Why referral links / URLs may not work, and how to fix them.

Referral links in the Coupon Affiliates plugin rely on cookies to track referrals effectively.

If these links are not working, it’s often because cookies are not being stored correctly or something is interfering with the tracking process.

Below are common reasons for this issue and multiple solutions to resolve it.

Common Causes

• Cookies Not Stored: The browser or website settings may prevent cookies from being set or stored.
• Caching Issues: Aggressive caching plugins or server-side caching can interfere with the dynamic nature of referral tracking.
• Plugin Conflicts: Other plugins may conflict with Coupon Affiliates, affecting how cookies or referral links function.
• Browser Settings: Users’ browser settings, such as blocking cookies, may prevent tracking.
• JavaScript Issues: If JavaScript is disabled or modified, referral link functionality may break.
• Server Configuration: Certain server settings, like security headers or CDN configurations, may block cookie storage.

Solutions to Fix Referral Link Issues

1. Check and Clear Caching

Caching plugins or server-side caching can prevent cookies from being stored or updated correctly, especially for logged-out users.

• Action: Temporarily disable any caching or performance plugins (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache) and clear all caches. If your hosting provider offers caching (e.g., Cloudflare, SiteGround Optimizer), disable those settings as well.
• Test: After disabling caching, test the referral links to see if they work.
• Note: Use a staging site to avoid impacting your live site during testing.

2. Identify Plugin Conflicts

Other plugins may interfere with Coupon Affiliates’ cookie-setting or referral-tracking mechanisms.

• Action: Temporarily deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and Coupon Affiliates. Test the referral links again.
• Test: If the links work, reactivate other plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
• Note: Perform this test on a staging site to prevent disruptions to your live site.

3. Verify Browser Compatibility

Browser settings or extensions can block cookies, preventing referral tracking.

• Action:
  • Test referral links in multiple browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and in incognito/private mode.
  • Ensure cookies are not blocked in the browser settings.
  • Ask users to disable browser extensions (e.g., ad blockers, privacy tools like uBlock Origin) that may interfere with cookies.
• Test: Confirm if referral links work in a clean browser environment.

4. Review Server and Security Settings

Certain server configurations or security settings can block cookies or interfere with referral tracking.

• Action:
  • Check if your server or CDN (e.g., Cloudflare) has strict security headers that may affect cookies.
  • Verify that your site’s .htaccess file or server rules are not blocking cookie-related requests.
  • Consult with your hosting provider to ensure no server-side restrictions are affecting cookie storage.
• Test: Test referral links after adjusting server settings.

5. Update and Configure Coupon Affiliates

An outdated plugin version or misconfiguration may cause referral link issues.

• Action:
  • Ensure you’re using the latest version of Coupon Affiliates and WooCommerce.
  • Check the plugin settings to confirm referral tracking is enabled and configured correctly (e.g., cookie duration, referral URL structure).
  • Clear any plugin-specific caches or reset referral tracking settings if necessary.
• Test: Test referral links after updating and verifying settings.

6. Test on a Staging Environment

To avoid affecting your live site, perform troubleshooting on a staging site.

• Action: Create a staging site (most hosting providers offer this feature) and replicate your live site’s setup. Test the above solutions in this controlled environment.
• Test: Confirm if referral links work on the staging site after applying fixes.

Additional Tips

• Cookie Duration: Ensure the cookie duration in Coupon Affiliates settings is set appropriately (e.g., 30 days) to allow sufficient time for tracking.
• Debug Mode: Enable WordPress debug mode or use a plugin like Query Monitor to identify errors related to referral tracking.
• Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact Coupon Affiliates support with details about your setup, including WordPress version, WooCommerce version, active plugins, and any error messages.