Multi-Tier (MLM) Commissions
Build network-style affiliate programs with UniLevel multi-tier commissions. When Affiliate C makes a sale, commissions flow upward — C earns direct, B earns tier 2, A earns tier 3. Configurable 2–5 levels deep.
How Multi-Tier Works
Royal Affiliate Pro uses the UniLevel commission model — the simplest and most popular multi-level structure. Commissions cascade upward through the recruitment chain automatically.
UniLevel Model
The simplest, most popular MLM model. Commissions flow upward through the recruitment chain. Same model used by AffiliateWP ($300 tier), SliceWP (paid add-on), and AffiliatePress.
2–5 Levels Deep
Configure maximum depth from 2 to 5 levels. Default: 3 levels. Each level gets its own configurable commission rate.
Automatic Parent Assignment
When a visitor arrives via an affiliate's link and registers as a new affiliate, the referrer becomes their parent automatically via cookie tracking.
Status Cascade
Approve a direct referral and all tier referrals are approved too. Reject or refund? All tier commissions cascade the same way. No manual cleanup needed.
Circular Reference Prevention
The system validates upline chains and blocks loops (A→B→C→A). Deduplication prevents double-crediting on the same order.
Team Tab
Affiliates see their direct recruits in a dedicated Team tab. Shows recruit name, referral code, status, join date, and their referral count. Plus tier earnings breakdown by level.
Commission Flow Example
Here is how commissions flow through a 3-level chain on a $100 product sale:
Affiliate A Recruits Affiliate B
A is B's parent in the recruitment chain. A will earn tier commissions on B's referrals.
Affiliate B Recruits Affiliate C
B is C's parent. Now A sits two levels above C, forming a 3-level chain: A → B → C.
Customer Clicks C's Link and Buys
A customer arrives via Affiliate C's referral link and purchases a $100 product.
Commissions Flow Upward
C earns 10% ($10 direct commission), B earns 5% ($5 tier 2 commission), A earns 2% ($2 tier 3 commission). All calculated and assigned automatically.
Multi-Tier at a Glance
Everything you need to run a network-style affiliate program, built into the core plugin.
No separate add-on purchase, no extra license. Multi-tier commissions are included in the Business tier and above, ready to activate from your settings page.
Multi-Tier Capabilities
- Per-level rate configuration: Set each tier's commission as a percentage or flat dollar amount independently.
- Sensible defaults: Level 2 = 5%, Level 3 = 2%, Level 4 = 1%, Level 5 = 0.5%. Adjust anytime from settings.
- Manual parent assignment: Admin can manually assign or change parent affiliates from the affiliate edit screen.
- Tier badges on referrals: Referral list shows tier badges — "Tier 2", "Tier 3" — with color coding for instant visibility.
- Filter by referral type: Filter referrals by Direct, Tier 2, Tier 3, or All in both admin and affiliate dashboard views.
- Works with major integrations: WooCommerce, WooCommerce Subscriptions, Easy Digital Downloads, and MemberPress.
- Recurring tier commissions: Subscription renewals create recurring tier commissions automatically at every level.
- Master toggle: Disable multi-tier without losing existing data. Re-enable anytime and everything picks up where it left off.
- No add-on purchase required: Included in the Business tier. No upsell, no extra cost, no separate plugin to install.
Build Your Affiliate Network
Get multi-tier commissions and all other Royal Affiliate Pro features with a single license.