In this article, we will discuss:
Overview
This articles provides an overview on how to manage and understand your data points and keep the balances and payments in check for your affiliates. You can always check the data points in the reporting section, and the amount owed and payment history in the payments section. There are several times when the numbers might become confusing, in this article we are trying to resolve such use cases.
The Root Cause: Overpayments and Underpayments
The primary reason for data points mismatch and confusion is related to the timing of payments and the calculation of balances.
Overpayments: If an advertiser has made payments to a publisher that exceed the earned commission, the balance will show a negative value. This means the advertiser has overpaid the publisher.
Underpayments: Conversely, if an advertiser has not yet paid the full amount of the earned commission, the balance will show a positive value. This indicates an underpayment to the publisher.
You can view the currently owed balance details by hovering on the amount section in "balances" section.
How to Interpret the Numbers
Report Section: This section displays the total commission earned by a publisher for a specific period. It's a snapshot of the revenue generated.
Balance Section: This section reflects the net balance between the total commission earned and the total payments made to the publisher. It's a running tally of the financial transactions.
Example:
Report: A publisher earns $1000 in commission.
Balance: If the advertiser has already paid $800, the balance will show $200. This means the advertiser still owes the publisher $200.
Timing of Payments: The balance section is updated as payments are processed. Mismatch might appear temporarily if payments are delayed or processed in batches.
How to check past affiliate payments
You can check the previous payments made to an affiliate by going to the affiliates section, and clicking on "view full profile" of the affiliate. You will be able to check all the payments made to the specific affiliate.
Best Practices for managing datapoints in Tapfiliate
Effective communication and problem-solving are key to resolving data mismatch in Tapfiliate. Here are some best practices to follow:
Review Affiliate Reports: Regularly review your affiliate reports to identify any inconsistencies or anomalies.
Communicate with Affiliates: If you notice inconsistencies, reach out to your affiliates to clarify any issues or misunderstandings.
Verify Tracking Links: Ensure that affiliates are using the correct tracking links to avoid inaccurate data.
Contact Support: If you're unable to resolve the issue, contact our support team at support@tapfiliate.com for assistance.
Document data: Maintain a record of any confusion in data, including screenshots and communication with affiliates and our support.
By following these best practices, you can effectively address data mismatch and maintain the accuracy of your affiliate program data.