In this thought-provoking conversation, marketing director Martin Calvert dives deep into the realities of SEO and affiliate marketing in 2025. He and host John Wright unpack the hard truths about how affiliate marketing has matured—gone are the days of passive income from generic review sites. Today, success demands caring deeply about every click, maintaining airtight user experiences, and turning one-time visitors into long-term brand followers through data ownership, newsletters, and apps. Martin stresses the importance of affiliate sites treating traffic like a precious resource—nurturing every visitor, eliminating broken links, and doubling down on conversion rather than merely traffic growth. Martin also examines how AI, business intelligence, and changing search behaviors are reshaping how marketers must operate. The conversation touches on sentiment analysis, internal search on branded affiliate sites, and the crucial importance of developing a strong brand identity—whether that's through tone of voice, authoritative content, or offering truly helpful reviews. They caution against outdated strategies and emphasize the need for experimentation, strategic focus, and understanding local markets. Martin’s takeaway is clear: affiliate marketing isn't dead—it's just growing up. And only the data-savvy, brand-conscious, and genuinely customer-focused marketers will thrive.