Updated - Feature Release 3.5.0 (February, 2024):
Added coupon code Description field that supports plain text / HTML and is visible to your affiliates.
Allow duplicate coupon codes across multiple different Offers, but not multiple different Partners.
You can now create individual or bulk coupon codes without assigning them to a specific Partner.
Added ability to Bulk Update Coupon Codes.
Table of Contents
Overview
Coupon Code Tracking URLs provide a powerful tracking method that redirects users to your Base Destination URL. Since the Coupon Code Tracking URL is formatted in a way that is easily communicated, either verbally or visually, this is a great way to drive performance from Partners using platforms that don't allow obvious tracking links, such as Instagram or other video content.
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How the Coupon Code Works
When you create a new Coupon Code, we automatically create an optional Coupon Code Tracking URL with that code. Whenever a user visits that URL, they are tracked as a click and are redirected to your Base Destination URL. Performance will be tracked to the Partner and Offer assigned to that Coupon Code.
Example:
Advertiser: Brand.com
Tracking Domain: brandshop.com
Base Destination URL: brand.com/newstuff
You create two Coupon Codes: insta1, snapdog
You assign these Coupon Codes to Partners 1 and 2, respectively.
Partner 1 can send traffic to: brandshop.com/insta1
Partner 2 can send traffic to: brandshop.com/snapdog
When the Partners send traffic to those URLs, the users will automatically be redirected to the Base Destination URL: brand.com/newstuff
Based on the Coupon Code in the initial URL used on the Click, Conversions are attributed to the assigned Partner and Offer.
How to Create and Locate Coupon Code Tracking URLs
Before getting started, please note that we recommend using a custom tracking domain for Coupon Code URLs. Using a domain that hosts brand content puts the entire domain at risk if it gets flagged, so it is best to choose a domain with a similar name instead. Please reach out to the Customer Success team if you need a custom domain purchased or added to your account.
Creating a Coupon Code
To create the Coupon Code portion, navigate to Partners - Coupon Codes, then click + Coupon Code.
This value will take the place of the encoded Partner ID and Offer ID.
Coupon Code: The actual code that will be used for attribution. This is also the value you will see when generating a Coupon Code Tracking URL.
Formatting Rules
Must be more than 2 characters
Only alphanumeric characters are allowed
No spaces
NOT case-sensitive
Status: If the Coupon Code is active or inactive.
Offer: Offer to associate the Coupon Code with. Detected conversions will attribute the conversion to this Offer.
Partner: Partner to associate the Coupon Code with. Detected conversions will attribute the conversion to this Partner.
Set Start Date/Set End Date: If you do not select a start/end date, then we will honor the Coupon Code indefinitely. If a start/end date is selected, the Coupon Code URL will only function as a tracking link if used between those dates.
Description: The description is a Partner-facing field where you can share more about the Coupon Code, including restrictions, the discount, location requirements, etc. This field supports plain text and HTML and is visible to your affiliates.
Bulk Adding Coupon Codes
Coupon Codes can also be added in bulk using CSV upload.
To do so, navigate to Partners - Coupon Codes - +Coupon Code - Bulk Add Coupon Codes. A template is available for your download on this page.
Use This Template for Bulk Adding Coupon Codes.
Note: offer_id, affiliate_id, coupon_code and status are all mandatory fields to fill in upon uploading a file.
If you are using the optional start_date and end_date columns, the date must be in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., 2024-11-21)
Duplicate Coupon Codes
The same coupon code CAN be set for multiple Offers and the same Partner.
However, you cannot duplicate coupon codes across different Partners.
Example: If you create the coupon code "thebestdeal2012" for Partner 1, you cannot create another coupon code-named "thebestdeal2012" for Partner 2. Coupon codes must be unique per Partner.
However, your coupon code "thebestdeal2012" can be applied for Offer 1, Offer 2, Offer 3, etc. if Partner 1 is selected for all of them.
When a Duplicate Coupon Code is used for conversion attribution, both Coupon Code and Offer ID must be included:
Server Postback
... &coupon_code=thebestcodeever&oid=448
The conversion will be attributed to the specified Offer ID (Offer ID 448)
Javascript SDK
<script type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.TRACKING_DOMAIN.com/scripts/sdk/everflow.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
EF.conversion({
offer_id: 24,
coupon_code: "thebestcodeever",
});
</script>
The conversion will be attributed to the specified Offer ID (Offer ID 24)
Unassigned Partner Coupon Codes
You can also create coupon codes that are not pre-assigned to a Partner. This allows you to generate codes in bulk and assign them later. Note that Coupon Codes without a Partner cannot be used until one is assigned.
The unassigned codes can be assigned to a Partner at a later time if needed.
Coupon Codes with unassigned Partner will be shown with a dash "-"
Bulk Updating Coupon Codes
Bulk Update allows you to edit multiple Coupon Codes at the same time. Use this template.
For duplicate Coupon Codes, coupon_code_id is a required field
Leaving a field blank will keep the current value; input in the field will update.
Use This Template for Bulk Updating Coupon Codes.
Note: For Bulk Updating, you only need COUPON_CODE and either: AFFILIATE_ID and / or OFFER_ID.
The optional fields are , STATUS, NOTES, START_DATE, END_DATE (format: YYYY-MM-DD), DESCRIPTION, IS_DESCRIPTION_PLAIN_TEXT, AND coupon_code_id.
Once you have added or uploaded rows from your CSV file, you can individually edit or delete the rows. This allows you to make changes on a per-row basis, both for the initial Bulk Add and any subsequent Bulk Updates for your Coupon Codes.
Additionally, you can also Bulk Update the status for several coupon codes.
Select Coupon Codes that require a status change, navigate to Actions and choose Change Status.
Tracking URLs
To access your Coupon Code Tracking URLs, click the link icon on the far right side of the row. Then, you may copy the URL from the pop-up.
Note: this icon will be greyed out if generating a Coupon Code Tracking URL is not available. For instance, Coupon Codes with unassigned Partners will show a greyed-out icon.
Note: this icon will be greyed out if the Coupon Code is not formatted correctly.
Reporting for Conversions with Coupon Codes
You can see conversions attributed to Coupon Codes on the Conversion Report.
To add this column, navigate to Reporting - Conversion.
Click the Columns button to add Coupon Code.
You can also see Coupon Code performance in the Analytics - Flex report.
As these Coupon Codes are also attributed to Clicks, you can view these on a Click Report (Reporting - Click) by adding the Coupon Code column, as well as in top-level reporting such as the Offer, Partner, and Advertiser Reports. When looking at a top-level report, expand the reporting data, then click on the Offer/Partner/Advertiser for which you would like to see a click list. Once the list is generated, you may add the Coupon Code column.
Partner Access
Once a Coupon Code has been created for an Offer a Partner is approved for, Coupon Codes will appear as a menu item in the Partner Portal. Here, the Partner can access Coupon Code Tracking URLs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to set up these URLs for this to work?
No. Everflow automatically generates these destination pages on top of your existing tracking domain and then redirects the user to your Offer's Base Destination URL.
Do I need to use Direct Linking for this to work?
No. The tracking process starts on the re-direct, so you don't need a Direct Linking setup. Direct Linking does not work with Coupon Code Tracking Links.
Since this method uses an immediate auto-redirect, will there be issues with Facebook, Google, and other platforms that don't allow redirects?
Possibly. This method would risk being flagged by these platforms. For these platforms, we recommend using Direct Linking. The Coupon Code Tracking URL is recommended for social channels like youtube that need an easy way to promote offers using a clear type in destination.
Does this work with SmartSwitch, Targeting Rules, and Anti-Fraud Tools?
Yes. Everflow will check each user to make sure they meet all of your set SmartSwitch and Targeting rules before delivering them to the Offer.