At a glance
| Seller-paid success fee | A percentage of the deal, often with a minimum. Check what it's charged on |
|---|---|
| Buyer-funded | The buyer pays the intermediary. Ask who they act for |
| Referral-funded | Funded by a buyer's referral reward. Ask whether it's disclosed, and who keeps it |
| Marketplace | A listing fee, a share of each sale, or both |
| Fixed fee | A set price for a review or valuation, whatever the outcome |
| Record Yield | 12% of what you receive (8% above £1m). Nothing to pay unless a deal closes |
Why does the fee model matter?
An intermediary's fee model tells you who it works for. If you pay it, it has a reason to get you the best terms. If a buyer pays it, it may still do a good job, but its incentive leans towards the buyers that pay it. Neither is hidden if it's disclosed. The problem is when you can't tell.
What is a seller-paid success fee?
The company licensing its data pays the intermediary a percentage of the deal, usually only if a deal closes. Rates are often tiered, falling as the deal gets bigger, and many have a minimum fee.
- Is the percentage charged on the headline price, or on what you actually receive?
- Is there a minimum fee, and on what size of deal does it apply?
- Are there extra charges on top, such as preparation, legal or tooling costs?
- Does the fee apply to repeat licences of the same data?
What does buyer-funded or referral-funded mean?
Some intermediaries are paid by the buyer, either directly or through referral rewards that buyers advertise for introducing companies. That can mean no fee for the seller, but it changes the relationship.
- Who do you act for: me, the buyer, or both?
- Will you show my data to more than one buyer, or only to buyers who pay you?
- If a buyer pays a referral reward on my deal, is it disclosed to me, and who keeps it?
- Would you recommend walking away if the terms were poor?
How do marketplaces charge?
A marketplace lists data or data profiles and lets buyers find them. It may charge a listing fee, take a share of each sale, or both, and it may charge buyers as well. Ask who checks listings, who negotiates the terms, and who is responsible if something goes wrong.
What about a fixed fee?
Some firms charge a set fee for a review, valuation or preparation work, whether or not a deal follows. That can be good value if you want an independent view before talking to buyers. Ask what you get, whether the fee is credited if you then go ahead, and whether the price is confirmed in writing before work starts.
How does Record Yield charge?
Our fee is 12% of what you receive (8% above £1m), with a £2,500 minimum only on deals of £20,000 or more. There's nothing to pay unless a deal closes, and the readiness review is included when you sell with us. We never charge buyers, and anything a buyer pays on your deal is disclosed and passed to you in full. See pricing for the detail.
What should you ask any intermediary?
- Who pays you, and how much?
- Who do you act for?
- What is your fee charged on, and when is it due?
- Are buyer rewards or commissions disclosed to me, and who keeps them?
- Do you ask for exclusivity, and for how long?
- Can I see your terms in writing before I commit?
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to sell company data to AI?
Some intermediaries charge the seller nothing because a buyer funds them. Others charge the seller a percentage, usually only if a deal closes. Ask who pays the intermediary and who it acts for.
What is a typical fee for an AI data broker?
Models vary: seller-paid percentages, often tiered with a minimum; buyer- or referral-funded arrangements; marketplace listing fees or revenue shares; and fixed fees for reviews. Compare what the fee is charged on, not just the rate.
Do you charge buyers?
No. Our fee is charged to the company we act for, and anything a buyer pays on your deal, such as a referral reward, is disclosed and passed to you in full.
Related
Last reviewed 30 Oct 2026 by Record Yield. Provider terms and legislation were read on that date and can change. This page is general information, not legal advice.