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Shopify powers new publisher revenue streams

Shopify is launching new features that allow for publishers to take advantage of affiliate marketing and also create e-commerce platforms that are backed by Shopify.

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Shopify publishers // Illustration by Kate Walker

Shopify powers new publisher revenue streams

 

Future. Shopify is launching new features that allow for publishers to take advantage of affiliate marketing and also create e-commerce platforms that are backed by Shopify. As Shopify quickly grows into an e-commerce powerhouse, Amazon and Walmart may finally have a real competitor… which could drive down prices for customers and increase payouts for publishers.

Try this out for size
Shopify is stepping on Amazon’s and Walmart’s turf.

  • It’s rolling out a new affiliate marketing feature that will let publishers link to Shopify merchants.
    • BuzzFeed has already signed on, and Shopify is also reportedly in talks with Complex Networks and Vox Media.
  • Another feature will allow publishers to open their own “Shopify-powered online stores” that will work inside a publisher’s platform.
    • Publishers will also be able to bring in brands that they work with into the deal, even if they don’t have Shopify stores.

Shopify revenue hit an all-time high of $2.9 billion last year.

Store wars
Shopify’s move to enter the affiliate market space is a big win for brands and publishers, and a thorn in the side of both Amazon and Walmart that could give them a new competitor in a generally uncontested space.

BuzzFeed’s decision to use Shopify is a game-changing move — 70% of the company’s affiliate revenue previously came from Amazon. It was clearly looking to diversify… especially after Amazon suspended and then temporarily cut its affiliate commission rate last year.