Advertiser Pulling Fast One

Kelby · 03-08-2010, 02:27 PM

I'm an affiliate for this advertiser that has an in-house affiliate program.

Let's say his retail website people shop at is:

RetailerX.com

But all the affiliate links they give me (homepage and deep links) are all pointing to:

RetailerX.net

Please know, the public only shops at the .com website.

If you go to one of the .net affiliate links they give you, it redirects you to the .com version of that page and drops a cookie in your browser.

BUT... the cookie's Host domain is "www.RetailerX.net", NOT "www.RetailerX.com".

Doesn't this mean that if a visitor on my website clicks my affiliate link, leaves, then a couple days later revisits that store directly by typing in the address "RetailerX.com" or via a Google search, that affiliate tracking cookie will not be recognized since it was set for the domain, RetailerX.net (not .com)???

The cookie-duration is 30 days for this particular advertiser.

Does anyone know if this is an advertiser that is trying to pull a fast one on unsuspecting affiliates?

Thanks for any help and guidance.

GSX Enterprises · 03-08-2010, 02:35 PM

Sounds to me like he is, or else why would he be redirecting? Granted he may of just picked up the .com and forwarding his .net traffic, but it doesn't make any sense, because his affiliate program should be reading the cookie based off where traffic lands and scrubbing your aff ID. Have you made any sales or did he just recently change it?

Try emailing him and asking or if you're sending large amounts of traffic and seeing no sales, try a test sale to see...

-Amy

kirch · 03-08-2010, 02:59 PM

I think it does not matter which ever url the advertiser is using as tracking URL.The cookie stays in the user computer till it expires or till the user removes it

bioshift · 03-08-2010, 07:28 PM

Yep, if it's the kind of cookie that I know of... are you still getting conversions?

Kelby · 03-08-2010, 08:14 PM

Hey guys... No, I am not getting any conversions. This is a relatively new affiliate relationship but I have sent quite a bit of traffic nonetheless.

I mean, I'm assuming there are ways to access cookies set from a different domain... but I'd imagine this is a bit complicated for a pretty small operation that is this retailer (10-15 employees maybe?).

fr0ke · 03-08-2010, 08:28 PM

Unless the .net cookie is being replicated during the redirect, the .com domain cannot read the .net cookie.

Cisco · 06-28-2010, 08:25 PM

I had an idea, offer a free info product to complement their purchase, have the customer email you a proof of payment or have an auto responder set up to deliver the bonus content, You'll have a fair chance at discovering if your sales are being credited.

ChrisBa · 06-28-2010, 08:37 PM

care to share the offer?

RyanEagle · 06-29-2010, 09:14 PM

I don't think he's pulling a fast one, he's just trying to protect his main domain name...

bigbrian · 06-29-2010, 11:42 PM

It's not an issue with him giving you the dot net to use as a tracking URL. As long as the .net redirects to the main site, and the cookie drops then you are fine. The "www" issue sounds weird to me, you better ask him about it, and just be upfront with him.

Also... If you are working direct, give him your Test URL and have him load the Test URL in his browser, follow the process of converting the offer, and check if the pixel fires back at you. All offers (even credit card submits) can and should be tested for tracking before running the offer. Nothing worse than "not knowing" like you are doing now man.

Brian

searchlackey · 06-30-2010, 07:41 AM

Not sure if it is a trick or not. hmmmm?

03-08-2010, 02:27 PM	#1
Kelby Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 66 Thanks: 6 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Advertiser Pulling Fast One I'm an affiliate for this advertiser that has an in-house affiliate program. Let's say his retail website people shop at is: RetailerX.com But all the affiliate links they give me (homepage and deep links) are all pointing to: RetailerX.net Please know, the public only shops at the .com website. If you go to one of the .net affiliate links they give you, it redirects you to the .com version of that page and drops a cookie in your browser. BUT... the cookie's Host domain is "www.RetailerX.net", NOT "www.RetailerX.com". Doesn't this mean that if a visitor on my website clicks my affiliate link, leaves, then a couple days later revisits that store directly by typing in the address "RetailerX.com" or via a Google search, that affiliate tracking cookie will not be recognized since it was set for the domain, RetailerX.net (not .com)??? The cookie-duration is 30 days for this particular advertiser. Does anyone know if this is an advertiser that is trying to pull a fast one on unsuspecting affiliates? Thanks for any help and guidance.

03-08-2010, 02:35 PM	#2
GSX Enterprises Social Media Maven War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 411 Thanks: 30 Thanked 75 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One Sounds to me like he is, or else why would he be redirecting? Granted he may of just picked up the .com and forwarding his .net traffic, but it doesn't make any sense, because his affiliate program should be reading the cookie based off where traffic lands and scrubbing your aff ID. Have you made any sales or did he just recently change it? Try emailing him and asking or if you're sending large amounts of traffic and seeing no sales, try a test sale to see... -Amy
	HOT NEW WSO BRAND NEW METHOD PPC IS DEAD. My UNIQUE StumbleUpon Blueprint Net's Me $13K A Month. QUIT LOSING THOUSANDS ON PPC NOW!

03-08-2010, 02:59 PM	#3
kirch HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 205 Thanks: 1 Thanked 78 Times in 41 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One I think it does not matter which ever url the advertiser is using as tracking URL.The cookie stays in the user computer till it expires or till the user removes it
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03-08-2010, 07:28 PM	#4
bioshift Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 51 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One Yep, if it's the kind of cookie that I know of... are you still getting conversions?

03-08-2010, 08:14 PM	#5
Kelby Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 66 Thanks: 6 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One Hey guys... No, I am not getting any conversions. This is a relatively new affiliate relationship but I have sent quite a bit of traffic nonetheless. I mean, I'm assuming there are ways to access cookies set from a different domain... but I'd imagine this is a bit complicated for a pretty small operation that is this retailer (10-15 employees maybe?).

03-08-2010, 08:28 PM	#6
fr0ke Warrior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One Unless the .net cookie is being replicated during the redirect, the .com domain cannot read the .net cookie.

06-28-2010, 08:25 PM	#7
Cisco Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 86 Thanks: 185 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One I had an idea, offer a free info product to complement their purchase, have the customer email you a proof of payment or have an auto responder set up to deliver the bonus content, You'll have a fair chance at discovering if your sales are being credited.

06-28-2010, 08:37 PM	#8
ChrisBa Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,124 Thanks: 10 Thanked 508 Times in 402 Posts Social Networking	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One care to share the offer?
	I'm Living MY DREAM Thanks to AFF PLAYBOOK! You Can Too! Or Jump on the IM GRIND!

06-29-2010, 09:14 PM	#9
RyanEagle I'll Make You Rich Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 686 Thanks: 7 Thanked 94 Times in 76 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One I don't think he's pulling a fast one, he's just trying to protect his main domain name...
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06-29-2010, 11:42 PM	#10
bigbrian The Boss // Envyus Media War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 318 Thanks: 29 Thanked 57 Times in 50 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One It's not an issue with him giving you the dot net to use as a tracking URL. As long as the .net redirects to the main site, and the cookie drops then you are fine. The "www" issue sounds weird to me, you better ask him about it, and just be upfront with him. Also... If you are working direct, give him your Test URL and have him load the Test URL in his browser, follow the process of converting the offer, and check if the pixel fires back at you. All offers (even credit card submits) can and should be tested for tracking before running the offer. Nothing worse than "not knowing" like you are doing now man. Brian
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06-30-2010, 07:41 AM	#11
searchlackey Warrior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Advertiser Pulling Fast One Not sure if it is a trick or not. hmmmm?