# Affiliate marketing: what it is and how it works
> Affiliate marketing is a model in which an advertiser pays affiliates a commission for each sale or action they generate.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/affiliate-marketing.html

# Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a model in which an advertiser pays a commission to third parties, known as affiliates, for each sale, sign-up or other action generated through their promotion

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

Affiliates may be content and comparison sites, blogs, social media creators, voucher or cashback sites, or newsletters. Each uses links or codes with their own identifier so that the action can be attributed. Advertisers often work through affiliate networks, which connect advertisers and affiliates and handle tracking and payments.

Payment is usually based on results (per sale or per lead), although other models exist. For advertisers it is a performance-linked channel; its sensitive areas are traffic quality, fraud, attribution rules when several channels are involved and the requirement for affiliates to disclose that links are advertising.

Also known as

Affiliate programme

Topics

[Marketing and sales](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/marketing-y-ventas)

## Related concepts

- [Performance marketing](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/performance-marketing.html)
- [Pay per sale (PPS)](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/pay-per-sale-pps.html)
- [Cashback](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/cashback.html)