Affiliate System: Affiliate FAQs

Welcome to the Commas Affiliate System FAQ page. This guide answers common questions about joining programs, promoting offers, earning commissions, and managing your affiliate account.

Getting started

How do I get started as an affiliate on Commas?

The flow is typically:

1. Sign up / log in

2. Join a seller's program (via invite)

3. Get approved (if required)

4. Copy your offer link (and accept Program Rules if prompted)

5. Start promoting and track performance

If you ever feel stuck, the two most common blockers are:

• Waiting on approval

• Needing to accept Program Rules before copying a link

How do I join a seller's affiliate program?

You'll join in one of two ways:

• Direct invite (email): you're approved as part of accepting the invite.

• Public invite link: you'll submit a request to join, and the seller will need to approve you.

If I join via a public invite link, do I need approval?

Yes. If you join via a public invite link, you'll be pending until the seller approves you. You'll be notified by email once you're approved.

Is there a platform-level agreement I've accepted?

Yes. When you joined the Commas Affiliate System, you accepted the Commas Affiliate Terms of Service — a platform-level agreement that governs your participation. You can find it in your account settings.

If Commas makes material changes to the agreement, you'll be notified by email, in-app notification, or via your affiliate dashboard.

Offers and promotion

Where do I find offers I can promote?

Go to Offers. You'll see the offers you have access to promote, along with performance metrics and your commission rates.

Can I promote multiple offers (or offers from different niches)?

Yes. You can promote any offer you have access to. Many affiliates work across multiple sellers, offers, and niches. This is normal.

Where do I get my tracking link?

Each offer includes a unique affiliate link generated specifically for you. You can access it from the Offer Details page, and often directly from the Offers list, depending on your view.

Why can't I copy an offer link yet?

The most common reasons are:

• You're still pending approval for that seller.

• You need to accept the seller's Program Rules first.

• The offer itself is still under review — it will show a "Waiting for approval" tag until it goes live.

Program Rules will appear when you attempt to copy your offer link.

What does the "Waiting for approval" tag on an offer mean?

Every offer is reviewed before it goes live. If you were invited to an offer that hasn't been approved yet, it appears in your Offers list with a "Waiting for approval" tag — visible, but not yet promotable, with link generation disabled.

You'll be notified by email when the offer goes live so you can start promoting. If the offer isn't approved, it will no longer appear in your Offers list. Your relationship with the seller's program isn't affected.

What marketing methods are allowed (and what's prohibited)?

It depends on each seller's Program Rules. Before you start promoting, make sure you read what the seller allows, such as:

• Traffic sources

• Bidding rules

• Coupon usage

• Platform restrictions

• Claims you can or can't make

Am I required to disclose that I'm an affiliate when promoting offers?

Yes. You are required by law to clearly and conspicuously disclose your affiliate relationship in any content where you promote an offer — including social media posts, emails, blog content, and videos.

This is a legal requirement under FTC guidelines and applicable laws, not just a platform preference. It applies regardless of the seller's Program Rules — it's your responsibility as a promoter.

What happens if I break a seller's rules or violate terms?

The seller may take action, ranging from removing you from their program to banning you. If you're removed or banned, that seller's offers will no longer be displayed or available in your Offers experience.

Program Rules

What are Program Rules?

Program Rules are a seller's promotion guidelines. They can include things like:

• Prohibited platforms

• Brand bidding restrictions

• Coupon rules

• Messaging or positioning requirements

When do I have to accept Program Rules?

You'll be prompted to accept Program Rules when you try to copy an offer link for that seller. This ensures you're agreeing right at the moment you're about to promote.

Can I view Program Rules after I've already accepted them?

Yes. You can refer back to a seller's Program Rules at any time by opening the relevant Offer Details page.

Tier 1 / Tier 2 structure

What's the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier labels describe who earns commission on a sale:

• Tier 1: the affiliate who made the sale.

• Tier 2: the affiliate who recruited that Tier 1 affiliate (if the program or offer has a Tier 2 rate).

Example: Marcus joins a seller's program. Marcus recruits Alisha. Alisha makes a sale. Alisha earns Tier 1, and Marcus earns Tier 2 (if Tier 2 is enabled and not set to 0%).

Does the person who recruited me earn their commission out of my cut?

No. Tier 2 commissions are paid from the seller's share — not from your (Tier 1) earnings. Your commission rate as Tier 1 is completely independent. It is not reduced because someone above you earns a Tier 2 override.

What happens if there is no Tier 2?

If there's no recruiter tied to the sale, or Tier 2 is disabled or set to 0%, then no Tier 2 commission is paid. Tier 1 still earns their normal commission.

If I make the sale myself, what tier am I?

You're Tier 1 for that sale, because you made the sale directly.

Sub-affiliates and managing your network

Can I invite other affiliates?

Yes. If the program allows it, you can invite others to become your sub-affiliates. When you invite someone, you'll select which sellers you want them to work with. Each selected seller means they can get access to that seller's offers once approved by the seller.

Can I ban my own sub-affiliates?

Not exactly. Only sellers can ban affiliates from a seller's program. As an affiliate, you can remove a sub-affiliate from your network. This is not a seller-level ban.

If I'm banned from a seller, do subscriptions still pay out?

That depends on the seller's decision at the time of the ban. Some sellers allow existing subscriptions to continue paying commissions; some stop them immediately. New commissions will not be generated in either case.

What happens when I remove a sub-affiliate?

Removing a sub-affiliate ends the Tier 2 relationship between you and that person. This means you no longer earn Tier 2 overrides from their sales going forward.

• It does not block their ability to promote offers they already have access to.

• It does not block their payouts.

• They can still request to go direct with the seller, subject to the seller's normal approval rules.

Bans and removals

Can a seller ban me?

Yes. Sellers control who participates in their program. If a seller bans you, you'll lose access to promote their offers and won't generate new commissions from that seller going forward.

Will I be notified if I'm banned?

Yes. You'll receive a notification when a seller bans you from their program.

Can I appeal a ban?

Commas does not arbitrate ban decisions between sellers and affiliates — sellers have the authority to manage who participates in their program. If you believe a ban was applied in error, you can reach out to the seller directly. If you're subsequently re-approved by the seller, your access will be restored.

What's the difference between being removed and being banned?

• Removed (affiliate-side): ends a Tier 2 or upline relationship. You can still potentially promote offers if you're still approved by the seller.

• Banned (seller-side): you're removed from that seller's program. Their offers will no longer be available to you.

If I'm banned, do I still get paid for past sales?

In general, banning impacts new commissions going forward. Past sales and their existing payout rules still apply, including validation windows and reserves. The seller's ban notice also clarifies that recurring payouts from past sales may continue, but no new commissions will be generated.

If a seller chooses "close offers to sub-affiliates," what happens to me as a sub-affiliate?

You'll lose access to that seller's offers, and those offers will no longer appear available to you. You can re-apply to the seller's program.

Commissions and overrides

Are commissions calculated on the full sale price?

No. Commissions are calculated on the sale amount after estimated payment processing and platform fees are deducted. Your displayed commission rate applies to that post-fee amount — not the gross sale price. This is why your actual commission may be slightly less than the percentage of the listed price.

Can sellers set different commission rates for different affiliates?

Yes. Sellers can use Affiliate commission overrides to set custom rates for specific affiliates.

Can sellers set different commission rates for specific offers?

Yes. Every offer has its own commission rates, set by the seller. Your rate can differ from offer to offer — the Offer Details page always shows the rate that applies to you.

If a seller sets an override, how does that affect me?

If the seller has set an Affiliate commission override for you, your rate may be higher or lower than the offer's standard rate. Rates can also differ from offer to offer, since each offer has its own rates. When in doubt, check the offer details — your displayed rate there is the one that applies for that offer.

How do I get credited for upsells, downsells, or other purchases that happen later in the funnel?

When you promote an offer using your affiliate link, attribution applies to the entire funnel. Once a customer enters the funnel through your link, any qualifying purchases they make — including the main product, order bumps, upsells, and downsells — are automatically credited to you. You do not need to generate or manage separate links for different funnel steps.

Are commission groups available on my account?

Commission groups are a feature that allows sellers to organize affiliates into named tiers, each with its own rate. This feature is currently available to select accounts.

If the seller uses commission groups, you can see the tier ladder and your current group on your Offer Details page. As your performance grows, you can graduate to a higher tier — you'll be notified by email when you move up. If you're assigned to a group, that group's rate is the rate that applies to you.

Tracking and attribution

How does click attribution work?

Commas uses first-click attribution. The first valid affiliate link click before a purchase receives credit for that sale. Attribution is full-funnel: once a customer enters through your link, all qualifying purchases across the funnel (upsells, order bumps, downsells) are credited to you.

How long does my tracking cookie last?

The standard attribution window is 30 days, and that's what most programs run on. Sellers can set a different window for their own program, so it can vary — the seller's configured value always applies. If a buyer clicks your link and purchases within that window, you'll receive credit even if they left and came back.

What happens if a buyer clicks multiple affiliate links before purchasing?

The first affiliate link the buyer clicked keeps the credit, as long as the purchase happens within the attribution window. This is standard first-click behavior — the affiliate who first introduced the buyer wins attribution for that sale.

Why does my link sometimes open the seller's website instead of checkout?

Some sellers configure their offers so your affiliate link sends buyers to their landing page first, rather than straight to checkout. Your attribution is captured before the redirect, so you're still credited when the buyer purchases within the attribution window.

What if a buyer has ad blockers or cookies disabled?

Commas uses server-side tracking to improve attribution reliability, but there are limits. Commas is not responsible for attribution failures caused by ad blockers, disabled cookies, browser settings, privacy features, or third-party platform limitations. If tracking cannot be established for a transaction, no commission will be owed for that transaction.

Affiliate codes

Are affiliate codes available on my account?

Affiliate codes are available for select sellers' programs and are not enabled by default. If a seller you promote uses them, the questions below apply.

What is my affiliate code and where do I find it?

Your affiliate code lets a buyer's purchase be attributed to you at checkout, separate from your tracking link. Codes are seller-scoped — you have one code per seller, and it applies across all of that seller's offers. You can view your code (and any buyer discount attached to it) in your Offers list.

Do buyers have to type my code at checkout?

Not if they arrive through your link — your code is pre-filled at checkout automatically. If a buyer reaches checkout another way, they can enter your code manually so you're credited.

Can I edit my affiliate code?

Only if the seller allows it. When editing is enabled, you can update your code from your Offers list.

Sub-ID tracking

Is sub-ID tracking available on my account?

Sub-ID tracking is available to select accounts and is not enabled by default. If you'd like it enabled, contact Commas support to request access. Once enabled, the questions below apply.

What are sub-IDs and why would I use them?

Sub-IDs are optional parameters you can append to your affiliate link to track where your traffic is coming from. For example, you might use sub1 to identify the traffic source (e.g., "email" or "youtube") and sub2 for a specific campaign name. This helps you understand which channels and campaigns are driving conversions.

How do I add sub-IDs to my affiliate link?

When you open the Get Link modal for an offer, you'll see fields for sub1 through sub5. Enter your values in the fields you want to use — unused fields can be left blank. Your link will automatically include the sub-ID parameters you've filled in.

Are sub-IDs the same across all offers and all sellers?

Yes. Sub-IDs are account-level — they apply across all of your offers and all sellers. The values you pass are yours to define for your own tracking purposes.

Postback URL / S2S tracking

Is postback / server-to-server (S2S) tracking available on my account?

Postback / S2S tracking is available to select accounts and is not enabled by default. Contact Commas support to request access. Once enabled, the questions below apply.

What is a postback URL and when would I use it?

A postback URL is a server-to-server callback that fires when a conversion happens, sending data directly to your external tracking tool (e.g., Voluum, Hyros, ClickMagick). Unlike cookie-based tracking, postbacks don't rely on the buyer's browser — making them more reliable for affiliates running paid traffic.

Where do I configure my postback URL?

Go to Settings → Postback configuration. Enter your postback URL there and choose which events to send: Page View, Initiate Checkout, and Purchase. Commas fires your postback for each enabled event.

Meta Conversions API (CAPI)

Can I send my conversion data to Meta?

Yes. Commas offers a native Meta Conversions API integration for affiliates running paid traffic on Meta platforms. Once connected, conversion events (page views, checkout initiations, and purchases) are sent server-to-server to your Meta ad account for better attribution and ad optimization.

Unlike browser-based pixels, CAPI events don't rely on the buyer's browser — similar to postbacks, this makes them more reliable for paid traffic.

Where do I set up Meta CAPI?

Go to Settings and connect your Meta account from the integrations section. If you don't see the option in your Settings, contact Commas support.

Performance and reporting

Can I view real-time stats or historical performance?

Yes. You'll see performance stats across the platform (offers, transactions, dashboards, etc.), and you can track results over time.

What is the Reports section used for?

Reports are for deeper, customizable analysis. You can filter, group, compare date ranges, and export results when you need more than the default page views.

Validation, reserve, payouts, refunds, and statuses

When and how do I get paid?

Commas uses two layers of protection before earnings are fully cleared:

• Validation/lock period: 14 days under standard terms (commissions are held while refunds and disputes are most likely). After the validation window ends, 90% of earnings are released.

• Reserve: the remaining 10% is held for up to 60 days, then released automatically.

These are the standard terms — exact windows can vary by program.

Once your funds are available, you can withdraw them through your Commas wallet. Click the Withdraw button to be navigated to your Commas wallet.

Do I need to set up a payout method?

Yes. The first time you withdraw, you'll be prompted to connect your payout method. The setup takes a few minutes and only needs to be done once — it will be saved for all future withdrawals.

Why are commissions validated and partially held in reserve?

Refunds and chargebacks often occur weeks after a sale. Validation windows and rolling reserves help ensure commissions aren't paid out before disputes are known. This protects both sellers and affiliates from negative balances.

What do the transaction statuses mean?

• Failed payment: the payment didn't complete, so there's no commission.

• Pending / validating: inside the validation window.

• In reserve: validation is complete. The reserve portion is being held temporarily.

• Available to withdraw: cleared and ready to withdraw.

• Locked due to dispute: held while a dispute is being resolved.

• Refunded: reversed because the buyer was refunded.

• Clawed back: reversed after payout due to a later event (like a chargeback or enforcement action).

How are refunds, chargebacks, and disputes handled in reporting and payouts?

If a refund or dispute happens during validation, the commission may not release. If it happens later (during reserve or after payout), reports update to reflect the final outcome. Commissions can be reversed depending on timing and scenario.

Refunds reverse earnings for all parties — you are only ever clawed back the exact amount you earned. You will not owe anything beyond that.

Why did my past earnings change due to a chargeback?

Chargebacks are applied to the original sale, not the date the dispute occurs. If a chargeback happens later, commissions from that sale may be reversed even after they initially appeared earned.

Swipes (brand assets from sellers)

What are Swipes?

Swipes are promotional assets a seller may share to help you promote an offer. Examples include:

• Brand guidelines

• Logos

• Image packs

• Email templates

• Social kits

• A link to a shared folder

Where do I find Swipes?

Open an offer's Offer Details page. If the seller provided swipes, you'll see them in the Swipes section, where you can download files or open links.

What if an offer has no Swipes?

That's normal. Swipes are optional. Some sellers provide a full promo kit, and others keep it simple.