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If you’ve been blogging for a while, you probably remember when Mediavine launched their RPM Challenge.

Basically, it was a simple checklist that showed you exactly how to squeeze more money out of the display ads already running on your blog.

Bloggers who thought they were earning “decent” ad income suddenly saw their RPMs shoot up by making small tweaks (like reformatting posts, testing ad placements, or focusing on higher-earning traffic sources).

I remember trying it, and my RPMs went from $29 to $52 overnight. Crazy, right?

For years I wished there was something like that for affiliate income.

A way to audit what you already have, pinpoint the leaks, and make changes that could drastically increase your earnings.

I created and tested the affiliate tricks that actually moved the needle for me, but having them all in one simple checklist would save hours and make the process much easier to repeat and scale.

So that’s exactly what I built in partnership with Travelpayouts (and it’s completely free):

→ A Full Affiliate Audit Series & Checklist​

(aka the closest thing I’ve ever seen to an “RPM Challenge” for affiliates)

Below I’ve listed a few highlights from my audit, but the full breakdown goes much deeper, and every change has the potential to make a huge impact on your income.

The Must-Have Tool for Your Affiliate Audit

I was a “manual” kind of entrepreneur for the first two years of my business. I did everything by hand.

It was exhausting, and honestly, I don’t know how I survived that time.

But everything changed when I started finding tools that took the busywork off my plate. I could get more done in a day than I used to accomplish in a week.

The only downside was that most of the really good tools came with a hefty price tag (IYKYK 😉).

However, that’s not the case with Travelpayouts’ Content Analytics.

This tool is completely free and gives you the kind of data most platforms charge hundreds of dollars a year for.

It shows you:

• Which posts are getting affiliate clicks (and which ones aren’t)​
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• How much revenue each post is generating
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• Conversion rates and ECPC (earnings per click)

With a few clicks, you’ll know exactly which posts are carrying your income, and which ones are doing absolutely nothing for you.

For me, that’s the power of this audit.

Rather than guessing where to put your time, you’re using data to guide your focus. That’s hands down one of the smartest things you can do, whether you’re blogging or running any kind of business.

👉 And that’s the foundation of the full Affiliate Audit Series I created with Travelpayouts. [Read it here]

3 Quick Wins from the Affiliate Audit

Here are three of the simplest fixes I’ve seen bloggers use to dramatically increase affiliate earnings:

1. Move your first affiliate link up.

One of the most common mistakes bloggers make is accidentally hiding their affiliate links.

You might have a reader land on your post ready to book, buy, or sign up for whatever you’re recommending, but if your first link is buried halfway down, you’ve probably lost them.

Most readers won’t scroll past the top 10% of your content, so if your affiliate link doesn’t appear until the middle or end, you’re leaving clicks (and income) on the table.

To fix this, place your most relevant affiliate link above the fold or at least within the first few paragraphs.

Don’t be afraid to make it stand out; use formatting like buttons, boxes, or bold text, and pair it with a clear, action-driven call to action.

Basically, if someone is ready to click, you don’t want them hunting for the next step.

2. Double down on proven winners.

If one affiliate partner or widget is already converting in a post, take that as a sign!

Add it to two or three related posts so more readers have the chance to click. This is one of the fastest ways to grow income without writing any new content.

In longer posts, a single link usually isn’t enough. Most readers skim or only pay attention to the sections that interest them, so you need to repeat your key affiliate links in multiple spots.

Place the main link in the intro, include it again when the product or brand is first mentioned, highlight it in a callout box, and repeat it near the end.

If an affiliate is already working, make sure it gets seen more often and in more places. Simple!

3. Update old posts for seasonal search intent.

If you’ve got a post that isn’t performing the way you want, you don’t need to scrap it. A quick update for seasonal keywords can give it new life and put it back in front of readers.

So for example, instead of just Where to Stay in Paris, try:

• Where to Stay in Paris in Winter
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• Best Hotels in Paris for Christmas Markets
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• Where to Stay in Paris in November (When It’s Cheaper)

This kind of seasonal update taps into timely search intent, brings in new readers, and opens the door to WAY more affiliate clicks.

These are just a few quick wins.

You’ll see in the full series (which is free) how these changes help me double my affiliate income in 30 days:

👉 Click here to get the full Affiliate Audit Series!​

Have a great week,

Laura

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