Circle Affiliate Program: Integration Guide

5 min read

Know what must work before you launch

Choose Circle’s native paywall program or verify a separate Stripe checkout path

Best fit: Teams evaluating AffiliateBase for a Circle affiliate workflow.
Checkout handoff: The checkout path must receive the generated AffiliateBase referral ID.
Proof required: Complete one referred checkout and confirm the attributed sale and commission.

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Follow the attribution evidence

Illustrative scenario · fictional values

Referred visit

?via=partner

AffiliateBase captures the visit and generates a referral record.
Checkout handoff

referral ID

The checkout must carry the generated identifier into Stripe.
Paid event

$99 paid

A supported Stripe event confirms the attributed payment.
Commission

$19.80 due

An eligible attributed sale creates the commission record.
Payout prep

Payout ready

Review the commission and prepare the next step with your payout provider.

This guide is for community owners running a program for their own members. If you want to earn commissions by referring customers to Circle itself, use Circle's company affiliate program.

Circle now documents a built-in affiliate program for eligible paywalls, including commission rules, affiliate links, and payouts. That is the direct path for Circle-hosted checkout. Use Circle’s official setup guide for that workflow.

Use AffiliateBase only when you control a separate landing page and supported Stripe checkout that receives AffiliateBase’s generated referral ID. Do not assume a native Circle paywall is compatible merely because Circle uses Stripe. Follow the Stripe guide and verification checklist.

Follow these steps to integrate AffiliateBase with Circle:

Add the Tracking Script

Add the AffiliateBase tracking script to your Circle community. Go to your Circle admin, then **Settings > Custom Code** and paste this script. Use the pinned jsDelivr tracking URL for the latest published AffiliateBase release.

html

<script async src="https://app.affiliatebase.io/track.js" data-account-id="YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID"></script>

Use Stripe Payment Links or Buttons (If Using)

If you use Stripe Payment Links or Buy Buttons on your community landing page, add the tracking script on the same page so AffiliateBase can pass the generated referral ID.

html

<!-- Keep Stripe checkout elements on the same page as the AffiliateBase script. -->
<a href="https://buy.stripe.com/xxxxx">Buy now</a>

<stripe-pricing-table
  pricing-table-id="prctbl_xxx"
  publishable-key="pk_live_xxx"
></stripe-pricing-table>

<!-- For custom or redirected Stripe-hosted links, opt in explicitly. -->
<a data-affiliatebase href="https://link.payment/xxxxx">Buy now</a>

Connect Your Stripe Account

Pass the generated referral ID as client_reference_id to Stripe for accurate conversion tracking. Do not use the public ?via token. Connect the Stripe account that receives the compatible external checkout. Webhook processing alone is not attribution; the payment must match a generated referral ID, coupon, or known referred customer.

Test Your Integration

Visit your Circle community landing page with a test affiliate link and verify tracking is working.

javascript

// Visit your site with a test affiliate link:
// Open the exact setup-test link shown in AffiliateBase.

// Open browser console and check:
console.log(window.AffiliateBase?.referral); // Should show a generated referral ID

Why Use AffiliateBase with Circle?

Use AffiliateBase only for a separate checkout path that can be tested end to end.

Simple Script Installation

Capture referrals on a page where Circle permits the account-specific script to load.

Stripe Integration

Process supported Stripe events after the checkout has received the generated referral ID.

Subscription Lifecycle Tracking

Tracks subscription renewals, upgrades, and downgrades. Affiliates receive commissions for recurring revenue.

Multiple Membership Tiers

Support for different commission rates based on membership tier or plan.

Affiliate Dashboard

Give your affiliates a professional dashboard to track their performance and generate links.

Real-Time Tracking

Track conversions in real-time as members join or upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AffiliateBase work with Circle?

Circle has a built-in affiliate program for eligible paywalls. AffiliateBase requires a separate supported Stripe path and is not claimed here as a native Circle paywall integration.

How are membership sign-ups tracked?

AffiliateBase captures the click, but attribution requires the generated referral ID to reach the completed Stripe checkout. Verify the resulting sale and commission.

Can I track subscription renewals?

Yes! AffiliateBase tracks subscription renewals through Stripe webhooks. Affiliates receive commissions for renewals.

What tracking parameters does AffiliateBase support?

AffiliateBase automatically detects ?via= URL parameters by default. You can add custom token keys with data-affiliatebase-params.

Do affiliates get their own dashboard?

Yes! Affiliates get access to a professional dashboard where they can view conversions, commissions, and generate affiliate links.

Related Platform Guides

Add an Affiliate Program to Next.js

Install affiliate tracking in Next.js, hand the generated referral ID to a server-created Stripe Checkout Session, and verify attribution.

Add an Affiliate Program to Nuxt

Load affiliate tracking in Nuxt, pass the generated referral ID to a server route, and verify a Stripe sale and commission.

Create an Affiliate Program with WordPress

Install AffiliateBase on WordPress, choose a supported Stripe checkout, and verify referral attribution without assuming WooCommerce or plugin compatibility.

Create an Affiliate Program with Webflow

Add affiliate tracking to a published Webflow site, pair it with a supported Stripe checkout, and verify referral attribution before launch.

Add Affiliate Tracking to a React Checkout

Capture affiliate referrals in a React app, send the generated referral ID to your checkout backend, and verify Stripe attribution.

Ready to Launch Your Circle Affiliate Program?

Get started with AffiliateBase today and start growing your Circle community through affiliate marketing.

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