Affiliate Publisher Vetting & Approval SOP

This Affiliate Publisher Vetting & Approval Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) provides a structured process for evaluating, classifying, approving, and periodically re-reviewing affiliates, publishers, affiliate networks, lead generators, and other third-party marketing partners that may engage in commercial email marketing activities promoting company offers.
The SOP helps organizations establish consistent due-diligence practices, apply risk-based approval criteria, document decision-making, and maintain evidence of a functioning affiliate governance program.
What It Includes:
  • Affiliate approval and governance framework.
  • Affiliate vetting procedures and review requirements.
  • Risk-classification methodology.
  • Required vetting documentation standards.
  • Approval authority requirements.
  • Escalation and exception-management guidance.
  • Re-review triggers and reassessment procedures.
  • Affiliate Approval Form.
  • Risk Classification Matrix.
  • Affiliate Re-Review Checklist.
  • Affiliate Governance Record Checklist.
Affiliate marketing risks often originate long before a campaign is launched. This SOP helps subscribers evaluate prospective affiliate partners before approval, identify higher-risk relationships, document governance decisions, and establish a repeatable approval process that supports transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.
Subscribers can use this SOP to strengthen affiliate due diligence, improve oversight of third-party marketing partners, support internal approval workflows, and demonstrate that affiliate relationships are governed through documented review and risk-management procedures rather than informal business judgment.
To be used with our CLIClaw Email Marketing Compliance Program.