Social influencing – the practice that has taken over the world of advertising. In the modern era of social media dominance, it makes sense that this type of promotion is thriving the way it is. By 2027, the influencer marketing industry is set to be worth $48 billion. Naturally, social influencers are looking to branch out further into the industry; enter affiliate marketing. Join us as we dissect the success of social influencing and why ShopYourLikes (SYL) plays a key role in the rise of influencers monetising their content.
Rise of the Creator
Although influencer culture has existed for a while, it really took off in the latter part of the 2010s. Where once celebrities reigned supreme, a new wave of content creators began to emerge as the internet’s newest trendsetters, and in 2025, influencers are more powerful than ever. In the UK, there is an impressive pool of 98,000 creators with 5K+ followers on Instagram. Beyond this, the largest group of content creators are those who are considered to be ‘Nano Influencers’. These accounts have between 1,000 and 5,000 followers and make up 65% of influencers on Instagram. Although these “Nano” and “Micro” influencers are the most commonly used by brands in the digital marketing landscape, larger creators (Macro and Mega influencers) are also picked up for promotion purposes. This shift from traditional advertising to influencer-driven campaigns continues to soar in popularity and success across multiple industries.
“Social influencer content resonates more strongly with audiences compared to traditional affiliate marketing methods due to its authenticity and personal connection. Influencers share genuine experiences and insights, fostering trust and relatability that traditional marketing often lacks.”
– Lilianne Bambara – Creator Community & Partnerships Manager, ShopYourLikes
Overall, this type of content is also notably popular with consumers. According to the 2024 Influencer Marketing Report, almost half of all consumers (49%) make purchases at least once a month because of influencer posts and almost all consumers (86%) make a purchase inspired by an influencer at least once a year.
Introducing ShopYourLikes
Influencer marketing strategies utilise content creators to promote various products and services. Content creators use affiliate links in their promotional content to generate revenue and earn commissions. ShopYourLikes has proved that this formula of marketing can amount to great success, with data from Black Friday 2024 showing a 2X increase in daily average sales from 2022. The process for creators is simple: start linking to products or services from the 600+ brands that ShopYourLikes works with and start earning. With the power of CPC, money will be generated every time someone clicks on the influencer’s affiliate link. In addition, some brands offer CPA rates that generate a commission each time a purchase is made via a content creator’s link. Both payment models allow for flexible income, with the best rates possible being curated as a result of the ShopYourLikes team working directly with the brands.
Overall, this type of content is also notably popular with consumers. According to the 2024 Influencer Marketing Report, almost half of all consumers (49%) make purchases at least once a month because of influencer posts and almost all consumers (86%) make a purchase inspired by an influencer at least once a year.
ShopYourLikes has endless benefits in terms of its ease, success and functionality as a platform.
– The simplicity of linking out using SYL allows for new creators to quickly pick up the process and begin generating money immediately.
– Trusted partnerships with each of the 600+ retailers allow for secure transactions.
– Straightforward tracking process. Whether from the dashboard or from detailed retailer and link reports, ShopYourLikes helps creators track earnings and performance. delivers data to help creators understand and prioritise more of what their followers love and what generates the best earnings for them.
– Both performance-based strategies available for creators to use differ from traditional flat fee payments. Equal opportunity is given for influencers to earn as the money generated is based on sales, not just predetermined amounts. This creates a huge advantage for both brands and creators alike, with passive income being made possible for the latter and strong collaborations forming between brands and influencers. – UK-specific collaborators have a short time frame between making sales and receiving payment. Influencers working with SYL receive payments in 45 days, with the industry average wait period for payment currently being 3-6 months. This quick turnaround further adds to the simplicity of using the platform as a means to generate revenue and for influencers to earn income.
– Dedicated account management and a strong community feel at ShopYourLikes truly help to differentiate the business from others in the industry. The direct communication between creators and team members avoids any miscommunication or concerns with the functionality of the platform. This close relationship helps to establish an important dynamic that allows both influencers and the brands they work with to maximise their success.
“Influencer content resonates strongly because of its perceived authenticity. Consumers follow creators who share their interests and values, fostering a sense of connection and trust. This allows influencers to promote products in a relatable and genuine way, unlike the often transactional nature of traditional affiliate marketing, which can feel impersonal and sales-driven. Influencers cultivate relationships with their audience, making their recommendations feel more like advice from a friend than an advertisement.”
– Dipa Shah – Director, Merchant Account Management EMEA
Tips for Influencers Looking to Maximize Earnings with ShopYourLikes
To optimise affiliate links, influencers should make sure that they are strategically integrating them into their content. This involves understanding your audience’s interests and needs, then recommending products or services that genuinely align with those preferences. The timing of posts is also key; promoting seasonal items during relevant time periods can help to increase clicks and revenue. Influencers should create content that fits different groups of followers, making sure the products they promote are a good match for each group. This helps get more people interested and interacting with links.
While monetisation is important, influencers should prioritise authenticity. Building trust with your audience is of the utmost importance, and this can only be achieved by genuinely endorsing products they believe in. Overtly promotional content can be off-putting, so influencers should strive for a balance between generating income and maintaining their credibility. This involves being open about affiliate relationships and focusing on the value that the recommended products bring to the audience. By prioritising authenticity, influencers can foster long-term relationships with their followers, leading to success in affiliate marketing.
The Future Of Social Commerce
Although we cannot predict the future, one thing is for sure: influencer affiliate marketing will continue to undergo significant transformations. This will most likely be driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences. Future evolution will likely see the integration of AI and data analytics, enabling precise audience targeting and performance optimisation, leading to even more accurately targeted content. We can also expect to move towards long-term, authentic collaborations between brands and influencers, which will replace transient sponsored posts. Micro-influencers with their highly engaged niche audiences will rise in prominence as these types of creators become more and more viable to generate revenue. The importance of having interactive content like live streams, Q&As and shoppable videos will gain traction as brands prioritise immersive and engaging experiences for their target demographics.
With all of the evolutions, affiliate marketing will play an increasingly crucial role. Platforms like ShopYourLikes empower influencers to monetise their authenticity and connect with their audience in meaningful ways. By understanding their followers and leveraging the tools available, influencers can build thriving businesses and communities online. They can push forward the innovative ways that marketing now exists. Most importantly, this evolution must prioritise genuine value for the consumer, fostering trust and transparency to ensure the longevity of influencer affiliate marketing.
