How does the AffiliateRoll Score work?
Quick answer
The AffiliateRoll Score rates each program from 1 to 100 using five factors from its listing: commission rate (40 points), cookie duration (25), minimum payout (15), payment methods (10) and listing completeness (10). No program pays to be ranked higher.
The AffiliateRoll Score is a 100-point rating built only from the terms a program publishes on its listing. It gives affiliates a fast, consistent way to compare programs that describe their offers very differently.
Commission rate (up to 40 points) — Higher commissions score higher. A percentage commission earns full points at 50% and above, and a flat commission earns full points at $100 and above.
Cookie duration (up to 25 points)
Longer tracking windows score higher, up to a 90-day cookie.
Minimum payout (up to 15 points) — Lower payout thresholds score higher, because they get you paid sooner.
Payment methods (up to 10 points)
Programs that support more ways to get paid score higher.
Listing completeness (up to 10 points) — Programs with a full description, listed pros, and complete cookie, payout and payment details score higher.
What the score does not measure: it doesn't judge how well a program converts, how good the product is, or how reliable the payouts are. It's a comparison of published terms, so use it to shortlist programs and then read each program's details.
Is it for sale? No. Programs cannot pay to improve their score or their ranking. The score is shown on Standard and Featured listings and on programs listed before the plan change; newer Basic listings are ranked by the same formula but don't display the number.