Thinkific Affiliate Program: Built-In vs Stripe Tracking

5 min read

Know what must work before you launch

Choose built-in course attribution or a verified merchant-controlled checkout

Best fit: Teams evaluating AffiliateBase for a Thinkific affiliate workflow.
Checkout handoff: The checkout path must receive the generated AffiliateBase referral ID.
Proof required: Complete one referred checkout and confirm the attributed sale and commission.

Open verification checklist Start for free

Follow the attribution evidence

Illustrative scenario · fictional values

Referred visit

?via=partner

AffiliateBase captures the visit and generates a referral record.
Checkout handoff

referral ID

The checkout must carry the generated identifier into Stripe.
Paid event

$99 paid

A supported Stripe event confirms the attributed payment.
Commission

$19.80 due

An eligible attributed sale creates the commission record.
Payout prep

Payout ready

Review the commission and prepare the next step with your payout provider.

This guide is for course owners running a program for their own Thinkific products. Thinkific documents an affiliate feature on paid plans with unique links, enrollment reporting, and payout management.

Use Thinkific’s official affiliate documentation when the buyer completes Thinkific-hosted checkout. This page does not claim that a browser script can inject AffiliateBase attribution into that checkout.

Use AffiliateBase only for a separate Stripe Payment Link or merchant-controlled Checkout Session where the generated referral ID can reach Stripe. Then follow the verification checklist.

Follow these steps to integrate AffiliateBase with Thinkific:

Add the Tracking Script

Add the AffiliateBase tracking script to your Thinkific site. Go to Settings > Code & Analytics > Site Footer Code and paste this script.

Use the pinned jsDelivr tracking URL for the latest published AffiliateBase release.

<script async src="https://app.affiliatebase.io/track.js" data-account-id="YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID"></script>

Use Stripe Payment Links or Buttons (If Using)

If you use Stripe Payment Links or Buy Buttons on your Thinkific site, add the tracking script on the same page so AffiliateBase can pass the generated referral ID.

<!-- Keep Stripe checkout elements on the same page as the AffiliateBase script. -->
<a href="https://buy.stripe.com/xxxxx">Buy now</a>

<stripe-pricing-table
  pricing-table-id="prctbl_xxx"
  publishable-key="pk_live_xxx"
></stripe-pricing-table>

<!-- For custom or redirected Stripe-hosted links, opt in explicitly. -->
<a data-affiliatebase href="https://link.payment/xxxxx">Buy now</a>

Connect Your Stripe Account

Pass the generated referral ID as client_reference_id to Stripe for accurate conversion tracking. Do not use the public ?via token.

Connect the Stripe account used by the separate supported checkout. This does not establish Thinkific-hosted checkout attribution.

Use Thinkific Tracking for Thinkific Checkout

For Thinkific-hosted checkout, configure Thinkific’s affiliate tools. A browser script alone does not prove AffiliateBase can pass attribution into that checkout.

Test Your Integration

For a separate Stripe checkout, use AffiliateBase’s generated setup-test link and verify the completed checkout, sale, and commission.

// Visit your site with a test affiliate link:
// Open the exact setup-test link shown in AffiliateBase.

// Open browser console and check:
console.log(window.AffiliateBase?.referral); // Should show a generated referral ID

Why Use AffiliateBase with Thinkific?

Choose Thinkific’s affiliate feature for hosted checkout or verify a separate Stripe path.

Simple Script Installation

Capture referral visits only on pages where your Thinkific plan permits the account-specific script.

Stripe Integration

Process supported Stripe events only after a compatible checkout carries the generated referral ID.

Subscription Support

Tracks subscription-based course access, including monthly and annual subscriptions.

Multiple Course Support

Support for different commission rates based on course type, price, or category.

Affiliate Dashboard

Give your affiliates a professional dashboard to track their performance and generate links.

Real-Time Tracking

Track conversions in real-time as students enroll or purchase courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AffiliateBase work with Thinkific?

Thinkific offers built-in affiliate tools for its hosted checkout. AffiliateBase is only established here for a separate supported Stripe checkout.

How are course enrollments tracked?

The generated referral ID must reach the Stripe checkout. Capturing it on a Thinkific page alone is not payment attribution.

Can I track subscription-based courses?

Yes! AffiliateBase tracks subscriptions through Stripe webhooks. Affiliates receive commissions for subscription sign-ups and renewals.

Can I set different commission rates for different courses?

Yes! You can configure different commission structures in AffiliateBase based on course, category, or price.

What tracking parameters does AffiliateBase support?

AffiliateBase automatically detects ?via= URL parameters by default. You can add custom token keys with data-affiliatebase-params.

Do affiliates get their own dashboard?

Yes! Affiliates get access to a professional dashboard where they can view conversions, commissions, and generate affiliate links.

Related Platform Guides

Create an Affiliate Program with Teachable

Choose Teachable’s school affiliate tools for hosted checkout, or test AffiliateBase with a separate supported Stripe checkout. Includes verification steps.

Create an Affiliate Program with Podia

Use Podia’s built-in affiliate program for Podia checkout, or verify AffiliateBase with a separate supported Stripe checkout. See prerequisites and tests.

Create an Affiliate Program with Kajabi

Kajabi’s built-in Affiliates covers Kajabi checkout on eligible plans. Selling through your own Stripe checkout? Track affiliate sales and commissions there.

Ready to Launch Your Thinkific Affiliate Program?

Get started with AffiliateBase today and start growing your Thinkific school through affiliate marketing.

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