I've been reviewing developer tools long enough to know that most "passive income" content is basically fiction. So when I decided to actually test AI API affiliate programs as a real side hustle — tracking every click, every signup, every dollar — I knew I had to document it properly. No inflated screenshots, no cherry-picked weeks. Just the raw spreadsheet from my first 90 days.
Here's my hands-on report.
The Quick Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Affiliate marketing for developer tools works — but only if you already have credibility and you're willing to write 2,000-word articles that nobody is going to pay you for up front. My first three months produced $X in earnings, but the trajectory matters more than the dollar amount. If you're starting from zero audience, this is a year-long play, not a weekend one. If you already have any kind of developer following, it's one of the better side hustles I've tested.
