The Affiliate Marketing Podcast

In the Season 27 opener of The Affiliate Marketing Podcast, Lee-Ann is joined by Trackdesk Sales Director Sandesh Gunjal to discuss which iGaming affiliate metrics matter beyond first-time deposits (FTDs). They explore how reliable tracking and real-time reporting on betting activity, player lifetime value, and revenue can help affiliates assess traffic quality and build trust with operators.Sandesh also explains where AI can support affiliate management, when human judgment matters, and how operators can choose technology that helps their programs scale across brands and markets.Key Talking Points on Tracking, Trust, and Growth Beyond FTDsWhat reliable tracking actually means in iGamingWhy operators need to look beyond FTDsHow real-time data can help affiliates improve traffic qualityThe importance of postback integrations and accurate reportingWhy AI should assist decision-making rather than replace human reviewThe biggest mistakes brands make when scaling affiliate programsWhy manual spreadsheets and outdated tracking can limit growthHow operators can manage multi-brand and multi-market programsWhat to consider when choosing a technology partnerWhy affiliate programs should be built with long-term growth in mind1. Why Affiliate Trust Matters to iGaming Operators Trust is one of the central themes of the conversation.Sandesh explains that operators should not approach affiliate programs simply as a way to acquire traffic or FTDs. Instead, the focus should be on building quality, trustworthy relationships that can continue over the long term.When these relationships are properly developed and maintained, affiliates are more likely to stay with a program and contribute to its growth.2. Why Postbacks Matter for iGaming Affiliate Tracking Beyond FTDsIn iGaming, tracking is more complicated than simply recording a sale or conversion.Sandesh highlights the different layers that operators need to connect, including registrations, FTDs, player account management systems, attribution models, and commercial agreements such as CPA, RevShare, and hybrid deals.Postback integration is particularly important because the system needs to continuously communicate accurate information back to the affiliate.If reporting becomes inaccurate or stops communicating properly, the impact can quickly extend beyond technology and into the affiliate relationship.For Sandesh, reporting needs to be clean, clear, and real-time, with the relevant information reflected accurately.3. iGaming Affiliate Metrics to Track Beyond FTDs FTDs remain an important metric, but Sandesh argues that operators should not treat affiliates simply as a source of first-time depositors.There are other metrics that can help affiliates understand the quality and value of their traffic, including: Bets, Spend, Losses, LTV and Total revenue generated.While sensitive information such as customer IDs, IP addresses and user agents can remain protected, Sandesh believes affiliates should have access to the performance information they need to optimise their traffic.This allows affiliates to make better decisions about where to invest their resources, whether that means SEO, paid channels, websites, comparison platforms or AEO.Better information can ultimately help affiliates improve the quality of the traffic they deliver.4. Where AI Helps in Affiliate Program Management AI is already becoming part of affiliate technology, and Sandesh sees clear opportunities for automation and optimisation. He highlights AI-assisted workflows for performance summaries, AI agents for analysis, and tools that can help identify suspicious activity, fraudulent conversions, and other issues.However, Sandesh makes an important distinction: AI should help people make decisions faster, rather than making sensitive decisions on their behalf. He specifically cautions against relying on AI to make final compliance, legal, payment, or affiliate approval decisions.The future, in his view, is about combining AI capabilities with experienced people who can carry out the final review.5. Choosing Technology to Scale iGaming Affiliate Programs One of the biggest challenges for operators is making sure their technology can support the growth of their affiliate program.Sandesh highlights several common mistakes, including unclear acquisition strategies, poor allocation of budgets, and continued reliance on manual spreadsheets and basic tracking.As programs grow from a small number of affiliates to thousands of partners across multiple brands and markets, these processes can become increasingly difficult to manage.Technology should therefore reduce operational work rather than create more of it.When choosing a technology partner, Sandesh recommends looking beyond the product itself and considering factors such as the company's roadmap, infrastructure, team, certifications, data protection, investors, and long-term vision.The key is to choose infrastructure that supports future growth rather than limiting it.What You’ll Learn From Sandesh Gunjal Why affiliate trust is becoming increasingly importantWhat reliable tracking looks like in a complex iGaming environmentWhy FTDs are only one part of affiliate performanceHow AI can improve affiliate management and reportingWhy human review remains essential for sensitive decisionsThe mistakes operators make when scaling affiliate programsWhy manual tracking can become a barrier to growthWhy long-term planning is essential when building an affiliate programEpisode Timestamps 02:00 – Why trust is becoming a scarce commodity05:15 – How inaccurate reporting impacts affiliate relationships07:35 – Why operators need to look beyond FTDs12:10 – What happens when affiliate and operator data don't match16:40 – AI for automation, optimisation and analysis20:10 – How AI and AEO are changing the industry24:33 – Why outdated technology can hold affiliate teams back33:10 – Practical advice for operators starting or rebuilding programs35:40 – Why affiliate programs need a long-term perspectiveListen to the Full Episode With Sandesh Gunjal Building a successful affiliate program requires more than acquiring traffic and tracking FTDs. In this episode, Sandesh Gunjal explains how strong infrastructure, accurate data, transparent reporting, and long-term relationships all play a role in creating sustainable affiliate growth.Listen to the full episode to learn how trust, data and technology are shaping the next generation of affiliate programs. Moreover, see how operators can use tracking and technology to give affiliates better insight, improve program management, and prepare their infrastructure for future growth. For more information on Trackdesk, visit their website HERE.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

Affiliate marketing has changed dramatically over the past two decades. What was once viewed as a simple performance channel has evolved into a broader partnership ecosystem powered by technology, data, influencers, mobile, and now AI-driven discovery. AI visibility in affiliate marketing is raising new questions about which partners influence consumers before they click.In this episode, Lee-Ann is joined by Matthias Stadelmeyer, President & CEO at NYORDA, to discuss how the industry is evolving and what brands need to understand about the future of performance marketing.With more than 15 years at the company and experience navigating major industry changes, Matthias shares his perspective on why affiliate marketing remains one of the most valuable but often underestimated channels for brands.Together, they discuss how technology and data have transformed affiliate marketing, why measuring the full customer journey is becoming increasingly important, and what AI-driven discovery means for publishers and advertisers.As search behaviour shifts towards large language models (LLMs), Matthias explains why brands need to understand not only where their traffic comes from, but also which publishers influence AI-generated recommendations and consumer decisions.Key Talking Points: AI Visibility in Affiliate MarketingHow affiliate marketing has evolved into partnership marketingWhy affiliate remains an undervalued channel despite strong growthThe role of data and technology in measuring performanceWhy last-click attribution is becoming less relevantHow brands can understand the wider publisher impact on consumer journeysThe rise of AI visibility and LLM-driven discoveryHow publishers are influencing brand recommendations in AI searchWhy smaller niche publishers can have a significant impactThe future of mobile acquisition and app marketingHow brands can prepare for the next phase of performance marketing1. How Affiliate Marketing Evolved Into Partnership Marketing Affiliate marketing is no longer just about sending traffic and measuring conversions.According to Matthias, the channel has matured significantly because technology now allows brands to understand much more about customer journeys, sales validation, and publisher impact.While the fundamentals remain the same, the data behind the channel has transformed how brands approach partnerships.Affiliate marketing has also historically acted as an incubator for new marketing trends. Matthias explains that areas such as retargeting, search, influencer marketing, and social media marketing have all developed connections with the affiliate ecosystem before becoming their own established channels.Today, the focus is moving towards a wider partnership ecosystem where different types of publishers and creators contribute across the customer journey.2. Why Last-Click Attribution Misses Publisher Influence For years, last-click attribution has been the dominant measurement model in affiliate marketing.However, as customer journeys become more complex, brands are looking for better ways to understand the influence different partners have before conversion.Matthias explains that user journey reporting has returned as an important topic, but implementing it remains challenging because brands need consistent measurement technology and clear decisions around how commissions should be allocated.The goal is not simply knowing who delivered the final click, but understanding which partners helped move customers towards a purchase.3. AI Visibility in Affiliate Marketing: The Publisher Opportunity One of the biggest changes discussed in the episode is the rise of AI-powered discovery.As consumers increasingly use LLMs to find recommendations, brands need to understand how visible they are within these systems.Matthias explains that NYORDA’s AI visibility solution helps brands understand their share of voice in LLM responses and identify which publishers are being used as sources of information.The surprising insight is that influence does not only come from large media companies.Smaller blogs, niche publishers, and comparison websites can also play an important role in shaping how brands appear in AI-generated answers.This creates a new opportunity for publishers who can create valuable, trusted content.4. How Brands Can Measure AI Visibility and Find Publisher Partners Traditional search rankings have historically required years of investment.However, Matthias explains that AI-driven search creates a different opportunity because new brands can potentially gain visibility much faster if they become relevant sources for AI recommendations.The challenge is that brands now need to understand:which content influences AI responseswhich publishers contribute to visibilityhow to optimise content for this new environmentNYORDA’s approach focuses on helping brands identify publishers that already influence their AI visibility and work with them to improve content structure and relevance.5. Why Mobile Acquisition Remains an Opportunity for Brands Beyond AI, Matthias highlights mobile as another area with significant growth potential.He explains that mobile is one of the fastest-growing areas within NYORDA’s business, but many brands still fail to properly track and market their apps.For many app-first businesses, this represents a missed opportunity.Better measurement and stronger acquisition strategies could help brands unlock additional growth.Listen to Find Out More AboutWhy affiliate marketing continues to grow despite changing consumer behaviourHow technology has transformed performance partnershipsWhy brands need to move beyond last-click attributionHow AI is changing search visibility and discoveryWhy publishers will play a key role in AI-generated recommendationsHow brands can measure influence across the customer journeyWhy mobile acquisition remains an underused opportunityEpisode Timestamps 01:30 – Matthias’ journey from Tradedoubler employee to CEO05:10 – Why affiliate marketing remains an undervalued channel06:11 – How data and technology transformed performance marketing08:00 – How partnership marketing is expanding beyond affiliates12:00 – The return of user journey reporting17:30 – Why NYORDA developed its AI visibility product20:25 – Measuring AI visibility and share of voice33:20 – The future of partnership marketing and AI36:00 – Why mobile acquisition remains a growth opportunityListen to the Full Affiliate Marketing Podcast Episode Affiliate marketing is entering a new phase where data, technology, and AI are changing how brands discover, measure, and work with partners.In this episode, Matthias Stadelmeyer shares his perspective on the evolution of performance marketing, the rise of AI visibility, and why publishers will continue to play an important role in shaping consumer decisions. To find out more on NYORDA and their market launch of EMNA AI, click HERE.Listen to the full episode to discover how brands can prepare for the next era of partnership marketing. Also, you can check out Affiverse’s Huawei/Tradedoubler webinar on revenue growth HERE.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

Casino affiliate marketing continues to grow, but with more brands, publishers, and competition entering the market, finding reliable partners has become increasingly challenging.In this episode of the Affiliate Marketing Podcast, Lee-Ann is joined by Oleksandr Kulyk, VP of Partnerships at Makeberry Affiliates, to discuss the publisher side of the casino affiliate ecosystem. Their conversation explores the challenges facing new affiliates and what separates sustainable traffic sources from short-term opportunities.Makeberry Affiliates works across several areas of digital acquisition, including media buying, SEO, ASO, influencer marketing, affiliate networks, and direct advertiser partnerships. This gives the team insight into both sides of the market: what advertisers expect from publishers and what publishers need from brands to build successful casino affiliate partnerships.Oleksandr explains why trust has become one of the industry’s biggest challenges, how affiliates can assess potential partners, and why quality affiliate traffic matters more than simply chasing volume.The discussion also examines AI in affiliate marketing, including its effect on content creation and casino affiliate SEO. Oleksandr considers how publishers can adapt their strategies and where new opportunities may emerge as consumer behavior evolves. Key Talking Points: Casino Affiliate Growth Strategies and InsightsHow Makeberry evolved from media buying into a full-cycle acquisition partnerWhy trust has become a major challenge between affiliates and advertisersThe biggest challenges facing new publishers entering the casino marketWhy quality traffic matters more than volumeHow smaller affiliates can find the right brand partnershipsWhat makes a publisher attractive to advertisers and networksWhy affiliates should focus on niches instead of competing everywhereHow AI is changing SEO, content creation, and publisher strategiesWhy publishers need to think long term when building traffic assetsThe importance of due diligence when choosing affiliate partners1. Why Trust Matters in Casino Affiliate Marketing The affiliate industry has never had more opportunities, but rapid growth has also created new challenges.Oleksandr explains that one of the biggest issues in the market today is a lack of trust between affiliates and advertisers. With more brands launching and more publishers entering the space, both sides can struggle to identify reliable partners.From the advertiser perspective, some companies invest heavily in acquiring traffic without fully understanding how to manage those campaigns or generate a return. This can create problems when brands are unable to maintain payments or build long-term relationships with publishers.For affiliates, the challenge is choosing brands they can trust and knowing whether their traffic is being valued correctly.Oleksandr highlights that networks and experienced partners can help bridge this gap by connecting publishers with suitable brands and providing better market knowledge.2. Why Quality Affiliate Traffic Beats Volume One of the biggest lessons from the episode is that affiliate success is not always about sending the highest number of users.Oleksandr explains that Makeberry focuses on paying for quality rather than simply quantity because even a smaller number of valuable players can generate significant results.For smaller affiliates, this creates an opportunity.A publisher does not necessarily need thousands of users to become valuable. Understanding a specific audience, building expertise in a niche, and delivering high-quality traffic can create stronger partnerships.Oleksandr advises affiliates to avoid spreading themselves too thin and instead focus on finding where they can provide unique value.3. How to Build a Sustainable Casino Affiliate Business The affiliate industry often creates unrealistic expectations.Oleksandr warns that many people see stories of overnight success online, but building a successful publishing business usually requires testing, learning, and continuous improvement.His advice for new affiliates is simple: start.Find a niche, understand your audience, test ideas, and build expertise over time. Waiting for the perfect opportunity can mean missing the chance to learn while the market is still available.Long-term thinking is essential. Oleksandr shares examples where significant investment and testing were required before seeing meaningful results, highlighting that sustainable growth does not happen overnight.4. How AI Is Changing Casino Affiliate SEO and Publisher Growth AI has lowered the barrier for creating websites and content, allowing people to move faster than ever.However, Oleksandr explains that this also creates new challenges. With more websites being created, competition increases and publishers need to focus more on authenticity, expertise, and differentiation.Looking ahead, he believes publishers need to think beyond traditional search traffic and understand how AI-driven recommendations could influence user journeys.Makeberry is already exploring how websites can become visible within AI-driven search experiences, rather than relying only on traditional search engines. Listen to Find Out More About Casino AffiliatesHow MakeBerry supports both publishers and advertisersWhy trust has become one of the biggest challenges in affiliate marketingWhat smaller affiliates can do to attract better partnershipsWhy quality traffic matters more than volumeHow affiliates can identify valuable nichesWhy due diligence matters before choosing a brand partnerHow AI is changing SEO and publisher strategiesWhere new affiliate opportunities could emerge in the next 12–24 monthsTimestamps02:35 – How Makeberry became a full-cycle acquisition partner05:45 – Why trust has become a major issue in affiliate partnerships07:00 – How AI is changing the affiliate market and lowering barriers to entry09:50 – Why smaller affiliates often struggle to find the right partners11:38 – Why Makeberry focuses on quality traffic over quantity13:00 – How affiliates can find the right platforms and partnerships15:20 – Why finding a niche can help smaller publishers compete18:15 – The future of SEO, AI and new traffic opportunities25:00 – What affiliates need to understand before switching campaigns29:11 – Advice for affiliates starting todayListen to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast Building a successful affiliate business requires more than finding traffic and signing partnerships.In this episode, Oleksandr shares practical advice on choosing the right partners, focusing on quality audiences, building sustainable traffic sources, and adapting to the changes AI is bringing to the industry. Listen to the full episode to learn how affiliates and advertisers can create stronger partnerships and grow together in an increasingly competitive market. Check out Makeberry Affiliates HERE.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

Paid media is changing quickly. With AI in paid media reshaping how campaigns are created, analysed, and optimised, advertisers have more opportunities than ever but also more questions around how to use these tools effectively.In this episode of the Affiliate Marketing Podcast, Lee-Ann Johnstone is joined by Andrei Blosh, Business Development Team Leader at PropellerAds, to discuss the evolving world of paid acquisition, AI-powered marketing, and what advertisers need to consider before investing their budgets.With 15 years of experience in the advertising space, PropellerAds works with performance marketers across multiple verticals, including iGaming, finance, mobile apps, utilities, and lead generation. Andrei shares his perspective on how advertisers can build an effective paid media strategy rather than treating campaigns as a simple “turn on and wait” process. The conversation explores how AI is helping advertisers analyse performance, optimise campaigns, and make faster decisions, while also discussing why human creativity and preparation remain essential. From spotting AI-generated creatives to understanding the importance of testing budgets, tracking, and localisation, Andrei shares practical advice for businesses looking to scale their acquisition strategies.AI in Paid Media: Key Talking PointsHow AI is changing paid media optimisation and campaign managementWhy AI-generated creatives still need human input and strategyThe importance of preparation before launching paid campaignsWhy paid media is not a quick-win channelHow advertisers should approach testing budgets and optimisationThe role of multi-format campaigns in acquisition strategiesWhy tier-three markets are becoming increasingly attractiveHow localisation impacts paid media performance across different regionsHow AI Is Changing Paid Media Strategy and OptimisationAI in paid media is becoming increasingly important, helping advertisers analyse data, identify patterns, and optimise campaigns faster.Andrei explains that AI has already changed how teams work by reducing the time needed for tasks that previously required hours of manual analysis. Advertisers can now use AI tools to understand what is working, what is not, and where campaigns should be adjusted.However, AI is not a replacement for marketing strategy.Andrei highlights that advertisers still need to understand their audience, prepare their landing pages, build effective creatives, define their user journey, and have the right tracking systems in place before investing in traffic.The biggest mistake businesses make is assuming AI can fix a weak foundation. Technology can support optimisation, but it cannot replace preparation.Why Paid Media Strategy Requires Testing, Patience, and PartnershipOne of the biggest misconceptions about paid media is expecting immediate returns.Andrei explains that advertisers often approach campaigns expecting to put in one dollar and immediately receive three dollars back. In reality, successful campaigns require testing, optimisation, and time to gather enough data.A strong paid media strategy involves testing different formats, analysing results, adjusting campaigns, and understanding what works for a specific audience.For advertisers, this means having realistic expectations and allocating enough budget to properly evaluate performance.Andrei also highlights that successful campaigns come from collaboration between advertisers and traffic partners. The best results happen when both sides work together towards a shared goal rather than treating traffic acquisition as a simple transaction.Paid Media Market Expansion: Why Localisation MattersAs competition increases in established markets, more advertisers are exploring opportunities in tier-three regions.Andrei explains that countries across Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly attractive because of growing digital adoption and expanding consumer markets.However, entering these markets requires a localised paid media strategy.Successful campaigns need to consider more than language. Advertisers must understand local preferences, payment methods, creative styles, device usage, and cultural differences.For example, Andrei highlights that payment methods such as Pix in Brazil and M-Pesa in Kenya can play an important role in adapting campaigns for local audiences.The opportunity is significant, but success depends on understanding the market rather than simply replicating campaigns from other regions.What You Will Learn About AI in Paid MediaHow AI is helping advertisers optimise campaigns fasterWhy AI-generated creatives can sometimes hurt performanceThe preparation checklist businesses need before buying trafficWhy paid media should be treated as a long-term strategyHow advertisers can test campaigns effectivelyWhy tier-three markets are attracting more attentionHow localisation impacts paid media successPodcast Timestamps: AI, Paid Media and Market Expansion 04:56 – How AI is helping advertisers analyse and optimise campaigns 06:35 – Why AI-generated creatives can be easy to spot 11:02 – Why AI does not replace marketing preparation 16:45 – Why paid media is about long-term partnerships, not quick results 19:05 – How paid traffic can influence brand visibility and SEO 25:10 – Understanding testing budgets and campaign optimisation 30:15 – Why tier-three markets are becoming growth opportunitiesListen to the Affiliate Marketing PodcastPaid media success is not just about buying traffic — it is about understanding your audience, testing strategically, and building campaigns that are designed to improve over time.In this episode, Andrei Blosh shares practical advice on how advertisers can approach AI, campaign optimisation, and market expansion with a smarter strategy. Visit PropellerAds to find out more.Listen to the full episode to discover how paid media is evolving and what businesses need to consider before investing in their next acquisition campaign.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

AI is creating new opportunities for affiliate marketers — but it is also lowering the barriers for AI affiliate fraud.In this episode of the Affiliate Marketing Podcast, Lee-Ann Johnstone sat down with Tautvydas Vasiliauskas, Head of Marketing at FirstPromoter, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing affiliate marketing, from improving productivity and automation to creating new challenges around fake partners, fake content, scalable fraud, and affiliate partner vetting.With more than a decade of experience across affiliate marketing, SaaS, e-commerce, and subscription businesses, Tautvydas shares his perspective on why the industry needs to prepare for a new wave of AI-driven risks while still embracing the opportunities the technology creates.The conversation covers how AI can help affiliate managers automate reporting, analysis, outreach, and campaign management, while also discussing why relationships remain one of the most important parts of successful affiliate programs.They also explore how AI is bringing back old affiliate fraud techniques in new forms: fake websites, private blog networks, AI-generated influencers, and synthetic content. Tautvydas explains what affiliate managers can do to strengthen affiliate fraud prevention and identify suspicious partners before they affect their programs.Key Talking Points: AI Affiliate Fraud and Partner VettingHow AI is improving affiliate program management and productivityWhy relationship building remains the core responsibility of affiliate managersHow AI is bringing old fraud tactics back at a much larger scaleWhy fake websites, AI-generated influencers, and synthetic content are growing risksThe importance of creating partner quality checklistsHow affiliate managers can identify suspicious traffic and engagement patternsWhy quality over quantity should become the new mindset for partner recruitmentHow AI will impact partner vetting and fraud detection in the futureHow AI Is Changing Affiliate Program Management AI is changing the way affiliate teams operate.Tautvydas explains that many companies are using AI to become more efficient, especially as teams become leaner and businesses look to achieve more with fewer resources. Affiliate managers are already using AI for tasks such as partner discovery, outreach creation, reporting, analysis, and automating repetitive workflows.However, the biggest opportunity is not replacing relationships. Tautvydas highlights that building connections with partners will always remain a key responsibility of affiliate managers.Instead, AI can remove time-consuming operational tasks, allowing managers to focus more on strategy, partnerships, and growth.The same technology that improves efficiency, however, can also be used by bad actors.How AI Is Scaling Affiliate Fraud Affiliate marketing has always faced fraud challenges.Tautvydas explains that many of the tactics the industry has seen before are returning in a new form. Previously, creating fake websites, manipulating SEO, or building private blog networks required technical skills and significant effort.AI has changed that.Today, anyone can create multiple websites, generate content, build social profiles, or create fake influencers without needing advanced technical knowledge. The biggest change AI brings is scale.For affiliate managers, this creates a new challenge: distinguishing genuine partners from those using AI to appear legitimate.Why Affiliate Partner Vetting Should Prioritize Quality Affiliate managers are often under pressure to grow programs quickly and recruit as many partners as possible. But Tautvydas believes this mindset needs to change.The focus should move from quantity to quality — taking the time to properly evaluate partners before allowing them into a program.This means creating stronger vetting processes, checking content quality, analysing traffic patterns, and looking for genuine engagement signals.A smaller number of trusted partners can create better long-term results than a large number of unknown publishers that could create risk.Listen to Learn More About AI Affiliate Fraud and Partner Vetting How AI is helping affiliate managers automate everyday tasksWhy relationships remain the most important part of affiliate marketingHow fake websites and AI-generated content are changing affiliate fraudThe warning signs of fake publishers and influencersWhy affiliate programs need stronger partner quality checksHow AI could shape the future of partner vetting and fraud preventionEpisode Timestamps 05:40 – How AI is helping affiliate managers improve productivity 10:45 – The history of affiliate fraud and why old tactics are returning 12:20 – How AI lowers the barrier for creating fake websites and content 17:00 – How affiliate managers can identify suspicious partners 22:10 – Building a partner quality checklist for affiliate programs 25:58 – Why quality over quantity should guide partner recruitment 27:27 – What the future of AI and affiliate fraud could look likeListen to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast AI is changing affiliate marketing — creating new opportunities for efficiency while introducing new challenges around trust, transparency, and partner quality.Tautvydas shared practical advice on how affiliate managers can use AI effectively while protecting their programs from emerging fraud risks. Find out more about this AI Shift in FirstPromoter’s guide HERE.Listen to the full episode to learn how to balance innovation with better partner evaluation and build stronger affiliate programmes in the AI era.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

How do affiliate programs scale when teams, partners, and data become more complex?In this episode, we sit down with Margarita Prokopchik, Chief Business Development Officer at Affise, to explore how affiliate marketing has evolved over the past seven years and why affiliate program automation has become increasingly important for managing modern programs.Margarita shares her journey from joining Affise as a sales manager to becoming Chief Business Development Officer, while reflecting on the industry’s shift from simple tracking setups and postbacks to advanced integrations, automated workflows, and enterprise-level requirements.The conversation explores how AI is being used in affiliate technology, why many companies confuse automation with true AI, and what businesses should look for when evaluating AI-powered platforms. Margarita also explains how machine learning has supported performance marketing for years and why the next stage of development will depend on giving businesses the infrastructure to build and connect their own AI workflows.We also discuss the growing role of mobile measurement partners, attribution beyond last-click tracking, and how affiliate management automation can reduce repetitive tasks. This can give affiliate managers more time to focus on partner relationships, strategy, and sustainable growth.Key Takeaways on Affiliate Program Automation How affiliate marketing has evolved from simple tracking to complex enterprise ecosystemsWhy media buyers now require more advanced technology and reporting capabilitiesThe difference between real AI integration and AI being used as a marketing buzzwordHow machine learning has supported performance marketing for yearsWhy businesses need flexible infrastructure to connect their own AI toolsThe role of mobile measurement partners in understanding the full customer journeyHow automation can reduce manual affiliate management tasksWhy permission systems and structured workflows matter for scaling global teamsThe importance of human relationships in managing international affiliate programsWhy Affiliate Programs Need More Advanced Technology Seven years ago, many affiliate programs were focused on simpler questions: is tracking working, are conversions firing, and are postbacks set up correctly?Today, the industry looks very different. Margarita explains that affiliate programs now manage larger teams, more sophisticated media buyers, multiple markets, and higher expectations from technology partners.Media buyers have evolved from individual operators into large organisations with dedicated teams, analytics departments, and structured processes. This growth has created a need for technology that can handle more complex tracking, reporting, and optimisation requirements.The result is a shift towards platforms that provide deeper visibility, automation, and flexibility as businesses scale.How Affiliate Program Automation Reduces Manual Work One of the biggest challenges facing affiliate managers today is workload.Margarita explains that affiliate managers are expected to manage relationships, analyse performance, solve technical issues, negotiate deals, and react to market changes making it one of the most demanding roles in digital marketing.Automation can help remove repetitive tasks and give teams more time to focus on strategic activities. In one case study discussed during the episode, automation reduced affiliate manager workload by 30%, creating more capacity for partner development and relationship building.For enterprise teams managing hundreds or thousands of partners, having the right permissions, workflows, and automation systems becomes critical for sustainable growth.What You Will Learn About AI, Attribution and Scaling Why AI is often misunderstood in affiliate technologyHow to identify genuine AI capabilities versus AI marketing claimsWhy APIs and flexible infrastructure are becoming more importantHow MMPs help brands understand the complete customer journeyHow automation can help affiliate teams scale without adding unnecessary complexityWhy human relationships remain central to affiliate successTimestamps 02:30 – How affiliate marketing has evolved over the past seven years 07:00 – Separating real AI from AI washing in affiliate technology 14:11 – Why mobile measurement partners matter for attribution 22:10 – How permission systems help enterprise teams scale 31:10 – How automation reduced affiliate manager workload by 30% 36:36 – Rapid-fire insights on attribution, AI, and sustainable growthScale Affiliate Programs Without Losing the Human Element Affiliate programs are becoming more complex but the right technology can help teams manage that complexity without losing the human side of partnerships.In this episode, Margarita shares how automation, AI, attribution tools, and smarter workflows are helping affiliate teams improve efficiency and make better decisions. Reach out to Affise for more information or have a look at their Case Studies HERE.Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

Entering a new market is not just about translating content. For affiliates, operators, and advertisers, successful expansion depends on whether the message, brand, terminology, and offer actually make sense to the audience they are trying to reach.In this episode of the Affiliate Marketing Podcast, Lee-Ann is joined by Barb Tasci, CEO of All-in Global and Co-Founder of the Revpanda Group, to discuss how AI localisation for affiliate marketing is changing the way businesses scale content across languages, markets, and channels.Barb explains how Revpanda’s acquisition of All-in Global expanded the group’s wider marketing ecosystem, why localisation expertise has become more important in the AEO era, and how CRAIG, an AI-powered localisation solution, is designed to help businesses balance speed, quality, and cost.The conversation also looks at how AI localisation can help affiliates test new markets faster, launch campaigns more efficiently, and build a stronger presence across multiple regions without relying too heavily on one channel.Together, they also look at how AI localisation could change affiliate expansion strategies by allowing teams to test new markets faster, launch campaigns more efficiently, and build a stronger presence across multiple regions. Finally, Barb shares his thoughts on why relying on a single channel is becoming increasingly risky and why sustainable growth will come from a broader marketing approach.Key Talking Points on AI Localisation and Affiliate Growth How Revpanda’s acquisition of All-in Global created a wider ecosystem of servicesWhy localisation remains a major challenge for iGaming businesses expanding internationallyHow CRAIG combines AI technology with specialist localisation knowledgeWhy generic AI translation tools struggle with context, terminology, and consistencyHow AI localisation helps affiliates expand into new markets fasterThe importance of balancing speed, quality, and cost in content productionWhy multi-channel marketing will become increasingly important for sustainable growthWhy AI Localisation Matters for Affiliate Market ExpansionExpanding into new markets requires more than simply translating words. Businesses need content that understands local language, terminology, cultural context, and industry requirements.Barb explains that many companies struggle with localisation because traditional workflows can become expensive and slow, especially when entering smaller markets where finding reliable vendors is difficult.For operators launching campaigns or affiliates testing new markets, delays can mean missed opportunities. In competitive industries like iGaming, being able to launch localised content quickly can make the difference between entering a market early or following competitors.This is where AI-powered localisation is changing the process; helping businesses move faster while maintaining consistency and quality.How AI Localisation Combines Speed With Human Expertise While tools like ChatGPT and other large language models have made translation more accessible, Barb explains that generic AI solutions do not always understand the specific requirements of localisation.The difference with CRAIG is the combination of AI technology with All-in Global’s years of localisation expertise, including terminology, branding guidelines, and industry-specific knowledge.Barb highlights that AI should not replace people, but instead enhance how teams work. CRAIG includes human support, onboarding, and ongoing optimisation to ensure businesses get content that matches their requirements.For affiliates and operators, this creates the opportunity to scale content production, test more markets, and adapt campaigns faster without sacrificing quality.Listen to Find Out More About AI LocalisationHow Revpanda and All-in Global are building a wider marketing ecosystemWhy translation alone is not enough for successful market expansionHow CRAIG compares with generic AI translation toolsHow affiliates can use AI localisation to test new opportunitiesWhy sustainable growth will require multi-channel strategiesTimestamps[02:20] – Barb’s journey from competitor to CEO of All-in Global[05:15] – Why localisation has been difficult to scale and how CRAIG was created[07:00] – Solving the quality, speed, and cost challenge in translation[19:00] – How affiliates can use AI localisation to expand into new markets[32:30] – The future of affiliate marketing and why multi-channel strategies matterListen to the Full Episode on AI Localisation and Affiliate GrowthLocalisation is becoming more than a translation process, it is becoming a growth advantage.In this episode, Barb Tasci explains how AI-powered localisation can help affiliates, operators, and advertisers expand faster, reduce operational challenges, and create better experiences for audiences across different markets. To find out more about All-in Global and CRAIG, visit https://all-in.global. Interested in taking part in the Affiliate Marketing Podcast? Contact our team to find out sponsorships opportunities and how we can help get your brand seen and heard in front of the right audience - contact [email protected] for more information.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

What happens when affiliate marketing is no longer just SEO, and media buying becomes a core part of user acquisition strategy?Lee-Ann Johnstone sits down with Kamila Łuksza-Szpyt, Managing Director and Marcin Kumięga, Director of Business Development at Voluum to discuss how iGaming and affiliate programs are shifting away from single-channel dependency and into a multi-layered acquisition model driven by affiliate media buying strategy, AI, and real-time optimisation.For years, SEO affiliates and review sites dominated acquisition strategies. But that model is breaking down under pressure from AI search, rising traffic costs, and changing user behaviour. The result is a major shift: brands are now forced to rethink what “affiliates” actually mean, and expand into broader user acquisition strategies.Kamila and Marcin break down what is really changing inside the industry; traffic diversification and testing budgets to tracking, attribution, and why many programs fail in their first 30–60 days of media buying.Affiliate Media Buying Strategy: Key Talking Points Why SEO-only affiliate strategies are losing visibility in iGamingHow AI search and Google AI Overviews are changing traffic distributionWhy media buying is becoming a core user acquisition channelWhy data tracking and technical setup are critical for successHow AI is changing optimisation and reporting workflowsWhy affiliates and media buying should not be treated as competing channelsThe role of attribution in connecting campaigns across the funnelWhy iGaming Is Moving From SEO to Multi-Channel AcquisitionThe traditional iGaming model relied heavily on SEO affiliates, comparison sites, and review pages to drive traffic. That model worked because search behaviour was stable and predictable.Kamila and Marcin explain that this is no longer the case. AI-driven search, Google AI Overviews, and shifting consumer behaviour are reducing organic visibility and pushing brands to rethink their dependency on SEO.At the same time, media buying channels such as push, pop, native, programmatic, and paid social are opening up at scale. This creates a wider, more competitive acquisition environment but also a much larger opportunity pool.Instead of relying on one predictable funnel, brands now operate across multiple fragmented touchpoints, making diversification not optional, but necessary.The First 60 Days: Where Most Media Buying Strategies FailOne of the strongest insights from the episode is how many programs fail early due to poor setup and expectations.Kamila highlights two consistent issues:Brands expect fast ROI without proper testing phasesBudgets are either too small or too widely spread across traffic sourcesMarcin adds that another major issue is mindset: many operators still treat media buying as a replacement for affiliates rather than a complementary user acquisition channel.The reality is that successful campaigns rely on structured testing, proper tracking setup (UTMs, postbacks, attribution), and a clear understanding of what success actually means before scaling begins.Without this foundation, optimisation becomes guesswork rather than strategy.Listen to Learn More About Affiliate Media Buying and AI Why SEO alone is no longer a sustainable acquisition strategyHow AI is reshaping both traffic and optimisation workflowsWhat brands consistently get wrong in the first 30–60 days of media buyingWhy tracking infrastructure is critical for performance marketing successHow to properly structure testing budgets across multiple traffic sourcesTimestamps to Go Direct[03:22] Why AI search is reducing organic traffic[06:55] Biggest mistakes brands make when starting media buying[08:55] Why tracking and technical setup determine success[10:58] Funnel differences between SEO and paid media[15:00] Budget allocation and traffic source strategy[25:50] How AI is changing media buying workflows[32:15] Real-world success case: +30% conversion rate uplift[36:54] Rapid fire: AI, LTV, and scaling mistakesCall to ActionMedia buying is no longer treated as a side experiment by many affiliate programs. It is becoming part of a broader user acquisition strategy, sitting alongside SEO, partnerships and other performance channels.Kamila and Marcin from Voluum break down exactly how brands can approach this shift with structure, testing discipline, and the right tracking infrastructure to avoid costly early mistakes.If you’re working in affiliate marketing, user acquisition, or performance media, this episode shows what is changing right now — and what you need to fix before scaling.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

How AI is Democratising and Personalising Affiliate Program Management What actually happens when AI moves from buzzword to something you can use inside an affiliate program every single day?Today, Lee-Ann sits down with Michael Cole, CMO at Everflow, to break down how AI is already changing the way affiliate programs are tracked, managed, and scaled, not in theory, but in real workflows being used today.Michael shares how teams are moving away from developer-heavy processes and instead building lightweight automations, dashboards, and reporting systems directly through AI tools. The shift in using AI is not about replacing people but instead removing the bottlenecks that stop affiliate managers from doing higher-value work.Michael also explains where AI breaks down, why judgment still sits firmly with humans, and how affiliate managers can finally reclaim time for strategy, partner growth, and relationship building instead of drowning in reporting and admin tasks.You can find a variety of AI Use Case Recipes at https://www.everflow.io/ai-playbook. Key Talking Points on AI Affiliate Program Management How AI is enabling affiliate managers to build tools without developersWhy API-first platforms are becoming more powerful in an AI-driven workflowWhere AI fails: judgment, nuance, and decision-making under contextWhy affiliate managers should focus less on admin and more on relationshipsHow “headless” systems are changing how data is used across teamsThe future of affiliate management roles in AI-powered environmentsFrom Manual Reporting to AI-Driven Affiliate Program Management Affiliate management has traditionally been weighed down by reporting, spreadsheets, and manual data pulls. Michael Cole explains how AI is changing that dynamic by allowing teams to build lightweight automation layers on top of existing platforms like Everflow.Instead of waiting for development cycles, affiliate managers can now generate dashboards, connect systems like HubSpot or Slack, and automate weekly reporting using simple AI-assisted workflows. The biggest shift isn’t just speed, it’s control. Managers can finally design reporting structures that reflect how they actually think about performance, not how tools force them to report it.This unlocks a more precise understanding of affiliate performance, including deeper attribution, behavioral signals, and revenue impact beyond surface-level metrics.Why AI in Affiliate Marketing Still Needs Human Judgment While AI is powerful at processing data and generating outputs, Michael is clear on one point: it lacks judgment. AI can summarize, analyse, and connect systems, but it struggles with context, nuance, and decision-making. A drop in performance might be seasonal, strategic, or completely normal but AI alone can misinterpret that without human direction.This is why the role of the affiliate manager is shifting, not disappearing. The focus is moving away from repetitive admin tasks and toward higher-value work: interpreting insights, managing relationships, and deciding what actually matters for growth.The real opportunity is not automation replacing people, it’s automation clearing space for better decisions.Listen to Learn More About AI for Affiliate Managers How affiliate managers are building custom tools without developersReal-world examples of AI-powered reporting inside EverflowWhy AI struggles with context and judgment in performance analysisHow headless systems are changing affiliate data accessWhy the future of affiliate management is more strategic, not less humanTimestamps[03:47] How AI enables non-developers to build automation workflows[08:40] Why AI coding in spreadsheets is becoming a core workflow[12:38] How affiliate managers are using AI for reporting and CS insights[15:34] What “headless” means for affiliate platforms like Everflow[23:49] Where affiliate managers should start with AI adoption[31:30] The future of SaaS, APIs, and AI-built affiliate systemsListen to the Full Affiliate Marketing Podcast Episode AI is already reshaping how affiliate programs are built and managed but the real shift isn’t technical, it’s operational.This episode with Michael Cole from Everflow breaks down how affiliate managers can move from manual reporting to intelligent, AI-assisted workflows that free up time for strategy, partner development, and performance growth.If you’re working in affiliate marketing, this is the moment to understand what AI actually changes inside your day-to-day role and where it doesn’t. Learn more about Everflow: https://www.everflow.io.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions

How Affiliates Can Spot Casino Fraud and Build Trust in Online Gaming Welcome back to a brand new season of the Affiliate Marketing Podcast!In Season 26, Episode 1, Lee-Ann Johnstone speaks with James Elliott, founder of Gamecheck, about casino fraud, cloned casino games, and the growing need for trust in online gaming affiliate marketing.As fake casino content becomes harder to spot, affiliates face a bigger responsibility when choosing which operators and games to promote. James explains how Gamecheck identifies cloned games, verifies casino content, and helps players, affiliates, and operators make safer decisions in a fast-moving iGaming market.The conversation also covers regulatory compliance, emerging market risks, AI-driven game production, and the practical steps affiliates can take to protect their audiences, strengthen credibility, and promote genuine online casino experiences.Casino Fraud and Affiliate Trust Talking Points:How cloned casino games affect players, operators, and affiliates.The history and mission of Gamecheck in identifying fake games.Methodologies for investigating casino websites and verifying authenticity.The importance of trust, transparency, and compliance in affiliate marketing.How emerging markets and AI-driven content are accelerating the challenge.The Rise of Fake Casino Games and Cloned Casino ContentJames explains that cloned casino games have been a persistent problem in the online gaming industry for years. These fake sites can replicate graphics and gameplay but often misrepresent outcomes or exploit players’ personal information. With the growth of white-label casinos and emerging markets, affiliates and operators must remain vigilant. Gamecheck aggregates intelligence from multiple providers to create a single, reliable source for checking legitimacy, reducing duplicated efforts, and protecting the ecosystem.How Affiliates Can Promote Verified Casino ContentGamecheck empowers both players and affiliates by offering tools to verify casinos before depositing. The Gamecheck Seal, a QR code on approved sites, allows instant verification of authenticity. Affiliates can now promote only verified operators, ensuring consumer trust and protecting their own reputations. James emphasises that even in regulated markets, vigilance is crucial, and collaboration between affiliates, operators, and providers is key to sustaining trust in the industry.Listen to Learn How Affiliates Can Reduce Casino Fraud Risk:How Gamecheck detects cloned casino games and protects the ecosystem.Why affiliates should care about authenticity and consumer trust.The growing challenge of AI and rapid game replication.Best practices for building credibility in online gaming affiliate programs.Real-world impact: reducing fraud, protecting players, and promoting trusted operators.Key Timestamps to go Direct: [01:50] The problem of cloned casino games in the industry [06:33] How Gamecheck identifies fake games and investigates URLs [08:37] Gamecheck Seal and tools for affiliates and players [23:25] AI, rapid game production, and emerging market risks [31:30] How affiliates can engage with Gamecheck and promote trusted contentGet More Affiliate Marketing Podcast InsightsProtect your players and build credibility by promoting verified casino content. James Elliott shares how Gamecheck is helping affiliates, operators, and players navigate a complex, fast-growing market. Visit Gamecheck to verify casinos, access tools, and ensure your affiliate campaigns promote trustworthy operators.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions