What Is a Cookie Window?
A cookie window is the period of time after someone clicks your affiliate link during which their purchase may still be attributed to you.
For example, if a brand has a 7-day cookie window and someone clicks your link but doesn’t purchase right away, you may still earn commission if they return and complete their purchase within those 7 days - as long as your link remains the last eligible click before checkout.
How Long Is the Window?
Cookie windows are set by each brand or retailer, so they can vary.
A cookie window can be as short as a single browsing session or extend up to 30 days for many brands we work with. While there is no guaranteed standard across ShopMy, 7 days is a common window we see across our brand and retailer partners.
What Can Affect Cookie Tracking?
A purchase being made within the cookie window does not always guarantee that it will track back to your link. A few things can interrupt attribution:
- Another link is clicked: Most affiliate programs operate on a last-click attribution model. If the shopper clicks another affiliate link or eligible marketing channel before purchasing, the original attribution may be replaced.
- Cookies aren't accepted: If a shopper declines cookies when visiting the retailer's site, the tracking needed to attribute their purchase may not be stored.
- The shopper switches browsers or devices: Tracking may not carry over if someone clicks your link in one browser or on one device, but completes their purchase somewhere else.
- The cookie window expires: If the shopper completes their purchase after the brand's cookie window has ended, the order will no longer be attributed to the original click.
Keep in mind: Cookie windows determine how long attribution can remain active, but tracking still depends on the shopper's browsing journey and the retailer's individual tracking setup.