How big do you think the "making money online" business is?

Just look at the number of people here on this forum. It's huge I would say.

Multi-Billion dollar a year industry.

You'd be surpised that it's actually not that big compared to a lot of others niches. There's a lot of hobby niches that are way, way bigger than the MMO niche and you'd never of thought of them. Put it this way - how many MMO magazines do you ever see at news stands or big book/magazine store outlets? Virtually none. Then take a lot at how many you see about sewing, model railways, fishing etc. It's not even close.

This is an interesting question..

If you're on the inside like we are, it's HUGE. And don't get me wrong, this forum is hoppin and this industry is a multi-billion-dollar per-year industry like doorkicker said.

But that's from the inside.

Compared to the other "evergreen" niches - health/fitness, relationships, personal finance (outside of MMO) - the "IM" niche is relatively small and exclusive, in my opinion.

Here's an example: do your friends or family ever ask what you do? Have any of them ever even HEARD of "affiliate marketing" or other "IM" terms?

Probably not, at least that's what I get. I don't even try to explain it any more because no one has the slightest idea and flat-out don't get the concept of "digital information products".

Most people don't even know about the MMO game, or think it's all scams, and think getting $10 for every friend they tell Netflix about is the best thing since sliced bread.

But go to them and talk about losing weight. Or getting a six pack, etc.

They all know about those.

Kinda puts in perspective what we do and how little people know about it on a broad scheme.

I agree, it seems that everytime someone puts out a new wso with a different twist, it only takes acouple of weeks before everyone is doing it!