Affiliate Network

Affiliate networks are the marketplaces where offers meet traffic, acting as trusted intermediaries between advertisers who need customers and affiliates who can deliver them. The network handles critical infrastructure: tracking clicks and conversions via proprietary platforms, managing payouts (typically on NET-7 to NET-30 schedules), preventing fraud, and providing account managers who help both sides optimize performance. The global affiliate marketing industry generates over $17 billion in revenue, with major CPA networks like Aff1, Clickdealer, MaxBounty, Perform[cb], and Leadbit managing thousands of active offers across all verticals. A typical affiliate network charges advertisers a 20-30% markup above the affiliate payout. For example, if an advertiser pays the network $50 per gambling deposit, the network might offer affiliates $35-$40 CPA, keeping the difference. For newcomers to affiliate marketing, joining 2-3 networks is the standard starting point. Each network has different strengths: some specialize in gambling and betting offers, others focus on nutra or e-commerce, and some serve specific GEO regions. In affiliate marketing careers, network-side roles include affiliate manager (recruiting and supporting affiliates, $30,000-$60,000 salary), advertiser manager, and business development. These positions offer unique industry insight because you see campaign data from hundreds of affiliates simultaneously, making it excellent training for later transitioning into a media buying role.