Tier 2 Countries in Affiliate Marketing

While everyone obsesses over Tier 1 markets like the US and UK, savvy affiliate marketers are increasingly turning their attention to Tier 2 territories – and discovering impressive returns on investment.

These Tier 2 regions – countries like Brazil, Poland, Mexico, Malaysia and parts of Eastern Europe – occupy a valuable middle ground in the affiliate landscape. They combine growing digital economies with significantly lower traffic costs compared to saturated Western markets.]

What makes these territories particularly attractive is the math: traffic often costs 50-70% less than in Tier 1 countries, yet conversion rates remain competitive. This cost-effectiveness creates opportunities for affiliates priced out of more established markets.

Success requires understanding regional differences in payment systems, cultural preferences, and consumer behavior. But for marketers willing to adapt their approach, these emerging markets frequently outperform the hyper-competitive Tier 1 space.

Defining Tier 2 Market

When marketers mention “tiers” in affiliate marketing, they’re just grouping countries by economic status and conversion potential. What is a Tier 2? It refers to countries that fall between high-value Tier 1 markets and lower-income Tier 3 regions. Unlike strict classifications in other industries, this system is quite flexible.

Tier 2 countries typically share these key characteristics:

• Developing Digital Economies – These regions have growing middle classes with increasing disposable income and expanding internet access.
• Moderate Conversion Rates – Not as high as Tier 1, but significantly better than Tier 3 territories.
• Reasonable CPA Costs – Acquisition expenses that sit comfortably between premium and budget markets.
• Growing E-Commerce Adoption – Rising comfort with online payments, though not yet universal.
• Competitive CPM/CPC Rates – And costs that offer much better value than saturated markets.

The Tier 2 countries list can vary depending on who you ask, but most marketers include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Poland, Hungary, Malaysia, Thailand, and parts of the Middle East.

What makes these markets interesting is their rapid growth. A Tier 3 country five years ago might now be a strong Tier 2, and some Tier 2 regions are edging closer to Tier 1 as their digital infrastructure and consumer spending power expand.

Unlike the clear-cut wealthy vs. developing world division you might expect, the affiliate marketing tier system is more nuanced – focusing on the specific combination of traffic cost versus conversion potential that determines actual profitability.

Key Characteristics of Tier 2 Countries

The line between Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets isn’t fixed, but some clear patterns set them apart. Knowing these differences is key for affiliates wanting to expand beyond familiar territory.

Tier 2 countries stand out in several important ways:

Characteristic	Details
📈 Economic Development Stage	While Tier 1 regions boast fully developed economies, Tier 2 countries are in that exciting growth phase. Think of places like Brazil, Poland, or Malaysia – economies with momentum but not yet at Western European standards..
💸 Traffic Cost Sweet Spot	Here’s where things get interesting. Advertising to these audiences typically costs 40-60% less than Tier 1 regions, yet conversion rates might only be 25-30% lower. That math often works out in the affiliate’s favor.
⚔️ Competition Landscape	Tier 1 markets are saturated with marketers fighting over the same audiences. Tier 2 territories offer more breathing room, with fewer competitors bidding up traffic costs.
📡 Digital Infrastructure	Unlike Tier 1’s seamless broadband and mobile coverage, Tier 2 regions have good but not universal connectivity. Mobile optimization becomes even more critical here.
💳 Payment Processing Differences	While credit cards dominate Tier 1 regions, Tier 2 countries often have unique payment preferences – from cash vouchers in Latin America to mobile payments in Southeast Asia..

The most successful Tier 2 marketers don’t just copy-paste strategies from Tier 1 campaigns. They recognize these markets have different spending patterns, cultural triggers, and technical considerations. What works in Germany or Canada often falls flat in Brazil or Turkey without significant adaptation.

For many partners, the lower barrier to entry in Tier 2 countries in affiliate marketing provides a perfect testing ground to refine approaches before taking on more expensive Tier 1 territories.

Which Countries Are Considered Tier 2 Traffic?

The Tier 2 landscape is incredibly diverse – spanning multiple continents and economies at different stages of digital development. What these markets share is that sweet spot of solid conversion potential without the premium price tags of Tier 1 traffic.

At G.Partners, we’ve built relationships with programs specifically designed for these valuable Tier 2 regions:

• Brazil stands as Latin America’s powerhouse, combining a massive population with rapidly improving digital adoption. Brazilian users convert exceptionally well with Slottica, BetBoom, and our recently added Blaze program.
• Greece offers that perfect blend of European spending power with more reasonable traffic costs. Our partners Quickwin and Wildsino have cracked the code on engaging Greek audiences effectively.
• Hungary has become a Central European conversion machine. Partners consistently report outstanding results running Hungarian traffic to Dolly, Cashed, and 5Gringos offerings.
• Slovakia remains something of a hidden gem in the affiliate world. Both Legiano and Quickwin have fine-tuned their funnels specifically for Slovak users.
• Turkey represents one of the largest opportunities, with its massive population straddling European and Asian markets. Leon has established itself as the go-to option for converting Turkish visitors.
• UAE delivers near-Tier 1 conversion rates at significantly better prices. AmunRa specializes in this lucrative region with tailored promotions that resonate with this unique audience.

Our network is constantly expanding with new offers targeting these valuable markets. Check out our full selection on the G.Partners website and sign up today to start capitalizing on these underserved but highly profitable Tier 2 opportunities.

How to Effectively Engage with Tier 2 Countries

Success in Tier 2 markets demands more than simply translating Tier 1 campaigns. These regions require strategic adaptation, but reward marketers with substantially higher ROI.

Top performers in these markets focus on:

Focus Area 🌟	How to Implement 📋
Deep Localization	Adapt cultural references and tone beyond mere translation. Content that resonates in one Tier 2 country often fails in another without proper cultural alignment.
Mobile Optimization	Many users in these regions are mobile-first or mobile-only. Ensure campaigns perform flawlessly on smartphones with variable connection quality.
Local Payment Solutions	Each market has unique payment preferences. Accommodating these options significantly boosts conversion rates.
Regional Pricing Strategy	Adjust offers to match local economic conditions while maintaining profitability.
Enhanced Trust Elements	Developing markets require stronger reassurance. Local testimonials and regional trust markers dramatically improve performance.

The real opportunity lies in establishing your presence while these markets are still evolving. While competitors battle over costly Tier 1 traffic, these overlooked regions often deliver superior returns. 

Challenges for Affiliate Marketers in Tier 2 Countries

Let’s not sugarcoat it – while Tier 2 markets offer exciting opportunities, they come with their own set of hurdles. Smart affiliates go in with eyes wide open about these challenges rather than learning the hard way after burning through their ad budget.

Here’s what you should prepare for when targeting these emerging markets:

• Payment Processing Complexities – Higher card decline rates and the necessity for integrating alternative payment methods common in Tier 2 regions.
• Regulatory Uncertainty – Ambiguous or rapidly changing rules around advertising and promotions across different Tier 2 markets.
• Economic Realities – Lower customer spending power requiring carefully adjusted offers that maintain profitability despite smaller average order values.
• Technical Limitations – Varying internet speeds and less reliable tracking methods requiring technical optimizations and alternative approaches.

These challenges aren’t deal-breakers – they’re reality checks. Successful affiliates view them as opportunities to develop specialized expertise that gives them an edge over competitors who stick exclusively to easier but more saturated Tier 1 territories.

Market Potential in Tier 2 Countries

The affiliate landscape is shifting rapidly, and Tier 2 countries represent one of the most exciting frontiers for marketers willing to venture beyond the usual territories. These regions sit at a fascinating intersection – developed enough for solid conversion rates but not yet saturated with competition.

Several factors make these markets particularly promising for forward-thinking affiliates:

• Accelerating Digital Adoption – The pandemic dramatically sped up e-commerce acceptance across Tier 2 regions. What might have taken five years of gradual change happened in months, creating unprecedented opportunity.
• Rising Middle Class – Countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Malaysia are seeing significant growth in their middle-class populations – the sweet spot for many affiliate offers.
• Improving Infrastructure – Payment systems, delivery networks, and internet connectivity continue advancing rapidly, removing previous barriers to conversion.
• Underdeveloped Competition – Many niches that are impossibly competitive in Tier 1 markets remain relatively open in Tier 2 regions, creating blue ocean opportunities.
• Increasing Multinational Interest – Major brands are expanding aggressively into these markets, creating partnership opportunities for affiliates who establish themselves early.

The numbers tell a compelling story too. While conversion rates might be 10-30% lower than in Tier 1 countries, traffic costs can be 50-70% less expensive. This math creates situations where ROI can exceed what’s possible in more developed markets.

The question isn’t whether Tier 2 marketing represents valuable affiliate opportunities – it’s whether you’ll be among the marketers smart enough to capitalize on them before everyone else catches on.