How Affiliate Tracking Works

The tracking script is the foundation of Affonso's affiliate system. It captures referral data when visitors arrive from affiliate links and ensures accurate commission attribution when they make purchases.

Why the Script Is Essential

When someone clicks an affiliate link, we need to remember where they came from. The tracking script:

Detects affiliate parameters in URLs
Generates a unique tracking identifier
Stores it securely in a cookie (affonso_referral)
Maintains attribution through the entire customer journey

Installation

Add this script to the <head> section of every page where users might land, sign up, or make purchases:

<!-- Place in <head> tag -->
<script
  async
  defer
  src="https://affonso.io/js/pixel.min.js"
  data-affonso="YOUR_PUBLIC_PROGRAM_ID"
  data-cookie_duration="YOUR_COOKIE_DURATION"
></script>

Configuration:

Replace YOUR_PUBLIC_PROGRAM_ID with your program ID from the Affonso dashboard
Set YOUR_COOKIE_DURATION to how many days the tracking should persist

Where to Install

The script should be added to:

Your main website / marketing pages (yourdomain.com)
Your application (app.yourdomain.com)
Any subdomains users visit during their journey

The script automatically syncs tracking data across all subdomains.

How It Works

Once installed, the script:

Detects affiliate parameters like ?ref=xyz or ?via=abc
Creates a unique tracking ID (not the raw parameter value)
Stores it as affonso_referral cookie
Exposes it via window.affonso_referral

This unique ID is what you'll pass to payment providers for commission tracking.

Critical Implementation Note

Never use URL parameters directly. Always use the cookie value we generate.

Correct approach:

const referralId = window.affonso_referral;

Incorrect approach:

const referralId = getUrlParam('via'); // Unreliable and inaccurate

We generate unique internal IDs for security and accurate attribution. URL parameters can be manipulated or lost during navigation.

Testing Your Integration

To verify the script is working:

Visit your site with our test affiliate parameter: yoursite.com?atp=test
Check your Affonso dashboard - you should see a new click registered
In your browser DevTools → Application → Cookies → look for affonso_referral
The cookie value should be a unique ID like cmdhq6ayf05013mlrezo8yud9

If you see both a click in your Affonso dashboard and the cookie, your tracking is working correctly.