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Getting Started

Can I run an affiliate program without spreadsheets and manual tracking links?

How long does it take to set up an affiliate program with LinkJolt?

What is the difference between tracking links and coupon codes?

Tracking & Attribution

How are free-trial signups tracked, and when does commission count?

How do I track affiliate sales without adding code to my checkout?

How does LinkJolt decide which affiliate gets credit for a sale?

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Tracking & Attribution

How does LinkJolt decide which affiliate gets credit for a sale?

LinkJolt checks the tracking reference stored from the affiliate link first, then falls back to a registered coupon code. Whichever it finds maps the sale to that affiliate, as long as they are not rejected on the campaign.

1 min read
Updated Jun 25, 2026

Attribution runs in a fixed order when a payment webhook arrives.

Step 1: the tracking reference

When an affiliate link is clicked, LinkJolt stores a reference and passes it to your checkout as a client reference id. It looks like this:

tc_TRACKINGCODE_aff_AFFILIATEID_cid_CLICKID

If that reference is present on the order, the sale is attributed to the affiliate it names.

Affiliate tracking link
https://yoursite.com/?tc=ABC123&aff=XYZ789
tc: tracking code (the campaign)
aff: affiliate ID (who to credit)

Step 2: coupon fallback

If there is no tracking reference, LinkJolt looks at the discount applied to the order and tries to match it to a coupon registered in LinkJolt. It checks the processor coupon id, then the promotion code, then the code text.

Step 3: validity check

Either way, LinkJolt confirms the affiliate has not been rejected on that campaign before recording the commission.

The tracking window is 30 days. A click today can still earn commission on a purchase up to 30 days later.

Tags:

attributiontracking

Related questions

What is the difference between tracking links and coupon codes?

Tracking links attribute a sale by a URL parameter stored in the visitor's browser. Coupon codes attribute a sale by the discount code used at checkout. LinkJolt supports both at the same time so no sale slips through.

An affiliate's coupon code is not being attributed. What should I check?

Confirm the exact code is registered in LinkJolt against the affiliate, that the code on the order matches it, and that the affiliate is not rejected on the campaign. Codes are matched by id, promotion code, then text.

How are free-trial signups tracked, and when does commission count?

A free trial is tracked the moment it starts, recorded as a trial with no commission yet. When it converts to a paid subscription, it becomes a pending commission awaiting your approval.

Can I run an affiliate program without spreadsheets and manual tracking links?

Yes, that is the whole point of LinkJolt. Tracking links and coupon codes are generated automatically, sales are tracked through your payment processor, and commissions are calculated and paid without a spreadsheet in sight.

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Contents

Step 1: the tracking referenceStep 2: coupon fallbackStep 3: validity check