Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Publishing & affiliate · Rank 24 of 33
Post Pins, Reels and Stories with affiliate links and earn commission on the sales they bring.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 monthsData updated Nov 3, 20263 sourcesModel v0.2
Suits
Patient writers who can build search traffic over a year or more.
Not for
Anyone who needs income this year or depends on one traffic source.
What would change our view: A new distribution channel or a policy change that removes low-quality sellers could reopen it.
Low data confidence: this verdict leans on the US side-hustle distribution and may change as method-specific data comes in.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 months
Recalculated daily from the latest data; the history chart appears after the second daily update.
0% the method's unit economics ($31 a month for an active practitioner), 100% the US side-hustle distribution.
| Commission per referred saleAmazon's 3–4.5% rate is sourced; the $40–100 basket it applies to is a BRI assumption. | 1.2–4.5 | BRI assumption |
| Scheduler and design toolsFree tiers exist; a paid scheduler is 10%+ of this revenue. | 0.1 | BRI assumption |
| Referred sales a month after 12 monthsBRI assumption: ~1,500 outbound clicks at ~1% conversion. | 15 | BRI assumption |
661M global monthly users (+10%); US and Canada 107M (+4%)
Pinterest (SEC 8-K)Pinterest launched 'AI modified' labels and a 'see fewer' control for AI Pins
TechCrunchAmazon commission rates: 3% home, pets and beauty; 4.5% kitchen; 4% most others
Amazon AssociatesPinterest's global monthly users rose 10% to 661M in Q3 2026, but US and Canada grew only 4% to 107M.
