/software – Security offers convert well across most Tier 2 GEOs.
- Nutra – Needs polished creatives and credibility, but strong potential.
- Sweepstakes – Jackpot-style campaigns with bonuses perform great.
- Gambling/betting – Can work if your funnel is tight and your budget’s ready.
What to keep in mind
- Do your research – Understand each country’s culture, habits, and legal limitations.
- Use tracking – Break down traffic by GEO and device.
- Optimize fast – Tier 2 gives fast feedback. Test, adjust, repeat.
- Pick the right formats – Push, in-page push, native — all work well here.
- Budget smart – Leave room for fixes and scaling.
Who should start with Tier 2?
Tier 2 is a solid next step if you’ve already tested the waters in Tier 3 and want something more stable — without diving headfirst into the risks of Tier 1. It’s a great fit for:
- Beginners with some hands-on experience
- Those looking for the sweet spot between traffic cost and offer profitability
- Teams working with mid-difficulty verticals like nutra, subscriptions, or dating
- Anyone willing to localize flows and actively test creatives
Conclusion
Tier 2 is a smart, stable market with a ton of upside — especially if you’re working with a small-to-medium budget.
The key is not to copy someone else’s setup but build your own one. And remember — you run the funnel, the funnel doesn’t run you.
