Integration Overview
Insert Affiliate tracks affiliate referrals and purchases through a three-step integration process. This guide explains each step and helps you choose the right platforms for your needs.
How Insert Affiliate Works
The affiliate tracking flow works like this:
- User clicks affiliate link
- Deep linking opens your app and identifies the affiliate
- Attribution is stored when the app launches
- User makes a purchase
- Purchase is verified and tracked
- Commission is calculated for the affiliate
To make this work, you need to integrate:
- Deep Linking Platform - Tracks which affiliate referred each user
- Purchase Verification - Validates in-app purchases and subscriptions
- Web Transactions (Optional) - Track web-based purchases if applicable
Step 1: Deep Linking Platform
What It Does
Deep linking allows affiliate links to open your app and track which affiliate referred the user. When a user clicks an affiliate's link, the deep linking platform:
- Opens your app (or the App Store if not installed)
- Passes the affiliate identifier to your app
- Enables Insert Affiliate to attribute the user to that affiliate
Choose Your Platform
We support multiple deep linking platforms. Choose based on your needs:
| Platform | Best For | Complexity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insert Links | Quick setup, no third-party required | Low | Included |
| Branch.io | Advanced analytics, existing Branch users | Medium | Paid |
| AppsFlyer | Mobile attribution, existing AppsFlyer users | Medium | Free tier available |
| RevenueCat Web Purchase Links | Web-based subscriptions via RevenueCat | Medium/High | Included with RevenueCat |
| Other Platforms | Custom or existing deep linking setup | Varies | Varies |
Recommended: Insert Links
For most users, we recommend starting with Insert Links:
- Built into Insert Affiliate (no third-party signup required)
- Easiest to set up and test
- Full control over link behavior
- No additional costs
Integration Steps
Once you choose a platform:
- Set up the platform - Create an account and configure your app
- Install our SDK - Add the Insert Affiliate SDK to your app
- Configure deep link handling - Follow your platform's documentation
- Pass links to our SDK - Forward deep link data to Insert Affiliate
- Test the integration - Verify attribution works correctly
Detailed instructions for each platform are in their respective guides.
Step 2: Purchase Verification
What It Does
Purchase verification validates that in-app purchases are legitimate and notifies Insert Affiliate when an attributed user makes a purchase.
Choose Your Platform
| Platform | Best For | Complexity | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueCat | Most users, subscription apps | Low | Easiest setup, webhooks, cross-platform |
| Apphud | Existing Apphud users | Low | Similar to RevenueCat |
| Iaptic | Existing Iaptic users | Low | Receipt validation service |
| Direct App Store | iOS apps, maximum control | High | No third-party, Apple only |
| Direct Google Play | Android apps, maximum control | High | No third-party, Google only |
Note: You can combine Direct App Store + Direct Google Play for cross-platform apps without third-party services.
Recommended: RevenueCat
For most users, we recommend RevenueCat:
- Simplest integration with Insert Affiliate
- Handles both iOS and Android
- Automatic webhook notifications
- Excellent documentation and support
- Free tier available
Integration Steps
The general flow for all platforms:
- Set up your chosen platform - Create account and configure products
- Configure Insert Affiliate settings - Select your verification method in the dashboard
- Set up webhooks (RevenueCat, Apphud, Iaptic) - Connect your platform to Insert Affiliate
- Pass affiliate identifier - Ensure the affiliate's short code is included with purchases
- Test purchases - Verify transactions appear in your Insert Affiliate dashboard
Critical: Passing the Affiliate Identifier
The most important part of purchase verification is passing the affiliate identifier when a purchase occurs. Each platform has a different method:
- RevenueCat: Set a custom attribute (
insert_affiliate) - Apphud: Set a custom property
- Iaptic: Include in purchase validation request
- Direct integrations: Include in server-to-server notifications
See your chosen platform's documentation for specific implementation details.
Step 3: Web Transactions (Optional)
What It Does
If you sell subscriptions or products via the web (not through app stores), you can track these transactions through Insert Affiliate.
Choose Your Platform
| Platform | Best For | Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe Web Transactions | Direct Stripe integration | Stripe Connect |
| RevenueCat Stripe Billing | Using RevenueCat + Stripe | Stripe Connect |
| RevenueCat Web Billing | RevenueCat web purchases | Stripe Connect |
When You Need This
You need web transaction tracking if:
- Users can purchase subscriptions on your website
- You offer web-based checkout alongside mobile
- You use Stripe or similar payment processors for web sales
Skip This If
You can skip this step if:
- All purchases happen through App Store or Google Play
- You only have a mobile app with no web presence
Complete Integration Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you've completed all necessary steps:
Setup
- Registered for Insert Affiliate and accessed the dashboard
- Located your API key in dashboard settings
Step 1: Deep Linking
- Chosen a deep linking platform
- Created an account with your chosen platform (if required)
- Installed Insert Affiliate SDK in your app
- Configured deep link handling in your app
- Tested that deep links open your app correctly
Step 2: Purchase Verification
- Chosen a purchase verification platform
- Set up your verification platform account
- Configured verification method in Insert Affiliate dashboard
- Set up webhooks (if using RevenueCat, Apphud, or Iaptic)
- Implemented affiliate identifier passing in your app
- Tested sandbox purchases appear in your dashboard
Step 3: Web Transactions (Optional)
- Determined if you need web transaction tracking
- Set up web transaction integration (if needed)
- Tested web purchases appear in your dashboard
Testing & Launch
- Created a test affiliate
- Tested attribution with short codes
- Tested attribution with deep links
- Tested sandbox purchases appear correctly
- Verified commission calculations are correct
- Reviewed Testing & Sandbox Mode guide
- Read Troubleshooting for common issues
Platform Compatibility Matrix
Not sure which platforms work together? Here's a quick reference:
Deep Linking + Purchase Verification
All deep linking platforms work with all purchase verification platforms. Choose what works best for your needs.
Popular Combinations:
- Insert Links + RevenueCat (Easiest, recommended for most)
- Branch.io + RevenueCat (Good for existing Branch users)
- AppsFlyer + RevenueCat (Good for existing AppsFlyer users)
- Insert Links + Direct App Store (Maximum control, iOS)
- Insert Links + Direct Google Play (Maximum control, Android)
Adding Web Transactions
Web transaction platforms work independently of your mobile setup:
- You can use Stripe Web Transactions with any mobile integration
- RevenueCat Stripe Billing works best if you're already using RevenueCat for mobile
Need Help Choosing?
Still not sure which platforms to use? Here are some questions to guide you:
"I want the simplest setup possible"
→ Use Insert Links + RevenueCat
"I already use Branch.io for attribution"
→ Keep Branch.io + add RevenueCat for verification
"I already use RevenueCat"
→ Add Insert Links for deep linking (or keep your existing platform)
"I want maximum control, no third parties"
→ Use Insert Links + Direct App Store or Direct Google Play
"I sell subscriptions on my website too"
→ Follow steps 1 & 2, then add Stripe Web Transactions or RevenueCat Web Billing
Next Steps
Ready to start integrating? Follow these steps:
- Quick Start - Get your first affiliate working in 5 minutes
- Choose and configure your deep linking platform
- Choose and configure your purchase verification platform
- Set up web transactions (if needed)
- Test thoroughly in sandbox mode
- Create your first real affiliates and start tracking sales
Support
Need help with your integration?
- Check the Troubleshooting guide for common issues
- Review platform-specific documentation linked above
- Contact support through your dashboard