Cookie window impact calculator

See how much a short cookie window quietly costs you.

A short cookie quietly costs you sales. Most affiliate purchases happen on a later visit, not the first click. Set the cookie window and how long your buyers take to decide, and see roughly what share of conversions the cookie captures.

Cookie window (days)

Average days buyers take to decide

Conversions captured

Conversions lost

Why the cookie window matters more than the rate

A 50 percent commission on a 24 hour cookie is often worse than a 20 percent commission on a 90 day cookie. Buyers research, leave, and come back. If the cookie expires before they return, you lose the sale even though you sent the click. When you compare programs, weigh the cookie window alongside the headline rate, and use the earnings calculator to put a dollar figure on it.

This estimate uses a simple decay model where more buyers convert the longer the window stays open. Real results vary by niche, but the direction is always the same: longer cookies capture more.

FAQ

Why does cookie length matter in affiliate marketing?

Because most purchases happen on a later visit, not the first click. If the cookie expires before the buyer returns, you lose the commission even though you sent the traffic.

What is a good affiliate cookie length?

Thirty days is the common minimum, 60 to 90 days is better, and lifetime cookies are exceptional. Longer windows capture more delayed conversions.

How does this calculator work?

It uses a simple decay model: the longer the cookie window relative to how long buyers take to decide, the higher the share of conversions it captures.