Check an influencer / brand-deal contract online
Brand deals are templated for the brand and renegotiated by every creator. Green Flagged scans every clause against the patterns that actually matter — exclusivity, usage rights, content ownership, and payment timing.
8 red flags we look for in influencer contracts
Category exclusivity longer than the campaign
Exclusivity should match the campaign window, not extend afterward without separate pay.
Perpetual content usage rights
Brands often request perpetual rights to your content; negotiate 12 months with paid renewal.
Brand owns content outright
License, not assignment, is the norm. You created it; you keep the IP, brand gets the rights they paid for.
Approval rights with no SLA
Without a maximum approval turnaround (e.g., 5 business days), the brand can hold up payment indefinitely.
Vague engagement guarantees
Don't guarantee specific engagement metrics. Your job is content; engagement is platform-dependent.
Whitelisting / paid amplification without separate fee
If the brand wants to run ads from your handle, that's a separate paid right.
Morality clause too broad
Specific, listed conduct (illegal, hate speech). Not "anything the brand finds objectionable."
Payment Net 60+
Standard for brands, brutal for creators. Push to Net 30 with a partial deposit.
What to read in this influencer contract
Deliverables and content specs
Specific number of posts/stories/videos, platform, format, hashtags, mentions. Spec creep is the most common dispute.
Exclusivity
Defined category, defined window matching the campaign. Anything broader needs separate compensation.
Content usage and licensing
License to brand for specified term, specified channels, specified geographies. Whitelisting separate. Renewal at the same fee or a fixed multiple.
Payment
Deposit on signature, balance on delivery and brand approval (with approval SLA). Net 30 maximum.
Approvals
Brand review window (5-7 business days), one round of revisions, deemed-approved if no response.
Termination and force majeure
Defined cause, kill fee for early termination, force majeure for platform changes or removal.
Frequently asked about influencer contract
Should I sign over content ownership to the brand?
No. License the rights the brand actually needs (specific channels, specific term) and retain ownership. Brand pays for usage rights, not for the IP itself.
How long should exclusivity last?
Exclusivity should match the campaign window — typically 30-90 days. Extended exclusivity (6-12 months) commands a significant premium, often 2-3x the campaign fee.
What's a fair approval turnaround?
5-7 business days, with one round of revisions, and deemed-approved if no response within the window. This prevents the brand from indefinitely holding your content (and payment) hostage.
Should I guarantee engagement numbers?
No. Guarantee deliverables (content type, posting time, hashtags, mentions). Engagement depends on platform algorithms and is not something you can responsibly guarantee.
What's whitelisting and should I allow it?
Whitelisting is the brand running paid ads from your handle. It's a separate right with separate value — typically priced as a percentage of the brand's ad spend. Don't include it in the base fee.
Ready to check this influencer contract?
Drop a PDF, DOCX, or paste plain text. Free first scan. No account required.