The short answer

Start with buyer fit and product quality, then evaluate the full economics and operating rules. A generous commission cannot rescue a poor recommendation, a weak merchant page, frequent reversals, or terms that prevent you from marketing naturally.

Only promote something you would be comfortable explaining to a close friend, including the drawbacks.

Score the product before the payout

Review these in order:

1. Problem fit: Does the product solve a real problem for this audience?
2. Evidence: Have you used it, tested it, or gathered enough reliable information to evaluate it?
3. Merchant experience: Is the sales page accurate, usable, and consistent with your recommendation?
4. Customer outcome: Are support, refunds, delivery, and ongoing costs reasonable?
5. Alternative fit: Can you explain when a free, cheaper, or different option is better?

If you cannot answer those, postpone the promotion even if the dashboard shows a large percentage.

Calculate expected value per qualified click

Record commission type and amount, merchant conversion rate if available, cookie or attribution window, last-click rules, cross-device limits, recurring-commission conditions, reversal rate, payout threshold, payment schedule, and excluded products or countries.

For illustration, a $40 commission with a 2 percent conversion rate has an expected gross value of $0.80 per qualified click. A $12 commission converting at 8 percent has an expected value of $0.96. Neither figure includes reversals, content cost, taxes, or the value of reader trust.

Use conservative assumptions until your own report provides enough data. Never assume a longer cookie window means you will receive credit if another publisher, coupon site, app, or device enters the journey later.

Read the agreement like an operating manual

Check rules for trademarks, paid search, email, social media, coupons, pricing claims, images, link cloaking, domains, geographic promotion, and required disclosures. Save the agreement version and the date you reviewed it. Programs may change rates or end, so keep a replacement plan.

Build a quarterly review sheet with traffic, clicks, conversion, approved commissions, reversals, customer feedback, broken links, product changes, and time spent. Remove the recommendation when the product no longer deserves it, even if it still pays.

Protect the reader relationship

Place a plain-language disclosure close to the first affiliate recommendation, not behind a vague footer link. The FTC's endorsement guidance discusses affiliate disclosures and clear placement. Requirements differ by location, so check applicable law and get qualified advice when needed.

WAHMN's Affiliate Income System can help turn this scorecard into a repeatable program and content review process.

Sources and further reading

• Federal Trade Commission: Endorsement Guides questions and answers

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