When auditing affiliate networks, growth managers often review IP blocklists or referrer sites. However, while fraudsters can rotate IPs and spoof referrers, they cannot alter the mathematical limits of **Click-to-Conversion Time (CTCT)**.
CTCT measures the exact duration between a user clicking a referral link and completing a transaction. Because buying requires physical user navigation, timing distributions represent the most accurate way to identify cookie stuffing. Let's analyze why CTCT is so effective.
The mathematical limits of human checkout speed
For a human customer to make a purchase, they must complete several actions:
- Wait for your store page to load (1–3 seconds).
- Browse products, select size/quantity, and add items to the cart (10–60 seconds).
- Navigate to checkout and enter shipping/payment details (30–120 seconds).
- Review their order summary and click the purchase button (5–10 seconds).
Even with pre-saved payment details and browser autofill, it is mathematically impossible for a human buyer to complete checkout in under **15 to 30 seconds** from their initial click.
How timing anomalies prove automation
By graphing the CTCT distribution of conversions, you can spot clear fraud indicators:
- Sub-5-Second Conversions: Click-to-conversion intervals under 5 seconds indicate that the affiliate referral cookie was set *after* the customer was already completing checkout. This typically happens when browser extensions inject cookies natively right before payment.
- Flat, Non-Curve Spikes: Human timing curves form a natural, wide bell distribution. If a publisher's conversions display flat, uniform offsets (e.g., exactly 8.0 seconds for every signup), they are using automated delay loops.
How BotRefund utilizes timing forensics
BotRefund logs high-precision timestamps for every traffic click event and checkout submission automatically.
By mapping the timing curve for every publisher ID, BotRefund highlights conversions that fall outside the bounds of human speed. It pairs this timing data with DOM-level user behavior logs (like mouse coordinates), giving you the exact proof needed to decline payouts to coupon extensions that do not drive real traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Click-to-Conversion Time (CTCT)?
It is the elapsed time between a user clicking an affiliate's tracking link and completing a conversion event on the merchant's site.
Why does a short CTCT prove cookie stuffing?
A short CTCT (under 5 seconds) shows the affiliate click registered *after* the customer had already completed their shopping journey, which typically happens when browser extensions inject cookies at the checkout page.
What is a normal CTCT for e-commerce purchases?
For a normal, human transaction, the average CTCT is between 2 minutes and 24 hours, depending on whether the customer was first-time or returning.