This article will cover the following:
Choosing Between Postback and Pixel
| Feature | Postback URL (S2S) | Conversion Pixel |
|---|---|---|
| How it fires | Your server sends an HTTP request to CAKE. | A tiny image or JS snippet fires in the visitor's browser. |
| Reliability | High — not blocked by ad blockers or browser settings. | Lower — can be blocked or fail on slow page loads. |
| Technical setup | Requires server-side implementation. | Simple — paste code into a webpage. |
| Best for | High-volume campaigns, mobile apps, server-side flows. | Quick setups, simpler tech stacks. |
Note:
Postback URLs are the recommended method for most advertisers. Use pixels when server-side integration is not possible.
Postback URLs are the recommended method for most advertisers. Use pixels when server-side integration is not possible.
Setting Up a Postback URL
- Log in to CAKE and go to Offers. Open the offer you want to configure.
- Click the Tracking tab within the offer settings.
- Copy the Postback URL displayed on screen. It will look like:
https://[yourdomain].cakemarketing.com/api/2/conversion.json?... - Replace the REPLACE placeholder at the end with the dynamic click ID your system stored when the visitor first clicked through.
- Optionally append &amount=SALE_AMOUNT if your offer pays a percentage of sale value.
- Configure your confirmation page or server-side order processing to make an HTTP GET request to this URL when a conversion occurs.
- Test it: complete a test conversion, then check Reports → Conversions to confirm it was recorded.
Tip:
The click ID is typically passed in the original tracking link as a URL parameter — e.g.
The click ID is typically passed in the original tracking link as a URL parameter — e.g.
?s1={'{'}clickid{'}'}. Ask your network for the exact parameter name used in your setup.Postback URL Parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| click_id | Yes | The unique click ID generated at click time. |
| offer_id | Yes | The CAKE offer ID associated with the conversion. |
| payout | No | Override the affiliate payout amount for this conversion. |
| revenue | No | Override the advertiser revenue for this conversion. |
| unique_id | No | Your system's unique transaction reference for deduplication. |
| order_id | No | Order ID from the advertiser system. |
| adv1–adv5 | No | Custom sub ID fields for additional tracking data. |
Adding a Conversion Pixel
- Open the offer in CAKE and go to the Tracking tab.
- Copy the conversion pixel code snippet — available as an image tag (for basic tracking) or JavaScript (for more robust data passing).
- Paste the pixel into the HTML of your confirmation or thank-you page, just before the closing
</body>tag. - Ensure the pixel fires only on genuine conversions — not on every page load or page refresh.
- Test by completing a test conversion and confirming it appears in your CAKE conversion report.
Caution:
Browser privacy features and ad blockers can prevent pixels from firing. If you notice a significant gap between your internal conversion data and CAKE's count, switching to a postback URL will resolve most discrepancies.
Browser privacy features and ad blockers can prevent pixels from firing. If you notice a significant gap between your internal conversion data and CAKE's count, switching to a postback URL will resolve most discrepancies.
Troubleshooting Tracking Issues
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Conversions not appearing in CAKE | Postback URL is missing the click ID, or the click ID was not stored correctly at click time. | Verify the click ID is being captured from the tracking link and passed back in the postback URL. |
| Duplicate conversions | The postback is firing multiple times per order. | Add a unique_id parameter to your postback call to enable deduplication in CAKE. |
| Pixel not firing | Ad blocker, browser privacy setting, or page loads before pixel fires. | Switch to a server-side postback URL, or ensure the pixel is placed at the end of the page body. |
| Conversion shows 'Scrubbed' | Click ID has expired, or the conversion matched a suppression list entry. | Check the offer's session hours setting and review your suppression list configuration. |
If you have any questions, please reach out to your dedicated CAKE Client Success Manager/Account Manager or contact the CAKE Support Team at support@getCAKE.com.