Quick answer: Clear, plain-language affiliate program terms reduce disputes, speed approvals, and help you launch faster. You can get a Shopify affiliate program live in under an hour when your rules are ready.
Your affiliate agreement is the rulebook for partners. It sets expectations on payouts, attribution, and allowed tactics so you can grow without margin surprises. When your rules are clear, onboarding is faster and your team spends less time resolving edge cases. If you are still setting up, this step sits right before hitting “launch.”
State who can join, any country or age limits, and what data you collect during sign-up. If you run both referrals and affiliates, clarify that this document governs affiliates. ReferralCandy lets brands run both in one dashboard, so your terms can reference a single portal.
Define base rate and any tiers. Note whether commissions apply to first orders only, new-customer orders only, or all orders. If you cap payouts on subscriptions or bundles, write it here.
Set your cookie or click-through window, for example 7, 14, or 30 days. Explain the tie-breaker if multiple partners touch the same order, such as last click or first click. If you use data-driven or multi-touch internally, state which click gets paid.
List excluded SKUs, gift cards, shipping, taxes, and returns. Explain how partial refunds or cancellations affect commissions. Many Shopify apps tag orders so refunds do not skew reports.
Detail payout cadence, minimum balance, payment methods, and currency. If you pay store credit, describe expiry and redemption. ReferralCandy supports cash and store credit, which makes this section simple to operate.
Give usage rules for logos, trademarks, and product claims. Provide a short media kit link. Ask partners to avoid health or financial guarantees you cannot support.
Clarify what is allowed: blogs, YouTube, TikTok, email, and paid social. List what is prohibited: trademark bidding, direct-to-checkout links, toolbars, forced clicks, and cookie stuffing. If you allow coupon sites, note any lower rate.
Explain when codes are allowed, how often they rotate, and whether codes are “new-customer only.” Include a policy on leaked codes and your right to claw back commissions triggered by leaked or expired codes. Fraud filters in modern apps can flag leaked codes early.
Describe checks such as IP overlap, self-referrals, velocity alerts, and multiple accounts. State that you may pause payouts while reviewing suspicious activity. Tools with device fingerprinting and IP blocking help here.
Tell partners what forms you require based on location. Keep this high-level and non-advisory.
Explain what tracking you use for attribution and performance, plus a link to your privacy policy. If you operate in regions covered by GDPR or CCPA, state how partners can request data access or deletion.
Give both parties a right to end the relationship. Reserve the right to update terms, with notice via email or your portal.
Disclosures. Require clear, near-link disclosures on blogs and social posts. Give a one-line example partners can paste.
Coupon use. If you allow public coupon placement, consider a lower default rate for coupon and deal sites, and a higher rate for creators who drive new customers or higher AOV. Track by affiliate type and adjust rates with tiers.
Traffic quality. Segment results by creator type and watch EPC, AOV, and refund rates. High volume with high returns hurts margin, so write a right-to-reprice clause for partners with poor quality traffic.
If you are comparing software options, read the best Shopify affiliate tracking apps guide to understand how payouts, links, and fraud rules work across tools, and why many DTC brands keep referrals and affiliates together with ReferralCandy.
Disclaimer: This template is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Have counsel review before publishing.
[Your Brand] Affiliate Program Terms
Last updated: [Date]
1. Program Overview
The [Your Brand] Affiliate Program (“Program”) lets approved partners (“Affiliates”) earn commissions for promoting [Your Brand] products at [yourdomain.com] (“Site”). By applying or participating, you agree to these Terms.
2. Eligibility
Applicants must be 18+ and operate compliant websites or social accounts. We may approve or reject any application at our discretion.
3. Enrollment and Account
Upon approval, you will receive access to our affiliate portal to generate links and codes, view stats, and request payouts. Keep credentials confidential.
4. Commissions
Base commission: [X%] of net sale or [$X] per qualifying order. A qualifying order excludes taxes, shipping, discounts, returns, chargebacks, and gift cards. Unless stated otherwise, commissions apply to [new customers only / all customers].
5. Attribution Window
The default attribution window is [30] days from the first click on your link or use of your code. If multiple affiliates are involved, we credit [last click / first click]. Offline orders are not eligible unless pre-approved.
6. Exclusions
Commissions do not apply to: [SKUs], subscription renewals unless stated, wholesale orders, and orders with heavy discount stacking beyond [X%].
7. Payouts
Payouts occur [monthly] when your approved balance is at least [$X]. Payment methods: [PayPal / bank transfer / store credit]. Balances below the threshold roll over. Currency: [USD].
8. Promotional Rules
Allowed: editorial content, product reviews, listicles, YouTube, TikTok, social posts, email to opted-in lists.
Prohibited: spam, forced clicks, toolbars, adware, cookie stuffing, misleading claims, adult or illegal content.
9. Paid Media and Bidding
Do not bid on our trademarks or misspellings on search or shopping ads. No direct-to-checkout ads. Link cloaking that hides the destination is not allowed.
10. Coupon and Code Policy
Use of unique codes is allowed. Publishing leaked, expired, or unauthorized codes is prohibited. We may void or reverse commissions tied to leaked or misused codes.
11. Anti-Fraud
We may review traffic quality and hold or reverse commissions for suspected fraud, self-referrals, IP overlap, unusual velocity, or returns above benchmarks.
12. Content and Brand
Use our trademarks and assets only as provided in our media kit. Do not alter logos. Do not make medical, legal, or income claims.
13. Disclosures
Affiliates must disclose the relationship clearly and conspicuously near the affiliate link or code in all posts.
14. Privacy and Data
We process data to track referrals and manage payouts. See our Privacy Policy at [link]. Affiliates must comply with applicable privacy laws.
15. Taxes
Affiliates are responsible for taxes due on commissions. We may request tax forms where required.
16. Term and Termination
Either party may terminate at any time. We may withhold unpaid commissions resulting from breach or fraud.
17. Changes
We may update these Terms at any time by posting a new date. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance.
18. Contact
Questions: [email@yourbrand.com]
If you are still at the setup stage, here is a fast path to launch with app choices, onboarding emails, and QA steps: how to launch your first affiliate program.
Hey, I'm Elmeri Palokangas. I'm an e-commerce and online marketing specialist with over five years of experience. My expertise extends to various publications and companies, including WordStream, QuickMail, Scribe, Marketcircle, and Digital.com. When I'm not enjoying a cup of coffee and writing awesome articles, you can find me running in the nearby mountains.
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