10 Common Affiliate Marketing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Avoid the pitfalls that hold affiliate marketers back. Learn the 10 most common affiliate marketing mistakes and how to fix them with practical, expert-backed solutions.
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Rakuten Advertising Blog
September 17, 2025
Marketing StrategiesThe Future of Affiliate Reporting has Arrived. Introducing Prompt.
Rakuten Advertising advertisers and publishers can officially stop running manual reports, and start getting quick answers with Prompt, now available in our dedicated Insights and Analytics Portal.
March 24, 2026
Marketing Strategies Affiliate Marketing How-To: Ensuring Brand Voice Consistency Across Partners
Maintaining a consistent brand voice across partners is essential for brand marketers looking to scale their programs. This blog explores actionable strategies—and the value of working with a trusted affiliate network like Rakuten Advertising, to ensure your brand’s messaging, values, and reputation remain strong.
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March 18, 2026
Marketing Strategies Affiliate Marketing Step-by-Step: 5 Essential Steps to Launch Your Brand’s Affiliate Program
Ready to launch your brand’s affiliate program? This Affiliate Marketing Step-by-Step guide for brand marketers covers everything from setting goals and choosing a platform to recruiting partners and optimizing for growth, including the benefits of affiliate networks and advanced technology. Contact us to get started!
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February 28, 2026
Marketing Strategies How Affiliate Tracking Works: The Complete Guide for Brands & Publishers
Learn how affiliate tracking works in partner marketing and why it’s the foundation of performance marketing. Explore tracking links, cookies, attribution models, and reporting systems for accurate results and fair payments.
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February 19, 2026
Events Rakuten Optimism Golden Link Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open!
The 2026 Rakuten Optimism Golden Link Award nominations are officially open! Help us honor the best and brightest in affiliate marketing by submitting a nomination today. The Golden Link Awards will take place at Optimism 2026, register today to secure your spot to Optimism and the Golden Link Awards!
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February 17, 2026
News Affiliate Marketing Platforms: What Do They Do and Why You Need Them
Affiliate marketing platforms help brands and publishers manage, track, and optimize their affiliate programs. This guide explains the core functions of these platforms and what to look for when choosing a solution.
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February 11, 2026
News Announcing the Rakuten Advertising Agency Partners: 2026 Preferred and Platinum
We’re excited to introduce the 2026 Rakuten Advertising Agency Partners, featuring our newest Preferred and Platinum award recipients. These partnerships set the standard for innovation and growth in affiliate marketing. Discover how working with these standout agencies can help your brand reach new heights this year.
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Holiday Shopping Trends 2025: Cyber Week Sets New Records for US Engagement and Digital Discovery
Uncover the pivotal holiday shopping trends of 2025, where Cyber Week in the United States achieved an unprecedented amount of sales. This remarkable surge highlights a significant shift in consumer behavior, particularly in the footwear, beauty, and consumer goods sectors. As we explore the data that defines this year's holiday shopping landscape, you'll gain valuable insights into how these trends are shaping the retail environment and influencing purchasing decisions.
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What is Affiliate Marketing & How Does it Work?
Affiliate marketing is one of the most effective ways brands can drive measurable growth through partnership. Learn what affiliate marketing is, how it works, and why it remains one of the most trusted, performance-driven channels for marketers and publishers alike.
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How Brands Can Launch a Successful Affiliate Marketing Program
Affiliate Marketing How To for brands: your step-by-step guide to planning objectives, selecting technology, designing commissions, and activating a high-performing partner mix. Learn how to launch and optimize with governance, tracking, and data-driven metrics.
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Affiliate Marketing Insights: 10 Tips to Win the Canadian Holiday Shopping Season
Affiliate Marketing Insights for Canadian ecommerce brands: Discover how to win the holiday season with a Canada‑first calendar, CAD pricing and duties transparency, published shipping cut‑offs, winter‑ready fulfillment, and a diverse affiliate mix—including cashback, editorial, deal forums, extensions, and creators—plus a Boxing Week plan to drive repeat purchases.
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Affiliate Marketing News: US Consumer Spending Evolution 2024–2025
Affiliate Marketing News: Our 2024–2025 analysis shows US spending shifting from rebound to value-first. Learn how to capture high-income buyers, activate “smart discretionary” demand with BNPL, bundles, and loyalty, and convert with trust- and quality-led content—plus regional prioritization to boost Q4 performance and beyond.
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