A characteristic of affiliate marketing is that:

Affiliate marketing is primarily structured around the relationship between the business and the affiliate, where affiliates promote products or services for a business and are rewarded based on their success in driving sales or leads. This means that businesses provide incentives, usually in the form of commissions, to affiliates who successfully market their products and generate traffic or sales. The performance-based nature of this arrangement is a hallmark of affiliate marketing, allowing businesses to expand their reach with minimal risk and cost, as they only pay for desired outcomes.

In contrast to this model, the other options do not accurately describe affiliate marketing. For instance, affiliates do not typically pay businesses; rather, they earn through their promotional efforts. Additionally, affiliate marketing does not necessitate large upfront investments, making it accessible for a wide range of marketers. Furthermore, it can operate on a global scale, not being limited to local markets alone; affiliates can reach audiences anywhere online. This flexibility and performance-driven approach make affiliate marketing an appealing option for both businesses and individuals.