Troubleshooting Missing Referrals and Commissions

Most missing referrals result from cleared cookies, expired 60-day attribution windows, or referrals using different emails. Check Partner Portal → Referrals for complete history and verify your link format includes ?p=XXXX parameter.

When expected referrals or commissions don't appear in your account, several common issues may be the cause. Understanding the referral tracking system, attribution windows, and commission requirements helps identify why referrals might be missing. Most issues can be resolved by checking tracking parameters, cookie settings, and referral timing.

Cleared or Blocked Cookies: Referral tracking relies on browser cookies that last 60 days. If users clear their cookies before signing up, the referral will not be tracked. Private browsing or incognito mode may block tracking cookies. Some ad blockers and privacy extensions prevent cookie storage.

Solution: Encourage referrals to sign up as soon as possible after clicking your link. Remind them to disable their ad blockers temporarily. Have them click your link again if time has passed.

Exceeded 60-Day Window: Referrals must sign up within 60 days of clicking your link. Signups after 60 days won't be credited to your account. The cookie expires, and attribution is lost.

Solution: Follow up with prospects within 30 days of sharing your link. Re-share your link if conversations go dormant. Create urgency with limited-time benefits or promotions.

Missing or Incorrect Partner ID: Your referral link must include ?p=XXXX (your partner ID). Links without this parameter won't track to your account. Modified or broken links lose tracking ability.

Solution: Always copy links directly from your dashboard. Test links before sharing widely. Check that ?p=XXXX appears in the URL after any redirects.

Different Email Addresses: Referrals may sign up with email addresses that differ from those expected. The Partner Portal displays the email address actually used for signup. Business emails vs. personal emails often cause confusion.

Solution: Search for partial email addresses or a specific date range in the Partner Portal → Referrals. Ask for referrals to provide the email address they used to sign up. Check your spam folders for welcome emails that you may have received.

Below Minimum Thresholds: Need 2 lifetime referrals before any commission payout. Must reach $50 balance for monthly payment processing. Commissions under $50 roll to next month automatically.

Commission Status Problems "Pending" means awaiting verification (usually 24-48 hours). "Rejected" indicates a duplicate account, immediate cancellation, or fraudulent activity. Only "OK" status commissions count toward payouts.

365-Day Expiration: Unclaimed Commissions Expire After 365 Days. Expired commissions disappear from your balance permanently. Set up PayPal immediately to avoid losing earnings.

Why does my referral show "Rejected" status? Common reasons include duplicate accounts, immediate cancellations, payment failures, or suspicious activity patterns. Contact [email protected] for specific cases.

Can I recover lost referrals from cookies that have been cleared? No, once the cookie is cleared or expires, the referral connection is permanently lost. The user would need to click your link again to proceed with signing up.

Do referrals from social media track differently? All platforms track the same way through cookies. However, in-app browsers on mobile apps sometimes have issues. Encourage opening links in regular browsers.

What if someone signs up directly without clicking my link? They won't be attributed to your account. Heritage Web cannot retroactively assign referrals. Always ensure prospects use your link.

How long do I have to claim commissions? You have 365 days from when the commission was earned. Set up PayPal payments immediately to ensure automatic monthly payouts before the expiration date.