A Business Affiliate is an entity or individual that has a formal agreement to promote another business’s products or services, typically in exchange for a commission or other financial compensation.
This relationship is common in various sectors, including online retail, where websites may host links directing users to a product or service, earning a percentage of any resulting sales.
For example, a blogger who writes about photography equipment might include links to cameras on an online retailer’s site. If a reader clicks one of these links and makes a purchase, the blogger, as the affiliate, earns a commission from the sale.
The affiliate relationship benefits both parties: the primary business gains increased exposure and sales through the affiliate’s audience, and the affiliate earns revenue from its promotional efforts.
These agreements are governed by terms that detail the rights and responsibilities of each party, such as payment methods, advertising standards, and how sales are tracked and attributed to affiliates.
Affiliates must disclose their relationship with the businesses they promote to their audience, a requirement in many jurisdictions to ensure transparency and maintain consumer trust.
This disclosure is often seen as a simple statement or disclaimer on a website, indicating that the affiliate may receive compensation for their endorsements.
