> 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/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/seller-partnerships/retailer-seller-partnerships/beta-stacked-commissions-explained-for-partners.md).

# Stacked Commissions Explained for Partners

If you’re partnered with a brand through a Seller program, you could earn multiple commissions for driving a single purchase. This becomes possible when you’re also partnered with the brand’s retailer, typically through a Performance program.

## Why stacked commissions are possible

The goal of a brand’s Seller program is to increase their product sales on a specific retailer’s site. For example, if they are a sneaker brand, they might want to boost sales of their latest running shoe on a major department store's website. The sneaker brand will reward you for driving these sales, since extra sales boost their revenue. However, the department store also benefits from increased sales activity on their site, regardless of which products are being sold. For this reason, they will also reward you (when eligible) for driving the very same purchase.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://347878556-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fb2rE79d9UhOKZQLgzSqx%2Fuploads%2FNKuYSJPVCd0fsJqswrfb%2Fundraw_gift-joy_kqz4.png?alt=media&amp;token=8b13cd2c-9a0f-441c-8500-5af96df3f7f0" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## A deeper look at how it works

When promoting products for two different programs, you’ll be working with two promotional links, i.e., the seller’s[^1] program link and the retailer’s[^2] program link. Who you earn commissions from depends on which program link the customer uses and which products they buy. <mark style="color:$primary;">**You can only earn stacked commissions when the customer uses the Seller program link**</mark>.

Sellers and retailers reward you for different things:

* The seller only rewards you for driving sales of their products on the retailer’s site.
* The retailer rewards you for driving sales of any products on their site, regardless of which brand owns the products.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Note:** While these are common industry practices, your actual tracking and payout rules depend entirely on the terms agreed upon in your contract.
{% endhint %}

## Payout scenarios

Learn how your payouts change based on the link used and what product the customer buys:

<table><thead><tr><th width="187">Products purchased (on retailer's site)</th><th>Tracking link used</th><th>Payout from seller</th><th>Payout from retailer</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1 seller product</td><td>Seller's link</td><td>1 product payout</td><td>1 item payout</td></tr><tr><td>1 seller + 1 non-seller product</td><td>Seller's link</td><td>1 product payout</td><td>2 item payouts</td></tr><tr><td>1 seller + 1 non-seller product</td><td>Retailer's link</td><td>No payout</td><td>2 item payouts</td></tr><tr><td>1 non-seller product</td><td>Seller's link</td><td>No payout</td><td>1 item payout</td></tr></tbody></table>

See a breakdown of these scenarios below:

### Seller product & seller link

The customer buys a seller product on the retailer’s site using the seller's tracking link. You are rewarded by both the seller (for their product sale) and the retailer (for an item on their site).

### Seller product, non-seller product, & seller link

The customer buys a seller product and a non-seller product on the retailer’s site using the seller's tracking link. You are rewarded by the seller (for their product sale) and the retailer (for both items on their site).

### Seller product, non-seller product, & retailer link

The customer buys a seller product and a non-seller product on the retailer’s site using the retailer’s program tracking link. You are rewarded by the retailer (for both items on their site), but the seller does not reward you since the customer used the retailer’s link and the seller can’t attribute the sale to you.

### Non-seller product & seller link

The customer buys a non-seller product on the retailer’s site using the seller’s program tracking link. You are rewarded by the retailer (for the item on their site)—this can still be attributed to you when the customer uses the seller tracking link. The seller does not reward you since no seller-specific products were purchased.

## Reporting implications

When you drive a stacked commission sale, the system creates a corresponding transaction entry so you can be credited by both the Seller and retailer programs. However, this causes double the click and sales data to display in certain reports. [Learn how to interpret these reports correctly](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/seller-partnerships/retailer-seller-partnerships/beta-understand-stacked-commission-reporting.md) so you can gain an accurate idea of your performance and earnings.

<br>

[^1]: A brand or merchant who manufactures products and uses a retailer's eCommerce platform to reach new customers. E.g. a gadget supplier like Dynamite Labs who sells on WayneMart.com.

[^2]: An online store that offers seller brands or merchants the opportunity to sell products to a wider range of customers. E.g., WayneMart.com offers products to customers from manufacturers like Dynamite Labs, Anvil ForgeMasters, and Bats 'n Things.


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