Does Affiliate Marketing Work? Yes and No

Affiliate marketing is one of the oldest but still most popular online income streams today. From YouTube Influencers, TikTok gurus, and Facebook hustlers, it seems like everyone swears that affiliate marketing is a track to massive passive income.

But is it really?

The truth is: Affiliate marketing can work, but not for everyone.

This article will break down affiliate marketing, give you some realistic stats, tips, and offer an honest take on who should and shouldn't try this type of marketing.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing where you can earn a commission for promoting someone else’s products or services.

Using a unique link, when someone purchases through that link, you get a cut of the sale.

It's popular and easy to get into because you don't have to create the product, handle any inventory, worry about shipping, or even deal with customers.

Your job is simply to bring them to the product and convince them to buy it. Pretty simple, right?

Yes...and No.

Affiliate Marketing by the Numbers

Let’s take a look at the scale of the industry and some real-world data:

  • Affiliate marketing is a $17 billion industry as of 2024 and growing steadily every year.

  • 81% of brands and 84% of publishers in the U.S. use affiliate marketing.

  • Amazon Associates, one of the world’s biggest affiliate programs, has over 900,000 active affiliates.

  • The average affiliate marketer makes around $300–$3,000 per month, but...

  • Only the top 10% earn over $10,000/month, and the majority earn less than $100 per month when starting.

These stats show something crucial: affiliate marketing obviously makes money, but it's not a money machine for everyone. Some make a lot, but most make very little.

And it does take time, effort, and consistency to get a decent cut of the pie. Attracting traffic is the best way to make real money.

Popular Affiliate Programs to Know

If you’re considering diving into affiliate marketing, here are some of the most well-known programs:

  • Amazon Associates – Easy to join, but commissions are relatively low (1-10%).

  • ClickBank – Great for digital products, with some high commissions (up to 75%).

  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) – Large marketplace of reputable brands.

  • ShareASale – Variety of niches, from fashion to home improvement.

  • PartnerStack – B2B SaaS-focused affiliate program marketplace.

  • Impact.com – Used by major companies like Airbnb, Walmart, and Canva.

Many companies, even smaller or niche ones, offer affiliate programs, often found at the bottom of their website under "Affiliates" or "Partnerships."

So… Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

Yes, for the right person with the right approach.

Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn income if you already have an audience on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc.

If you are willing to create content consistently for a long time before there is any payoff, and you are good at knowing what people like and which products will sell.

It also helps a lot if you are familiar with marketing, copywriting, and have SEO and email marketing experience.

No, for the person who is not cut out for it.

If you are looking to get rich quickly, then this is not for you. Especially if you are not interested in marketing, advertising, or promotion of products.

If you quickly get tired of doing the same thing or are not consistent then this might not work out. Particularly if you are unwilling to learn or test different strategies and platforms.

Do This

Don't Do This

1. Pick a Niche That Solves a Problem

Focus on a niche where people actively search for solutions (fitness, personal finance, travel hacks, parenting, digital tools, etc.)

2. Start with Products You Actually Use

Promote tools, products, or services that you’ve personally used or believe in. Authenticity builds trust.

3. Don’t Rely Only on Social Media

While Instagram and TikTok can be powerful, consider creating content through a blog, videos, newsletters, and emails.

4. Focus on One or Two Affiliate Programs at First

Don't try to promote everything! Focus on one or two affiliate products that align with your content and learn how to sell those well.

1. Avoid Scammy Programs

If you have an upfront cost, most likely, there is something sketchy going on. RUN.

2. Take Low Commission Rates

Some companies offer commissions as low as 1–2%. If you're driving traffic but making pennies, it may not be worth it, so look for 20–50% commission.

3. Use short Cookie Duration

Some programs only track referrals for 24 hours, while others track for 30, 60, or even 90 days. Longer cookie durations = better chance of earning commissions.

4. Choose bad products

You’re not in charge of the product, shipping, pricing, or returns. If a product or company gets negative reviews, your reputation may take a hit just by association.

Should You Try Affiliate Marketing?

That is something that only you can answer.

I would say yes if you enjoy creating content or building your own brand. If you are ok to put in the time, effort, and consistency, and you are looking for a low-cost way to carve out income online.

And of course, if you are looking to Ghost Your Job, this is one of the best ways to start.

📌 Want to see how I’m using affiliate marketing to ghost my job?



 👉 It's called the Wealth Creator, and I am an affiliate for them because they have given me tools, tips, and motivation to start my journey.