# Multi-Tier (MLM) Commissions
> Build network-style affiliate programs with UniLevel multi-tier commissions. 2-5 levels deep. Commissions flow upward through the recruitment chain.
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- [Overview](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/)
- [Features](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/)
[All Features](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/)
[Affiliate Dashboard](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/affiliate-dashboard/)
[Commission System](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/commissions/)
[Multi-Tier Commissions](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/multi-tier-commissions/)
[Fraud Detection](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/fraud-detection/)
[Automated Payouts](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/payouts/)
[Tracking & Analytics](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/tracking/)
- [Compare](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/compare/)
[All Comparisons](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/compare/)
[vs AffiliateWP](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/vs-affiliatewp/)
[vs SliceWP](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/vs-slicewp/)
[vs Rewardful](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/vs-rewardful/)
[vs Tapfiliate](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/vs-tapfiliate/)
[vs Refersion](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/vs-refersion/)
- [Pricing](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/pricing/)
- [Docs](https://royalplugins.com/support/royal-affiliate/)
Overview
All Features
— Affiliate Dashboard
— Commission System
— Multi-Tier Commissions
— Fraud Detection
— Automated Payouts
— Tracking & Analytics
All Comparisons
— vs AffiliateWP
— vs SliceWP
— vs Rewardful
— vs Tapfiliate
— vs Refersion
Pricing
Documentation
Business Feature
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.
By Jameson · Founder & Lead Developer
[Get Royal Affiliate Pro](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/pricing/)
## 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:
1
### Affiliate A Recruits Affiliate B
A is B's parent in the recruitment chain. A will earn tier commissions on B's referrals.
2
### 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.
3
### Customer Clicks C's Link and Buys
A customer arrives via Affiliate C's referral link and purchases a $100 product.
4
### 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.
5
Max Levels
3
Default Depth
Included
in Business Tier (no add-on fee)
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.
## Related Features
[### Commission System
Flat rates, percentages, product-specific, category-specific, and tiered commissions with a 7-level priority system.](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/commissions/)
[### Affiliate Dashboard
A beautiful 7-tab self-service portal with stats, referrals, payouts, creatives, links, settings, and team views.](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/affiliate-dashboard/)
[### Fraud Detection
Self-referral blocking, IP rate limiting, Proxy-header detection, bot filtering, and a severity-coded fraud log.](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/fraud-detection/)
[### Automated Payouts
PayPal batch payouts, Stripe Connect, store credit, auto-scheduling with threshold triggers, and payout requests.](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/payouts/)
## Build Your Affiliate Network
Get multi-tier commissions and all other Royal Affiliate Pro features with a single license.
[View Pricing](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/pricing/)
[Explore All Features](https://royalplugins.com/royal-affiliates/features/)