Tracking Issue Detected
It appears that your system is configured such that transactions from this merchant will not track. Please check your settings as outlined in the text below.
Before you start earning cashback, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself to ensure purchases are successfully tracked through our affiliate network.
If your purchase fails to track there will be no evidence, the merchant will not pay Quidco and Quidco will not be able to pay you. Although Quidco will make every reasonable effort to chase merchants and secure your money, by following the advice on this page, you will greatly increase the chances of a smooth transaction and above all will receive your cashback faster.
Note: Some members prefer to use a separate browser to make their Quidco purchases. This way security settings can be set appropriately and cookies can be cleared without affecting everyday use. Using a separate browser just for Quidco is probably the easiest and most reliable way to maximise tracking. We'd recommend using Firefox as a dedicated Quidco browser, or if you prefer to use Firefox as your normal browser use Internet Explorer purely for Quidco purchases.
Click here to go to the Firefox site
Does your browser allow cookies and javascript?
Does your browser already have tracking cookies stored?
Does your computer have security software that blocks advertisements or cookies?
Do you use parental controls within your browser?
Do you use a pop-up blocker?
Does your computer access the internet through a hardware router or firewall?
Has your HOSTS file been altered or added to?
Do you regularly run an up-to-date virus scanner?
Do you run Windows with the latest service packs and updates?
Have you installed any peer-to-peer file sharing software?
Do you use IP Camouflage or Internet Shadowing software?
Does your browser allow cookies and javascript?
Cookies are small text files stored by your browser. These are used to record the fact that Quidco should receive the commission for referring you to the merchant, which can then be passed onto you. JavaScript is also used by some merchants to track your purchases. Your browser must have cookies and javascript enabled for tracking to work.
How to enable cookies and javascript in Firefox
How to enable cookies and javascript in Internet Explorer
Does your browser already have tracking cookies stored?
Tracking your purchase back to Quidco is achieved by using cookies. If other tracking cookies already exist in your browser, your purchases may be attributed to another site and your commission will be passed onto them, rather than into your Quidco account. Sometimes merchants pay commission per cookie, so when repeating purchases it is also wise to clear your cookies.
Clear your cookies before making purchases through Quidco. If you do not want to clear your cookies, perhaps to maintain the state of another website which you regularly visit, we recommend using a separate browser.
Click here to visit the Firefox download site
How to clear the cookies in your browser
Does your computer have security software that blocks advertisements or cookies?
This type of software is designed to protect your privacy by hiding your internet activities from websites. However, when you make a purchase through a Quidco link your purchase needs to be tracked in order to credit you with your cashback. Ad and cookie blocking must be disabled for tracking to work. The following links below will help you with specific instructions for Norton Internet Security, Zone Alarm and Spywareblaster but you should
check any internet security, anti-virus or firewall software for settings that mention "ad blocking, cookie blocking, ad tracking" or another variant.
How to change Norton Internet Security settings
How to change McAfee Internet Security settings
How to change Zone Alarm Pro settings
How to change SpywareBlaster settings
Do you use parental controls within your browser?
Parental controls are incorporated into browsers to protect against certain forms of inappropriate or unpleasant content. Some parental controls however, are a little overzealous and prevent users from accessing perfectly safe sites via our affiliate network.
If you are having trouble following a Quidco link to a merchant, it is worth disabling your parental controls while shopping with that merchant.
How to disable parental controls
Do you use a pop-up blocker?
Pop-up blockers stop sites opening additional webpages. This causes a problem with some merchants who open extra pages in order to confirm or complete an order. Some affiliate sites also need pop-ups to work, in order to refer users onto the merchant site (for example www.cj.com). Other less common pop-up blockers also block cookies which will prevent successful tracking.
If you are being left with a blank page when accessing a merchant through Quidco, having trouble confirming / completing an order or placing orders that fail to track, try disabling your pop-up blocker.
How to disable pop-up blockers
Does your computer access the internet through a hardware router or firewall?
Some networking hardware / software have functionality to block cookies or site referrals. Often universities or corporate networks have these kinds of connections to the internet.
If you are having difficulties with tracking, consider disabling hardware security agents or firewalls. If you are using a computer at university or in a company where you do not have control over these networking components, you will need to make your Quidco purchases from another location.
How to disable hardware based security
Has your HOSTS file been altered or added to?
The Windows HOSTS file is a little known file to most of us. Basically what it does is resolve an internet URL to a local location so that it won't load. If you are experiencing pages that do not load or give a 404 error when you click on a merchant's link this is probably the culprit.
The HOSTS file should be an empty file however some anti-virus or internet security programs can overwrite it. Also, some malware and spyware programs will overwrite it. Fortunately it is very easy to check and clean.
How to check and clean your HOSTS file
Do you regularly run an up-to-date virus scanner?
Some viruses embed themselves in web browsers adding in tracking information in an effort to steal commission for online purchases. It is always best practice to protect your PC with an up-to-date virus scanner.
Do you run Windows with the latest service packs and updates?
Previously problems have occurred with MS Windows and Internet Explorer that have prevented successful online purchasing or tracking. It is always best practice to use the latest service pack and run Windows update frequently.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/msupdate_keep_current.mspx
Have you installed any peer-to-peer file sharing software?
Some peer to peer software bundles (for example Kazaa) include a modification to your network settings (hosts file) called "supertrick" which stops you browsing some advertising sites. As affiliate networks are based on advertising referrals you may find that some merchant links will give you an "Internal Server Error" or "Server Cannot be found".
Supertrick can be difficult to get rid of, but luckily only affects a small number of merchants. We would suggest searching online for an update on the supertrick situation and possibly uninstalling software that you can identify as being the source of the supertrick installation.
Do you use IP Camouflage or Internet Shadowing software?
Software that provides you with a false or changing IP address may cause tracking to fail with certain merchants. As the mechanism for tracking varies, this is not always a problem. To be sure IP Shadowing does not cause tracking to fail, you should disable any camouflage / shadowing software.
Contact us
If you need to contact us please use the "Bug Reports" link below:
