Learning Center
Plain-language explainers on how affiliate marketing works, from referral tracking to commissions and payouts.
Affiliate marketing basics
What affiliate and referral programs are, and how they work for an online store.
- What is an affiliate program?An affiliate program sets how a store works with affiliates: terms, commission rules, groups, referral methods, and payouts. Learn how networks compare.
- What is affiliate marketing?Affiliate marketing pays partners commission on the sales they refer. Learn the merchant, affiliate, and customer roles and how an in-house program works.
- What is a referral program?A referral program rewards customers for bringing in new buyers. Learn how it compares with an affiliate program and who makes a good affiliate.
Referral tracking and attribution
How referral links and discount codes connect a sale to the affiliate who drove it.
- What is referral tracking?Referral tracking connects each sale to the affiliate who sent the customer. Learn how referral links, cookie consent, and completed orders decide credit.
- What is lifetime attribution?Lifetime attribution keeps a customer connected to the affiliate who referred them. Learn how it differs from per-order credit and when it fits.
- Referral links vs discount codes: how does each credit an affiliate?Referral links and discount codes both credit affiliates for sales. Learn how each works, standard vs single-use codes, and how to limit code leakage.
Commissions and payouts
How affiliates earn commission, and how that commission gets paid.
- What is an affiliate commission?An affiliate commission is what a store pays for a referred sale. Learn how it is calculated, when it is earned, and how defaults and overrides work.
- How do affiliate payouts work?Affiliate payouts send earned commission to affiliates. Learn about payout thresholds, schedules, payment methods, and who pays processing fees.
- Do affiliates get 1099 forms?Learn what Forms 1099-K and 1099-NEC are, why reporting depends on IRS thresholds, and what Simple Affiliate facilitates for U.S. Autopay payouts.