The term "affiliate partners" refers to businesses or individuals that have a formal agreement with another company, known as the affiliate, to promote their products and services in exchange for a commission. This type of arrangement is commonly used by online retailers, who will pay an affiliate partner a percentage of the revenue generated from sales that can be traced back to the affiliate's marketing efforts. Affiliate partnerships are often based on performance-based metrics such as clicks, impressions or sales, and provide a way for businesses to expand their reach and generate additional income without incurring the costs associated with traditional advertising methods.