Tracking identities and labels

What this is

A tracking identity is the label and short code you give to one source of your traffic, such as a newsletter, a specific video, or a paid campaign. On this platform these are called Tracking IDs. Each one belongs to you and to one program, and any referral link you create can carry one of them.

Why it matters

Clear labels make your performance reports readable months later. A code such as "yt-review-2026" tells you exactly where the clicks came from; a code such as "test1" does not. Merchants also see your tracking labels in their own reports, so tidy names make it easier for a merchant to understand what you are doing and to reward strong channels.

How to do it

1. Open a program where your application is Approved and find the Tracking IDs section under "Your application."
2. Enter a Label that a person can read, for example "Weekly newsletter."
3. Enter a Code using letters, numbers, and dashes only. Codes must be unique within the program for your account.
4. Optionally add Notes to remind yourself what the source is or when you started using it.
5. Click "Add tracking ID." The new identity is immediately available when you create a referral link.
6. To retire an identity you no longer use, click Archive. To bring it back, click Restore.

What happens next

Clicks and conversions that arrive through a referral link carrying a tracking ID are grouped under that identity in your program performance breakdown. Archived identities keep all of their history; only new links stop offering them.

Common mistakes

Creating one identity for every single post usually creates clutter. Group by channel or campaign instead, and use notes for the small details. Reusing the same code with different meanings across programs also makes cross-program comparisons confusing, so keep a consistent naming pattern such as channel, then topic, then year.

In short

Tracking identities are your own labels for traffic sources. Name them clearly, keep them consistent across programs, archive what you stop using, and your reports will stay meaningful.