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Best GEOs for affiliate campaigns in 2026
Choosing a GEO while setting up your campaign is one of the most crucial parts of the whole process. And there is no guesswork as to why that is. A GEO can perform well with Push and look completely different with Direct Click or OnClick, and vice versa. Beyond the format itself, you also have the vertical, device type, and competition level to consider before choosing. So there really is no single best, all-fitting GEO… most of the time.
You’ve probably seen that most GEO guides start with a classification. And usually it goes something like this: Tier 1 is expensive but also has a higher purchasing power, Tier 3 is about sheer volume, and Tier 2 is a mix of both. And while this classification is not necessarily wrong, it definitely oversimplifies things. Yes, Tier 1 traffic is usually more expensive across formats, but higher cost doesn’t guarantee better results. When choosing a GEO, you have to consider the entire setup.
Using RollerAds traffic data, we put together the combinations that currently perform best. Below we break down where Direct Click, Push, and OnClick work strongest, which verticals fit, and what average bids look like.
About Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 GEOs
The Tier system serves as a baseline classification for traffic in terms of market maturity, purchasing power, competition, and traffic cost. For affiliate marketers, it is a convenient starting point, but it still doesn’t reflect the likelihood of success for any single campaign.
USA, Germany, and France are usually placed in Tier 1 lists because of their high spending. For affiliate marketing, those markets are associated with higher payouts, though competition is higher and there's little room for error. Tier 3, on the other hand, is usually described as markets with higher volumes and lower costs, as well as emerging markets with a higher share of the mobile segment, primarily Android.
Now, for a very important note: according to our data, both Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets are highly underrated. Southeast Asia’s successes are no news by now, but Asia and Latin America are going strong, delivering scalable campaigns. India, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China show up again and again across all three formats.
Of course, Tier 1 remains a solid choice despite all the changes in other markets. The USA, Germany, and Japan often pay better per conversion. For Finance, Software, and VPN offers, the higher payouts can easily justify the higher CPC. Many media buyers simply run a mix—Tier 1 for margin and Tier 2/3 for volume and testing.
Most promising GEOs for Direct Click
Direct Click delivers solid click volume at low-to-moderate CPC and works on both mobile and desktop.
China remains the clear leader. Average CPC sits around $0.03, with roughly 60% of traffic coming from Android. Entertainment and Software & Extensions convert best. Mobile-first campaigns continue to accelerate here, especially with multifunctional apps that put users in a high-intent state before they see the creative. Talk to your manager—this market has some specifics.
Brazil is the reliable LATAM option when you want diversification. CPC averages $0.039. Software, VPNs, and Extensions all work. Prioritize mobile.
The United States sits near $0.022 CPC despite the Tier 1 label. Competition is high, and users are somewhat ad-blind, which is exactly the problem Direct Click was designed for. Software, VPNs, and Extensions perform best. Lead with mobile, but don’t ignore desktop.
India and Indonesia offer big volumes at very low CPC (roughly $0.003–$0.06). Both work for Surveys and Entertainment. India also takes Extensions well; Indonesia is strong with Sweepstakes. In Indonesia, it often pays to run mobile and desktop together.
Vietnam and Japan both average around $0.01. Entertainment and Software lead. Vietnam is solid for Surveys. Japan is a strong VPN market with two quirks: it favors iOS over Android, and desktop takes a large share of traffic. Adjust accordingly.
Germany and France fall in the middle of Tier 1, at $0.011–$0.02. They work well for Finance, Entertainment, and Software, which makes them a flexible choice when you’re running a mix of offers. Mobile traffic leads the way, but desktop still matters, especially in Germany.
The Philippines is one of the cheapest entries at about $0.008. Traffic is overwhelmingly mobile and Android. Entertainment leads, but Finance and Surveys perform better than many expect because the audience responds well to lead-generation and reward offers.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with China and Brazil for volume and test Entertainment and Utility offers on Android. Keep a couple of proven campaigns running while you experiment and never switch everything at once.
Most promising GEOs for Push notifications
Push is still the go-to format for many affiliates who want to build their skills. It’s flexible and hard to overlook, and a solid creative can convert well whether the user is on mobile or desktop.
India offers scale almost without trying. CPC is low, around $0.005. It remains a consistent top performer across verticals, with Entertainment and Finance as the safest starting points.
Indonesia averages about $0.048. Entertainment and Nutra work particularly well.
Brazil continues to deliver strong conversions in Entertainment, Software, and similar categories.
Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Nigeria are scattered geographically but similar in practice—high volume at good testing prices. The Philippines and Bangladesh stand out most. Entertainment and Nutra perform strongly in Bangladesh and the Philippines; Entertainment and Finance work better in Pakistan and Nigeria.
The United States and France are typical Tier 1 markets. They bring lower volume but higher CPC, around $0.21 and $0.10. Demand remains stable. These markets work well for more premium Software offers, while France is also a strong option for Finance.
For scaling in 2026, India, Indonesia, and Brazil are the three markets we’d look at first.
Most promising GEOs for OnClick
OnClick (Pop ads) works on both mobile and desktop and usually delivers strong impression-to-click ratios. CPM varies widely, from $0.1 to $3.5, so pricing can differ dramatically even within the same format.
India is the best value play here, with a $0.1 CPM and huge impression volume. Entertainment, eCommerce, and Software are the verticals to start with.
Brazil continues to deliver plenty of impressions, though its CPM is on the higher side at $3.5. Mobile offers in Entertainment, VPNs, and Software tend to perform especially well.
Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam all give you solid volume at reasonable CPMs. Entertainment and eCommerce lead the way. Egypt is strongest for Sweepstakes, Indonesia for Surveys, and Vietnam for Software. Southeast Asian markets in general tend to work well with pop-style formats.
The United States, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain sit at the higher end of the CPM range, but they often bring a faster return on investment. Entertainment performs best in the US, Italy, and France. Finance works across Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. VPNs do well in France, Germany, and Spain.
India and Brazil have the largest volumes, but their CPMs sit at opposite ends of the scale. For limited budgets, India, Egypt, or Indonesia are the more affordable testing grounds.
Best GEOs by affiliate vertical
Looking at the same data by vertical reveals clearer patterns.
Entertainment is the most consistent vertical across almost every top GEO and all three formats. Software and Extensions follow closely and only drop out in a few markets.
More specialized verticals:
You’ve probably seen that most GEO guides start with a classification. And usually it goes something like this: Tier 1 is expensive but also has a higher purchasing power, Tier 3 is about sheer volume, and Tier 2 is a mix of both. And while this classification is not necessarily wrong, it definitely oversimplifies things. Yes, Tier 1 traffic is usually more expensive across formats, but higher cost doesn’t guarantee better results. When choosing a GEO, you have to consider the entire setup.
Using RollerAds traffic data, we put together the combinations that currently perform best. Below we break down where Direct Click, Push, and OnClick work strongest, which verticals fit, and what average bids look like.
About Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 GEOs
The Tier system serves as a baseline classification for traffic in terms of market maturity, purchasing power, competition, and traffic cost. For affiliate marketers, it is a convenient starting point, but it still doesn’t reflect the likelihood of success for any single campaign.
USA, Germany, and France are usually placed in Tier 1 lists because of their high spending. For affiliate marketing, those markets are associated with higher payouts, though competition is higher and there's little room for error. Tier 3, on the other hand, is usually described as markets with higher volumes and lower costs, as well as emerging markets with a higher share of the mobile segment, primarily Android.
Now, for a very important note: according to our data, both Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets are highly underrated. Southeast Asia’s successes are no news by now, but Asia and Latin America are going strong, delivering scalable campaigns. India, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China show up again and again across all three formats.
Of course, Tier 1 remains a solid choice despite all the changes in other markets. The USA, Germany, and Japan often pay better per conversion. For Finance, Software, and VPN offers, the higher payouts can easily justify the higher CPC. Many media buyers simply run a mix—Tier 1 for margin and Tier 2/3 for volume and testing.
Most promising GEOs for Direct Click
Direct Click delivers solid click volume at low-to-moderate CPC and works on both mobile and desktop.
China remains the clear leader. Average CPC sits around $0.03, with roughly 60% of traffic coming from Android. Entertainment and Software & Extensions convert best. Mobile-first campaigns continue to accelerate here, especially with multifunctional apps that put users in a high-intent state before they see the creative. Talk to your manager—this market has some specifics.
Brazil is the reliable LATAM option when you want diversification. CPC averages $0.039. Software, VPNs, and Extensions all work. Prioritize mobile.
The United States sits near $0.022 CPC despite the Tier 1 label. Competition is high, and users are somewhat ad-blind, which is exactly the problem Direct Click was designed for. Software, VPNs, and Extensions perform best. Lead with mobile, but don’t ignore desktop.
India and Indonesia offer big volumes at very low CPC (roughly $0.003–$0.06). Both work for Surveys and Entertainment. India also takes Extensions well; Indonesia is strong with Sweepstakes. In Indonesia, it often pays to run mobile and desktop together.
Vietnam and Japan both average around $0.01. Entertainment and Software lead. Vietnam is solid for Surveys. Japan is a strong VPN market with two quirks: it favors iOS over Android, and desktop takes a large share of traffic. Adjust accordingly.
Germany and France fall in the middle of Tier 1, at $0.011–$0.02. They work well for Finance, Entertainment, and Software, which makes them a flexible choice when you’re running a mix of offers. Mobile traffic leads the way, but desktop still matters, especially in Germany.
The Philippines is one of the cheapest entries at about $0.008. Traffic is overwhelmingly mobile and Android. Entertainment leads, but Finance and Surveys perform better than many expect because the audience responds well to lead-generation and reward offers.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with China and Brazil for volume and test Entertainment and Utility offers on Android. Keep a couple of proven campaigns running while you experiment and never switch everything at once.
Most promising GEOs for Push notifications
Push is still the go-to format for many affiliates who want to build their skills. It’s flexible and hard to overlook, and a solid creative can convert well whether the user is on mobile or desktop.
India offers scale almost without trying. CPC is low, around $0.005. It remains a consistent top performer across verticals, with Entertainment and Finance as the safest starting points.
Indonesia averages about $0.048. Entertainment and Nutra work particularly well.
Brazil continues to deliver strong conversions in Entertainment, Software, and similar categories.
Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Nigeria are scattered geographically but similar in practice—high volume at good testing prices. The Philippines and Bangladesh stand out most. Entertainment and Nutra perform strongly in Bangladesh and the Philippines; Entertainment and Finance work better in Pakistan and Nigeria.
The United States and France are typical Tier 1 markets. They bring lower volume but higher CPC, around $0.21 and $0.10. Demand remains stable. These markets work well for more premium Software offers, while France is also a strong option for Finance.
For scaling in 2026, India, Indonesia, and Brazil are the three markets we’d look at first.
Most promising GEOs for OnClick
OnClick (Pop ads) works on both mobile and desktop and usually delivers strong impression-to-click ratios. CPM varies widely, from $0.1 to $3.5, so pricing can differ dramatically even within the same format.
India is the best value play here, with a $0.1 CPM and huge impression volume. Entertainment, eCommerce, and Software are the verticals to start with.
Brazil continues to deliver plenty of impressions, though its CPM is on the higher side at $3.5. Mobile offers in Entertainment, VPNs, and Software tend to perform especially well.
Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam all give you solid volume at reasonable CPMs. Entertainment and eCommerce lead the way. Egypt is strongest for Sweepstakes, Indonesia for Surveys, and Vietnam for Software. Southeast Asian markets in general tend to work well with pop-style formats.
The United States, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain sit at the higher end of the CPM range, but they often bring a faster return on investment. Entertainment performs best in the US, Italy, and France. Finance works across Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. VPNs do well in France, Germany, and Spain.
India and Brazil have the largest volumes, but their CPMs sit at opposite ends of the scale. For limited budgets, India, Egypt, or Indonesia are the more affordable testing grounds.
Best GEOs by affiliate vertical
Looking at the same data by vertical reveals clearer patterns.
Entertainment is the most consistent vertical across almost every top GEO and all three formats. Software and Extensions follow closely and only drop out in a few markets.
More specialized verticals:
- VPN—Brazil, USA, Germany, France, Spain, plus Japan as a strong outlier on Direct Click.
- Finance—Germany, France, the Philippines, Italy, and Spain on the premium side; India, Pakistan, and Nigeria for volume.
- Surveys—India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines (reward-based mechanics fit these audiences well).
- eCommerce—India, Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam, mostly through OnClick.
- Sweepstakes—Indonesia on Direct Click, Egypt on OnClick.
- Nutra—Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, primarily on Push.
Source: RollerAds blog
Key takeaways for your strategy
If volume is your main goal, focus on India, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China. These markets give you serious scale without costs getting out of hand.
For a better balance of quality and payout, look at the USA, Germany, France, and Japan — especially for Finance, Software, and VPN offers.
Entertainment and Software & Extensions travel well across almost all top GEOs. VPNs, Surveys, Finance, Sweepstakes, and Nutra come next. Even “universal” offers still need localization: mobile dominates in Asia and LATAM, and creatives work better with local faces and language than with machine-translated copy.
Android is the sensible default in most places simply because it’s everywhere. Japan is the loudest exception.
Overall, Southeast Asia and Latin America look set to offer the best scalability for Push, OnClick, and Direct Click in 2026, with China growing even faster. Test small before committing serious budget and let the numbers decide whether a GEO deserves to scale. Sometimes the market is fine, and the creative is the problem.
If the data ever stops making sense, reach out to your account manager or support team. Register on RollerAds and see which of these markets your offers actually like.
Key takeaways for your strategy
If volume is your main goal, focus on India, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China. These markets give you serious scale without costs getting out of hand.
For a better balance of quality and payout, look at the USA, Germany, France, and Japan — especially for Finance, Software, and VPN offers.
Entertainment and Software & Extensions travel well across almost all top GEOs. VPNs, Surveys, Finance, Sweepstakes, and Nutra come next. Even “universal” offers still need localization: mobile dominates in Asia and LATAM, and creatives work better with local faces and language than with machine-translated copy.
Android is the sensible default in most places simply because it’s everywhere. Japan is the loudest exception.
Overall, Southeast Asia and Latin America look set to offer the best scalability for Push, OnClick, and Direct Click in 2026, with China growing even faster. Test small before committing serious budget and let the numbers decide whether a GEO deserves to scale. Sometimes the market is fine, and the creative is the problem.
If the data ever stops making sense, reach out to your account manager or support team. Register on RollerAds and see which of these markets your offers actually like.