Affiliate commission rates by industry (2026 benchmarks)
June 4, 2026 · 5 min read
There's no universal "right" affiliate commission rate — it depends on your margins and how much you can afford to share while still profiting on the sale. These 2026 benchmarks are a sensible starting point by industry, with a two-tier structure (direct rate + sponsor override) you can copy.
Beauty & cosmetics — 15% + 5%
Influencer-led and high-repeat. A generous direct rate attracts creators; a small override rewards them for bringing in other creators.
Supplements & wellness — 20% + 5%
High margins and frequent reorders make this category ideal for recurring commissions, so affiliates keep earning on repeat purchases.
Fashion & apparel — 12% + 4%
Visual and social-driven, with tighter margins than beauty. Pair a solid direct rate with ready-made banners and swipe copy.
Digital products — 30% + 10%
Near-100% margin means you can pay generously and still profit. A high two-tier plan attracts serious affiliates.
Creator / personal brand — 20% + 8%
Built around a community. A strong direct rate plus a meaningful override lets your top fans recruit your next ambassadors.
Override ships these as one-click industry templates — apply a plan, tweak it, and you're live. Add milestone bonuses and performance auto-tiers to reward your best partners as they grow.
