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Commission rate

Definition

The percentage of a sale, or fixed amount per action, that an advertiser pays a publisher for a tracked conversion. Rates vary by product category, publisher type, and program terms, and can change over time as the advertiser adjusts margins or campaign priorities.

How does Commission rate work in practice?

A fashion retailer sets a 10 percent commission rate on full-price items but drops it to 4 percent on sale-tagged products, so a publisher earns less for driving sales during a clearance period.

Can an advertiser change the commission rate after a publisher has joined the program?

Yes, most program terms allow the advertiser to adjust rates with notice, often 7 to 30 days depending on the network's default policy. Publishers should check program terms regularly, since a rate cut can significantly change the return on their traffic without prior individual warning.

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