Hold
Hold is a period during which an affiliate network or advertiser reviews traffic and conversions before confirming and paying the affiliate.
During the hold, the network analyzes lead quality, detects fraud, and evaluates whether the traffic meets the offer’s requirements.
Purpose of a hold:
A hold serves as a protection tool for advertisers against low-quality traffic. It allows payment decisions to be made based on actual user behavior:
- Verifying lead quality
- Detecting fraud
- Confirming target actions
- Protecting the advertiser
The duration of a hold can vary depending on the vertical, geography, and specific offer.
How long is a hold:
The hold period is usually specified in the offer conditions but can change:
- From several days
- Up to a few weeks
- Sometimes dependent on user behavior
The more complex the target action, the longer the verification period may be.
What is a hold in simple terms?
A hold is a pause before payment while the affiliate network checks the traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Can a hold be shortened?
Sometimes, yes — if the traffic quality is stable and the trust level is high.
Does a hold mean payments can be canceled?
Yes, if the leads fail verification.
Do all offers have a hold?
In most cases — yes.