Lead-Gen Affiliate Network - Deep Research

Lead-Gen Network — Deep Research Brief I'm exploring launching a lead-generation network and need thorough ground-truth research. The MOST IMPORTANT goal: understand the business model — how these networks actually make money, the full margin chain, and how the operation works end to end. Report findings in a written document. Approach: Register as an affiliate on multiple lead-gen networks. Position yourself as a Facebook media buyer currently doing Dating who wants to move into lead gen — this should get you access to real offers, payouts, and terms. Screenshot real offers and payout structures wherever possible. Also reach out directly to some contractors (posing as a potential lead supplier) to learn the buyer side. THE CORE QUESTION — the business model & margin chain: For each vertical, map the FULL money flow: Cost to create a lead — what does an affiliate spend on ads (Facebook, Google, native) to generate one lead? What the network pays the affiliate per lead (CPL) — by niche. What the contractor/buyer pays the network per lead. The network's margin — the spread between #2 and #3. Understanding all three numbers per vertical is the #1 priority. Verticals, IN PRIORITY ORDER: Home services / improvement (highest priority): roofing, water damage/restoration, HVAC, solar, windows & doors, remodeling/renovations, plumbing, backyard/landscaping/decking, kitchen & bath, foundation/waterproofing, pest control Senior care / medical: senior living, home care, medical devices, Medicare, addiction/treatment Insurance (low priority): auto, home, life, final expense Dating (research LIGHTLY — note the landscape only): how dating affiliate offers work, typical payouts. This is background context, not a focus. For EACH priority vertical/niche, find: Payouts to affiliates (CPL ranges) by niche Cost for an affiliate to generate a lead (ad spend per lead) What contractors actually pay per lead (contact real contractors to find out) — and the network's resulting margin Verified vs. unverified lead prices — the price gap Shared vs. exclusive lead pricing Business models & distribution — understand how the operation runs: Distribution models: ping-post (real-time auction), flat-rate/direct-post, round-robin. Which dominates which vertical? Warm transfer / call-center model: research this specifically — networks/call centers that take a broad lead ("interested in home improvement financing?"), phone-qualify them, then live-transfer or sell the qualified prospect to a contractor at a premium, sometimes for a % of the job value instead of a flat fee. How does this work? What are the economics? Who does it? (This may be the highest-margin model — investigate thoroughly.) RTB / lead-distribution software: Boberdoo, LeadExec (ClickPoint), LeadsHook, ActiveProspect/LeadConduit, Phonexa, Trackdrive, Retreaver, Ricochet360, CAKE, Everflow — what they cost, what they do. CRMs — what networks/contractors use to receive and manage leads. Lead verification — is anyone verifying leads with AI (voice/SMS) before selling? What premium do verified leads command? (I'm considering AI-verifying leads to sell higher, selling unverified ones cheaper — research if this is done and the economics.) Market intelligence: Major networks in each vertical (names of big players) Industry situation now — growing, saturated, shifting? Recent changes (regulation, AI)? How networks reach direct advertisers (contractors who buy) Where lead-gen affiliates congregate — forums (AffiliateFix, STM), ActiveProspect's Lead Gen Alliance Slack, Telegram/Skype groups, conferences (Affiliate Summit, LeadsCon) Compliance — TCPA, consent, DNC requirements for US lead gen; how operators stay compliant Barriers to entry — what a new network needs to launch (tech, capital, relationships, compliance) Deliverable: A written report over ~1 week with real screenshots/examples of offers, payouts, and prices. Emphasize the business model and margin chain — I most need to understand how these networks make money and how much. Flag anything surprising or any obvious gaps/opportunities. To apply, please tell me: Your relevant experience in affiliate marketing / lead gen / media buying (this helps me know you'll understand what you're researching) Your price for this project (fixed price or hourly + estimated hours) Your estimated timeline to deliver the report Any similar research or industry work you've done before I'm looking for someone who genuinely understands the affiliate/lead-gen space, that register to the networks and get the whole picture — not just general web research — so the more relevant your background, the better.