Back in 2009, I wrote about PepperJam's eBay Text Ads product, a JavaScript-based tool that automatically turned keywords on your web pages into affiliate links pointing to eBay products. At the time, it was an innovative approach to affiliate monetization. You added a script to your site, and PepperJam would scan your content and create contextual text ad links to relevant eBay listings.

Both the product and the company have changed dramatically since then.

What Happened to PepperJam

PepperJam was an affiliate network founded in 2000 that built a reputation for innovation and strong affiliate partnerships. The company went through several transitions:

• In 2010, eBay acquired PepperJam's affiliate network
• eBay eventually spun the technology back out
• PepperJam rebranded as Ascend by Partnerize after being acquired by Partnerize, a global partnership management platform
• The original eBay Text Ads product was discontinued years ago

The eBay Text Ads format, where JavaScript automatically converted page keywords into affiliate links, has largely disappeared from the web. This approach fell out of favor because it created a poor user experience (readers did not expect random words to be ad links), it raised disclosure concerns under FTC guidelines, and search engines began penalizing sites with excessive auto-generated affiliate links.

Affiliate Networks in 2026

If you are looking for affiliate networks to monetize your content today, the landscape has matured significantly. Here are the major players:

• Amazon Associates — The largest affiliate program. Lower commission rates than specialized programs, but massive product selection and strong conversion rates due to consumer trust.
• ShareASale — One of the most popular affiliate networks with thousands of merchants across every niche. Now owned by Awin.
• CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction) — Enterprise-level affiliate network with major brand partnerships.
• Impact — Modern partnership platform used by brands like Uber, Airbnb, and many SaaS companies.
• Partnerize (formerly Ascend/PepperJam) — Enterprise partnership management platform. Still active but focused on larger brands and agencies rather than individual bloggers.
• eBay Partner Network — eBay's own affiliate program, which replaced the third-party arrangements. You can still earn commissions promoting eBay listings, but you apply directly through eBay.

Modern Affiliate Link Integration

Instead of auto-inserting affiliate links via JavaScript (the PepperJam approach), today's best practice is to intentionally place affiliate links within genuinely helpful content. Use plugins like ThirstyAffiliates or Pretty Links to manage your links, and always include clear FTC disclosure statements.

The key shift since 2009: affiliate marketing has moved from a “set it and forget it” model (like auto-inserting text ads) to a content-first approach where your affiliate recommendations are woven naturally into helpful, experience-based content that serves the reader first.

The Bottom Line

PepperJam's eBay Text Ads were an interesting experiment from a different era of affiliate marketing. The company evolved into Ascend by Partnerize and now serves enterprise clients. The auto-linking approach has been replaced by intentional, content-driven affiliate marketing, which is better for readers, better for SEO, and better for your long-term business.