Affiliate scrubbing/shaving is a practice used by some affiliate programs or networks to reduce the amount of commissions paid to their affiliates. It involves the removal or adjustment of commissions for leads or sales that are deemed to be invalid or fraudulent.

Scrubbing is the process of removing commissions for leads or sales that are considered invalid or of poor quality. For example, if a lead or sale is flagged as fraudulent, the commission for that lead or sale may be removed from the affiliate’s earnings.

Shaving is the process of reducing the commission paid to an affiliate, even for valid leads or sales. This can be done by adjusting the commission rate, reducing the commission for certain products or services, or imposing fees on affiliates that reduce their earnings.

While affiliate scrubbing/shaving is not illegal, it is considered unethical by many affiliates. It can also damage the trust between affiliates and affiliate programs or networks, leading to a decrease in affiliate participation and earnings.

To avoid affiliate scrubbing/shaving, it is important for affiliates to choose reputable and trustworthy affiliate programs or networks that have a track record of fair and transparent commission practices. It is also important to carefully monitor their earnings and report any suspicious activity to the affiliate program or network.