Analytics cookies aren't 100% necessary for running an affiliate program, but they seriously make a big difference. They help you see what people are clicking on, what's converting, and which affiliates are actually bringing in results. Without them, you're kinda flying blind and just hoping for the best. With them, you can figure out what's working, tweak stuff, and get way better results. It's like having a cheat code for making smarter decisions. You can run a program without analytics cookies, but it's a lot harder to grow it. Just make sure you're upfront with users and following privacy rules—people appreciate honesty, and keeping their trust matters just as much as the data.