Master SubID Tracking
Unlock granular insights into your affiliate campaigns. Learn how SubIDs help you track, optimize, and scale your marketing efforts with precision.
What Exactly Are SubIDs?
SubIDs are custom tracking parameters that give you X-ray vision into your campaigns
Your Campaign's Fingerprint
A SubID (Sub-Affiliate ID or Subscriber ID) is a custom tracking parameter appended to your affiliate links. Think of it as a label system that tags every click with metadata you define.
Instead of just knowing that 100 conversions came from "Facebook," SubIDs tell you that 67 came from your video ad targeting US males 25-34, while only 33 came from your carousel ad targeting women 35-44.
This granular data transforms guesswork into data-driven decisions, letting you double down on what works and cut what doesn't.
Transform Your Campaign Insights
SubIDs aren't just nice-to-have—they're essential for serious marketers
Pinpoint Attribution
Know exactly which ad, audience, placement, and creative drove each conversion. No more guessing which of your 47 active campaigns is actually performing.
Optimize with Precision
Make data-driven decisions at a granular level. Scale winners, pause losers, and A/B test variations with confidence in your attribution.
Maximize ROI
Stop wasting budget on underperforming segments. When you know your CPA per audience, creative, and placement, optimization becomes surgical.
Reconcile Discrepancies
Compare your tracker data with network reports. SubIDs help identify where conversions are being lost or miscounted.
Scale Systematically
When you find a winning combo, SubIDs let you replicate success. Test the same creative on new placements with confidence.
Test Everything
Run meaningful split tests on landing pages, angles, hooks, and audiences. SubIDs make multivariate testing actually trackable.
How Marketers Use SubIDs
Common naming conventions and use cases from top affiliates
Traffic Source Tracking
Identify which platforms and placements drive conversions, even when running across multiple networks simultaneously.
subid1=google_search
subid1=tiktok_fyp
subid1=native_taboola
Audience Segmentation
Track which demographics, interests, and custom audiences convert best for each offer.
subid2=fitness_enthusiasts
subid2=retarget_30day
subid2=lookalike_purchasers
Creative Versioning
A/B test headlines, images, videos, and angles with clear attribution for each variant.
subid3=ugc_unboxing
subid3=headline_curiosity
subid3=static_benefits
Landing Page Testing
Track which pre-landers, advertorials, and direct links convert best by source.
subid4=lp_quiz_funnel
subid4=lp_video_vsl
subid4=direct_to_offer
How To Use SubIDs
A step-by-step guide to implementing SubID tracking in your campaigns
Define Your Tracking Schema
Before launching campaigns, decide what data points matter most. Create a consistent naming convention you'll use across all campaigns.
Pro Tips
- Use lowercase and underscores (no spaces)
- Be descriptive but concise
- Document your schema in a spreadsheet
- Keep it consistent across all campaigns
Build Your Tracking URLs
Take your base affiliate link and append your SubID parameters. Most networks support up to 5 SubIDs, some allow more.
Pro Tips
- Check your network's SubID parameter names
- Some use subid, others use s1, s2, etc.
- Use URL encoding for special characters
- Test links before launching campaigns
Use Dynamic Tokens
Level up by using platform macros to automatically populate SubIDs with campaign data. No manual labeling needed.
Pro Tips
- Each ad platform has unique macro syntax
- Combine static and dynamic values
- Test that macros fire correctly
- Document which macros you're using
Analyze & Optimize
Pull reports filtered by SubID to identify patterns. Find your winning combinations and scale them while cutting losers fast.
Pro Tips
- Export to spreadsheets for pivot table analysis
- Look for statistical significance before deciding
- Segment by multiple SubIDs simultaneously
- Track trends over time, not just totals
Build & Test Your SubID URLs
Use these tools to create, validate, and test your tracking URLs
SubID URL Builder
Enter your base affiliate URL and SubID values to generate your tracking link
URL Decoder
Decode URL-encoded SubID values to see the original text
URL Encoder
Encode text to make it URL-safe for SubID values
URL Parser
Extract and view all parameters from any URL
SubID Validator
Check if your SubID values follow best practices
Best Practices & Pitfalls
Learn from the mistakes and successes of experienced affiliates
Do This
- ✓ Use consistent naming conventions — Decide on a format (lowercase, underscores) and stick to it religiously
- ✓ Document everything — Keep a master spreadsheet of your SubID schema and what each value means
- ✓ Start simple, expand later — Begin with 2-3 SubIDs. Add more once you're comfortable
- ✓ Test your links — Click through every URL before spending money. Verify SubIDs pass correctly
- ✓ Use dynamic tokens — Let platforms auto-populate data to reduce manual errors
- ✓ Regular reporting cadence — Review SubID performance daily or weekly, not just monthly
Avoid This
- ✕ Inconsistent formatting — "Facebook_Feed" and "facebook-feed" look like different sources in reports
- ✕ Overly complex schemas — Using 10 SubIDs when 4 would suffice creates analysis paralysis
- ✕ Special characters — Avoid spaces, &, ?, # in SubID values—they break URLs
- ✕ Cryptic abbreviations — "fb_m_25_v1_q" means nothing 3 months later. Be descriptive
- ✕ Ignoring the data — Collecting SubIDs is pointless if you never analyze them
- ✕ Changing schemas mid-campaign — Historical comparisons become impossible
Ready-to-Use Templates
Grab these SubID structures and customize for your campaigns
Facebook Ads
Full attribution template for Meta platforms with dynamic macros
&subid2={{adset.name}}
&subid3={{ad.name}}
&subid4={{placement}}
&subid5={{site_source_name}}
Google Ads
Track search, display, and YouTube campaigns with keyword data
&subid2={adgroupid}
&subid3={creative}
&subid4={keyword}
&subid5={matchtype}
TikTok Ads
Capture campaign hierarchy and creative performance
&subid2=__AID_NAME__
&subid3=__CID_NAME__
&subid4=__PLACEMENT__
Native Ads
General template for Taboola, Outbrain, and MGID
&subid2={campaign_name}
&subid3={site_id}
&subid4={ad_title}
Email Marketing
Track email campaigns, lists, and send variations
&subid2={campaign_date}
&subid3={subject_line_variant}
&subid4={segment}
Influencer/UGC
Attribute conversions to specific creators and content
&subid2={creator_handle}
&subid3={platform}
&subid4={content_type}
&subid5={post_date}
SubIDs vs UTM Parameters
How SubIDs differ from UTM parameters and when to use each
| Feature | SubIDs | UTM Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Affiliate network conversion tracking | Google Analytics traffic analysis |
| Tracks Conversions | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (Traffic only) |
| Tracks Clicks | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Shows Revenue | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Custom Values | ✓ Fully customizable | ✓ Fully customizable |
| Parameter Names | subid1, subid2, s1, s2 (varies by network) | utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, etc. |
| Where It Appears | Affiliate network reports | Google Analytics, your own analytics |
| Best For | Attribution to affiliate offers, A/B testing creatives | Understanding traffic sources, marketing analytics |
| Can Use Together? | ✓ Yes! Many marketers use both on the same URL | |
Pro Tip: Use both together for maximum insight. Example:
https://offer.com?aff_id=123&subid1=facebook&subid2=video_ad&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=q1_promo
Network Documentation
Direct links to SubID documentation for popular affiliate networks
Troubleshooting Guide
Common SubID issues and how to fix them
🚫 SubIDs Not Showing in Reports
• SubIDs contain special characters that break the URL
• Network has a 24-48 hour delay before showing SubIDs
• URL encoding issues Solutions: 1. Check your network's documentation for correct parameter names
2. Test by clicking your link and checking the network's click log
3. Remove spaces and special characters (&, ?, #) from SubID values
4. Use URL encoding for any special characters (e.g., %20 for spaces)
⚠️ Inconsistent Data Between Platforms
• Conversion attribution windows differ
• Users clicking multiple ads (duplicate clicks)
• Platform macros not firing correctly Solutions: 1. Check your network's fraud detection settings
2. Compare time ranges and attribution windows
3. Use unique click IDs to deduplicate
4. Test dynamic macros in a live campaign to verify they populate
🔧 Dynamic Tokens Not Populating
• Macros not supported in your campaign type
• URL encoding breaking macro delimiters
• Using server-side macros on client-side clicks Solutions: 1. Verify macro syntax in platform documentation (Facebook uses {{}}, Google uses {}, TikTok uses __)
2. Test with a simple campaign to confirm macro functionality
3. Don't URL-encode the macro itself, only the static parts
4. Check if your campaign type supports dynamic parameters
📊 Unable to Segment Reports by SubID
• Need to export data for custom analysis
• SubID columns not enabled in report settings Solutions: 1. Check report settings—some networks require enabling SubID columns
2. Export raw data to CSV and analyze in Excel/Google Sheets with pivot tables
3. Use the network's API to pull data programmatically
4. Consider using a third-party tracking platform for better reporting
🔍 SubIDs Getting Truncated or Cut Off
• Special characters causing early termination
• URL parameter parsing errors Solutions: 1. Check network's maximum SubID length (typically 50-100 characters)
2. Use shorter, abbreviated naming conventions
3. Avoid ampersands (&) within SubID values—they end parameters
4. Use URL encoding for any problematic characters
💡 Best Practice: Always Test Before Scaling
2. Check the network's click log to confirm SubIDs are captured correctly
3. Complete a test conversion if possible
4. Wait 24 hours and verify the test conversion shows correct SubIDs
5. Only then scale your campaign with confidence Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of working SubID formats for each network so you can reference them for future campaigns.
Affiliate Marketing Glossary
Key terms every affiliate marketer should know
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common SubID questions
How many SubIDs can I use?
Most affiliate networks support 5 SubIDs (subid1 through subid5). Some networks offer more, up to 10. Check your specific network's documentation—the parameter names may vary (s1, s2, aff_sub, etc.).
Do SubIDs affect conversion tracking?
No—SubIDs are simply passed through to the network's tracking system. They don't interfere with pixel firing, postbacks, or conversion attribution. They're metadata that rides along with each click.
What's the difference between SubIDs and UTMs?
UTM parameters track traffic in Google Analytics. SubIDs track conversions in affiliate networks. Use UTMs for your own analytics, SubIDs for affiliate reporting. Many marketers use both simultaneously.
Can SubIDs contain any characters?
Stick to alphanumeric characters, underscores, and hyphens. Avoid spaces, ampersands (&), question marks (?), and special characters—they can break your tracking URLs.
Should I use a tracking platform?
Tracking platforms make SubID management easier by auto-generating values and providing better reporting. They're highly recommended for anyone running multiple campaigns, but you can use SubIDs with direct linking too.
My SubIDs aren't showing in reports—why?
Common causes: wrong parameter names for your network, special characters breaking the URL, or the network only shows SubIDs after 24-48 hours. Test by clicking your link and checking the network's click log.
Ready to Track Smarter?
Start using SubIDs today and unlock the data that separates profitable campaigns from money pits.
View Implementation Guide