---
title: "How to Apply a WooCommerce Coupon from a URL: Settings Explained"
description: "Every general setting for WooCommerce URL coupons: the coupon URL key, sessions for guests, and delaying a coupon until a product is in the cart."
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/url-coupons-options/"
updated: "2026-09-26"
category: How to
tags:
  - "Coupons & Add to Cart by URL for WooCommerce"
---

# How to Apply a WooCommerce Coupon from a URL: Settings Explained

To apply a WooCommerce coupon from a URL, install [Coupons & Add to Cart by URL Links for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/url-coupons-woocommerce/), go to **WPFactory > Coupons by URL** (also at **WooCommerce > Settings > URL Coupons**) and keep **URL Coupons** enabled. Then share a link such as `https://yourstore.com/?alg_apply_coupon=SAVE10` with any existing coupon code. This is free.

## Can WooCommerce apply a coupon from a link without a plugin?

WooCommerce core applies a coupon only when the customer types the code into the coupon field on the cart or checkout page. It has no built-in setting that applies a coupon from a link. You still create the coupon itself, with its amount, limits and expiry, under **Marketing > Coupons**; the plugin only applies it when the link is opened.

## URL coupon general settings for WooCommerce

The general options of [Coupons & Add to Cart by URL Links for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/url-coupons-woocommerce/) control how a coupon link is detected and applied, how it behaves for guests, and whether the coupon is delayed until a product is added. The settings below are all on the **General** sub-tab.

![URL Coupons general options settings screen](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/URL-Coupons-for-WooCommerce-General-Options.png)

Go to **WPFactory > Coupons by URL** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > URL Coupons**) and stay on the **General** sub-tab.

### URL Coupons Options

- **URL Coupons (enable plugin):** the master switch that turns coupon links on. It is on by default.

### General Options

- **URL coupons key:** the query key used in your links. With the default key `alg_apply_coupon`, a link looks like `https://yourstore.com/?alg_apply_coupon=SAVE10`. Change it to any word that is unique on your site.
- **Session > Force session start:** starts a session when a coupon link is opened, so guests (not logged-in visitors) can have the coupon applied. On by default.
- **Force session start earlier and everywhere:** starts the session sooner, which helps on cached sites. Off by default.
- **Add products to cart** and **Empty cart** (Pro): for "Fixed product discount" coupons, add the coupon's products to the cart, optionally clearing it first.

### Delay Coupon Options

- **Delay coupon:** hold the coupon until a product is added to the cart.
- **Delay on non-empty cart:** choose whether to still delay when the cart already has items. Options are Yes, No, and "No, if there is correct product already in the cart" for fixed product coupons.
- **Check product:** for fixed product coupons, only apply once a product the coupon is valid for is in the cart.
- **Success and error notices:** the messages shown when a delayed coupon is applied, is already applied, or does not exist. They accept the `%coupon_code%` placeholder.

### Options reference

| Label | Option ID | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| URL Coupons (enable plugin) | `alg_wc_url_coupons_enabled` | Yes | Free |
| URL coupons key | `alg_wc_url_coupons_key` | `alg_apply_coupon` | Free |
| Force session start | `alg_wc_url_coupons_force_start_session` | Yes | Free |
| Force session start earlier and everywhere | `alg_wc_url_coupons_force_start_session_earlier` | No | Free |
| Add products to cart | `alg_wc_url_coupons_fixed_product_discount_add_products` | No | Pro |
| Empty cart | `alg_wc_url_coupons_fixed_product_discount_add_products_emptycart` | No | Pro |
| Delay coupon | `alg_wc_url_coupons_delay_coupon` | No | Free |
| Delay on non-empty cart | `alg_wc_url_coupons_delay_coupon_non_empty_cart` | Yes | Free |
| Check product | `alg_wc_url_coupons_delay_coupon_check_product` | No | Free |

For a full setting-by-setting list including the Notices and Advanced sub-tabs, see the [URL Coupons settings and option IDs reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/url-coupons-settings-reference/).

### Troubleshooting

- **The coupon does not apply for guests.** Keep **Force session start** on, and see the guide on [making URL coupons work for guests and cached sites](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-url-coupons-guests-caching/).
- **Nothing happens when I open the link.** Confirm the plugin is enabled and that the coupon code in the URL matches an active WooCommerce coupon.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the coupon link have to point to the home page?

No. The coupon key is read on any page of your store, so you can add it to a product or category link, for example `https://yourstore.com/product/example/?alg_apply_coupon=SAVE10`.

### Do the coupon's usage restrictions still apply?

Yes. The link applies a standard WooCommerce coupon through the normal cart process, so its expiry date, usage limits, minimum spend and product rules are still checked.

### Can I use a shorter word instead of alg_apply_coupon?

Yes. Change **URL coupons key** to any word that is not used elsewhere on your site, for example by another plugin, and use that word in your links.

### Can I hide the coupon field once a coupon is applied by URL?

Yes, for free. In **Hide Coupon Options** on the same sub-tab, hide the field on the cart and checkout pages and set **Hide condition** to **Hide if coupon applied via URL**; the default is **Always hide**. See [hide and redirect coupons options](https://wpfactory.com/docs/coupon-concealment-redirect/).

### What if the customer's cart is empty when they open the link?

Turn on **Delay coupon** so the coupon is held and applied once a product is added to the cart. See [how to delay a URL coupon until a product is added](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-delay-url-coupon/).

### Get more control

Applying coupons by URL is free. [Coupons & Add to Cart by URL Links for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/url-coupons-woocommerce/) Pro adds add-to-cart coupons, redirects, and custom notices. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/url-coupons-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Apply a WooCommerce Coupon with a URL](https://wpfactory.com/docs/intro-how-to-use/)
- [How to Translate URL Coupon Text with WPML and Polylang](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-translate-url-coupon-notices/)
- [URL Coupons: Advanced Options](https://wpfactory.com/docs/advance-options/)
- [How to Set a Redirect URL Per Coupon](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-redirect-url-per-coupon/)
- [How to Add Coupon Products to the Cart by URL](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-add-coupon-products-to-cart-url/)

 

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