(BIZ) Cookie Clarification Question
 

I never did do much affiliate stuff, but there has always been a niggling question, about something I have never FULLY understood in my mind. TBH, I have not asked directly before, cause I didn't want to sound stupid.

But as it doesn't really apply to me anymore (95% Retired) I just thought I'd throw it out there... I've asked a few people in person, but have always had different replies, so perhaps GFY could collectively answer this once and for all:

Senario - Affiliate 1 signs up to become an affiliate of "xyzhotpornosluts.com" They are a legit company, and use ccBill.

He sends a surfer to the site, and it sets (lets say) a 30 day cookie - Fine...

So, if that same surfer, returns to that site within 30 days, Aff 1 gets the commission. If he returns in 31 days - The site makes the entire sale - FAIR enough...

But my question is this. Lets say that after a week - 7 days - The same surfer considers joining, but decides to check out a review site - Like 'rabbits' or similar - reads the review, and then clicks to go 'visit site' - Which sets THIER COOKIE...

So, the surfer joins. Who gets the commission? Is it Aff 1, who introduced him to the site, or the review site, as they were the most recent?

In other words, does a 30 day cookie stay in place for 30 days REGARDLESS, or does it get overwritten by a new 30 day cookie - As its the most recent? - Even if aff 1s cookie is only 7 days old?

The sale goes to: Aff 1 or the Review site (Aff 2) ???


.

If he doesn't clear his cookies, affiliate 1 gets the sale.

I

Persistent cookies remain on your hard drive until you erase them or they expire. How long a cookie remains on your browser depends on how long the visited website has programmed the cookie to last.

So it doest get overwritten, provided the orig cookie is still 'active'

Thanks - I always wondered :thumbsup

Again thanks - Now, having been made aware of the term "Persistant Cookie" - I was able to find this site:

http://www.allaboutcookies.org/cooki...-used-for.html

Which has given me a full explanation - 12 Years too late... But beter late than never LOL

Thanks :thumbsup

It varies. Some overwrite, some don't.

So, a 'ccBill' cookie, is not (By Deault) a persistant cookie? Or can the program owners choose to make it so - or not - as the case may be?

I know they can set a limit on it... But can they do that as well?

I missed it being specifically ccbill. not sure of the answer.

There is no overwriting unless there is some malicious intent.

If a cookie is set then it's for the length of time set for the cookie.


CurrentlySober

Let me clear this up. In your example, the review site might get the sale because they could direct the surfer to a specific landing page.
If the surfer goes to the same page and the same join page, whomever set the cookie first (and it is within the expiration time) then that affiliate will get the sale referral.

:2 cents:

Urm.. SHOULDN'T it be "Last cookie wins"? That's how it's in mainstream (been out of adult for a good 4+ years now), so can't remember.

Atleast most affiliate networks work on that basis. Not to mention the impression-based sales which don't even need the click, just an impression on the affiliate network tag/pixel.

So worst case scenario

- User clicks on a link on a page (Aff 1)
- Puts shit in his basket
- Opens another tab
- Goes to google --> Discount coupon for this site
- Goes to a coupon -site (Aff 2)
- VIEWS the page, doesn't click on anything
- Returns to his basket
- Aff 2 gets credit

You can only overwrite cookies that you have access to modify.
Cookies must be modified before any info/data is sent to the browser. The browser identifies a cookie and stores it based on headers sent from the server to the browser. The HTTP protocol will not accept header elements during transmission of the body.

Umm.. all ccbill links go through refer.ccbill.com which means that it's (obviously) a 1st party cookie, and refer.ccbill.com has access to modify that cookie during the redirect to the end -domain.

Too tired now to respond now. I'll get back to you in a few hours after I sleep.

Correct afaik. But keep in mind that there are ways for a sponsor to override the cookie and to pass in another affiliate ID dirctly.

depends how program is set, some programs pay first cookie and some pays for last cookie.

majority are last cookie, so the review sites gets sale., thats why their are review sites making more sales.

I'm still confuzzled... :(

That's a good example of why it shouldn't be last cookie wins, surely.

:thumbsup:thumbsup

some programs, cough cough, use both cookie and ip for tracking :winkwink:

From what I've been hearing is that, C is for cookie, that's good enough for me

With CCBill, whoever sets the last cookie gets the sale.