> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://clickflare.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How ClickFlare Works

> A high-level overview of click tracking, attribution, and conversions

## TL;DR

> ClickFlare works by tracking each incoming click, assigning it a unique Click ID, and later matching conversions back to that click so you can see exactly where results come from.

* Track clicks from any traffic source
* Pass users to a landing page or offer
* Register conversions when they happen
* Attribute conversions to the original click
* Analyze performance in reports

***

## Why Understanding This Matters

Before setting up campaigns or integrations, it’s important to understand **what ClickFlare actually does behind the scenes**.

Most tracking issues, data discrepancies, or setup mistakes happen because:

* Users don’t know where ClickFlare sits in the flow
* Click time and conversion time are confused
* Attribution logic is misunderstood

This article explains the **core tracking flow** without configuration details, code, or platform-specific steps.

***

## Where ClickFlare Sits in Your Traffic Flow

At a high level, ClickFlare sits **between your traffic source and your destination**.

```
Traffic Source → ClickFlare → Landing Page / Offer → Conversion
```

* **Traffic Source**: Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, Native, etc.
* **ClickFlare**: Tracks clicks, stores data, handles attribution
* **Destination**: Landing page, affiliate offer, store, or call flow
* **Conversion**: Sale, lead, call, or custom event

<Info>
  ClickFlare does not replace your traffic source or affiliate network — it connects them.
</Info>

***

## Step-by-Step: What Happens When a User Clicks

### 1. A User Clicks Your Ad or Tracking Link

A visitor clicks an ad or link that points to a ClickFlare tracking URL.

At this moment:

* ClickFlare receives the request
* Traffic source parameters (if present) are captured

***

### 2. ClickFlare Registers the Click

ClickFlare:

* Creates a **unique Click ID**
* Stores tracking data (campaign, parameters, timestamp, etc.)

This Click ID is the **key identifier** used later for attribution.

***

### 3. The User Is Redirected or Routed

Depending on your setup:

* The user is redirected to a landing page or offer

  **or**
* The tracking happens directly without a redirect (direct / Google-compliant mode)

From the user’s perspective, this step is invisible.

***

### 4. A Conversion Happens

At some point (immediately or later), a conversion occurs, such as:

* A purchase
* A form submission
* A phone call
* A custom event

The conversion is sent to ClickFlare via:

* Postback
* Script
* Pixel
* Conversion API

***

### 4. A Conversion Happens

At some point (immediately or later), a conversion occurs, such as:

* A purchase
* A form submission
* A phone call
* A custom event

The conversion is sent to ClickFlare via:

* Postback
* Script
* Pixel
* Conversion API

***

### 5. ClickFlare Attributes the Conversion

When ClickFlare receives the conversion:

* It looks for the matching Click ID
* Links the conversion back to the original click
* Applies attribution logic

This allows ClickFlare to answer:

> *Which click, campaign, ad, or keyword generated this result?*

***

### 6. Data Becomes Available in Reports

Once attributed, the conversion appears in:

* Campaign reports
* Funnel/path reports
* Keyword or parameter-level reports

You can then evaluate performance and make optimization decisions.

***

## Click Time vs Conversion Time (Important Concept)

A key concept in ClickFlare is that:

* **Clicks happen at one point in time**
* **Conversions may happen much later**

Because of this:

* Click-level logs are tied to the **visit timestamp**
* Reports can show conversions based on:

  * Visit time
  * Conversion (postback) time

This distinction is explained in detail in a dedicated article, but it’s important to be aware of it early.

***

## What ClickFlare Does — and Does Not Do

### What ClickFlare Does

* Tracks clicks and visits
* Records conversions
* Matches conversions to clicks
* Centralizes performance data
* Enables reporting and optimization

### What ClickFlare Does Not Do

* Generate traffic
* Serve ads
* Replace your traffic source or store

ClickFlare’s role is **measurement and attribution**, not traffic deliver

***

## How This Applies to Different Use Cases

The same core flow applies whether you are:

* Sending traffic to affiliate offers
* Running e-commerce campaigns
* Tracking lead forms
* Measuring phone calls
* Running search arbitrage setups

Only the **conversion method and integrations change** — the tracking logic stays the same.

## Related Resources

* First-Time Setup Checklist
* Create Your First Redirect Campaign
* How Click Tracking Works in ClickFlare
* How Conversion Tracking Works in ClickFlare
* Visit vs Postback Timestamp Explained