affiliatelinks

Affiliatelinks, or affiliate links, are URL links embedded with unique tracking codes that attribute referrals to a specific publisher or marketing partner. When a user clicks such a link and completes a qualified action on the merchant site—typically a purchase or signup—the publisher earns a commission. They are a common monetization method for blogs, review sites, YouTube channels, newsletters, and apps.

How they work: a click is recorded by an affiliate network or the merchant’s own tracking system, often via cookies or device identifiers. If the user completes the action within the tracking window, the network logs the sale or lead and assigns the commission to the referring partner. Payment models include pay-per-sale, pay-per-lead, and pay-per-click.

Link types include standard product links, deep links to specific pages, banner links, and contextual links within content. Publishers may use affiliate networks such as Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, or Rakuten, or run direct relationships with merchants.

Disclosure and compliance: in many jurisdictions, publishers must clearly disclose their affiliate relationship to users. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission requires clear and conspicuous disclosures. Web platforms may require the use of rel="sponsored" or similar attributes for links, and some networks enforce guidelines on link placement and honesty.

Practical considerations: ensure links point to reputable merchants, monitor performance with analytics, and avoid excessive or deceptive linking. Affiliate links may involve cookies with varying duration, affecting attribution if the user returns later. Ethical and compliant use emphasizes relevance and user value over aggressive promotion.