Jun 12, 2025
In a groundbreaking shift for the digital economy, WPP’s mid-year forecast reveals that 2025 will officially mark the first time that creator-driven advertising revenue exceeds traditional media — including television, print, radio, and cinema. Over $235 billion is projected to be spent on creators globally this year. Of that, $185 billion will go directly into the pockets of creators — a number expected to surge to $376 billion by 2030. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a seismic transformation in how brands, platforms, and audiences interact. And for affiliate creators, this is the moment to act.
Why This Shift Matters — Right Now
1. Platforms Dominate — and They’re Betting on Creators
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn are now outpacing legacy media channels like TV and magazines in global ad revenue. Over 73% of global ad spend is now digital, and the lion’s share is flowing to UGC (user-generated content). These platforms reward creators who keep audiences engaged and buying — which is exactly what affiliate creators do best.
2. Brands Want Conversion, Not Just Impressions
We’re in a performance marketing era. Brands care less about how many people see a post — and more about what happens after they see it. Did someone click? Did they buy? Did they share it? Affiliate creators are uniquely positioned to meet these demands by blending content creation with real, trackable ROI.
3. AI and Retail Media Are Supercharging the Game
Amazon, Walmart, and Target are doubling down on retail media ads. At the same time, AI tools are making it easier to produce and personalize content at scale. The result? Affiliate creators who understand how to plug into retail ad systems and leverage AI are building sustainable businesses that rival traditional publishers.
What This Means for Affiliate Creators
Trust Is the New Currency
Creators who show up consistently, authentically, and helpfully are converting like never before. According to a 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub report, creators who maintain strong audience trust are seeing 3–5x better conversion rates than those focused only on aesthetics. If your audience sees you as a friend — not a billboard — they’ll buy what you recommend.
Affiliate Funnels Are Now Full-Fledged Revenue Machines
What used to be "bonus" income through affiliate links has now become the engine behind scalable creator businesses. Creators are building shoppable videos, curated idea lists, and click funnels across platforms. Using real-time tools, they’re doubling down on what converts and scaling winning content instead of guessing.
Audience Size Doesn’t Equal Revenue
Forget chasing vanity metrics. Micro and mid-tier creators with as few as 10K followers are now earning more than creators with hundreds of thousands — simply because their content converts. In 2025, proof of performance matters more than follower count.
6 Steps Creators Should Take Now to Capitalize
Create performance-focused content: Prioritize reviews, tutorials, GRWM (get ready with me) videos, and unboxings — the formats that drive clicks.
Go vertical: Focus on Reels, Shorts, and TikTok — where platforms are prioritizing discoverability.
Curate and update your storefronts: Whether on Amazon, Walmart, or Target, keep your storefronts fresh and shoppable.
Double down on high-performing content: Use boosting or paid amplification to scale winners — don’t waste budget testing unproven videos.
Track and optimize constantly: Use click-level tracking to improve results week over week.
Automate buyer engagement: Use tools like Auto DM to message users who comment or engage with your videos.
How Markable Supercharges Creator Growth
If you’re a creator looking to compete in this new economy, Markable is your growth engine. We support affiliate creators with two complementary programs: our technology-powered App, and our strategic Boosting Program. Here’s how each works to help you scale efficiently:
Markable’s App: Automate, Track, and Scale
Auto DMs on Instagram and Facebook that trigger instantly when someone comments — turning viewers into buyers without lifting a finger.
Multi-platform syncing with Amazon, Walmart, and Target affiliate storefronts — centralizing your links, tracking, and commissions.
Real-time analytics that show your exact clicks, conversions, and revenue across campaigns.
Shoppable tools like AI-powered collage creation and storefront curation, making your posts convert faster with less effort.
Markable’s Boosting Program: Paid Ads Without the Guesswork
We fund your ads: Markable pays to boost your highest-performing content — no upfront cost to you.
We handle the strategy: Our in-house team designs and optimizes every campaign so you don’t waste money testing.
You earn more: When your content performs, you share in the revenue — all while building brand-safe, long-term assets.
We’re an Official Meta Agency: That means our ads can drive Auto DMs (something most other tools can’t do) and scale with proper tracking.
We’ve already partnered with nearly 100 creators and seen outsized results in fashion, home decor, beauty, and parenting — niches where trust, taste, and product discovery go hand-in-hand. Please note that creators in the Amazon Managed Program qualify for the Boosting program, though we invite everyone to apply.
Whether you're just starting or you're already a full-time creator, Markable has the platform and partnership model to take your affiliate business to the next level.
Final Take: The Creator Economy Is No Longer Emerging — It’s Dominating
2025 marks the year creators officially surpass traditional media. This is your time. The tools are here, the brands are paying attention, and the platforms are rewarding performance.
If you’ve been waiting to treat your content like a business — this is the wake-up call. Content isn’t just king anymore. It’s commerce. It’s infrastructure. It’s your edge.
Apply to the Boosting Program now and let Markable take your best-performing videos and turn them into 24/7 affiliate machines.