Originally Posted by Pseudonymous

Well if 5-10 percent ends up resulting more money out for the company, that would result in a lower profit margin and less likely they can continue to grow and if youre not growing your platform, its dying. It would probably result in not being able to offer models as much. The money has to come from somewhere. These company's aren't riding into the sunset with everybodys money, they're massive companies with highly intelligent people who need to be paid. The owners make enough to justify what they've done for the industry and hundreds of thousands of models as well as providing affiliates with something to promote

Why do they still build one if they dont need one? Well because its still atleast profitable enough to create. Could they exist without one, yes. If it becomes too expensive, it will close.

Also all that is a bit moot because honestly, most affiliates prefer immediate payment vs investing themselves. Not many people have the business savvy/long term thinking you clearly have.