Linkshare Increases Payment Frequency

by Scott Jangro on 24 September 2007

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logo.gifLinkshare announced today that they’re moving to weekly payments:

By moving to a weekly payment schedule, LinkShare will reduce publishers’ wait time to receive commissions and effectively double the number of paydays from its current plan. The new schedule, combined with LinkShare’s arrangement to pay publishers on everything earned over $1, rather than waiting for them to earn over $25 or $50 like other major networks, makes LinkShare the most publisher-friendly payment plan in the market.

Make no mistake about it, this is a positive move. Getting paid earlier is always better.

Though getting paid more frequently is not always better. Just ask any affiliate overseas what they do with $20 checks. Due to bank fees, they’re utterly useless. Most non-US affiliates would rather get one big fat check rather than 4 small ones.

I took a quick look in the interface and it does not appear that I can configure a minimum threshold or set my payment frequency. So this might actually be a step in the wrong direction for some.

However, this is only part one of a one-two punch if they want to strike any knock-out blows based on affiliate-friendly features.

The publishers who need frequent payments most are those who spend significant money on PPC marketing. And Linkshare’s old-school daily reporting (or no reporting at all recently) leave publishers who spend big money by the minute working blind.

And even when I check once a day in the morning (EST) when I’m checking stats, it’s frequently not yet updated with prior-day data.

If Linkshare really wants to see their publisher-base grow and thrive, they should try revamping with real- or near-real-time click and transaction reporting.

I’m sorry to say, once a month payment is fine by me. Give me better, faster, open, API access to click and transaction data and I’ll be your best friend.

More reading:
Sam Harrelson on Revenews
Linda Buquet on 5 Star Affiliate – Linda has posted the entire press release

  • This was fantastic news for sure. I never got my earlier payment though... lol. But i emailed them and they sorted it out for me so it's okay :] it hasn't happened since so i'm happy. I think all ad-serving companies should follow-suite, could be a great move! Keep up the good writes!
  • This is a good change. You're right, earlier is better. I have a Linkshare account but haven't really done anything with it. Maybe now is a good time to start.
  • Scott
    >> You can set a payment threshold at the channel level.

    I'm happy to be wrong about that one, thanks.
  • Sheryl
    You can set a payment threshold at the channel level.

    "If you wish to not be paid until your balance due reaches a certain level, use this setting to indicate that level. This setting can be different for each of your Affiliate Channels. Please note that LinkShare may use a global minimum as well."

    As to reporting frequency, I don't believe there have been any delays on Linkshare's part. It's just that the Sales & Activity Report hasn't been working. The other reports work as they should. My understanding is that Linkshare merchants are encouraged to report as frequently as every 15 minutes but many report only once per day. If you don't see your transaction stats updated in the morning, it's because the merchant hasn't sent them.

    Impresssions and clicks, on the other hand, are within Linkshare's control and only reported once daily, around 5:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. Eastern.

    I'm very pleased to learn that payments will now be issued weekly, assuming a payment comes in from at least one of my merchants since the prior week.
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