Stand-Down Policy Explained

impact.com's stand-down policy is a best practice that prevents certain partners—particularly those using browser extensions, toolbars, or in-cart solutions—from interfering with the shopping experience if another click has already been recorded from another partner. Once a shopper has engaged with a tracking link (e.g., from a creator, content publisher, cashback program, or coupon site), the afsrc=1 parameter is automatically appended to the landing page URL for all partner-driven traffic. Any competing extension must withdraw and not attempt to override the original click by triggering pop-ups, activating new tracking links, or altering the customer's path to purchase.

How it works

1. The consumer clicks on a link from a partner site, which brings them to a brand's landing page.

2. The afsrc=1 parameter is automatically appended to the landing page URL.

3. The competing partner, e.g., a browser extension, checks the link that redirected the consumer and recognizes it as an impact.com tracking link.

4. The extension is then required to abide by the stand-down policy, and no extension pop-up should be made visible for that consumer.

Check the stand-down policy in your template terms

You can ensure the stand-down policy is enabled by viewing your template terms' General Terms section.

1. From the left navigation bar, select [Engage] → Contracts → Template Terms.

2. Hover over the relevant template terms, then select [More] → View Terms.

3. Scroll down to the General Terms section, then look for Stand Down Policy.

   

Disable the stand-down policy

Warning: Your program’s stand-down policy is enabled by default, and we recommend you keep it enabled to establish good partnerships. Explicitly stating that you adhere to a stand-down policy will give partners a better opportunity to maintain their status as a conversion winner.

1. From the top navigation bar, select [User profile] → Settings.

2. On the right, under Tracking, select General.

3. Below the Stand Down Policy section, select [Checkbox] Activate stand down policy on all template terms.

4. Select Save.