An MLM matrix plan decides how your affiliate network grows: how many affiliates each member can recruit directly and where new recruits are placed. Ultimate Affiliate Pro supports three structures: The Unilevel Plan, The Force Matrix Plan and Binary Plan.
You choose the structure in the Multi-Level Marketing module. The structure changes who becomes whose parent; the commissions per level work the same way in all three. To set up the module and the rates, read Set up an MLM affiliate program.
Before you start
- The Multi-Level Marketing module turned on in Ultimate Affiliate Pro›Modules.
- An idea of how many levels you want to pay. Matrix Depth (Levels) applies to every structure.
The three structures #
The Unilevel Plan
- Direct recruits
- Unlimited
- New recruit goes
- Under the affiliate who referred them
- Network shape
- Wide and shallow
- Good for
- Simple programs where every affiliate earns on everyone they bring
The Force Matrix Plan
- Direct recruits
- Up to Children Limit
- New recruit goes
- Under the referrer, or in the first free spot below them
- Network shape
- Fixed width, filled level by level
- Good for
- Programs that reward team building, where uplines fill the spots of their downline
Binary Plan
- Direct recruits
- 2
- New recruit goes
- Under the referrer, or in the first free spot below them
- Network shape
- Two legs per affiliate
- Good for
- Programs built on two teams per affiliate
How new affiliates are placed #
When someone registers as an affiliate after opening an affiliate’s link, that affiliate is the referrer. Ultimate Affiliate Pro then places the new affiliate:
Always directly under the referrer, however many direct recruits the referrer already has.
Directly under the referrer while they have free spots. When the referrer is full, the new affiliate goes to the first free spot in the referrer’s downline: Ultimate Affiliate Pro checks level 1 first, then level 2, and so on, up to Matrix Depth (Levels). This is often called spillover.
- New recruit
- Ava registers through Emma’s link
- Emma
- Full: 2 of 2 spots taken
- Level 1 checked
- Liam has a free spot
- Result
- Ava is placed under Liam. Emma still earns on Ava’s sales, as level 2
Important
If every spot is taken down to the Matrix Depth (Levels), the new affiliate joins without a parent. Raise the Children Limit or the depth, or assign a parent by hand, as described in Assign or change an MLM parent.
Choose a structure #
Go to Ultimate Affiliate Pro›Modules, open Multi-Level Marketing and pick one in MLM Matrix Type. For The Force Matrix Plan, set Children Limit; for Binary Plan it is set to 2. Set Matrix Depth (Levels) and click Save Changes.
The structure applies to affiliates who join from now on. Existing parent and child links stay as they are.
See the network #
To check how your network is growing, go to the Search MLM Relations box below Save Changes in the Multi-Level Marketing module, type an affiliate’s username and click Search. You can also choose MLM Matrix in the affiliate’s actions menu, in Ultimate Affiliate Pro›Affiliates.
The affiliate you searched for. When they have a parent, it is shown above them in the tree as Upline (sponsor).
Changes the direction of the Network Tree. Click a node to collapse its branch, drag to move around and scroll to zoom. Each sub-affiliate shows their level, with a green badge for the rewards they generate for the viewed affiliate.
Below the tree, Sub-affiliates breakdown lists every member of the downline with their level and amount.
Test it #
- Set The Force Matrix Plan with Children Limit 1 and Matrix Depth 3.
- Open a test affiliate’s link in a private window and register a new affiliate. Repeat with a second new affiliate.
- Search the test affiliate in Search MLM Relations: the first new affiliate is level 1, the second is placed under the first, at level 2.
Frequently asked questions #
Which structure should I choose?
Start with The Unilevel Plan if you want a simple rule: every affiliate earns on everyone they recruit. Choose The Force Matrix Plan or Binary Plan if you want uplines to help fill their downline, since recruits spill over to the next free spot.
Can I change the structure later?
Yes. The new structure applies to affiliates who join after the change. Existing relations stay as they are; you can edit them from each affiliate’s profile.
Does the structure change the commission rates?
No. Rates depend on the level, the Default Amount and the rank of the affiliate who earns, whatever the structure.
How deep should the network be?
Most programs pay 2 or 3 levels. Every extra level adds a commission to each sale, so keep the total of all levels within your margin.
