Affiliate Links (also known as referral tracking links) are redirect links.
An Affiliate Link will send prospects to a website or landing page where they can purchase a product or sign up for a service.
An Affiliate Link will also track the purchases made by the prospect who clicked it, so that the referring Affiliate (you) will receive a commission on the sale.
If you do not use your Affiliate Link to direct your prospects to a product for purchasing, then you will not be credited with a commission for that sale.
(Unless the prospect has been registered as your lead using the Lead Registration form.)