<b>Two ledgers</b>

<b>Two ledgers</b>

The Associates dashboard splits earnings into 'Fees' (product commission) and 'Bounties' (sign-ups). Most affiliates read only the top-line and misattribute what's working.

Reading it correctly:
— Fees track product link performance → optimize with EPC.
— Bounties track CTA performance → optimize with conversion-per-impression.
— 'Items ordered' ≠ 'items shipped' ≠ paid.

Typical content account split (n=30 days):
— Fees ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 78%
— Bounties ▇▇ 22%

That 22% often comes from 2% of CTAs.

So what: filter the report by category and link type monthly — blended numbers hide which 2% of links pay for the other 98%.