Do affiliate links pay per click?

Affiliate links typically do not pay per click. Instead, the most common payment structures for affiliate marketing are:

1. Pay-Per-Sale (PPS) or Cost-Per-Sale (CPS): This is the most prevalent payment model in affiliate marketing. In a PPS or CPS model, affiliates earn a commission when the referred customer makes a purchase through their affiliate link. The commission is usually a percentage of the sale amount or a fixed dollar amount.

2. Pay-Per-Lead (PPL) or Cost-Per-Lead (CPL): In this model, affiliates earn a commission when the referred customer takes a specific action, such as signing up for a trial, filling out a form, or providing contact information. The commission is based on generating qualified leads for the advertiser.

3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC): While less common than PPS or PPL, some affiliate programs operate on a pay-per-click model. Affiliates earn a commission based on the number of clicks generated through their affiliate links, regardless of whether the referred users make a purchase or take any further action.

It's essential to review the terms and conditions of each affiliate program to understand the specific payment model they use. The payment structure will be clearly outlined by the advertiser or affiliate program manager, indicating how affiliates earn commissions for their efforts. Pay-per-sale and pay-per-lead are more prevalent because they directly tie compensation to actual sales or leads, aligning with the advertiser's goals.