> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wandreferrals.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wandreferrals.com/affiliates/approval-workflow.md).

# Approve or reject affiliates

## What it does

New affiliates register through your registration page and (by default) arrive as **Pending**. Approving an affiliate makes them **Active** — able to earn, get a discount code, and use their portal.

## Manual approval

1. Open **Affiliates** and filter to **Pending** (or open an affiliate's detail page).
2. Review their details, then **Activate** to approve or **Reject** to decline.
3. On approval, a discount code is auto-generated (if missing) and synced to Shopify, and an `affiliate.approved` notification fires. Rejection fires `affiliate.rejected`.

## Auto-approval

To skip manual review, turn on **Auto approved affiliate** in the program. New registrants in that program are then set to **Active** automatically on signup. On the **Add affiliates** page you'll see the program's default reflected as "Program default (Active)" or "Program default (Pending)".

## Commission approval vs affiliate approval

These are separate:

* **Affiliate approval** — whether the *person* can participate (this page).
* **Commission approval** — whether an *order commission* becomes payable. Controlled by the program's **auto-approve order** toggle and the **approval delay (hold period)**. See [Hold period & keeping a commission](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/reversals/hold-period-and-keep-commission/README.md).

## Reactivation requests

If someone re-registers with an email that matches an existing **Pending**, **Rejected**, or archived affiliate, the system requires identity verification before recording a **reactivation request** and emailing you. The affiliate's detail page shows a "Reactivation requested" banner; clear it once you've reviewed. Identity verification does not approve or restore the account. In particular, an archived affiliate remains in the Archive and its retention window continues until you explicitly restore it.

## Related

* [Managing affiliates](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/affiliates/managing-affiliates/README.md)
* [Registration forms](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/affiliates/registration-forms/README.md)
* [Recruiting affiliates](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/affiliates/recruiting-affiliates/README.md)
* [Hold period & keeping a commission](https://github.com/wand-referrals-app/wand-referrals/tree/codex/gitbook-docs-foundation/docs/manual/reversals/hold-period-and-keep-commission/README.md)