Merchants who have AvantMetrics enhanced tracking capabilities may see a difference among AvantLink and AvantMetrics sales reporting. Reporting differences can be caused by a few different factors.
Sales Tracking
AvantMetrics tracking identifies marketing channels based off of UTM parameters (specifically the AVAD parameter). AvantLink tracking occurs when a cookie is set. In some cases, the user's browser can strip the AVAD parameter, leaving the cookie present. In this instance the sale will track in the AvantLink reporting; however, the sale will not track in the AvantMetrics reporting.
Multiple Affiliates in the ClickStream
When more than one affiliate is present in the path to purchase, the sale is credited once in the AvantMetrics Order Summary report; however, the sale is credited to all affiliates that took part in the sale In the AvantLink Performance Summary by Affiliate report. Total sales in the AvantLink Performance Summary by Affiliate are often higher than the total sales in the AvantMetrics Order Summary.
Order Inquiries
Affiliate Order Inquiries occur when an affiliate has an internal record of a sale through a merchant program, but the sale was not properly credited. When an affiliate submits an order inquiry and it is approved, the sale will appear in AvantLink reporting; however, the sale will not be credited in the AvantMetrics reporting.
If you have any additional questions about these differences in your reporting, please email support@avantlink.com.