What are affiliate links, and how do they work?

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn money online – whether you’re a creator, blogger, or run a business. And it all starts with a single link: the affiliate link.

Think of it as your personal tracking link. When someone clicks it and makes a purchase, you get paid. It’s that simple. But how does it actually work? And how can you make the most of it?

Let’s walk you through the basics, plus how tools like Replug can take your affiliate strategy to the next level.

The basics of affiliate marketing

At its core, affiliate marketing involves three main parties:

• Merchants (also called advertisers or retailers) who sell products or services
• Affiliates (publishers or partners) who promote those products
• Consumers who purchase the products through affiliate recommendations

The affiliate acts as an intermediary, connecting potential customers to merchants. In return for driving sales, the affiliate receives a percentage of each successful transaction.

What are affiliate links?  

An affiliate link is a unique URL assigned to an affiliate (that’s you!) by a company or brand. When someone clicks on that link, makes a purchase, or completes a specific action, you earn a commission. Simple as that.

How affiliate links actually work?

When a merchant sets up an affiliate program, they generate unique tracking links for each affiliate. These links contain tracking parameters or cookies that identify:

1. The affiliate’s ID – A unique identifier assigned to each affiliate partner
2. The specific product being promoted – Often indicated in the URL structure
3. The campaign or promotional channel – To track which marketing efforts are most effective

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when someone clicks an affiliate link:

• A consumer clicks on the affiliate link in a blog post, video description, or social media post
• The link redirects them to the merchant’s website
• A tracking cookie is placed in the consumer’s browser (typically lasting 7-90 days)
• If the consumer makes a purchase within the cookie’s duration, the sale is attributed to the affiliate.
• The merchant’s affiliate system records the transaction and assigns the commission to the affiliate

Managing affiliate links

Every click matters in affiliate marketing. Replug helps you take control, track performance, boost conversions, and stay organized effortlessly.

Here’s where Replug comes in

Affiliate links are powerful, but let’s be honest, they’re often long, messy, and not exactly click-worthy. That’s where Replug can help.

With Replug, you can:

• Shorten and brand your affiliate links (turn that long URL into short branded URL)
• Track clicks and conversions in real time with detailed analytics
• Retarget users who click your affiliate links with ads, even if they don’t purchase right away
• Customize link previews for better engagement across social platforms

Here’s how to shorten an affiliate link using Replug

Step 1: 

Go to Replug and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, sign up for free. 

Step 2:

On the Replug dashboard, locate the “Quickly shorten your URL” field. And paste your affiliate link into the box.

Press Enter, and a pop-up window will appear. Here, you can customize the link to create a branded and recognizable URL.

Click the “Checkmark” to generate your shortened Replug link.

Step 3: (Additional step)

Replug offers powerful tools to help you maximize your affiliate earnings:

• UTM tracking for detailed analytics
• Geo-targeting to direct users based on location
• Deep linking to improve user experience

• A/B testing to find the most effective link variations
• Traffic routing rules to control where visitors go

Once you’re satisfied with the customization and settings, click “Save shortened link”, and your optimized affiliate link is ready to share!

Also read: How to use an affiliate link shortener: A quick guide 

Final thoughts

Affiliate links are a simple yet effective way to earn passive income by promoting products you love, but managing them like a pro? 

That’s where tools like Replug shine. Replug is a game-changer if you want more clicks, cleaner links, and smarter tracking.

FAQs on affiliate links

What is an affiliate link?

It’s a unique URL that tracks referrals. You earn a commission when someone clicks your link and completes a purchase or action.

How do I start using affiliate links?

Join an affiliate program, get your custom links, and share them via blogs, social media, or emails.

Do I earn money from every click?

No. You earn only when someone completes a qualifying action, like a purchase.

Can I shorten or brand my affiliate links?

Yes! Tools like Replug let you create cleaner, branded links and customize how they appear.

How can I track my affiliate link performance?

Use tools like Replug to monitor clicks, conversions, and retarget users for better results.