Client-acquisition programmes join several records: a referral source, an application, account approval, funding, activity and a final reconciliation. A person can appear in the journey without becoming a qualified client, and a qualified event can still require validation before a CPA reward is payable.
Attribution starts with a source record
A unique link, campaign code or approved referral method helps record where a journey began. Cookies, device changes, privacy settings, later marketing interactions and manual corrections can affect the record. The programme terms should identify the accepted method and evidence.
What an attribution window does
The attribution window is the period during which a later action may be credited to the recorded referral. Check which event starts the window, which event must occur before it ends and which time zone applies. A click inside the window is not enough if the required application, approval or funding event occurs too late.
New-client status is a defined test
“New client” should be defined by the live terms. Previous accounts, earlier applications, shared details, existing group relationships or re-opened accounts may affect status. Partners should not promise a reward before the programme completes its identity and duplicate checks.
Duplicates and competing referrals
The same person can arrive through multiple links or submit more than one application. The programme may use first-touch, last-touch, a fixed hierarchy or another documented rule. A duplicate record is not automatically a second qualified client.
Qualification requires defined events
Account approval is distinct from referral attribution. Qualification may also require an eligible funding method, minimum net funding, specified trading activity, a holding period or continued good standing. How Promotional Trading Volume Is Calculated explains why a trading milestone needs its own formula.
Approved, active and qualified
These labels should not be treated as synonyms. Approved can mean identity and account checks are complete; active can mean the client has begun using the account; qualified can mean every programme condition has been validated. The dashboard definition should match the current terms.
Clear disclosure protects the audience
When a partner can earn compensation, that relationship should be disclosed clearly and close to the promotion. Claims must remain fair, balanced and supportable. A referral relationship does not authorise promises about returns, approval, eligibility or reward payment.
Reconciliation comes before payment
The programme can review attribution, identity, duplicates, funding, activity, cancellations, chargebacks, prohibited methods, caps and the payment period. A dashboard estimate may therefore move from pending to approved, reversed or excluded.
If qualification uses closed trading activity, Open, Closed and Hedged Volume in Promotion Rules explains the records that may need review.
A partner audit trail
- Use only the issued referral link, code and approved materials.
- Make the commercial relationship clear to the audience.
- Retain the source, date, campaign and consent records permitted by policy.
- Track attributed, approved, active and qualified states separately.
- Investigate duplicates and reversals without creating new records to bypass controls.
- Reconcile the approved statement against the governed rate, cap and payment period.
A durable acquisition programme rewards verifiable outcomes, not clicks alone. Partners should use the secure dashboard for status and raise evidence-based questions before treating an amount as payable.