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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?

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Getting Started

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.

2 min read
Updated Jun 25, 2026

Tracking links and coupon codes are two ways to connect a sale back to the affiliate who drove it. LinkJolt runs both at once, which is what we call dual tracking.

A tracking link carries a parameter that identifies the affiliate. When someone clicks it, LinkJolt stores that reference in cookies and local storage for a 30 day window. If they buy within that window, the sale is attributed.

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

Coupon codes

A coupon code is attributed at checkout instead of in the browser. The affiliate shares a code, the customer enters it, and LinkJolt matches that code to the affiliate when the payment webhook arrives. This is reference only: you create the code in your own payment processor, then register the same code in LinkJolt.

Affiliate coupon
SARAH20
20% off, tracked to Sarah
Created in your processor, registered in LinkJolt

Coupon attribution is the easiest way to track sales on platforms where you cannot store browser cookies, such as some app or marketplace checkouts.

Why use both

Links catch the visitors who click through and buy directly. Coupons catch the buyers who hear about you from a creator and check out later with a code. Running both means you attribute far more sales than either method alone.

Tags:

trackingcouponslinks

Related questions

How do affiliates get their tracking links?

Once an affiliate joins your campaign, their unique tracking links and short links are generated automatically in the affiliate portal. They copy and share them, and any registered coupon codes work alongside.

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.

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

Most merchants are live in 5 to 10 minutes: create a campaign, connect your payment processor webhook, and add the tracking script. No engineering project required.

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.

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Contents

Tracking linksCoupon codesWhy use both