> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.impact.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/contracts-and-template-terms/referral-window-explained.md).

# Referral Window Explained

The referral (or cookie) window starts after a partner-driven click or event. If the customer purchases within that window, impact.com credits the partner. Understanding this timing helps you predict attribution and resolve disputes.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A[Customer clicks\npartner link] --> B[Referral window\ntimer starts]
    B --> C{Customer converts?}
    C -->|Within window| D[Conversion attributed\nto partner]
    C -->|After window expires| E[Conversion not\nattributed]
```

## Referral window configuration

* **Contract-level setting** — Each [contract](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/contracts-and-template-terms/template-terms/create-template-terms.md) between you and a partner defines its own referral window. 
* **Action-date logic** — The referral window that applies will be determined by the contract that was live when the corresponding tracked action took place (Action Date).
* **Referral window follows the active contract** — Whichever contract was in effect on the action date governs the referral window for that action, even if the contract has since been updated or replaced.

## How contract updates affect the referral window

When you update a [contract's referral window](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/contracts-and-template-terms/template-terms/modify-template-terms.md) or [move a partner to a new contract](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/contracts-and-template-terms/contracts/replace-a-partners-contract.md), the change applies to actions that occur on or after the new contract's start date. Actions that occurred under the previous contract retain the window that was in place at that time.

| Click date | Active contract                    | Referral window | Convert by |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------- | ---------- |
| May 20     | Current contract (May 15–31)       | 15 days         | June 4     |
| June 5     | Upcoming contract (June 1 onwards) | 1 day           | June 6     |

In this example, a customer who clicked a partner link on May 20 has a 15-day window, so impact.com credits the partner for conversions through June 4. A customer who clicked on June 5 has a 1-day window, so impact.com credits the partner only through June 6.

## Why this matters

* **Predictable attribution** — Because the window is locked to the action date, both you and your partners can calculate exactly when a conversion will or won't be credited, regardless of later contract changes.
* **Fair partner compensation** — Partners are compensated based on the terms they agreed to at the time they drove the traffic, not on retroactive contract updates.
* **Troubleshooting missing conversions** — If a conversion isn't attributed as expected, check whether the click occurred under a contract with a shorter window than the current one.


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