Ran into this a lot while building out brand-affiliate matching, so figured I'd share.

Most affiliate programs die for one of three reasons:

1. The tracking is broken or unclear. If a brand can't tell you exactly how attribution works (cookie window, last-click vs first-click, cross-device), assume you'll get shorted on commissions eventually. Ask before you promote, not after.

2. Payout terms are vague. "We pay affiliates" isn't a payout term. Get the net terms (30/60/90 days), the minimum threshold, and the method in writing before you post a single link.

3. There's no real vetting on either side. Brands get flooded with low-quality affiliates who ghost after one post. Affiliates get burned by brands who quietly change commission rates mid-campaign. Nobody's checking anybody.

The fix isn't complicated — it's just work most people skip: actually vet the offer's unit economics before promoting, and actually vet the affiliate's audience fit before signing them.

That's the whole thesis behind what I'm building with Vineex — matching affiliates to offers where the numbers make sense on both sides, with clear tracking and terms upfront. Not selling anything here, just sharing what actually moves the needle if you're doing affiliate work seriously.