CONNEXITY ATTRIBUTION FILE GUIDE - BETA
This article outlines requirements for the generation and daily delivery of an attribution file as an input to the performance of your Connexity campaign, in addition to resources for guiding you on how to get the data from Adobe.
The attribution file provides Insight into conversions from shopper traffic Connexity generates and is critical to driving the success of your campaign. Having a full understanding about how traffic converts, at a granular level, further helps us to optimize placements that maximize incremental growth opportunities.
Links to important elements of this article are provided below.
About Attribution Data
The attribution file provides Insight into conversions from shopper traffic generated by Connexity generates. Sharing attribution data is critical to driving the success of your campaign. Having a full understanding about how traffic converts, at a granular level, further helps us to optimize placements that maximize incremental growth opportunities.
How Attribution Data Is Used
The attribution data you provide is the most important performance signal Connexity receives. We combined this information with signals from the Connexity Shopping Tag to better align events observed by the Tag with conversions confirmed in your daily file. This alignment minimizes discrepancies in how different attribution models may recognize conversions and the aligned results are applied in two main areas.
Optimization: Validation of traffic conversions helps Connexity optimize pricing within your budget to bid for and win you competitive placements that drive even more traffic at higher conversion rates. It enables us to optimize pricing all the way to the traffic source and product SKU level in order to meet your cost of sale (COS) goals.
Reporting: Validation of conversions helps us communicate about campaign progress from a common understanding of performance. It means Connexity can deliver more accurate performance reporting in our merchant portal and in updates with your Account Manager.
Implementation Overview
There are a few important steps this guide will outline to help you successfully implement daily creation and delivery of an attribution file.
| 1 | Create Attribution File |
| 2 | Setup Daily Delivery |
| 3 | Test and Verify |
| 4 | Complete |
1. Create Attribution File
The attribution file needs to be generated and sent daily to Connexity at the earliest possible convenience.
File Requirements
- File format must be XSLX or CSV format
- Delimiter must be comma or tab (for CSV files)
- The file must be uncompressed
- File name should include the merchant name and the date in yyyy-MM-dd format
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- Suggested file name format: MerchantName_OrderReport_yyyy-MM-dd.csv
- File(s) should be sent at the earliest time possible (advised time TBC). If possible, please send on an hourly basis, daily at a minimum.
Required Fields
This is the data that is required within the attribution file for Connexity to properly analyze the data. This is specifically formatted in a way our system can process the information. This data, once ingested, can be viewed in the merchant platform.
We understand that depending on the attribution and reporting platform you are using that you may not be able to provide the exact column names asked for. Where is not possible, can you please provide a column mapping matrix. For example, cnxlid = paramOne.
| Column Name | What It Contains/Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| cnxclid |
A unique redirect variable dynamically generated by Connexity and appended to the product URL. Required to associate the sale to the original click.
Note that this value can contain a Google/Bing click ID in case of parallel tracking, which can contain up to 100 alpha-numerical characters
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| order_timestamp | The date, time and timezone on which the transaction was done. Please use RFC 3999
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For further help with RFC 3999 formatting please refer to, or reach out to your CNX account manager. |
| product_gtin |
The product GTIN (UPC in the USA, EAN in EU, JAN in Japan or ISBN for all territories). Each unique GTIN should be on a separate row with the cnxclid, order_timestamp and other fields relevant to a basket.
Provide correct product GTIN whenever possible. Do not make up, guess, or include values from similar products. If you do not have a GTIN, please leave it blank and instead provide the MPID and SKU where possible. |
For further guidance on GTIN please see. |
| product_mpid |
If you have any product identifier other than GTIN or SKU, add it in this field. Product identifiers will help CNX optimize your integration. If you provide us with a product feed, this value should contain the same values that they give us in the product feed "MPID" field. |
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| product_sku | If you are unable to provide a GTIN and or product_MPID but do use the Stock Keeping Unit as an internal unique product identifier please provide that.
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| order_id | The order number of the retailer
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| order_value | This is the total value of an order assigned to one product identifier. Therefore, if two of one product worth $10 is purchased, the order value will be $20.
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| units_ordered | The total number of a product bought
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| mid | Typically you would provide an Attribution Data file per MID. If you want to send one inclusive of all MID, can you please include the MID.
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Optional Fields
| Column Name | What It Contains/Example | Notes |
| new_customer |
For new customers: use "1" or or include the keyword "new"
For returning customers: "0" or include the keyword "returning" or "existing".
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| currency | If you operate in multiple territories and currencies and you want to report the transactions in a specific currency please populate this field. This only applies if you are submitting one file for all MIDs. Please use ISO 4217 codes for currency.
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| discounts | TBC |
2. Setup Daily Delivery
In this step the merchant sets up delivery of the attribution file to Connexity through email. This file should be sent daily and a new file should be provided every day covering attribution results for the previous day. If you require a delivery method other than email, please contact your Connexity Account Manager.
- Email: The attribution file is sent automatically from your reporting system to Connexity daily.
- Send your daily file to: CNX_Order_Reports@connexity.com
- Include merchant name and ID for the subject line
- Example: MerchantName – 12345 – Connexity Attribution File
Connexity can work with you to establish a method for you to “push” the daily attribution file you create a secure Connexity or merchant FTP location you specify. The attribution file is pushed/uploaded to an FTP location daily. Please contact your Account Manager for more information.
3. Test and Verify
Please contact your Account Manager after you create and set-up a delivery method for your attribution file. During this stage our team will verify the attribution file is valid and that the data is correctly routed into our system and into our merchant portal platform. Your Account Manager may ask you to place a test order to verify the attribution tracking is working as expected from your FTP/SFTP file transfer or data analytics platform/Google analytics. If this is not something you can do on your end, we can place a test order on your behalf.
4. Complete
Once you and your Account Manager have established that the attribution file data is correct and your delivery method is functioning properly, you are all set to start your campaigns on the Connexity network. Please contact your Account Manager if you have any additional questions.
Implementing via Adobe
Detailed information on how to set up reporting from Adobe platforms can be found on the Adobe website.
Overview Video for Adobe Analytics Export Options: https://helpx.adobe.com/customer-care-office-hours/analytics/getting-data-out.html
Resources for generating a data feed out of Adobe Analytics:
- Data Feed Overview: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/docs/analytics/export/analytics-data-feed/data-feed-overview.html?lang=en
- Create a Data Feed: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/docs/analytics/export/analytics-data-feed/create-feed.html?lang=en
- Data Feed Columns: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/docs/analytics/export/analytics-data-feed/data-feed-contents/datafeeds-reference.html?lang=en
- Managing Data Feeds: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/docs/analytics/export/analytics-data-feed/df-manage-feeds.html?lang=en