Why: the goal or problem

Useful recommendations send buyers elsewhere. You want qualifying referrals to support the work without selling the product yourself.

How: work toward a solution

A fictional reading service labels a referral link to a bookshop. A reader buys there; the shop pays the publisher a commission if its conditions are met. Amazon Associates provides one contractual example, not universal rates or rules. The diagram excludes settlement timing, fees and refunds.

Qualifying referrals can earn a commission.

Illustrative example

Affiliate commissions

Reading service · disclosed book referral

  1. Publisher → disclosed referral link → Reader
  2. Reader → purchase → External bookshop
  3. Qualifying purchase? Shop → commission → Publisher

A click alone need not qualify. Program terms govern eligibility. Settlement, costs and refunds omitted.

What: the concept

Affiliate commissions — Affiliate revenue rewards qualifying referrals to another seller. A click alone does not necessarily qualify, and eligibility follows the particular program agreement.

Keep editorial judgment visible; combine with reader payments without treating referrals as guaranteed income.

Source