Affiliate tracking is powerful, but it's not perfect — and knowing how it works can help you maximize the sales that get credited to you.
How Brands Connect to ShopMy
Brands connect to ShopMy one of two ways. Some integrate directly with us, which means faster reporting and the ability to set up commissionable discount codes — a reliable way to make sure your sales get attributed to you. Others run their affiliate programs through a third-party network, where the attribution logic, sale reporting, and payout timing are managed per the brand's program rules.
💡 Tip: Not sure how a specific brand is set up? Reach out and we can look it up for you.
Why orders sometimes go missing
Affiliate tracking depends on a shopper clicking your link or using your code at checkout. Several things can interrupt that connection:
- Attribution to another channel — If a shopper interacts with another affiliate link or marketing touchpoint, credit may go there instead.
- Device switching — Moving from phone to computer (or vice versa) mid-purchase can break the tracking chain.
- Incognito / private browsing — Typically clears stored data, which can prevent attribution.
- Promo code use — If a shopper applies a different promo code at checkout, credit may go elsewhere. Some retailers exclude commission whenever any promo code is used.
- Browser extensions — Tools like Honey, Rakuten Rewards, or Croissant can disrupt tracking if active during the transaction.
- In-app purchases — Some brands don't track purchases made through their mobile app.
- Self-purchases — Some brand programs exclude orders placed by the creator themselves.
- Non-commissionable items — Gift cards, sale items, and certain categories may be excluded from commission earning. That's the brand's call, not a tracking issue.
⚠️ Affiliate tracking isn't perfect — it can be a "leaky bucket." We know you're driving sales that don't always get attributed back to you, and that's genuinely frustrating. It's an industry-wide challenge, not unique to ShopMy.
What to Do If a Sale Is Missing
Orders can take up to 7 days to appear in your earnings tab. If it's been longer than that, reach out — we're happy to dig in.
Reach us anytime at creatorsupport@shopmy.us or via chat.