More programs now pay people to introduce companies with valuable data. The headline fee is the least useful number on the page. What counts is how a deal is defined, when you're paid, what you have to disclose and whether the program treats the companies you refer well. Use this checklist before you send a single introduction.
Key takeaways
- Read the final written terms. Headline fees often have conditions.
- The definition of a qualified or closed deal decides whether you ever get paid.
- Disclose that you may be paid. FTC guidance says material connections should be disclosed clearly.
- A good program never charges you to join and never charges the companies you refer an upfront fee.
- Expect most introductions not to close. No program can guarantee income.
How do AI data referral programs work?
A referral partner (often called an AI data broker) introduces a company that may have valuable operating records. The program reviews the company, negotiates a license and, if a deal closes and qualifies under the program's terms, pays the partner a referral fee. The partner usually doesn't touch the data or the contract. For the full picture, read What Is an AI Data Broker? and How to Get Into AI Data Licensing.
The 12-point checklist for comparing programs
| # | Check | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written terms | Full referral terms you can read before you start. No terms, no introductions. |
| 2 | Deal definition | Exactly what counts as a qualified or closed deal, and what doesn't. |
| 3 | Fee formula | Flat fee, percentage, or "greater of"; any caps, minimums and deal-count limits. |
| 4 | Geography | Whether terms differ by where the company is headquartered. |
| 5 | Payout timing | When you're paid: at signing, after the company is paid, or in stages. |
| 6 | Attribution | How the program records that you made the introduction, and for how long. |
| 7 | Company criteria | Size, age, industries and data types they accept, so you don't waste introductions. |
| 8 | Company experience | Free to check, no upfront fees, your fee not deducted from the company's payment. |
| 9 | Privacy handling | A clear process for de-identification and contracts. Your clients' trust depends on it. |
| 10 | Disclosure rules | The program expects (or at least allows) you to tell companies you may be paid. |
| 11 | Conflicts | Rules on referring your own clients or companies you own, and any professional-ethics limits. |
| 12 | Tax paperwork | Whether they collect a W-9 and issue 1099s (US), so you can plan. |
What is a fair AI data referral commission?
There's no industry standard, so compare structures, not just numbers. For reference, the program featured on this site publishes: greater of $50K or 6% for US-HQ companies on the first five Qualified Deals; 6% with no minimum outside the US; final written terms apply. That's a fee schedule, not a guarantee of income. Fees are paid only on closed Qualified Deals, and most people earn little or nothing. See How to Make Money as an AI Data Licensing Broker for how the math works and why to be conservative.
When is a referral fee paid?
Only when the written terms say so. Some programs pay after the referred company signs; others after the company has been paid. Deals take time, and many don't close at all. Ask for the trigger and the typical timeline in writing, and don't plan around money you haven't received.
Do I need to disclose that I'm paid for referrals?
You should. The FTC's Endorsement Guides say that when there's a connection between an endorser and a seller that the audience wouldn't expect, such as being paid, it should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously (FTC guidance; 16 CFR 255.5). The FTC also notes that the label "affiliate link" alone may not be clear enough. A simple sentence like "I may be paid a referral fee if your company licenses data through this program" works. If you're an accountant, lawyer or other licensed professional, check your own ethics rules too.
What about taxes on referral fees?
In the US, programs commonly ask payees for a Form W-9 (IRS), and payments for nonemployee services may be reported on Form 1099-NEC (IRS). This is general information, not tax advice. Talk to a tax professional.
Red flags when comparing programs
- You're asked to pay to join, buy training or "unlock" higher fees.
- Income claims, screenshots of payouts or guaranteed earnings.
- No written terms, or terms that change without notice.
- The referred company is charged upfront or has your fee taken out of its payment.
- Vague answers on privacy. The FTC has warned AI companies to keep their privacy and confidentiality commitments (FTC), and a program that's careless here puts your reputation at risk.
- Pressure to send client data yourself. You should be making introductions, not moving data.
Which program fits my network?
Match the program's company criteria to the people you already know. Accountants and advisors, business brokers and IT providers each have a natural fit. Start with the partner guides: accountants and advisors, business brokers and exit planners, and IT providers and MSPs. The affiliate overview explains the featured program's terms, and the industry guides show which companies tend to qualify.
Ready to start?
Pick the door that fits you. Referral partners: start with the left one.
Earn referral fees.
greater of $50K or 6% for US-HQ companies on the first five Qualified Deals; 6% with no minimum outside the US; final written terms apply. Free to join.
Become an affiliatePaid only on closed Qualified Deals. Not a guarantee.How affiliates earn →Get paid for your data.
The program pays $100K–$5M for a license to a company's operating records. Free to check, and no broker fee.
Get paid for your dataAny amount is set by the program's review. Not a guarantee.See the company overview →
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Save this to PinterestFAQ
How do I compare AI data referral programs?
Compare the full written terms: deal definition, fee formula, caps and minimums, payout timing, attribution, company criteria, disclosure rules and tax paperwork.
What is a typical AI data referral commission?
There is no standard. The program featured here publishes greater of $50K or 6% for US-HQ companies on the first five Qualified Deals and 6% with no minimum outside the US. That is not a guarantee of income.
Do I have to tell companies I get paid?
You should. FTC guidance says material connections such as payment should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously.
Should I pay to join a referral program?
No. Treat any upfront fee to join or unlock commissions as a red flag.
Will I definitely earn money?
No. Fees are paid only on closed deals, many introductions do not close, and most people earn little or nothing.
Sources
- FTC: FTC's Endorsement Guides, What People Are Asking
- eCFR: 16 CFR 255.5, Disclosure of material connections
- IRS: About Form W-9
- IRS: About Form 1099-NEC
- FTC Office of Technology: AI Companies, Uphold Your Privacy and Confidentiality Commitments (Jan 9, 2024)
- Program fee and range figures: the program's published terms, as summarized on our company and affiliate pages. Final written terms apply.
Keep reading
- Is It Safe to License Company Data to AI? Risks and Safeguards
- What Is Your Company Data Worth to AI? Factors That Set the Price
- What Is AI Data Licensing? A Plain-English Guide
- How to Sell Your Data to AI Companies (Safely)
- What Is an AI Data Broker? How the Role Really Works
- How to Get Into AI Data Licensing (No Experience Needed)
- How to Make Money as an AI Data Licensing Broker
- AI data licensing: the full overview for companies and brokers