How to enable the Simple Affiliate tracker
The Simple Affiliate tracker is required to run your affiliate program on your store. It connects Simple Affiliate to your storefront to track incoming referral traffic, issue automatic discounts at checkout, and run the default affiliate signup flow that most stores use. The Affiliate Signup theme block is Pro-only and optional; you do not have to use it.
Turn the tracker on from the setup checklist, then save the change in your Shopify theme editor.
What the tracker does
Once Simple Affiliate Tracker is on and saved:
- Incoming referral traffic is recorded, including link clicks.
- Customers who follow a referral link can see the storefront popup and have an automatic discount applied at checkout when that is configured.
- The default affiliate signup flow can run, including classic-account storefront signup redirects. Most stores use this default flow.
Unique discount codes typed at checkout, and Pro connected-customer attribution after a first referred purchase, can still attribute an order without a storefront click.
1. Turn on the Simple Affiliate tracker
In Simple Affiliate, open the Complete your setup checklist. The first required step is Turn on the Simple Affiliate tracker. Click Enable.
2. Open theme settings
Read the setup steps or watch the video, then click Edit theme settings. This opens your Shopify theme editor in a new tab.
3. Enable the tracker and save
In the Shopify theme editor, open App embeds if it is not already selected. Turn on Simple Affiliate Tracker, then click Save in the top-right corner. The app embed does not have customizable settings.
Return to Simple Affiliate after saving. The app checks for the tracker and removes the required setup step when the tracker is detected.
Important Rules to Remember
- Required for storefront tracking: Referred orders from links, link clicks, and the referral popup do not run while Simple Affiliate Tracker is off.
- Theme specificity: App embeds are tied to the published theme. If you switch themes, turn the tracker on again and click Save.
- Save: Toggling the embed on is not enough. You must click Save in the theme editor.
- Permissions: You need Themes permission in your Shopify staff account to open the theme editor and save.
What Happens Next?
After the checklist step completes, open a live affiliate referral link in a private browser window. Confirm the click appears in Simple Affiliate, and that the popup or automatic discount behaves as configured. Typed discount codes can still attribute without that storefront visit.