This article will cover the following:
What Is CAKE Pay?
CAKE Pay is an integrated payment solution that allows affiliate networks powered by CAKE to pay their publishers directly through the platform. Instead of managing payments through a separate payroll or invoicing system, CAKE Pay handles the full payment lifecycle — from earnings calculation to funds disbursement — within the CAKE environment.
As an affiliate, CAKE Pay means:
- Your earnings are calculated automatically based on your approved conversions.
- You register once and receive payments on each billing cycle without submitting invoices.
- You can track your balance, payment history, and upcoming payment amounts directly in your affiliate portal.
- Payments are sent to your preferred payout method (bank account, PayPal, or other supported methods depending on your network).
CAKE Pay is configured and enabled by your network operator. Not all CAKE-powered networks use CAKE Pay — if you do not see the CAKE Pay option in your portal, your network may use a different payment process. Contact your account manager for details.
Eligibility and Requirements
To receive payments through CAKE Pay, you must meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Active affiliate account | Your account must be in Active status on the network. Pending or Suspended affiliates cannot receive payments. |
| Completed profile | Your affiliate profile must have accurate contact information, including legal name and mailing address, which will appear on payment records. |
| Valid payout method | You must have at least one active payout method on file before your first payment can be issued. |
| Tax documentation | US-based affiliates must submit a completed W-9. Non-US affiliates must submit a W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E depending on entity type. Payments cannot be issued without valid tax documentation. |
| Minimum balance | Your earnings must meet or exceed the network's minimum payment threshold for your selected payout method before a payment is issued. |
How to Register for CAKE Pay
Do not use a business or network name in the legal name field unless you are registering as a business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.). Individual affiliates should use their personal legal name exactly as it appears on government-issued ID.
Adding Your Payout Method
CAKE Pay supports multiple payout methods depending on your network's configuration. The available options appear when you navigate to Payment Settings. Common options include:
| Payout Method | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACH / Direct Deposit | 2–3 business days | US bank accounts only. Requires routing number and account number. |
| Wire Transfer | 3–5 business days domestic; 5–7 international | Supports international payments. Requires SWIFT/IBAN for international transfers. |
| PayPal | 1–2 business days | Provide the email address associated with your PayPal account. PayPal fees may apply. |
| Check | 7–10 business days for delivery | Mailed to your address on file. Available for US recipients. |
| Payoneer | 2–3 business days | Supports international recipients in regions with limited banking options. |
Steps to Add a Payout Method
Always double-check your account numbers and routing information before saving. Payments sent to incorrect bank details can take weeks to recover. Contact your account manager immediately if you realize an error after a payment has already been sent.
Completing Tax Documentation
Tax documentation is required before CAKE Pay can issue any payments. The form required depends on your tax residency:
| Entity Type | Required Form | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| US Individual | W-9 | Certifies your name, address, and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN). |
| US Business (LLC, Corp) | W-9 (business) | Certifies your business name, address, and EIN. |
| Non-US Individual | W-8BEN | Certifies your foreign status and, if applicable, claims a reduced withholding rate under a tax treaty. |
| Non-US Business | W-8BEN-E | Certifies your foreign business entity status and tax treaty eligibility. |
Steps to Submit Your Tax Form
Tax forms are typically valid for three years. CAKE Pay will notify you when re-certification is required. You may also be required to resubmit if your legal name, address, or tax ID changes.
Withholding on Non-US Affiliates
Non-US affiliates who do not submit a valid W-8 form may be subject to 30% backup withholding on payments. If your country has a tax treaty with the United States that provides a reduced withholding rate, you can claim it by completing the treaty section of your W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.
CAKE and your network are not able to provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional if you have questions about which form to submit, withholding rates, or treaty eligibility.
Payment Timing and Thresholds
Payments through CAKE Pay follow your network's configured billing cycle and minimum threshold:
| Setting | Description | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Billing Cycle | How often your earnings are totaled and an invoice is generated. Common cycles: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly. | Account → Payment Settings → Billing Cycle |
| Minimum Threshold | The minimum balance you must reach before a payment is issued. If your balance is below this amount at the end of a cycle, it rolls forward to the next period. | Account → Payment Settings → Minimum Threshold |
| Payment Date | The date payment is sent after invoice approval. Typically 5–10 business days after the billing cycle closes. | Billing → Invoices → Expected Payment Date |
To check your current balance and upcoming payment estimate:
Set your reporting date range to match your billing cycle before exporting performance data. This makes reconciliation much easier and lets you catch discrepancies before the invoice is finalized.
FAQ
First check your invoice status in Billing → Invoices. If the invoice is still in Approved status (not Paid), the payment may still be in processing. Allow the full business day count for your payout method. If the invoice shows Paid but the funds have not arrived after the processing window, contact your account manager with your invoice number and payout method details.
Most networks support only one active payout method at a time. If you need to change your method, update it in Account → Payment Settings. Note that changes may take one billing cycle to take effect. Contact your account manager if you have specific split-payment requirements.
Several factors can reduce your payment below the gross conversion total: conversion rejections or reversals after the billing period, applicable tax withholding, unpaid balances from a previous period being offset, and any fees associated with your payout method. Review your invoice detail to see a line-by-line breakdown.
Tax form validation can take 1–3 business days. If your form has been pending for longer than that, contact your account manager — it may need manual review or there may be a data entry issue that needs correction.
Yes — update your payout method at any time in Account → Payment Settings. The new method will apply to the next payment. Previously processed payments cannot be redirected after they have been sent.
Suspending an account pauses new conversions and payment processing. Your existing earned balance is preserved. Once the account issue is resolved and the account is returned to Active status, your balance and payment schedule resume normally.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your dedicated CAKE Client Success Manager/Account Manager or contact the CAKE Support Team at support@getCAKE.com.