Some affiliate managers make $35,000 per year while others make $100,000 plus.  This depends on the location they live in, how intense and large the program is and the company itself.  Many get a percentage of total sales as a bonus which is why they allow low value and no value partners in.  It is quick and easy money with zero work.  This is also true with outsourced affiliate managers. A prime example is a coupon website that shows up for the company's name plus the word coupon code.  If the customer is already checking out and sees the coupon code box, they go to Google and type in your store's name and coupon code or promo code. If you allow this type of partner into the program, you now have to pay commissions on this sale, and the affiliate manager will also get their bonus.  There is also no incentive for them to actually remove these partners since it is easy money.  Many affiliate networks also encourage this because many of them also earn money on the sales.  I highly recommend you do not pay bonuses to affiliate managers on these low value sales because in most cases the sale would have happened with or without them and with or without the coupon site that is only intercepting your customer at checkout.