Question: Mechanics of CPA offer linking
On the info page for a given offer, I see my affiliate link plus some boxes I can check to add additional tracking data to the link (I assume that's what they do -- haven't tried ticking any of them yet).
It looks sort of like this, except the "Tracking Link" field would be pre-filled with my affiliate link for that offer, and on the real page there are tick boxes for items 2, 3, 4 and 5:
- Tracking Link: Update
- Generate Tiny URL: Display Tracking Link in Tiny URL format
- Add Sub ID: Pass in unique user information for conversion tracking
- Add Source: Pass in a unique value to group and filter by on the stats page
- Impression Pixel: Track the number of impressions the Tracking URL receives
My question is, can I use just the link alone if I want to? Such as embedding the link in one of my web pages, with maybe relevant anchor text? Or will I somehow not get credited properly if I don't use some of the other stuff?
I realize there may be advantages to me ticking some of those other boxes, but which ones?
I did send a link for one offer "out into the world" already, without any of the "extras." I notice on my account page that there are now 3 clicks showing, with 0 impressions (and 0 conversions). Is this because I did not tick the "impression pixel" thingie? And would that hurt me with the advertiser and/or network?
Somewhat on the same subject, I see a lot of discussion about pixel images and pixel tracking. Do I need to somehow be inserting these pixel images on my own web pages, or is that just in reference to the advertiser's offer site?
Hope these questions are clear!
Thanks.