How Affiliate Tracking Works

Affiliate tracking connects a referral click to a later eligible action using mechanisms such as tracking links, cookies, click IDs, server-side postbacks or network transaction reports. The exact method and attribution window depend on the program.

The basic flow

• A visitor clicks your unique link.
• The merchant or network records a click ID or cookie.
• If the visitor buys within the attribution window, the sale is matched to you.
• The commission is pending until it is validated, then approved or reversed.

Why some sales are missed

Privacy settings, device changes, blocked tracking and competing referrals can affect attribution. A visitor who clicks on a phone and buys on a laptop may not be tracked.

Server-side tracking

Postbacks send conversion data from server to server, which can be more reliable than browser cookies alone.

Respect privacy

Store only data you are authorised to collect and follow consent rules for cookies.

Reconcile regularly

Reconcile reported transactions with the network's final approved and reversed statuses. Do not promise anyone that every click will produce a commission.

Frequently asked questions

What is an affiliate cookie?

A small file stored in the visitor's browser that remembers your referral for a set period.

Why was my commission reversed?

Common reasons are returns, cancellations, fraud checks or breaking program rules.