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For 17 years, stupidDOPE has lived through every major shift in digital publishing — from banner ads to branded content, from CPM campaigns to affiliate marketing. Each new model promised a revolution, but most turned out to be another reminder that publishers often carry the heaviest load while earning the smallest return.
Case in point: this month, stupidDOPE sent Carhartt and ’47 Brand more than 5,500 click-throughs. Our total earnings? A grand total of $120. That’s right — 5,500 people clicked through to shop, explore, and engage, yet the payout barely covered a single phone bill. For many publishers, that’s not just frustrating — it’s unsustainable.
The Harsh Reality of Affiliate Marketing for Publishers
Affiliate programs are often sold as “partnerships,