Affiliate Marketing Industry Set for Robust Growth by 2031
Affiliate marketing is rapidly evolving and holds a strong future in the digital economy. With the rise of e-commerce, influencer marketing, and AI-driven tools, affiliate marketing is becoming more personalized, data-driven, and effective. Businesses are investing more in affiliate programs due to their cost-efficiency and performance-based model. As consumers rely heavily on online reviews and content creators, affiliates are playing a bigger role in influencing purchase decisions. The future of affiliate marketing lies in niche content, mobile platforms, voice search optimization, and AI-powered targeting, making it a promising opportunity for creators and marketers worldwide.
Recent industry data reveals strong growth prospects for affiliate marketing globally and in the US, with significant increases in market value and widespread adoption of AI and digital strategies.
According to Cognitive Market Research, the global affiliate marketing industry was valued at over $18.5 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach approximately $31.7 billion by 2031, marking a 71% increase over seven years. This corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%.
North America currently holds the largest share of the global affiliate marketing industry, accounting for around 40% of the market. Its value is forecasted to rise from $7.4 billion in 2024 to nearly $11.3 billion by 2031, a 52% increase with a CAGR of 6.2%.
In the United States alone, the affiliate marketing market was valued at $5.8 billion in 2024. Projections estimate that it will grow by nearly 50% to reach $8.8 billion in 2031, representing a CAGR of 6%.
This growth is driven by the increasing use of affiliate strategies among eCommerce platforms and brands, rising digital advertising expenditures, and enhanced automation through AI-powered marketing tools.
“Affiliate marketing has emerged as one of the most dynamic strategies for business growth,” said Adi Avraham, SEO growth specialist at Wix. “It lets companies reach new audiences while growing meaningful, long-term relationships.”
Amazon Associates remains the largest affiliate network in 2025, with nearly 95,000 companies—accounting for over 46% of the global network share.
Additional statistics show that 81.4% of affiliate-promoted services are B2C, and 69% of affiliate marketers rely on SEO to drive organic traffic. A notable 32% of them fall within the 35–44 age group.
Affiliate marketers with over a decade of experience reportedly earn upwards of $44,000 per month. Additionally, over 50% of digital marketing strategies in 2025 are expected to be influenced by AI innovations.