MONETIZATION WIRE: Direct network links vs auto-affiliate (Skimlinks/Sovrn) wrappers

MONETIZATION WIRE: Direct network links vs auto-affiliate (Skimlinks/Sovrn) wrappers
The build-vs-rent affiliate plumbing question. What insiders report.
— Direct (your own CJ/Impact/Awin IDs): full commission, full control, full data — but per-merchant approval grind and you maintain every link yourself.
— Auto-monetizers (Skimlinks/Sovrn): instant coverage on thousands of merchants, zero approval work, but they skim 25% and you're a sub-affiliate with thin data and weaker rates.
Why it matters: We hear the pattern — auto-monetize the long tail you'd never get approved for, go direct on your top 20 merchants where the rate difference is real money. All-direct is slow; all-skim leaves margin on the floor.
Developing...