I'm not sure I'm reading you correctly but since so many posts in this thread are talking about META tags ... Let me state that the absence or inclusion of META tags on a site (sponsor or otherwise) is not any indication of whether they consider SEO important!
Otherwise, I agree with the idea that sponsors should be working hard at SEO - it's just about insane not to! Consider the cost of paying affiliates vs. SEO work and it's a no-brainer. It's almost free traffic and far more targeted (and therefore likely to convert) vs. 90% of what your affiliates offer.
I know that some affiliates disagree with this philosophy because they feel the sponsor is competing with them for traffic. Affiliates that have this mindset are probably that ones that register sapphicerotica.us, ravenrileynude.biz, etc. etc. - i.e. their motives are clear
