How creators make money from discount codes

The four modes

• Commissionable code

  You are paid

  Per redemption, click or not; platforms like ShopMy and Shopify Collabs support this natively, with creator rates on ShopMy commonly 10 to 30%

  Watch out for

  Confirm redemption-based attribution in writing; ask how coupon-site leakage is handled

• Code plus affiliate link

  You are paid

  Commission on the link; the code is the buyer's discount

  Watch out for

  Buyers who type the code without clicking earn you nothing in this mode; push to upgrade the code itself

• Flat-fee campaign

  You are paid

  Fixed amount for content; the code measures performance

  Watch out for

  Your redemption numbers set your next rate, so track your side of them

• Reputation

  You are paid

  Not directly; strong code performance is your pitch material

  Watch out for

  Only works if you can show numbers; see reporting engagement to brands

Getting from mode 2 to mode 1

The most common upgrade conversation: you have a code-plus-link deal, your audience types codes rather than clicking, and the brand's click data undercounts you. The ask is specific: make the code commissionable so redemptions credit me directly. Brands on ShopMy or Shopify can flip that setting; direct brands can usually mirror it in their store. Your evidence is your copy counts against their redemption counts, which is exactly the gap described in copies vs clicks.

Honest expectations

• Nothing here promises income; rates and results vary by niche, audience, and deal, and any guide claiming otherwise is selling something.
• Every paid or free-product relationship behind a code you share requires disclosure; the rules are in how to disclose affiliate codes.
• Codes expire and leak; management is part of the job, covered in managing expired codes.