Ecommerce marketplace Temu made a splash when it launched in 2022. Customers were intrigued by stories that the app was handing out free products—and even free money.
For a time, it was true. Initially, new app users could earn money through a PayPal account simply by joining and referring friends. These incentives helped Temu become the most downloaded shopping app in the world—despite some privacy concerns.
Temu’s affiliate program still includes a signup bonus and relatively generous commissions. But the best way to make money on Temu is as a seller—either by selling your own products on the app’s marketplace or by using Temu for dropshipping.
Here’s how to earn money on Temu as an affiliate, seller, or app user.
What is Temu?
Temu is an ecommerce marketplace that sells a wide range of products at low prices. PDD Holdings launched Temu in 2022 as the foreign-market version of its popular Chinese ecommerce platform Pinduoduo. It quickly acquired US customers through aggressive marketing strategies. The company purchased Super Bowl ad spots in 2023 and 2024, and it promoted its affiliate program on social platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Originally, only Chinese companies could sell on Temu. These manufacturers shipped their products to Temu warehouses, then Temu listed, priced, and shipped their items.
In 2024, Temu opened its marketplace to US and European sellers with its Local Seller Program. Now, sellers in more than 30 markets can use direct fulfillment rather than relying on Temu’s warehouses.
Ways to make money on Temu
- Become a seller on Temu
- Join the Temu affiliate program
- Earn credits and free gifts
- Use Temu as a dropshipping supplier
Whether you’re an established ecommerce merchant looking for a new sales channel or an influencer with an engaged following, there are a number of creative ways to make money on Temu.
Become a seller on Temu
To get started as a Temu merchant, sign up on Temu’s Seller Center. If you’re selling as an individual (not as a business), you’ll need to provide information including your government ID or passport, birthday, and address. If you’re applying to sell as a business, you’ll need info including your employer identification number (EIN) and business address. From there, you’ll create a profile, list products, and set up shipping.
If you’re on Shopify, you can simply install the Temu app for Shopify and cross-list your inventory on the marketplace. The app lets you manage your product listings and shipping options, and it syncs your inventory so you don’t oversell.
Like other marketplaces such as Amazon or Etsy, Temu typically charges selling fees and payment processing fees as percentages of sales prices. Faced with new tariffs, however, Temu has adopted a promotional fee structure to incentivize US sellers to join the platform.
Join the Temu affiliate program
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy in which businesses reward affiliates for driving sales. Affiliates—often social media influencers or bloggers—share trackable affiliate links with their audiences. When someone makes a purchase through their unique link, the affiliate receives a commission.
The Temu affiliate program offers participants up to 20% commission, plus bonuses for app downloads. Affiliates that recruit other affiliates earn up to 20% on the sales those new affiliates generate. Temu deposits commissions into affiliates’ PayPal accounts.
Temu offers discounts for buyers, which can help affiliates drive sales, and provides a 30-day cookie window. This means affiliates earn as long as shoppers make a purchase within 30 days of clicking their link.
Affiliates post their links on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, making affiliate marketing a common way to make money on social media or monetize free content on blogs.
Here’s an example from Instagram, where user @dianneduran encourages viewers to purchase a Temu dress through her link:
If you already have an online following, posting Temu affiliate links can be a way to make money quickly. Just keep in mind that Temu’s products are priced low, and many items sell for just a few dollars. That means you’ll be making small commissions.
Earn credits and free gifts
If you’re looking to simply gain some extra spending power, you can earn coupons and site credits by referring new users to join Temu and download the Temu app. Under the “You” section of the app, you’ll see unique links and codes you can send to new users. When a user signs up with your link or code, you’ll receive promotions and discounts like coupon bundles or 30% off.
Use Temu as a dropshipping supplier
With a dropshipping business model, you list products for sale on your ecommerce website and your dropshipping supplier handles shipping and fulfillment. This means you don’t need to store inventory, manage shipping, or pay for products upfront, making it a great way for beginners to make money online.
Temu doesn’t explicitly offer dropshipping services on its platform, unlike the similar online marketplace AliExpress. But because its products are so cheap, some dropshippers will sell Temu items on their ecommerce websites at a markup, using apps like Dropshipman or Zopi.
These apps let you fulfill orders from Temu manufacturers from your Shopify store and from marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. (The Shopify Marketplace Connect app also works with Amazon and eBay, but not with Temu.)
Just make sure you’re selling original products to avoid legal issues.
“Do not sell products that are copyrighted. So if it’s got Marvel on it, if it’s got any big brand like Coca-Cola in it, stay away from it,” dropshipping expert Kamil Sattar, known as The Ecom King on YouTube, says on Shopify Masters.
How to make money on Temu as a seller
- Use search engine optimization
- Set low prices
- Provide top-notch customer service
- Sell high-quality products
Before you start selling on Temu, make sure you’re listing products customers will actually buy. There are a number of ways to identify lucrative product opportunities. These include analyzing emerging trends, solving a pain point, and improving on an existing product.
Once you’ve found a great product, here’s how to set yourself up for success:
Use search engine optimization
Temu is a crowded marketplace. To get your listings in front of customers, follow search engine optimization (SEO) best practices for your product names and descriptions.
Use keyword research tools to find commonly searched terms, then incorporate those into your listings. Analyze how your competitors position similar items, and always choose clear, descriptive names to ensure your listings appear when users search for relevant terms.
Here’s an example of a listing for a knotted hairband that uses multiple possible search terms, including “headband,” “headbands,” “twist,” knotted,” and “hair band.”
Set low prices
Temu has a reputation for affordability, so you’ll need to set your prices low to stay competitive. You can use Shopify’s free product pricing calculator to find a competitive price that still allows you to earn a profit.
You might also consider using psychological pricing: Guide customers’ spending behaviors by appealing to psychological needs for savings or perceived value. For example, strikeout pricing (where a discounted price is presented beside a crossed-out “original” price) can make shoppers feel like they’re getting a great deal. Limited-time-only sales can prompt impulse buys.
Provide top-notch customer service
Provide excellent customer service by responding to messages with questions or problems quickly. Quickly responding to return or refund requests also shows commitment to quality customer service.
With the Temu for Shopify app, you have 24 hours to respond to return or refund requests before Temu takes over. You’ll see these requests in the Temu sales channel in your Shopify admin.
Sell high-quality products
Temu sellers have historically been accused of listing low-quality, counterfeit, and copied products, and of misrepresenting items in listings.
If you plan to sell your own products on Temu, you can avoid these problems by finding a trustworthy manufacturer. This involves researching quality control procedures, lead times, and more. It also involves ordering samples to test out products yourself. You can find manufacturers through a simple Google search or in directories like Thomasnet or Maker’s Row.
If you plan to use Temu as a dropshipping supplier, you’ll have less control over the customer experience—and you may run into problems yourself as an intermediary. A December 2025 lawsuit from the state of Arizona accused Temu of manipulating customer reviews and charging for undelivered products. (Other allegations included privacy violations through the Temu app and forced labor abroad.)
The best way to make money online is by selling products on your own ecommerce site. This gives you full control over the customer experience and lets you showcase your brand identity. Shopify’s pre-built themes and drag-and-drop editor make it easy to set up a website without coding experience. Shopify’s AI site builder even lets you create a professional looking site in minutes.
Make money on Temu FAQ
How do you make money with the Temu affiliate program?
You make money with the Temu affiliate program by sharing affiliate links with friends or followers, then receiving a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link. You can earn up to 20% on each sale as a Temu affiliate marketer.
What types of products are sold on Temu?
Temu sells a wide variety of products, including clothing, appliances, electronics, and home goods.
Does Temu give away free money?
Temu has occasionally offered free items and Temu credits to catch your attention or incentivize new customers to start shopping, although it typically gives away money only as part of its affiliate program. As an affiliate, you can earn up to a 20% commission on the sales you generate.
