# Lifetime commission
## 1. How to enable Lifetime commission
To set up a **Lifetime commission** for your program, you must first go to **Program** > **Edit** > **Lifetime commission**.
Once **Lifetime commission** is enabled, all existing links between affiliates and customers in the **Conversions** > **Customers** tab will become lifetime links. In this example, affiliate Lilly Howe brought customer James to your store. Since you set up **Lifetime commission**, all subsequent orders from James regardless of the affiliate links he uses will be credited to Lilly.
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## 2. Lifetime duration
Next, you can also decide on **Lifetime duration** - if it's valid forever, or for a limited time only.
In this example, **Lifetime commission** is limited to 60 days, which means the links between affiliates and their customers will expire after 60 days. These customers will have to use affiliate links/coupons in order for affiliates to be credited for commissions again.
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## **3. Lifetime commission amount**
The Lifetime commission amount is the commission amount given to affiliates for subsequent orders. By default, it is the default commission. You can apply another commission amount by using [**Advanced commission**](https://docs.bixgrow.com/affiliate-program/special-commission-rules/advanced-commission-rules).
Go to **Program > Edit > Find Advance commission section > Add rule**
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## **4. Manually link/unlink an affiliate with a customer**
You can link an affiliate with a customer to create a **Lifetime commission** link between them even before the customer places the first order. To do so, you must first go to the **Conversions** tab > **Customers** and then click this **Link customer** button.
Now select the affiliate and search for/add the customer you want to link. Finally, click **Save**.
To manually unlink the affiliate and the customer, simply click this **Delete** button.
## FAQ
**Q**: How is **Lifetime commission** different from **Cookie**?
**A**: **Lifetime commission** has an override ability while **Cookie** doesn't.
#### Example
During a **Lifetime commission duration**, no affiliate link/coupon usage can replace it at all. If customer A is linked to affiliate B with an in-effect **Lifetime commission**, no matter if A places an order using affiliate C's link, or affiliate D's coupon - all orders will still be credited to B. This only stops once the **Lifetime commission** expires. While during a **Cookie duration**, any affiliate link/coupon usage can replace it even though the **Cookie** is still active. If customer A uses affiliate B's link first but then places an order using affiliate C's link, or affiliate D's coupon - these orders will be credited to C and D respectively.
