Amazon Tracking IDs and Sub-Tags: Know Which Post Earned What

A tracking ID is the label in your Amazon affiliate links that tells Amazon which of your accounts or channels a sale came from, and a sub-tag is an extra, finer label for a specific post or campaign where supported. Set up a small number of tracking IDs, one for each platform or major campaign, and use sub-tags or short links for post-level detail. Name them consistently so your reports read like a story: which platform, which campaign, which post. The exact features available depend on the program, so check your Associates account and the official help pages.

Key takeaways

• Tracking IDs separate earnings by channel or campaign, so you can see what each one really earns.
• Sub-tags and similar sub-IDs add post-level detail where a program or tool supports them.
• A simple, consistent naming system matters more than having many IDs.
• Review reports weekly and act on them: do more of what earns, fix or drop what doesn't.
• Features and limits vary by program and change over time, so check official documentation.

What is a tracking ID?

When you join Amazon Associates, you get a default tracking ID. Every link you create carries a tracking ID, and Amazon's reports can be filtered by it. You can usually create additional IDs from your account settings, subject to Amazon's current rules.

Without separate IDs, all your sales are lumped together. You might know you earned something this month, but not whether it came from Instagram, YouTube or a WhatsApp deals group. For the basics of how tags and tracking work, see how affiliate links work.

What is a sub-tag?

A sub-tag (or sub-ID) is a second label added to a link for finer tracking, for example to mark the specific reel or campaign. Many affiliate networks support sub-IDs in their links and reports. For Amazon, how sub-tags work and where they show up in reporting depends on the program and the tools you use, so check the official documentation and your account.

In short:

How many tracking IDs should you have?

Fewer than you think. Each ID should answer a question you'll actually act on. A creator posting on two platforms might start with:

1. One ID for Instagram.
2. One ID for YouTube.
3. One ID for the big sale season (for example, Prime Day or the Great Indian Festival).

That's enough to see which platform earns and whether sale content performs differently. Add more only when a new question comes up.

A naming system that stays readable

Pick a pattern and never break it. A common approach is handle, then platform, then campaign:

• yourname-ig for Instagram
• yourname-yt for YouTube
• yourname-ig-diwali for Instagram sale content
• yourname-wa for a WhatsApp or Telegram channel

For sub-tags, include the post and platform so you recognise them months later:

• ig-p23 for Instagram post #23
• yt-deskreview for a YouTube desk review
• ig-story-bbd for a Big Billion Days story

Rules of thumb:

• Keep names short and lowercase.
• Avoid personal information such as follower names or phone numbers.
• Write the list down in a spreadsheet with what each label means.
• Don't reuse old labels for new purposes.

Setting up your IDs step by step

1. Plan on paper first

List the platforms and campaigns you want to compare. Cross out anything you wouldn't act on.

2. Create the IDs in your account

Use the tracking ID management area in Amazon Associates. Follow any naming rules it shows.

3. Use the right ID when creating links

In SiteStripe, choose the tracking ID before copying the link. It's easy to forget and create everything with the default.

4. Record every link

A simple sheet with product, link, tracking ID, sub-tag and post number saves hours later.

5. Test

Open a link in a private window and check that the tag in the address matches what you expect.

How to read the reports

Once a week, filter your Associates reports by tracking ID and ask:

• Which channel drove the most orders and earnings?
• Which products appear again and again?
• Did the sale-season ID behave differently from everyday content?
• Are clicks high but orders low anywhere? That could point to price, stock or a mismatch between content and product.

Then act: make more content like what earned, refresh what's stale, and fix any links that aren't converting. Our guide on which reel drove your sales covers post-level attribution, and affiliate conversion rate explains why clicks don't always become sales.

Combining tags with click data

Amazon's reports tell you about orders. Your link-in-bio tool tells you about clicks. Put the two together and you get a fuller picture.

QKAP's analytics show page views, visitors, product clicks, click rate, top products and traffic sources. Each post has a short link (such as qkap.app/s/abc) with source tags, so you can tell bio clicks from story or YouTube clicks. On Premium, affiliate tag rules add your chosen tag and Amazon sub-tags at redirect, so you don't have to edit each link by hand, and your stored links are never changed. Premium also adds longer date ranges and CSV export for comparing with Amazon reports.

Common mistakes

• Using only the default ID. You'll never know what each platform earns.
• Creating dozens of IDs. You won't check them, and mistakes creep in.
• Inconsistent names. ig, insta and instagram in different IDs make reports confusing.
• Editing tags by hand. A typo can mean no credit for the sale.
• Never reviewing. Tracking only helps if you look at it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a new Amazon tracking ID?

Use the tracking ID management section in your Amazon Associates account. The exact steps and any limits are described on the official Associates help pages.

What's the difference between a tracking ID and a sub-tag?

A tracking ID separates earnings by channel or campaign in your reports. A sub-tag is an extra label for finer detail, such as a specific post, where the program or tool supports it.

How many tracking IDs can I have on Amazon Associates?

Limits are set by Amazon and can change. Check your account and the official help pages rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.

Can I change a tracking ID on links I've already shared?

Links you've shared keep the ID they were created with. You'd need to replace them, or use a tool that applies tags at redirect so the change takes effect when followers tap.

Track what you'll act on

A few well-named tracking IDs, sub-tags for key posts, and a weekly look at the numbers are enough to see what's working. Start simple and add detail when you need it. For the page side, create your free QKAP page or see pricing for Premium tag rules.