I want to provide my affiliate link to other shopkeepers, but I'm a bit confused about the formating of the link...

This is the format mentioned in the CafePress FAQ:

http://www.qksrv.net/click-PID-10463747?URL=http://www....opName&XID=AccountID

I notice that other shopkeepers don't include "&XID=AccountID" part. I was wondering if that's because it's optional.

Thank you!

Think of it this way. You aren't providing your affiliate link to other shopkeepers. You are providing it to affiliates. Shopkeepers aren't affiliates. Those are two different hats.

Now a shopkeeper can also be an affiliate, and at that point it is their responsibility to know about the XID parameter. It's nice of you to include it, but an affiliate who is not a shopkeeper is going to look at it and ask "What is an 'XID'? I don't have any 'XID'!"

So, it is optional in that not all affiliates use it. Only affiliates who also have shops and may end up selling their own product use it.

hmmm.. I think I get it.. ..

So if I was providing code (ie. like for a linked banner) for Affiliates/Shopkeepers to directly copy and paste into their site, a link like this..

http://www.qksrv.net/click-PID-10463747?URL=http://www.cafepress.com/thegamingape

.. would be enough to have in the code? And just tell them to replace the PID.

normally when shopkeepers set it like that as part of a code they insert ********* or XXXXXXXXXX in place of the pid for the person to replace

Like this:

http://www.qksrv.net/click-XXXXXXXXXX-10463747?URL=http...ess.com/thegamingape

Thanks everybody for your help