Affiliate marketing is a performance-based digital marketing strategy where businesses, referred to as advertisers or merchants, collaborate with individuals or entities known as affiliates or publishers to promote their products or services in exchange for a commission or predefined reward. Affiliates use various channels—such as websites, blogs, social media, email marketing, or video content—to promote these products or services, employing unique affiliate links or tracking codes to monitor referrals and sales.

Affiliate marketing provides mutual benefits. Advertisers can broaden their reach, access new audiences, and leverage the marketing skills of affiliates without incurring upfront marketing expenses. Conversely, affiliates can monetize their online presence, content, or audience by promoting relevant products or services and earning commissions based on their performance.

Successful affiliate marketing campaigns require selecting appropriate affiliate partners, offering them promotional materials and support, tracking and analyzing performance metrics, optimizing campaigns for improved results, and ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards.