> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ctracker-docs.keywordrush.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ctracker-docs.keywordrush.com/running-your-site/faq.md).

# FAQ

### Do I need my own affiliate accounts?

Yes. Cashback Tracker has no relationships with shops — you do. You apply to each network yourself, and each advertiser approves you separately.

Networks generally want to see a real site before accepting you, so it is worth having something built first. [The sandbox](/running-your-site/sandbox.md) lets you develop against fake data while you wait.

### Does the plugin pay my members?

No. It records what is owed and to whom; you send the money yourself and mark the request paid.

See [What the plugin never does](/how-cashback-works/what-the-plugin-never-does.md).

### How much cashback should I give?

The default is 50% of the commission, which is a starting point rather than a recommendation.

What is left has to cover hosting, your time, marketing, and cashback you pay on orders the network later declines. High rates attract people who visit only for the rate and do nothing else.

See [Cashback rates](/shops-and-cashback-rates/cashback-rates.md).

### Can I run this without cashback, as a coupon site?

Yes — one setting. Shop pages, coupons, categories, search and your affiliate links all keep working; balances, payouts and member emails switch off.

See [Running a coupon site](/running-your-site/coupon-site.md).

### Can members withdraw before an order is approved?

No. Pending cashback is not requestable, because the network has not confirmed it and may still take it back.

You can add a further wait after approval if you would rather not pay before the network pays you — see [Order statuses and the holding period](/how-cashback-works/order-statuses-and-holding-period.md).

### What if a network declines an order I already paid out?

The cashback is reversed, and the member's balance can go negative. They simply cannot request another payout until it climbs back above zero.

You have a choice: leave it, so it comes out of their future earnings, or absorb it with a positive adjustment. Small amounts are usually not worth the conversation. Large ones are, and telling the member first is better than them discovering it.

A holding period reduces how often this happens at all.

### How long does cashback take?

From click to money in a member's hands, two months is normal:

|                        | Typical                                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Click to reported sale | hours                                      |
| Reported to approved   | 30–90 days, set by the network             |
| Approved to available  | immediate, unless you set a holding period |
| Requested to paid      | however long you take                      |

Almost all of it is the network's validation, and none of it is under your control. Say so on your own FAQ page — it prevents most support email.

### Why did a member's purchase not track?

Usually they were signed out, or reached the shop by some route other than your link. See [Finding and fixing an order](/running-your-site/fixing-an-order.md).

### Does it work with my theme?

Shop pages are ordinary WordPress posts, so your theme wraps them like anything else. The plugin brings its own styling for its parts, which you can override.

See [Colours and CSS](/putting-it-on-your-pages/colors-and-css.md) and [Overriding templates in your theme](/putting-it-on-your-pages/overriding-templates.md).

### Can I import from another cashback plugin?

There is no importer. Upgrading from version 2 of this plugin is supported — see [Upgrading from version 2](/start-here/upgrading-from-v2.md) — but there is no path from a different vendor's plugin.

### Can I use one affiliate account across several sites?

Yes, with one change: give each site its own tracking prefix so member IDs cannot collide between them. See [Tracking links](/shops-and-cashback-rates/tracking-links.md).

### Do I need an SEO plugin?

No. Shop pages get titles, descriptions, social tags and structured data on their own. If you run one, it stays in charge and anything you wrote in it always wins.

See [Working with an SEO plugin](/ai-and-seo/seo-plugins.md).

### Does AI writing cost me anything through you?

No. It uses your own AI provider account and you pay them directly. Nothing goes through keywordrush.com.

See [Setting up AI](/ai-and-seo/setting-up-ai.md).

### Can I change the site currency later?

Effectively no. Every balance is stored in it and changing the setting does not convert history. Choose it before you have real members — see [Currency and exchange rates](/how-cashback-works/currency.md).

### What happens if my license expires?

The plugin keeps working. You stop receiving updates, security fixes and support until you renew.

See [License and updates](/start-here/license-and-updates.md).