# Actions

The [action](/brand-api-reference/brand-api-reference-v12/reference/actions/models.md) object represents [conversion events](/brand-api-reference/brand-api-reference-v12/reference/conversions.md) that have been credited to partners and are eligible for a payout. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Action data is retained for 750 days. Older actions cannot be retrieved via the API.
{% endhint %}

The actions object itself contains three main types of information:

1. Details about the conversion event itself (e.g., `OrderId`)
2. Details about the winning click (e.g., `AdId`)
3. Details about the payout calculated by the impact.com system (e.g., `Payout`)

An action may contain 1 or more [items](/brand-api-reference/brand-api-reference-v12/reference/actions/models.md). Items within an action typically represent individual products that are a part of the conversion event. For instance, if you are tracking a retail sale, the items could be each type of product purchased by the consumer. If you are tracking subscriptions, the item could represent the subscription level a customer signed up for.

[Action updates](/brand-api-reference/brand-api-reference-v12/reference/actions/action-updates.md) allow you to stay up-to-date on the details and current status of all actions processed by the impact.com system. The API functions as a changelog, showing both the initial tracking of a new action and each subsequent modification made. Each record is at a line-item level, meaning that if an action represents a sale of 2 shirts at $40 USD each and 1 hat at $6.99 USD, there will be one initial record for the 2 shirts and another for the 1 hat. If the customer then decides to return 1 shirt, another record will be created showing a difference in quantity, sale amount, and payout associated with the line item. Other sorts of modifications include disposition updates (e.g., when a booked hotel room results in a confirmed stay).

{% hint style="success" %}
**Note:** new `ActionUpdates` will not be created when an action locks or is paid as those details can be inferred from the dates represented.
{% endhint %}

#### Submitting action data

When submitting action data via this API, first decide if this submission method is right for you:

| If you want to...                             | Use this method...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Submit a manual, one-time file with no coding | ​[Email](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/submit-and-modify-conversion-data/submit-conversion-data/submit-conversion-data-via-ftp-or-email#before-you-start) batch processing or [upload file via FTP](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/submit-and-modify-conversion-data/batch-modify-conversion-data/submit-batch-modifications-and-reversals#upload-file-to-system-ftp-server)                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Set up automated conversion reporting         | ​[Conversions](https://integrations.impact.com/impact-brand/reference/submit-a-conversion) / [Actions](https://integrations.impact.com/impact-brand/reference/actions-overview) API, [push file via FTP](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/submit-and-modify-conversion-data/batch-modify-conversion-data/submit-batch-modifications-and-reversals#upload-file-to-system-ftp-server), or [pull file via FTP](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/submit-and-modify-conversion-data/batch-modify-conversion-data/submit-batch-modifications-and-reversals#pull-file-from-your-own-ftp-server) |


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://integrations.impact.com/brand-api-reference/brand-api-reference-v12/reference/actions.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.