Who is this article for?
This article will be useful to you if are a partner on PartnerStack looking to leverage Sub IDs and Shared IDs to track referral link activity.
Sub ID Overview
Sub IDs are static, alphanumeric strings that you can append to the end of your links for advanced affiliate tracking. By using Sub IDs, you gain deeper insights into various performance metrics to optimize your promotions.
You can add one or multiple Sub IDs to any PartnerStack link. Each Sub ID is captured at the time of the click and attributed to the earned commission after a customer conversion.
Once a commission is generated, you will be able to view the Sub ID that was used directly within your PartnerStack dashboard.
Sub ID format
- 255 character limit
- Full unicode compatibility, though ASCII is recommended for simplicity
Sub IDs may not work for all companies you are partnered with. Please reach out to support@partnerstack.com if you have further questions.
Adding Sub IDs to links
You can append Sub IDs to either your default link or your custom link (if your partner company supports custom links).
- Select your desired program by clicking "Switch programs" in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard
- Navigate to the Links tab on the left side of your program menu
- Copy your PartnerStack referral link
- For example, companyName.grsm.io/PartnerABC
- Paste your link into an external text document (word, sheets, notes)
- Append ?sid=(your_sid_here) to the end of your link
- Adding the Sub ID 123 would be written as ?sid=123
- You can add multiple Sub IDs to a link following this format:
- link.com/PartnerKey?sid1=123&sid2=ABC&sid3=456 ... etc
- Share your full link, including the Sub ID you have added
- Example full link: companyName.grsm.io/PartnerABC?sid=123
Sub IDs must be added to your links externally to PartnerStack. If custom links are enabled for your program, please ensure you are not adding the Sub ID in your custom link text.
Reviewing Sub ID performance
In the Reporting tab, the numbered Sub ID columns within the Commissions and Customer performance charts will display a Sub ID if the corresponding commission was generated after following a link with a Sub ID parameter.
To view Sub ID reporting
- Navigate to the Reporting tab on the top menu bar of your dashboard
- Click on "Commissions" or "Customer performance"
- Your Sub IDs will appear in the Sub ID columns on the right
Customize your Sub ID reports by filtering the timeframe, partnerships, or partner team members
Download your report by selecting the three dots (⋮) and clicking Export
Commission and Customer performance data columns
- Action: The action associated with the commission (e.g., purchase, signup)
- Click date: The date when the click occurred
- Click location: The country where the click happened
- Commission amount: The amount of the commission associated with the event
- Commission key: A unique identifier for the commission
- Commission status: The status of the commission (e.g., pending, approved, scheduled)
- Created date: The date when the commission was earned
- Customer email: The customer's email is associated with the commission
- Customer key: A unique identifier for the customer
- Customer location: The customer's location
- Customer name: The name of the customer associated with the commission
- Landing page: The webpage where your link directs potential customers
- Link: The unique tracking link provided by the partnership program
- Offer name: The trigger/offer name provided by the partnership
- Partnership: The name of the partnership
- Product key: A product key associated with the commission
- Referrer page: The webpage where you have placed your link to drive traffic
- Revenue: The total amount of money earned through completed transactions
- Sub ID: A Sub ID associated with the commission
- Shared ID: A Shared ID associated with the commission
- Target type: The event type triggering the commission (e.g., click, customer, transaction, lead, deal, manual commission, challenge)
- Team member: The member of your team that drove this click, customer, transaction, etc.
- Total commissions: The total amount of commissions earned from your customer
Viewing Sub ID data in your program menu
If the company you partner with supports detailed link tracking with their integration, you will see additional menu options displayed under your Performance tab. These options will allow you to view more details about your Sub ID activity.
To view Sub ID performance for specific programs
- Navigate to "Your performance" on the top right of your dashboard and select your desired program
- Click the Performance tab and select Sub ID
- You will be able to generate a performance report about your Sub IDs
- Customize your Sub ID performance reports by filtering the timeframe, partner team members and Sub ID parameter
- Download your report by selecting the three dots (⋮) and clicking Export
To learn more about reviewing your program performance, view our support guide Learning more about your performance and commissions.
Shared IDs
Shared IDs are extra Sub IDs used to track partners operating within subnetworks or complex affiliate structures.
A single Shared ID can be added to any partner link in the same way as a standard Sub ID (e.g. by appending ?sharedid=your_sharedid to the URL).
Shared IDs are made fully visible to the company you partner with. Your partner company can commission directly off the Shared ID and edit the Shared ID associated with the customer record.
To view Shared ID reporting:
- Navigate to your Reporting tab in the top menu bar
- Click on the heading "Commissions" at the top of the page
- Scroll down to view your "Detailed Commissions Breakdown" chart
- Your Shared ID will appear in the Shared ID column
Shared IDs are also visible in all reports where Sub IDs appear, including the Sub ID and Customers reports in the Performance tab.