How does referral tracking work?

Simple Affiliate attributes eligible orders to affiliates through referral links, unique discount codes, or connected customers. This gives you a consistent way to identify which affiliate referred a customer before Simple Affiliate calculates the commission. Set the expectation that attribution depends on the tracking method being available and, for link-based tracking, on the customer allowing the required cookie through Shopify customer privacy settings.

How referral tracking works

Simple Affiliate can use three attribution methods:

• Referral links: Each link includes a tracking code such as sacode and can include optional UTM parameters. When a customer visits through the link, Shopify customer privacy and cookie consent determine whether a tracking cookie can be set.
• Discount codes: A unique discount code assigned to an affiliate can identify the affiliate when the customer uses that code at checkout.
• Connected customers: When the Pro feature is enabled, a customer can become connected to the referring affiliate after the customer completes a first referred purchase. Later purchases can then remain associated with that affiliate according to the feature’s rules.

What happens from click to commission

1. Open an affiliate’s referral link, or use the affiliate’s assigned discount code during checkout.
2. Allow the tracking cookie when Shopify customer privacy requirements and the customer’s consent permit it.
3. Complete the purchase through Shopify checkout.
4. Send the resulting order to Simple Affiliate for referral and commission processing.
5. Apply the commission rules that were in effect when the referral was made.

Simple Affiliate does not need to estimate the order value or commission outcome from the link alone. The completed Shopify order and the commission rules that applied at referral time determine the calculation.

Important attribution rules

• Cookie consent: A link click may not create a tracking cookie when the customer has not granted the consent required by Shopify’s privacy settings.
• First referred purchase: Connected-customer attribution begins only after a first referred purchase and only when the Pro feature is enabled.
• Self-referrals: Built-in anti-spam controls can filter self-referrals.
• Signup spam: Built-in anti-spam controls can also help filter suspicious affiliate signup activity.

Review the referral method you plan to use with your affiliates and customers. Referral links are suitable for campaign tracking, discount codes provide a checkout-based alternative, and connected customers support ongoing attribution when the required Pro feature is active.