Best Way to Implement Affiliate Link Tracking in CodeIgniter 4?

I’m building a lightweight affiliate system using CodeIgniter 4, where users can generate and share unique referral links—similar to how GrabCash manages its Profit Links system.
I want to track the following data:

• Clicks on each referral link
  
• Source of traffic (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.)
  
• Basic analytics like IP address, timestamp, and referral ID
  

What’s the most efficient way to implement this in CodeIgniter without causing performance issues?
Should I handle it via middleware or use a dedicated controller for tracking logic?
Also, are there any best practices to prevent bot/fake clicks and ensure more accurate tracking?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!