# Contracts Explained for Partners Contracts in impact.com allow brands to establish the terms of their partnerships with partners. When you receive a [contract proposal](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/working-with-brands/contracts/manage-your-brand-program-term-proposals) from a brand or are [applying to join a program](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/working-with-brands/applying-to-brands/find-and-apply-to-brands), you should understand what you are signing up for. Carefully review a contract proposal before accepting the terms. {% hint style="info" %} **Note:** All contracts within impact.com require you to agree to the [Impact Master Campaign Agreement](https://app.impact.com/content/MCA.ihtml), which defines your relationship with impact.com, and is legally binding document when agreed to. {% endhint %} #### View and manage your contracts 1. From the top navigation menu, select **Discover** → **My Brands**. 2. Find the relevant brand and select the brand's tile. 3. From the slideout, select ![](https://347878556-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fb2rE79d9UhOKZQLgzSqx%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8ec3e877b1397045c61d394485e72ac4d93120ee%2Fc6ddb46c637059f06e86c790a911217a9428f5c47b5efef046f90555e85b03cd.svg?alt=media) **\[More]** → **View And Manage Contract**. * Refer to the contract sections below to learn more about a contract's details. #### Contract sections
Payout details The *payout details* section of your contract can include information about the specified payout type, including payout amount, restrictions, and limits. | | | | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Field** | **Description** | | **Default Payout** | The amount the brand will pay you per sale, sign-up, installation, impression, or other actions you drive. This amount can either be a fixed amount or a percentage of the sale. | | **Payout Groups** | Payout groups change the default payout if an action characteristic matches a specific condition set. | | **Payout Restrictions** | Payout restrictions will stop an action from generating a payout if an action characteristic matches a specific condition set. | | **Limits** |

Brands can set a limit to the number of actions that can generate a payout or just set a total payout limit for a given period.

• Any actions driven above this limit are considered Outside of Terms, will have a status of Exceeded Action Cap and will not be payable unless manually approved by a brand.

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Scheduling This is the section of the contract that defines how long you have to query actions before they lock, when actions will be [invoiced](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/finance/finance-documents/invoices-explained-for-partners), and [when payouts will be paid](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/finance/payments-withdrawals-and-balance/why-havent-i-received-my-payouts-yet) for actions driven. {% hint style="info" %} **Note:** Regarding action inquiries: Only cashback or loyalty partners can [create action inquiries](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/action-management/action-inquiries/manage-submitted-action-inquiries-as-a-partner). If you're a cashback or loyalty partner and can't see this feature, [contact support](https://app.impact.com/support/portal.ihtml?createTicket=true\&accountType=PARTNER). {% endhint %} | | | | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Field** | **Description** | | **Action Locking** | This is the period (in days and months) after an action is tracked that you can [query the action](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/action-management/action-inquiries/manage-submitted-action-inquiries-as-a-partner), and the brand can modify or reverse the action. | | **Invoicing** | The date on which locked actions will be invoiced. | | **Payout Scheduling** |

Brands can choose to schedule payments for locked actions at a later time than when they became locked.

See the Payout scheduling reference section below for more information on how this works.

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**Payout scheduling reference** | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Option** | **Description** | **Example** | | **Pay actions on the \[x] of the month after they locked** | All actions that were locked in a given locking window will be paid out on a set date in the month after they were locked. | Actions that are locked on February 15th will be paid out to you on a set date in March | | **Pay actions \[x] day(s) after they locked** | All actions that were locked in a given locking window will be paid out a set number of days after they were locked. | Actions that are locked on February 15th will be paid out a chosen number of days after February 15th. | | **Pay actions \[x] month(s) and \[x] days after they lock** | All actions that were locked in a given locking window will be paid out a set number of months and days after they were locked. | Actions that are locked on February 15th will be paid out a chosen number of months and days after February 15th. |
Qualified referrals This section of the contract defines what you need to do to receive credit for an action (**Credit Policy**) and how long after you drove traffic to the brand’s website that you can still be credited (**Referral Window**) for driving the action.
General terms The general terms of a contract are custom terms set by brands that apply across the entire contract. Below are some of the more commonly used general terms. | | | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Term** | **Description** | | **Currency** | The currency in which the brand will pay you. If you’ve set a different currency in your [company information](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/account-management/account-settings/account-management/manage-your-company-information-as-a-partner), the currency may be exchanged. | | **Change Notice Period** | The notice period that the brand must give you before changing or canceling the contract. | | **Stand Down Policy** |

Indicates that the brand is enforcing a stand-down policy that prevents certain partners—particularly those using browser extensions, toolbars, or in-cart solutions—from interfering with clicks that you drove.

If this policy is not visible in your general terms, it means that the brand is not enforcing a stand-down policy.

| | **Reversal Policy** | The policy by which the brand may [reverse actions](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/action-management/reversed-actions-explained-for-partners) driven by you. | | **Media Partner Tracking Pixel** |

Indicates whether the brand allows you to place a partner piggyback pixel on their confirmation page or not.

To use pixels, these requirements must be met:

• The partnered brand must use pixel tracking (non-pixel tracking means no pixels exist to piggyback off of)

• You must have your own system, separate from impact.com, that can receive and ingest the pixel’s information

| | **Advanced Privacy** | When a brand has advanced privacy enabled, they'll limit the data shared with you by removing user identifiers and sensitive information from reports and postbacks. |
#### Contract best practices * Always read the entire contract to ensure that you don't miss any clauses and conditions. * Pay attention to these terms in the *Payout Details* section: * **Payout Restrictions**: Restrictions prevent an action from generating a payout if a certain condition is met. Make sure you understand all restrictions to avoid promoting products or services that won't be payable. * **Limits**: Be aware of any limits on the number of actions or total payout for a given period. Actions that exceed these limits are marked as *Exceeded Action Cap* or [*Outside of Terms*](https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/action-management/view-outside-of-terms-actions-as-a-partner) and are not payable unless manually approved. * Pay attention to the *notice period*. A 0-day notice period is a risk. It means that a brand can change the terms of the contract at any time, without any advance notice. A longer notice period (e.g., 3 days) gives you time to adjust your strategy or negotiate if the new terms are not favorable. * Identify contract terms that can enhance your earnings. These terms include: * **Cost-per-click (CPC) Payout**: In addition to the standard percentage or fixed payout, some brands offer a CPC payout. This is an added bonus for the traffic you drive, even if it doesn't immediately result in a sale. * **Minimum Effective Payout (min. EPC)**: This is a guarantee from a brand that your CPA earnings will provide you a minimum CPC rate, ensuring a certain level of CPC earnings when you are engaging with a brand on a CPA basis. It provides a safety net and shows the brand is confident in their conversion funnel and your traffic quality. * **Performance Bonus**: These are additional earnings you unlock when you reach specific volume tiers. They reward higher performance by increasing your overall payout.