Google AdSense was launched in 2003 by Google as a contextual advertising network that connects advertisers with website publishers. It allows site owners to earn money by displaying targeted ads automatically matched to their content and audience. Over the years, AdSense has evolved with AI-driven targeting, improved reporting tools, and enhanced compliance systems, making it a core monetization tool for millions of websites globally.

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based way to earn money by promoting another company’s product or service. A brand (the “merchant” or “advertiser”) gives an affiliate (a “publisher,” creator, or website owner) a unique tracking link. When someone clicks that link and completes a purchase—or another agreed action like signing up for a trial—the affiliate earns a commission. Sometimes an affiliate network helps manage tracking and payments between the brand and the affiliate.