How to use this glossary
Use these definitions to understand a campaign conversation or report. They explain common usage rather than override a campaign agreement. When a label is ambiguous, ask for the specific event, permission or calculation it represents.
The same word can refer to different steps in different systems. In particular, a conversion label does not establish payment eligibility, and an advertiser’s payout is not necessarily an affiliate’s commission.
Participants and promotion
An affiliate is a publisher, creator or marketer participating in a referral-based commercial arrangement. An advertiser supplies the underlying product or service. An affiliate network supplies an operating layer that can include campaign access, tracking, reporting and commission administration.
A campaign or offer defines what is promoted and the conditions of participation. A creative is an approved promotional asset such as an image, text or landing-page material. A traffic source is the channel or property bringing an audience to the campaign. GEO is shorthand for geographic targeting or eligibility.
Conversion models
CPA means cost per action: compensation is associated with a defined qualifying outcome. CPL means cost per lead: the outcome is a lead meeting specified criteria. CPS means cost per sale: the outcome is an eligible purchase.
SOI means single opt-in and DOI means double opt-in. They generally distinguish a submission from a submission plus an additional confirmation. They do not guarantee that every completed step is valid or payable. Conversion requirements, duplicate rules and other conditions still apply.
Tracking identifiers
A tracking link is an authorised URL used to associate a referral with the relevant participation. A redirect sends a browser from one URL to another. A click ID identifies a recorded click, while a transaction ID identifies a reported conversion.
A Sub ID is an optional source label where supported. Use a neutral placement identifier rather than personal data. Attribution is the process of assigning an event to the relevant source or participant; it is not the same as validating the event’s quality.
Postbacks and duplicate handling
A postback is a server-to-server message reporting an event or its status. Authentication checks that the sender is authorised; validation checks the information. Idempotency means repeating the same operation does not create an additional result, such as crediting a transaction twice.
A duplicate transaction notification and a duplicate lead are different concepts. The first can be a normal retry. The second concerns campaign eligibility for repeat consumer activity. Neither should be labelled fraud solely because the word duplicate appears.
Conversion and financial status
Pending generally means an event is awaiting review or a final decision. Approved means it has passed the relevant approval stage. Rejected means it does not qualify under the applicable decision. Reversed records the undoing of a previously credited outcome under the applicable rules.
Payable refers to a balance eligible for payment under the agreement. Paid refers to a payment already made or recorded according to the system’s definition. A commission is the affiliate’s applicable amount; upstream revenue is the amount reported to the network by its partner. A ledger is a history of financial entries and adjustments.
Performance measurements
Conversion rate is conversions divided by the relevant visits or clicks, using consistent definitions and time windows. EPC means earnings per click, but you must check whether earnings means pending, approved or paid amounts. Comparing unlike definitions produces misleading conclusions.
A cap limits accepted activity under a campaign rule, such as a daily conversion allowance. A payment threshold is the minimum eligible balance required for a payment cycle. A NET label describes an agreed payment timing convention; the label requires an explicit starting event and does not imply a ClicksBounty schedule.
Traffic restrictions
Brand bidding means bidding on advertiser brand or trademark-related search terms. Direct linking sends advertising traffic to the campaign destination without an affiliate’s intermediate page, where allowed. Incentive traffic offers a benefit for taking an action and requires explicit permission on ClicksBounty.
Cookie stuffing means placing attribution cookies without a legitimate authorised referral interaction. It is prohibited, as are fabricated clicks and manipulated attribution. Sub-affiliates are downstream promoters in a distribution arrangement; they require the applicable network approval and disclosure.