What tracking sources are and why you should use them
Tracking sources are custom identifiers that allow affiliates to pinpoint exactly which of their marketing efforts are generating revenue. Instead of seeing a single lump sum of traffic, you can break down your performance by specific origins—such as a particular blog post, a targeted email blast, or a social media campaign.
By utilizing these sources, you can:
Audit conversion quality: Identify which specific channels drive the most high-value sales rather than just raw clicks.
Calculate precise ROI: See exactly how much commission you are earning relative to the time or ad spend invested in a specific traffic source.
Scale profitable campaigns: Confidently shift your focus and budget toward the sources that result in the highest payouts.
Using tracking sources gives you a granular view of your earnings and provides the data needed to make informed decisions that maximize your affiliate income.
How to add tracking sources
Adding tracking sources in Tapfiliate is simple:
Log in to your affiliate account.
Go to the Sources tab.
Click the Create New Source button.
Choose the type of source: Website or Other.
Website: for an actual website.
Other: for anything else, like social media, media buying, etc.
Give your source a name.
Click the Add button.
Note: The Default Source is an ID that is automatically applied to affiliate links when a source_id is used for tracking instead of a referral code at the end of the link. These cases are rare and only work this way when explicitly set up by the advertiser.
How to attach tracking source IDs to affiliate links
After creating tracking sources, you can attach them to affiliate links to track where traffic comes from:
Log in to your affiliate account.
Go to the Programs tab.
Click the View button to select the program.
Click Manage SubID and Source.
Select the source from the drop-down menu.
How to check traffic source performance
Once tracking sources are set up and used in affiliate links, you can monitor their performance:
Log in to your affiliate account.
Go to the Reporting tab.
Click on the Source tab.
Next Steps
Generate your first Deeplink: Head to the Assets or Links section in your dashboard to create a direct link to a specific product or category page. This is proven to increase conversion rates by reducing the steps a customer takes to buy.
Viewing Conversion and Customer Data: Check the Conversions tab regularly to see which specific traffic sources are turning into sales. You can view detailed customer insights to better understand your audience's purchasing behavior.
Accessing Reports: Use the Reports section to generate comprehensive data summaries. Use these insights to identify your highest-performing campaigns and optimize your strategy for the coming month.
Review Bonus Progress: If your program offers them, visit the Bonuses or Achievements tab to see how close you are to reaching your next performance milestone.