Zero-Click Searches: How Affiliate Marketers Can Still Win in 2025

Zero-Click searches are rising, but that doesn’t mean affiliate income is dead. Learn proven strategies to win snippets, build trust, and grow in today’s AI-driven search world.

Imagine spending hours crafting a detailed blog post, optimizing your keywords, adding images, and hitting publish — only to find out that most people searching for your topic never even land on your site. Instead, Google or Bing gives them the answer right on the search results page.

That’s the new reality of digital marketing: zero-click searches.

According to a study by SparkToro, more than 65% of Google searches in 2023 ended without a click. Users got what they needed directly from the search engine results page (SERP). With featured snippets, “People Also Ask” boxes, knowledge panels, and AI-driven summaries, many people never feel the need to visit your website.

For affiliate marketers, this shift can feel like a nightmare. Less traffic means fewer chances to earn clicks on your affiliate links. But here’s the other side of the coin: if you understand how zero-click searches work and adjust your strategy, you can still win. In fact, you can turn them into a new channel for authority, trust, and long-term visibility.

What exactly is a zero-click search?

A zero-click search is when a user gets their answer directly on the SERP without visiting any website. It looks like this:

• A definition box at the very top (a featured snippet).
• A “People Also Ask” dropdown where quick answers appear.
• Knowledge panels with data pulled from trusted sources like Wikipedia.
• Local search results showing maps, reviews, and contact info.
• AI summaries from Google’s AI Overviews or Bing’s Copilot.

Example: search “What is affiliate marketing?” and you’ll see Google display a definition box. You don’t need to click through — the answer is already there. That’s a zero-click search in action.

Why are zero-click searches growing so fast?

Several forces are driving this trend:

1. User convenience. People want quick answers. If they can get it at a glance, they stop searching.
2. Mobile-first behavior. On smaller screens, users are less likely to scroll through endless links. One snippet often feels like enough.
3. AI integration. Google and Bing are pushing AI summaries that condense multiple sources into one neat package.
4. Voice search. Smart speakers and assistants like Alexa often deliver answers without ever mentioning a source website.

In short, search is evolving — not to steal your traffic, but to make the user experience faster. And that means you need to change how you create and position your content.

What challenges do zero-click searches create for affiliate marketers?

Affiliate marketing has always depended on traffic. You publish content, attract visitors, recommend tools, and earn commissions. But in a zero-click world, Google might summarize your detailed comparison post into a single snippet, leaving you with fewer clicks.

Here’s the catch: visibility still has value. Even if someone doesn’t click right away, showing up in that snippet makes your brand more recognizable. Over time, users begin to trust your site as an authority. When they need in-depth guidance, they’ll choose your content over a random competitor.

It’s not about fighting zero-click searches. It’s about working with them to build brand recognition and long-term credibility.

How can affiliate marketers thrive in a zero-click world?

Target featured snippets intentionally

Featured snippets are prime real estate in zero-click searches. To capture them:

• Find common questions in your niche using tools like AnswerThePublic, AlsoAsked, or even Google’s “People Also Ask.”
• Write clear, direct answers of 40–60 words.
• Format answers using lists, tables, or short paragraphs.
• Use headers phrased as questions.

Optimize for conversational queries

AI and zero-click searches thrive on natural language. That means:

• Old keyword: “best SEO tools”
• Better query: “What are the best SEO tools for beginners on a budget?”

By matching conversational intent, you increase your chances of being pulled into snippets or AI answers.

Focus on brand and authority

With fewer clicks, authority becomes more important. Build trust by:​

• Sharing personal experience (“I tested this tool for three months and here’s what happened”).
• Backing up claims with credible data. For example, SEMrush reports that 19% of SERPs now include featured snippets [SEMrush, 2023].
• Keeping your site aligned with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).

Authority makes your brand memorable even when the click doesn’t happen right away.

Create content that goes beyond the snippet

A snippet gives users the basics. But your content should provide the depth AI can’t replicate. Do this by:

• Giving a short, clear answer upfront.
• Following with detailed explanations, case studies, and unique insights.
• Adding visuals, comparison charts, or downloadable resources.

Example: if your snippet defines “affiliate marketing,” your full article should show real examples, pros and cons, and step-by-step guidance. That’s what earns the click.

Strengthen your multimedia game

Search engines increasingly recognize video, infographics, and even podcast content.

Embedding a YouTube video or custom chart can give your page extra weight. And when users do click, multimedia increases dwell time — another trust signal for both Google and AI.

Track visibility instead of just clicks

Traditional SEO measured success by traffic. Today, you also need to track impressions.

Google Search Console shows how often your content appears in results, even if clicks don’t follow. That visibility builds authority over time, especially when you’re consistently featured in AI summaries or snippets.

What does this mean for the future of search and affiliate marketing?

Zero-click searches don’t mean SEO is dead. They mean SEO is evolving. The affiliate marketers who cling to old models will fall behind. Those who adapt will build stronger brands, more trust, and deeper audience connections.

Yes, clicks may go down. But the long-term payoff is recognition and authority — and when users want depth, they’ll know exactly where to find you.

What should you do next to adapt?

Zero-click searches might feel like search engines are stealing your traffic, but the truth is, they’re raising the bar. It’s no longer enough to stuff posts with keywords and hope for clicks.

You need to deliver quick, authoritative answers that win snippets — and then follow up with content so valuable that users want to go deeper.

If you adapt, you won’t just survive in a zero-click world — you’ll thrive.

The question is: are you creating content for the way people search today, or are you still playing by yesterday’s rules? Your answer will define your success as an affiliate marketer in 2025 and beyond.

Quick FAQ: Zero-Click Searches and Affiliate Marketing

Do zero-click searches hurt affiliate marketers?

• They reduce direct traffic, but if you win snippets, your visibility and brand authority increase. That trust can lead to clicks later.

Can you still make money if clicks go down?

• Yes. The focus shifts to being cited, recognized, and trusted — which eventually brings targeted, high-value traffic.

How do you measure success in a zero-click world?

• Track impressions, brand mentions, and snippet visibility — not just raw traffic numbers.

What type of content is most likely to appear in zero-click searches?

• Clear, structured answers like definitions, lists, how-to steps, and FAQs tend to get pulled into snippets and AI summaries.

How do you increase your chances of being featured in snippets?

• Use question-based headings, concise answers, and structured formatting (like tables, lists, and short paragraphs). This makes your content more digestible for search engines and AI models.