Internet-based customer referral system

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• detecting selection by a user of a link associated with an item sold by a merchant, wherein the link is provided in conjunction with a recommendation of the item, and/or an editorial description of the item, by a business entity other than the merchant;
• determining whether the user completes a transaction with the merchant following the selection of the link;
• and
• in response to completion by the user of the transaction with the merchant, determining a commission to be paid to the business entity.

A method of participating in an associates program implemented by a merchant system that hosts a merchant web site, the method comprising:

• enrolling in the associates program via an automated enrollment process, wherein enrolling in the associates program comprises obtaining an associate identifier;
• selecting an item represented on an item detail page of the merchant web site, said item capable of being purchased via the merchant web site;
• generating a description of said item, said description being distinct from an item description on said item detail page;
• generating an item-specific link to the item detail page of the merchant web site, said item-specific link including the associate identifier and an identifier of said item;
• and
• incorporating the item-specific link and the description of the item into a web page of an associate web site that is separate from the merchant web site.