Affiliate marketing is a way to earn a commission by recommending someone else’s product. A business gives you a trackable link. When someone uses your link and takes a qualifying action—usually a purchase, sometimes a sign-up—the business pays you a share under the terms of its program.
Who’s involved
- The merchant makes the product, runs checkout, and handles customer service.
- You, the affiliate, help the right people understand whether the product fits them.
- The customer decides. Nothing happens unless they find the recommendation useful.
- A network or platform sometimes sits in the middle, handling tracking and payments.
What you actually do all week
Mostly: answer questions. You research products, create useful content (articles, videos, screen recordings, emails), get it in front of people who need it, and check what happened. The link is the smallest part of the work.
What it costs
Joining most programs is free. Your real costs are time and, depending on your approach, tools such as a website, hosting, editing software, or an email platform. It’s possible to start very lean—one useful page or video and a free tool or two.
The honest trade-offs
- Pros: no inventory, no customer service, flexible hours, and you can start small with skills you already have.
- Cons: you don’t control prices, products, or program terms; commissions can be reversed for returns; traffic takes time to build; and income is never guaranteed.
Is it legitimate?
Yes, when it’s done transparently. In the U.S., the FTC expects you to clearly disclose that you may earn a commission, close to the recommendation. Honest recommendations are also simply better business: trust is what makes people come back.
Ready to go deeper? Read the full guide What is affiliate marketing?, then the seven-day starter plan.