Right — the more important issue has to do with the fact that FA doesn’t use cookies for tracking. I think my first post in this thread put too much emphasis on the “last referrer” issue.
“Last referrer” is important, whether a program uses sessions or cookies, but it isn’t as important as whether or not the programs uses cookies.
Let me see if I can break down the different types of tracking….
1. Cookies with last referrer receiving credit
The majority of casino affiliate programs use this method. Cookie lengths vary; some last 10 years, and some last only a few days. I prefer programs that use this cookies, and I like to see a cookie length of at least 1 year. The longer, the better.
With this kind of cookie tracking, if the player closes the browser and comes back later, the player remains tagged to the last affiliate who referred him to the casino.
2. Cookies with first referrer receiving credit
32Red uses this method. This method is unfair to affiliates that “close the deal.” Cookie stuffers love this tracking method because once their cookie is set, they have a permanent lock on that player, unless the player manually deletes the cookies, or unless the cookies expire and delete themselves.
3. Sessions only, with last referrer receiving credit
Cookies are not used at all. Instead, a tracking “session” is created. Sessions remain in place until the browser is closed, or until they are overwritten by another tracking session (much the same way a cookie can be overwritten). The last referrer gets the credit, as long as the browser remains open until the player signs up.
With sessions, if the player closes the browser and comes back later, the affiliate receives nothing.
WagerShare, Grand Prive, Trident Share, and Jackpot City track with overwritable sessions. (Jackpot City is the only Referback casino to track with sessions only; the other 3 track with cookies.)
4. Sessions only, with first referrer receiving credit
This is how the Fortune casinos are tracked. If the browser remains open, the first referrer gets the credit. Once the browser is closed, the connection to the affiliate disappears.
5. Combination of cookies and sessions
This is the best kind of tracking system. A small percentage of people don’t accept cookies on their computer, so the only way players in this category will be tracked is if sessions are used.
To sum up — a combination of cookies and sessions is the best method, followed by cookies alone, followed by sessions alone. And within each of those categories, the last referrer is preferred over the first referrer.
:cheers: