Originally Posted by Barefootsies

A number of programs are moving their traffic generation in-house.

This reduces the importance of this industry's affiliate model and their position for the future. It also makes programs less dependent on paying the ransom traffic 'whales' are demanding, and have been, over the years.

Short answer,... it probably varies from program to program. Their importance is diminishing. Especially as more affiliates find it hard to make conversions and remain competitive in the 2009 market place.