How to Track Affiliate Programs You Have Joined
Each program states its own rates, windows and payout terms. Here is what to record and where each program publishes it.
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- How affiliate programs work
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Once you join a few affiliate programs, the details start to blur. Which one pays on a set day each month? Which one holds your money until a threshold? The way to track affiliate programs is to keep one record per program, built from that program's own page. This guide shows what to write down and where each program publishes it.
Why one record per program
No general rule covers every program. Each one sets its own rate, tracking window and payout terms. A note you copied from the program's own page is the only note you can trust. A rule of thumb you heard somewhere else may not match any program you run.
What to record for each program
Write down six things.
- The commission rate, and the page it came from.
- The tracking window, in that program's own words.
- The payout method.
- The payout day or schedule.
- The payout threshold, if there is one.
- A link to the program's terms page.
The last item matters most. When a number changes, you want to know where you got the old one.
Where each program states its numbers
Each program's own page is the source. Travelpayouts' homepage says each program states its reward rate in its terms, as a percentage or a fixed sum. So on that platform you read the terms of the specific program, not the platform's front page.
The same habit works everywhere. Copy the rate from the program's page, note the date you read it, and check back before you rely on it.
Tracking windows and sessions
Each program words its window its own way, so record that wording. Amazon's Associates policies say a link session ends after 24 hours or when the customer places an order, whichever comes first. The same policies say a cart purchase counts if the order is completed within 89 days of the first click. That is two different windows for two different actions, so write down both.
For what a tracking window means in general, see what a cookie window is.
Payout schedules and thresholds
Payout terms vary by program, so each one gets its own line. Amazon's Associates policies say Amazon pays commission about 60 days after the end of each calendar month. The same policies say Amazon may hold your commission until it reaches the minimum in its payment chart. CJ's publisher page says it offers two monthly payouts and dozens of payout currencies. impact.com's affiliate page says you can withdraw funds on a set day each month or at an established balance threshold. The same page says it pays by direct transfer, BACS or PayPal, in the currency you choose. Awin's publisher page says it pays by methods including SEPA, BACS, ACH and domestic payments. Travelpayouts' homepage says it pays automatically via PayPal or bank on the same day each month.
For how payouts move in general, see how affiliate payouts are sent.
A simple program tracker
A spreadsheet with one row per program is enough. Use these columns.
- Program name
- Network or platform
- Commission rate and source link
- Tracking window
- Payout method
- Payout day
- Threshold
- Links to your accounts
Update a row only from the program's own page, and note the date.
Programs by platform
Gather details from each program's own page. Start with Amazon, CJ, ClickBank, FlexOffers, impact.com, Rakuten Advertising and Travelpayouts. For platform rules, see TikTok, YouTube and Shopify.
Staying compliant while you track
Disclosure rules sit outside your tracker, but they still apply to every program you run. Read the FTC disclosure requirements page for those.
Before you join a new one
Check the same six items first. If the new program's terms fit the ones you already track, add a row. If its page does not state a number you need, do not guess it. Ask the program, and write down what it says.