tracking / cookies question

is there any way to tell if an affiliate tracks purchases even after they close the window and come back later? if they do do this, do they usually tell you outright?

they don't mention it in one of the programs I'm interested in, so I'm just curious...

I suppose I could see if they left a cookie, but that wouldn't prove you get credited for those sales- they may use them internally but not credit you, right?

 

If you are running Internet Explorer you can view the cookies, as files, by doing the following.

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, click Settings, and then click View files.
3. Find the cookie in mention. The cookies should be listed as... Cookie:user@sitename.com/

Each cookie should just be a text file. One of the lines should indicate when it expired.

 

this doesn't guarantee that you'd be credited for it, though, you see what I mean?

they might use it internally but not credit the site... ie, they'd realize that the sale was from the affiliate program, but they wouldn't be required to credit the site because it wasn't coming directly from there.

 

Hi disgust,

Most good companies that offer cookies longer than 1 visit are proud of it and list the cookie length. In all of our programs we offer 120 day - 10 year cookies and you can be sure cookie lenght is listed on all of our review pages. If they don't list it you may need to email to find out. If they are on a network, like CJ it will usually tell you on the network info page or possibly if you sign up you will get a welcome email that wil tell you.

In addition to cookie length - check how many occurances they offer. Some people have 90 day cookies but only one purchase will pay commissions, repeat purchases won't. Ideally you want unlimited occurances.