If you have ever wondered how free coupon and review websites pay their bills, the answer is usually affiliate marketing. Understanding it helps you judge the sites you rely on — including this one.
What an affiliate link is
An affiliate link is a normal link to a store that includes a tracking code identifying the website that sent you. If you buy something (or sign up for a service) within a set period, the store pays that website a commission. The arrangement is usually managed through an affiliate network — a company that connects many publishers with many merchants and handles tracking and payments.
How the tracking works
- You click a link on a website.
- You pass briefly through a tracking address, which records the click.
- The store sets a cookie or similar identifier in your browser so the sale can be matched to the click.
- If you buy within the "cookie window" set by the store, the purchase is credited to the website.
On PromoCodely, outbound links go through a short /go/ address so we can count clicks on each offer. We do not store your IP address with these click records.
Does it cost you more?
Normally, no. The commission comes out of the store's marketing budget, and you pay the same price you would pay going to the store directly. Occasionally partners receive exclusive codes from merchants, but an affiliate link itself should not raise your price.
Why disclosure matters
A site that earns money when you buy has a financial interest in what you click. That is not a problem in itself, but you deserve to know about it. Advertising rules in many countries require clear disclosure — in the US, the Federal Trade Commission's guidance on endorsements says connections like affiliate commissions should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously, and the UK's advertising regulators take a similar view.
What to look for in a trustworthy coupon site
- A visible affiliate disclosure explaining how it earns money.
- Offers that show where they came from and when they were last checked.
- Honest empty states — "no current code" rather than a page full of guesses.
- No pressure tactics such as fake countdowns.
- Rankings and recommendations that are not simply ordered by commission.
How PromoCodely uses affiliate links
Some links on our site are affiliate links. Whether a store pays us commission does not decide whether we list an offer or how we describe it — every offer must meet the same source and verification standard. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
What it looks like in practice
When you click a "Shop deal" or "Get code" button on a coupon site, you may briefly pass through a tracking address before arriving at the store. On PromoCodely, outbound links go through an address that begins with /go/. We use it to count clicks so we can see which offers are useful, without storing your IP address. The link is marked as sponsored in the page code, as search engines ask publishers to do.
If you make a qualifying purchase, the store may pay us a commission through an affiliate network. Whether a commission exists does not decide whether an offer is listed or how it is described. Offers are listed based on whether they can be verified.
Frequently asked questions
Can I avoid affiliate links if I prefer?
Yes. Every offer on PromoCodely shows its official source. You can go to the store directly by typing its address into your browser and still use any public code.
Does an affiliate link change the code or the price?
The tracking itself does not change the price you pay. A code works or does not based on the store's rules, not on how you arrived.
Why do some sites hide that they use affiliate links?
Disclosure is required by advertising rules in many countries and is expected by readers. A site that hides how it earns money deserves extra scepticism about its other claims.
