Author: <span class="vcard">Rakuten Advertising</span>

Rakuten Advertising’s strategic partnership with impact.com marks a major step forward in partnership marketing, giving advertisers, publishers, and partners access to stronger technology, smoother transitions, and expanded growth opportunities.

Macroeconomic pressures have created a permanent "value-seeking" consumer. This has fueled the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), not as a replacement for credit cards, but as a complementary tool. The result is a new, highly valuable 'hybrid consumer' who strategically uses both. This shift toward payment flexibility and frequent purchasing presents a major opportunity for affiliate marketers to drive growth. Discover the data-driven strategies you need to adapt and win in this new economic landscape.

Rakuten Optimism 2026 brought together more than 1,000 global advertisers, publishers, agencies, and industry leaders in Phoenix for two days of insights, innovation, and connection. From headline sessions and expert panels to the Golden Link Awards Gala and the debut of Mirai, Rakuten Advertising’s advanced AI optimization agent, the event showcased the ideas, partnerships, and technologies shaping the future of affiliate and performance marketing.

Our Rakuten Optimism Golden Link Awards were held in Phoenix, Arizona on May 5th, 2026. Hosted by comedian Adam Mamawala, the event brought together some of the best and brightest in the performance and digital marketing industries. We celebrated their outstanding achievements, their collaboration, creativity, and innovative partnerships that have set new standards in our industry!

The 2026 Golden Link Awards finalists are here! Explore the full list of nominees and join us at Rakuten Optimism in May 2026 as we celebrate this year’s winners in person. A huge congratulations to everyone nominated!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.