Affiliate SubID Tracking: How to Know Which Link Made the Sale
SubID tracking lets affiliates attach an identifier to a link so later conversions can be tied back to a page, button, campaign, placement or traffic source.
Key takeaways
- SubIDs are labels passed through affiliate links so you can identify where a conversion originated.
- Use a simple naming system you will still understand months later.
- Different networks use different parameter names, so follow the network’s own documentation.
- Test a real or approved test conversion before relying on the data.
What is a SubID?
A SubID is a tracking value you attach to an affiliate link. Instead of seeing only that “something converted,” you can often see which article, button, campaign or placement produced the conversion.
If the network supports a parameter such as subid=review_top_button, that value can travel with the click and later appear in the conversion report.
What should you put in a SubID?
Use labels tied to decisions you may actually make: page, traffic source, ad, email, CTA position or content format. Avoid personally identifiable information.
SubID vs click ID
A SubID is usually a label you choose. A click ID is commonly a unique identifier generated for an individual click. In more advanced setups, click IDs connect the original visit to a server-to-server postback.
A practical naming system
review_topreview_bottomemail_aug10youtube_demo
Common mistakes
- Using inconsistent labels.
- Assuming every network supports the same parameter.
- Passing sensitive visitor data in URLs.
- Never testing whether the SubID appears after a conversion.