When a member is accepted into a program, Buzzbassador automatically generates an affiliate link for them based on the program's Affiliate Links settings. Members can find their link in their ambassador dashboard and share it with their audience.
This article explains the three link types Buzzbassador supports, how each one works, and how to choose the right one for your program.
Where affiliate links are configured
In each program's settings, the Affiliate Links section controls whether affiliate links are enabled and which type members of that program will receive. To open it: go to Programs, click Edit on the program, then scroll to the Affiliate Links section.
You can toggle affiliate links on or off for the entire program, choose between three link types when they are enabled, and configure cookie duration for cookie-based link types.
[ SCREENSHOT: Affiliate Links section in program editor ]
Link type 1: BuzzLinks (Recommended)
BuzzLinks generate a unique, one-time discount code each time a customer clicks the link. They are the most secure option and the best choice for any program where you are concerned about referral codes being leaked to coupon aggregator sites.
When a customer clicks a BuzzLink, they land on your store with a tracking cookie set, and a popup offers them a one-time discount code. Whether they redeem the code or dismiss the popup, the cookie tracks the sale to the member.
Link format: yourstore.com?utm_source=buzzbassador&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=[program]&buzz_ref=[unique-token]
Link type 2: UTM Affiliate Links
UTM Affiliate Links use UTM parameters and a tracking cookie to attribute the sale to the right member. They include a sub-setting called Auto Apply Referral Discount Code at Checkout, which determines whether the customer also receives the member's discount automatically.
When Auto Apply is on, the link includes the discount path along with the UTM parameters. The customer's referral discount auto-applies at checkout, and the cookie continues to track the sale even if the customer removes the code.
Link format with Auto Apply on: yourstore.com/discount/SARAH15?utm_source=buzzbassador&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=[program]&buzz_ref=[unique-token]
When Auto Apply is off, the link only contains the UTM parameters. The customer pays full price unless they enter a code manually. The cookie still tracks the sale.
Link format with Auto Apply off: yourstore.com?utm_source=buzzbassador&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=[program]&buzz_ref=[unique-token]
Link type 3: Referral Code Links
Referral Code Links auto-apply the member's referral code via the URL path, with no UTM parameters and no tracking cookie. They are the simplest, cleanest link format. The trade-off is that there is no cookie fallback: if the customer removes the code at checkout, no attribution is recorded.
Link format: yourstore.com/discount/SARAH15
How to choose between link types
The right link type depends on what matters most for your program:
Choose BuzzLinks if you want the most protection against code leakage to coupon aggregator sites.
Choose UTM Affiliate Links with Auto Apply on if you want customers to get a discount automatically and want cookie-based tracking as backup if the code is removed at checkout.
Choose UTM Affiliate Links with Auto Apply off if you only want click and conversion tracking, with no discount applied through the link.
Choose Referral Code Links if you want the cleanest URL format and are not worried about customers removing the code at checkout.
Turn the Affiliate Links section off entirely if your program does not use affiliate links (for example, if members only share their referral code).
Where members find their affiliate link
When affiliate links are enabled, members see their link on their ambassador dashboard at buzzbassadorapp.com/ambassador-login. The link generates automatically when the member is approved into the program.
If you change the link type on a program, existing members' links regenerate to the new format automatically when you save. Members do not need to do anything; the new link replaces the old one in their dashboard.
Notes:
The Affiliate Links toggle is independent of your other program settings. You can enable affiliate links with or without referral codes, with or without a personal discount code, and with or without rewards. Mix and match based on what fits your program.
Cookie duration applies to BuzzLinks and UTM Affiliate Links; Referral Code Links do not use a cookie.
The link format itself cannot be customized beyond choosing one of the three types and the apply-code sub-setting.