What it means
In affiliate marketing, chargeback when a customer disputes a payment and the charge is reversed. In affiliate programs, chargebacks typically result in commission clawbacks from the referring affiliate.
Why it matters
Whether you're launching a new affiliate program or scaling an existing one, understanding chargeback helps you make better decisions about commission structures, partner recruitment, and growth tactics. Most SaaS founders run into this concept early and benefit from a clear mental model before they start building.
See also
Related terms in the affiliate marketing glossary that connect to chargeback:
- Churn -- The rate at which customers cancel their subscriptions or stop buying. High churn reduces the long-term value of affi...
- Click-Through Rate (CTR) -- The percentage of people who click on an affiliate link out of the total who see it. Calculated as (clicks / impressi...
- Clawback -- The reversal of a previously paid commission, typically triggered by a refund, chargeback, or subscription cancellati...