This once-niche strategy has become one of the most common forms of marketing that brands adopt today, thanks to the high ROI and low risks for the business.
Started by the music retail industry in 1994 when CDNow started its BuyWeb program and made popular by Amazon in 1996, affiliate marketers can today be found across dozens of industries, where they’re successfully promoting products or services.
The Global Affiliate Marketing Industry
The global affiliate marketing industry is massive, with some significant stats for 2025:
- The global market is valued at £13.9 billion and is estimated to grow to £23.83 billion by 2031 as more businesses adopt this marketing model.
- North America is the market leader, contributing 40% of this revenue. The US has the biggest affiliate market industry.
- The leading revenue model is “cost per sale”, where marketers earn a commission on sales.
- Over 80% of advertisers use affiliate marketing for sales and customer acquisition.
- Amazon Associates is the largest affiliate network in the world, with over 46% of the market share.
- AI affiliate marketing is growing. More brands are using AI to improve audience targeting and create marketing campaigns.
- The highest commission rates are offered by Software as a Service (SaaS) programs, offering commissions ranging from 20% to 70% on the sales price.
- Affiliate marketing accounts for 16% of e-commerce sales.
- Video content is the most popular content produced by marketers, increasing conversion rates by 49%.
Top Affiliate Marketing Industries
Affiliate marketing has spread across a spectrum of industries in the past few years, with many of these seeing a lot of success from the marketing model.
Travel
The travel industry’s revenue is projected to reach £955.94 billion by the end of 2025. It is a thriving sector due to big-ticket purchases like flights and all-inclusive resort stays. The impact of social media on the industry can’t be ignored, as influencers post glamorous content of tropical destinations and hidden gems. Almost 80% of travellers tend to book their holidays based on posts and ads, which is the perfect setup for affiliate marketers.
Examples of affiliate marketing options in the travel industry include:
- Travel booking sites like Expedia, Airbnb, or Booking.com
- Airline loyalty programs
- Travel insurance
- Luggage brands
- Tour operators
Gaming
The online gaming and iGaming industry has been using affiliate marketing for many years. Affiliate marketing programs in the sector, like ghostpartners.com, work via a referral program, where marketers for the casino platform can earn financial incentives if other people sign up via their link.
Affiliate marketers can promote games or gaming platforms through video tutorials or by streaming their gameplay. They can also review subscription services, consoles and gaming equipment, or PC accessories.
Personal finance
The personal finance sector has not escaped the power of affiliate marketing either. The industry is expected to be worth well over £1.35 billion by the end of 2030, and features various aspects like investments, cryptocurrency, digital invoicing, banking, and peer-to-peer payments.
Affiliate marketers use their influence to impact how people access and manage their funds. They provide information in bite-sized, understandable formats to make financial management more accessible to the masses. Marketers promote financial services or apps by creating content that includes budgeting tips, ideas for passive income, or presenting themselves as digital nomads in luxury destinations.
Pets
People love their pets, and pet care is a huge industry across the world. Thanks to the rise of remote work, more people are getting pets, meaning the market is constantly growing. It is also highly competitive, with many pet food and accessory brands out there, which is why businesses are teaming up with dog trainers and cat ladies to promote their products.
The pet care sector encompasses many elements, including:
- Pet food (raw food and kibble)
- Pet clothing and accessories
- Pet insurance
- Grooming products and services
- Training courses
Affiliate marketers create fun content featuring their own pets while mentioning the brands they trust to keep their animals happy. Most marketers focus on only one pet instead of covering a brand’s entire range of pet care products, targeting the campaign to a specific audience.
Wellness and lifestyle
As obesity continues to be on the rise in many countries, and more people are becoming aware of the impact of processed foods, the wellness industry is thriving. Industry research reported that the health and wellness sector will be worth £3.18 billion by 2026. And there are plenty of opportunities for brands to work with affiliate marketers.
Products that are commonly advertised include skincare products, supplements, sports gear, exercise programs, vegan and gluten-free products, and nutrition plans.
Ongoing studies will continue to deliver new information, which shapes consumer behaviour. Brands must stay up to date on the latest wellness and lifestyle information to continue to promote their products in a way that appeals to the latest trends.
Technology
Technology has infiltrated almost every aspect of daily life. From mapping the route to work using Google Maps to making coffee using a high-tech barista machine, technology is everywhere. It is therefore not surprising that businesses in this industry have turned to affiliate marketing campaigns to stand out, appear more credible, and reach a wider audience.
Technology companies are known to offer generous commission rates to grab the best marketers away from the competition. The goal of these marketing campaigns is to make technology more accessible, breaking down complex functions so that everyone can understand how the tech will simplify people’s lives.
Some niches within the technology industry include:
- Laptops for work and gaming
- Web hosting
- Cloud storage
- Home gadgets
- Productivity software
- Podcasting equipment
Final Thoughts
It is clear why brands across several industries are using affiliate marketing to promote products and services. This type of marketing campaign offers many benefits, including low-cost advertising, increased brand reach, credibility, and access to new audiences who follow the affiliate marketers.
Affiliate marketing is no longer just for businesses that sell products in the e-commerce landscape. Tech companies, fitness brands, and pet care businesses are all turning to online personalities to increase brand visibility.