Developer builds custom affiliate attribution tool after App Store tracking gaps stymied options

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A developer built a custom affiliate attribution system for in-app purchases after finding that existing web-based affiliate platforms and promo codes failed to reliably track mobile conversions. The core challenge is that on iOS and Android, the tap on a referral link, the app install, and the eventual purchase occur in separate environments, with Apple and Google providing no native way to connect them. Promo codes proved unreliable due to leakage and sharing, while standard affiliate platforms depend on browser cookies that never fire within App Store purchase flows. The solution required combining deferred deep linking, platform-specific install referrer APIs, and server-side purchase verification via tools like RevenueCat to confirm real transactions before crediting creators. The developer noted that attribution on mobile must be treated as probabilistic, and that key decisions such as attribution window length carry significant business implications beyond mere technical configuration.

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