Payout and Terms Glossary: From Threshold to Clawback

Editorial team of Payout DeskPublished October 31, 2026

Payment basics

Payout threshold — The minimum approved balance that must accumulate before a payment can be requested or sent. Check whether pending earnings count; they usually need to be approved first.

Payment schedule — The stated timing and process for issuing payouts. Terms may explain when a payment is prepared, what information is required, and how delays or non-business days are handled.

Approved — Earnings or activity that have passed the relevant review and are eligible for payment under the agreement. Approval does not necessarily mean the money has already been sent.

Pending — Earnings or activity awaiting review, validation, or confirmation from an advertiser. Pending amounts may change if later checks find that traffic or conversions did not meet the stated terms.

Hold — A temporary restriction on some or all account funds or activity while a review, verification, or dispute is underway. The agreement or account notice should explain what is affected and what steps may be needed to resolve it.

Adjustments and limits

Reversal — The removal of a previously recorded conversion or commission after it is found to be ineligible, invalid, or otherwise outside the agreed rules. A reversal may reduce a balance that was previously shown as earned.

Clawback — A recovery of funds that were already paid but are later determined to be owed back under the agreement. Check how the terms permit recovery and whether it can be offset against future earnings.

Chargeback — A payment reversal initiated through a payment provider or financial institution, often after a payer disputes a transaction. In affiliate reporting, the term may also appear in rules describing how disputed underlying transactions affect commissions.

Cap — A limit on the volume, conversions, or spend accepted for an offer or traffic source. Activity beyond a cap may be rejected or unpaid, so confirm how the limit is applied and whether it can change.

Dispute — A formal request to review a decision, such as a rejected conversion, reversal, or payment adjustment. A useful dispute identifies the specific item, explains the concern, and follows the process and deadlines set out in the terms.

Compensation and reporting

Revenue share — A compensation model in which the affiliate receives an agreed portion of revenue attributed to referred activity. The agreement should define the revenue basis, eligible activity, and any later adjustments.

Fixed payout — A set amount paid for an eligible action or conversion, rather than a share of resulting revenue. The terms should specify what counts as a qualifying action and when it can be rejected.

Hybrid model — A compensation structure combining revenue share with a fixed payout or another payment method. Read how each part is calculated and whether separate eligibility rules apply.

Invoice — A document requesting payment for services or recorded earnings, when the payment process requires one. Confirm the required format, recipient details, and whether an invoice is needed before funds can be released.

Statement — A record of account activity and balances for a period, which may show earnings, adjustments, payments, and outstanding amounts. Use it to compare the network’s records with your own tracking and flag discrepancies promptly.

People, verification, and rules

KYC — Short for “know your customer,” a verification process used to confirm identity or business details. The agreement may describe which information is required, how it is submitted, and whether verification affects account access or payment timing.

Sub-affiliate — A partner referred by an affiliate who may then promote offers under a separate or linked arrangement. Check whether the agreement permits this structure and who is responsible for the sub-affiliate’s traffic and compliance.

Advertiser — The business promoting an offer and setting or contributing to its eligibility rules. Its requirements may affect which traffic, actions, and conversions can be accepted.

Manager — A contact who helps with account questions, offer access, or operational issues. A manager’s guidance does not necessarily replace the written agreement, so confirm important terms in the official account documents.

Terms and conditions — The rules governing the relationship, including approval, traffic sources, payment, adjustments, account restrictions, and dispute procedures. Review the current version and keep a record of any updates that affect how work is assessed or paid.