How coupon code tracking works
Coupon tracking lets you attribute conversions to a partner based on a promo code rather than a click on a tracking link. When a customer enters a coupon code at checkout, Trcker matches that code to the partner it was assigned to and records the conversion.
This is a second attribution method that works alongside link-based tracking. You can use coupon codes alone or combine them with tracking links for maximum coverage.
When to use codes vs links
- Influencers and creators tend to prefer coupon codes. Their audience hears a code in a video or reads it in a caption — clicking a link in a bio is an extra step many skip.
- Traditional affiliates and content publishers work better with tracking links embedded in articles or banners.
- Hybrid approach — Assign both a coupon code and a tracking link to the same partner. Trcker deduplicates conversions so the partner is not credited twice.
Setting up coupon tracking
Step 1: Go to the offer where you want to enable coupon tracking. Open the Coupons tab in the offer settings.
Step 2: Click + Add Coupon Code. Enter the code exactly as it will appear at checkout (e.g., SARAH20). Codes are case-insensitive.
Step 3: Assign the code to a partner. Select the partner from the dropdown. One code maps to one partner; a partner can have multiple codes.
Step 4: Click Save. The code is active immediately.
How conversions are attributed
When your backend fires a postback or server-side event that includes a coupon parameter, Trcker:
- Looks up the coupon code in the offer's code registry
- Identifies the assigned partner
- Records the conversion against that partner with the correct payout
If the same customer also clicked a tracking link from the same partner, Trcker deduplicates the conversion and credits it once.
Passing the coupon in a postback
Include the coupon code in your postback URL or server event payload:
https://app.trcker.io/postback?offer_id={offer_id}&coupon={coupon_code}&amount={sale_amount}
See Setting Up Postbacks for full postback integration details.
Managing coupon codes
- Deactivate a code at any time from the Coupons tab without deleting conversion history
- Reassign a code to a different partner if needed — future conversions will credit the new partner
- Bulk import codes via CSV if you have a large number to set up at once