# Commissions - Setup & Overview

The [Commissions](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/extension/commissions/) extension allows you to automatically record and track commissions for download sales. A commission is a percentage of the total product price or flat rate that is paid out to a specified user. This extension allows you to create a marketplace type system that allows you to give authors a certain percentage of each sale.

The Commissions extension is often paired with [Frontend Submissions](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/downloads/frontend-submissions/), but this is NOT required. Commissions can be paid to any WordPress user at either a flat rate or a percentage of the sale.

Setup
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Once Commissions is [activated](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/how-do-i-install-an-extension/), settings will exist in two places:

##### EDD Settings:

***Downloads → Settings → Extensions → Commissions***

##### Product Settings: 

***Downloads → All Downloads → Edit → Commissions***

### Setup Steps:

#### 1. Configure sitewide settings 

Navigate to: ***Downloads → Settings → Extensions → Commissions***

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/6184ce18e0083.png)**Default rate**: Default commission rate for products with commissions enabled. See [Configuring Vendor Rates](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/commissions-configuring-vendor-rates/) for details.

**Calculation Base**: Set how the commissions are calculated. See [Configuring Vendor Rates](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/commissions-configuring-vendor-rates/) for details.

**Allow $0.00 commissions**: By default, EDD records commissions even if the value of the commission is $0.00. While this may be useful for tracking purposes in some situations, some users may find it confusing. If you prefer not to see $0.00 commissions, disable them here.

**Revoke on Refund:** Automatically revoke any unpaid commissions when a payment is refunded.

**Recurring Payments Commissions:** When using Recurring Payments, this option will record commissions for subscription renewal payments.

#### 2. Configure commissions on each individual product

 Navigate to: ***Downloads → All Downloads → Edit → Commissions***

Each product needs commissions enabled as well as one or more vendors added to the product's commission settings. See [Configuring Vendor Rates](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/commissions-configuring-vendor-rates/) for details on these settings.

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/6184ce195bcbd.png)#### 3. Email Notifications

By default, vendors will be notified via email for each sale of a product they are receiving a commission on. This can be disabled or customized under ***Downloads > Emails***. See the [email settings](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/email-setup-and-configuration/#edit) for details on editing emails.

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/commissions-emails.png)It's recommended only one email is enabled, not both. Have both enabled will cause duplicate emails.

**Commission Earned:** Sends email on a per-commission basis

**Commission Earned on Order**: Sends all commissions earned in a single email. This prevents duplicate emails if someone earns multiple commissions from a single order.

Default Email:

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/6184ce1a1ccfb.png)#### 4. Export and pay vendors

On a regular basis (monthly is suggested), export your commissions report and pay your users. See [Exporting and Paying](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/commissions-payouts/) vendors for details on this process.

##### (Optional) Vendor Commissions Page

The `[edd_commissions]` shortcode can be used to allow vendors to view commissions and export their commission data. See [Vendor Commissions Page](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/commissions-reports/) for details.