As an affiliate, you might want to track where your referrals come from - whether it's from YouTube, Twitter, a blog post, or an email campaign. Sub-parameters let you do exactly that without creating multiple affiliate links.
What Are Sub-Parameters?
Sub-parameters (sub1 through sub5) are additional tracking fields you can add to your affiliate link. They allow you to organize and analyze your traffic sources with a single tracking ID.
Instead of creating separate links for each campaign, you can use one link with different sub-parameters:
https://example.com?via=john&sub1=youtube&sub2=review-video
https://example.com?via=john&sub1=twitter&sub2=promo-post
https://example.com?via=john&sub1=newsletter&sub2=weekly-digest
All these links use the same tracking ID (john), but you can see exactly which source brought each referral.
Why Use Sub-Parameters Instead of Multiple Links?
One Link, Unlimited Tracking
With sub-parameters, you don't need to request new tracking IDs for each campaign. Your main affiliate link stays the same - you just add parameters to track different sources.
Better Organization
Sub-parameters help you organize your tracking by:
- sub1: Traffic source (youtube, twitter, blog, email, etc.)
- sub2: Campaign or content type (review, tutorial, promo, etc.)
- sub3: Additional details (video-id, post-date, etc.)
- sub4 & sub5: Any other tracking dimensions you need
Detailed Analytics
When you check your affiliate dashboard, you'll see exactly which sub-parameter combinations are driving the most conversions. This helps you focus your efforts on what works best.
How to Set Up Sub-Parameters
In Your Affiliate Portal
- Go to your affiliate dashboard
- Click on Advanced Settings below your affiliate link
- Select the parameter you want to use (sub1, sub2, etc.)
- Enter a value for that parameter
- Copy your customized link
Manually Adding Parameters
You can also add sub-parameters directly to your link:
Basic link:
https://example.com?via=yourtrackingid
With one sub-parameter:
https://example.com?via=yourtrackingid&sub1=youtube
With multiple sub-parameters:
https://example.com?via=yourtrackingid&sub1=youtube&sub2=tutorial&sub3=jan2026
Best Practices
Keep Values Short and Consistent
Use lowercase, short identifiers:
youtubeinstead ofYouTube_Channel_123twitterinstead ofX-formerly-Twitterbloginstead ofmy-personal-blog
Create a Naming Convention
Decide on a consistent system. For example:
| Parameter | Purpose | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| sub1 | Platform | youtube, twitter, blog, email |
| sub2 | Content Type | review, tutorial, comparison |
| sub3 | Campaign | summer2026, launch, holiday |
Track What Matters
You don't need to use all five parameters. Start with sub1 for your traffic source, and add more only if you need additional detail.
Example Use Cases
Content Creator
?via=sarah&sub1=youtube&sub2=review
?via=sarah&sub1=youtube&sub2=tutorial
?via=sarah&sub1=instagram&sub2=story
Blogger
?via=mike&sub1=blog&sub2=comparison-post
?via=mike&sub1=blog&sub2=sidebar-banner
?via=mike&sub1=newsletter&sub2=weekly
Social Media Marketer
?via=emma&sub1=twitter&sub2=thread
?via=emma&sub1=linkedin&sub2=article
?via=emma&sub1=reddit&sub2=comment
Viewing Your Sub-Parameter Data
Your affiliate dashboard shows analytics broken down by sub-parameters, so you can see:
- Which traffic sources drive the most clicks
- Which content types convert best
- Which campaigns are performing well
Use this data to double down on your best-performing strategies.
Pro Tip: Instead of changing your tracking ID when you want to track a new campaign, use sub-parameters. It keeps your main link consistent while giving you all the tracking flexibility you need.
