Approve or reject affiliate requests
Affiliate requests should be reviewed before partners send traffic. Approval gives access to tracked links, commission reporting, and participation in the affiliate program.
Use this guide when launch teams want partner distribution without sacrificing margin, support capacity, or attribution quality.
Why approval matters
| Without review | With review |
|---|---|
| Low-fit partners promote unstable offers | Partners promote ready products with working delivery |
| Margin exceptions become informal | Custom commission is documented before traffic |
| Wrong links create attribution noise | Partners receive affiliate tracking links and rules |
| Support load rises unexpectedly | Launch capacity is planned |
Review checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Product is live and delivery works | Partners should not promote unstable offers. See product approval and delivery. |
| Margins support commission | Default rate should remain sustainable |
| Partner fit | Audience and promotion style should match the product |
| Support capacity | More buyers may create support load |
| Program rules | Partner understands link and attribution rules |
| Checkout and offer readiness | Pricing and published checkout should be stable |
Approval workflow
- Confirm the correct business workspace and product.
[Screenshot: App header and product — correct workspace and product selected.]
- Open affiliate requests for the product.
[Screenshot: Affiliate requests page — pending applications listed.]
- Review applicant details and promotion history when available.
[Screenshot: Applicant profile — promotion history and audience details reviewed.]
- Check whether a custom commission exception is needed.
[Screenshot: Commission review — default vs proposed custom rate noted.]
- Approve partners that fit the program and margin plan.
[Screenshot: Affiliate approved — status changed to approved.]
- Reject applicants that are not a fit or add risk.
[Screenshot: Affiliate rejected — status and internal reason recorded.]
- Confirm approved affiliates have tracking links.
[Screenshot: Tracking link generated — affiliate can copy link after approval.]
- Share program rules: link usage, prohibited traffic, and dispute process.
[Screenshot: Partner onboarding doc — link rules and dispute process shared.]
- Monitor first attributed sales in Sales.
[Screenshot: Sales — first affiliate-attributed purchase after approval.]
- Review early attribution disputes and partner questions.
[Screenshot: Early dispute log — partner questions resolved with link evidence.]
Rejection reasons to document internally
| Reason | Example |
|---|---|
| Poor audience fit | Traffic quality or niche mismatch |
| Promotion style risk | Misleading claims or policy conflict |
| Product not ready | Checkout, delivery, or approval incomplete |
| Margin insufficient | Commission exception not approved |
| Program capacity | Support or operations cannot onboard more partners yet |
What to verify after approval
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Partner has the correct affiliate link | Owner links break attribution |
| Custom rate is configured if promised | Prevents payout confusion |
| Launch docs include offer and link | Reduces partner mistakes |
| Campaigns can separate partner-driven traffic when needed | Reporting stays readable |
| Support knows partner promotions are live | Ticket volume may increase |
Best practices
- Reject low-fit applicants instead of approving everyone.
- Document custom commission before approval when needed.
- Review disputes early in the program lifecycle.
- Pair approval with UTM naming conventions for owner campaigns separately from partner links.
- Revisit approved partners after major pricing or product changes.
Common mistakes
- Approving partners before checkout is published.
- Promising a custom rate without configuring it.
- Letting partners promote with owner custom campaign links.
- Ignoring support capacity during big partner launches.
- Approving partners for inactive products. See inactive products and link impact.
FAQ
Should I approve partners before the product launches?
Only when the product, delivery, and checkout path are truly ready for real buyers. Use before-launch checklists.
Can I change commission after approval?
Yes, but communicate clearly and document changes. Existing attributed sales may need finance review.