adindex
adindex is a German CPC affiliate network platform founded in 2011 that connects publishers worldwide with over 7,000 advertisers via a self-serve performance hub, supporting CPC, CPM, CPL, and CPO billing models.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersPaderborn, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What adindex does
adindex GmbH is a German affiliate marketing company headquartered in Herford (registered at Amtsgericht Paderborn HRB 9706) that operates a CPC-based affiliate network connecting publishers with advertisers worldwide. The company was founded in 2011 by a team of marketing managers and software developers, initially offering a broad set of marketing services, before refocusing in 2022 on a single product: a CPC affiliate network with a catalogue of more than 7,000 advertisers including recognizable brands such as O2, Zalando, AliExpress, Walmart, Marriott, MyPrinting, and Lensbest. Publishers can register free of charge, browse campaigns, embed CPC-based banners and product ads on their sites, and track performance and payouts via a self-serve performance hub.
The platform is built around a proprietary ad server that logs and validates clicks, impressions, leads, and orders, and which serves as the exclusive basis for billing. Beyond the core CPC model, adindex also supports CPM, CPL, and CPO billing, and exposes an independent API for publishers and website operators to integrate advertising programmatically. Distribution relies on a self-serve publisher portal (publisher.adindex.com), word-of-mouth across the publisher network, and visibility on more than 250 news sites referenced in company marketing material.
The business model is marketplace-style: adindex takes a cut on performance transactions between advertisers (pay-per-click, lead, or sale) and the publishers delivering that traffic, with commission validated by both adindex and advertisers before payout. Settlement is monthly, with reports issued on the 15th of the following month and payments 30 days thereafter. The company is privately held, founder/management-owned under CEO Max Klinger, with no disclosed external investors, and operates with a five-person team covering engineering, key account management, and leadership.
adindex firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- adindex
- Legal name
- adindex GmbH
- Website
- https://adindex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- adindex is a German CPC affiliate network platform founded in 2011 that connects publishers worldwide with over 7,000 advertisers via a self-serve performance hub, supporting CPC, CPM, CPL, and CPO billing models.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where adindex is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paderborn
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
adindex business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Cost Per Click (CPC) Commission: adindex earns revenue by connecting publishers with advertisers on a cost-per-click basis. Publishers earn commission when users click on advertisements, and adindex acts as the intermediary platform facilitating these transactions.
- Multiple Billing Models: adindex supports multiple billing models including CPM (Cost Per Mille/impressions), CPC (Cost Per Click), CPL (Cost Per Lead), and CPO (Cost Per Order/Sale). This allows flexible monetization depending on campaign objectives.
- Publisher Commission Management: adindex manages the billing and settlement process. Publishers receive monthly reports on the 15th of the following month, with payment issued 30 days after the report is made available. Commissions are validated by both adindex and advertisers before being deemed earned.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free publisher registration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
adindex product offering
Product offeringCore offering
adindex operates a CPC (cost-per-click) affiliate network that connects publishers and website operators with over 7,000 advertisers from well-known online shops and portals. Publishers integrate CPC-based banners and product ads into their websites via a self-serve performance hub or an independent API, and earn commissions on clicks, leads, and sales. The platform supports multiple billing models including CPM, CPC, CPL, and CPO, with proprietary click, impression, lead, and order tracking that serves as the exclusive basis for billing.
Product overview
adindex is a single unified CPC affiliate network platform that connects publishers and advertisers worldwide. The core platform provides a performance hub where publishers can browse an extensive catalogue of advertisers, select high-converting products, and earn revenue on a cost-per-click basis. The platform also offers an independent API connection for publishers and website operators. The network has been operating since 2011, with a focused CPC marketing network established in 2022 featuring renowned advertisers from well-known online portals and shops.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- adindex CPC Affiliate Network A CPC-based affiliate marketing network connecting publishers and website operators with more than 7,000 advertisers (including O2, Zalando, AliExpress, Walmart, Marriott, MyPrinting, and Lensbest). Publishers register for free, browse campaigns in the performance hub, embed CPC-based banners and product ads into their websites, and earn commissions on clicks, leads, and sales on a global basis.
Companies that use adindex
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
adindex technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
adindex partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Publisher Networkcoreadindex partners with publishers (websites, newsletters, email lists) who provide advertising space in exchange for commission on clicks, leads, or sales generated through the advertising placed on their properties.
- Advertiser Networkcoreadindex partners with over 7,000 advertisers from well-known online shops and portals. These advertisers provide campaigns that are distributed through the publisher network.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
adindex competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Awin: Global affiliate marketing network with European roots (Berlin HQ) connecting advertisers with publishers. Directly comparable to adindex in core offering — CPC/CPL affiliate network serving SMB and enterprise advertisers worldwide.
- CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction): One of the largest global affiliate networks, offering publishers and advertisers a performance-based marketplace across multiple billing models. Closely comparable business model to adindex's CPC affiliate network, but at materially greater scale.
- TradeDoubler: European-headquartered affiliate and performance marketing network offering CPC, CPL, and CPO campaigns to advertisers and publishers. Strong geographic and product overlap with adindex, particularly in the DACH region.
- Impact: Partnership and affiliate marketing platform offering tracking, attribution, and campaign management across multiple billing models. Direct competitor to adindex, though positioned more toward enterprise advertisers and partners.
- Webgains: European affiliate marketing network with a focus on connecting advertisers and publishers through performance-based campaigns. Closely comparable product offering and European footprint to adindex.
- Rakuten Advertising: Global affiliate and performance marketing network operated by Rakuten, connecting advertisers with publishers across multiple verticals. Direct competitor in the same product category with a comparable network model.
- Admitad: Global affiliate network with strong presence in EMEA and emerging markets, offering CPC, CPL, and CPO campaigns to publishers and advertisers. Comparable affiliate platform model with broader international reach than adindex.
Emerging players
- PartnerStack: B2B-focused affiliate and partner management platform with self-serve tooling. Comparable affiliate network model to adindex but specialised in SaaS and B2B partnerships rather than consumer e-commerce.
Broad incumbents
- Google AdSense: Google's publisher-facing advertising platform serving CPC and CPM ads across the long tail of websites. Direct substitute for many of adindex's publisher use cases at massive scale and with vastly superior fill rates.
- Amazon Associates: The affiliate programme of Amazon, the largest e-commerce platform globally. Competes for publisher mindshare in the CPC affiliate space with effectively unlimited product inventory and established brand recognition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
adindex social profiles
Digital presenceadindex financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
adindex leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
adindex funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
adindex M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about adindex
What does adindex do?
adindex operates a CPC (cost-per-click) affiliate network that connects publishers and website operators with over 7,000 advertisers from well-known online shops and portals. Publishers integrate CPC-based banners and product ads into their websites via a self-serve performance hub or an independent API, and earn commissions on clicks, leads, and sales. The platform supports multiple billing models including CPM, CPC, CPL, and CPO, with proprietary click, impression, lead, and order tracking that serves as the exclusive basis for billing.
Is adindex a public or private company?
adindex is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was adindex founded?
adindex was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is adindex based?
adindex is headquartered in Paderborn, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does adindex make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Cost Per Click (CPC) Commission is the primary driver. The others are multiple Billing Models and publisher Commission Management.
Who are adindex's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Awin, CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction), TradeDoubler, Impact, Webgains, Rakuten Advertising and Admitad. PartnerStack is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Google AdSense and Amazon Associates.
Does adindex have an API?
Yes. adindex offers an API connection for publishers and website operators. This enables publishers to integrate advertising campaigns and access the performance hub programmatically.