Module 3 of 8
Design a program partners can trust
Set commissions, attribution, validation, payouts and rules that work in the real world.
By the end
Write a clear program brief with sustainable terms and fewer hidden surprises.
01
Choose commission logic
Programs may pay a percentage, a flat amount, a lead bounty or different rates by product, customer or partner type. The structure should reward the value you want without becoming impossible to explain.
- Tie rates to business value.
- Document exclusions and rate tiers.
- Avoid changing terms without notice where contracts or platform rules require it.
02
Set attribution and validation rules
Decide the cookie window, eligible channels, last-click or other attribution logic, and how duplicates, returns, self-referrals and invalid leads are handled.
- Cookie length and attribution are separate concepts.
- Validation timing affects publisher cash flow.
- Rules should be visible before a partner invests in promotion.
03
Make operations predictable
State payout timing, thresholds, creative rules, trademark policies, promotional restrictions, disclosure requirements and contact routes in one accessible place.
- Clarity reduces disputes.
- Terms must match how the team actually enforces them.
- Compliance responsibilities vary by market and require appropriate legal review.
Worked example
A tier that rewards the right behavior
A subscription brand pays one amount for a trial and a higher amount after a retained paid customer is confirmed. The program clearly states the validation delay and does not present the second amount as guaranteed at signup.
Common mistake
Watch for this
Advertising a headline rate while hiding exclusions, long validation periods or restrictive attribution. Partners judge the whole earning opportunity, not one percentage.
Manager checklist
Put this module to work
- ✓Define eligible actions and products.
- ✓Document rates, attribution and validation.
- ✓Set payment timing and thresholds.
- ✓Create promotion and disclosure rules.
- ✓Name an escalation contact.
Check your understanding
Does a 30-day cookie guarantee a publisher credit for a purchase made within 30 days?
See it in practice