If you don't use the image of a product in CJ because you just want to use the URL (affiliate link), will it result to lost earnings because the image was not being tracked? This is a sample message from Cafepress in CJ: Copy and paste the following HTML code into your web pages. You must include all the above html in your links. Any missing html, including the image source, will prevent the link from tracking properly and result in a loss of commissions.
If you're talking about the 1x1 pixel tracking image, then it doesn't matter if you don't include it. You can just copy the url.
The 1x1 pixel image used to track impression only and it does not matter if you are not including it. The important is the actual URL. It used to set up a cookie to track your commission.
You need to pick the html for the text links you want to use in CJ, as text Links will usually convert to sales at a better percentage than a picture. If you pick a banner or other graphic then you need to use those in your ads.