How Affiliate Link Payments Work

01. There are three stages between a sale and you getting paid. The sale goes through - the platform records your commission straight away, but it shows as pending. The funds aren't yours yet. The waiting period - the retailer confirms the order hasn't been returned or cancelled. This can take up to 120 days, depending on the retailer. Your commission clears - and you get paid! — 01. There are three stages between a sale and you getting paid. The sale goes through – the platform records your commission straight away, but it shows as pending. The funds aren’t yours yet. The waiting period – the retailer confirms the order hasn’t been returned or cancelled. This can take up to 120 days, depending on the retailer. Your commission clears – and you get paid!

02. Commission rates vary quite a bit. Depending on the item you link and the shop you link to, commission rates vary anywhere from a few percent to 20%+. To put that into perspective: if you link to a pair of jeans on a site that offers 10% commission and your viewer spends $100, you'd earn $10. It might not sound like much - but it adds up! One more thing worth knowing: your commission is paid on the total cart value, not just the item you linked. So if you share a $50 pair of jeans but your viewer spends $100 while they're there, you earn on the full $100. — 02. Commission rates vary quite a bit. Depending on the item you link and the shop you link to, commission rates vary anywhere from a few percent to 20%+. To put that into perspective: if you link to a pair of jeans on a site that offers 10% commission and your viewer spends $100, you’d earn $10. It might not sound like much – but it adds up! One more thing worth knowing: your commission is paid on the total cart value, not just the item you linked. So if you share a $50 pair of jeans but your viewer spends $100 while they’re there, you earn on the full $100.

03. One thing worth knowing. There's usually a minimum amount you need to earn before a payment is triggered. It's generally pretty low - and it gives you time to make sure your payment details are set up correctly! — 03. One thing worth knowing. There’s usually a minimum amount you need to earn before a payment is triggered. It’s generally pretty low – and it gives you time to make sure your payment details are set up correctly!

04. It takes a little longer than you might expect. Getting paid from affiliate links takes a little longer than you might expect - but while you're posting, it's all moving along behind the scenes. Any questions? Drop them in the comments. — 04. It takes a little longer than you might expect. Getting paid from affiliate links takes a little longer than you might expect – but while you’re posting, it’s all moving along behind the scenes. Any questions? Drop them in the comments.

If you’ve ever made a sale through an affiliate link and then wondered where the money actually is, this one’s for you.

Getting paid isn’t instant, and when you’re just starting out that can feel a little confusing. The good news is there’s nothing wrong – it’s just how the process works. Sales go through a validation period before they’re confirmed, and most platforms pay out on a set schedule once they do.

Once you know what to expect, the wait makes a lot more sense.

Have you made your first affiliate sale yet? Drop a 🙋 in the comments!

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