Are you struggling to keep your affiliates motivated and your affiliate program growing?
Many businesses face challenges in maintaining a balanced and engaging affiliate network.
Their affiliates often become discouraged when they can’t recruit effectively or see tangible benefits from their efforts.
But, a forced matrix compensation plan could solve these common problems.
In this guide, we’ll explain a Forced Matrix Compensation Plan and how to set it up in your WordPress affiliate program.
What Is Forced Matrix Compensation In a Multi-Tier Affiliate Program
A Forced Matrix compensation plan in a multi-tier affiliate program is a way to organize your affiliate program that puts limits on how many people each affiliate can directly recruit and how many levels deep the network can grow.
The main benefit of this system is that it encourages teamwork.
Since your affiliates can only have a limited number of direct recruits, they’re motivated to help their existing team members grow their networks.
This way, everyone in the network has a better chance of success, not just the top recruiters.
For example, in a 2×2 Forced Matrix, each affiliate can only have two direct recruits (width), and the network extends two levels deep (depth).
If an affiliate recruits a third person, that recruit “spills over” to the next available position in the downline, filling the matrix from left to right and top to bottom.

This ensures that even newer or less active affiliates have the opportunity to build their downline and earn commissions.
Benefits of Forced Matrix Compensation Plan
The Forced Matrix compensation plan offers several key advantages for affiliate programs.
First, limiting direct recruits prevents a few top affiliates from dominating the program.
Secondly, with limited direct recruitment slots, affiliates are always encouraged to help their team members succeed.
The fixed structure also makes it easier to predict and manage commission payouts. Like in a 3×5 matrix, you know exactly how many affiliates can be at each level, simplifying financial planning.
Additionally, when affiliates recruit beyond their matrix limits, recruits “spill over” to other team members.
This can motivate less active affiliates, as they might gain team members without direct recruitment, encouraging them to become more engaged in the program.
How To Add a Forced Matrix Compensation Plan to Your Affiliate Program
Setting up a forced matrix plan in your multi-tier affiliate program is really simple.
All you need is AffiliateWP, which is the best affiliate management WordPress plugin, and you’re all set.
Just follow the below steps and recruit the best affiliates in minutes:
Step 1: Install AffiliateWP

AffiliateWP is the top choice for managing WordPress affiliate programs.
It’s designed to make setting up and running your multi-tier affiliate program straightforward, even if you’re not tech-savvy. To get started, visit our pricing page and select the Pro plan.
This feature is essential for implementing a Forced Matrix Compensation Plan.
Now, install the plugin simply by navigating to the Plugins tab in your WordPress dashboard.
If you need help during the installation, we have a detailed step-by-step guide to walk you through the process.
Once installed, you’ll be ready to set up your Forced Matrix Compensation Plan and start growing your affiliate network.
Step 2: Complete the Setup Wizard
After installing AffiliateWP, you’ll be guided through the initial configuration using a user-friendly setup wizard.
To begin, you’ll need to enter your license key, which you can find in your AffiliateWP account.

Once you’ve entered the key, click Continue to move forward.
The wizard will then ask you to select the integration that matches your business model.

Simply check the box next to the appropriate option and click Continue.
Next, you’ll set up your affiliate payout settings. AffiliateWP offers several options: their direct payout service, PayPal Payouts, or manual payouts.

Choose the one that best fits your business needs.
The wizard will then prompt you to define your commission structure.

Don’t worry too much about getting this perfect now. You can adjust these settings later.
After entering all the required information, click Finish and Exit Wizard.

Step 3: Enable Multi-Tier Commission
Enabling Multi-Tier Commissions in AffiliateWP is crucial for setting up your Forced Matrix Compensation Plan.
This feature allows you to create the multi-level structure needed for your matrix.
Look for AffiliateWP in your WordPress dashboard. Click on it, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Now, click on the Commissions and scroll down the page to access Multi-Tier Commissions settings.
Click the Enable Multi-Tier Commissions for all affiliates checkbox to turn on the Multi-Tier Commissions feature for your entire affiliate program.

Step 4: Choose the Forced Matrix Compensation Plan
Now that you’ve enabled Multi-Tier Commissions, it’s time to set up your Forced Matrix structure.
Once you enable Multi-Tier Commissions, a new Compensation Plan option will be displayed. From it, choose the Forced Matrix option.

After choosing Forced Matrix, two new options will appear: Width and Depth.
- Width: This is the maximum number of direct affiliates each person in your program can have. For example, if you set the width to 3, each affiliate can only directly recruit three people.
- Depth: This determines how many levels deep your matrix can go. If you set the depth to 4, your network will have four tiers of affiliates.
Consider your business goals when setting the width and depth of your forced matrix.
Remember, these settings create a Spillover effect.
If an affiliate recruits more people than their direct spots allow, they will be placed under other team members. This helps spread the growth throughout your network.
After setting your desired width and depth, don’t forget to save your changes.
Your Forced Matrix Compensation Plan is now set up and ready to go!
Step 5: Affiliates Gain Access to Network Tab
After setting up your Forced Matrix Compensation Plan, your affiliates will see a new Network tab in their Affiliate Area or Affiliate Portal.

This page equips them with tools to visualize and analyze their growing network’s performance effectively.

This section displays a visual map of an affiliate’s network.
By hovering over any affiliate, affiliates can see detailed performance metrics like visits, total referrals, conversion rates, and more.
Get Ready to Supercharge Your Affiliate Program
It’s time to transform your affiliate marketing strategy with AffiliateWP’s Forced Matrix Compensation Plan.
By implementing this structured approach, you’ll create a balanced and motivated affiliate network that drives sustainable growth for your business.
We have more resources to guide you on this journey:
- How To Set Up Flat Rate Commissions in Multi-Tier Affiliate Program
- How To Setup a Multi-Tier Affiliate Program in WordPress (Guide)
- How To Set Different Commission Rates for Affiliates in WordPress
- 14 Best Strategies To Recruit High-Performing Affiliates (Guide)
Ready to create a thriving, collaborative affiliate network?
Get AffiliateWP now and start building your Forced Matrix!