> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.impact.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/marketplace-vs-direct-partner-recruiting-explained.md).

# Marketplace vs. Direct: Partner Recruiting Explained

As a brand, you can recruit partners through two channels: the *impact.com marketplace* or *direct partner sign-up links*.

{% embed url="<https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2F0mf67ULUdAdOXrPaddhK%2Fdis-250-2.mp4?alt=media&token=88237a55-bff4-46f9-8e40-cfe3256bf5c3>" %}

* **Marketplace** — You can either invite partners from impact.com's Marketplace, or partners can apply to your program from the Marketplace independently. This requires the partner to have Marketplace access, so if you recruit partners this way, keep in mind that they will likely be working with multiple brands.
* **Direct sign-up link** — You can share a link directly with partners to invite them to join your program exclusively. This method doesn't require partners to have a pre-existing impact.com account or access to the Marketplace. They will be prompted to set up an impact.com account that's only joined to your program, and your logo will display on their dashboard. Partners who sign up this way won’t have full access to the brand Marketplace.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Note:** With the direct partner sign-up method, if the partner you invite already has an existing impact.com account, they will be prompted to log in to their existing account. In this case, the relationship will not be exclusive, and they will still have the ability to collaborate with other brands.
{% endhint %}

## Recruit partners through the Marketplace

impact.com's Marketplace houses a number of partners that you can work with. To initiate a partnership through the Marketplace, you can propose terms to a partner or mark interesting partners as prospects. Marking them as prospects allows you to reach out to them later and manage your funnel at scale. To learn more about managing prospective partners, visit these links:

* [Mark Potential Partners as Prospects](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/prospective-partners/mark-potential-partners-as-prospects.md)
* [Send a Proposal to a Prospect](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/prospective-partners/send-a-proposal-to-a-prospect.md)
* [Manage Your New Partner Funnel](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/prospective-partners/manage-your-new-partner-funnel.md)

### Example of a Marketplace partner's dashboard

The partner will have a generic dashboard without your logo and branding:

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2FfPOWdtRNA7Q2qM06A1vp%2FScreenshot%202026-05-11%20at%2017.57.31.png?alt=media&amp;token=52c5f101-b2a7-4f17-ac94-89350a11a7e7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Invite partners through direct sign-up

If there's a specific partner you want to work with and you don't find them in the Marketplace, you can invite them into an exclusive partnership by sending them a direct sign-up link. There are 3 ways you can invite partners directly:

<details>

<summary>Account-level sign-up link</summary>

If you want the partner to be able to apply to any program in your impact.com account, you can send them an [account sign-up link](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program.md#send-them-an-account-level-sign-up-link-0-0). The link will direct them to a registration page where they can log in or sign up for a partner account and apply to any of your programs.&#x20;

Partners who apply via this link must be reviewed and approved by you.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Program sign-up page</summary>

If you want the partner to be able to apply to a specific program of yours, you can send them a dedicated [program sign-up page link](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program.md#share-the-program-sign-up-page-0-1).&#x20;

Partners applying through this page are subject to your approval.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Via a proposal link</summary>

If you want to invite a partner to your program without needing to approve an application, you can add them by [proposing specific template terms](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program.md#add-partners-via-template-terms). The partner will receive an email with your program invite link.&#x20;

Once this proposal is accepted by the partner, they'll be automatically enrolled in your program.

</details>

### Example of a branded partner dashboard

You can set up [console branding](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/account-administration/account-settings/customize-your-impactcom-branding.md#partner-console-branding) for direct partners if you want their dashboard to have your custom logo and feel.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-89b90dfcb5c85d690adf4e5cc88584cb3ac1a23a%2Fc098f5af9a07995cfa69577eec3526d3967d91a453bca59117aebb9d3b1a64fd.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** It is mandatory for partners to have at least one verified media property to be able to apply through the Marketplace or direct link. You can point your partners to [Connect a Social Media Profile](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/account-management/account-settings/connect-media-properties/connect-a-social-media-profile.md) (and [Verify Your Identity as a Partner](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/account-management/account-settings/user-management/verify-your-identity-as-a-partner.md) if the media property fails automatic verification).
{% endhint %}

## Partner verification explained

Partner verification begins during onboarding, and again before their first payout to ensure partner quality. This process is carried out irrespective of whether a partner applies to the Marketplace or not.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Marketplace partner verification" %}
Partners who apply to the Marketplace or create an impact.com account independently are screened and verified before being approved to join the Marketplace.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Direct partner verification" %}
If you invite a partner directly, partner verification is contract-specific. Depending on your contract with impact.com, you may be responsible for verifying and ensuring the quality of your own partners.

For more information on how to protect and monitor your programs to ensure partner quality, refer to the following links:

* [Manage Your Monitoring Violations](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/protect-and-monitor-your-performance-program/manage-your-monitoring-violations.md)
* [Minimize Lead Generation Fraud Risk](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/protect-and-monitor-your-performance-program/minimize-lead-generation-fraud-risk.md)
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

If you recruit partners through your own sign-up page, learn how to [Screen Partners Automatically with Partner Verification](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/performance-program/recruiting-partners/screen-partners-automatically-with-partner-verification.md).


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