At first glance, Asia might seem loud, colorful, and far away. But then you look at the numbers: 4.5 billion people, smartphones in every hand, eyes sparkling with excitement — and suddenly it’s clear.
This isn’t just a market. It’s like someone mixed Las Vegas with TikTok and added a hundred cultures on top. Everything here is buzzing. And if you’re into affiliate marketing — whether you’re just starting out or already a seasoned pro — this is where you want to be. Just don’t bring a cookie-cutter approach. You’ll need to learn how to speak the local language — not just literally, but culturally too.
They’re different. Very different. But there are a few things they share. First — mobility. It’s not just about mobile traffic, it’s a full-on smartphone lifestyle. From placing bets to ordering breakfast, everything happens through Android. Second — belief in luck. Not just “I’ll give it a shot,” but “I’m hitting the jackpot tonight and buying my mom a house.” That’s not an exaggeration. Here, winning big isn’t a metaphor — it’s a real plan for the evening. And third — speed. No one’s going to read long landing pages. Everything needs to be fast, flashy, and full of energy.
If you think Instagram is the whole story, you haven’t been to Hanoi.
India: 806 million users. YouTube — nearly half a billion. Facebook — just a bit less.
Vietnam: Facebook — 76 million. That’s almost the entire online population.
Thailand: Facebook — 51 million, TikTok — 34 million adults.
China: forget the usual social media. Here it’s all about WeChat, Weibo, and YouKu. And yes, everything’s in Chinese.
Local favorites: In Thailand, Line is like oxygen. 56 million users. Not using it is like ignoring Google in the U.S.
Not all countries are equally tasty. Here’s a quick guide:
India — the perfect starting point. Cheap traffic (from $0.003), massive interest in cricket betting. Slots work well too, especially when framed as a “path to wealth.” Just remember: Hindi is a must. English won’t always get you far.
Thailand and the Philippines — almost untouched markets. People aren’t overwhelmed by ads yet. Simple creatives do the trick. Nutra, beauty products, gambling — all find their audience. But: gambling ads are off-limits in Thailand. You’ll need to operate in the gray zone. In the Philippines, things are easier — English is widely used.
China — boss level. Gambling is banned (except in Macau), but demand is sky-high, like BTS fans waiting for a concert. You’ll need to work through local social platforms, in Chinese, and be mindful of dialects. And yes — Chinese users love the number 8 (wealth) and avoid 4 (death). Don’t mix them up.
If you think you can just translate your copy — think again. It’s more complex than that.
Localization isn’t optional — it’s essential. Language, currency, familiar faces — everything needs to feel local.
Show the dream — cars, watches, villas. Not just “win,” but “become who you’ve always wanted to be.”
Don’t touch sensitive topics — royal families, politics, religion — all off-limits. Especially in Thailand.
Respect superstitions — in Asia, they’re taken seriously. Use the wrong symbol, and you’re out.
Asia is like a dragon — huge, powerful, unpredictable. You can ride it, but only if you know how to hold the reins. Templates won’t work here. What does work is flexibility, respect, and lots of testing. If you’re ready, Asia will reward you generously. Well… almost generously.
