What is a Referral Link and Why Edit It?
A referral link is a unique URL provided to you by an affiliate program. It contains a specific tracking parameter (often at the end of the URL) that tells the merchant the traffic or sale came specifically from you.
Why do affiliates like to edit them?
Branding: Changing a random string of numbers to your name or brand (e.g., ?ref=rachel10) looks more professional.
Trust: Short, clean, and recognizable links often achieve higher click-through rates.
Tracking: If you are running a specific campaign on Instagram vs. a blog, you might want to customize the code to identify which source is performing better.
How to Edit Your Referral Code
While your main Dashboard displays your current referral link for quick copying, it does not allow for direct editing. To change your code, follow these steps:
Navigate to Programs: Click on the Programs tab in the left-hand sidebar.
Select Your Program: You will see a list of affiliate programs you have joined (e.g., "Your Online Shop" or "Your SaaS Program"). Click the View button on the specific program you wish to update.
Note: If you are part of multiple programs, you must edit the link for each one individually if you want them to match.Find the Edit Option: On the "Referral link & Assets" tab, locate the section labeled Customize referral link. Click the blue Edit referral code link.
Update and Save: A pop-up will appear. Enter your new code in the text box.
Example: Change https://youronlineshop.com/?ref=myrefcode1 by simply typing the new version of myrefcode1.
Confirm: Click Save.
⚠️ Important Warning: Once you save the changes, your old links will stop working. Ensure you update the links on your website or social media profiles immediately to avoid losing commissions.
Tips for Editing Your Link
Keep it Short: Long, complex strings are hard to read and can be cut off in social media bios.
Avoid Special Characters: Stick to alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers). Avoid spaces or symbols that might "break" the URL.
Be Descriptive: If you are a YouTuber, using ?ref=yournameYT helps you identify that the traffic came from video content.
Use the Short Link Toggle: Once you’ve customized your code, use the "Create short link" toggle in the dashboard to make the URL even cleaner for platforms like X (Twitter) or Instagram.
FAQ
❓Can I change my referral code back to the old one?
Yes, provided no one else has claimed that specific code in the meantime. However, we recommend choosing a permanent code to avoid broken links.
❓Does editing my referral code change my Personal Coupon Code?
No. Your personal coupon code (e.g., RACHEL10) is usually managed separately. Changing your URL parameter only affects the link tracking, not the discount code.
❓Can I have different referral codes for the same program?
Most programs allow one primary referral code per account. If you need to track different sources (like "Blog" vs "Email"), look into the SubID and source settings located right above the referral link box.
❓Why can't I save my new referral code?
This typically happens when the code is taken: If you see the red error message "This referral code is already used", it means another affiliate in the program has already claimed that specific word or phrase.
Still need help?
If you have any questions or if something in this guide is unclear, please don't hesitate to contact us at support@tapfiliate.com-we're happy to assist!
Next Steps
Enhance your tracking: Visit Adding Sub ID Parameters to learn how to use UTM tags for deeper analysis of your individual ads or posts.
Compare your channels: Head to [Tracking Different Traffic Sources] to see which social platforms or websites are bringing in the highest quality traffic.
Improve conversion rates: Use the Generating Deeplinks guide to send your followers straight to specific products instead of a general landing page.
Analyze your success: Go to [Viewing Conversion and Customer Data] to see exactly which of your clicks turned into sales and view your total earnings.