Skip to main content

Managing Affiliate Payouts and Commissions in Stack

Affiliate payouts are the amounts given to affiliates for each sale made through their efforts. This guide will help you understand how commissions are tracked and how to manage payouts efficiently within the Affiliate Manager.

Key Points to Note​

Commission Tracking​

  • Sales Processing: Commissions are tracked through sales processed via Stripe. However, refunds for one-time products or subscriptions are not automatically tracked.
  • Subscription Cancellations: Payments can be issued 15, 30, or 60 days after the sale to accommodate potential cancellations. If a subscription is canceled, the lead is moved to the churned category but can be reactivated later.
  • One-Time and Recurring Commissions: Commissions can be either one-time or recurring, depending on the product sold through Stripe.
  • Coupons and Discounts: If a discount is applied during checkout, the commission is calculated based on the discounted amount.

When you access the Payouts screen, you'll find four sub-tabs representing different payout statuses:

Pending​

  • Displays all pending payouts for each campaign, organized by month.
  • Review and approve eligible affiliate payouts by clicking on the three dots to see the breakdown at the campaign and month levels.
  • If a payout isn’t applicable, select Deny Payout, moving the entry to the "Denied Payout" tab.

Approved for Payout​

  • Once payouts are approved in the Pending tab, they move here.
  • Export the list of affiliates and their owed amounts, upload it to the payment gateway, and mark the payouts as "Paid" once the payment is processed.
  • You can also move a payout back to Pending if needed.
  • Lists all affiliates who have received their payouts, along with the transaction date.
  • Payouts in this tab cannot be modified—this is the final status.

Denied Payouts​

  • If a payout is denied, it will appear here. Payouts can be denied from the Pending or Approved for Payout tabs.

How Are Payouts Generated?​

Payouts are generated in the Pending tab on the 1st of every month. Each payout shows a "Due" date, reflecting when the affiliate should be paid, based on the terms set in the campaign configuration. This system provides flexibility by allowing payouts to be approved and paid at a later date, accommodating potential issues such as refunds.

How Do Commissions Work?​

Commissions are the foundation of payouts. Affiliates earn a commission whenever a sale is made through their unique link. The percentage of commission an affiliate earns depends on the campaign they are promoting. Understanding how commissions are tied to affiliate payouts ensures smooth payout management and transparency in affiliate marketing efforts.

What's Next​

  • Learn about the payment gateways supported in the Affiliate Manager for product sales.
  • Discover how to pay your affiliates.
  • Set up and pay affiliates using PayPal Auto Payouts.