If you’ve been thinking of starting a blog or have already jumped into blogging, you’ve come to the right place to find the best camera for blogging!

A key aspect to successful blogging is having eye-catching photos that engage your audience. To do this, you’ll need the right equipment.

But how are you supposed to choose when there are so many amazing cameras for bloggers – it can be overwhelming!

In this article, I’m going to talk about why it’s important to have a good blogging camera, how to find the best camera for blogging, and review 7 of the best cameras for bloggers.

PS – Don’t have time for a super in-depth camera search? Check out my pick for the overall best blogging camera, the Canon G7 X Mark III.

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. This helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.

Best Camera For Blogging – Canon G7 X Mark III

Not only is this camera affordable, but it’s ideal for bloggers. The Canon G7 X Mark III is known as being an excellent alternative to purchasing a DSLR.

It produces high-quality content and can work well in fast-paced environments, but doesn’t weigh you down or take up very much space. It is easy to use, lightweight, and has so many versatile features.

Canon G7 X Mark III shoots video in 4K at 30 frames per second, without any cropping!

It has amazing face detection and a swiveling screen so you can see yourself in selfies or while recording videos of yourself.

You can use the camera for streaming to Youtube live through wifi and it is also compatible with shooting vertically for things like IG stories and TikToks.

I have named the Canon G7 X Mark III as the best camera for blogging because its versatility doesn’t compromise quality. Plus, it’s affordable and you get a lot for what you pay.

Instead of sifting through hundreds of cameras for bloggers, here is a simple solution for you.

7 Best Cameras For Bloggers Overview

From least expensive to most, here is an overview of the blogging cameras that I suggest and will talk about.

• Panasonic Lumix ZS100
• GoPro 9
• Canon G7 X Mark II
• Canon EOS Rebel T7
• Sony A6400
• Nikon Z5
• Sony A7III

Why Is It Important To Find The Right Blogging Camera

One of the things that sets a blog apart from a regular website is that normally there is an element of personal touch.

You’re reading the opinions and advice of a particular person that you know runs the site.

As a blogger myself, I know how important it is to connect with your readers. One of the best ways to do that is to engage not only with words but visual aids too.

Many people learn and understand visually, so it’s essential to cover both in blog posts and pages. Images are crucial to keeping your audience informed.

Seeing photos of food, products, travel destinations, etc. is going to help them have a better picture of what you’re talking about. Plus, photos are great for breaking up long passages of text.

You might be thinking, ok yes images are important, but why do I need a specific camera for blogging?

Well, the answer to this is quality. Capturing beautiful images will you set you apart from the competition!

With ever-increasing technology, people have become more visually orientated, and when brands want to collaborate with bloggers, they often look for those with beautiful photos.

This can lead to many great things, like sponsored articles, being invited to amazing affiliate programs, etc!

Blogging means you will be creating content like blog posts, but there are usually other elements that go along with it like posting on Instagram and creating Pinterest pins. 

Promoting your content in different ways is very important to get people to visit your blog. When you have high-quality images, it becomes so much easier to edit and format for different uses.

Depending on if you need an image for a social media platform or a blog post, you need to format a photo in different ways.

For blogging, a big thing is to make sure your photo is an appropriate file size so it doesn’t slow down the webpage when it’s clicked on by readers.

Also, a key aspect to successful blogging is having eye-catching photos that engage your audience—and can even be repurposed later into a customized photo calendar or other creative keepsakes.

What Blogging Camera Is Best For You?

Blogging isn’t ‘one size fits all’ since different niches will have unique priorities!

I encourage you to think about what you will be blogging about specifically so you know what features to prioritize when searching for the best camera for blogging.

Make sure to check out my section below that gives a detailed breakdown of what to look for and how to find the best cameras for bloggers. Jump there now.

Reviewing The 7 Best Cameras For Blogging

If you’re trying to find the best camera for blogging that will fit your budget and needs, I’ve laid out a few different options. Here are my top 7 blogging camera suggestions!

Panasonic Lumix ZS100

With a very affordable price tag, the Panasonic Lumix ZS 100 is one of the best cameras for bloggers on a budget.

Just because it’s affordable, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack a punch! Some of the things that sell me on it are how lightweight and compact it is, while still offering 4K video and shooting photos at 20MP!

It also has great image stabilization, autofocus, electronic viewfinder, and LCD touch screen. For the price, you are getting pretty good quality.

This is a good camera to start with for blogging, especially if you only need something basic.

GoPro 9

If you’re looking for a more alternative option to traditional blogging cameras, the GoPro 9 could be for you.

In general, the small compact GoPro cameras are great for those bloggers going on extreme adventures.

Though the camera is small, the new GoPro 9 provides an upgraded quality that will be good for those who need something durable, waterproof, and lightweight.

Some of the upgrades they’ve made to this new model are longer battery life (trust me you want this!), better stabilization while shooting video, a screen on the front of the camera so you can see yourself, and of course the 5K video capability.

I would go with the GoPro 9 if you need something that goes as hard as you do but with maximum video and photo resolution.

Canon G7 X Mark III

The Canon G7 X Mark III is a great camera for blogging because it’s easy to use but doesn’t sacrifice quality!

It has a lot of modern features that can help you with the many different aspects of blogging.

It has a screen that can be rotated 180 degrees so you can see your selfie before taking it. This is also really helpful if you are recording a video of yourself.

The Canon G7 Mark III is great for shooting vertically, which most people need for mobile social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

It’s also handy for live streaming on Youtube because you can do it directly from the camera via wifi. It will look so much better than using your built-in laptop camera!

Since the Canon G7 X Mark III shoots at 30 frames per second (FPS) and has image stabilization, it will do well in fast-paced environments.

You can also shoot video in 4K at 30FPS without any cropping, which is good for what you are paying for. 

You can use this camera at home for creating content, but also works well in not-as-ideal environments too.

The Canon G7 X Mark III is well known for being an amazing replacement for a beginner/intermediate DSLR camera. The perks that you get are that it’s much lighter and very versatile!

Canon EOS Rebel T7

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great camera for blogging because it’s an affordable DSLR that gives you a lot of creative freedom and room to grow your photography skills.

If you aren’t familiar with the more technical side of photography, the Rebel T7 won’t break the bank so you can start learning!

You will be capturing images in 24 megapixels with an APS-C sensor so your photos will look different because they are taken with mirrors.

A 24 MP photo taken with a mirrorless camera will look different than one with mirrors, and it comes down to personal preference for which you like more!

My preference is mirrors, especially because I love using zoom and I find that mirrorless zoom just doesn’t cut it for me.

With the Canon EOS Rebel T7, you will be able to purchase other lenses later on when you want to keep expanding your photo skills.

You will also have the option to shoot in JPEG or RAW, which gives more freedom in the creative process.

It doesn’t have a great maximum burst rate, nor a lot of focus points, which is one of the inevitable things you sacrifice for a less expensive camera.

If your primary focus is learning how to create captivating images, but would still like video capability, then this Canon will work for you with the 1080p shooting.

The video recording isn’t the main focus here, it’s more of a side bonus.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 has wifi connectivity, a good ISO range, and long battery life. It’s very affordable and you get a lot for what you pay for.

Sony A6400

The Sony A6400 is known as one of the best cameras for blogging and for good reason!

This is another amazing mirrorless camera that covers a lot of areas that you need when blogging, especially when you are first starting.

It’s easy to use and produces quality content. It shoots in 24MP, it’s lightweight and good to use on the go, especially with its fast autofocus and great object tracking.

The Sony A6400 has an excellent ISO range, which means you will be able to capture good images even in low light conditions.

It has a swiveling screen and the video capabilities don’t let you down either with the 4K recording. The one downside of this blogging camera is that it doesn’t have image stabilization.

Nikon Z5

Do you already have photography experience? The Nikon Z5 is one of the more expensive cameras in this article, so I would suggest it for someone who isn’t a beginner anymore.

Since it is a more ‘serious’ camera with a full-frame sensor, you’ll notice it does weigh a bit more, but it’s still pretty portable and travel-friendly.

The Nikon Z5 shoots in 24 MP and has a large ISO range, which will be great in low light conditions. It also has a swivel screen, excellent image stabilization, and 273 focus points!

You won’t have to trade off on video either since it shoots in uncropped 4K. It doesn’t have a ton of lens options, so that is something to consider for the future.

This camera offers great value because you’re getting a lot of professional features at a reasonable price.

Nikon Z5 is a great camera for bloggers if they know for sure they will need a camera at this level of photography.

Sony A7III

If you are thinking in strictly photography standards, this is the most technical and advanced camera in this article.

It has a high price point, but for good reason. It is top of the line – it is definitely the best camera for blogging if you are already serious about photography.

The Sony A7III has a full-frame sensor and shoots in 24MP. It is a bit heavier, but that comes with the territory when you have a higher-tech camera.

Thankfully the battery has a long life, so that is nice for travel. The ISO range is impressive to say the least!

With this blogging camera, you’ll be able to capture stunning images in low-light conditions. 

The Sony A7III also has great image stabilization and a whopping 693 focus points!! You can use the semi-swivel screen for vlogging, and of course, you can capture in uncropped 4K.

Best Blogging Camera Accessories

• Memory Card
• External Hard Drive
• Photography Cleaning Kit
• Camera Backpack
• Tripod
• Camera Microphone
• Remote control
• Gimbal (if you plan on doing a lot of video content)

How To Find The Best Camera For Blogging

A camera that you would need for your family vacation is not the same as what you need for blogging, so you’ve come to the right place to figure out what you do need. 

Of course, it depends on your niche, but there are some general things to remember when looking for the best camera for blogging. Let’s go over the basics.

Weight & Size

When it comes to cameras, if you have something easy and lightweight, you’ll be more likely to use it.

If you’re an experienced photographer, you will be used to carrying around a camera, especially something larger like a DSLR.

If not, carrying a big camera can be a hassle and take some time to get used to. Now depending on your blogging niche, you might have different weight and size priorities.

As an example, if you are a food blogger that primarily shoots at home, the weight won’t be a big deal for you.

For me as a travel blogger (especially one that loves outdoor adventures), I have to consider weight and size closely.

No matter what you specialize in, a general rule of thumb is to make sure to get a blogging camera that is lightweight.

Megapixels

This word gets thrown around a lot! Against popular belief, the higher the megapixels do not necessarily mean your photos will be better.

As a blogger, you use your photos for a lot of different things, so you don’t have to be in either extreme. Low-megapixel photos aren’t going to work, but also too high is going to be overkill.

You should try to have a camera that captures in 10-24 megapixels. Anything above 24 megapixels is for professionals, so in cameras for bloggers, it’s not necessary.

Plus as the megapixels go up, the photos will take up more and more digital space on your computer/hard drive.

Maximum Burst Rate

Maximum burst rate is a fancy way to say how many photos you can take per second.

If you plan on taking fast shots, like something involving action, then you will need a higher burst rate so you don’t miss the perfect shot.

Usually, more expensive blogging cameras will have higher burst rates. If you know you’ll be capturing high-speed scenarios, make sure to check the burst rate.

Image Stabilization

I’m sure you can tell why a stable image is important. You can’t do too much if your images are blurry.

Image stabilization comes in handy if you’ll be taking your camera on the go.

If you plan to primarily take photos by physically holding the camera (compared to using a tripod), then this is a must-have feature for finding the best camera for blogging.

Auto Focus & Manual Focus

You might be wondering what the importance is and differences of camera focus modes. Autofocus stands for automatic focus because the camera focuses automatically for you.

Autofocus reads the scenario you’re trying to capture, then focuses on what it thinks is important.

This is great because it makes photography easier and helps in situations where you need to snap a photo quickly.

You don’t have to worry about not getting this feature since it’s the default/standard focusing option on modern cameras. 

What you should know is that there is a time and place for manual focus. Having this feature means you have more control over what will be the subject of the photo.

Manual focus gives you the power to decide more on how the photo will look. Being able to switch between autofocus and manual focus will give you more freedom when creating images too.

Low Light Performance

Will your blogging photos sometimes need to be captured in darker situations? When there’s not a lot of light around, this is what can be referred to as ‘low light’.

Just like our eyes need light to see, the camera also needs enough to piece together an image.

To ensure you get the best camera for blogging in low light, pay attention to the ISO range because this shows how sensitive the camera is to light.

An ISO of 100 or 200 is what will be used in perfect conditions (like a sunny day).

As there’s less light, the ISO will need to be higher. It’s pretty normal to see a blogging camera with an ISO range of 100-1600.

Camera Sensor

As I just talked about ISO, another thing to keep in mind is the size and capability of a blog camera’s sensor. The sensor is the part of the camera that reads the scenario and captures the light to make an image.

After all, the word ‘photography’ means, drawing or writing with light. Since the sensor is the powerhouse of the camera, it’s important to get a good one.

Usually, the larger the camera sensor, the better photo quality you will have. Unfortunately, bigger sensors are more expensive and bulky.

Finding a camera sensor in the middle ground (lightweight but still good quality)  is important for getting the best camera for blogging.

Here are some common sensors that you will see, Type 1, Micro Four Thirds, APS-C, and Full Frame.

Video & Audio Quality

Are you interested in videography? If you’re new to blogging, maybe you’re still getting a handle on it.

If this is the case, think about the future. Do you think you’ll ever need videos for social media?

What about short promotional videos to put into blog posts? Or maybe later on you’ll start a Youtube channel?

If that sounds like you, make sure to get a hybrid blogging and vlogging camera. Not only should it capture crisp images, but easy to start recording as well.

The camera should shoot in 4K resolution and have a good internal microphone.

If it’s not a great microphone or you want a camera that doesn’t have one at all, you can always get additional external audio equipment.

Just be sure to look and see if it has an audio port (the plug that connects the extra equipment to the camera) since some cameras don’t have them.

Tilting/Flexible Screen

A small but important feature to pay attention to is the camera screen. Though you’ll probably look through the viewfinder to take photos, a screen allows you to review the photos in real-time.

So if something is wrong, you assess and retake the photo. Also, if you plan to do video, have a high-quality, flexible, LCD screen.

Having a screen with flexibility will be useful if you ever need to film yourself because the screen can be adjusted so you can see the recording.

Lens Availability/Selection

I know it might seem strange and premature to think about more lenses for your blogging camera, but you should for the future.

Some cameras for bloggers won’t have the option to switch lenses but a lot do. You might be thinking, why would I want more camera equipment?

Well having a camera that can switch lenses is great because you have the freedom to be more creative.

You have more control over how images turn out – once you start having more photography experience, you can take on a new lens!

Plus, the camera body that you get is important, yes. But it’s the lenses that are most important.

If you plan on pursuing photography beyond the basics, you should check what other lenses will be compatible and their price and availability.

Different Types Of Cameras For Bloggers

Point & Shoot – Best For Beginners

As the name implies, point-and-shoot cameras are meant to be simple and convenient. They are small, lightweight cameras that primarily shoot in automatic mode.

This means you have less control over how the image turns out because the camera is using automatic focus, automatic shooting, automatic flash, and the lens is fixed (it only has one lens and you can’t remove or switch it).

Point and shoot are great cameras for bloggers that aren’t concerned with learning about photography, but still want to get decent photos.

They perform best in good lighting (eg outside on a sunny day), but if you’re inside with man-made light or any low light situations, then the photos might not be the best.

These can be the best camera for blogging if you need something affordable and easy to use.

Mirrorless – Best Of Both Worlds

Mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror to capture the image, rather the camera sensor gathers information for the photo electronically.

When using a mirrorless camera, the exact image is shown on the digital display, and usually, that is what you look at before you take the photo.

Some do have a viewfinder that looks similar to what’s on DSLR cameras, but it will show you the same image as what’s on the digital screen.

Since these blogging cameras don’t have mirrors, they are a lot smaller, more compact, and lightweight, when compared with DSLRs.

Mirrorless cameras are more advanced than point and shoot because the lenses aren’t fixed. This means the camera body and camera lenses are separate, which is similar to DSLR.

Though you can switch lenses for mirrorless cameras, there are still fewer options than DSLR cameras.

Also, mirrorless can be great cameras for bloggers because they are a good middle ground for capturing both photography and videography.

Pros Of Mirrorless

• Small, compact, & lightweight
• More control over how the images turn out, compared to point and shoot
• Great for both photos and video
• Not as expensive as DSLRs

Cons Of Mirrorless

• Short battery life
• Usually not as many lenses options as DSLR cameras
• Can take a few seconds to turn on, so it’s not ideal for fast situations
• Smaller camera sensor, which means images are lower quality

DSLR – Best For Advanced Photography

DSLR stands for ‘digital single-lens reflex’ camera. These can range from amateur to professional cameras.

Inside the body of the camera, there is a mirror that reflects the light by using a prism or additional mirrors so you can see what you will take a photograph of when looking through the lens, hence reflex.

Pros Of DSLR

• Ability to change a variety of settings for the perfect shot
• Feels like a real camera, especially for those with large hands
• Unparalleled durability and weather-resistant
• Very long life span (my first DSLR, a Nikon D3000, worked well for over a decade)

Cons Of DSLR

• Weight and size get annoying on long shoots
• DSLRs are bulky & can take up a lot of space in your bag

Common Questions About Cameras For Bloggers

What’s the best camera for blogging in 2022?

The Canon G7 X Mark III is known as being an excellent alternative to purchasing a DSLR.

It produces high-quality content and can work well in fast-paced environments, but doesn’t weigh you down or take up very much space. The Canon G7 X Mark III is the best camera for blogging in 2022.

What type of camera is best for blogging?

It depends on your budget and blogging goals!

If you plan to learn more about photography as you go and want complete control over how your images turn out, I would suggest going with at least a mirrorless camera, if not a DSLR.

Do I need a camera to start a blog?

No, you do not need a camera to start a blog! It is possible to get things set up without a blogging camera, by using free stock images.

Eventually, I would suggest getting a good camera for blogging though, because it will infinitely elevate your blog content!

What lens do bloggers use?

Bloggers will use a lot of different lenses depending on the situation and their budget for photography equipment.

The standard lens that bloggers would use is the one that comes with almost all DSLRs, the 18-55 lens.

How Much Is A Blogging Camera?

There are blogging cameras for every budget, so it depends on what you can afford. Another thing to consider is what you need.

If you aren’t familiar with photography and don’t plan on getting that into it, you probably don’t need a high-tech camera. Blogging cameras start around $300 to $400 and go up from there.

Final Thoughts

I hope that this guide has helped you in your search for the best camera for blogging.

I know it can be a tough choice, especially since there are so many great blogging cameras out there.

Try to focus on what you need out of the camera, so you don’t end up overspending on features that you really don’t need. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below!

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Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer us a little commission for any purchases made. I was also compensated to create this content, but the opinions are 100% my own.

Tailwind Create, in its most simple form, is an image tool that allows you to customize your images in the formats needed for Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Tailwind takes those images and allows you to share them, by putting them into an optimized schedule.

This is so you don’t over-post since that can be seen as spammy. They also find the optimal times to publish your images.

This helps your content get seen by as many people as possible.

Big, experienced bloggers use Tailwind, but it’s also perfect for those who have just started or are thinking about starting a blog.

Originally, Pinterest and Instagram were easy to understand. You create an image, put in your keywords or hashtags, and post. 

You could take images from Instagram, change them slightly and upload them to Pinterest without any downside but that’s different now. Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?

What Is Tailwind Create?

Tailwind Create is a multi-platform image creation tool that optimizes images for the big three traffic drivers; Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

It is utilized with your Tailwind account to then schedule those images to Pinterest and Instagram while giving you a downloaded copy for your Facebook.

It gives you everything you need and in bulk if necessary, to build your platform’s traffic easily and understandably.

Due to the automated way it works, it allows you to worry-free create images that meet the algorithm used by your social platforms.

Simply put, making small changes to Tailwind Create can help you create fresh, new images. This fixes one of the biggest problems people face on Pinterest.

If you haven’t been convinced, keep going, it only gets better.

Why Tailwind Create Is So Helpful

Lately, Pinterest has made it known that they love fresh content. Gone are the days of re-pinning the same viral pin for months and months!

Thankfully, making new content doesn’t have to take up all of your time.

Here are a few reasons why Tailwind Create eliminates the need to spend hours making unique pins.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

As a content creator, most of my time is taken up by research, writing, working my way through the minefield that is the technical side of any blog, images, and search engine optimization.

Only after all of this can I think about promoting the post on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Tailwind Create allows me to create in bulk, save my templates and even switch out images and keyphrases.

Not only that, it allows me to do it with optimized versions for all of the above. After setting it up just one time, you have templates saved and ready to use every time.

As an example, Tailwind Create is great for pinning to Pinterest group boards because you can avoid being repetitive and create fresh, engaging content!

Huge Time Saver

As mentioned above, social media and Pinterest algorithms change constantly.

This can cause major issues with content creators who spend most of the year creating images for a system that can change at any moment.

Tailwind Create automatically has the changes updated in the background.

You can seamlessly create and post images that meet the algorithm’s settings. Simply create and publish, every time.

Perfect Integration

Up until recently, Tailwind as a platform was only really known for its Pinterest tools. Now, this has changed drastically.

Tailwind Create comes as part of your Tailwind subscription, meaning once your images are saved and downloaded you can effortlessly schedule them the moment you are happy with your results.

All of your images are downloaded as a copy to your computer and you simply need to post.

Is Tailwind Create Free?

Tailwind recently made a huge change to their pricing plans that have a lot of tailwind users jumping for joy.

Tailwind Create is included in your subscription fee for Tailwind.

This includes the ‘Free Forever’ plan, allowing you to create and utilize the Tailwind Create service completely free of charge if you sign up for any of the above plans on Tailwind. 

So yes, Tailwind Create is free! You won’t need to add debit/credit card details since it isn’t the ‘Tailwind free trial’ that has been advertised in the past.

Their $0 plan will be free forever with no hidden charges, which is exactly why it’s called ‘Free Forever’!

How Much Does Tailwind Create Cost?

A detailed breakdown of the price of different Tailwind plans.

Free Forever – $0

• 20 posts per month to publish on Pinterest and Instagram
• 20 Tailwind Create posts to use every month. 
• 5 Tailwind Communities with 30 submissions per month. 

Pro Plan – $14.99/ month or $119.88/year ($9.99/month paid annually)

• Pro Plans include 1 Pinterest account and 1 Instagram account
• Publish 100 posts per month and use Tailwind Create to make 200 posts per month across all platforms 
• 5 Tailwind Communities with 30 submissions per month

Advanced Plan – $29.99/month or $239.88/year ($19.99/month paid annually)

• 2 Pinterest accounts and 2 Instagram accounts 
• Publish 1,000 posts per month and can make unlimited Tailwind Create posts 
• Unlimited access to Tailwind Communities

Max Plan – $59.99/month or $479.88/year ($39.99/month paid annually)

• 3 Pinterest and 3 Instagram accounts
• Unlimited publishing, unlimited Tailwind Create posts, and Unlimited Communities. 

Now that the Tailwind pricing is out of the way I want to show you exactly how it works.

Creating Pins With Tailwind

Once your account is created and you have logged in simply click the Tailwind Create Button on the left panel. It looks like a paintbrush.

Once here simply click the green button that says “Start New Design”.

Setting Up Your Personal Tailwind Create Portfolio

This is where you set up your portfolio. Your “Destination Link” is the link specific to the page you wish to promote.

In our example above, we put in our domain name and click on ‘Site Photos’. Tailwind reviews the link and grabs the photos that are associated with this page and imports them to Tailwind.

Alternatively, you can select the ‘Stock Photo’ option and find photos best suited for you or upload fresh new photos as needed. 

The ‘Title’ option allows you to customize the wording that appears on your images. 

Designing In Tailwind Create

In the design section, you have complete control over everything you want to do with your image. On the left side panel you have multiple options:

Photos

This allows you to choose which photo to use from the designated photos previously. Each photo can be used on any template and can be moved to fit it by simply clicking the photo and dragging it.

Text

This is where you can alter the text shown on the specific image selected. 

Color Palettes

This area allows you to change the colors and tones of each section of the image. This allows you to match your brand to your images. 

Branding

Want your company name or logo showing on your images? This is where you do it.

Not only that, but if you click the ‘Post Type’ drop-down menu on the upper left, you can select between Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to change the type of image created to suit the requirements of the platform.

Once you are done click ‘Select’ on the photos you wish to upload and ‘Review your selection’ as seen here.

Once done, you have the option to download your images to use how you like or go directly to scheduling them through your Tailwind account. 

Final Thoughts

Tailwind Create shocked me with its simplicity. You have a lot of customization options that let you stay true to your brand.

Having the option to create multiple images automatically formatted for Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and then instantly be able to schedule them through Tailwind, has made this a must-have tool for me! 

Tailwind Create is truly a game-changer for bloggers. Start your free account with the ‘Free Forever $0 plan now!

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Nowadays there are affiliate travel programs for almost any product, service, or membership!

Finding the best affiliate travel programs can be difficult because what works for one blogger, might not work for the next.

To make it as a travel blogger in 2022, you have to do things very differently than you would of 5 years ago.

It’s not enough to have an inspirational travel blog, there already millions of those, with more being created every single day.

If you haven’t started a blog, but are thinking about it, make sure to check out these 8 important questions to ask yourself before starting a blog.

What Are Affiliate Travel Programs?

If the term ‘affiliate’ isn’t something you’d know off the top of your head, that’s okay. I don’t think most people would use it in their day-to-day lives!

You might have heard that a sports star is ‘affiliated’ with Nike, which might help you to know that it just means there is a connection.

Being an ‘affiliate’ for a company is similar. If a blogger applies to an affiliate travel program, you are not an employee, but you do enter into an agreement with the company. 

It means that you will recommend their product or service to your audience through a trackable link. 

This means the company will get traffic from your blog, where some readers might even end up making a purchase.

They will know the purchase came from your blog because of the unique link. The company will then give you a commission based on the sale that was made.

Best Affiliate Programs For Travel Bloggers Just Starting Out

Since global tourism made 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019, it’s safe to say it’s one of the biggest industries in the world.

The plethora of travel affiliate programs to choose from can actually be overwhelming, especially as a travel blogger just starting out!

As a new travel blogger myself, I’ve tried out quite a few of what some big bloggers consider as the ‘best affiliate programs for travel’.

The problem with these programs is that they don’t work very well with new blogs anymore.

I’ve found that people are tired of reading the same old travel guides with generic information and recommendations that you can find almost anywhere online.

Those might have cut it back in the day, but not in 2022.

Many are looking for out-of-the-box travel ideas like hidden places to go and different ways to travel!

This is what I try to focus on, so I can bring new and relevant suggestions to my audience.

I don’t claim that the list below has the best affiliate travel programs for every single blogger, because that would be impossible.

These affiliate travel programs are just the ones that work well for me!

Need some tips on how to choose between programs?

Scroll down to 3 tips on how to pick the best affiliate travel programs as a new travel blogger.

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. These commissions help me continue to offer helpful tips. Thank you so much for your support.

Travel Accommodation

One of the most important parts of traveling is where you are going to stay. Your travel accommodation can make or break your trip!

Since it’s one of the biggest travel expenses too, it’s a huge aspect when planning a trip or getaway. 

My audience on maptrekking loves to hear about alternatives to hotels, so that is a large part of my content.

Here are my best affiliate travel programs for accommodation.

1. Trustedhousesitters

Trustedhousesitters is the world’s largest platform for housesitting. It has more house sits than all other housesitting sites in the world.

I recommend Trustedhousesitters because it’s a way to stay in local neighborhoods, save money when traveling, and gives the opportunity to have a unique, slow travel experience.

This is one of the best affiliate travel programs I’ve tried!

Not only does my audience respond well to learning about an alternative travel accommodation, but the program gives a commission, starting at $3 per signup, for every free account that is made. 

This is an amazing aspect because I’ve never seen any other affiliate travel programs give anything for people making free accounts.

Of course, you get a better commission (starting at 20%) if someone purchases a 1-year membership, prices starting at €119.

Since it’s a bigger purchase, fewer people tend to upgrade their free account.

If you’re interested in joining the Trustedhousesitters affiliate travel program, read more about.

2. Worldpackers

Worldpackers is a work exchange site that enables you to volunteer around the world in exchange for free accommodation (and sometimes other perks like food, free tours, etc).

A 1-year membership fee is $49 and if your readers sign up through your affiliate link, they get $10 (USD) off and you get a $10 commission. That’s a 20% commission rate!

If you are interested in trying it out, sign up for Worldpackers with my link or use my Worldpackers promo code, MAPTREKKING.

I was invited into the Worldpackers affiliate program, so if you are wanting to join, I’d recommend emailing rodolfo@worldpackers.com to inquire.

3. Workaway

Workaway is another work exchange site that is similar to Worldpackers. The main difference is that Workaway has 50,000+ hosts around the world, while Worldpackers has almost 10,000.

A Workaway affiliate program has been recently started, but I think it is by invite only. I received an invitation to join, so now I receive $4 for every sign-up.

If you’d like to inquire, I’d recommend emailing alicia@workaway.info.

If you’re not able to join, you can sign up for Workaway and then get a ‘refer a friend’ link. This means you can invite people to become a Workawayer or Workaway host.

The Workawayer will get 1 month of free membership (Workaway hosts don’t pay a fee so they don’t get anything) and you get 3 months of free membership added to your account as well!

Since I am an official affiliate, when you sign up with my link, you receive 3 months of free Workaway, instead of only 1!

4. Homestay.com

Homestay is basically an Airbnb alternative that focuses on staying in a local’s home with locals. 

Airbnb used to be like this but has turned into a site to simply rent accommodation, whereas Homestay offers more of a cultural immersion experience.

I use the ‘refer a friend’ link on my personal Homestay account so my readers can get €20 off their first booking, and I also get €20 of free credit! 

Also, if someone signs up to be a host with my link, I get €80 of free credit after they have their first guest!

I am a part of the Homestay.com affiliate program too so I can get a 30% commission when people book a homestay through my affiliate link.

You can sign up for their program directly on Homestay.com.

5. Booking.com

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Booking.com doesn’t need an introduction! 

Though it doesn’t fit that well with my slow travel niche, sometimes do need to use Booking links here and there.

Honestly, my audience responds a lot better to Trustedhousesitters and work exchange sites!

The affiliate program isn’t too revolutionary. It has a 4% commission that you receive after the stay has been completed. You can join the program on Awin (it is pretty difficult to be accepted as an affiliate directly with Booking).

Travel Gear

With whatever travel niche you decide to do, you should be able to do guides on what travel gear to purchase. If your blog is all about hiking, you make winter hiking gear, summer hiking gear, etc.

As an example, a lot of my content involves traveling slowly, so I put together an amazing packing list for long-term travel.

Here are some of the best affiliate travel programs for travel gear.

6. SafetyWing

Now if you are creating a travel blog around being a digital nomad and long-term travel, SafetyWing is the perfect insurance provider.

They have travel medical insurance coverage that works well for general traveling but also those that are location-independent.

SafetyWing was created by people who are nomads themselves. They wanted to create reliable and flexible insurance that covers online freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote companies, etc. 

They have also expanded to be able to offer comprehensive health insurance! 

Besides all of the amazing innovations I spoke about above, SafetyWing also has a very sleek affiliate program portal. It’s easy and functional, which makes a world of difference.

They offer a 10% commission too. If you become a SafetyWing affiliate with my referral link, you will get a $100 bonus when you make your first sale and $500 bonus after 5 sales!

7. Etsy

As a travel blog that tries to promote sustainability and responsible travel, it can be difficult to create travel gear or gift guides.

I try to encourage people to buy local souvenirs (ones that are actually made locally) to support the local economy.

Of course, I do still need to suggest items available online.

Not only is it the most accessible way for people to find the right gear, but it helps us out with a little bit of extra income.

If you don’t know already, Etsy is an online store where people can list everything under the sun. It is most known for having homemade/handmade products! 

This is great because it allows you to support small businesses all over the world, and you get really unique products.

They also offer a 5% commission. You can join the Etsy affiliate program on Awin here!

8. Amazon Associates

Even though recommending travel gear through a company like Amazon isn’t my favorite thing to do, the hard reality is that a majority of people prefer it.

Amazon commission rates can vary depending on what category it’s in, like shoes or electronics. 

The nice thing is that if someone purchases one item that you recommend, you get a commission from everything else that they purchase with it!

Check out the Amazon affiliate program here.

Travel Experiences

There as so many different travel affiliate programs for finding unique experiences. Here are some of the best affiliate travel programs for immersive travel experiences.

9. Eatwith

Eatwith is an online platform that has unique food experiences. 

Usually, the food experiences go along the lines of visiting a local market for fresh ingredients before being taught how to make traditional food in a local’s home.

These are great for me to promote since the experiences give direct business to the locals rather than huge international tour companies!

You can join their affiliate program on the Awin network.

10. Viator

Another massive travel platform is Viator. They have good name recognition which makes sense because they have thousands of travel experiences all over the world.

My favorite part of being in the Viator affiliate travel program is that I can put a customizable widget in my articles. 

This means I can choose what I want to show to my audience, which is perfect because I like to pick out experiences that are run by locals!

Their commission is 8% through the Viator affiliate program. If you aren’t accepted, try joining on Awin network or ShareASale (it’s a 4% commission though).

Travel Affiliate Networks

Signing up for affiliate travel programs isn’t always as simple as going onto a company’s general website.

Many companies will have their separate affiliate portal or even go through affiliate networks. Affiliate networks act as the ‘middle man’ between you (the affiliate) and the company.

Though it might seem ridiculous to have a middle man, it can actually make things a lot easier for you.

Affiliate networks can have hundreds and sometimes thousands of companies on their network.

If you are planning to apply to multiple affiliate travel programs, then you can do it all in one place.

Some travel affiliates will make you jump through a bunch of hoops to apply, so the perks of being on a network are that you only have to do that once when you apply for a network account.

Plus, if you are trying to generate affiliate links from different companies to insert into a blog post, it is extremely helpful to only have to login into one account to get them!

11. Awin

Since Awin has many companies that I love on its network, it makes it incredibly convenient to generate links. In just their travel category alone, they have 745 companies!

Many of the affiliate travel programs I talked about earlier are on Awin like Trustedhousesitters, Booking.com, Etsy, and Tripadvisor.

12. ShareASale

This is a smaller affiliate network that was acquired by Awin. ShareASale has a lot of great companies that you can be a part of, with over a hundred in the travel category.

How To Pick The Best Affiliate Travel Programs As A New Travel Blogger

Many blogging articles on affiliate marketing claim that it’s the key to becoming a big-time blogger.

They talk about how they made thousands in income through people clicking on their links to purchase a product or service.

Most of the time what they fail to mention is that it doesn’t happen overnight.

They’ve probably been blogging for years so they will have grown a large audience and a website with high authority.

The reality for new bloggers (like you and me), is that I don’t have those things (yet).

Plus, growing a faithful blog audience and building a high authority website in 2022 is very different from when the now big bloggers started out like 5 to 10 years ago.

Learn how to build your website’s authority through SEO!

Here are some essential tips for new bloggers to remember as they are searching for affiliate travel programs to join.

Stay True To Your Niche

Like I’ve mentioned before, having a general travel blog won’t cut it in today’s world. It is imperative that you choose to have a niche within the travel industry.

On Maptrekking, I focus on helping travelers slow down to be immersed in local culture.

I talk about different ways to do this, like finding alternative travel accommodation or volunteering with work exchanges.

My goal is to become an authority in slow travel so if someone wants to learn how to have deeper travel experiences, they think of my site!

Of course, when you have a specific niche, it limits what affiliate travel programs you can use.

As an example, I promote slow travel because it is a way to limit your negative tourism footprint – while still getting to see the world and have unique experiences.

Slow traveling means things like taking transport that’s better for the environment and supporting the local economy by eating at local restaurants and staying in local accommodation.

Hopefully, it makes sense why it would be quite backward of me to then be a part of huge hotel travel affiliate programs. 

I can’t say that you should slow travel but then promote stays at massive hotels and resorts (these don’t support the local economy at all).

Start Small To Avoid Being Overwhelmed

Even if you have a ton of different affiliate travel programs to choose from that also fit in your niche, it’s important to start small!

Think about the very best travel affiliate programs that would fit with your niche, that you are passionate about, and that you’ve (preferably) used in the past. 

Only apply for like 3 of these at first so you don’t get overwhelmed. Applying for programs can take work to set up initially, so setting up 20 different affiliate travel programs would be a lot of effort.

By only having a few of the best affiliate travel programs that suit your niche and passions, you get the hang of affiliate marketing without being overwhelmed by being involved in 20 programs. 

Having only a few programs can also be helpful to plan your content around whether a post will be more of an affiliate post or informational post.

What I mean, is that before you start writing, you should know the goal of your post. 

Is it to simply inform your reader about a topic? This would probably have only a few affiliate links if any at all. 

Or is it to help the reader make a hard decision to purchase something? This would be like comparing two different types of travel insurance.

Whereas if you are a part of tons of different programs, it can be hard to choose what to focus on.

Plus, putting affiliate links into your content can take time to get used to since you want to learn to do it as naturally as possible. 

It’s better to have fewer links/fewer programs since you don’t know how your audience will respond yet. In the beginning, less is more!

Focus On Unique, Informative Content

The reality of making money from travel affiliate programs is that it’s based on how many people read your articles. 

I don’t think I understood this when I first started out. For some reason, I thought if I put affiliate links into my article, many people would click on them.

Now that I’ve been around the block a time or two, I realize that a very small percentage of readers will click on a link – and then an even smaller percentage of those people will actually make a purchase.

So it just makes sense that the more readers you have, the more chance that you could make something.

This is why it’s important to not get caught up in the fact that you aren’t making ‘thousands’ like the big bloggers claim to be making.

Instead, focus on helping your readers by answering questions in your niche – ones that no one else is answering! 

Making unique and informative posts will help your blog stand out and build trust with your audience. 

Then as you place affiliate links within the article naturally, you’ll have a higher success rate of people taking your advice to buy or purchase. Remember, people buy from those they trust!

Final Thoughts

Finding the best affiliate travel programs that fit your blog specifically is so important.

I hope my suggestions and tips can help any new bloggers that are struggling to find unique affiliates to be a part of.

So what do you think – did I cover all of the best affiliate programs for travel bloggers just starting out?

Let me know if you have any other suggestions in the comments.

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