What it means
In affiliate marketing, cost per lead (cpl) a payment model where affiliates earn a commission for each qualified lead they generate, such as a form submission, email signup, or free trial registration.
Why it matters
Whether you're launching a new affiliate program or scaling an existing one, understanding cost per lead (cpl) 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 cost per lead (cpl):
- Coupon Code -- A discount code assigned to an affiliate that tracks conversions even without a tracking link click. Customers enter ...
- Creative Assets -- Marketing materials provided to affiliates, such as banners, logos, email templates, and social media graphics, to he...
- Cross-Device Tracking -- The ability to track a referred user across multiple devices (phone, tablet, desktop) and still attribute the convers...