Before you accept an affiliate deal, check these 7 things

A high commission percentage can still be a terrible deal if the terms around it are bad.

Before making content, check:

1. Commission: the actual amount you earn per completed sale, not just the headline percentage.
2. Attribution window: how long after someone clicks you can still receive credit.
3. Tracking visibility: whether you can see clicks, conversions, refunds and reversals.
4. Payout timing: when earnings become payable and whether there is a minimum threshold.
5. Refunds and chargebacks: whether commissions can disappear weeks later.
6. Exclusivity: whether promoting this offer prevents you working with competitors.
7. Usage rights: whether the brand can reuse your face and content in paid ads.

If a company cannot clearly explain those seven points, the commission rate is not the real issue. The lack of transparency is.

What is the one term brands most often leave vague when they approach you?