smolodoy

How do you guys Cloak your Affiliate links? With .php files or do you use like tiny URL methods? Whats the best way and reliable way? And have you seen the difference by cloaking your affiliate links? Thank you!

williamrs

I use HTML redirection. Just a simple HTML file with a "refers" meta tag. If you want to make sure that the network won't be able to see the referrer use 2 HTML files. File 1 points to file 2 and file 2 points to the offer. Send the traffic to file 1 and it will blank the referrer.


William

smolodoy

Yea I've figured it out but do you guys hide your affilite link even after redirecting them or just redirect them and on the actual page it will still be as an affilaite link?

CPA_Ian

I often cloak my links, and I recommend you do the same. There's no sense handing over your campaigns to your network's internal department. Not that networks are actively swiping campaigns from affiliates, but it's important to protect yourself.

I was recently told by an AM of a particular network that they don't allow cloaked links. Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to that particular network.

You may be familiar with the double-meta refresh method (Google it if you don't know). It's not difficult. However, it may not be compatible with all browsers. Many of us cloak via Prosper/Tracking 202.

CPA_Ian

I almost always cloak my links, and I recommend you do the same. There's no sense handing over your campaigns to your network's internal department. Not that networks are actively swiping campaigns from affiliates, but it's important to protect yourself.

I was recently told by an AM of a particular network that they don't allow cloaked links. Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to that particular network.

You may be familiar with the double-meta refresh method (Google it if you don't know). It's not difficult. However, it may not be compatible with all browsers. Many of us cloak via Prosper/Tracking 202.

Phobos

I don't usually cloak my links because I use free traffic and I don't see what the AMs could steal from me. Not having cloaked links builds confidence and my traffic has never been questioned nor did I ever had commission withdrawn.

I do however understand why people running big numbers with paid traffic cloak their links and I would probably do the same in their situation.
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smolodoy

Well if you got a review site up and running rumors are that some of them won't even bother checking out seeing an affilitae link running over the link with the mouse.. your experince?

Phobos

I'm getting good CTR from my landing pages. I guess the vast majority of internet users have no idea what an affiliate link is or what it looks like and probably most of them have never heard of affiliate links in the first place. If you have doubts you can always split test and see what works best for you.
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hazel0513

I am not sure if I am doing the right thing but I use sub-domain to cloak my affiliate link. I used to have a software to cloak the link but each time I have to generate a new HTML file and upload it to my server. I found it a bit time consuming.

Perhaps you guys may give me more comments? Is it OK to use sub-domain to cloak my affiliate link. Or any potential problem that may come with it.

Thanks!

bbrock32

There is now way to wipe the referrers 100% of the time other than redirecting through a domain that has SSL installed.

A good method that works 99% of the time it's the cloaking option p202 offers. If you look through the code you will notice that it's basically a javascript form submit to a double meta refresh. You can copy the code and use it on your own.