Run Your Affiliate Program with Coupon Codes Only

Some businesses prefer to run their affiliate program using only coupon codes instead of referral links. This approach simplifies tracking, works better for certain marketing channels, and gives affiliates a clear, memorable way to share your product.

Why Disable Affiliate Links?

Running a coupon-only program offers several advantages:

• Simpler for influencers: Affiliates can share a code verbally in videos, podcasts, or live streams without needing to drop a link
• Better for offline promotion: Coupon codes work at events, in print materials, or anywhere links aren't practical
• Cleaner tracking: All conversions flow through a single attribution method
• Reduced fraud risk: Coupon codes are harder to abuse than referral links

How to Disable Affiliate Links

1. Navigate to your Affiliate Program Settings
2. Scroll to Tracking Settings
3. Find Affiliate Links and toggle the switch to Off
4. Save your changes

What Happens When You Disable Links

When affiliate links are disabled:

• Sign-up page: The referral link section is hidden from new affiliate applications
• Affiliate portal: Existing affiliates no longer see their referral link in their dashboard
• Tracking: Only coupon code conversions are tracked and attributed to affiliates

Affiliates will still have full access to their portal, performance stats, and commission information. The only change is that referral links become invisible.

Setting Up Coupon Code Tracking

Before disabling links, ensure your affiliates have a way to generate conversions:

Option 1: Self-Service Coupons

Let affiliates create their own coupon codes with your preset discount settings. This scales effortlessly as your program grows.

1. Go to Coupon Settings in your Affiliate Program
2. Click Enable under Self-Service Affiliate Coupons
3. Configure the discount type, value, and duration
4. Affiliates can now create their own codes in the portal

Option 2: Manual Coupon Assignment

Assign unique coupon codes to specific affiliates directly from your dashboard.

1. Go to Affiliates
2. Click the action menu for an affiliate
3. Select Manage Coupon Code
4. Enter the code and discount details

Best Practices

Communicate the change: Let existing affiliates know you're switching to coupon-only tracking and ensure they have their codes ready before you disable links.

Set clear expectations: Update your affiliate program terms to reflect the coupon-only model so new partners understand how tracking works.

Monitor performance: After switching, check your conversion data to ensure affiliates are successfully using their coupon codes.

Need help transitioning to coupon-only tracking? Contact support for guidance on migrating your affiliate program.