How to Make Money with Temu for Beginners

If you've been searching for an easy way to make money online from home without spending a dime, then Temu might just be the platform right up your alley. We've tried survey apps, money making apps, and all kinds of websites to make money online. But Temu stood out due to its ease of use, great rewards, and fast shipping.

We're about to let in on a little secret to you. You can make money with Temu without paying a single cent. Today, we will tell you how to earn with Temu.

What is Temu?

Temu is incredibly similar to Amazon as an online shopping platform. You can find many fun and useful products at low prices. There's an affiliate program you can take advantage of by just sharing Temu links to earn commissions. Yup, Temu does pay! 

Whenever someone signs up through your link, you can get instantly credited $60, plus they'll get rewards too. More and more people are joining Temu and signing up, so it's a goldmine right now.  You can also win free products and coupons when you invite a lot of people onto the platform.

Where is Temu Available?

You can find Temu available in over 85 countries. Right now, Temu has a presence in the US, Colombia, Chile, UK, Brazil, Peru, Spain, France, Canada, Italy, India, Australia, Philippines, and many other places.

Where is Temu Restricted?

Despite Temu's wide global reach, there are several countries where the platform faces restrictions or outright bans. The most notable case is Indonesia, where the government banned Temu completely in October 2024. Indonesian authorities blocked the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store, viewing Temu as a threat to local small and medium-sized businesses. The government believed that Temu's direct-from-manufacturer model would flood the market with cheap imported goods, putting local entrepreneurs at risk.

Vietnam has also taken a hard stance against Temu. In December 2024, Vietnamese regulators ordered Temu to halt operations after the platform failed to register with local authorities by the required deadline. The Ministry of Industry and Trade demanded that Temu complete licensing procedures before resuming sales to Vietnamese consumers.

Uzbekistan provides another example of regulatory pushback. Starting March 2025, the country restricted access to Temu for failing to comply with registration requirements.

Even in Europe, Temu faces scrutiny. The European Commission has opened investigations into the platform's safety practices, expressing concerns about the influx of cheap, potentially unsafe products from China. Norway's government has indicated openness to banning Temu following studies that found toxic chemicals in various products sold on the platform.

What is the Temu Influencer Program?

The Temu Influencer Program represents one of the most accessible ways for content creators to start earning money online. This affiliate marketing initiative connects influencers with Temu's vast product catalog, giving them the tools to monetize their social media presence while promoting affordable products to their followers.

What makes this program stand out is its incredibly low barrier to entry. While many affiliate programs require thousands of followers, Temu accepts creators with just 300 followers on any social media platform. Whether you're active on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, or Facebook, you can apply to join and start earning commissions immediately.

The program works through a straightforward affiliate model. Once approved, you receive unique referral links and promo codes to share with your audience. When someone makes a purchase using your link, you earn a commission. The beauty of this system is that your followers also benefit from exclusive discounts - often up to 50% off regular prices.

How to Become a Temu Influencer

Getting started as a Temu influencer is refreshingly simple compared to other affiliate programs. The application process takes just a few minutes and doesn't require any upfront investment.

First, make sure you meet the minimum requirement of 300 followers on at least one social media platform. This could be Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, or Facebook. While 300 is the minimum, having 1,000+ followers on Instagram or TikTok will strengthen your application. For YouTube creators, you need at least 500 subscribers, and Pinterest users should have 1,000 monthly viewers.

Next, visit Temu's official influencer recruitment page and fill out the application form. You'll need to provide your social media handles, follower counts, and details about the type of content you create. The application review process typically takes up to one week, during which Temu evaluates your content quality, engagement rates, and alignment with their target market.

Once approved, you'll receive access to the influencer dashboard where you can browse product catalogs, generate affiliate links, track your performance, and monitor earnings. The onboarding process includes access to promotional tools, campaign opportunities, and your initial seeding balance for purchasing products to review.

Benefits of Being a Temu Influencer

The Temu Influencer Program offers several compelling benefits that make it attractive for content creators at all levels. The commission structure is particularly generous, with rates ranging from 5% to 20% depending on the order value. Orders under $50 earn 5% commission, purchases between $50-$99.99 earn 10%, and orders over $100 earn the full 20% commission rate.

Beyond standard commissions, the program includes new user incentives. You earn a fixed reward (typically around $5) whenever someone downloads the Temu app through your referral link and completes their first purchase. This bonus system can add up quickly if you're good at attracting new users to the platform.

Perhaps most exciting is the free product seeding opportunity. Approved influencers receive up to $300 worth of Temu products to use in their content creation. These aren't loans - they're yours to keep, review, and showcase to your audience. This benefit alone makes the program worthwhile for many creators who want to try products before recommending them.

The program also features leaderboard bonuses where top-performing affiliates can earn additional cash rewards based on their monthly performance. Some successful influencers report earning up to $100,000 per month, though individual results vary greatly based on effort, audience size, and content quality.

What is the Temu Affiliate Program?

The Temu Affiliate Program operates as a broader version of the influencer program, designed for bloggers, website owners, and digital marketers who want to monetize their online presence. While similar to the influencer program, it's specifically tailored for people who drive traffic through written content, email marketing, or paid advertising rather than just social media.

This program gives you the same commission structure and earning opportunities as the influencer program, but with additional tools for tracking and managing larger-scale promotional campaigns. You get detailed analytics, conversion tracking, and performance reports that help you optimize your marketing efforts.

The affiliate program particularly appeals to people running deal websites, coupon sites, or product review blogs. If you have an established website with steady traffic, you can integrate Temu affiliate links into your existing content and start earning immediately.

How Temu's Referral System Works

Temu's referral system operates on multiple levels, creating several income streams for active participants. The primary commission structure rewards you for direct sales generated through your unique links. Every time someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn between 5-20% commission depending on their order value.

The new user bonus system provides additional earning opportunities. When you refer someone who has never used Temu before, you earn a fixed reward once they complete their first purchase. This bonus typically ranges from $5-$60 depending on current promotions.

But here's where it gets interesting - Temu also offers secondary commissions through their recruiter program. If you invite other affiliates to join the program, you earn 20% of the commissions they generate. This creates a passive income stream that can grow significantly over time if you're good at networking with other content creators.

The system tracks everything automatically through cookies and unique identifier codes. When someone clicks your link, they're tagged as your referral for a specific period (usually 24-48 hours). Any purchases they make during that window count toward your commissions, even if they don't buy immediately.

How You Can Win Free Product Samples on Temu

Getting free product samples from Temu doesn't always require being an official influencer or affiliate. The platform offers several legitimate ways for regular users to obtain free products, though the selection tends to be more limited than what influencers receive.

The most straightforward method is through Temu's Free Items and Giveaways section, which you can find in their app or website. This section typically features 6-9 rotating products that users can claim for free, though you might need to pay shipping costs. Items often include small electronics, beauty accessories, or household gadgets.

New user promotions represent another opportunity. When you create a fresh Temu account, you automatically qualify for welcome gifts and substantial coupon codes for your first purchase. The platform regularly offers new users up to $100 in credits and free items as part of their customer acquisition strategy.

Other Cash Incentives Offered by Temu

Beyond product samples, Temu operates several cash incentive programs designed to encourage user engagement and loyalty. The daily check-in system rewards users with points that can be converted to cash credits or applied toward future purchases.

Group buying incentives offer another earning opportunity. When you organize group purchases with friends or family members, everyone in the group receives additional discounts, and the organizer often earns bonus credits or cashback. This social commerce model has proven particularly effective in driving sales while rewarding active users.

The platform also runs seasonal cashback promotions where users can earn percentage-based returns on their purchases. During major shopping events like Black Friday or Chinese New Year, these cashback rates can reach 10-15% of the purchase value, providing substantial savings for frequent shoppers.

Get Priority Exposure on Official Temu Channels

Active affiliates and influencers who demonstrate consistent performance can earn priority placement on Temu's official marketing channels. This includes features in email newsletters, social media highlights, and promotional campaigns that reach millions of potential customers.

Campaign participation represents the primary path to increased exposure. Temu regularly launches themed campaigns around holidays, seasonal trends, or product categories. Influencers who create high-quality content for these campaigns often receive extended promotion across Temu's channels, dramatically increasing their reach and earning potential.

The platform also maintains creator spotlight programs where successful affiliates are interviewed, featured in case studies, or highlighted as success stories. This type of exposure can lead to follower growth, brand partnership opportunities, and increased affiliate earnings over time.

To qualify for priority exposure, maintain consistent content creation, achieve above-average conversion rates, and actively participate in Temu's promotional campaigns. The platform rewards creators who view the partnership as a long-term business relationship rather than a quick money grab.

How to Make Money with Temu (Different Ways)

Temu offers multiple income streams that you can pursue individually or combine for maximum earning potential:

• Affiliate marketing remains the most popular approach, where you earn commissions by promoting products through social media, blogs, or email marketing.
• Product arbitrage presents another opportunity for entrepreneurial users. You can purchase deeply discounted items during Temu's flash sales and resell them on local marketplaces or social media platforms. While this requires upfront investment and careful market research, successful arbitragers report solid profit margins.
• Content creation services represent a growing niche. Many Temu sellers need product photos, videos, or written descriptions for their listings. If you have photography or writing skills, you can offer these services to busy sellers who lack the time or expertise to create compelling product presentations.
• Social media management for Temu-focused accounts has also emerged as a viable income source. Some creators build dedicated accounts that focus exclusively on Temu deals, product reviews, and shopping tips, then monetize through affiliate commissions, sponsored posts, or paid subscriptions.

How to Become a Temu Seller

Selling directly on Temu requires meeting specific requirements and going through a more rigorous application process than the affiliate program. Currently, Temu primarily accepts sellers from the United States, with limited expansion to UK and European markets.

US sellers can now register directly through the Temu Seller Center without needing an invitation code, though you must provide extensive business documentation. This includes business licenses, tax identification numbers, bank account information, and proof of your ability to fulfill orders promptly and professionally.

International sellers face more restrictions, with many regions still operating on an invitation-only basis. European sellers need VAT registration for each country they want to serve, plus compliance with local business regulations and consumer protection laws. The platform prioritizes sellers who can demonstrate reliable inventory, competitive pricing, and strong customer service capabilities.

How to Set Up Your Temu Store

Setting up your Temu seller account involves several critical steps that determine your long-term success on the platform. Business verification comes first, where you'll submit legal documentation proving your business legitimacy, including business licenses, tax information, and identity verification.

Profile optimization plays a crucial role in building customer trust. Create a professional store name, upload a high-quality logo, write a compelling business description, and ensure all contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Remember that Temu customers often compare shops, so your store appearance can influence purchase decisions.

Payment setup requires linking a business bank account that matches your registered business name. Temu processes payments through partners like Stripe and Hyperwallet, so ensure your account information is accurate to avoid payment delays. Most sellers receive payments within 7-14 business days after order completion.

Shipping configuration involves setting up your fulfillment methods, whether you plan to ship directly, use dropshipping services, or work with third-party logistics providers. Clearly define your shipping zones, delivery timeframes, and return policies to set appropriate customer expectations.

Types of Products You Can Sell on Temu

Temu accepts a wide variety of product categories, though success often depends on your ability to offer competitive pricing and reliable quality:

• Electronics and gadgets perform well, particularly phone accessories, smart home devices, and small appliances that offer good value for money.
• Fashion and accessories represent another strong category, including clothing, jewelry, bags, and seasonal items.
• Home and garden items consistently generate solid sales, especially organization solutions, decor items, and seasonal products. 
• Health and beauty products can be profitable but require extra attention to regulations and safety standards.

How to Choose the Right Products

It depends on market demand, competition levels, profit margins, and your ability to source or manufacture items cost-effectively. Market research should be your first step - use Temu's trending sections, Google Trends, and social media to identify products with growing interest.

Price competitiveness is crucial since Temu customers primarily shop for value. Research similar products on the platform and ensure you can offer competitive pricing while maintaining profitable margins. Remember that Temu's auction system means you'll often compete directly on price.

While Temu customers accept lower prices, they still expect products to match descriptions and function properly. Partner with reliable suppliers who can maintain consistent quality standards.

Holiday decorations, summer accessories, back-to-school items, and other seasonal products often have less competition and higher margins during peak demand periods.

Which Temu Products Should You Avoid?

Certain product categories present higher risks for new Temu sellers and should generally be avoided until you gain experience. Branded or trademarked items pose significant legal risks, as selling counterfeit goods can result in account suspension and potential legal action.

Electronics requiring safety certifications can be problematic if you can't verify compliance with US or international safety standards. Items containing lithium batteries, electrical components, or wireless connectivity often require specific certifications that many new sellers overlook.

Highly regulated products like cosmetics, supplements, toys for young children, or anything marketed for health benefits require extensive knowledge of applicable regulations. Non-compliance can lead to product recalls, legal liability, and account suspension.

Oversaturated categories with hundreds of identical listings make it extremely difficult for new sellers to gain traction. Phone cases, basic phone chargers, and generic jewelry often fall into this category, where success requires exceptional marketing or unique value propositions.

What is Group Buying on Temu?

Group buying represents one of Temu's most innovative features, borrowed from parent company Pinduoduo's successful model in China. This system allows customers to team up with friends, family, or other users to unlock additional discounts on products they want to purchase.

The concept is simple: instead of buying individually, customers can organize group purchases where everyone benefits from bulk pricing. The more people who join the group, the lower the price becomes for everyone involved. This social commerce approach has proven incredibly effective at driving sales volume while creating a sense of community among users.

For sellers, group buying can lead to massive order volumes in short periods. When a product gains traction in the group buying system, you might receive dozens or hundreds of orders within hours rather than the typical trickle of individual sales.

How Group Buying on Temu Works

The group buying process starts when a customer finds a product they want and chooses to initiate a group purchase instead of buying immediately. They can then invite friends through social media, email, or Temu's built-in sharing tools to join their group.

Discount tiers typically work on a sliding scale - groups of 2-5 people might receive 10% off, groups of 6-10 people could get 20% off, and larger groups might unlock even deeper discounts. The exact structure varies by product and current promotions.

Time limits create urgency and encourage quick decisions. Most group buying campaigns run for 24-48 hours, giving organizers limited time to recruit enough participants to unlock the best pricing tiers. This urgency often drives rapid social sharing and word-of-mouth promotion.

Payment processing occurs after the group reaches its minimum size and the time limit expires. If the group doesn't meet the minimum requirements, individual members can choose to complete their purchases at regular prices or cancel their orders entirely.

How Much Money Can You Make with Temu?

Earning potential with Temu varies dramatically based on your chosen approach, time investment, and marketing skills. Affiliate marketers report monthly earnings ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000, though results at the higher end typically require substantial audiences and consistent content creation.

New affiliates can reasonably expect to earn $50-$500 in their first month, assuming they actively promote products and have at least 1,000 engaged followers across their social media platforms. Building beyond this level requires strategic content creation, audience growth, and optimization of promotional tactics.

Experienced marketers with established audiences, email lists, or websites often see faster growth. Many report reaching $1,000-$5,000 monthly within 3-6 months of joining the program, particularly those who focus on specific niches like home organization, tech gadgets, or fashion accessories.

Sellers on the platform face different earning potential and challenges. Successful sellers often generate $10,000-$50,000 monthly in revenue, though profit margins depend heavily on product categories, sourcing costs, and operational efficiency. New sellers should budget 6-12 months to build sustainable income streams.

How to Boost Your Temu Sales (And Tips!)

Here is how you can increase your sales: 

• Create engaging videos, detailed product reviews, and authentic recommendations that help your audience make informed purchasing decisions.
• Time your promotions around Temu's major sales events. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Chinese New Year, and seasonal clearance events typically offer the deepest discounts and highest customer interest.
• Don't rely solely on one social media platform - cross-promote through Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and email marketing to maximize your reach.
• Offer exclusive deals, early access to sales, or curated product recommendations to your email lists.
• Tracking and analyzing performance helps identify what works best for your audience. Monitor which products generate the highest conversions, which content formats drive the most engagement, and which promotional strategies produce the best results.

How to Manage Your Temu Business

Running a successful Temu-based business requires treating it like any other entrepreneurial venture, with proper systems, processes, and professional standards. Time management becomes crucial as you balance content creation, audience engagement, performance tracking, and business development activities.

Content planning should follow a consistent schedule that keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them. Many successful affiliates post 3-5 times per week across their primary platforms, mixing product promotions with educational content and behind-the-scenes material.

Customer service remains important even as an affiliate. Respond promptly to questions about products you've promoted, provide honest feedback about your experiences, and maintain transparency about your affiliate relationships to build long-term trust.

Financial tracking helps monitor your business performance and tax obligations. Keep detailed records of your earnings, expenses, and business-related purchases to simplify tax preparation and identify areas for improvement.

Tools and Apps for Your Temu Business

Social media management platforms like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later help schedule posts, track engagement, and maintain consistent content creation across multiple platforms. Google Analytics, social media native analytics, and Temu's affiliate dashboard offer valuable data for optimizing your strategies. Canva, Adobe Creative Suite mobile apps, and video editing software help create professional-looking promotional materials.

Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Constant Contact enable sophisticated audience segmentation, automated campaigns, and detailed performance tracking for your email marketing efforts.

How to Handle Temu Logistics

Shipping times typically range from 7-15 business days for most products, though items marked as "Local" or shipped from US warehouses usually arrive within 3-7 days.

Tracking information becomes available 24-48 hours after orders ship, and customers can monitor progress through the Temu app or website. Encourage people to download the app for the best tracking experience and access to customer service.

International shipping from China warehouses may involve customs processing that can add several days to delivery times. Make sure your audience understands this timeline to prevent disappointment and negative feedback.

Package appearance will clearly show Temu branding, which some customers might not expect if they're unfamiliar with the platform. Mention this in your promotions to avoid confusion when packages arrive.

Temu's Shipping, Returns, and Refunds Policies

Temu maintains customer-friendly policies that make it easier to promote products confidently. Free shipping applies to most orders over $10-$15, depending on current promotions and customer location. This low threshold makes it easy for customers to qualify for free delivery.

Return policies allow customers to return most items within 90 days of purchase, even if they simply changed their minds. This generous policy reduces purchase anxiety and makes it easier for affiliates to encourage purchases.

Refund processing typically takes 5-7 business days once returns are received and processed. Temu often approves refunds quickly, sometimes even before receiving returned items, which creates positive customer experiences.

Quality guarantees provide additional customer protection. If items arrive damaged, don't match descriptions, or fail to meet quality expectations, customers can request refunds or replacements through Temu's customer service system.

How to Keep Your Customers Happy

Maintaining satisfied customers enhances your reputation and improves long-term earning potential. Set realistic expectations about product quality, shipping times, and overall value - avoid over-promising and under-delivering.

Provide honest reviews that include both positives and potential drawbacks of products you promote. This transparency builds trust and helps customers make informed decisions, reducing returns and complaints.

Offer customer support by responding to questions and concerns promptly. While you're not responsible for Temu's customer service, being helpful and accessible improves your relationship with your audience.

Follow up after purchases to check on customer satisfaction and gather feedback. This engagement helps identify potential issues early and demonstrates that you care about their experience beyond just earning commissions.

Can You Dropship on Temu?

Temu does not officially support dropshipping, and their terms of service generally discourage using their platform for resale purposes. Unlike AliExpress or other platforms designed for dropshippers, Temu lacks dedicated tools, branded packaging options, or integration capabilities that make dropshipping practical.

However, some entrepreneurs still attempt Temu dropshipping through workarounds. Manual fulfillment involves ordering products yourself and having them shipped directly to customers, but this creates several problems: customers receive Temu-branded packaging, shipping times are unpredictable, and you have no control over inventory or quality.

Third-party fulfillment services offer another approach where specialized companies order from Temu, repackage items, and ship them under your brand. While this solves some problems, it adds significant costs and complexity that often eliminate profit margins.

For most entrepreneurs, other dropshipping platforms like Spocket, or Alidrop provide better tools, support, and profit potential than trying to force Temu into a dropshipping model.

Temu Bonuses and Commission Rates

Temu's commission structure rewards performance while providing multiple earning opportunities. Standard commissions range from 5% on orders under $50, to 10% on orders between $50-$99.99, and 20% on orders over $100. This tiered system encourages promoting higher-value items and bundles.

New user bonuses provide additional income when you refer first-time customers. These bonuses typically range from $5-$15 per new user, depending on current promotions and their initial purchase amount. During special campaigns, these bonuses can increase significantly.

Leaderboard competitions offer top performers additional cash rewards based on monthly or quarterly performance. The top 50 affiliates often receive bonuses ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars, creating extra motivation for high achievers.

Recruitment bonuses reward affiliates who bring other successful marketers into the program. You can earn 20% of the commissions generated by people you refer, creating passive income streams that grow over time.

Top Strategies for Promoting Your Temu Products on Social Media

For TikTok, focus on quick, engaging videos that showcase products in action, demonstrate value comparisons, or reveal surprising finds. Use trending sounds, hashtags, and participate in relevant challenges to increase visibility.

Instagram approaches work well with high-quality photos, Stories highlighting current deals, and Reels showing product unboxings or styling tips. The platform's shopping features can streamline the purchase process when properly configured.

YouTube content allows for detailed product reviews, comparison videos, and "haul" content that shows multiple purchases. Longer-form content helps build authority and trust while providing space for thorough product explanations.

Pinterest marketing excels for home decor, fashion, and lifestyle products. Create boards around themes like "Budget Home Decor" or "Affordable Fashion Finds" and pin high-quality images with detailed descriptions and affiliate links.

Facebook strategies include joining shopping groups, creating dedicated pages for deals, and using Facebook's marketplace features. The platform's older demographic often appreciates detailed product information and customer service.

Conclusion

Temu has emerged as a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs, content creators, and savvy shoppers looking to capitalize on the growing demand for affordable products. From its accessible influencer program requiring just 300 followers to its generous commission rates reaching 20%, the platform offers multiple pathways to generate income online.

However, it's important to maintain realistic expectations and treat any Temu-based venture as a serious business endeavor. You will need 6-12 months of consistent effort to build sustainable income streams.