We pay every affiliate the same 20 percent rate regardless of size, editorial position, or negotiation pressure. The alternative, which most category competitors run, is a tiered program where bigger affiliates negotiate higher rates and small affiliates take whatever the default is. We think that is backward. Small affiliates work harder per dollar of commission than large affiliates and should not be penalized for not having leverage.
The flat rate also keeps editorial honest. If we paid bigger commissions to affiliates who ranked us first on their comparison lists, we would have a financial interest in them ranking us first, which would skew their editorial toward favorable coverage. At 20 percent flat, a YouTube reviewer who ranks us sixth earns the same commission on conversions as a reviewer who ranks us first. The economic pressure on editorial is zero.
The mechanics below are all the program. No tier unlocks, no advanced metrics, no private Slack channels for top affiliates. You sign up, you refer, you get paid. Same rules for everyone.