Affiliate Commission Models Explained
CPA, revenue share, recurring commission and pay per lead, and which niches use each.
How affiliates get paid
An affiliate commission is an agreed payment from a business when a visitor you referred takes a defined action. The structure varies by program, and it affects how you plan content and income.
Common models
- Pay per sale. A percentage of the purchase. Common in retail and travel.
- Cost per acquisition (CPA). A fixed amount when a customer signs up, deposits or completes a defined step. Common in finance and iGaming.
- Revenue share. A percentage of ongoing revenue from the customer you referred. Common in iGaming.
- Recurring commission. A share of subscription payments while the customer stays. Common in software.
- Pay per lead. A fixed amount for a qualified enquiry. Common in property, insurance and B2B.
Matching a model to a niche
Recurring models reward content that attracts loyal customers, such as software. Per-sale models reward volume, as in product reviews. Lead and CPA models appear in finance and property, where regulation matters most.
Read the terms
Programs set their own cookie periods, eligibility rules, payment thresholds and restrictions. Read them before you promote, and disclose the relationship to your readers. See the disclosure and compliance guide.
Compare niches in all affiliate niches, or start an affiliate business. Read commission models explained for a shorter overview, or request a demo.
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