“You have an affiliate link for Patagonia?” A friend asked me in 2023, the year of the Barbie Movie. “Oh, did I not tell you?” I try to remember the last time I gave her an update on how my affiliate links were doing. Truth is, it’s been developing over the years and is a bit complicated. After a hilarious FaceTime with my parents to pinpoint precisely where to find a link before Prime Day, they told me I needed to make it easier. “You need a post that is just a list of the different places. A ‘links for dummies’ page for us to share with friends.” My parents agreed with each other. I love my highly supportive parents and do listen to them, so here we are. You’ve reached my list of affiliated retailers, but I’ll also give some context about why it matters.
What are Affiliate Links?
In this post, which I aim to keep up-to-date, includes the following:
- A List of current retailers that I am affiliated with
- What are Affiliate Links?
- Why is it so Complicated?
- Fun/Interesting Things I’ve learned
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commissions help support Moderately Adventurous stay alive and kicking. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Current Retailers
Most used: Based on my Analytics
All Common Retailers in Alphabetical Order:
What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links are a digital referral mechanism. By clicking on one of my links, it lets the retailer or business know that you came from me – my website, newsletter, or potentially social media. If you decide to buy the product or service (and often ANY product) on their website, they give me a small percentage of that sale without affecting your price. In this way, they are saying, “Great job, Hanna, you sent me a customer! Thank you!” And to be extra explicit, this is for online shopping only.
Personally, I like using affiliate links because I already like to share the things I wear and the gear I’m using in each blog post so you can prepare for your hike or trip accordingly. Whether you buy that product or not or maybe a different one is entirely up to you, without pressure. And you get to support Moderately Adventurous while simply preparing yourself. When used honestly, affiliate links can be a win-win-win for everyone involved.
Where you’ll See Affiliate Links:
Why are Affiliate Links Complicated?
Where affiliate links get complicated is that each individual merchant has their own rules as to how to use their links, what percentage I receive, and how long they last.
For example, Amazon does not allow links to be emailed – you must use them on your website. These rules often help track or reduce the nefarious use of affiliate links, but it can make it challenging for a small blog with an email newsletter.
Also, wisely, most retailers do not run their affiliate programs in-house. Instead, they outsource the tracking, metrics, and payment to an Affiliate Network. And, to make things even more complicated, how each Affiliate Network is run is different. Within some Affiliate Networks, I have to apply to individual retailer programs. Within others, once I am in, I have access to all the retailers they work with.
All this to say that my list above is not exhaustive… because what I have access to is endless. To prevent overwhelm, I focus on what I am truly wearing or using in each blog post and will research additional places to purchase. However, if there is a popular retailer you shop online regularly (e.g., Target, Khols, or Scheels) and you want to know if I have affiliate link access, let me know. I can check and update the list above.
Fun/Interesting Things I’ve Learned About Affiliate Links
Over the years, I’ve tested things with my family and friends and learned a few things along the way in terms of using links and my own approach to affiliate marketing. Here are a few interesting bits:
- The links expire. How long they last depends on each retailer and can be as short as one day and as long as 60 days. While I don’t want you to have to worry about this, you’ll see that I try to include affiliate links in each email newsletter and blog post in hopes you’ll click before you buy.
- Not all my links are affiliate links. I don’t do my shopping or trip prep based on my affiliate connections, and I would never expect you to do the same. So, don’t you worry about whether I’m making a commission or not because sometimes I just like the brand and want it to succeed (looking at you, Royal Robbins).
- Products disappear quickly. One thing I really struggle with is the lifespan of products. I tend to wear the same Keen hiking boots and the same Patagonia Jacket for years and years (I hope you do too). OR, I purchase things at the end of a season for a better price (again, I hope you do too). So, when it comes to finally wearing and writing about a product, sometimes it’s already gone. Ugh! So, I’ll often try to find an equivalent product, but I worry things have changed. I realize this is the nature of retail, but oof. Apologies in advance if a link goes nowhere. The click will still count, and you can shop around from there.
In Conclusion: Thank You
For simply stumbling upon this blog post, thank you. Whether you got here on purpose or by accident, thank you. Thank you for being interested in learning more about affiliate links, and thank you for wanting to support Moderately Adventurous. By generating an income from my website, I can keep writing and keep it free (excluding the travel products I create).
If you’re like, “Hanna, you’re right, this is too complicated, and I just want to give you money.” Well, you’re in luck because I also accept donations. Here’s the direct link to support. Or if you want to stay up-to-date with what I’m up to and receive affiliate links regularly, so you don’t have to think about it, consider signing up for my email newsletter. But honestly, I also appreciate just hearing that you went somewhere I recommended and it lived up to exactly how I wrote it. That’s the heartfelt goodness that keeps me internally motivated.
Happy Travels,
Hanna