Affiliate Links - The OTHER Angle

I've got a retail site that also has an affiliate program. Just like any other program - sign up, put the links on your website, earn x amount of dollars.

I'm wondering tho..... Do these affiliate links help me in the serps at all?

The affiliate links actually look like - http://www.aitsafe.com/blah-blah-blah/www.MYDOMAIN.com

So, technically, the link looks like it points to the affiliate software site (which tracks the users, etc.), then redirects to my site.

Does it do me any good? Is it even worth keeping the affiliate thing going? (I do happen to have a lot of links out there from it... but their pretty old, and are probably abandoned by now)

 

They may not help as far as backlinks, but are they bringing you any sales?

 

I have literally hundreds of affiliate links coming out of my site.
To me they are necessary, some act as part of the content, and I really only Care about the readers experience, and if I make any money.

If I never get a good PR, but sales are good, and I have a trusted, well liked, site with decent traffic....it's all good.
JMO

 

If SERP is considered, those links point to affiliate network and they are the one benefiting from them.