Freeman77

I posted earlier about an url blanking service (referer.us), which reminded me that I wanted to ask:

Is it a red flag if you see a blank referrer?

I don't like showing my traffic sources and landing pages unless necessary. I'm not doing anything shady - I just don't want to give my competitors any good ideas.

However, I'm fearful that a network or advertiser is going to think I'm donig something bad. My traffic is quality, and I've never had a complaint. But if an advertiser sees an unrelated dip in conversions on his side, I'm afraid he's going to refuse to pay based on the fact that I've blanked the referrer.

I'm especially interested in hearing from network owners.

bigbrian

It really just depends... If you are not getting complaints and your traffic is good and is backing out for the advertiser nobody should "technically" care. If you are a new pub on a network and are pumping hundreds of leads on an offer and your ref is blank someone better come asking you why from the network side or they are slipping on their end.

You know what you are doing and if you are not doing anything wrong then the traffic will back out for the advertiser and everybody should be happy all the way to the bank.

If you are running sketchy traffic and something comes up... Complaints, bad leads, chargebacks, etc... the network is going to ask you specifically where your traffic is coming from and at that point you need to decide if you want to tell them or not. Usually if they are asking you it's for a reason. Best thing to do is hop on the phone and talk to them. Like I said if you are not doing anything sketchy there should never be a problem.

Brian

GrindHard

I strongly urge all affiliates to blank their referral data to protect their traffic sources and ad material from mostly advertisers, and unfort. shady networks.

excoder01

What if you're getting thousands of leads using offline marketing techniques? If I were to pass out 10K postcards and use a URL shortener to direct link to a CPA offer -- that would lead to tons of blank referrers.

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bigbrian

It really just boils down to... If you are not doing anything wrong (sketchy) then you really don't have anything to worry about if you blank or don't blank your referrer.

Anybody can forge a referrer and if you are smart you can get real crafty with the forging - trust me I have seen some real clever ways to make traffic look real legit.

So it doesn't really matter if you show the ref or not. It just matters that you are sending leads that are backing out for the merchant. Plain and simple.

Brian

bigbrian

^^ Very true statement... This happens more than you know!

Brian

Freeman77

Very glad to hear that many networks don't mind cloaking/blanking the referrer, as long as the traffic is good.

I spoke with my AM at Maxbounty, and she confirmed that cloaking is fine. My AM ad AdscendMedia (lesser known network that has a lot of incentive offers) says it's prohibited with them.

EnvyusBrian, I'm gonna apply to your network -- look for my application

dmayne

Yeah no kidding. I think I will apply to envyus too!

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Kenster

It will always raise red flags but if you are a good affiliate generating good leads, then you should get by just fine. Normally its good to build a reputation with a network first, so if you had a bunch of campaigns going with them already, that will give them even a little more confidence in you and your leads.

Its always good to run this kind of stuff by the AM to make sure you have an ok in writing, particularly if you are doing big numbers. This is particularly true if you are paying for the traffic, because it can sting pretty bad if you are paying for traffic and then get denied the commissions earned...especially if you are driving a lot of traffic.

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RyanEagle

We always suggest to our affiliates to hide their referrals. It's better to protect yourself than risk anything with any network.