Dev.to
6/26/2026

From $3 to My First Real MRR: My 90-Day AI API Affiliate Build Log
Short summary
An indie SaaS founder spent 90 days testing AI API affiliate programs and documented their journey from near-zero to real monthly recurring revenue. They identified a program with compelling economics—15% first-order, 8% recurring monthly, 10% premium tier—compared against flat-fee alternatives. The transparent case study covers program evaluation, real earnings data, and tactical lessons for bootstrapped founders building additional revenue streams.
- •Founder compared three AI API affiliate programs, finding recurring-commission models vastly superior to one-time flat payouts
- •Identified program offered 15% first order + 8% monthly recurring + 10% premium tier bonus for long-term customer retention
- •Real build log includes author's existing MRR figures ($1,800, $600, $50 from three products) and transparent failure analysis
Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.
Is this a good recommendation for you?



