As we gradually edge closer towards the end of 2021 and prepare to welcome a brand-new year, several trends have already begun to emerge and shape our approach to affiliate marketing. If you are an affiliate marketer or manager or just like to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the ever-fluctuating affiliate marketing world, continue reading to find out which trends are predicted to make a splash in 2022.
The rise of micro influencers
It may not necessarily be a relatively modern phenomenon in 2021, but the rise of micro influencers within the affiliate marketing world is set to reach new heights in 2022. This comes as the popularity of micro influencers continues to surge across a wide range of social media channels and both small businesses and large organisations scramble to capitalise on their ability to connect with their audiences and, perhaps more importantly, convince them to perform a particular action. If a micro influencer is committed to producing high-quality content on an ongoing basis, for example, this growing digital trend can end up becoming one of the most profitable tools for expanding brand awareness and boosting conversion rates.
The mainstream adoption of voice-operated searches
If you have capitalised on the growing artificial intelligence trend of the past decade, you may already be aware of the wide-reaching benefits of adopting voice-operated searches. In the affiliate marketing world, however, it remains something of a grey area. 2022, on the other hand, is when it is expected to enter the mainstream as voice-operated searches continue to be utilised for both marketing and promotional purposes on a wider scale. In order to get involved, establish a suitable landing page or page with commonly asked questions and answers to allow prospective customers to be led to your website when they have a niggling question or query in relation to the goods and services you offer. In addition, keyword research is a must to be able to make the most of this trend.
The future of online shopping
In the past decade, online shopping has exploded into the mainstream to become the main method of buying and selling goods and services. This comes as brick-and-mortar stores are rendered obsolete and a growing number of consumers adapt to hybrid working practices and, therefore, spend more time than ever before in the comfort of their own homes. If you are wondering how this relates to affiliate marketing, a simple search engine request can uncover a seemingly endless list of online shops that would benefit from greater awareness on a lower level without spending a great deal of time or money on the process. This has paved the way for a surge of companies to shift their operations online and welcomed a wide range of opportunities for beginners to enter the affiliate marketing world for the first time.
The dissolution of third-party cookies
It was recently announced that third-party cookies would be gradually phased out in the coming years. In addition, a number of search engine and social media giants have also announced plans to make tracking an optional feature with users asked to opt-in upon registration. It may have been years in the making but this news is set to have a dramatic impact on how affiliate marketers and managers operate in 2022 as they are forced to adapt to a brand-new horizon of affiliate marketing and welcome a series of industry-wide changes when it comes to data gathering and processing. In addition, first-party affiliate programs, loyalty programs, and voucher codes are also poised to take a central role in the new year.
The expansion of existing affiliate marketing tools
If you are familiar with affiliate marketing tools or are determined to jump on the bandwagon by tapping into their wide-reaching benefits in the near future, you may be pleased to know that 2022 is set to see a significant expansion of existing tools currently on the market. It is automation, however, that is set to make the greatest impact with more automation tools available than ever before. It can allow you to source suitable affiliates, manage seasonal campaigns, and monitor and track your progress on an ongoing basis so you can streamline daily operations and generate greater profits in the long run.
If you are an affiliate marketer or manager, you may already be looking forward to the new year and the various trends that are poised to emerge as we wave goodbye to 2021 and welcome 2022. If you are unsure, however, it may benefit you to know that the industry will be dominated by the rise of micro influencers, the mainstream adoption of voice-operated searches, the future of online shopping, the dissolution of third-party cookies, and the expansion of existing affiliate marketing tools.
