If you want to earn referral fees by introducing companies to AI data licensing, two kinds of programs come up most: micro1's company data referral program and the company-referral data licensing program we feature on this site. Both pay people for introducing companies that license their operational data. This comparison uses each program's published terms so you can decide which path fits you, or whether to learn both.
Quick comparison
| micro1 (as published) | The program we feature | |
|---|---|---|
| Referral fee | Enterprise: $50,000 for deals up to $700K, then 7.5%. Defunct companies: $75,000 up to $1M, then 7.5%. Other: 7.5% | US-HQ: greater of $50,000 or 6% for the first five Qualified Deals. Outside the US: 6%, no minimum |
| Published company range | $100K–$2M+ for approved data packages | $100K–$5M for a license to operating records |
| Stated company criteria | 30+ employees, English data, US then Western markets | Set by the program's review and current criteria |
| When fees are paid | After data is transferred and approved, then payout approval | On closed Qualified Deals, under final written terms |
| Cost to join | Registration at refer.micro1.ai | Free to join |
| Company cost to check | Company applies through your link | Free to check, no broker fee |
Sources: micro1's company referral page and micro1's Referral Program Terms. The featured program's terms are as published by the program; its final written terms apply.
What the two programs have in common
- Same basic idea. Companies license a copy of operational records, such as communications, documents and CRM history, to support AI development. If that's new to you, start with What Is AI Data Licensing?
- Brokers introduce; programs close. In both, the referrer doesn't handle data or negotiate. The program reviews, contracts and pays.
- No guarantees. Both pay only when a deal completes under their terms. Many introductions never pay.
- Attribution through your link. Use the right link, or the referral may not count.
Where they differ
Fee structure
micro1 publishes fixed bonuses up to a deal-size threshold, then 7.5% above it. The program we feature uses a percentage (6%) with a $50,000 minimum for US-headquartered companies on your first five Qualified Deals, and 6% with no minimum outside the US. Which pays more depends on the deal size, the company's location and how many deals you've closed. Work through the math yourself with each program's live terms; we don't project earnings.
Company fit
micro1 states specific criteria: 30+ full-time employees, primarily English data, US first then other Western markets, plus a separate track for companies that no longer operate. The program we feature evaluates each company's operating history, including years, volume, how connected the records are and how distinctive the work is. A company that doesn't fit one may still fit the other.
Payment timing and discretion
micro1 says bonuses enter payout approval only after the company's data is transferred and approved, and its terms reserve broad discretion to verify, withhold, hold back or claw back payouts. The program we feature pays on closed Qualified Deals under its final written terms. In either case, read the full terms before you invest time.
Published company range
micro1 lists $100K–$2M+ for approved data packages. The program we feature publishes $100K–$5M. Both are ranges, not offers. Any figure depends on review.
Which path fits you?
micro1 may fit if...
- Your network includes English-speaking companies with 30+ employees in the US or Western markets.
- You know founders or investors connected to companies that have shut down.
- You're comfortable with payment after data approval and discretionary payout terms.
The program we feature may fit if...
- You know owners and executives at established US-headquartered companies and value a stated minimum on early deals.
- You want to send companies to a free check with no broker fee charged to them.
- You also know companies outside the US (6%, no minimum).
Learning both
Some brokers learn more than one program and point each company to the best fit. If you do, be transparent with companies, follow each program's consent and attribution rules, and never refer the same company twice or misrepresent yourself as either program's employee. micro1's rules, for example, forbid using its email domain or posing as staff.
How to evaluate any AI data licensing referral program
Whether you look at micro1, the program we feature or a new one that launches next month, the same questions separate a solid program from a risky one:
- Are the terms published? A real program puts its referral fee formula, eligibility rules and payout conditions in writing, on a page you can link to.
- Who pays the company, and who pays you? The company should be paid by the data buyer under a contract. Your fee should come from the program, never from the company you introduced.
- When exactly does a referral count? Look for the precise trigger: a signed contract, a data transfer, an approval or a payment received.
- What discretion does the program keep? Holdbacks, clawbacks and verification rights are common. Know them before you start.
- How is the data protected? Companies will ask about privacy, de-identification and contracts. Programs that answer clearly are easier to refer to.
A simple workflow that works with either program
- List 20 companies you genuinely know, with a decision-maker you can reach.
- Check each company against the stated criteria of each program.
- Ask permission to make an introduction, and disclose that you may earn a fee.
- Send the one correct company link and let the company apply itself.
- Keep a simple log of who you referred, where and when, so attribution questions are easy to answer.
- Follow up politely, but leave the review and negotiation to the program.
New to brokering? Our guide to selling company data to AI companies explains what companies will ask you, in plain language.
Mistakes to avoid with either program
- Promising money. Never quote a company a payout before review.
- Skipping consent. Get permission from an authorized person before referring a company. micro1's terms require it explicitly.
- Sharing the wrong link. Company links and partner links are different.
- Trusting screenshots. Published amounts change. micro1's launch post said "up to $25,000"; its page now says $50,000+.
For a deeper look at the broker role, read What Is an AI Data Broker? and How to Make Money as an AI Data Licensing Broker. For a full review of micro1 alone, see our honest micro1 review.
The bottom line
Here is the short version for anyone searching "micro1 vs" before choosing a referral program.
micro1 and the program we feature both pay referral fees for company data licensing deals, both rely on the program's review, and neither guarantees anything. They differ in fee formulas, stated company criteria and payment timing. Pick based on the companies you actually know, read each program's live terms, and keep your outreach honest.
Ready to start?
Pick the door that fits you.
Earn referral fees.
US-headquartered companies: the greater of $50,000 or 6% for the first five Qualified Deals. Companies headquartered outside the US: 6%, no minimum. The program's final written terms apply. Free to join.
Become an affiliatePaid only on closed Qualified Deals. Not a guarantee.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.
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Save this to PinterestFAQ
Is micro1 or the featured program better for AI data licensing brokers?
Neither is better for everyone. It depends on the companies you know, their size, language and location, and the deal size. Compare each program's live terms.
How does micro1's referral fee compare?
micro1 publishes $50,000 for enterprise deals up to $700,000, then 7.5%. The featured program pays US-headquartered companies the greater of $50,000 or 6% for the first five Qualified Deals, and 6% with no minimum outside the US.
Can I refer companies to both programs?
Each company should go to one program through the right link, with its consent. Follow each program's attribution and conduct rules.
Are referral fees guaranteed in either program?
No. Both pay only on completed deals under their terms. Many introductions never pay.
Is this site affiliated with micro1?
No. We earn referral fees from the featured program and describe micro1 using its public pages.
Keep reading
- micro1 AI Data Licensing: How People Make Money With It (Honest Review)
- What Is an AI Data Broker? How the Role Really Works
- How to Sell Your Data to AI Companies (Safely)
- What Is AI Data Licensing? A Plain-English Guide
- 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