# 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.
***
## 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.
***
## **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**
***
## **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.
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.bixgrow.com/affiliate-program/special-commission-rules/lifetime-commission.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
