Affiliate marketing tends to get a bad rap due to the overwhelming number of 'affiliate marketers' who provide no value and try to sell everything under the sun using at times nefarious means. However, I don't think it's going anywhere as major companies that have affiliate programs (e.g. Amazon, Best Buy, etc...) view it as a cost effective way to drive sales to their business. They only pay when a sale is made; it's basically a commission-only salesperson.   Small businesses can use affiliate marketing to sell complementary products and test out new business lines in a risk free manner. So I hope it doesn't go away anytime soon.

Yes I agree Internet marketing needs some clean up, but it is not dead. And small businesses using local seo are a great tool for their growth. But I do see and evolution in the delivery system from home computer to cell phone. It will not be long before this group of teens who's head you never see come up from their phone screens have to be reached in a different marketing system.

I'm not sure about how long will affiliate business work. I've heard that U.S government is going to control whole internet. There is a lot of scam products on the internet these days, so probably they want to do something against it. Just for example, there is a plenty of 'fat burning' pills and stuff that simply doesn't work (you will just burn your money, not fat). In my opinion, in the future, the internet is going to be controlled, the same as stores. For example - in the store, you won't find fake nike shoes, but try search for it on the internet. I bet you will find them from some china dropshipper in a couple of minutes. The same is with fake Iphones. There is countless fake iphones like Sciphone, Hiphone, Miniphone with fake Apple logos on the back saying it's 8 GB (and it's not more than 100 MB). And they're all the same crap from china. So my answer is - as I said - in the future the internet is going to be controlled. When? I don't know.

Affiliate marketing is a great way to generate more revenue for an online business, especially for any business that is the only line. While it is commonly used for other businesses, is a great marketing tool available to businesses online. It can generate more sales of your product by creating an affiliate marketing strategy of what might otherwise obtain from its members are helping to bring more traffic to your business.

Actually it isquite difficult to predict the future of affiliate marketing. As everyone can see, changes often take place in online advertizing sector. New techniques appear, others become a history. It should be noted that most changes are explained by updates in algorithms of major search engines. The major competitive advantage of affiliate marketing is that it is cost-effective solution. Also, it is a good link building method for a website. So, taking into account the fact affiliates provide additional sales and increase link mass of a website, so I think that it will not die in the nearest future.

Yes, you are right. But why do you not think why they will go away. They are gaining profit from your side. However, you can visit their website for know how they are old in business, how many members are using their products and many more things then start work with them. Before starting not this business but any business should know how they are old and how much famous are in markets for that particular subjects.

As long as there are peoples who want to make money by promoting affiliate programs, they won't go away.

I think the affiliate business is a growing trend both at this time.I even saw Google.com as the largest search site has provided facilities to the publiser and business owners through Google Affiliate Network. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

Well, you should look at companies like Amway, Oriflame, Avon. Did they die?   The same way is and will be with the online affiliate business.