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But what does being an affiliate mean?

This is one area where blogging and fan sites clash.

To a blog, an affiliate implies a commercial relationship. Generally speaking, a blogger will put up affiliate links for pay. These can be either paid links from another blog looking for traffic, advertising from commercial companies, or similar types of commercialization.

To a fan site, an affiliate (sometimes called a sister or sibling site) is a website within the same fandom that engages in a reciprocal relationship. This can be as simple as just exchanging links or as complex as exchanging content, sharing forums, or working together on a project.

Be careful what you are asking for when you contact another site asking for a link, despite my advice not to do this. When you want a reciprocal link, ask for it by name, otherwise you may find yourself either receiving a bill from a blog or facing an angry fan site webmaster.

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