Also known as: View-Through Tracking, View-Through Attribution, Post-View Tracking
Post-impression tracking, or view-through tracking, credits an affiliate when a user sees an ad but does not click it, then later visits the broker and converts on their own. Attribution rewards the exposure rather than the click.
It exists because display and video advertising build recognition long before anyone clicks. A trader who scrolls past your broker banner ten times may never tap it, yet that repeated exposure is what makes them search the broker's name a week later. View-through tracking attempts to value that assisted, brand-driven path to conversion.
Mechanically, an impression pixel fires when the ad loads and writes a view cookie holding your campaign ID. If the same browser converts within a short window — usually 24 to 48 hours, far shorter than a click cookie — the conversion is attributed to the impression. Example: you run a broker's banner on a 200,000-visit trading forum. A user sees it, never clicks, but two hours later searches the broker directly and deposits $300. Post-impression tracking reads the view cookie and credits you for the lead.
Because a viewed-but-unclicked ad is weak evidence of causation, most standard Forex affiliate programs disable view-through by default and reserve it for large media buyers under custom terms. It is also the attribution model most vulnerable to fraud (fake impressions) and to over-crediting, so brokers scrutinize it closely.
An impression pixel embedded in the ad creative fires the moment the banner or video renders in the user's browser. It writes a cookie containing the campaign or affiliate ID and timestamps the view.
If that browser later reaches a conversion event within the view-through window, the broker's system checks for a view cookie. When no click cookie outranks it under the attribution rules, the impression gets the credit. Because impressions are cheap to fake and hard to verify, brokers cap the window tightly and audit view-through conversions before paying.
An impression pixel fires as the banner or video loads on the user's screen.
The pixel writes a short-lived cookie holding your campaign ID and the view time.
The user does not interact with the ad but retains passive brand exposure.
The user later reaches the broker directly, by search or by typing the URL.
If they convert within the window and no click outranks the view, you are credited.
Why it matters for partnership: View-through tracking lets premium display and video partners get paid for the brand awareness they create, not just the final click. If a trader sees your banner, doesn't click, then signs up directly, you still earn — but only if the broker contractually supports it.
A media buyer runs a Pepperstone video campaign across finance sites. A viewer watches the pre-roll, never clicks, but the next day searches "Pepperstone" and deposits $250. Under a negotiated 48-hour view-through agreement, post-impression tracking reads the view cookie and credits the buyer for the lead, alongside their click-based conversions.
| Attribute | Post-impression | Post-click |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Ad is viewed | Ad/link is clicked |
| Typical window | 24-48 hours | 30-90 days |
| Evidence of intent | Weak | Strong |
| Default support | Rare, negotiated | Standard everywhere |
| Fraud exposure | High | Moderate |
View-through windows are short by design, so negotiate a longer window and a per-campaign cap in writing before you commit budget to display or video ads.
Assuming a program pays view-through by default is the classic mistake; most Forex programs do not, so you fund awareness ads and collect nothing without a signed custom agreement.
Rarely for standard affiliates. It is typically reserved for large media buyers or specialized ad networks under a custom agreement.
Click-through credits a user who actually clicked your link. View-through credits a user who only saw your ad and later converted on their own.
A viewed-but-unclicked ad is weak evidence of causation, so brokers cap the window at a day or two to limit over-crediting and fraud.
Yes, it is a known risk because impressions can be faked cheaply, which is why brokers audit view-through conversions before paying.
Usually not. Most attribution rules let a real click outrank a mere view, so the click gets the credit when both exist.
Generally no. It suits partners running high-volume display or video inventory who can negotiate custom terms, not small link-based affiliates.