Manual Approval

What is manual approval?

Manual approval is a pivotal process within affiliate marketing, where each prospective affiliate’s application to join an affiliate program undergoes a meticulous review by the merchant or affiliate manager. This evaluation process is comprehensive, encompassing a detailed assessment of the affiliate’s credentials, financial stability, identity verification, and other relevant factors. The primary aim is to ensure that only qualified and trustworthy affiliates gain access to promote the merchant’s products or services.

Importance of Manual Approval

Manual approval holds significant importance in affiliate marketing as it serves as a protective mechanism for maintaining the integrity and quality of an affiliate program. By thoroughly vetting potential affiliates, merchants can safeguard their brand’s reputation and shield their program from fraudulent or unethical affiliates. This process ensures that affiliates align with the program’s standards and objectives, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and success of the affiliate marketing strategy.

Manual Approval vs. Automatic Approval

Affiliates can gain entry into a program through two primary methods: manual approval and automatic approval.

• Automatic Approval : This method allows affiliates to join the program instantly without any preliminary review. While it expedites the onboarding process, it may expose the program to potential risks such as fraudulent affiliates or those whose promotional methods may not align with the merchant’s values.
• Manual Approval : This method involves a thorough review of each affiliate’s application, ensuring that only those who meet the program’s criteria are accepted. Although more time-consuming, it provides a layer of security and control over the quality of affiliates.

Key Factors Considered in Manual Approval

When conducting a manual approval process, merchants or affiliate managers typically evaluate several critical factors:

1. Financial Status : Assessing the financial health and stability of the affiliate to ensure they can sustain their promotional efforts.
2. Identity Verification : Verifying the affiliate’s identity through official documents or other means to prevent fraudulent activities.
3. Domain Ownership : Checking the ownership of the affiliate’s website domain to confirm their legitimacy and authority in the niche.
4. Promotional Methods : Reviewing the affiliate’s marketing strategies and channels to ensure they comply with the program’s guidelines and ethical standards.
5. Geographical Considerations : Affiliates from specific countries may be subject to additional scrutiny or rejection based on the program’s target market and legal requirements.

Benefits of Manual Approval

The manual approval process offers several advantages for affiliate programs:

• Quality Assurance : By thoroughly vetting affiliates, merchants can ensure that only high-quality affiliates join their program, leading to more effective promotions and higher conversion rates.
• Fraud Prevention : Manual approval helps identify and eliminate fraudulent affiliates who may engage in unethical practices, protecting the program’s integrity and reputation.
• Brand Protection : Affiliates who align with the merchant’s brand values and messaging contribute to a consistent and positive brand image, enhancing customer trust and loyalty.
• Long-term Success : By building a network of reliable and trustworthy affiliates, merchants can establish a strong foundation for long-term success and sustainable growth in their affiliate marketing efforts.

Challenges of Manual Approval

While manual approval offers numerous benefits, it also presents certain challenges:

• Time-Intensive : Reviewing and evaluating each affiliate application requires significant time and resources, especially for programs with a high volume of applicants.
• Subjectivity : The manual approval process can be subjective, with different reviewers potentially applying varying criteria and standards.
• Resource Allocation : Dedicated personnel and resources are necessary to effectively manage the manual approval process, which may strain smaller programs with limited budgets.

Balancing Manual and Automatic Approval

To optimize the affiliate onboarding process, some programs may adopt a hybrid approach, combining both manual and automatic approval methods. This strategy involves automatically approving certain affiliates who meet predefined criteria while manually reviewing others who require further scrutiny. By striking a balance between speed and quality, merchants can efficiently manage their affiliate network while maintaining high standards.