Rakuten Advertising Blog

The separation gap in AI shopping is changing the role of performance marketing in surprising ways. Our new report is an indispensable AI intelligence guide for partner marketing leaders, revealing an unexpected most-valuable-audience—and proving why trust is the new value proposition for shoppers.

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.

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.

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.

DealMaker Europe showcased how affiliate marketing is evolving through better measurement, AI-driven discovery, and stronger creator strategies. Here are the biggest trends and takeaways from the day.

The Golden Link Awards 2026 celebrated the best in affiliate and performance marketing at DealMaker Europe. Discover this year’s winners and the standout partnerships, strategies, and teams shaping the future of the industry.

The 2026 Golden Link Awards Europe finalists have been announced! Explore the standout brands, agencies, and publishers recognised for their innovation and excellence in affiliate marketing this year.

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.

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 optimise with governance, tracking, and data-driven metrics.

Cyber Week 2025 revealed a new European holiday shopping landscape: France saw a surge in early-week purchases and higher order values, while the UK and Germany continued to concentrate sales and engagement on Black Friday. Discover how these trends are redefining retail strategy across the region.

The British approach to travel planning reveals a blend of tradition and pragmatism. Our latest consumer survey dives into 2025 travel trends and shows a market that’s motivated, research-heavy, and surprisingly open to influence. Below is a high-level look at what’s moving UK travellers from “maybe” to “booked.” For exact percentages, channel rankings, and demographic splits, grab the full report with insights from the US, UK, and Australia.