Affiliate marketing spending in the United States reached $ 8.2 billion U.S. dollars by 2022, up from 5.4 billion recorded in 2017. Affiliate Marketing Total spending in 2023 is estimated to be around $10 billion, and this figure is expected to continue rising with global affiliate marketing spending expected to grow by over 10% every year. A whopping quarter (25%) accounts for retailers while 16% of all digital media earnings come from affiliate marketing.

When starting out in affiliate marketing, it is important to understand the difference between affiliate marketing programs (merchants) and affiliate networks. An affiliate program is a platform that you set up yourself and invite marketers to join. These influencers make money when customers purchase through their links.

The main advantages of starting an affiliate program are that you have control over almost everything, such as commission levels, affiliates, marketing materials, and the overall terms and conditions of the program. Additionally, affiliate programs are usually more affordable in the long term, as they don’t have startup costs, and ongoing costs are often lower than with affiliate networks.

An affiliate network for its part is an established platform with a database of members that enables marketers and companies to connect. It is an established program that requires affiliate marketers to register and make a commission from every click that results in a sale.

The key benefits of joining an affiliate network are that it already has an established infrastructure, making it easier to reach influencers and convince them to promote your business. Additionally, affiliate networks have an existing reputation and can be researched and read testimonials to ensure that the platform will suit your business.