Trackli
Use Case|Shopify Apps

Affiliate Tracking for Shopify App Developers

The Shopify App Store drives organic installs, but affiliate partners can amplify your reach outside the marketplace. Trackli helps Shopify app developers track referrals from blogs, YouTube reviews, and partner promotions that lead to app installs and paid subscriptions.

How to Set Up Shopify Apps Affiliate Tracking

Get up and running in minutes with these simple steps.

1

Set Up External Landing Pages

Create landing pages for your Shopify app outside the App Store. Trackli tracks visitors from affiliate links on these pages before redirecting to the App Store.

2

Implement Install Confirmation Webhook

When your app is installed, fire a server-side event to Trackli with the shop domain. We match this against the affiliate cookie to confirm attribution.

3

Track Subscription Billing Events

Connect your Shopify billing API events (app_subscriptions/update) to Trackli so we can track when installs convert to paid plans.

4

Configure Tiered Commission Rates

Set different rates for app installs vs paid conversions. Reward affiliates more generously for referrals that convert to paid plans.

5

Recruit Content Creators

Use Trackli's affiliate portal to recruit Shopify-focused bloggers, YouTubers, and consultants. Provide them with tracking links and promotional assets.

How It Works

From referral link to commission payout — fully automated with Shopify Apps.

Affiliate tracking flow diagram for Shopify Apps

Trackli vs Traditional Affiliate Tracking

See how Trackli compares to manual or legacy affiliate solutions.

FeatureTrackliTraditional
App Store Install TrackingPre-click attribution with post-install confirmationCannot track installs through App Store redirect
Trial-to-Paid ConversionTracks free install through paid subscription conversionOnly tracks the initial click, not downstream conversion
Shopify Billing API IntegrationNative support for Shopify's recurring billing eventsNo awareness of Shopify-specific billing mechanisms
Content Creator ManagementDedicated portal for Shopify content creatorsGeneric affiliate portal not suited for app promotion
Usage-Based CommissionSupports commission on usage-based Shopify app chargesFixed-rate commission structures only
Cross-Device AttributionServer-side matching survives device and browser switchesLost if user installs from different device than click

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Trackli track installs that go through the Shopify App Store?
Trackli captures attribution before the user reaches the App Store. When they click an affiliate link, we set a first-party cookie, then redirect. After installation, your app confirms the install server-side and we match it to the referral.
How do I track if a free app install converts to paid?
Connect your Shopify app's billing events to Trackli. When a shop activates a paid subscription through Shopify's billing API, we receive the event and attribute the conversion to the original referring affiliate.
Does this work for Shopify apps with usage-based pricing?
Yes. Trackli can track usage charges reported through Shopify's billing API. You can set commissions as a percentage of the actual usage charge rather than a fixed subscription amount.
Can I recruit Shopify consultants as affiliates?
Absolutely. Shopify consultants and agency partners are ideal affiliates for app promotion. Trackli's portal lets them generate referral links, track their clients' installs, and earn commissions on conversions.
What if a merchant uninstalls and reinstalls my app?
Trackli uses the shop domain as a unique identifier. If the same shop reinstalls your app, we can either attribute it as a new referral or maintain the original attribution based on your configuration preferences.

Ready to launch your affiliate program?

Start tracking affiliate referrals in minutes. No complex setup, no enterprise pricing.