# How an Affiliate Campaign Works

### ℹ️ What Is an Affiliate Campaign?

An **affiliate campaign** defines:

* Which products affiliates can promote
* How commissions are calculated
* How sales are tracked and rewarded

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### 🔄 Flow

Here’s how everything works together:

1. You create an affiliate campaign
2. Affiliates join your program
3. Affiliates share referral links
4. Customers make purchases
5. Sales are tracked automatically
6. Commissions are calculated
7. You approve and pay affiliates

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### [⚙️ Step 1: Create a Campaign (Merchant)](https://docs.jaka.app/shopify/campaign-setup/create-a-campaign)

You start by creating an affiliate campaign in Jaka.

In this step, you define:

* Campaign name
* Eligible products or collections
* Commission rules (percentage or fixed amount)

This determines what affiliates promote and how they earn.

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FKEub3wAQlpx8HwPYNLYu%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=99469fb6-ccad-46b8-a108-a17657b267d9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Note**: Activate app embed on the theme&#x20;

To make the app function work on the site, you need to activate the app in theme editor. [Learn more](https://docs.jaka.app/shopify/jaka-affiliate-marketing-app/activate-app-embed-on-the-theme)

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FMd9VB6BArIY4caRpZxCU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9da065ac-51b6-4281-8775-8916016296d3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### [👥 Step 2: Affiliates Join Your Program](https://docs.jaka.app/shopify/affiliate-managment/create-affiliate/affiliate-registration)

Affiliates can join your program by:

* Applying through your affiliate signup page
* Being created manually by you

Once approved, affiliates get access to the **Affiliate Portal**.

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FqxND0ULyq3C2qVkTeCQS%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d1412c89-3c5e-4ee6-82d1-ce9f942fe6f5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### [🔗 Step 3: Affiliates Share Referral Links](https://docs.jaka.app/shopify/affiliate-managment/manage-affiliates/edit-affiliate-referral-link)

Inside the Affiliate Portal, affiliates:

* Get unique referral links
* Choose products to promote
* Share links on social media, blogs, or ads

Each link is unique and used for tracking.

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FX3t7OW4lxQUdYz4PQsvv%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f545beb5-0f1a-44f6-8f9d-74127c8eee81" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### 🛒 Step 4: Customers Make a Purchase

When a customer:

* Clicks an affiliate link
* Visits your store
* Completes a purchase

The system records this as an affiliate order.

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FnIVmBdt6tf06q8h3C60m%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ffd02fc5-2b99-4c50-97d5-21b9e675577d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### 📊 Step 5: Tracking & Commission Calculation

Jaka automatically:

* Tracks the referral using cookies
* Attributes the sale to the correct affiliate
* Calculates commission based on campaign rules

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FpQXui9GdAtqBG4Hl6CwY%2F2026-01-12_14-59-40.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cf567d53-3628-4260-81f1-976e4d1a8ff2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### 💰 Step 6: Approve & Pay Affiliates

After sales are recorded:

* You review affiliate sales
* Approve commissions
* Pay affiliates based on your payout process

You stay in full control of approvals and payments.

<figure><img src="https://2078839253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvdV1PFu8mN1B3K5QZCrx%2Fuploads%2FqoYoTWcTqQsv2Y9ZAMcG%2F2026-01-12_15-02-14.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ed4a7a76-06aa-40bd-96db-d24fdcb697e6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### 🧩 Where Affiliates Manage Their Activity

Affiliates use the **Affiliate Portal** to:

* Track their sales and commissions
* View payout status
* Access creatives and referral links

This reduces support work for merchants.

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### 🚀 Next Steps

* Create your first affiliate campaign
* Invite or approve affiliates
* Customize the affiliate portal
* Set up payouts

### ▶️ Tutorial video

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/PxPDQI7gHXg?si=dLKM33-ZSDdSGRZ5>" %}

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#### **Still need support?**

If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at <hi@tipo.io>. We’ll be happy to assist you further.