Lesson objectives
- Explain the affiliate model
- Understand attribution windows and commission types
The basic model
A merchant pays you a commission when someone you refer takes an agreed action - usually a purchase, sometimes a sign-up or trial. Your unique tracking link tells the merchant the customer came from you.
- Your content
- Tracked link click
- Merchant site
- Purchase
- Commission recorded
Key terms
- Network: a platform that manages many merchants' programmes (tracking, payouts).
- Cookie / attribution window: how long after a click a purchase still counts for you.
- One-time vs recurring commission: software programmes often pay recurring commissions on subscriptions.
- EPC (earnings per click): average earnings divided by clicks - useful for comparing programmes.
Action steps
- List three products you already use and could recommend honestly
Checklist
- I understand how tracking works
- I know each programme's terms