# Verify affiliate tracking

Check attribution and collection evidence before distributing referral links.

## What you need

An app program, terms and an approved/verified test membership where needed. Permission to perform any real install or financial test must be obtained separately.

## Steps

1. In the program’s **Tracking** area choose **Refresh full Shopify collection history** and review completion/coverage.
2. Choose the applicable attribution path: [listing GA4/BigQuery](/docs/app-owners/bigquery) or [signed backend install bridge](/docs/developers/install-claims).
3. Use **Create tracking test link** with a verified test membership. Test mode validates the path without generating commission liability.
4. Follow the link through the real listing/install journey and inspect its received evidence, app identity and permanent merchant domain. For the backend path, explicitly verify the signed claim survives the journey.
5. Refresh listing attribution evidence if using BigQuery. Inspect production readiness separately from test evidence.
6. Activate only after required checks pass. Distributing a public marketplace listing additionally requires operational readiness with fresh production proof.

## Expected result

A receipt that distinguishes accepted, review or rejected attribution and test versus production mode, plus complete collection history. A reachable listing or validated credential alone is not an attributed production install.

## Launch verification

Use an authorized test store to follow link → install → attribution → eligible collection → commission → refund correction. Record which steps were actually observed. Test links do not earn commission. Optional in-app usage tracking is not required for ordinary affiliate financial reporting.

## Product example

A fictional local program showing collection health and separate referral-matching controls. No live merchant data, provider request or money movement is represented.

![A fictional local program showing collection health and separate referral-matching controls.](/docs/images/tracking.jpg)

## Troubleshooting

Check wrong app identity, missing signed claim, export delay, missing daily tables, stale collection history, unverified membership and competing referral evidence. Never manufacture a production payment just to make readiness appear complete.