Viator Partner Program

The
Successful
Affiliate’s
Playbook
 Viator Partner Program

Table of Contents
Step 1: Research and Utilize SEO Keywords
P4-7
Step 2: Target Travelers Ready to Book
P8-10
Step 3: How to select and share experiences that
Convert P11-14
Step 4: Optimize Your Content for Conversions
P15-17
Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data
P18-22
Step 6: Keep your Content up to Date
P23-25
Key Takeaways
P26
Viator Partner Program

Introduction

Welcome to the Viator Affiliate program! We’re excited to have

you on board and look forward to helping you monetize your
travel recommendations. This playbook is designed to help
you navigate your journey as a blogging affiliate and provide
you with strategies to maximize your earnings. Read on to
learn key tactics and insider tips from our top bloggers to
promote your success.

03
Viator Partner Program

Step 1: Research
and Utilize SEO
Keywords

Why it matters
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the cornerstone of driving
organic traffic to your blog. By optimizing your content with the right
keywords, you can attract more visitors who are actively searching
for the information you provide. More visitors mean more potential
sales through your affiliate links, making SEO an essential strategy
for successful affiliate blogging.

04

Step 1: Research and Utilize SEO Keywords 04

 Use SEO Tools

Google This free tool from Google is excellent for finding

keyword ideas and seeing how they might
Keyword perform. It provides data on search volume and
Planner: competition, helping you choose the most
effective keywords for your content.

Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that offers

detailed insights into keyword difficulty, search
Ahrefs: volume, and the competitive landscape. It also
helps you analyze your competitors’ keywords to
find gaps and opportunities.

Uber Created by Neil Patel, Ubersuggest is a user-

friendly tool that provides keyword suggestions,
suggest: search volume, competition data, and even
content ideas based on your chosen keywords.

Step 1: Research and Utilize SEO Keywords 05

 Analyze Your
Competitors:

Identify Trending Keyword Analysis: Look at

Keywords: what keywords your

competitors are ranking for
using tools like Ahrefs or
High Search Volume, Low
SEMrush. Identify which of
Competition: Focus on finding
these keywords have high
keywords that many people are
search volumes but low
searching for but aren’t overly
competition.
saturated with content. This
increases your chances of
Content Gaps: Find topics that
ranking higher on search
your competitors haven’t
engine results pages (SERPs).
covered or haven’t covered
well. These gaps represent
Long-Tail Keywords: These are
opportunities for you to create
longer, more specific keyword
content that can attract and
phrases that often have lower
convert visitors.
competition. For example,
instead of targeting “Punta
cana tours,” you might target
“best snorkeling tours in Punta
Cana” Long-tail keywords often
attract more qualified traffic, as
they match more specific
search intents.

Step 1: Research and Utilize SEO Keywords 06

 Keyword Integration: Once you have identified your target

Optimize keywords, the next step is to integrate them into your

content effectively. This means placing keywords in strategic

Your Content locations such as titles, headers, meta descriptions, and

throughout the body of your content.

Title and Headers:

Title Tags: Your title tag is the most important place for your keyword. Make sure your main
keyword appears naturally in the title.
Headers (H1, H2, H3): Use your keywords in headers to structure your content and signal to
search engines what your article is about. For example, an H2 header could be “Top Budget
Travel Tips for Lisbon.”

Meta Descriptions:
Engaging and Keyword-Rich: Your meta description should include your primary
keyword and provide a compelling reason for users to click on your link. While
meta descriptions don’t directly affect rankings, they influence click-through
rates.

Content Body:
Natural Placement: Include your keywords naturally within the content. Avoid keyword stuffing,
which can hurt readability and SEO. Aim for a keyword density of around 1-2%.
LSI Keywords: Use Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords, which are related terms and phrases
that give context to your content. For instance, if your main keyword is “Bahama Shore excursions”
LSI keywords could include “Bahamas snorkeling” “Bahamas cruise experiences” and “Bahamas
downtown tour”.

Internal and External Links:

Internal Linking: Link to other relevant posts on your blog to keep readers
engaged and improve SEO. For example, if you have another post about the
Bahamas, link to it from your budget travel tips post.
External Linking: Link to high-authority sites for additional resources or
references (ex: Tripadvisor.com). This can improve the credibility of your
content and provide extra value to your readers.

Step 1: Research and Utilize SEO Keywords 07

Viator Partner Program

Step 2: Target
Travelers Ready
to Book

Why it matters
Travelers who are ready to book are highly motivated, and tailoring
your content to meet their needs can lead to more affiliate sales.
Engaging an eager to book versus a “just browsing” audience
significantly boosts your chances of converting visitors into buyers.

04

Step 2: Target Travelers Ready to Book 08

 Step 2: Target Travelers Ready to Book 09

Identify Buying Keywords:

Buying Phrases: Look for specific phrases that indicate a readiness to
buy. These often include terms like “best,” “top,” “budget,” or “discount.”

Search Intent: Focus on the intent behind the search. Keywords like
“best tours in Paris” suggest the user is looking for recommendations
and is likely to book a tour.

Integrate Keywords Naturally:

Titles: Make your titles descriptive and keyword-rich. For example, “Top
10 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam” is a compelling title that targets
users looking for activity recommendations.

Content: Use keywords throughout your article, but ensure they fit
naturally within the context. Overstuffing keywords can hurt readability
and SEO.
 Step 2: Target Travelers Ready to Book 10

Browsing
vs Buying
Keywords

BROWSING BUYING
KEYWORDS KEYWORDS
Best time to visit [place] Best tours in [place]
[Place] in winter Best things to do in [place]
Is [place] dangerous? Itinerary for [place]
Is [place] affordable? Unique things to do in [place]

Example Browsing Example Buying

Keywords In Action Keywords In Action

Find out the best time to visit “Discover the best tours in
Bali and enjoy perfect Puerto Rico and make the
weather.” most of your visit!”
“Is Bali dangerous? Here’s “Here are the best things to do
what you need to know before in Amsterdam for a perfect
you go.” vacation.”
Viator Partner Program

Step 3: How to
select and share
experiences that
convert
Why it matters
Choosing the right experiences to promote can significantly impact
your conversion rates and overall earnings. By recommending highly
desirable activities and attractions, you cater to your audience's
interests and increase the likelihood of them booking through your
affiliate links. Here’s how to effectively select and showcase
experiences that convert well.

04

Step 3: How to select and share experiences that convert 11

 SELECTOR
Recommending Specific Experiences

Personalized Recommendations: One of the most effective ways to

convert visitors is to provide tailored recommendations for specific
experiences. Use the Viator selector tool to find high-converting
experiences that align with your blog's content and audience preferences.

Create your Links

Use Tags to Filter for Excellent and High
Converting Experiences: Once you’ve found the experience you’d like to
recommend, simply click the “create a link”
button on the top of your screen
Categories: Filter experiences by categories
such as “classes and workshops” or “outdoor
You can then place these links wherever you
activities” to niche down to the type of
want, and they never expire!
experience you’re looking for.

Our cookies will follow travelers who come in

Ratings and Reviews: Prioritize experiences
through your links for 30 days, so anything they
with high ratings and numerous positive
book on Viator, you’ll earn commission on. And
reviews. These indicators build trust and appeal
if they click another one of your links, the 30
to potential bookers.
days resets!

Step 3: How to select and share experiences that convert 12

WIDGETS
Recommending Multiple Experiences

Incorporating Viator widgets into your blog allows you to

showcase multiple experiences dynamically. These
widgets update automatically based on Viator’s latest
data, ensuring your content remains current and relevant.

Benefits of Using Widgets:

Visual Appeal: Widgets pull in photos from Viator’s site, making your blog post
more visually engaging. High-quality images can entice readers to click and book.

Updated Content: The widgets are constantly updated with the latest data from
Viator, including availability and pricing, which keeps your recommendations
accurate and timely.

Diverse Options: Displaying multiple experiences provides your readers with a

variety of choices, increasing the chances that they’ll find something they’re
interested in booking.

Step 3: How to select and share experiences that convert 13

SHOP
Organize ALL Your Recommendations with one link

Centralized Discovery: Viator Shop feature allows you to

create a personalized recommendations page on Viator.
This page can serve as a central hub for all your
suggested experiences, making it easier for your audience
to explore and book.

Benefits of Viator Shop:

Easy Navigation: Your audience can browse all your curated recommendations in
one place, simplifying their decision-making process.

Personal Branding: Customize your Viator Shop to reflect your niche and
categorize experiences by destinations you specialize in or common categories of
experiences you recommend.

Social sharing optimization: Share your shop link via social media, newsletters,
email signatures and more! With a single link you open up a world of possibilities
for your audience to book.

Step 3: How to select and share experiences that convert 14

Viator Partner Program

Step 4: Optimize
Your Content for
Conversions

Why it matters
Even with high traffic, your efforts can fall short without
conversions. Engaging and well-optimized content is key to turning
visitors into buyers. Here’s how to make your content work harder
for you:

Step 4: Optimize Your Content for Conversions 15

MAKE YOUR LINKS STAND OUT

Bold or Underline Links:

Bold Text: Highlighting your affiliate links by bolding them
makes them more prominent within your content. This helps
them stand out from the rest of the text, grabbing the reader’s
attention.

Underline Links: Underlined text is universally recognized as a

clickable link, making it clear to your readers that the
highlighted text is something they can interact with.

Create Link Buttons:

Visual Appeal: Buttons are visually more appealing than regular
text links. They can draw the reader’s eye and invite more
clicks.

Call to Action (CTA): Use compelling CTAs like Reserve Now

Find Out More or Book Here on your buttons to encourage
immediate action.

Customization: Design buttons that match your site’s aesthetic

for a seamless integration. Use contrasting colors to make them
pop without clashing with your overall design.

Step 5: Optimize Your Content for Conversions 16

 PLACE LINKS STRATEGICALLY
Strategic placement of affiliate links can significantly impact
conversion rates. Here are some tips on where to place your
links for maximum effect:
Ex: See best tours in Puerto Rico Here
Top of the Article:
Immediate Access: Some readers come to your site with the
intention of making a quick purchase. Placing affiliate links at
the top of your article provides immediate access for these
ready-to-buy visitors.

Within the Content:

Contextual Relevance: Place links within the body of your
article where they naturally fit. For example, if you’re discussing
the best hotels in Paris, embed your affiliate link within that
specific section.
Natural Integration: Ensure your links appear organic and
relevant to the surrounding content. This prevents them from
feeling forced or salesy, which can deter clicks.

At the End of the Article:

Lasting Impression: Readers who make it to the end of your

post are often highly engaged. Including affiliate links here can
capture those who have consumed all the information and are
ready to act.
Summary Links: Use the end of your article to summarize key
points and include affiliate links as part of the conclusion. This
reinforces your recommendations and prompts action.

Ex: Looking for more?

See all my Puerto Rico Recommendations

Step 5: Optimize Your Content for Conversions 17

Viator Partner Program

Step 5:
Understand and
Analyze your Data
Why it matters
By regularly examining performance trends and key metrics, you
gain valuable insights into what drives traffic and conversions on
your blog. Understanding these trends helps you refine your
content strategy, ensuring that you’re meeting the needs and
interests of your audience effectively.

Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data 18

 Your Viator Performance Trends
This report offers a detailed breakdown of your earnings, giving you a
clear picture of your traffic and booking performance.

Here are the key metrics and charts you’ll find in Performance Trends:

Gross Commission: Visitors:

Reflects your maximum gross The total number of unique visits
earnings based on bookings to an experience page through
made within a specific period. your link.

Purpose: Helps you see how much Purpose: Indicates how many people
money you’ve made over a certain are looking at your site content and
period clicking through to Viator

Gross Bookings: Visitor Conversion Rate:

The total number of bookings The ratio of bookings to visits,
made through your links, calculated as bookings divided
widgets, and banners across all by visits.
content.

Purpose: Measures the overall Purpose: Quantifies how effectively

success of your affiliate marketing you convert user interactions into
efforts. actual bookings.

*All the above metrics are dynamic based on the time frame and filters you pre-select.

Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data 19

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Filtering Your Reports

Narrow your focus to understand specific

aspects of your affiliate efforts.

BY DESTINATION BY SOURCE TYPE

Analyze performance in specific Identify which tools (API, Banners, Links,
locations (country, city, region). Widgets) generate your metrics.

BY CAMPAIGN: PRO TIP:

Use campaign tracking with unique names
Track the performance of specific
for easy performance analysis.
links you’ve grouped together

Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data 20

Time Based Analysis
Breaking down your performance data into smaller time
chunks helps you spot trends and patterns

TIME PERIODS BEST PRACTICES

Use default time period options (last
You can review data on a Monthly,
week, last month) for quick
Weekly, or Daily Basis:
comparisons.
Analyze your performance on
Look for Year-over-Year (YoY) data to
different time scales to identify
spot patterns.
trends and adjust your strategy.

Identify recurring patterns and

seasonality in your data.

Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data 21

Analyzing your Data
Identify patterns and insights by examining your data over time.

TRAFFIC TRENDS:
Spot seasonal variations to adjust your content strategy.
Compare content performance to see which attracts the most visitors.

ENGAGEMENT TRENDS:
Analyze user behavior with metrics like average time on page.
Identify high-engagement content to replicate success.

CONVERSION TRENDS:
Determine which pages convert best and analyze their elements.
Track high-performing products or experiences for focused promotion.

Step 5: Understand and Analyze your Data 22

Viator Partner Program

Step 6: Keep
your Content
up to Date
Why it matters
Regularly updated content maintains relevance and trust with your
audience, leading to higher conversion rates. When readers see that
your blog is current and accurate, they are more likely to engage
with your content and click on your affiliate links. Here’s how to
keep your content fresh and engaging:

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Step 6: Keep your Content Up to Date 23

Replace Broken Links:

Broken links frustrate users and can damage your

credibility. They also negatively impact your SEO,
as search engines favor sites with working links.

Link Alert
Use our Link Alert feature to find and replace broken links.

Link alert will notify you via email as well as on your Viator dashboard when
you are generating sessions to inactive experiences. Don’t worry, in the
meantime we direct your site visitors to similar experiences and you still
make commission on any bookings.

Add New Tours and Experiences:

New Additions: Whenever new experiences

become available, incorporate them into your
content. Viator is always adding new
experiences and travelers are often looking
for unique things to do.

Regular Checks: Set a schedule to review and update your content regularly.
This could be monthly, quarterly, or biannually, depending on your niche and
bandwidth.

Step 6: Keep your Content Up to Date 24

Update Existing Information:

Pricing Changes: Make sure to update any

information related to costs, such as admission
fees or tour rates. Keeping pricing accurate
ensures you don’t mislead your readers.

Reviews: If you find relevant tips in the reviews on

the product page update your content to give
your readers the inside scoop on the experience.

Reflect Social Content Virality:

Trending Topics: Stay in tune with what’s trending on social media in

your niche. If a particular destination, attraction, or activity is going viral,
make sure to highlight it in your content.

Leverage User-Generated Content: If your audience shares their

experiences or photos related to your recommendations, consider
featuring this user-generated content in your posts (with their permission
of course). This adds social proof and freshens up your content.

Step 6: Keep your Content Up to Date 25

 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Research and Utilize SEO Keywords: Optimize your
content to attract more visitors.

Target Travelers Ready to Book: Use buying keywords

to engage users ready to make a purchase.

Select High-Converting Experiences: Use Viator's

tools to recommend top experiences.

Optimize Your Content for Conversions: Make your

affiliate links stand out and strategically place them.

Analyze Performance Trends: Track your data to

refine and optimize your strategy.

Keep Your Content Up-to-Date: Regular updates

maintain relevance and trust.

Access Support: Our dedicated support team is here to help you with any questions or challenges.

Stay Updated: Keep an eye on our newsletters and updates for new tips, tools, and promotions.

Ready to
Log in to your affiliate dashboard, explore the tools and resources
available, and start implementing the strategies you've learned. The
Get Started? world is waiting for your recommendations!