How Long Has Affiliate Marketing Been Around? - [Check-in]
- Madhu Kumar C
- Jun 6, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 19
How Long Has Affiliate Marketing Been Around?:
Affiliate marketing has been around for quite some time now, but its origins can be traced back to the 1990s. In fact, it only gained popularity after 2002-04, as a result of the rapid growth of the Internet.
It was during this time that numerous affiliate programs were launched, and the concept of affiliate marketing began to gain global recognition.
Referring to the history of insights, the Amazon Associates Program is widely believed to be one of the oldest affiliate programs in the world. It was launched by Amazon in 1996, just after the company itself was founded in 1994.
The idea behind affiliate marketing is simple:
A company or a business entity pays a commission to an affiliate after the successful completion of conversion [generally through their website or designated landing pages] via unique affiliate links provided to affiliates.
The conversion could be a lead or a sale. But it will most often be in the context of sales.
The commission can be a percentage of the sale, a fixed amount per sale, or a combination of both. [If interested, know more from the affiliate marketing glossary].
At first, affiliate marketing was mainly used by e-commerce companies as a way to increase sales and drive traffic to their websites.
Because it also helped them in [cutting back on advertising expenses and also raising brand awareness or exposure] through affiliates’ efforts.
Over time, it has evolved to include other types of businesses, such as service providers, SaaS, B2B, and even online education platforms.
“Enter affiliate marketing, a 21st-century phenomenon that has taken the digital realm by storm. But this isn't a simple sign-up-and-share-links gig. To conquer the world of affiliate marketing and earn your stripes as a successful affiliate marketer, you need more than just enthusiasm” – DailyZoo Newsletter
One of the reasons why affiliate marketing has become so popular is that it's a win-win situation for both the company and the affiliate.
The company gets to increase its sales and reach a larger audience, while the affiliate gets to earn a commission for promoting products or services that they believe in.
Do you know? - "Affiliate marketing has made businesses millions and ordinary people millionaires" - Robert Foster Bennett
Simple Affiliate Marketing Working Model:
Today, affiliate marketing is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is used by businesses of all sizes and industries. There are already over 10,000 affiliate programs worldwide.
There are now countless affiliate networks and platforms that connect companies with affiliates, making it easier than ever to get started with affiliate marketing.
But it also needs to be noted that this is 'not' a quick money-making strategy, which is why many affiliates have failed up until this point.
Remember - “Nobody becomes a successful affiliate overnight, so don’t expect this to happen in your case. You will fail at first. If you give up too early, you may just miss out on a life-changing adventure” – STM Forum
What Affiliate Marketing is NOT?:
In conclusion, while affiliate marketing started out small in the 1990s, it has since grown into a massively profitable industry that shows no signs of slowing down.
If you're interested in learning more about affiliate marketing or getting started with your own affiliate program, there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started.
Here's related information that you may find helpful - Why Affiliate Marketing is Booming in 21st Century?
FAQs:
History of Affiliate Marketing:
Here is the short history of affiliate marketing:
1989: William J. Tobin founded PC Flowers & Gifts, pioneering the first online affiliate program.
1996: Amazon launched Amazon Associates, making affiliate marketing accessible to the general public.
2000: Google AdWords launched, enabling affiliates to use PPC advertising.
2000s: Social media platforms emerged, transforming affiliate marketing through content.
2006: Tracking technology advanced, allowing better monitoring of affiliate performance.
2010s: Mobile and social media expansion further revolutionized the industry.
2013: 40% of Amazon's $60 billion revenue came through affiliate links.
2017: Retailers spent over $5.4 billion on affiliate marketing.
When did Affiliate Marketing Start?:
Affiliate marketing started in the 1990s.
Who Invented Affiliate Marketing?:
William J. Tobin invented affiliate marketing in 1989 when he created the first affiliate program for his company, PC Flowers & Gifts.
How Long Do Affiliate Links Last?:
Affiliate links themselves typically don't expire; some last until clicked, while cookies usually track from 24 hours to 90 days or more, depending on the affiliate program.
Here's related information that you may also find helpful – Is Affiliate Marketing Safe?
P.S: Ready to [unlock the power of digital marketing] and drive [your] business forward? – Access my forum today
P.S.S: Please don’t forget to forward this blog post to your network so they can get the best tips, practices, strategies, education, resources, and tools to help their businesses grow [sharing is caring].
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