Don't affiliate programs have an unfair impact on a company's ability to compete with bigger businesses?

[williamelward]

So many coupon sites and other websites these days will only link to your website if you have a relationship with Commission Junction or one of the other large affiliate networks.  It seems to me that links on these sites are really unfair as they allow businesses with deep pockets to acquire links unequitably. To me it seems like these are "paid links", as the average website cannot afford the cost of running an affiliate program.   Even worse, the only reason why these businesses are earning a link is because they have an affiliate program; that to me should violate some sort of Google rule about types and values of links.  The existence of an affiliate program as the only reason for earning a link is preposterous.  It's just as bad as paid link directories that have no editorial standards.  I realize the affiliate links are wrapped in CJ's code, so that mush diminish the value of the link, but there is still tons of good value in having the brand linked to from these high authority sites.

[Harbor_Compliance]

Branding and visibility issues aside, from a pure link standpoint those links don't count (or shouldn't per Google).  Google wants affiliate links to be nofollow since they're advertorial (Matt Cutts on the matter - <a>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmlsfSqmOw</a>).  Cutts also says affiliate links should be disclosed adequately.  Now on the other hand, you're right that these links are benefiting a company that has these relationships set up.  I'm sure they're getting visibility, traffic, and ultimately sales.