Guides

Affiliate Marketing Programs: How They Work

An affiliate program defines which referrals qualify and how publishers are paid.

Core terms

Commission, qualifying action, attribution and payout rules.

Direct vs network

Programs can be merchant-run or network-mediated.

Read the agreement

Brand bidding, email and coupon rules can matter.

Keep records

Save important program terms and updates.

Practical rule: Build one clear audience → offer → traffic → conversion path before adding complexity. For a commercial example, see our Jonathan Montoya review.