I just placed an order, the same way I always do, and the Referral was paid - all good - and the Tracking Code was applied - also good.

- But clicking the link didn't add my RF ID to my cookie storage. Making a purchase seems to have done that. I don't believe that's typical behavior.

- The TC I used isn't stored at all. Also atypical.

Has something changed with how cookies function?

If yes, that may explain my linkover issue.

I'm grateful I'm not alone, but it's not comforting that I can't find any information on policy changes anywhere. lol

I don't know where to take the problem. @Zazzle - can you be of any assistance? I don't know if the issue is on Zazzle's end or Pinterest's, but my affiliate links elsewhere are unaffected.

My impressions and clicks on Pinterest are UP, considerably, over last week.

I had to buy some Stationery for my daughter eventually, so I did it today to test this issue. Here's how that went -

- Pin Stationery to Pinterest

- Delete Zazzle browser cookies, which also logs me out of Zazzle

- Navigate to Pin, click Pin

- Check Zazzle cookies
-- 4 cookies, local storage, www.zazzle.com
-- 11 cookies, zazzle.com
-- NO RF parameter stored in human-readable form
-- NO TC parameter stored in human-readable form

- Customize Stationery, Add to Cart

- Check Zazzle cookies
-- I forgot to count them lol, but I think same as above
-- NO RF parameter stored in human-readable form
-- NO TC parameter stored in human-readable form

- Finish purchase, includes log in

- Check Zazzle cookies
-- 6 cookies, local storage, www.zazzle.com
-- 9 cookies, zazzle.com
-- RF parameter stored in human-readable form
--- Due to another test I did, I believe the RF is added as my identity (i.e. due to logging in) and NOT due to the link I clicked (i.e., not due to ?rf= parameter)
-- NO TC parameter stored in human-readable form

- Check Royalty
-- Credited, working correctly
-- Tracking Code, as expected, working correctly

Meaning the process isn't broken, per se, for a purchase, but I've never NOT seen my RF and TC parameters stored UPON CLICKING a properly formatted link.

So, if Zazzle could please comment on cookie storage and what's going on there - why are parameters not stored in human-readable form upon clicking a link? Is this affecting Referrals at all? Is that why Linkovers have suddenly plummeted? In the past, it's been said Linkovers were artificially inflated - is this a correction, and they're accurate now?

Thank you, Elizabeth!

What kind of security threat is there to cookies? can someone come in a back door via a cookie?

just curious...

Encoded cookies aren't very comforting - I'm a trust, but verify kinda gal, and I like to see what's in those cookies. Pinterest-to-Zazzle test worked for purchase though, so that's comforting.

I would like to know why Z switched to encoding though - general security/upgrade time or a specific issue. Because the best I can do via Internet search is "How to Keep Cookies from Crumbling & Sticking to the Pan ..." lol But I'm not holding my breath on that one. ;)

@Shelli - Search "cookie exploits." Mean people (who are smarter than I am lol) can do things. Admittedly, it's a good thing for Z to do, even though I'm not that happy about it.

On linkovers, all my stats everywhere else are up commensurate to my increased promotions. Weird, but okay. I'll figure out what I haven't investigated yet and, if I find anything, pass it along.

Thank you, for taking the time to look into, Elizabeth.