Hacking the Industry: Core Insights Gathered at Affiliate World Asia 2025

Unfortunately, Affiliate World Asia isn’t a streaming series — because if it were, this year’s edition would’ve blown your mind even better than Black Mirror, but in a more positive way. In the December episode, the characters — diverse affiliates with various experiences — showed an abundant level-up, unlocked new skills in real time, and ended their nights in a rooftop bar, which looked about as glossy as the Euphoria setting.

During the two days in the sunlight (or neon light, depending on the preferred activity hours), the attendees broke down funnels, creatives, AI agents, and tax loopholes; networked with the major players; chatted with new total strangers; found new collaborations; explored the landscape, and discussed the well-hidden shortcuts — or cheat codes to the industry.

Below is your punchy recap.

Day One

The atmosphere is almost too familiar: we’ve been to the show too many times to keep track of things, but it remains as invigorating as before. Frankly, there’s something oddly comforting about walking into an event where everyone is buzzing with ideas and boasting CPMs the way people normally boast their babies and dogs. Some attendees are clearly entranced, but it is hard to determine whether they’re battling sleep deprivation and a severe jet lag, or simply mesmerized by the grandeur of the conference. Whatever that is, they seem absolutely elated, so leave them be and move deeper into the expo center.

“Hi! You’ve got traffic?”

“We represent an agency—”

“Take our business card, please!”

“Hello! How’s your day going?”

“If it isn’t Traffic Cardinal at its finest!” comes a familiar voice — surprisingly, we’ve met only one familiar face so far, but it’s hard to navigate in the throngs of people strolling around or sashaying directly to the main stage. Actually, that’s where we are heading: staying in the loop and all that.

The conference’s educational part kicks off with Sergei Glaukus, who convinces the audience that any affiliate can build a seven-figure nutra offer fast, at no cost, and with zero experience. It may sound a little fantastic, but the speaker’s knowledge base is undeniable: after all, he’s famous for generating low eight-figure revenues, mastering VSLs, and spending millions across YouTube and native ads.

That’s just the beginning. Can you imagine the full extent if that’s how the conference starts? Just to make sure we have enough energy, we consulted the schedule: Maor Benaim’s Q5’s revenue; Dayu Yang’s skincare empire; Ashley Wright’s TikTok Shop; Ashish Gaba’s AI agents and UGC... Oh, damn, we’d better get a Time-Turner or set things on record to examine later. Luckily, we aren’t the only ones who want to memorize every single detail. A lanky fellow looks around a rapt — and slightly confused expression on his face.

“Hey? How’s it going?”

He’s certainly startled, but nonetheless breaks into a smile.

“Hey. I’m new here, so I’m not in my element. Yet. Was at the First-Timers' yesterday, but that’s... way bigger than I imagined. And way more impressive.”

We laugh, cheering him up: the first day is always the hardest — and most profitable — but he has a long night ahead, too: Affiliate Block Party at Lotus Suites, Affiliate After Hours at Red Sky Rooftop, and AI Spark Sundown Networking Drinks are certainly going to be a revelation that will make him change his vision.

Day Two

It never ceases to amaze us: regardless of the number of parties visited and the amount of alcohol consumed, affiliates stay fresh and hydrated as if they weren’t hitting the floor like mad the day before. And there they are, all present at Day Two, ready to learn how to discern human emotions and consider them in their ads. Yes, that is the first presentation, which cuts through the noise and reaches us while we’re marching from corner to corner: the number of people isn’t decreasing in the slightest, and we want to push our nose into every booth, wondering if there’s something we missed during the first day.

Boy, did we miss a lot! Sweepstakes, wheels of fortune, lotteries, and other dopamine-driven mechanics are flickering everywhere, luring bystanders in. In all honesty, the Affiliate World conference starts to remind us of a carnival designed by performance marketers who employ their techniques on a larger scale — first you see the irresistible hook, and in a moment, you’re caught. But you aren’t disappointed in the slightest: that’s how history’s made, especially in such an industry. The more people are involved in the wheel-of-fortune-esque activities, the funnier it is: watching consummate media buyers lose their minds over a branded tote bag or a chance to win a plushie is pure, unfiltered entertainment. Call it bonding and pose for a photo: later on, when you sort out your business card, you can attach the selfie and prove that you’ve actually talked to each other and started to theorize a project. Networking, after all, comes in many shapes — some more chaotic than others, and you can never predict which option is more profitable.

All in all, day two can be described by a phrase, “perfectly controlled chaos”: beginners have fully adapted, professionals have snatched their profit, and those who came to examine the situation on the market have got the full picture with all its trends and shifts.

Wrapping Up

Affiliate World Asia cooked. Served. Ate and left no crumbs. You can use any word you want, because any of them applies. In the chaotic world of affiliate marketing, this event was an oasis where people could exchange opinions, formulate ideas, or simply discuss the potential course of development without feeling oppressed. Even if you didn’t attain all the goals, you must have gained a bunch of useful insights that will help you succeed with your business and scale up. Hopefully, you’re planning to attend next year, too. If so, bring your notebooks, your business cards, and your stamina. The industry moves fast… and apparently so do the after-parties.