There is a difference between your affiliate link and your affiliate code.
Your affiliate link does not give new users a discount. It only tracks the referral so you get credit.
Your affiliate code, entered at checkout, gives the new customer a new customer discount and gives you credit.
They do not have to click your link at all. As long as your code is used at checkout, you get credit for the referral.
So if you want your audience to save money, share your code, not just your link. Both are on your affiliate dashboard: https://www.scaledcreator.com/affiliate