AffiHQ documentation
Choose a Stripe-native or API/SDK integration, run an affiliate program and follow payments through to payouts.
Updated August 3, 2026
AffiHQ helps you create affiliate programs, issue trackable links and codes, attribute customers, calculate commissions and record payout obligations for one-time purchases and subscriptions.
If Stripe is your payment source, start with Stripe automatic. It uses a Stripe-hosted Payment Link and does not require AffiHQ API credentials, an SDK or webhook forwarding from your application. API/SDK advanced remains available for custom Checkout, non-Stripe billing, pre-Checkout attribution, custom discounts or trials, onboarding steps and non-financial business events.
Choose your integration path
| Path | Choose it when | What you provide |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe automatic | Stripe Checkout through one supported Payment Link is enough | An existing Stripe Standard account and one eligible Payment Link per product; no AffiHQ API or SDK credentials |
| API/SDK advanced | Your server owns Checkout, billing, attribution timing or business events | Product API and fingerprint credentials on your server, plus verified payment events and stable idempotency |
Start an affiliate program
Open Products to create a product and define its attribution, discount and commission rules. Open Affiliates to add a partner and connect them to the product. Follow Your first affiliate program for the complete setup.
Create links and codes
Open an affiliate to create campaign links or memorable partner codes. In Stripe automatic mode, a generated /r/ link opens the product’s selected Payment Link. In API/SDK advanced mode, it opens your configured destination with affihq_ref for your server to capture. See Affiliates, campaigns and links.
Review commissions and prepare payouts
Open an affiliate and select Commissions to see validation, ready, payout and paid states. Commissions and payouts explains native payment corrections and how to record a payout that you send separately.
Manage access
Owners and admins can configure the product’s Stripe path. Members can view product Stripe state, and affiliates see only their own portal results. See Workspace permissions.
How a sale becomes a commission
- You create a product, set its rules and choose Stripe automatic or API/SDK advanced.
- An affiliate shares the product’s link or code; AffiHQ records the click or reference.
- Stripe automatic opens the selected Payment Link, or your advanced integration captures the reference and creates the attribution.
- A successful one-time payment, paid subscription invoice or verified advanced billing event is matched to the attribution.
- AffiHQ creates the commission, applies the validation period and records any later refund or dispute correction.
- You select ready commissions, send the affiliate funds through your own process and mark the payout as paid.
Go deeper
- Your first affiliate program — create and test the complete path.
- Products and rules — configure product terms and Stripe state.
- Stripe automatic payments — canonical Payment Link setup and lifecycle.
- Integration overview — decide between native and advanced flows.
- API authentication and API endpoints — advanced server integration.