What Is Tier 1, 2, 3 Country Traffic and How to Make Profit from It?

If you are trying to earn money online, you’ve probably seen the terms Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 traffic. But what do these tiers mean? And more importantly, how can you use them to make a profit?

In this article, we’ll explain everything in simple terms. You’ll learn what traffic tiers are, which countries belong to each group, how much each one costs, and how to earn money from each type of traffic. This guide will assist you to make more informed choices.

Tier 1, 2, and 3 Countries Explained

Traffic tiers categorize countries based on:

1. Purchasing power, which refers to how much money people spend online. 
2. The countries’ level of development is based on the internet quality, devices and payment methods.
3. How much money advertisers are willing to spend  on clicks and conversions.

The  three main tiers include:

• Tier 1: Rich countries where people spend a lot of money shopping online.
• Tier 2: Middle-income countries with growing online activity.
• Tier 3: Developing countries where online spending is lower.

Marketers use these tiers to decide where to run ads, how much to spend, and what types of products to promote.

Why Do Traffic Tiers Matter?

Different countries perform differently when it comes to online marketing. Let’s look at an example.

Imagine you are promoting a $100 product. People in the United States (Tier 1) might be comfortable spending that money. But people in India (Tier 3) might think twice before buying it. As a result, the cost of getting a sale is much higher in India.

At the same time, Tier 3 traffic is very cheap. You can get thousands of visitors for the same cost as a few clicks in Tier 1. So, even if one sale is harder to make, the low cost of traffic gives you other ways to earn, such as collecting email leads, getting app installs, or building a big audience.

Each traffic tier has its own advantages and challenges. Let’s explore them one by one.

Tier 1 Traffic

Tier 1 countries, are the richest in the world. People here are used to shopping online, using credit cards, and signing up for digital services.

Common Tier 1 Countries

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Germany
• France
• Switzerland
• Sweden

Why Tier 1 Is Valuable

• People buy more and spend more.
• Advertisers pay high rates for clicks and sales.
• Traffic is very high quality and involves fewer bots and fake clicks.

Challenges

• Traffic is expensive. A single click can cost $2–$10.
• There is lots of competition as big brands dominate the space.
• You need very good landing pages and ads to stand out.

Best Offers for Tier 1

• Software (SaaS tools)
• Health & wellness subscriptions
• Financial services (loans, credit cards)
• Education and e-learning platforms
• High-ticket affiliate products

If you can afford the traffic and have a product that fits Tier 1 buyers, this tier can bring excellent returns.

Tier 2 Traffic

Tier 2 countries are in the middle. These countries are not as wealthy as Tier 1 nations, but they still have good internet access, mobile usage, and rising online spending.

Many affiliate marketers love Tier 2 traffic because it offers a good balance of cost and quality. You can still make sales, but you don’t have to spend as much as you would in Tier 1 countries.

Common Tier 2 Countries

• Brazil
• Mexico
• South Africa
• Malaysia
• Poland
• Romania
• Czech Republic
• Turkey
• Thailand

These countries are often called "emerging markets" because more and more people are getting online, using smartphones, and shopping digitally.

Why Tier 2 Traffic Is Popular

• Lower competition than Tier 1.
• Cheaper traffic (CPC can be $0.10 to $0.50).
• Users are engaged and curious, especially with mobile ads.
• Growing use of credit cards and digital wallets.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to run tests in Tier 2. This makes it a great choice for new marketers and those who want to scale without huge risks.

Challenges

• Users may not trust new websites easily, especially if not localized.
• Payment methods can vary a lot by country.
• Some regions may have issues with fraud or bots, so tracking and filtering are important.

Best Offers for Tier 2 Traffic

• Lead generation (email submits, surveys)
• Mobile apps and games
• Nutra (health supplements) and skincare
• Mid-range eCommerce products
• Free trials and sweepstakes

How to Make Profit in Tier 2 Countries

1. Localize Your Content Don’t assume everyone speaks English. Translate your landing pages and ads into local languages for better results.
2. Use Mobile-First Design Most users in Tier 2 countries are on smartphones. Your website must load fast and look good on mobile devices.
3. Try Push or Native Ads These formats work well in Tier 2 regions. They're less expensive and feel less “salesy” than display ads.
4. Be Culturally Aware A joke or image that works in the UK might not work in Mexico. Learn about the local audience and adjust your ad creative to match.
5. Test Multiple GEOs Not all Tier 2 countries perform the same. You may find that Poland gives you a higher ROI than Brazil /or vice versa.

Pro Tip:

On platforms like Offer.one, you can filter offers by country and vertical. This makes it easier to find high-converting campaigns designed for Tier 2 traffic.

Tier 3 Traffic

Tier 3 countries are usually developing or low-income nations. In these regions, many people are just starting to use the internet regularly, often on low-cost smartphones with limited data plans.

The biggest advantage of Tier 3 traffic is that it’s very cheap and available in huge volumes. While people in these countries may not spend as much money online, the cost to reach them is so low that it opens up new ways to earn.

Common Tier 3 Countries

• India
• Pakistan
• Nigeria
• Bangladesh
• Indonesia
• Vietnam
• Kenya
• Egypt
• Philippines

These countries often have millions of active users, especially on mobile apps, social media, and entertainment platforms.

Why Tier 3 Traffic Is Useful

• Very low cost per click or install (as low as $0.01–$0.05)
• Massive reach for brand awareness or lead generation
• Good for offers that require simple user actions (like email signups or app installs)

Challenges of Tier 3 Traffic

• Lower conversion rates as fewer people buy or subscribe
• Many users have limited income
• Infrastructure can be slow
• Higher chances of click fraud or bots
• Trust issues with unfamiliar brands or websites

But if you know how to monetize actions other than purchases, Tier 3 can become very profitable.

Best Offers for Tier 3 Traffic

• Incentive-based offers (win a prize, download for a reward)
• Mobile app installs (especially Android)
• Push notification subscriptions
• Email/WhatsApp/SMS opt-ins
• Free downloads, videos, or games

Example:

Let’s say you’re promoting a free Android app that pays $0.30 per install.

• In Nigeria, you might get installs at $0.04.
• So, for every 10 installs ($0.40), you get $3, making a $2.60 profit.

At this volume, you can scale fast and earn steadily.

Pro Tip:

Use a good tracker to monitor IPs, devices, and regions. This helps filter out bad traffic and protect your ROI.

You can also partner with platforms where smart filters and campaign targeting tools help you manage Tier 3 campaigns more efficiently.

Traffic Tier Comparison Table

To wrap up this section, here's a side-by-side view of the differences between Tier 1, 2, and 3 traffic:

How to Choose the Right Traffic Tier for You

Now that you understand what Tier 1, 2, and 3 traffic means, the big question is: Which one should you use?

The best choice should be aligned with your goals, cost, and experience level. Use the following pointers to help you decide:

Choose Tier 1 Traffic if:

• You have allocated a substantial amount of money
• The items and services you’re promoting are premium
• You have strong landing pages and offers that are more lokely to convert
• You intend on getting quality leads or high lifetime value customers

Example: A good example is promoting a $50/month SaaS tool to U.S. freelancers

Choose Tier 2 Traffic if:

• You want great quality at a lower cost 
• You have new offers and are looking for results while minimizing cost
• You're ready to localize ads and landing pages
• You’re working with offers that don’t need purchases such as CPL or CPA 

Example: Getting leads for an e-learning app in Brazil or Poland

Choose Tier 3 Traffic if:

• You have a low budget but want to collect leads or installs fast
• You have monetization plans beyond direct sales involving email lists, push, etc.
• You’re okay with lower conversion rates in exchange for volume
• You’re experienced in filtering low-quality traffic or fraud

Example: Running push traffic to promote free Android apps in India or Nigeria

Final Tips Before You Start

No matter which tier you pick, here are some universal rules to follow if you want to make a profit:

• Track Everything
• Test Small, Then Scale
• Use Smart Targeting
• Keep Your Funnels Simple
• Always A/B Test Creatives

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're working with premium Tier 1 traffic or mass-market Tier 3, there’s money to be made if you understand the market and play smart.

Want a shortcut to offers that work in your target GEO? Try Offer.one, a global performance marketing platform that helps you find high-converting offers for every traffic tier.

You’ll get access to:

• Offers sorted by country and payout
• Smart tracking and fraud prevention tools
• Support for beginners and pros alike

The key to online profit isn’t just traffic, but the right offer for the right audience. Start exploring today and take your affiliate marketing to the next level.