Influencer exclusivity: how to agree on a non-compete the right way

With an exclusivity clause, a creator agrees not to promote competitors in a certain category for a set period. It protects a campaign’s credibility but restricts the creator — which is why it is kept narrow and paid for separately.

What influencer exclusivity is for

If a creator promotes one toothpaste today and the competition next week, both posts lose impact. Exclusivity prevents that: the creator promises not to enter a collaboration with a competitor in the same category during a set period. For brands, this is mainly interesting for product launches, for longer ad campaigns using the material or for ambassador roles. For short one-off posts it is often unnecessary. If you ask for it anyway, you should know that you are blocking the creator’s income — and that this comes at a price.

Category exclusivity instead of a blanket ban

The narrower the exclusivity, the more likely a creator is to say yes and the fairer the price. Instead of “no other advertising,” a good agreement names the category or product type as specifically as possible: not “food,” but something like “protein bars.” It also helps to clarify whether only paid collaborations are meant or also affiliate links and personal recommendations, and whether contracts already running stay exempt. A broad non-compete over many months can amount to a temporary work ban for smaller creators. That not only raises the price but also the risk that a clause will not hold up later.

Duration, start date and extension

Besides the category, every exclusivity needs a clear duration and a clear start. Stating it in months is common. When the clock starts is just as important: from signing, from publication or from acceptance of the delivery. If that is left open, disputes arise over weeks in which the creator was already bound but had not published anything yet. A rule on how it gets extended also makes sense — for example as a separate, additionally paid agreement rather than automatically. That way the creator always knows when they are free again.

How much exclusivity costs

Exclusivity is a deliverable of its own and is paid on top of the post. How much depends on several factors: how narrowly the category is defined, how long it runs, how in demand the creator is in that category and how many requests they would have to turn down because of it. A beauty creator with many cosmetics collaborations gives up more with a cosmetics exclusivity than a travel creator does. There are no fixed market rates for it. It becomes transparent when the surcharge per month is set in advance and shows up as a separate line on the bill.

Booking exclusivity on creatordeal

On creatordeal, category exclusivity is part of the usage rights of a booking. The brand picks the category and the number of months; the surcharge comes from the monthly rate each creator sets for themselves and appears as a separate line in the booking. Creators can also state whether they offer exclusivity at all. The term starts with the approval of the delivery. Only what is booked and paid is binding — a wish in the brief alone does not create exclusivity. Extending it later works as an add-on, for example for additional months.

What this article does not replace

This article gives general guidance and is not legal advice. How far a non-compete may go and when a clause may be unenforceable depends on the country, on how the contract is drafted and on the individual case. For far-reaching or long exclusivities, for ambassador contracts or when several countries are involved, legal advice is worth it. Businesses can also get initial information from the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) or the chamber of commerce (IHK). On creatordeal, one more thing applies: toward the platform, creators have no minimum term and no exclusivity; they can work elsewhere at any time. The only exception is the non-circumvention clause: with brands a creator met through creatordeal, they work only through the platform for 12 months from the first contact.

Questions

Frequently asked.

Key answers at a glance. Everything else is in the guides and in the FAQ.

What does exclusivity mean for influencers?

The creator does not promote competitors in a certain category for an agreed period. Exclusivity is usually agreed in months and paid for separately.

What is the difference between category exclusivity and a non-compete clause?

In everyday use, both mean the same thing. What matters is how narrowly the category is defined: a specific product type is fairer and easier to comply with than a blanket ban.

When does an exclusivity period start?

The agreement should set that. On creatordeal, the term starts when the brand approves the delivery.

Does exclusivity cost extra?

Yes, because the creator gives up collaborations during that time. On creatordeal, each creator sets their own surcharge per month, and it appears as a separate line in the booking.

Can I extend an exclusivity later?

On creatordeal, yes, as an add-on to the booking that the creator agrees to. Shortening it below what was agreed is not possible.

Book exclusivity right along with it

Pick the category and months, see the surcharge — before the creator accepts.

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