How to Read an Affiliate Program: Commission, Cookie Duration, Approval and Payout

Two programs can both say "up to 30% commission" and still be very different in practice. To compare them fairly, you need to read a handful of terms together. This guide explains each one using the same fields you see on DesiAffiliates program cards.

Commission: what you actually earn

Check what the commission is calculated on. A percentage may apply only to the first purchase, only to certain product categories, or only after discounts and returns. "Up to" means the highest possible rate, not the usual one. Some programs pay a fixed amount per sign-up or approved application instead.

Also check what can cancel a commission: returns, cancelled orders, failed payments, fraud checks, self-referrals or traffic from methods the program does not allow.

Cookie or tracking duration

When someone clicks your link, the program records it for a fixed period, often called the cookie duration or tracking window. If the person buys within that window, the sale may be credited to you, subject to the program’s rules. A longer window gives more time for a decision, but the rules still matter: if the visitor later clicks another affiliate’s link, the program usually decides who gets credit. Many programs do not publish this detail; when it is missing, DesiAffiliates shows it as not disclosed.

Recurring commission

Subscription products such as software and hosting sometimes pay a share of renewals, not just the first payment. Check how long recurring payments last, whether they stop if the customer changes plan, and whether there is a cap.

Approval and requirements

Some programs approve instantly; many review each application by hand, and a few are invitation-only. Requirements may include a website, a minimum audience, original content or a particular country. In our directory, most programs list a website as a requirement, so a blog or simple site often widens your options. Read our guide on affiliate marketing without a website if you don’t have one.

Allowed and not-allowed promotion

Programs list where you may share links. Common rules include no paid search ads on the brand’s name, no coupon sites, no spam, no self-referrals and no misleading claims. Some referral programs, for example, do not allow sharing links publicly on social media at all. Breaking these rules can cancel your earnings or close your account.

Minimum payout, frequency and method

The minimum payout is how much you must earn before the program pays you. Check how often payments are made, how long a sale stays pending (many programs hold commissions until the return window closes), and which methods are available in India: bank transfer, UPI, PayPal, gift cards or account credit. Check fees and currency conversion for programs that pay in dollars.

Put it together before you choose

Compare commission rules, tracking window, approval, allowed methods and payout terms together, not one number on its own. Then confirm everything on the official page, because terms change. Use the DesiAffiliates directory filters to shortlist programs, and read our beginner’s guide if these terms are new to you.

Responsible note: Commission rates, tracking, approval and payout rules vary and change over time. DesiAffiliates does not guarantee approval, commissions or payment. The official program terms are always the final word.