The biggest challenges with affiliate tracking on Shopify often include:
📌 1. No Built-in Affiliate System
- Shopify does not have a native affiliate tracking system, requiring third-party apps or custom setups.
- Solution: Use affiliate apps like Refersion, GoAffPro, or UpPromote to track referrals.
📌 2. Attribution Issues
- Affiliates may not get credit if a customer clears cookies, switches devices, or delays their purchase.
- Solution: Use UTM parameters or post-purchase tracking to assign commissions properly.
📌 3. Managing Fraudulent Referrals
- Some affiliates may self-refer or use fake leads to earn commissions.
- Solution: Use IP tracking, order validation, and fraud filters to detect and block suspicious activity.
📌 4. Multi-Touch Conversion Tracking
- If a customer clicks multiple affiliate links, it’s unclear which affiliate gets credit.
- Solution: Set last-click, first-click, or multi-attribution models in your affiliate app.
📌 5. Tracking Across Multiple Channels
- Difficult to track affiliate links shared on social media, emails, and direct messages.
- Solution: Use unique tracking links for each platform and integrate with Google Analytics.
