Rakuten and Impact Shakeup: What This Means for Your Affiliate Program

Rakuten and Impact Shakeup: What This Means for Your Affiliate Program

May 30, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

Dustin Howes and Cristen Evans discuss the implications of Rakuten's new integration with Impact following the Optimism event.

Dustin Howes and co-host Cristen Evans recap Dustin’s experience at Optimism, praising it as a selective, high-quality networking event with strong meeting scheduling, useful gifts, and standout activities, but criticizing the lack of concrete information about Rakuten’s new integration and strategic alliance with Impact. Dustin describes the CEO keynote as offering only vague, high-level remarks, frustrating attendees who came seeking clarity, and notes backlash over a private brands-only ...

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