Hot reminder: the fattest commission usually flags the weakest product

Hot reminder: the fattest commission usually flags the weakest product

Everyone sorts programs by payout percentage, top to bottom. That sort order is often a ranking of desperation.

The uncomfortable correlation:

— Tools that convert and retain on their own merits don't need to bribe affiliates with 50%. They offer 20% because they don't have to overpay.
— A 40-50% recurring rate frequently signals high churn the vendor is trying to outrun with acquisition volume. They give you half because the customer won't stay long enough for them to want the other half anyway.
— Sky-high payouts attract spammy affiliates, which attracts refund-heavy buyers, which raises clawbacks, which lands back on you.

A boring 25% on a tool with 2% monthly churn beats 50% on something people quit in two months.

Verdict: a generous commission is sometimes just the vendor pricing in the funeral.