What does activation mean in affiliate marketing?

Activation in affiliate marketing refers to targeted measures that boost engagement and participation from both customers and partners. There are two main approaches:

1. Customer Activation
   The goal is to encourage existing or potential customers to use or buy products and services more actively. Typical actions include discounts, vouchers, personalized offers, or direct outreach.
2. Partner Activation
   This focuses on attracting and motivating partners such as resellers or publishers. Incentives like exclusive deals, higher commissions, individual B2B vouchers, or dedicated marketing support drive stronger involvement.

Combining different tactics—such as deals, vouchers, direct communication, and commission boosts—makes activation far more effective. A proven tip is to clearly highlight the value for the customer or partner and present incentives transparently to achieve a high activation rate.

Consistently applying these strategies strengthens customer loyalty and optimizes the partner network in the long run.