# Marketplace vs. Direct: Partner Recruiting Explained

Brands can recruit partners through one of two ways: an *impact.com marketplace application* or *direct partner sign-up*.

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* A **marketplace application** involves a partner applying to your program via impact.com's brand marketplace. This method requires the partner to complete an impact.com marketplace application as part of creating their impact.com account. If you recruit a partner using this method, keep in mind that they will likely be working with multiple brands.
* A **direct partner sign-up** allows a partner to join your program through a direct invitation or link without applying to the marketplace. They’ll see your logo on their dashboard. They’ll also be prompted to set up an impact.com account where they are only joined to your program. They won’t have full access to the brand’s marketplace.

{% hint style="info" %}
**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.
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#### Invite partners through the marketplace

[impact.com's brand marketplace](https://help.impact.com/brand/account-administration/program-settings/profile-and-branding/manage-your-marketplace-profile-for-brands) houses a number of brands that partners can work with. Before prospective partners can start a relationship with your brand, they need to be approved to join the marketplace. To learn more about the application process, visit these links:

* [Mark Potential Partners as Prospects](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/recruiting-partners/prospective-partners/mark-potential-partners-as-prospects)
* [Send a Proposal to a Prospect](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/recruiting-partners/prospective-partners/send-a-proposal-to-a-prospect)

This is an example of a *marketplace partner* dashboard:

<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-432107e3ca699f581cabbfcc14cdf5c2725d1d7a%2F651cbee83aeac72d2dbf8a0c9f32e09a3b2edae2d077f6ebcad80a3671e3cf34.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** If there's a specific partner you want to work with and you don't find them in the [marketplace](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/recruiting-partners/look-for-specific-types-of-partners), you can invite them into an exclusive partnership using a direct sign up invite, as outlined below.
{% endhint %}

#### Invite partners through direct sign-up

You can recruit partners directly by sending them a sign-up link. There are 3 ways you can invite partners directly:

<details>

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

You can [send prospective partners a unique sign-up link](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program#send-them-an-account-level-sign-up-link-0-0) that directs them to a registration page where they can log in or sign up for a partner account to apply for your programs. Partners who apply via this link must be reviewed and approved by you.

</details>

<details>

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

You can share a [dedicated program sign-up page URL](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program#share-the-program-sign-up-page-0-1). Partners applying through this page are applying only to that one program and are subject to your approval process. Partners will need to verify a [media property](https://app.gitbook.com/s/b2rE79d9UhOKZQLgzSqx/account-management/account-settings/connect-media-properties/connect-and-manage-media-properties) to sign up and join your program.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Via a contract proposal</summary>

You can add partners [via template term actions that include a proposal](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/invite-partners-to-join-a-brands-program#add-partners-via-template-term-actions-0-2). Once this proposal is accepted by the partner, they are automatically enrolled in your program.

</details>

This is an example of [*Branded partner dashboard*](https://help.impact.com/brand/creator-edit-configuration/general-settings/set-up-your-portals-general-settings):

<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>

#### Partner verification

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 that apply to join the impact.com marketplace are screened before they can be approved to join the marketplace. impact.com verifies these partners.
{% 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](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/protect-and-monitor-your-performance-program/manage-your-monitoring-violations)
* [Minimize Lead Generation Fraud Risk](https://help.impact.com/brand/performance-program/protect-and-monitor-your-performance-program/minimize-lead-generation-fraud-risk)
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{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** It is mandatory for partners to have at least one verified media property to be able to submit a marketplace or direct application. You can direct your partners to [Connect a Social Media Profile](https://app.gitbook.com/s/b2rE79d9UhOKZQLgzSqx/account-management/account-settings/connect-media-properties/connect-a-social-media-profile) and [Verify Your Identity as a Partner](https://app.gitbook.com/s/b2rE79d9UhOKZQLgzSqx/account-management/account-settings/user-management/verify-your-identity-as-a-partner) for self-verification.
{% endhint %}
