What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a business model in which a person or company (affiliate) promotes products or services of a third party and, in return, receives a commission for each sale or action generated through their unique affiliate link. In this system, the affiliate acts as an intermediary between the company and the end customer, using tools such as blogs, social networks, email marketing and other channels to promote the products or services.

Commissions can vary depending on the type of action required: per sale (CPS), per registration (CPA) or per click (CPC). It is an effective strategy because companies expand their reach without investing directly in advertising, while affiliates can generate passive income by promoting products online.


How does affiliate marketing work?

Affiliate marketing works through a collaboration between three main actors: the affiliate, the company (or advertiser) and the customer. Here are the main steps:

Signing up and earning links: The affiliate signs up for a company's affiliate program (directly or through an affiliate network such as Amazon Associates or ClickBank). Once approved, they receive a unique link for each product or service they will promote.

Product promotion: The affiliate uses their unique link on blogs, social media, videos, email marketing, or other platforms to promote the company's product or service. Their goal is to entice users to click on the link and perform a desired action, such as a purchase.

Tracking clicks and actions: When a potential customer clicks on the affiliate link, they are redirected to the company's page, and a "cookie" is installed on their device. This cookie makes it possible to track whether the customer performs the specified action (such as purchasing or registering) within a certain time.

Conversion commission: If the customer completes the action, the affiliate receives a commission according to the terms of the program (per sale, per registration, etc.). Commissions vary depending on the type of product and the company.

This system allows companies to gain visibility and sales economically, while the affiliate earns income by promoting products without the need for inventory or direct support.