Affiliate Fraud: What You Need to Know Before Starting Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn passive income, but like any digital ecosystem, it has its dark side. One growing concern in this space is affiliate fraud , where individuals or fake affiliates use unethical methods to earn undeserved commissions. So, is affiliate marketing a scammer’s game? Not inherently. Affiliate marketing is a legitimate strategy used by companies like Amazon, Flipkart, and many startups to expand their reach. But as with any online industry, fraudsters try to game the system, which is why affiliate fraud detection has become critical for brands. Common Examples of Affiliate Fraud: ● Cookie stuffing: A fraudster plants tracking cookies on user browsers without consent. ● Fake leads or clicks : Bots or low-quality traffic are used to inflate numbers. ● Misleading promotion : Using false claims or deceptive ads to drive traffic. This makes people wonder: “ Is Affiliate Empire real or fake? ” or “ Can affiliate marketing be legalil?” While s...