Set custom affiliate commission
Custom commission lets one affiliate earn a different rate than the program default. Use it for negotiated partner deals, launch incentives, or strategic relationships where the default margin does not fit.
Custom commission should be documented before traffic starts so finance, support, and partners share the same expectation.
When to use custom commission
| Use custom commission when | Avoid custom commission when |
|---|---|
| A strategic partner negotiated a unique rate | The default rate already works and is sustainable |
| A launch partner needs a temporary higher commission | Margins cannot support the exception |
| A top performer has a documented special agreement | The partner is not yet approved |
| Finance signed off on the exception | The change is informal and undocumented |
Custom commission changes partner economics. It does not fix broken affiliate links or attribution problems.
What custom commission affects
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Partner earnings | The affiliate receives the exception rate on attributed sales |
| Margin | Higher commission reduces net revenue per sale |
| Sales | Attribution and commission context should remain auditable |
| Disputes | Partners will reference the agreed rate during attribution disputes |
| Program trust | Inconsistent undocumented rates create partner conflict |
| Reporting | Financial Overview and affiliate reporting should be reviewed after launch |
Setup workflow
- Confirm the correct business workspace and product.
[Screenshot: App header and product — correct workspace and product selected.]
- Verify the affiliate is approved for the product.
[Screenshot: Affiliate status Approved — partner cleared for custom rate.]
- Review default program rate and margin impact with finance if needed.
[Screenshot: Margin review — default vs custom rate impact documented.]
- Open the affiliate or program settings.
[Screenshot: Affiliate settings — commission section for the partner.]
- Set the custom commission for that partner.
[Screenshot: Custom commission field — exception rate saved for affiliate.]
- Document why the rate differs from the default and who approved it.
[Screenshot: Internal commission log — reason and approver recorded.]
- Confirm the affiliate uses their own tracking link, not an owner campaign link.
[Screenshot: Affiliate tracking link confirmed — not owner campaign URL.]
- Share link usage and attribution rules with the partner.
[Screenshot: Partner email — custom rate and link rules communicated.]
- Monitor attributed sales after launch.
[Screenshot: Sales filtered by affiliate — purchases at custom commission rate.]
- Review disputes and margin during the first payout cycle.
[Screenshot: Financial Overview — net margin after custom commission in first cycle.]
What to verify before partner traffic starts
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Partner is approved | Unapproved partners should not promote yet |
| Custom rate is saved on the correct affiliate | Prevents paying the default rate by mistake |
| Partner has the correct link type | Owner links break attribution |
| Offer and pricing are live | Partners should not promote unstable products |
| Support knows about the exception | Reduces dispute handling confusion |
| Launch docs include rate and validity period | Helps future audits |
Best practices
- Document every custom commission exception in one internal place.
- Set temporary launch rates with an end date when possible.
- Review whether coproducers or other splits also affect margin.
- Monitor first attributed sales in Sales with affiliate filters.
- Pair custom rates with clear promotion rules and prohibited traffic types.
Common mistakes
- Increasing commission without checking net margin on the offer.
- Approving the partner before the custom rate is configured.
- Letting partners promote with owner custom campaign links.
- Changing commission after sales already attributed without communication.
- Solving attribution issues by changing commission instead of fixing links.
FAQ
Does custom commission apply retroactively?
Do not assume it does. Confirm how the rate applies to future attributed sales and document the effective start point with finance.
Can multiple affiliates have different custom rates?
Yes, but each exception should be documented. Too many undocumented rates make attribution disputes harder to resolve.
Where do affiliates get the correct link?
What if a partner disputes credited sales?
Review troubleshoot affiliate attribution disputes before changing commission outcomes.