Attribution window
The full timeframe during which a conversion can still be attributed to an earlier touchpoint. Broader than the cookie window in that it includes server-side and cross-device attribution mechanisms that operate beyond browser cookies.
The attribution window is the network's answer to "how far back are we willing to look for the click that caused this conversion?" In browser-only cookie tracking, the attribution window equals the cookie window. In server-side tracking with logged-in user matching, the attribution window can extend further, because the network can still match a logged-in user to their previous click even after the cookie expires.
Amazon Associates illustrates the distinction. The cookie window is 24 hours: if the buyer is browsing as a guest, only purchases within 24 hours of the click get credited. The attribution window is effectively longer for logged-in Amazon customers, because Amazon can match the user's account history. Networks like Impact and CJ have explicit attribution-window settings per merchant that can extend to 30, 60, or 90+ days.
See also
Related terms
Cookie window
The timeframe between a visitor clicking your affiliate link and completing a purchase, during which the network will credit you the commission. Varies by program, from 24 hours (Amazon) to 30+ days (most other networks).
GlossaryLast-click attribution
The model affiliate networks use to credit commissions: whoever was the last affiliate to send a visitor before they purchased gets the commission, regardless of who introduced them to the product.
GlossaryClick ID
A unique identifier the affiliate network assigns to each click on your affiliate link. Used for server-to-server (S2S) postback tracking when browser cookies are unreliable, and for forensic debugging of missed conversions.
GlossarySub-ID
An optional label appended to an affiliate URL that lets you attribute conversions to a specific placement, content piece, or campaign. Every major network supports them; almost no creators use them well.