Payment terms benchmark: who actually pays on time

Payment reliability is the single strongest predictor of an affiliate's long-term satisfaction with a programme — stronger than commission rate, stronger than brand recognition.

Across the payouts reported to us this year, Safe Mark holders settled a median of nine days after month-end. Non-holders settled at nineteen days, with a much longer tail of disputes.

Crypto rails have narrowed the gap for smaller balances, but wire remains the only realistic option above €50,000 per month, and that is where delays cluster.

If a programme cannot state its payment date in writing before you sign, assume the worst case and price your traffic accordingly.