"With low upfront investment requirements and high ROI potential, affiliate marketing is a cost-effective, reliable way for brands to reach and connect with consumers where they browse and make decisions online. The approach is rooted in partnerships with trusted publishers, giving marketers greater brand authenticity and control even amid AI-driven disruption. Generative AI transforms product discovery GenAI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity have rapidly become as popular as traditional search for product recommendations."
"McKinsey found that 40-55% of consumers are using AI-based search for purchasing decisions because it surfaces key information, brand comparisons, customer reviews and more in real time, presented in a structured, transparent way. Recommendations are also personalized based on factors consumers input upfront, such as budget and desired outcomes. Visibility in AI-powered search hinges on data quality rather than keywords."
2026 represents a pivotal year for U.S. marketers facing tariff volatility, inflationary pressure, and shifting consumer demands. Affiliate marketing offers low upfront investment and high ROI, enabling brands to reach consumers where they browse and make decisions. Many brands still run affiliate programs in isolation, limiting performance across the marketing mix. Social commerce growth and generative AI are reshaping product discovery, increasing the importance of partnerships with trusted publishers for authenticity and control. AI-based search relies on data quality more than keywords, elevating the role of affiliate and user-generated content in visibility and purchase influence.
Read at MarTech
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