How it works
Three parties are involved. A merchant has a product and an affiliate program. An affiliate, such as a creator, joins the program and receives a unique link. A buyer clicks the link and makes a purchase. The link tells the merchant who sent the buyer, and the affiliate is paid a commission, usually a percentage of the sale or a fixed amount.
The details are set by each program's terms. They state the commission, how long after a click a purchase still counts, when and how you are paid, what happens with refunds, and how you may and may not promote. Terms change, sometimes sharply, and a program can close. Income is uneven because it depends on your traffic, on how many people click, on how many of those buy, and on a rate you do not control.
Creators like affiliate marketing because there is no product to make or support. It works when the recommendation is real: a tool you use, explained to people who need it. It fails, and damages trust, when links are scattered over everything. Disclosure is not optional. Regulators such as the FTC in the United States expect you to tell your audience clearly that you earn from the link, close to the recommendation itself.
A worked example
A creator who teaches video editing recommends the editing software she uses.
- She joins the software's affiliate program and reads the terms: commission rate, tracking period and payout rules.
- She makes a tutorial that solves a real problem with the tool and puts her link in the description.
- Beside the link she writes: I earn a commission if you buy through this link.
- If the program paid 20% on a $50 purchase, one sale would earn $10. Her real figure depends on the program's terms and on how many viewers buy.
An illustration, not a real account. Any numbers in it are made up to show the method, and are not benchmarks.
Common mistakes
- Hiding or burying the disclosure. It must be clear and near the link.
- Recommending products you have not used because the commission is high.
- Not reading the terms. Tracking periods, payout thresholds and banned methods differ by program.
- Building all your income on one program that can change its rate or close.
Questions people ask
How do affiliates get paid?
The merchant tracks purchases made through your link and pays a commission on a schedule set in its terms, often after a waiting period that covers refunds.
Do I have to say that a link is an affiliate link?
Yes in many countries. The FTC suggests a clear statement such as: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. It says the words affiliate link alone may not be understood.
Can I do affiliate marketing with a small audience?
Yes. Many programs have no follower minimum, and a small audience that trusts your recommendations is a reasonable place to start. Expect modest and uneven amounts.
Sources
The FTC suggests wording such as: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. It says consumers might not understand that the phrase affiliate link means the person placing the link is getting paid.
Federal Trade Commission (United States): FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking read 13 October 2026
Every link was opened on 13 October 2026. Products and policies change, so check the source before you rely on a figure.