> AffiliateOS Help Center. Index of every article for AI tools: https://www.affiliateos.ai/help/llms.txt

# Multi-step offers: which steps pay

Offers and the feed · For publishers · Updated 30 October 2026
Web version: https://www.affiliateos.ai/help/offers/multi-step-offers

Each step in an offer's `goals` carries what it pays you, in `effectivePayoutUsd`. You earn a step's payout when the advertiser's tracking confirms it and we match it to your user's tap. Every step on the list sends its own [postback](https://www.affiliateos.ai/glossary#postback) when it completes, including steps that pay you $0, so you can keep crediting the player.

## Four ways an offer pays

The **Offers** page names each offer's shape in its **How it pays** column, using the same words:

| On the Offers page | What pays you | What the other steps do |
|---|---|---|
| Paid once, on the install | The install step, once | Post back with `payout=0` and the player's reward |
| Paid once, after install + one action | One step that asks for the install and one more thing, such as a first cash-out | Post back with `payout=0` and the player's reward |
| Paid once, on one action | One step, such as a sign-up or a free trial | Usually none |
| Paid on each of N events | Each listed event, at its own amount | Steps listed at $0, such as the install, still post back |

For the last kind, the row shows **Up to** the total and the first step that pays you (**first event**).

## Example: two ways a game can pay

Harbor Blocks, paid at install:

| Step | Pays Pebble Rewards | Player's reward |
|---|---|---|
| Install | $4.20 | $1.50 |
| Finish the tutorial | $0.00 | $0.50 |
| Reach level 10 | $0.00 | $1.50 |
| Reach level 40 | $0.00 | $6.00 |

Tidewater Putt, paid per event:

| Step | Pays Pebble Rewards | Player's reward |
|---|---|---|
| Install | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Finish chapter 1 | $0.60 | $0.30 |
| Reach level 25 | $1.50 | $0.75 |
| Buy starter pack | $4.00 | $2.00 |

Example. Listings, steps and amounts are made up; every player reward here was set by the advertiser.

Pebble Rewards earns $4.20 from Harbor Blocks the moment the install is confirmed, and nothing after. From Tidewater Putt it earns each step's amount as each one is confirmed, $6.10 in all if the player gets as far as the starter pack.

## When a step counts

- **When it's confirmed.** The advertiser's tracking reports the step, we match it to the tap and the postback goes out. A later step can arrive days or weeks after the tap.
- **Within the step's time limit.** `maximumCompletionTimeDays` is how long the user has to finish that step, counted from the click or the install. A step finished after it may never be reported. `null` means no limit was given.
- **One postback per step.** Each carries its own `action_id`, the step's `goal_id` and `conversion_name`, and `is_offer_complete=true` on the final step.
- **Streaks.** A step with `streakDays` needs that many days of play in a row.

## Player rewards on each step

`userRewardUsd` is the player's reward for a step, and the postback carries it as `user_payout`. Credit that number; don't work it out again.

- `userRewardIsAdvertiserSet: true`: the reward is fixed for that step. Show and credit it as is, even when it is `0`.
- `userRewardIsAdvertiserSet: false`: it's our suggestion, a share of what the step pays you. Change the share under **My Profile**, **API user reward**. Install steps stay at $0 in the suggestion: what an install pays you is yours.

## Accounts paid per step

If your account is set up to be paid per step instead of at install, the offer list already shows it: the install step reads $0.00, every later step carries your payout and each step's player reward equals what it pays you. The **Offers** page then has no **Install only** switch and no **Sort: Install payout**.

## Edge cases

- **A step can be taken back.** A [reversal](https://www.affiliateos.ai/glossary#reversal) repeats the step's `action_id` with `status=reversed`. Dedupe on `action_id` and `status` together.
- **Steps can arrive after an offer leaves the list.** Players who already started keep going, and their steps still post back. Store `offer_name`, `conversion_name` and `goal_id` from each postback: the offer may no longer be in the feed to look up.
- **A step can be removed from an offer** after some players passed it. It can still post back for them, and it won't be in `goals` any more.
- **Event postback rules match on `name`.** If you send later steps to their own postback URL, the rule's event name must equal the step's `name` exactly, not its `label`. Keep a postback for conversions too, or installs stop reaching you.

> **Install-paid games pay you once, at install.** Their later steps reward the player, not you. Through the Offer API or a link those steps post back with `payout=0` and `user_payout` set to the player's reward; on the Hosted Offerwall, `revenue=0` and `payout` is the player's reward.