From Zero to Billions: Uncovering the Fascinating History of Affiliate Marketing

Lovely Blooms

The history of affiliate marketing dates back to the 1980s. William J. Tobin, the founder of PC Flowers & Gifts, introduced affiliate marketing to the world. Tobin realized that partnering with relevant websites would help his business drive more sales through the internet.

Tobin launched his affiliate program in 1989, which allowed other websites to promote his products and earn commissions. There had never been an affiliate program like this before, and it was a huge success. The affiliate marketing model was quickly adopted by many other companies.

Affiliate marketing had become mainstream by the mid-1990s. Amazon.com launched its affiliate program in 1996, further popularizing the concept. With new technologies and platforms, affiliate marketing continued to grow and evolve, making it easier than ever for businesses to launch and manage affiliate programs. Today, affiliate marketing is a multi-billion dollar industry, with businesses of all sizes and industries using it as a key component of their marketing strategies. Despite its long history, affiliate marketing continues to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions and consumer behaviours, ensuring that it remains a vital and effective marketing tool for years to come.