Part 3/8:
Proponents have been touting BuzzFeed as a tech company, but the truth is it remains primarily a content publisher. Despite claims of selling "technology" like BuzzFeed-branded vibrators and sex toys, the core business revolves around viral digital content, quizzes, and affiliate marketing.
BuzzFeed's revenue model is increasingly reliant on Amazon referral affiliate links, which comprise about 13–23% of total revenue. This is a fragile base; any disruption to Amazon's program could significantly damage BuzzFeed's income. Their own merchandise sales and advertising efforts pale in comparison, and the company’s attempts to generate direct ad sales have not been particularly successful.