# Affiliate Terms > Creates affiliate program terms and conditions with commission rules, prohibited methods, and termination clauses. Use when launching or documenting an affiliate program. - Skill: `reaperinvest/affiliate-terms` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/affiliate-terms` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/affiliate-terms/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/affiliate-terms --- # Affiliate Terms ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Create terms and conditions for an affiliate or referral program - Define commission structures, payment rules, and prohibited methods - Establish brand guidelines and promotional restrictions - Document cookie windows, attribution, and tracking policies **DO NOT** use this skill for influencer contracts (use influencer-campaign-brief), sales commission plans (use commission-structure), or general partnership agreements. This is for affiliate program terms. --- ## Core Principle AFFILIATE TERMS PROTECT YOUR BRAND AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE — CLEAR RULES PREVENT FRAUD, BRAND DAMAGE, AND COMMISSION DISPUTES BEFORE THEY START. --- ## Phase 1: Program Details ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Product/service** | "What product or service will affiliates promote?" | No default — must be provided | | **Commission rate** | "What percentage or flat fee per sale/lead?" | No default — must be provided | | **Cookie window** | "How long does attribution last after a click? (30, 60, 90 days)" | 30 days | | **Payment threshold** | "Minimum payout amount?" | $50 | | **Payment frequency** | "How often do you pay? (monthly, bi-weekly)" | Monthly | | **Approval process** | "Auto-approve affiliates or manual review?" | Manual approval | **GATE: Do not proceed without product, commission rate, and cookie window.** --- ## Phase 2: Terms Document ``` ## [Product/Company Name] Affiliate Program Terms and Conditions **Effective Date:** [Date] **Last Updated:** [Date] ### 1. Program Overview The [Company Name] Affiliate Program allows approved participants ("Affiliates") to earn commissions by referring customers to [Product/Service] through unique tracking links. ### 2. Enrollment and Approval - Applications are reviewed within [3-5] business days - [Company] reserves the right to accept or reject any application without explanation - Affiliates must be [18+] years of age - Affiliates must have an active website, social media presence, or email list - [Company] may terminate any affiliate account at any time ### 3. Commission Structure | Action | Commission | Notes | |--------|-----------|-------| | [Sale / Signup / Lead] | [X]% or $[X] flat | [Per transaction] | | Recurring commission | [Yes: X% for X months / No] | [If applicable] | **Commission rules:** - Commissions are earned when a referred customer completes a [qualifying purchase / signup / action] - Self-referrals are prohibited and will result in commission reversal and account termination - Commission is voided if the customer requests a refund within [30] days - [Company] reserves the right to adjust commission rates with [30] days notice ### 4. Tracking and Attribution - Attribution uses [cookies / last-click / first-click] tracking - Cookie duration: [30] days from the referral click - If a customer clears cookies or uses a different device, the referral may not be tracked - [Company] is not responsible for technical issues that prevent proper tracking - Affiliates must use only the tracking links provided through the affiliate dashboard ### 5. Payment Terms | Detail | Terms | |--------|-------| | Minimum payout | $[50] | | Payment schedule | [Monthly, on the 15th] | | Payment methods | [PayPal / ACH / wire / check] | | Commission hold period | [30] days after sale (for refund window) | | Tax requirements | W-9 (US) or W-8BEN (international) required before first payout | ### 6. Permitted Promotional Methods Affiliates MAY promote using: - Personal website or blog content - Email marketing to their own opted-in list - Social media posts (organic) - YouTube or podcast content - Online communities where they are active members (with disclosure) ### 7. Prohibited Methods Affiliates shall NOT: - Bid on [Company] branded keywords or variations in paid search - Use cookie stuffing, click fraud, or other deceptive tracking methods - Send unsolicited email (spam) using affiliate links - Make false or misleading claims about the product - Create websites or domains that impersonate [Company] - Use pop-ups, pop-unders, or forced redirects - Offer unauthorized discounts or coupon codes - Promote on adult, violent, or hate-speech content - Use the affiliate link for their own purchases - Sub-affiliate or assign their affiliate account to others ### 8. Brand Guidelines - Use only approved logos, images, and promotional materials - Do not modify [Company] trademarks, logos, or branding - All promotional content must be truthful and not misleading - Affiliates must include FTC-required disclosure in all content: "This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my link." ### 9. Relationship Affiliates are independent contractors. This agreement does not create an employment, agency, or partnership relationship. Affiliates are responsible for their own taxes and compliance. ### 10. Termination Either party may terminate at any time with [7] days written notice. [Company] may terminate immediately for: - Violation of these terms - Fraudulent activity - Brand misrepresentation - Inactivity for [6] months Upon termination, unpaid commissions above the minimum threshold will be paid in the next payment cycle. Pending commissions below the minimum threshold are forfeited. ### 11. Modifications [Company] may modify these terms with [30] days notice via email. Continued participation after the notice period constitutes acceptance. ### 12. Limitation of Liability [Company]'s total liability to any Affiliate shall not exceed the total commissions paid in the [12] months preceding the claim. ``` --- ## Phase 3: Program Setup Checklist ``` ## Affiliate Program Launch Checklist - [ ] Terms and conditions published on website - [ ] Affiliate signup page created - [ ] Tracking system configured (affiliate software or platform) - [ ] Unique link generation working - [ ] Commission tracking and attribution tested - [ ] Payment processing set up (PayPal, bank transfers) - [ ] Affiliate dashboard accessible (links, stats, payouts) - [ ] Brand assets and promotional materials uploaded - [ ] Welcome email template created for new affiliates - [ ] Tax forms collection process ready (W-9/W-8BEN) ``` --- ## Phase 4: Delivery Output the complete affiliate terms document ready for publication on the website and provide the program setup checklist. --- ## Example: Online Course Affiliate Program **Commission:** 30% per sale ($59.10 on a $197 course). **Cookie:** 60 days. **Recurring:** No (one-time purchase). **Minimum payout:** $100. **Prohibited:** Bidding on brand name in Google Ads, coupon sites, email spam. **Refund policy:** Commission reversed if refund within 30 days. --- ## Anti-Patterns - **No branded keyword restriction** — affiliates bidding on your brand name in Google Ads costs you money on traffic you would have gotten organically - **No refund clawback** — without a refund window hold, affiliates can drive low-quality traffic and collect commissions on purchases that get refunded - **Vague prohibited methods** — be specific about what is not allowed. "No spam" is not enough — define spam, cookie stuffing, and brand impersonation. - **No FTC disclosure requirement** — affiliates must disclose their financial relationship. If they do not, your brand is at risk. - **Auto-approving everyone** — manual review prevents coupon sites, spam sites, and brand-damaging affiliates from joining. --- ## Recovery - **Affiliate violating terms:** Document the violation, suspend their account, reverse any fraudulent commissions, and notify them in writing. - **Coupon/deal sites scraping your codes:** Add a clause prohibiting unauthorized coupon distribution. Monitor and send cease and desist notices. - **Commission dispute:** Refer to the tracking data in the affiliate dashboard. The terms should state that your tracking system is the final authority. - **Need to change commission rates:** Provide 30 days notice. Honor existing rates for sales in the pipeline. Consider grandfathering top affiliates.