Creator payout process

8 min readLast updated: 9/10/2025

Understand how creator payouts work, when you get paid, and what requirements must be met before you can receive payments for successful listings.

Important

Payouts only happen when a listing is completely fulfilled: closed, awarded to a winner, and the product has been received by the winner. All compliance requirements must be met before any payments are processed.

When payouts happen

Creator payouts are triggered only when a listing completes its full lifecycle successfully. Here's the exact sequence:

Payout trigger sequence

1

Listing closes

The listing period ends and no more entries are accepted

2

Winner is selected

A winner is randomly drawn from eligible participants

3

Product is shipped

The product is sent to the winner with tracking information

4

Winner confirms receipt

Winner confirms they received the product in good condition

Payout is triggered

Your earnings are calculated and payment is initiated

No partial payouts

Payouts do not happen when listings simply close or when winners are selected. The complete fulfillment cycle must be finished before any payments are processed.

Payout requirements

Before you can receive any payouts, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Tax information

Complete tax forms and provide required tax identification

Tax forms required:

  • • W-9 form (US individuals and businesses)
  • • EIN documentation (businesses only)
  • • Valid US Social Security Number or ITIN

Bank account linked

Securely connected bank account via Plaid for direct deposit payments

  • • Plaid-verified bank connection
  • • Instant account verification
  • • Bank-level security

Platform compliance

Account must be in good standing with platform rules

  • • No policy violations
  • • Identity verified
  • • No payment disputes

Missing requirements block payouts

If any requirement is incomplete, your payouts will be held until all requirements are satisfied. We'll notify you via email about any missing items.

Payment timeline

Once all requirements are met and a listing is fully completed, here's the payment processing timeline:

1

Fulfillment confirmed

Winner confirms product receipt

Day 0
2

Payment processing

Earnings calculated and payment initiated

Day 1-2
3

Payment sent

Direct deposit to your bank account

Day 3-5

Processing time factors

  • • Bank processing times
  • • Payment verification checks
  • • Weekend/holiday delays
  • • International transfers (longer)

Expedited scenarios

  • • Verified premium creators
  • • High-volume creators
  • • Same-bank transfers
  • • ACH network efficiency

Setting up payouts

Follow these steps to configure your payout settings and meet all requirements:

Step 1: Complete tax information

  1. Go to Creator Dashboard → Settings → Tax Information
  2. Select your tax status (Individual or Business)
  3. Fill out the W-9 tax form
  4. Upload supporting documentation if required
  5. Submit for verification (1-3 business days)

Note: All creators must be US residents or entities to participate in the Zwee marketplace.

Step 2: Link your bank account with Plaid

  1. Navigate to Creator Dashboard → Settings → Payouts & Bank Accounts
  2. Click "Add Bank Account" to open the secure Plaid connection
  3. Search for and select your bank from the list
  4. Securely log in to your bank account through Plaid
  5. Choose the account you want to use for payouts
  6. Confirm the account details and set as primary
PlaidPowered by Plaid

Your bank connection is secured by Plaid's bank-level encryption. Account verification is instant, and we never store your banking credentials.

Step 3: Verify identity & compliance

  1. Complete identity verification in Account Settings
  2. Upload government-issued photo ID
  3. Verify your address with utility bill or bank statement
  4. Review and accept creator terms of service
  5. Ensure account has no policy violations

Compliance verification

Your account must maintain good standing to receive payouts. Here's what we monitor:

✅ Compliance checklist

Content guidelines

All content follows platform rules

No disputes

No unresolved payment or content disputes

Identity verified

Government ID and address confirmed

Tax compliant

Valid tax information on file

🚫 Compliance issues

Policy violations

Suspends payouts until resolved

Incomplete verification

Missing identity or tax documents

Payment disputes

Unresolved chargebacks or claims

Account restrictions

Temporary or permanent limitations

Maintaining compliance

  • • Regularly review your account status in the dashboard
  • • Respond promptly to any compliance notifications
  • • Keep your tax and banking information up to date
  • • Follow all platform guidelines and terms of service

Tracking your earnings

Monitor your earnings and payout status through your creator dashboard:

Earnings overview

  • Total earnings: All-time payout total
  • Pending earnings: Awaiting fulfillment
  • This month: Current month earnings
  • Available for payout: Ready to process

Payment history

  • Payment date: When payment was sent
  • Amount: Gross and net amounts
  • Method: Bank transfer details
  • Status: Processing, completed, failed

Understanding earnings calculations

Base commission rateVaries by tier (15-25%)
Platform fee3% processing fee
Performance bonusesUp to 5% extra
Your net earningsFinal payout amount

Troubleshooting payouts

Why haven't I received my payout?

Check these common issues:

  • Winner hasn't confirmed product receipt
  • Tax information incomplete or expired
  • Bank account connection incomplete
  • Account compliance issues
  • Payment is still processing (3-5 business days)

Bank account connection issues

If your Plaid bank connection failed:

  • Ensure you're using the correct bank login credentials
  • Check if your bank is supported by Plaid
  • Try connecting from a different browser or device
  • Verify your account is in your name and active
  • Contact support if your bank requires additional verification

Note: Some credit unions and smaller banks may require manual verification. Contact our support team for assistance.

Compliance holds

If your account has compliance issues:

  • Check your dashboard for specific violation notices
  • Upload any requested documentation
  • Respond to support team requests promptly
  • Review platform guidelines for clarity

Payment delays

Factors that can delay payments:

  • Bank holidays and weekends
  • Large payment amounts requiring verification
  • First-time payout additional security checks

Still need help?

If you're still experiencing issues with payouts, our creator support team is here to help.

Contact Creator Support

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