Google recently announced stricter updates to rank affiliate content lower in SERPs as it provides less value to the readers. This has sparked a big question for marketers: is it still profitable to start affiliate marketing in 2025?
The short answer is yes, if you do it right. Despite the algorithm changes, affiliate marketing remains one of the most lucrative and fast-growing business models worldwide. The latest numbers show why:
- Market Size (2025): $18.5B (2024) (Statista)
- Affiliate Revenue: $8038/month (Affiliate WP)
- Highest Payouts: Saas, tech, insurance & finance
- ROI: $1 spent = $12 earned (DemandSage)
So, the statistics confirm that affiliate marketing in 2025 is not only alive , it’s thriving.
In this blog, we’ll cover the most up-to-date statistics on affiliate marketing with industry size, adoption, ROI, top-performing channels, influencer impact, and emerging trends.
Top 10 Affiliate Marketing Statistics in 2025 At a Glance
Though affiliate marketing remains highly profitable, success in 2025 isn’t just about links and promotions. To rank well and earn big, you need to create content that delivers genuine value while adapting to new trends like influencer-driven sales and AI-powered personalization.
Before going to data, let’s check the affiliate marketing graph to visualize more clearly,
- The global affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach $37.3 billion in 2025 (DemandSage).
- 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers use affiliate marketing to generate revenue (Demandsage).
- Average Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) for affiliate programs is 12:1 (Demandsage).
- Affiliate marketing drives 16% of global e-commerce sales (Demandsage).
- Influencers account for 20% of US Cyber Monday online sales (Business Insider).
- The highest affiliate payouts come from the technology and SaaS niche, where commissions range between 20% and 50% per sale. (AffiliateWP)
- Mobile devices now account for 62.54% of affiliate-driven traffic (Statistia).
- The finance and insurance niche offers the highest affiliate commissions, averaging $70+ per lead (Authority Hacker).
- Video content increases affiliate conversion rates by up to 49% (Hostinger).
- AI-powered personalization boosts affiliate campaigns to $47 billion (Statistia).
These are the top affiliate marketing statistics you need to know in 2025 before joining or scaling any affiliate program.
Now, let’s break down how the affiliate market is expanding across different areas from channels and adoption trends to earnings potential and country-specific growth.
Affiliate Marketing Growth Statistics
1. The global affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach $37.3 billion in 2025, with expectations to grow to $48 billion by 2027. (DemandSage)
The global affiliate marketing industry is valued at $18.5 billion as of 2024 and is projected to reach $31.7 billion by 2031. But, this rapid expansion reflects how more brands and businesses are embracing affiliate partnerships as a core revenue channel rather than a supplementary tactic. In fact, companies are investing more budget into paying affiliates commissions for driving sales, leads, or conversions.
2. In the United States, affiliate marketing spending is anticipated to surpass $10 billion for the first time in 2024, reaching $11.2 billion in 2025. (DemandSage)
This milestone reflects the growing maturity and importance of affiliate marketing in the U.S. digital economy. As brands allocate more than $10 billion annually, it highlights affiliate marketing’s proven ROI and scalability. For affiliates, this means bigger budgets and more diverse partnership opportunities.
3. Affiliate channels are responsible for 16% of all online orders in the U.S., highlighting their significant role in e-commerce sales. (DemandSage)
Affiliate channels driving 16% of U.S. online orders underscores their critical influence in e-commerce. This shows affiliates aren’t just traffic sources, they’re key sales drivers. Brands ignoring affiliate marketing risk losing a substantial chunk of revenue, while affiliates can capitalize on high-converting, purchase-ready audiences.
Affiliate Program Adoption Rates
1. 81% of Advertisers Use Affiliate Marketing (Rakuten Marketing)
Most brands now consider affiliate marketing essential. High adoption reflects the low-risk, performance-based model allows marketers to pay only for real results rather than broad impressions.
2. 84% of Publishers Run Affiliate Programs (Rakuten Marketing)
Publishers increasingly rely on affiliate programs for revenue. Blogs, niche websites, and influencer platforms monetize traffic efficiently, making affiliate marketing a reliable income source across industries.
Affiliate ROI, Earnings & Spending Trends
1. Affiliate Average ROAS is 12:1 (Taboola)
Affiliate campaigns deliver strong returns with $12 return for every $1 spent makes affiliates one of the most efficient digital channels. And, it attracts both small businesses and enterprise advertisers. However, increased competition can impact how easily affiliates can convert sales.
2. Global Affiliate Commission Rates Range from 5% to 30% (Demandsage)
Commission rates vary by niche. High-ticket items like software and finance offer larger percentages, while retail products often have lower but higher-volume conversions.
Affiliate Marketing Impact on E-Commerce
1. 16% of Global E-Commerce Sales Driven by Affiliates (Authority Hacker)
Affiliates have become key drivers of online sales. This statistic shows that nearly 1 in 6 purchases comes through affiliate marketing for e-commerce growth.
Affiliate Influencer & Seasonal Impact
1. Influencers Account for 20% of US Cyber Monday Sales (Business Insider)
Affiliate partnerships with influencers drive significant seasonal revenue. Social trust, reach, and tailored promotions make influencers effective during high-purchase periods like Cyber Monday.
2. 36% of brands say influencer content outperforms branded content (Influencer marketing)
People tend to engage more with content from individuals they follow than with polished corporate messaging. For affiliate marketing, this means partnering with influencers can amplify results, as their recommendations feel more like genuine advice than traditional advertising.
Mobile & Emerging Affiliate Trends
1. 62.54% of Affiliate Traffic Comes From Mobile Devices excluding Tablets (Statistia)
Mobile-first shopping habits dominate. Affiliates and advertisers must optimize content and landing pages for mobile to capture a majority of traffic and maintain high conversion rates.
2. Video Content Boosts Conversions by Up to 49% (Hostinger)
Video helps demonstrate products clearly, builds trust, and drives engagement. Affiliates leveraging video content see higher conversion rates compared to text-only campaigns.
3. AI Usage in Marketing to Reach $47 Billion in 2025 & Projected to Exceed $107 Billion by 2028 (Statistia)
As AI tools become more sophisticated, affiliates can automate campaign optimization, segment audiences with greater precision, and predict consumer behavior more accurately. This not only boosts conversion rates but also reduces wasted ad spend.
Statistics of Affiliate Marketing by Country
Affiliate marketing’s borderless nature allows it to thrive in multiple regions, yet adoption rates and growth vary based on local ecommerce maturity, consumer behavior, and technological infrastructure. Here’s a closer look at how the market performs across different geographies:
1. Affiliate Marketing statistics in North America (cognitive market research)
North America remains the powerhouse of affiliate marketing, accounting for 40% of the global market in 2024. With the U.S. and Canada together hosting 67% of all affiliate marketers (57% in the U.S., 10% in Canada), the region benefits from mature ecommerce ecosystems and advanced digital advertising tools.
- Market size: The North American affiliate marketing market was valued at $7.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $11.3 billion by 2031 (CAGR 6.2%).
- Spending trends: U.S. affiliate marketing spend reached $10.72 billion in 2024 and is expected to surpass $11.99 billion in 2025, marking an 11.9% year-over-year growth.
Strong infrastructure, high consumer spending power, and established affiliate networks make North America a dominant force. However, saturation levels may require marketers to innovate with personalization and AI-driven targeting to sustain ROI.
2. Affiliate Marketing statistics in Europe (cognitive market research)
Europe commands roughly 27% of the global affiliate marketing market in 2025, with diverse opportunities across Western, Central, and Eastern Europe.
- Market size: The market was worth $5.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.63 billion by 2031 (CAGR 6.5%).
- Revenue: Affiliate marketing revenue in 2025 reached $4.6 billion.
Although Europe grows slower than APAC, its multilingual and multicultural landscape creates powerful cross-border opportunities. Strict compliance with GDPR remains key to long-term success.
3. Affiliate Marketing statistics in Asia–Pacific (APAC) (Earnkaro)
The fastest-growing affiliate marketing region globally, APAC is expecting 40% global retail sales by 2028 with a CAGR exceeding 10% annually.
- Market Size: $4.3 billion in 2024, expected to more than double to $8.3 billion by 2031.
- Traffic Source: Over 60% of affiliate traffic comes from mobile devices, signaling a strong need for mobile-first campaigns.
- ROI: Affiliate ROI averages $6.50–$15 for every $1 spent, aligning with global performance benchmarks.
Mobile-first strategies dominate, and rapidly expanding ecommerce markets like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are creating fertile ground for new affiliate niches. Early adoption in emerging APAC markets could yield exponential returns.
4. Affiliate Marketing statistics in South America (cognitive market research)
South America holds about 5% of the global affiliate market, valued at $925.6 million in 2024.
- Forecast: Market expected to grow at 7.4% CAGR, reaching $1.5 billion by 2031.
While smaller in market share, South America’s growing middle class and increasing internet penetration present untapped affiliate opportunities, particularly in lifestyle, gaming, and fintech sectors.
5. Affiliate Marketing statistics in Middle East & Africa (MENA) (Statistia)
MENA currently holds a 2% share of the global affiliate market, valued at $650 million+ in 2024.
- Influencer Ad Spend: Projected at $648.9 million in 2025, with an 8.4% CAGR through 2029.
This is an emerging market with high potential in influencer-led affiliate campaigns. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading digital adoption, but broader regional growth depends on improving ecommerce infrastructure.
Challenges & Risks Statistics of Affiliate marketing
1. Apple iOS Privacy Updates Reduced Cookie Lifespans (IAB)
Apple’s privacy changes limit cookie tracking, making it harder for affiliates to attribute sales accurately. The industry is adapting by using server-side tracking and first-party data to maintain performance insights.
2. 42.7% of Internet Users Employ Ad-Blocking Software (Statista)
Nearly half of users block ads, which reduces visibility for display-based affiliate campaigns. Affiliates are shifting to content-driven, native, and influencer marketing to bypass these restrictions effectively.
3. FTC Compliance is Mandatory for Affiliate Links (FTC)
Clear disclosure of affiliate links is legally required. Brands and publishers who ignore these rules risk fines and reputational damage. Many now integrate compliance into content workflows proactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is affiliate marketing in 2025?
The global affiliate industry is valued at $18.5B in 2024 and projected to reach $31.7B by 2031.
What’s the average ROI in affiliate marketing?
The average ROAS is 12:1, meaning $12 earned for every $1 spent.
What is the average affiliate marketing percentage?
The average affiliate marketing commission percentage typically ranges from 5% to 30% per sale. However, certain industries like SaaS and software offer much higher rates, often between 20% and 50%, while physical products (like retail or eCommerce) usually fall on the lower end.
Conclusion
In 2025, affiliate marketing is still one of the strongest parts of digital marketing, giving businesses great ROI, wider adoption, and plenty of opportunities for both big brands and new publishers. With trends like mobile-first shopping, AI personalization, and influencer marketing driving growth, companies that use smart, data-driven affiliate strategies will stay ahead of the competition.
If you’re new to affiliate marketing or looking to grow, affiliate marketing glossary is a handy way to learn key terms and stay on track in this fast-changing field.
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