# How to attribute Shopify sales to affiliates without third-party cookies

> Key attribution to the affiliate link and confirm the order from Shopify's server-side webhooks, so it does not depend on third-party cookies.

Published: 2026-06-30 · Last reviewed: 2026-07-14

## Third-party cookies are going away

Affiliate programs have long relied on third-party cookies to remember which link a shopper clicked. Browsers now block or limit those cookies, which makes cookie-based affiliate tracking increasingly unreliable, especially across the days between a click and a purchase.

## Use Shopify's server-side webhooks

Shopify emits signed paid-order webhooks from its own servers when a sale completes. Those events are authoritative and do not depend on anything in the shopper's browser. Attribloom credits a validated affiliate discount code or the referral preserved in Shopify note attributes, so attribution survives third-party cookie loss.

From there, the commission is applied to the post-discount merchandise subtotal in the store's currency, excluding tax and shipping, and reversed if the order is later refunded.

## Frequently asked

### Is web attribution harder than App Store attribution?

No. Web checkout attribution is far simpler because the platform emits a server-side order event. The App Store case is the hard one, which is why native StoreKit attribution is the bigger differentiator.

## Primary sources

- [Shopify: app webhooks](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/webhooks) · checked 2026-07-14
- [Shopify: Cart Ajax API](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/ajax/reference/cart) · checked 2026-07-14

## Next steps

- [Shopify integration guide](/guides/shopify)
- [Launch a Shopify affiliate program](/learn/launch-shopify-affiliate-program)
- [Compare affiliate platforms](/compare)