Affiliate cookies are a fundamental part of how affiliate marketing tracking works. Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Tracking Referrals:
- When someone clicks on an affiliate's unique referral link, a small text file, known as a cookie, is placed on their device (computer, smartphone, etc.).
- This cookie contains information that identifies the affiliate who referred the visitor.
- Attributing Conversions:
- If the visitor later completes a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service, the cookie allows the system to attribute that action to the referring affiliate.
- This ensures that the affiliate receives the appropriate commission.
- Cookie Duration:
- Affiliate programs define a specific duration for their cookies. This determines how long the cookie remains active on the visitor's device.
- If the visitor completes the desired action within the cookie's lifespan, the affiliate receives credit.
- In the case of the pulsed media example, the cookies last for 90 days.
- How it works in basic steps:
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- Affiliate link click: a potential customer clicks on an affiliate link.
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- Cookie placement: a cookie is placed on the potential customers device.
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- Customer action: The customer may or may not complete a purchase or sign up right away.
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- Conversion tracking: If the customer completes the action within the cookies duration, the cookie informs the affiliate program that the customer was refered by that affiliate.
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- Commission attribution: the affiliate is then given the commission for the conversion.
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