Traffic Dynamix

How iOS 14.5 & Privacy Updates Impact Affiliate Marketing

The release of iOS 14.5 wasn’t just another Apple update - it flipped digital marketing on its head. With new privacy rules and user tracking restrictions, affiliate marketers had to quickly rethink how they target, measure, and scale their campaigns. Here's what’s changed, how it affects you, and what you can do to stay ahead.

How iOS 14.5 & Privacy Updates Impact Affiliate Marketing

What Changed With iOS 14.5?

Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency (ATT), a framework that forces apps to ask users for permission to track them across other apps and websites. Spoiler: most users said “no thanks.”

For affiliate marketers relying on platforms like Facebook or Google to track conversions and behavior, this was a big deal. With less visibility into user journeys, campaign performance became harder to measure and optimize.

Tracking Got a Lot Harder

Before iOS 14.5, tracking a user from ad click to purchase was pretty straightforward. Post-update, a chunk of that data just disappears if users opt out of tracking.

For example:

  • Facebook Ads became less effective at reporting on iOS traffic.

  • Attribution windows got shorter, which means fewer conversions get “credited.”

  • Retargeting audiences shrank because fewer users could be tracked across devices or apps.

That’s rough when you're trying to scale affiliate offers based on solid data.

Facebook's Workaround: Aggregated Event Measurement

Facebook responded by introducing Aggregated Event Measurement (AEM). It allows for limited conversion tracking while respecting Apple’s rules. But you can only track up to 8 conversion events per domain, and those have to be prioritized.

This means you need to be laser-focused on your most valuable conversion actions - forget about tracking every minor step.

First-Party Data Became King

With third-party tracking getting nerfed, marketers started leaning heavily into first-party data. That includes:

  • Email sign-ups

  • On-site behavior

  • Direct CRM connections

The more you know about your own users, the less you have to depend on platforms like Facebook or Google to tell you what’s going on.

Server-Side Tracking Took the Spotlight

Another smart move? Switching to server-side tracking. Tools like Facebook’s Conversions API (CAPI) allow you to send conversion data directly from your server to ad platforms, bypassing some of the limitations of browser-based tracking.

Is it perfect? No. But it helps close the data gap created by iOS 14.5.

Impact on Affiliate Marketers

Affiliate marketers were hit especially hard. Many depend on ad platforms to drive traffic and conversions, but now:

  • Performance reporting is less accurate

  • Scaling is riskier without clear ROI signals

  • Audiences are harder to build and retarget

For affiliates running aggressive or fast-paced campaigns, this meant slowing down and being more strategic.

What You Can Do About It

You’re not powerless. Here are a few actionable steps:

  • Prioritize high-converting events: Only track the stuff that really matters.

  • Switch to server-side tracking: Set up Conversions API if you’re using Facebook.

  • Grow your email list: First-party data is your long-term play.

  • Test new traffic sources: Don’t rely solely on iOS-heavy platforms.

  • Stay informed: Privacy changes aren’t stopping. Be ready for more.

Wrapping It Up: The New Affiliate Game

iOS 14.5 didn’t kill affiliate marketing - it just made it smarter. Marketers who adapt and invest in better tracking, stronger creatives, and owned data will still thrive. The key is staying flexible and not relying too heavily on one platform or method.

Privacy-first marketing isn’t going away. But if you can navigate the rules, build trust, and work with the data you do have, you’ll be way ahead of the game.