> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.paylead.fr/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Glossary

> Key terms and concepts in the Paylead ecosystem

<Note>
  Terms written with a leading capital letter throughout this documentation (such as [Consumer](#consumer), [Program](#program), or [Offer](#offer)) are core Paylead concepts defined here.
</Note>

## A

### Affiliation

A reward model in which a [Consumer](#consumer) earns a [Cashback](#cashback) after clicking on a tracked link (e.g. an online advertisement, a banner, or an email) and completing a qualifying purchase on the merchant's website. Unlike [ALO](#alo), affiliation relies on traditional cookie or click tracking rather than on banking transaction data.

<Note>
  Paylead does not offer affiliation. Cookie and click-based tracking standards prevalent in the market do not meet the reliability and data-privacy requirements that bank-grade loyalty programs demand.
</Note>

### ALO (Account-Linked Offer)

Paylead's flagship promotional system, also called **Account-Linked Offers®**. Once enrolled in a [Program](#program), a [Consumer](#consumer) automatically receives a [Reward](#reward) when a purchase made with their linked bank account matches an active [Offer](#offer). Unlike cookie-based promotions, ALO works without any code, voucher, or click: the bank transaction itself is the proof of purchase.

### Automatic Cashback (ACB)

The [Cashback](#cashback) experience presented to a [Consumer](#consumer) in the [WebApp (MFP)](#webapp-mfp). It lets the Consumer browse participating [Brands](#brand) and [Offers](#offer) and track the [Rewards](#reward) earned automatically when a purchase with their linked bank account matches an active Offer, without any code or voucher.

### Automatic Earn

The defining mechanic of the [Loyalty](#loyalty) domain: because the [Consumer](#consumer)'s bank account is linked to their loyalty account, paying with the bank card automatically credits the program's Loyalty reward without presenting a loyalty card at checkout. The payment itself is the proof of loyalty.

## B

### Brand

A network of points of sale belonging to the same holding company and available to [Consumers](#consumer) in a given country. A Brand can operate brick-and-mortar [Stores](#stores), an online boutique, or both.

<Tip>
  **Brand vs. Merchant:** The Brand is the commercial name displayed on the transaction. The merchant is the legal entity that owns one or several Brands.
</Tip>

### Burn

The act of spending accumulated [Reward](#reward) value instead of earning it. Burn applies across both Paylead domains: paying out a Perks [Pool](#pool) (the *cagnotte*) or buying a [Voucher](#voucher) with its euros is a form of Burn, as is converting accumulated [Loyalty](#loyalty) points into merchandise, discounts, vouchers, or experiences. It is the counterpart to earning.

## C

### Campaign

A raw, unpublished commercial proposal sent by a merchant to a [Program Manager](#program-manager). It carries the merchant's conditions (eligible [Brand](#brand), duration, [playground](#playground) range, channel, loyalty rules). The Program Manager reviews the Campaign and either turns it into a published [Offer](#offer) or rejects it.

### Cashback

A type of [Reward](#reward) in which a portion of the [playground](#playground) (defined per [Offer](#offer) by the [Program Manager](#program-manager)) is returned to the [Consumer](#consumer) in cash. Legally, the Cashback is owed by the Program Manager to its Consumers; Paylead manages the Consumer [pool](#pool) and distributes it on the Program Manager's behalf. See [Ventilation](#ventilation) for the payout process.

### Commissioned Transaction

A [Consumer](#consumer) transaction that matches an active [Offer](#offer) and triggers the revenue mechanism: it generates a [playground](#playground) (the budget Paylead returns to the [Program Manager](#program-manager)) split per Offer between the Program Manager's commission and the [Cashback](#cashback) for the Consumer.

### Consumer

A customer who has subscribed to a [Program](#program) and accepted that their banking transactions are analyzed by Paylead. The Consumer is the end-user who makes eligible purchases and receives [Rewards](#reward).

## E

### Easy Vouchers (EVO)

An optional [WebApp (MFP)](#webapp-mfp) feature that lets a [Consumer](#consumer) buy and manage [Vouchers](#voucher) directly in the app. When enabled for a [Program](#program), it adds voucher purchase and management screens to the WebApp's [Cashback](#cashback) experience.

## G

### Gift

A type of [Reward](#reward) granted to a [Consumer](#consumer) outside of the standard transaction-matching flow, for example a welcome bonus, a one-off promotional reward, or a loyalty incentive issued directly by the [Program Manager](#program-manager). Gifts follow the same status lifecycle as Cashbacks (`Pending Validation`, `Validated`, `Pool`, `Paid`).

## L

### LBS (Local Business Solution)

A Paylead application that lets local merchants create and manage their own [Campaigns](#campaign) through a lightweight, user-friendly interface. LBS expands the [Offer](#offer) catalog of a [Program](#program) beyond the merchants directly contracted by Paylead.

### Loyalty

One of the two domains of the Paylead [Embedded Loyalty](/program/user-journey/what-is-paylead) platform (the other being [Perks](#perks)). Loyalty lets a [Consumer](#consumer) create or link retailer loyalty accounts from the bank app and link them to their bank account, unlocking [Automatic Earn](#automatic-earn). It is primarily a *relationship engine*: accounts, brands, ongoing engagement. See the [Loyalty journey](/program/user-journey/loyalty-journey).

### Loyalty Account

A Consumer's account within a specific Merchant's Loyalty program. A Loyalty Account can be created from scratch or connected.

### Loyalty Balance

The accumulated total of Loyalty rewards earned by a Consumer within a specific Loyalty program, expressed in the unit defined by the Merchant (points, euros, status level, etc.). It is updated whenever the Consumer's activity changes the balance, through Automatic Earn or through standard use of the Loyalty program, and is displayed to the Consumer in the Brand Hub. It serves as the basis for Burn actions when the retailer program supports reward conversion.

### Loyalty Offer

An [Offer](#offer) that grants a [Reward](#reward) only after a defined number of qualifying purchases, instead of on every transaction. The threshold is the Offer's `frequency`, and the Consumer's progress toward it is the `frequency_counter`. Use it to power a dedicated loyalty section that shows progress to the next Reward.

### Loyalty Program

A merchant-operated rewards scheme (e.g. points, cashback, status tiers) made available to Consumers. A Loyalty program may involve a physical card or an online account, but its purpose remains consistent for a retailer: to build customer loyalty and reinforce repeat-purchase behavior.

### Loyalty Reward

The accumulation or acquisition of points, miles, or other forms of currency offered by the program through various activities such as purchases, transactions, participation in promotions, or engagement with affiliated partners. It signifies adding to one's balance of loyalty currency, increasing the potential for future redemption of rewards or benefits within the program.

## O

### Offer

A published promotion created by a [Program Manager](#program-manager) from a merchant [Campaign](#campaign). It defines the conditions a [Consumer](#consumer) transaction must meet to be eligible for a [Reward](#reward): eligible [Brand](#brand) or [Stores](#stores), [Cashback](#cashback) rate, validity period, channel (online, in-store, or both), loyalty rules, and budget cap. An Offer is what the Consumer actually sees in the bank's app.

### Offer Smart Ranking

A Paylead algorithm that personalizes the order in which [Offers](#offer) are displayed to each [Consumer](#consumer). Ranking criteria include the Consumer's purchase habits, location, [Brand](#brand) power, and editorial spotlight. Smart Ranking requires the Consumer's explicit consent and is designed to improve relevance and conversion.

## P

### Paylead

The fintech operating the bank-linked cashback platform described in this documentation. Paylead sits between merchants (who fund the [playground](#playground)) and [Program Managers](#program-manager) (typically banks) who expose [Offers](#offer) to their [Consumers](#consumer).

### Perks

One of the two domains of the Paylead [Embedded Loyalty](/program/user-journey/what-is-paylead) platform (the other being [Loyalty](#loyalty)). Perks helps [Consumers](#consumer) save money on purchases through [Cashback](#cashback), [Vouchers](#voucher), and other savings mechanics. It is primarily a *savings engine*: immediate, monetary, easy to grasp. The Perks journey is the one the Paylead APIs implement today.

### Playground

The budget Paylead returns to the [Program Manager](#program-manager) for each [Commissioned Transaction](#commissioned-transaction). The Program Manager defines, in each [Offer](#offer), how the playground is split between its own commission and the [Cashback](#cashback) paid to the [Consumer](#consumer).

### Pool

A [Consumer](#consumer)'s holding area (the *cagnotte*) where validated [Cashback](#cashback) accumulates before it is paid out. `Pool` is also the Consumer-facing status of a [Reward](#reward) sitting in this area. By default, Paylead manages the pool and runs the payout. See [Ventilation](#ventilation).

### Pre-filled forms

The Consumer is in a **known context**: they are already authenticated in their bank app. This lets Paylead **pre-fill the loyalty account creation form**.

Creating a loyalty account is reduced to **accepting the Program's terms and conditions**; the personal information is pre-filled and remains editable by the Consumer.

### Program

The complete cashback proposition operated by a [Program Manager](#program-manager): a catalog of [Offers](#offer), an enrolled [Consumer](#consumer) base, and the business rules (commission, ventilation approach, communication channels) attached to them. One bank typically runs one Program.

### Program Manager

The Paylead client (most often a bank or a financial-services company) that operates a [Program](#program) for its customers. The Program Manager curates the catalog of [Offers](#offer), defines on each Offer how the [playground](#playground) is split between its own commission and the Consumer [Cashback](#cashback), and exposes the Offers to its [Consumers](#consumer). Paylead manages the Consumer [pool](#pool) and distributes the Cashback on the Program Manager's behalf.

## R

### Reward

What a [Consumer](#consumer) receives for completing a transaction that matches an [Offer](#offer)'s terms. Rewards can be of several types: ALO Cashback, Affiliation Cashback, LBS Cashback, or [Gifts](#gift). Each Reward carries two statuses: a *technical* one (`Pending Validation`, `Validated`, `Paid In`, `Paid Out`) and a *Consumer-facing* one (`Pending`, `Pool`, `Paid`, `Cancelled`).

### Reward Attribution

A two-step Paylead mechanism that guarantees each eligible purchase generates exactly one [Reward](#reward), even when the same transaction is reported by several sources (e.g. the bank itself and an account aggregator). A **duplication engine** first identifies that multiple transactions refer to the same purchase, then an **attribution engine** selects the winning [Program](#program) based on a scoring system (onboarding recency, engagement, reward intensity).

## S

### Scraper / Scraping

A legacy bank-data collection method, in which a partner connects to a Consumer's online banking interface to retrieve transaction history. Paylead now relies primarily on regulated API-based feeds (PSD2, account aggregators); scraping vocabulary remains in some technical statuses (e.g. `SCRAPPING` synchronization status).

### Seamless Loyalty Card (SLC)

Paylead's product that connects Consumers' bank accounts to their favorite Merchants' Loyalty programs, directly within the banking application. SLC enables Consumers to create or link Loyalty Accounts, automatically earn rewards on every eligible payment (without presenting a loyalty card at checkout), and manage their Loyalty programs from a single place.

### Segment

A group of [Consumers](#consumer) used to expose [Offers](#offer) to a specific audience, defined by the bank's own criteria (for example *Premium*, *New*, *Black*, or *Gold*). A [Program Manager](#program-manager) can have as many Segments as they need, each with its own name. To prevent sensitive criteria (religious, political, and similar), Segment definitions (name and reference) are created by the Paylead account manager; the Program Manager then assigns Consumers to them, in bulk via [Shift](#shift) (CSV) or in real time via the API.

### Shift

The Paylead web application used by [Program Managers](#program-manager) to manage their [Program](#program): review [Campaigns](#campaign), publish [Offers](#offer), monitor performance, manage [Consumers](#consumer), and download [Ventilation](#ventilation) files.

### Stores

The individual points of sale operated by a [Brand](#brand), either physical locations or online shops. An [Offer](#offer) can target all Stores of a Brand or a subset (for example, only the in-store channel or only specific locations).

## T

### Transaction Fetch Hub

A per-bank, bespoke service in which Paylead **pulls** transactions directly from the banking partner, instead of the partner pushing them to the [Paylead API](/program/user-journey/quickstart). It is scoped during the build phase of the integration and is an alternative to the default push model. See the [transaction lifecycle](/program/user-journey/concepts/transaction-lifecycle).

### Transaction Lifecycle

The sequence of steps a raw banking transaction goes through inside Paylead before becoming (or not) a [Reward](#reward): collection from the source (Transaction Hub push, the [Transaction Fetch Hub](#transaction-fetch-hub) pull, account aggregator, or banking partner), bucketing per bank connection, matching against active [Offers](#offer), eligibility check, and finally Reward creation. If no [Offer](#offer) matches, the lifecycle ends silently.

## V

### Ventilation

The process by which validated [Cashbacks](#cashback) are paid out to [Consumers](#consumer). **Paylead manages the Consumer [pool](#pool) and runs the payout**. Legally, the Cashback is owed by the [Program Manager](#program-manager) to its Consumers; Paylead distributes it on the Program Manager's behalf. See the [Ventilation](/program/user-journey/concepts/ventilation) guide.

### Voucher

A type of benefit in which a [Consumer](#consumer) receives a code or a fixed monetary value redeemable at a participating [Brand](#brand), under defined conditions such as minimum spend, validity period, or channel.

## W

### WebApp (MFP)

A Paylead-hosted webview (also called the **MFP (Modular Front Platform)**) embedded inside a partner bank's mobile app. It lets a [Program](#program) delegate part of the Consumer-facing journey (offer discovery, [Reward](#reward) history, the loyalty wallet) to Paylead instead of building each screen natively. See the [WebApp concept](/program/user-journey/concepts/web-app) and the [WebApp (MFP)](/program/webapp/overview) integration tab.

### Webhooks

Real-time HTTP notifications sent by Paylead to a [Program Manager](#program-manager)'s back-office when a key event occurs, for example `reward_created`, `reward_validated`, `payout_success`. Webhooks let the Program Manager react instantly (notify the Consumer, trigger a payout, update its CRM) without polling the API.

<Tip>
  Because a Webhook reflects the state of an object at the moment it is sent, always re-fetch the object via the API before acting on it. Its status may have changed in the milliseconds since the notification was emitted.
</Tip>