Glossary and common statuses
Check this page when a term or status label in Affilyn is unclear.
Before you start
- None.
Where to find it
Documentation → Core Concepts → Glossary and common statuses
Steps
- Search for the exact term, status, or workflow label you saw in Affilyn.
- Use the role and topic filters to narrow the glossary to the workflows that matter to you.
- Open the Learn more links when you need the full guide behind a term instead of a short definition.
What these statuses usually mean
- Status labels usually describe review state, payout state, access state, or feature availability.
- The same person can see different statuses across different stores or workflows, so use the role and topic filters when a label feels too broad.
Example
The label Pending request applies to partner payouts, while Under review applies to partner applications. Both suggest waiting for merchant action, but they belong to different workflows.
Tips and limits
- When a status affects money, such as available balance or pending request, open the linked payout pages for the full workflow.
- When a status affects access, such as default store or tier, open the linked store and tier pages to confirm the current store context.
Glossary browser
Find the term, status, or workflow label you saw in Affilyn.
Search by term or what the page looked like, then narrow the list by role or topic.
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Showing 24 glossary entries.
3 terms
Also called: store owner, merchant account
Plain meaning
The store owner or store team member who runs the partner program and controls setup, approvals, and payouts.
Why it matters: Many workflows do not move forward until the merchant finishes setup or approves the next step.
Where you'll see it
Merchant setup, merchant dashboard, settings pages, partner review, and payouts.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: affiliate, creator
Plain meaning
A partner who mainly shares links, tracks performance, and requests payouts without managing a branded storefront.
Why it matters: This role gets the everyday partner tools but not the VIP storefront and merchandising areas.
Where you'll see it
Partner sign-up, partner dashboard, affiliate links, payout settings, and contracts.
Who it matters to
Also called: vip creator, tier 2 partner
Plain meaning
A partner with the standard link and payout tools plus storefront, content, and advanced merchandising access.
Why it matters: VIP access changes what navigation and public storefront tools appear for that partner.
Where you'll see it
VIP onboarding, VIP dashboard navigation, storefront builder, analytics, and content tools.
Who it matters to
Learn more
| Term | Plain meaning | Where you'll see it | Who it matters to | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MerchantRoles Also called: store owner, merchant account | The store owner or store team member who runs the partner program and controls setup, approvals, and payouts. Why it matters: Many workflows do not move forward until the merchant finishes setup or approves the next step. | Merchant setup, merchant dashboard, settings pages, partner review, and payouts. | All roles | |
Standard AffiliateRoles Also called: affiliate, creator | A partner who mainly shares links, tracks performance, and requests payouts without managing a branded storefront. Why it matters: This role gets the everyday partner tools but not the VIP storefront and merchandising areas. | Partner sign-up, partner dashboard, affiliate links, payout settings, and contracts. | All roles | |
VIP PartnerRoles Also called: vip creator, tier 2 partner | A partner with the standard link and payout tools plus storefront, content, and advanced merchandising access. Why it matters: VIP access changes what navigation and public storefront tools appear for that partner. | VIP onboarding, VIP dashboard navigation, storefront builder, analytics, and content tools. | All roles |
6 terms
Also called: store link, partner-store relationship
Plain meaning
One partner profile linked to one merchant store.
Why it matters: Access, commissions, contracts, and payouts are store-specific, so the same partner can have different states across different stores.
Where you'll see it
Stores page, merchant partner records, contracts, payout settings, and store-scoped tools.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: current store, selected store, store switcher
Plain meaning
The currently selected store that controls which data, settings, and actions you are looking at.
Why it matters: If the wrong store is selected, it can look like data is missing when it actually belongs to another store.
Where you'll see it
Store switcher, dashboard headers, payout settings, affiliate links, and contracts.
Who it matters to
Also called: starting store, primary store
Plain meaning
The store that opens first when a partner lands in the dashboard.
Why it matters: It sets the starting context, but partners can still switch to their other affiliated stores afterward.
Where you'll see it
Stores page, default-store labels, store switcher, and the first dashboard load after sign-in.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: standard tier, standard affiliate tier
Plain meaning
The standard partner access level with link-sharing, payout, and profile tools but without VIP storefront management.
Why it matters: Tier assignment decides what a partner can do for a specific store, even when they already have an approved profile.
Where you'll see it
Merchant tier configuration, feature matrix settings, and partner access decisions.
Who it matters to
Also called: vip tier, vip partner tier
Plain meaning
The VIP partner access level with the standard tools plus storefront, content, and advanced analytics features.
Why it matters: A partner only sees VIP-only tools for a store after that store gives them Tier 2 access and enables the related features.
Where you'll see it
Merchant tier configuration, feature matrix settings, VIP onboarding, and VIP dashboard navigation.
Who it matters to
Also called: tier settings, feature access
Plain meaning
The merchant settings area that turns features on or off for each partner tier.
Why it matters: A partner may have the right tier but still see a feature disabled if the store has not allowed it in the matrix.
Where you'll see it
Tier configuration and related merchant settings pages.
Who it matters to
Learn more
| Term | Plain meaning | Where you'll see it | Who it matters to | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Store affiliationStores & Access Also called: store link, partner-store relationship | One partner profile linked to one merchant store. Why it matters: Access, commissions, contracts, and payouts are store-specific, so the same partner can have different states across different stores. | Stores page, merchant partner records, contracts, payout settings, and store-scoped tools. | All roles | |
Store contextStores & Access Also called: current store, selected store, store switcher | The currently selected store that controls which data, settings, and actions you are looking at. Why it matters: If the wrong store is selected, it can look like data is missing when it actually belongs to another store. | Store switcher, dashboard headers, payout settings, affiliate links, and contracts. | All roles | |
Default storeStores & Access Also called: starting store, primary store | The store that opens first when a partner lands in the dashboard. Why it matters: It sets the starting context, but partners can still switch to their other affiliated stores afterward. | Stores page, default-store labels, store switcher, and the first dashboard load after sign-in. | Standard AffiliatesVIP Partners | |
Tier 1Stores & Access Also called: standard tier, standard affiliate tier | The standard partner access level with link-sharing, payout, and profile tools but without VIP storefront management. Why it matters: Tier assignment decides what a partner can do for a specific store, even when they already have an approved profile. | Merchant tier configuration, feature matrix settings, and partner access decisions. | All roles | |
Tier 2Stores & Access Also called: vip tier, vip partner tier | The VIP partner access level with the standard tools plus storefront, content, and advanced analytics features. Why it matters: A partner only sees VIP-only tools for a store after that store gives them Tier 2 access and enables the related features. | Merchant tier configuration, feature matrix settings, VIP onboarding, and VIP dashboard navigation. | All roles | |
Feature matrixStores & Access Also called: tier settings, feature access | The merchant settings area that turns features on or off for each partner tier. Why it matters: A partner may have the right tier but still see a feature disabled if the store has not allowed it in the matrix. | Tier configuration and related merchant settings pages. | Merchants |
4 terms
Also called: tracking, referral credit
Plain meaning
The rule set that connects a shopper visit or order to the partner who referred it.
Why it matters: Attribution decides who gets credit for a sale and when the related commission should exist.
Where you'll see it
Attribution settings, affiliate links, commission reporting, storefront orders, and payout logic.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: earnings, referral payout
Plain meaning
The earning amount a partner receives from an eligible order that was attributed to them.
Why it matters: Commission settings directly affect partner earnings and merchant payout expectations.
Where you'll see it
Merchant program settings, partner dashboards, analytics, and payout reviews.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: pending earnings, waiting window
Plain meaning
The waiting period before earned commission becomes eligible for payout.
Why it matters: A commission can be real and visible before it becomes payable, so hold rules often explain why money is not available yet.
Where you'll see it
Attribution settings, payout eligibility explanations, and payout history context.
Who it matters to
Also called: available earnings, requestable balance
Plain meaning
The amount a partner can request for payout right now under the current store rules.
Why it matters: This is the clearest signal for whether the payout request button should be usable for the selected store.
Where you'll see it
Partner payout settings, payout request panels, and payout summaries.
Who it matters to
| Term | Plain meaning | Where you'll see it | Who it matters to | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AttributionCommissions & Payouts Also called: tracking, referral credit | The rule set that connects a shopper visit or order to the partner who referred it. Why it matters: Attribution decides who gets credit for a sale and when the related commission should exist. | Attribution settings, affiliate links, commission reporting, storefront orders, and payout logic. | All roles | |
CommissionCommissions & Payouts Also called: earnings, referral payout | The earning amount a partner receives from an eligible order that was attributed to them. Why it matters: Commission settings directly affect partner earnings and merchant payout expectations. | Merchant program settings, partner dashboards, analytics, and payout reviews. | All roles | |
Hold periodCommissions & Payouts Also called: pending earnings, waiting window | The waiting period before earned commission becomes eligible for payout. Why it matters: A commission can be real and visible before it becomes payable, so hold rules often explain why money is not available yet. | Attribution settings, payout eligibility explanations, and payout history context. | MerchantsStandard AffiliatesVIP Partners | |
Available balanceCommissions & Payouts Also called: available earnings, requestable balance | The amount a partner can request for payout right now under the current store rules. Why it matters: This is the clearest signal for whether the payout request button should be usable for the selected store. | Partner payout settings, payout request panels, and payout summaries. | Standard AffiliatesVIP Partners |
4 terms
Also called: partner storefront, creator storefront
Plain meaning
A shopper-facing page that combines products, partner content, and merchant branding on the merchant domain.
Why it matters: Storefronts shape the public shopping experience and can carry discounts, partner branding, and curated products.
Where you'll see it
Public storefront pages, storefront builder, partner promotions, and shopper checkout journeys.
Who it matters to
Also called: hidden discount, storefront discount
Plain meaning
A storefront discount that is surfaced inside the storefront experience instead of being broadly exposed like a public coupon.
Why it matters: It helps merchants improve conversion inside the intended storefront flow without making the discount easy to spread elsewhere.
Where you'll see it
VIP storefront settings, discount visibility, and shopper storefront messaging.
Who it matters to
Also called: brand kit, media kit
Plain meaning
A set of approved brand assets, product images, and talking points that merchants provide to VIP partners.
Why it matters: It keeps partner content on-brand and reduces back-and-forth when partners need approved assets quickly.
Where you'll see it
Press kit pages, asset library, gifting flows, and VIP content workflows.
Who it matters to
Also called: usage rights, content rights
Plain meaning
The permission status that decides whether a merchant can reuse a partner's uploaded content commercially.
Why it matters: It defines what the merchant is allowed to do with submitted content after it has been uploaded or delivered.
Where you'll see it
UGC rights settings, press kit workflows, gifting reviews, and merchant content approval steps.
Who it matters to
| Term | Plain meaning | Where you'll see it | Who it matters to | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
StorefrontStorefront & Content Also called: partner storefront, creator storefront | A shopper-facing page that combines products, partner content, and merchant branding on the merchant domain. Why it matters: Storefronts shape the public shopping experience and can carry discounts, partner branding, and curated products. | Public storefront pages, storefront builder, partner promotions, and shopper checkout journeys. | All roles | |
Anti-leak discountStorefront & Content Also called: hidden discount, storefront discount | A storefront discount that is surfaced inside the storefront experience instead of being broadly exposed like a public coupon. Why it matters: It helps merchants improve conversion inside the intended storefront flow without making the discount easy to spread elsewhere. | VIP storefront settings, discount visibility, and shopper storefront messaging. | MerchantsVIP Partners | |
Press kitStorefront & Content Also called: brand kit, media kit | A set of approved brand assets, product images, and talking points that merchants provide to VIP partners. Why it matters: It keeps partner content on-brand and reduces back-and-forth when partners need approved assets quickly. | Press kit pages, asset library, gifting flows, and VIP content workflows. | MerchantsVIP Partners | |
UGC rightsStorefront & Content Also called: usage rights, content rights | The permission status that decides whether a merchant can reuse a partner's uploaded content commercially. Why it matters: It defines what the merchant is allowed to do with submitted content after it has been uploaded or delivered. | UGC rights settings, press kit workflows, gifting reviews, and merchant content approval steps. | MerchantsVIP Partners |
7 terms
Also called: enabled, live
Plain meaning
Currently enabled or in effect for the selected store, method, or feature.
Why it matters: Active tells you which option is actually controlling behavior right now, not just which options exist.
Where you'll see it
Payout methods, tier features, store records, dashboard status chips, and feature controls.
Who it matters to
Also called: primary, starting choice
Plain meaning
Marked as the starting or primary option when more than one valid option exists.
Why it matters: Default changes what opens first, but it usually does not remove access to the other valid options.
Where you'll see it
Default store labels, preferred settings, starting dashboard context, and selection controls.
Who it matters to
Learn more
Also called: not connected, unlinked
Plain meaning
No longer linked to the account, store, or service that the feature expects.
Why it matters: Disconnected usually means the workflow cannot continue until the link is restored or a different method is chosen.
Where you'll see it
Store access troubleshooting, account linking, payout connection states, and store records.
Who it matters to
Also called: awaiting review, review pending
Plain meaning
Waiting for merchant or admin approval before the person, content, or request can move forward.
Why it matters: The record exists, but the next step is blocked until someone reviews it.
Where you'll see it
Partner applications, content review steps, and approval queues.
Who it matters to
Also called: pending payout, request pending
Plain meaning
A payout request has been submitted and is waiting for the merchant to approve or decline it.
Why it matters: Partners usually cannot send another automated payout request for the same store while this one is still pending.
Where you'll see it
Partner payout request panels, merchant payout queue, and payout history.
Who it matters to
Also called: ready, eligible
Plain meaning
Eligible to use, request, or act on right now under the current rules.
Why it matters: Available is the status that usually tells you the next action should work for the selected store or method.
Where you'll see it
Payout balances, feature availability messages, request buttons, and eligibility summaries.
Who it matters to
Also called: completed payout, sent
Plain meaning
The payout or earning has already been completed and should not be requested again.
Why it matters: Paid confirms the money left the pending or requestable state and moved into completed history.
Where you'll see it
Payout history, completed payout records, and merchant reconciliation workflows.
Who it matters to
| Term | Plain meaning | Where you'll see it | Who it matters to | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ActiveStatuses Also called: enabled, live | Currently enabled or in effect for the selected store, method, or feature. Why it matters: Active tells you which option is actually controlling behavior right now, not just which options exist. | Payout methods, tier features, store records, dashboard status chips, and feature controls. | All roles | |
DefaultStatuses Also called: primary, starting choice | Marked as the starting or primary option when more than one valid option exists. Why it matters: Default changes what opens first, but it usually does not remove access to the other valid options. | Default store labels, preferred settings, starting dashboard context, and selection controls. | All roles | |
DisconnectedStatuses Also called: not connected, unlinked | No longer linked to the account, store, or service that the feature expects. Why it matters: Disconnected usually means the workflow cannot continue until the link is restored or a different method is chosen. | Store access troubleshooting, account linking, payout connection states, and store records. | All roles | |
Under reviewStatuses Also called: awaiting review, review pending | Waiting for merchant or admin approval before the person, content, or request can move forward. Why it matters: The record exists, but the next step is blocked until someone reviews it. | Partner applications, content review steps, and approval queues. | All roles | |
Pending requestStatuses Also called: pending payout, request pending | A payout request has been submitted and is waiting for the merchant to approve or decline it. Why it matters: Partners usually cannot send another automated payout request for the same store while this one is still pending. | Partner payout request panels, merchant payout queue, and payout history. | MerchantsStandard AffiliatesVIP Partners | |
AvailableStatuses Also called: ready, eligible | Eligible to use, request, or act on right now under the current rules. Why it matters: Available is the status that usually tells you the next action should work for the selected store or method. | Payout balances, feature availability messages, request buttons, and eligibility summaries. | All roles | |
PaidStatuses Also called: completed payout, sent | The payout or earning has already been completed and should not be requested again. Why it matters: Paid confirms the money left the pending or requestable state and moved into completed history. | Payout history, completed payout records, and merchant reconciliation workflows. | MerchantsStandard AffiliatesVIP Partners |