An affiliate tracking method where the affiliate network's cookie is served from a subdomain of the brand's own domain (e.g., track.brand.com) rather than the network's domain, classifying it as a first-party cookie that is not subject to Safari's ITP (Intelligent Tracking Prevention) restrictions. Setup requires adding a CNAME DNS record pointing a brand subdomain to the affiliate network's tracking servers and configuring the network to use first-party mode. Less complex to implement than server-side tracking but more effective than standard third-party cookie tracking for Safari/iOS users. Recommended as a baseline for all programs on Impact, Awin, and CJ where significant Safari/iOS traffic is expected. Contrast: third-party tracking (network domain cookie, ITP-affected) → first-party tracking (brand subdomain cookie, ITP-resistant) → server-side tracking (no cookie, fully ITP-immune).
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