Are you testing AffiliateWP and need to clear cookies to ensure accurate tracking? AffiliateWP uses cookies to track affiliate referrals, visits, and campaign activity. When testing your setup, it’s essential to clear these cookies to simulate a new customer or test a different affiliate’s referral link. Without clearing cookies, previously stored data remains in the browser, which can prevent new visits or campaigns from being tracked.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to delete AffiliateWP cookies in three popular browsers—Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. By following these steps, you can reset the tracking data and test your AffiliateWP system accurately.
Understanding AffiliateWP Cookies
AffiliateWP stores three primary cookies to track affiliate activity:
affwp_ref: Stores the affiliate’s unique ID, such as123.affwp_ref_visit_id: Tracks the visit ID, which increments with each new referral link click.affwp_campaign: Tracks campaign names if affiliates use campaign-specific referral URLs.
If your site is hosted on Pantheon, your cookies will be named wp_affwp_ref, wp_affwp_ref_visit_id, and wp_affwp_campaign, respectively.
These cookies remain active in the browser until they expire (based on your cookie expiration settings in AffiliateWP » Settings » Commissions) or until they are manually cleared.
Clearing cookies resets the tracking system, allowing you to test a new affiliate’s referral link or a different campaign URL. Below, we’ll walk you through how to delete these cookies in Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
Why Clearing Cookies is Important
Clearing cookies is essential when testing AffiliateWP’s functionality. It allows the system to store new tracking data, such as a different affiliate ID or campaign name, ensuring accurate results. If cookies aren’t cleared, existing data remains in the browser, and new visits or campaigns may not be recorded correctly.
Deleting AffiliateWP Cookies in Firefox
To delete AffiliateWP cookies in Firefox:
- Visit your website using an affiliate referral link (e.g.,
http://yoursite.com/?ref=123). - Open the Tools menu, go to Browser Tools, and select Web Developer Tools. This opens a panel at the bottom of your browser.
- Click the Storage tab and select Cookies from the left-hand menu. Then, click on your website’s name to view the cookies.
- Locate the
affwp_refcookie, right-click on it, and select Delete. Repeat the process for theaffwp_ref_visit_idandaffwp_campaigncookies if applicable. - Alternatively, you can delete all cookies for the site if needed.
Deleting AffiliateWP Cookies in Chrome
To delete AffiliateWP cookies in Chrome:
- Visit your website using an affiliate referral link.
- Open the View menu, go to Developer, and select Developer Tools.
- Click the Application tab, expand the Cookies dropdown under Storage, and select your website.
- Locate the
affwp_refcookie, right-click on it, and select Delete. Repeat the process for theaffwp_ref_visit_idandaffwp_campaigncookies if applicable.
Deleting AffiliateWP Cookies in Safari
To delete AffiliateWP cookies in Safari:
- Visit your website using an affiliate referral link.
- Open the Develop menu and select Show Web Inspector.
- Click the Storage tab and select Cookies from the left-hand menu. Then, click on your website’s name to view the cookies.
- Locate the
affwp_refcookie, right-click on it, and select Delete. Repeat the process for theaffwp_ref_visit_idandaffwp_campaigncookies if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I clear AffiliateWP cookies during testing?
Clearing cookies resets the tracking data, allowing you to test a new affiliate referral link or campaign URL without interference from previously stored data.
Do I need to clear cookies for each new test?
Yes, if you’re testing multiple affiliate links or campaigns, you’ll need to clear cookies between tests to ensure accurate tracking results.
What happens if cookies aren’t cleared?
If cookies aren’t cleared, the browser will continue using the existing data, and no new visits or campaigns will be tracked. Clearing cookies ensures fresh tracking data is recorded.
Does clearing cookies affect existing customers?
No, clearing cookies only affects the browser you’re using for testing. Customers using their own browsers will still be tracked normally.
That’s it! Clearing AffiliateWP cookies is a crucial step for accurate testing. Whether you’re verifying affiliate links or campaign tracking, deleting cookies ensures fresh data is recorded in the browser. By following the steps outlined for your browser, you can confidently test AffiliateWP’s tracking system and ensure it functions correctly.