Disclosure: I’m an independent HighLevel affiliate, not a HighLevel employee. I earn a commission if you sign up or join the affiliate program through my links, at no extra cost to you. The opinions here are my own, not HighLevel’s.
Most people join the HighLevel affiliate program for the 40%. A few months later they open the portal, see a tab called Sub-Affiliates and wonder whether they’ve been missing half the program.
You haven’t, but the second tier is worth understanding. It’s how agency owners earn a little on the growth of the agencies they bring in, and it’s why some affiliates promote the affiliate program itself, not just the software.
How the two tiers fit together
HighLevel’s help center describes it in two lines: Tier 1 pays 40% monthly recurring for each paying agency customer you refer, and Tier 2 pays 5% monthly recurring for each paying agency signed up by an agency you referred.
In plain terms:
- You refer Agency A. Agency A pays $297/month → you earn $118.80/month (tier 1).
- Agency A becomes an affiliate and refers Agency B on the same plan → Agency A earns $118.80 and you earn 5% = $14.85/month (tier 2).
- If Agency B refers Agency C, nothing reaches you. The program pays two levels, not three.
Who becomes your sub-affiliate?
There are two paths, according to HighLevel’s affiliate portal documentation:
1. Agencies you referred
When an agency you referred becomes an active HighLevel affiliate, it’s added as your sub-affiliate automatically. This is the most common path for agency consultants.
2. People who join through your recruiting link
Affiliates can share a recruiting link that sends people to the affiliate signup. Those who join through it can be placed under you, which is what links like affiliate.gohighlevel.com?sref=… do.
3. Manual additions
The portal lets you add sub-affiliates manually, but HighLevel says this is only needed when someone needs dashboard access without a HighLevel agency login.
What the second tier actually pays
| Your sub-affiliate’s customer | They earn (40%) | You earn (5%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Starter ($97/mo) | $38.80/mo | $4.85/mo |
| 1 Unlimited ($297/mo) | $118.80/mo | $14.85/mo |
| 1 Agency Pro ($497/mo) | $198.80/mo | $24.85/mo |
| 10 Unlimited customers | $1,188/mo | $148.50/mo |
The honest takeaway: you need a sub-affiliate who is genuinely good at referring to see meaningful second-tier income. Ten paying Unlimited customers from one sub-affiliate is $148.50 a month for you. Nice, but it won’t replace selling directly.
Does the second tier take money from the sub-affiliate?
No. As HighLevel describes it, the 5% is an additional commission HighLevel pays on top; your sub-affiliate still earns their full 40% on their own customers. That’s why it’s fair to recruit other affiliates: you’re not taking a cut of their earnings.
How to see your sub-affiliates in the portal
- Open the Affiliate Portal: inside HighLevel go to Agency View → Affiliate Portal, or log in at affiliate.gohighlevel.com if you don’t have an agency account.
- Click the Sub-Affiliates tab to see the affiliates you recruited and their performance.
- Your level 2 commissions appear alongside your level 1 earnings and follow the same payout rules: paid on the 15th, $50 minimum, through Tipalti.
Step-by-step screenshots are in our guide to how the GoHighLevel affiliate program works.
How to build a second tier the right way
- Help your referred agencies succeed first. An agency that loves HighLevel tells other agencies. That’s what turns them into productive sub-affiliates.
- Teach the affiliate program honestly. Content like “how the HighLevel affiliate program works” attracts people who may want to join. Share your recruiting link with a clear disclosure.
- Never sell it as passive income. HighLevel’s rules ban income guarantees. Show the real math, including the slow first year.
- Don’t build a downline scheme. Sub-affiliate networks need HighLevel’s written permission, and the program only pays two levels anyway.
- Keep your recruits compliant. If someone you recruited starts bidding on the brand name, it’s their account at risk, but it also kills your tier 2 income. Point them to the PPC rules.
Is it worth promoting the affiliate program itself?
If your audience is agency owners, consultants or creators who already use HighLevel, yes. Many of them would happily earn 40% on clients they’re already moving to the platform; they just haven’t joined. Showing them how gives them a real benefit, and the 5% tier is a small thank-you from HighLevel when they succeed.
If your audience is beginners with no clients, focus on the software first. Recruiting affiliates who never refer anyone pays nothing.
Want to see how the first tier stacks up? Use the GoHighLevel commission calculator.
Join the HighLevel Affiliate Program
Join free, earn 40% on your own referrals and 5% on the affiliates you bring in, as HighLevel approves them.
Become a HighLevel Affiliate →
Disclosure: if you join through this link, HighLevel may pay me a second-tier commission. Approval is up to HighLevel. Check current terms on the destination page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GoHighLevel second-tier commission?
A 5% monthly recurring commission on sales made by your sub-affiliates, paid in addition to the 40% you earn on your own referrals.
How do I get sub-affiliates in HighLevel?
Agencies you referred are added automatically when they become active HighLevel affiliates. People can also join the affiliate program through your recruiting link.
Does my sub-affiliate earn less because of my 5%?
No. Your sub-affiliate still earns 40% on their customers; the 5% is a separate commission paid by HighLevel.
Does HighLevel pay a third tier?
No. The program pays two levels: your direct referrals (40%) and your sub-affiliates’ referrals (5%).
Is the second tier guaranteed?
No. The June 2026 affiliate agreement says second-tier commissions apply only when HighLevel approves the designation.
Every dollar figure in this article is plan math based on HighLevel’s public pricing, not an earnings claim. Most affiliates earn little or nothing; results depend on your audience, your work and customer retention.
Related Posts
