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Affiliate marketing statistics and facts for 2025

Updated: Apr 28

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affiliate marketing statistics

Affiliate marketing is powering a massive shift in how brands grow online. With over 80% of brands worldwide now running affiliate programs (according to Influencer Marketing Hub) to promote their products and services, it’s clear this performance-based approach is a key part of modern marketing strategies.


But what is the state of affiliate marketing in 2025? And what are the current trends driving the future of the industry?


We’ve pulled the latest affiliate marketing statistics and facts—from average affiliate marketing income, demographic data, and much more. Whether you’re a beginner or building a full-scale program, these stats will help you understand where affiliate marketing is today and where it’s going.


And with today’s all-in-one website builder platforms, launching your affiliate brand marketing plan is easier than ever. Let’s explore the data driving affiliate marketing in 2025.


Ready to bring your affiliate marketing site to life? Learn how to create a website from scratch in 11 simple steps.



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Top 10 must-know affiliate marketing statistics for 2025


  1. Amazon Associates is the biggest affiliate network in the world, with nearly 95,000 companies using the network in 2025, almost half (46.27%) of the industry total. (Datanyze)


  2. The global affiliate marketing industry was worth over $18.5 billion in 2024. (Cognitive Market Research)


  3. North America holds the largest market share, accounting for around 40% of the global affiliate marketing sector. (Cognitive Market Research)


  4. Total spending in the US affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach nearly $12 billion in 2025, marking an 11.9% rise from the previous year. (Emarketer)


  5. Over four-fifths (81.4%) of services advertised by affiliate marketers are B2C products or services. (Demand Sage)


  6. Roughly three in five (58%) brands and agencies said affiliate marketing helped increase brand awareness. (Digiday)


  7. Nearly a third (32%) of affiliate marketers are aged between 35 and 44. (Influencer Marketing Hub). 


  8. Affiliate marketers with over 10 years of industry experience earn over $44,000 per month, on average. (Authority Hacker


  9. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) affiliate marketers use SEO to drive organic traffic, making this the most dominant strategy. (AffiliateWP)


  10. AI is expected to impact over 50% of digital marketing strategies in 2025. (Influencecity)



Want to dive deeper into the data? Jump to the stat that interests you most below:




Affiliate marketing industry statistics


According to the latest affiliate marketing statistics from Cognitive Market Research, the global affiliate marketing industry was worth over $18.5 billion in 2024. North America led the way, accounting for roughly four-tenths (40%) of the overall industry.


That dominance isn’t too surprising—North America’s well-established digital economy and widespread use of affiliate networks have helped build strong consumer trust and familiarity with affiliate-driven recommendations.



Global affiliate marketing market size


Recent data from Cognitive Market Research projected that the value of the global affiliate market industry will increase by over $13 billion between 2024 and 2031, rising from just over $18.5 billion to nearly $32 billion ($31.7 billion). Overall, this would represent a seven-year rise of around 71%. 


pictograph showing global market size in 2024 and 2031
The market size of the global affiliate marketing industry, 2024-2031

If projections prove correct, the affiliate marketing industry will see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% between 2024 and 2031. 


The report cites numerous reasons for industry growth, including rising adoption among eCommerce websites and brands, an increase in digital ad spending and advancements in AI marketing automation.


"Affiliate marketing has emerged as one of the most dynamic strategies for business growth. It lets companies reach new audiences while growing meaningful, long-term relationships. The potential within this space is huge, and it's impressive to see how brands are leveraging it to adapt and thrive." - Adi Avraham, SEO growth specialist at Wix


US affiliate marketing market size


Analysis of affiliate marketing statistics shows that the market value of the US affiliate marketing sector stood at over $5.8 billion in 2024, accounting for nearly a third of the overall industry.


pictograph showing market size of the US affiliate marketing industry
The market size of the US affiliate marketing industry, 2024-2031

Data from Cognitive Market Research shows the US market is expected to expand further in the coming years, rising by roughly half (50%) over seven years to reach nearly $8.8 billion in 2031. If correct, then the US market will experience a CAGR of 6% between 2024 and 2031.



Affiliate marketing growth statistics


The affiliate marketing industry is projected to grow across the world between 2024 and 2031, according to Cognitive Market Research. As the continent with the biggest market value, North America is projected to see its market value rise from $7.4 billion in 2024 to nearly $11.3 billion in 2031.


If correct, this will represent a CAGR of 6.2% and an overall rise of more than half (+52%).


comparative bar chart
The value and projected growth of the affiliate marketing industry by continent, 2024-2031

Europe, the second biggest market, is expected to experience a slightly bigger increase, rising from $5.55 billion to $8.63 billion (+55%) over seven years, resulting in a CAGR of 6.5%.


Asia Pacific is expected to experience the biggest increases, rising from just under $4.3 billion in 2024 to $8.3 billion in 2031—a CAGR of 10%. If accurate, then the region will see its market value almost double over seven years (+95%).


The only two regions with a market value below $1 billion in 2024 were South America and the Middle East, with totals of around $926 million and $370 million, respectively. However, South America’s projected CAGR of 7.4% will see it surpass $1.5 billion by 2031.



Which regions have the biggest share of the affiliate marketing industry?


Analysis of affiliate marketing statistics shows that North America owns the largest portion of the global marketing industry, accounting for four-tenths (40%) of the overall market. 


The same report from Cognitive Market Research found that Europe had the next highest share, occupying nearly a third of the market (30%), 10 percentage points less than North America.


Doughnut chart showing the overall share of the global affiliate marketing industry by continent
The market share of the global affiliate marketing industry by region (2024)

Asia and the Pacific had the next highest market share at just under a quarter (23%)—seven percentage points lower than Europe, but more than triple the total of South America (5%). This means that the top three continents account for 93% of the overall industry.


At the other end of the scale, the Middle East had the lowest market share at just 2%. This was less than half the total of South America and approximately twenty times less than North America.



Which countries have the biggest share of the affiliate marketing industry?


The US is by far the biggest country worldwide for affiliate marketing, with an overall market value of $5.84 billion in 2024. This is over three times more than any other country and means that the US market makes up nearly a third (31.6%) of the global industry, according to Cognitive Market Research.


A proportional circles chart showing the market size five biggest affiliate marketing countries and their share of the global market
The top five biggest countries for affiliate marketing by market size and share

China had the second biggest affiliate marketing industry in 2024, at just over $1.9 billion. While this was over three times less than the US, it meant that China was the only other nation with a global market share of more than a tenth (10.3%).


Germany was the final country with a market size above $1 billion, making it the largest European market with a global share of 5.9%.


Rounding off the top five were the UK and Canada, with totals of around $930 million and $890 million, respectively. Overall, this meant that each was responsible for around a twentieth of the global affiliate marketing industry.



Affiliate marketing spending statistics


Affiliate marketing statistics from Emarketer found that total spending in the US affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach nearly $12 billion in 2025, marking an 11.9% rise from the previous year.


 A dual-axis line chart showing the total spending of the US affiliate marketing industry from 2023-2028 and the percentage annual increase
The total spending of the US affiliate marketing industry, 2023-2028

Year

Total spending of the US affiliate marketing industry ($ billions)

Percentage increase in spending from the previous year

2023

$9.56

13.7%

2024*

$10.72

12.2%

2025

$11.99

11.9%

2026

$13.20

10.1%

2027

$14.47

9.6%

2028

$15.80

9.2%

(Source: Emarketer)


Industry spending is projected to continue rising in the following years, climbing 10.1% to over $13 billion in 2026. A further 9.6% jump in 2027 will take spending past $14 billion, with annual growth falling to 9.2% the following year.


By 2028, industry spending is projected to reach $15.8 billion, marking a five-year rise of nearly two-thirds (+65%) from 2023, when the total was less than $10 billion.



Affiliate marketing trends and user habits


A study commissioned by Rakuten found that around four in five (81%) advertisers and 84% of publishers reported using an affiliate program. As this data was reported in 2022, it’s likely this figure is even higher today.


A report from Luisa Zhou revealed that more than eight in 10 (81%) brands rely on affiliate programs to improve their business, with 90% of advertisers considering it important to their digital marketing strategy.


The reliance on affiliate marketing was further demonstrated in a Demand Sage report. The article found that affiliate programs were considered the most important client acquisition method by 40% of US firms and were responsible for between 5% and 25% of online sales generated by major brands.


The same report revealed that:


  • 94% of publications utilize numerous affiliate marketing programs.

  • 79% of businesses use affiliate marketing to engage existing clients.

  • Around four in five (81.4%) services advertised by affiliate marketers are B2C products or services.


In terms of traffic, approximately half (50%) of an affiliate marketer’s traffic comes from mobile devices. This highlights the need for effective optimization for mobile platforms and the potential power of a user-friendly mobile app.



When do businesses use affiliate marketing?


Emarketer found that nearly three in five (56%) marketers use affiliate marketing at the awareness stage of the customer cycle to initiate interest. This is slightly less than the number who employ affiliate marketing during the consideration stage (58%) but more than those who do so during conversion (50%).


This means that at least half of marketers utilize affiliate marketing at some point before securing a sale.


A horizontal bar chart showing the percentage of marketers who use affiliate marketing at various points in the customer cycle
The percentage of marketers using affiliate marketing at various stages of the sales cycle, 2023

The number of marketers using affiliate marketing after completing a sale is significantly lower, with just under a third (32%) using it to drive post-purchase retention. This is 24 percentage points less than the number who use it during the awareness stage, suggesting that affiliate marketing is most common during the earlier stages of the customer cycle.



What are the benefits of affiliate marketing?


Affiliate marketing statistics from Digiday found nearly three-fifths (58%) of brands and agencies claiming that affiliate marketing helped them increase brand awareness. This was eight percentage points more than the next most cited goal in the study, with exactly half (50%) feeling that the strategy helped them acquire new customers or increase their sales volume.


The most commonly cited benefits of affiliate marketing among brands and agencies
The most commonly cited benefits of affiliate marketing among brands and agencies

Just over a third (36%) of brands and agencies claimed that affiliate marketing had helped them secure more profitable sales than previously, slightly less than the number who cited increased brand loyalty as a benefit (38%).


Elsewhere, a report from Hostinger highlighted some key benefits from different forms of affiliate marketing, such as:


  • User-generated content increases affiliate conversion rates by 28%.

  • Influencer marketing can boost affiliate sales by 46%.

  • Video content increases affiliate marketing conversion rates by 49%.


Want to see how video marketing fits into the bigger picture? Check out the latest video marketing statistics.



What are the primary goals of affiliate marketing?


When it comes to the main benefits of affiliate marketing, more than a quarter (27%) of brands and agencies cited increased sales volume as their primary benefit. This was the highest total of any answer, making it the only one chosen by over a quarter of respondents in the Digiday study.


A pie chart showing the most common benefits cited by brands and agencies as their main affiliate marketing benefit.
The most common goals cited as the main benefit of affiliate marketing by brands and agencies

Just under a quarter (24%) said new customer acquisition was the main benefit of affiliate marketing, five percentage points more than the number who cited increased brand awareness (19%) and 10 more than those who selected increased brand loyalty (14%).


Looking for tips to help monetize your website? Learn how creators and business owners are increasing revenue with smart strategies and high-performing Wix websites.



What are the primary sources of traffic for affiliate marketers?


The latest statistics from AffiliateWP found that nearly seven in 10 (69%) affiliate marketers use SEO features to drive organic traffic, making this the most dominant strategy. The only other strategy utilized by more than two-thirds of affiliate marketers was social media, at 67%.


A proportional circles chart showing the percentage of affiliate marketers who use various marketing channels
The percentage of affiliate marketers who use various channels to generate traffic

Content marketing (65%) was the third most common channel, followed closely by blogging (64%). These were the final two marketing channels to be cited by more than half of marketers, with just over two-fifths (42%) using email marketing.


Lastly, just over a third (34%) of affiliate marketers utilized Pay Per Click (PPC) services, less than half the total who utilize SEO marketing.


Blogging is still going strong—check out the latest blogging statistics and learn how to start a blog that drives real results.



What are the primary social media platforms for affiliate marketers?


A report from Demand Sage found that over three-quarters (75.8%) of affiliate marketers utilize Facebook to drive sales and traffic. This was more than any other social media platform, making Facebook marketing the only one cited by more than 70% of affiliate marketers.


A horizontal bar chart showing the most used social media platforms among affiliate marketers
The percentage of affiliate marketers using various social media channels

Instagram was the next most common platform, with around three in five (61.4%) affiliate marketers using the Meta-owned site. This was the final social media channel referenced by more than half of affiliate marketers, with just over two-fifths (42.2%) using Pinterest.


LinkedIn was used by the lowest number of affiliate marketers at less than two-fifths (19%), more than 10 percentage points less than TikTok (29.6%).


More on this topic:



What are the biggest Affiliate marketing networks?


Affiliate marketing statistics from Datanyze show that Amazon Associates is by far the biggest affiliate network in the world. With nearly 95,000 companies using the network, Amazon Associates is responsible for almost half (46.27%) of the entire industry.


Curious about tapping into Amazon’s massive affiliate ecosystem? Learn how to make money on Amazon and find out how much it costs to sell on Amazon to get started.


A bar chart showing the largest affiliate marketing networks by market share and number of companies.
The biggest affiliate marketing networks by number of companies and market share

Rakuten’s total of 15,637 places it in a distant second, with a market share of just under 8%. 


Three companies have a market share of between 6% and 7%, they are:


  • AWIN (6.63%)

  • ShareASale (6.37%)

  • CJ Affiliate (6.18%)


Elsewhere, a study from Forrester published by Demand Sage found that roughly seven in 10 (71%) affiliate publishers in the US operate on three or more networks.



Affiliate marketing demographic statistics


Recent affiliate marketing statistics from AffiliateWP reveal a slight male dominance in the industry, with men making up more than half (54%) of affiliate marketers globally. However, the participation gap between men and women is projected to shorten in future years as the industry strives toward gender diversification.


The same report found that almost three-fifths (57%) of affiliate marketers worldwide are based in the US, with a further 10% located in Canada. This means more than two-thirds of affiliate marketers can be found in North America.


A mini infographic documenting the percentage of global affiliate marketers based in North America.

The average affiliate marketer has approximately 2.8 years of industry experience, according to Authority Hacker. This suggests a mix of tenured professionals and newcomers within the industry. Those with over six years of experience typically relied less on organic social media traffic than those newer to the industry (0-2 years), suggesting a shift in strategy with gained experience​​​​.


Finally, more than three-quarters (77.1%) of affiliate marketers identify as solopreneurs who operate without a team of fellow industry professionals. A further 17.4% operate in a team of two to five, meaning that just over one in 20 (5.5%) work with six or more colleagues in their field.



What is the average age of an affiliate marketer?


Nearly a third (32%) of affiliate marketers are aged between 35 and 44, according to data reported by the Influencer Marketing Hub. This is four percentage points more than the number of affiliate marketers in the 25-34 age group (28%), meaning three out of five (60%) industry professionals are aged between 25 and 44.


A proportional circles chart showing the percentage of affiliate marketers by age group.
The percentage of affiliate marketers by age group

The percentage of affiliate marketers rises sharply between the ages of 18 and 44 before rapidly declining thereafter. Just 3% of industry professionals are over the age of 65+—a third of the number aged between 55 and 64 (9%). 



What is the average experience level of an affiliate marketer?


More than two-fifths (44.5%) of affiliate marketers have less than a year of industry experience, according to affiliate marketing stats from Authority Hacker. This was more than double the total of any other experience level, with just approximately a fifth (20.6%) having one or two years of experience.


A pie chart showing the percentage of affiliate marketers by experience level.
The percentage of affiliate marketers by experience level

Just under a fifth (18.8%) of affiliate marketers had three to five years of experience, more than double the number who’d been in the industry for six to ten years (8.7%). Less than one in 13 (7.4%) have over a decade of experience, around six times less than those who’d been in the sector less than a year.


Overall, this means that roughly a third (32.9%) of affiliate marketers have at least three years of industry experience.



Affiliate marketing consumer statistics


A report covered by AffilitateWP found that more than four in five (83%) consumers cited coupon usage as their primary motivator for shopping. This highlights the potential effectiveness of using discount codes and promotional offers in affiliate marketing. 


Half (50%) of all affiliate traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting the importance of mobile marketing and of optimizing affiliate content to meet the requirements of mobile platforms.


A mini infographic revealing the percentage of affiliate traffic coming from mobile devices.

Just under three-quarters (74%) of online shoppers in the US visit numerous affiliate websites before making a purchase decision. This suggests widespread trust and popularity of affiliate platforms within the US, while demonstrating the need for informed, comprehensive and trustworthy content.


The report also found that:


  • 88% of consumers said that an influencer’s recommendations had motivated them to make a purchase.

  • 70% expect greater personalization from affiliate advertisers.


Elsewhere, a report from Hostinger revealed that affiliate marketing drives 16% of all eCommerce sales, with Croplink finding that half (50%) of consumers trust affiliate recommendations as much as personal referrals.


Croplink also discovered that three in five (60%) online shoppers click on affiliate links when looking for product reviews, with nearly a third (30%) purchasing within 24 hours of clicking an affiliate link.


Learn how to tap into this buying behavior with smart eCommerce marketing strategies.



Affiliate marketer statistics


How much does the average affiliate marketer make?


According to Demand Sage, the average income of an affiliate marketer is $8,038 per month.


The same report estimated that 80% of affiliate marketers earn between $0 and $80,000 per year, with a further 15% earning between $80,000 and $1 million.


A bar chart showing the average monthly earnings of affiliate marketers by experience level.
The average monthly income for affiliate marketers by experience level

Affiliate marketing statistics from Authority Hacker show that the most experienced affiliate marketers tend to earn the highest monthly income.  


Those with less than a year of experience earn $636 per month, on average, with these figures rising to $4,196 for those with one to two years of experience. This means that the typical affiliate marketer sees a near sevenfold increase in monthly income after a year in the industry.


The average affiliate marketing income for those with three to five years of experience is $10,789 per month, more than double the total for those with one to two years of experience. This figure rises a further 19% for those who’ve been in the industry for six to ten years, reaching nearly $13,000.


The average income accelerates for affiliate marketers with over a decade of experience, reaching nearly $45,000. This is over three times more than those typically with six to ten years of experience.



What are the most profitable niches/industries for affiliate marketers?


Affiliate marketers in the education and e-learning niche have the highest average monthly income, according to Authority Hacker. With typical monthly earnings of $15,551, affiliate marketers in this sector earned around 12% more than any other niche, on average.


A horizontal bar chart showing the average monthly income of affiliate marketers by niche.
Average monthly income for affiliate marketers by niche

Travel had the next highest average earnings, at just under $14,000 per month, 11% more than the next highest sector (beauty and skincare). This was the final niche with average earnings exceeding $10,000, with its total of $12,476 around a quarter (26%) more than finance in fourth place.


At the other end of the scale, affiliate marketers in sustainability and environment earned just $555 per month on average, the lowest total of any niche. This was around 28 times less than education and e-learning and two-fifths (40%) lower than pets and animals (the only other niche with average monthly earnings below $1,000).


A pictograph showing the average earnings per 1,000 visitors of affiliate marketers by niche.
Average affiliate marketer revenue per 1,000 visitors by niche

Affiliate marketing statistics from Authority Hacker show that affiliates in the education and e-learning niche have the highest revenue per 1,000 visitors. Professionals in this niche typically earn $274 for every thousand visitors, at least 16% more than any other niche.


Education and e-learning is followed by digital marketing ($236) and entertainment ($203), making these niches the only ones with average earnings exceeding $200 per 1,000 visitors.


At the other end of the scale, those in the pets and animals niche typically generate just $28 for every 1,000 visitors, nearly 10 times less than education and e-learning.


Radial bar chart showing the average single biggest commission from affiliate marketing by niche.
Average largest single commission in affiliate marketing by niche

Affiliate marketers in the beauty and skincare niche typically generate the highest individual commissions, with an average largest commission of $1,743, according to Authority Hacker. This was around 17% higher than any other niche and the only one with an average highest commission exceeding $1,500.


Contrastingly, the average largest commission for affiliate marketers in arts and crafts stood at just $142, the lowest of any niche. This was over 12 times less than beauty and skincare and one of only two niches with an average largest commission below $200 (the other being parenting and family).


Related content:



What affiliate marketing niche generates the most traffic?


Affiliate marketing statistics from Authority Hacker revealed that those in the technology niche experience the highest monthly traffic, on average. With an average of nearly 110,000, affiliates working in the tech sector generate nearly a fifth (19%) more traffic than any other niche.


Technology was followed by beauty and skincare, with average monthly traffic of 92,179—19% more than the next highest niche and the only other one with average traffic exceeding 80,000.


“To generate revenue with your niche website, you have two common options: displaying ads through Google AdSense or using affiliate programs that allow you to earn money for each sale you generate.” - Emilio García, SEO podcaster and educator at Campamento Web

A proportional shapes chart showing the average monthly traffic of affiliate marketers by niche.
Average monthly traffic for affiliate marketers by niche

There were four other niches with average monthly traffic between 50,000 and 80,000; they were:


  • Food and nutrition (77,321)

  • Travel (70,669)

  • Finance (65,942)

  • Education and e-learning (56,761)


At the other end of the scale, those in the sustainability and the environment industry generated average monthly traffic of just under 8,000. This was over thirteen times less than technology and the only niche with average monthly traffic below 10,000.



What are the most effective methods for affiliate marketing?


Choosing products based on current trends is the most popular approach for high-earning affiliate marketers. Authority Hacker found that almost two-fifths (37.3%) of affiliates with average earnings of more than $10,000 per month cited this as their primary method. These numbers fell below a quarter (22.6%) for those earning less than $100.


The most popular methods for affiliate marketing by average earnings

Affiliate marketing method

Percentage of affiliate marketers earning under $100/mo who cited this as their primary method

Percentage of affiliate marketers earning $100–$500/mo who cited this as their primary method


Percentage of affiliate marketers earning $500–$2,500/mo who cited this as their primary method


Percentage of affiliate marketers earning $2,500–$10,000/mo who cited this as their primary method

Percentage of affiliate marketers earning over $10,000/mo who cited this as their primary method

Choose products based on personal experience

36%

37.4%

37.5%

32.6%

19.3%

Choose products based on current trends

22.6%

27.8%

31%

36.6%

37.3%

Choose products based on commission rates

28.3%

25.3%

19.9%

17.6%

16.6%

(Source: Authority Hacker)


Choosing products based on personal experience becomes less common as earnings increase. More than a third of affiliate marketers earning between $0 and $2,500 per month cited this as their primary method, with this number falling below a fifth (19.3%) for those earning over $10,000.


Approximately a quarter (25.5%) of those earning $100-$500 per month on average cited commission rates as their primary driver for product choices, with these numbers falling below a fifth for any earnings above $500.



Success of paid ads vs affiliate marketing by niche


Affiliate marketing statistics from Authority Hacker found that marketers from almost every niche generated more income from affiliate marketing than from paid ads. Nearly three-fifths (58%) of marketers in the digital marketing niche generated most of their income from affiliate marketing, compared to just 10% who cited paid ads.


While slightly fewer marketers in sustainability and environment (55%) said affiliate marketing was their main income source, this was 49 percentage points more than the number who chose paid ads (6%)—the biggest gap of any niche.


 A horizontal bar chart showing the most impactful income generator for marketers by method and niche
The most impactful income generator for marketers by method and niche

Entertainment was the only niche where more marketers generated more money from paid ads than from affiliate marketing, with nearly a third (32%) citing paid ads compared to just 30% for affiliate marketing.



Key affiliate marketing challenges


A report from AffiliateWP found nearly half (45.3%) of industry professionals cited generating traffic to their sites as their primary challenge, highlighting the competitive nature of online marketing and the importance of a refined SEO strategy.


The same affiliate marketing statistics found that a quarter (25.1%) have been negatively impacted by search algorithm updates. Of these, around half (47.4%) responded by making changes to their content strategy.


A mini infographic showing the percentage of affiliate marketers that have been negatively impacted by search algorithm updates.

Burnout is another key obstacle within the industry, even at the highest level. Nearly a third (31.3%) of affiliate marketers earning six figures annually have considered quitting at some point, citing burnout and industry frustration as driving factors.


More than a quarter (26.9%) reported inadequate support from affiliate managers as a significant hurdle, which may be contributing to the prevalence of burnout and frustration among certain professionals.


Despite these challenges, approximately four in five (83.1%) affiliate marketers remain optimistic about the future of affiliate marketing, suggesting widespread confidence in the direction and potential of the industry.


Avoid common marketing fails by investing in the right support and marketing analytics—both are key to staying resilient and making smarter, data-driven decisions in a fast-moving industry.



What is the biggest challenge for high-earning affiliate marketers?


Over 17% (17.33%) of high-earning affiliate marketers cited getting traffic as their biggest challenge in an Authority Hacker survey. This was slightly higher than hiring and managing a team, which was the second-most referenced challenge (16.67%).


 Doughnut chart showing the biggest challenges cited by high-earning affiliate marketers.
The main challenges of high-earning affiliate marketers (over six figures per year)

Just over one in seven (14.67%) high-earning affiliate marketers claimed changes in search algorithms were their biggest challenge, compared to 13.3% who cited converting traffic to sales.


These were the final challenges referenced by more than a tenth of respondents, meaning the four most popular challenges accounted for over three-fifths of the overall total.



Affiliate marketing fraud statistics


Analysis of affiliate marketing facts found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of marketers were concerned about affiliate fraud. The AffiliateWP report also found that:


  • 17% of affiliate traffic in 2022 was fraudulent, either through bots or fraudsters, up from 10% in 2020.

  • These fraudulent activities resulted in estimated losses of $3.4 billion.


Cookie stuffing and chargebacks were two primary sources of affiliate fraud, with nearly 30% of brands citing these as practices used by unethical marketers to artificially elevate their commissions.


Additionally, a report from No Fraud found that more than two-fifths (45%) of affiliate traffic is suspected to be false, heightening industry fears around ad fraud. This is validated by a Statista study, which projected that the global cost of ad fraud could almost double in the coming years, from $88 billion in 2023 to $172 billion in 2028.



AI in affiliate marketing statistics


Nearly four in five (79.3%) affiliate marketers said they were embracing the shift toward AI-driven content creation in a 2024 Authority Hacker study. This was nearly 30 percentage points more than the next-highest trend, and the only one cited by over half of affiliate marketers.


Discover how AI marketing and AI marketing automation are reshaping the future of affiliate strategies.


A curved bar chart showing the most common trends and practices being embraced by affiliate marketers.
The most common trends and practices being embraced by affiliate marketers, 2024

Just under half (49.6%) said they were embracing email marketing and newsletters, with around two-fifths (39.4%) citing social media marketing as an area of focus. Nearly 16% cited Chatbot integrations as a trend they were embracing, further validating the growing influence of AI in affiliate marketing. Tools like an AI website builder are also making it easier for marketers to streamline their efforts and adapt quickly to these trends.


The trends towards AI adoption were also highlighted by Influencecity, which predicted that AI will impact over 50% of digital marketing strategies in 2025.


Explore more:



The future of affiliate marketing


As well as the move towards AI, there are numerous other emerging trends predicted to drive the direction of affiliate marketing. A report from Hostinger revealed that mobile affiliate marketing is expected to drive almost two-thirds (65%) of affiliate clicks by 2027.


A mini infographic showing the percentage of affiliate platforms moving away from cookie-based tracking.

By 2026, it’s predicted that over 90% of eCommerce businesses will use affiliate marketing, while seven in 10 (70%) affiliate platforms are moving away from cookie-based tracking, in favor of first-party tracking solutions and AI-driven site analytics.


"Once you decide to become an affiliate marketer, it's essential to focus on products you believe in. Your affinity for the product is crucial, and it's better to choose an unsaturated market with few players. Have you already chosen a competitive niche? Ensure there is profit potential that justifies your investment." - Guy Josipovich, online partnerships manager at Wix

Editor’s note: This blog post is based on the most recent data available as of April 22, 2025.



Affiliate marketing FAQs


What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a popular type of performance-based digital marketing where businesses or individuals earn commission by promoting a brand’s products and services. Affiliates share unique tracking links via their website, social media, emails or other platforms. They earn commission when a buyer clicks through these links to make a purchase.


Examples of prominent affiliate marketing sites include NerdWallet, Skyscanner and Money Saving Expert.

How to start affiliate marketing?

What is high-ticket affiliate marketing?

What is EPC in affiliate marketing?

How do I choose a niche for affiliate marketing?

How do I build an affiliate marketing website?

How much does affiliate marketing make?

Is affiliate marketing legal?

Is affiliate marketing worth it?




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