# Creating affiliate links

{% hint style="success" %}
**AI Helper: Generate Your Deeplink Automatically**

You can now  our **specialized GPT assistant** to generate correct Deeplink templates.

👉 [Open Deeplink Setup GPT](https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6911df85b340819188ccf04452586c6e-deeplink-setup-for-content-egg)

Simply:

1. Paste your sample affiliate link(s) from your network dashboard.
2. The assistant will detect your format and build a proper Deeplink template for External Importer.
3. Copy the suggested template into your **Deeplink Settings**.
   {% endhint %}

### 1. Start with Clean, Direct URLs

Import products **without** any affiliate parameters. External Importer will handle the tracking bits later.

> **Tip**: You don’t have to join affiliate programs up front. Your site will work fine with direct links; you can add monetization once you’re approved by an advertiser or network.

<figure><img src="https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2Fuploads%2FDhOrCYIE5ThJ1pS9jDPY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=30e58090-9cca-4bbf-b4d6-bc0808037730" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 2. Add New Domains

1. **Automatic** – Every time you import a product from a new domain, that domain is added to\
   **External Importer → Settings → Deeplinks**.
2. **Manual** – To add merchant domains manually, go to the same page and enter them yourself.

![](https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2F-MJMBYcg9vTQt7fadNwW%2F-MJMBbnQ3SmM7hiv5IRM%2Fexternal-importer-42.png?alt=media\&token=896f3b6b-1a74-40dc-9731-413f2de56d45)

### 3. Choose a Link-Building Method

Affiliate programs fall into two broad categories. Configure each domain accordingly:

| Method                        | Used by                                                         | How It Works                                                                                               | What You Configure                                              |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **A. Deeplink (redirect)**    | Most affiliate networks (Admitad, AWIN, Impact, etc.)           | Visitor hits the network’s tracking URL → network records the click → visitor is redirected to the product | A single **Deeplink template**                                  |
| **B. Affiliate-ID parameter** | Direct programs (Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network, etc.) | Your unique ID is appended to the product URL; no extra redirect                                           | The **parameter name** (e.g., `tag=`) and your **affiliate ID** |

### 4. Set Up Deeplinks (Redirect Method)

1. Generate a valid affiliate link for any non-homepage product in your network panel.&#x20;

   ![](https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2F-MJMBYcg9vTQt7fadNwW%2F-MJMCZFMrAJAq21IwJft%2Fexternal-importer-43.png?alt=media\&token=0e3a368d-5428-4e89-82da-1485ad7bc855)

   Example:

   ```
   https://ad.admitad.com/g/383ee6455773fd57830a7d95a12660/?ulp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lightinthebox.com%2Fen%2Fp%2Fkids-girls-rainbow-dress-purple_p7923807.html
   ```
2. Replace the encoded product part with the template token:

   ```
   https://ad.admitad.com/g/383ee6455773fd57830a7d95a12660/?ulp={{url_encoded}}
   ```
3. Paste this template into **Deeplink** for the corresponding domain.&#x20;

   ![](https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2F-MJMBYcg9vTQt7fadNwW%2F-MJMCoxuiXHoRcM4fBW-%2Fexternal-importer-44.png?alt=media\&token=9bbb0cfb-803a-4c0f-8281-5a8b803dfe70)

**Template tokens you can use**

| Token                                              | Replaced with                      |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `{{url_encoded}}`                                  | Percent-encoded product URL        |
| `{{url}}`                                          | Plain (unencoded) product URL      |
| `{{post_id}}`, `{{author_id}}`, `{{author_login}}` | Useful sub-IDs for tracking clicks |

> **Verify**: Refresh a product page on your site, click its button, and confirm the redirect lands on the correct product page.

### 5. Set Up Affiliate-ID Parameters (Direct Method)

Some affiliate programs—like **Amazon Associates**—don’t use redirects. Instead, they rely on a tracking **parameter** directly in the product URL.

#### Correct Setup (Example: Amazon)

Affiliate link example:

```
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKF5RM3/?tag=yourtag-20
```

Breakdown:

* **Parameter name:** `tag=`
* **Affiliate ID:** `yourtag-20`

![](https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2F-MJMaKrulhy5qCf3zgyV%2F-MJMajTyq4t7OjF5ZEUi%2Fexternal-importer-45.png?alt=media\&token=e5a32adf-277c-4c1a-a081-5494a41aae39)

In **Deeplinks settings** for Amazon (or any similar domain):

**Enter the full parameter:**

```
tag=yourtag-20
```

This includes both:

* The **parameter name** (`tag=`)
* Your **unique ID** (`yourtag-20`)

External Importer will automatically insert it into the correct place in all product URLs from that domain.

![](https://2204606725-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MJHhS3qgDA1lCM6b1Nw%2F-MJMaKrulhy5qCf3zgyV%2F-MJMayR01F1X83vSEQ0I%2Fexternal-importer-46.png?alt=media\&token=98cc9bfb-3b9d-4e78-ac77-6d1149527ba9)

#### Common Mistakes (Don't Do This)

The following inputs are incorrect or discouraged:

| Incorrect Input   | Why it’s wrong                                                  |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `yourtag-20`      | ❌ Missing parameter name                                        |
| `?tag=yourtag-20` | ❌ Do not include `?` — it will be added automatically if needed |
| `&tag=yourtag-20` | ❌ Do not include `&` — External Importer handles it             |

> Even though External Importer may try to correct these, always use the clean `param=value` format for best results.

### 6. Edit Anytime, Track Instantly

External Importer rewrites links on the fly. Change your Deeplink or ID settings whenever you:

* Switch affiliate networks
* Update to a new tracking ID

After each change, check your network’s reporting panel to ensure clicks are being registered.