CPA network steal conversion info off pixel? SubID,postback url, whats reliable w/ Prosper & PPV/CPV

by beksworld

Posted: 11 years ago 17 replies

AD NETWORKS

I was hoping someone can helping me fill in the gap regarding tracking with Prosper 202. I have watched the tutorial vids and just cant wrap my head around all the different tracking setup "steps" due to the overwhelmingly poor training (well for me it was) Prosper 202 provided..perhaps because I am advertising with Lead Impact / Traffic Vance and they focus on PPC?

So in Step 1 of Prosper setup, the traffic source pixel type and pixel code is requested. I figure out where Lead Impact has this code and apply it within Prosper. Done.

THEN in Step 3 the Campaign setup asks for our affiliate URL and allows us to add the following tracking:
[[subid]], [[c1]], [[c2]], [[c3]], [[c4]]

THEN in Step 6 I can generate the landing page code to embed on my lander...so does Prosper place the pixel info I provided in Step 1 onto my lander? If so, why am I doing Sub Id, c1, c2, c3, c4 variables?

THEN Step 7 allows me to get my Link, however....again I see the "variables" being asked about at the bottom of the page:

Tracking ID c1 c1-c4 variables must be no longer than 350 characters. Tracking ID c2 Tracking ID c3 Tracking ID c4THEN in Step 8 I get a "postback url" generated to give to my affiliate network...which allows them to add it to my landing page as well to track conversions and notify my Prosper account once a conversion occurs.

So Im confused as to why I need to involve BOTH Lead Impact and my CPA Network with regards to tracking.

So after consulting Professor Google about SubID and Pixel tracking using Prosper with PPV, I found some interesting and conflicting info. Some people used both pixel and subid tracking, and some actually mention that CPA network can steal your conversion info off the pixel so SUBID tracking is more secure, and Postback URL is secure too.
OK....now Im even more confused and skeered . :p . to run traffic , after mustering up the confidence to give it a go... I dont want to get stuck on the whole SubId/Pixel/Postback issue and how it correlates (or which to go with) in regards to CPA Network, traffic source, and Prosper.
Oh and the ONE video that I needed badly from Prosper is actually not working which goes into detail regarding SUBIDs so forgive me for the long, boring newb question folks....Im just tired of consulting Professor Google, theres so much info given out, and its conflicting while contradicting at times and the last thing I want to do is use Pixel conversion tracking variable if the CPA network or the traffic source can view my data for their benefit.

CHEERS

#conversion #cpa #info #network #pixel #postback #ppv or cpv #prosper #reliable #steal #subid #url #w or

beastmode80 11 years ago

Hope this helps

Just open notepad and save it as redirect.php Paste this code into it. Change the url to your affiliate url from your network. place the Simple Global Tracking Pixel from #8 in Prosper202 between the body tags.
a. Save and upload to your web server.
<html>
<head>
<title>Untitled Document</title>
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=http://place-your-affiliate-url-here.com">
</head>
<body>
//place the Simple Global Tracking Pixel from #8 in Prosper202 here between the body tags.
<img height="1" width="1" border="0" style="display: none;" src="http://easysmartads.com/tracking202/static/gpx.php?amount=" />
</body>
</html>
- [ 2 ] Thanks
- 2 replies
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745691].message }}
- beksworld 11 years ago
  
  Thanks for the script! I am very non techy, so forgive me for asking.....what exactly does this script do?
  
  Also, which of the steps in Prosper 202 should I still be required to complete if I am using this script....?.... for instance should I still complete:
  
  Step One: Traffic source Pixel Type (image,iframe,javascript,postback) & Pixel Code and should I still complete
  
  Step 3 by placing affiliate link along with including Prosper placeholders: [[subid]], [[c1]], [[c2]], [[c3]], [[c4]] ,
  
  Step 6: Getting Inbound JavaScript Code and inserting right above your </body> tag?
  also Step 6: Outbound Code, which should I use Outbound PHP Redirect Code or Outbound Javascript Redirect Code?
  
  Step 7: Do I need to enter anything in the following fields:
  
  Tracking ID c1 Tracking ID c2 Tracking ID c3 Tracking ID c4
  I really really appreciate the code you provided, and I hate to ask more questions but I am really new to this and am literally taking baby steps, following videos and tutorials while applying each step along the way.... basically I have no idea what the script you gave actually does, and what other steps I should or should not do regarding Prosper. Thank You So MUCH!
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745786].message }}
- beksworld 11 years ago
  
  Oh....and one more thing, should I still enter the Global Postback URL and/or Global Tracking Pixel to my CPA Network ? This was the part that I believe was in question as to whether or not they can see our data. And perhaps the Step 1 entering traffic source Pixel code, does this provide our traffic source with data?
  
  Signed Sincerely,
  Paranoid
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745796].message }}
  
  GoldenEye 11 years ago
  
  [DELETED]
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745807].message }}
  
  beastmode80 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by GoldenEye
  
  I remember trying to figure this thing out and switching over to Bevo. Much easier to work with. Would like more info on that script though if its useful
  
  Yeah i use cpvlab now and it's been years since i have to set this up but for people starting out they may have a tighter budget. I've been trying to write a course for people but i'm not much of a product creator and this is my first product so i want to make a statement.
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745831].message }}
beastmode80 11 years ago

Step one. If your using lead impact put that in.
Step three Enter the url you get from your affiliate network. MAKE SURE you have &subid= (or whatever it is your network uses. They WILL have this, if you don’t know ask.).If your just tracking then don't worry about the place holders. If your split testing multiple landing pages then you what to set that up.

As far as using pixels you should speak with your affiliate manager. They should be more then willing to help. Try to call them or at least skype. They get these problems all the time and they are more then willing to help you because your success is there success.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745823].message }}

mraudi

11 years ago

I started CPA with prosper as a noob and I hated it! It was soooo confusing to understand and setup. I used it to track campaigns on POF, so it's a little different that what you're doing.

Now I just started to use CPVLab and I'm telling you it's worth the investment if you are serious about this CPA success thing. You will find setting up a campaign is FAR less complicated than prosper.

If you do ever get stuck, they have video tutorials that explains each step in depth. If THAT still doesn't solve your problems, you can contact their support. They reply within 5-10 mins, which is a time saver, time is money!

I'm not affiliated with CPVLab in any way. I'm sure other CPA marketers here will all vouch for CPVLab because how simple it is to use AND it does a great job breaking down your campaigns, so you have a better understanding of the data you've collected and optimize from there.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Ninety-nine percent of advertising doesn't sell much of anything.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745849].message }}

beastmode80

11 years ago

Originally Posted by mraudi

Yeah cpvlab is a life saver.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745875].message }}

beksworld 11 years ago

Beastmode80....Trust me if you putting together a product related to Prosper 202, it will sell! Ive been searching HIGH and LOW for content with more details on tracking and its slim pickins. I see alot of desperate people bouncing around asking questions. If you do make something, i would get into details of campaign setup such as variables, SubID, placeholders.....and then get into detail on how to upload the code on the lander using Cpanel.... stuff like that for non techy N.O.O.B.'s
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745912].message }}
Sandakelum 11 years ago

I was also like you when I first started. There are many ways you can use p202 to track a campaign. You need to build a tracking logic. You'll get it slowly.
- Thanks
Signature

Premium Email Marketing & Marketing Automation Platform
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7745989].message }}
beksworld 11 years ago

Thanks again guys...beastmode80, I was still wondering about the script you provided, what does it do? Mainly, does it REPLACE any of the steps from Prosper or am I just adding an additional step ? If so, again....what does the script do?

You mentioned Step 1 to add name of traffic source, should I also add the traffic source Pixel code as well, or did you mean to add ONLY the name?

ALSO IMPORTANT question is:
Do I still add the inbound and outbound codes to my lander in Step 6?
(Getting Inbound JavaScript Code and inserting right above your </body> tag?
and Outbound Code: Outbound PHP Redirect Code or Outbound Javascript Redirect Code)
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7746105].message }}
beksworld 11 years ago

For anyone following this thread Beastmode 80 was gracious enough to reply via private message after I contacted him with further questions, I will post his reply here. He want way above the call of duty here, special thanks, this was awesome dude!

The script is where you put the pixel. it doesn't go on the lander it's a simple redirect. i use optin pages for my landers. I'll show you my step for that.

Login to prosper202 and we’ll setup the tracking
Click the first tab “Setup”
1. Traffic Sources
a. For this I’m going to use Lead Impact. You can use any traffic source you like though. Examples: 7Search, Adwords, Bing etc…

2. Categories
a. This is where you’ll enter the affiliate network you’ve joined.
b. In this case I’ll enter Neverblue

3. Campaigns
a. Affiliate network
i. Choose yours
b. Campaign Name
i. Make one up
c. Rotate URL’s
i. No
d. Affiliate URL
i. Enter the url you get from your affiliate network. MAKE SURE you have &subid= (or whatever it is your network uses. They WILL have this, if you don’t know ask.)
ii. Append [[subid]] to the end of it like this. MAKE SURE you do this as it won’t work otherwise.
e. Enter the payout amount.
f. Cloaking can be off.

4. Landing Pages
a. Aff Network
i. The one you setup
b. Aff Campaign
i. One you setup
c. LP Nickname
i. Make one up that describes the landing page
d. LP URL
i. Enter the URL of the landing page you made earlier and click Add.
5. Text Ads
a. Skip this it’s only applicable to PPC campaigns. It’s used to track which ads your running are converting.
6. Get LP Code
a. Simple Landing Page
b. Enter correct details which you setup previously.
c. Generate Tracking Link
d. The first box of code goes on the landing page you made with the aweber form right before the </body> tag. Copy/Paste it there now. (I’m not sure if I mentioned that the webpage needs to end in .php not .html. If you need to change that do it now.)
e. Ignore the other two. (If you wanted to cloak your affiliate link, you can use them. For this we won’t.)
7. Get Links
a. Fill out the drop down menus using what you just made.
b. Estimate cost per click or in this case cost per view.
c. Ignore the other tracking id’s
d. Generate Tracking Link
e. This is the link you’ll give Lead Impact (or Adwords etc…)
f. All traffic sources have their own keyword tracking thing you need to put on the end of the link. For lead impact it’s %KEYWORD%

8. Get Postback/Pixel
a. Here’s where having CPVLab vs. Prosper202 shows it’s ugly head.
b. We need to place a tracking pixel (1x1 blank image file) so we can track conversions. In CPVLab it’s quite easy. In Prosper
unfortunately we’re going to have to decide if we want to track optins or leads. I would suggest tracking optins first. That way you can test your optin page and get it converting optins as high as possible first. Once you’ve done that, now switch the tracking pixel to the offer by placing with your affiliate network. If you don’t know how to do that, just ask your affiliate manager.
c. We have to add another page in order to do this. It won’t have anything on it except the tracking pixel code. Basically when someone lands on the optin form page you made. The code you placed on it adds a tracking cookie to their computer. (all tracking works this way) If they optin, they will first go to a redirect page that has the tracking pixel on it. Because the pixel will “fire” (display) when someone lands on that page, if they have the tracking cookie, it’ll pair the two up and record the optin and where it came from.
d. Just open notepad and save it as redirect.php
e. Paste this code into it. Change the url to your affiliate url from your network.
9. place the Simple Global Tracking Pixel from #8 in Prosper202 between the body tags.
a. Save and upload to your web server.
<html>
<head>
<title>Untitled Document</title>
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=http://place-your-affiliate-url-here.com">
</head>
<body>
//place the Simple Global Tracking Pixel from #8 in Prosper202 here between the body tags.
<img height="1" width="1" border="0" style="display: none;" src="http://easysmartads.com/tracking202/static/gpx.php?amount=" />
</body>
</html>
10. Go back to Aweber and go to the web form you made earlier
a. Go to settings
b. Under Thank You Page: and Already Subscribed Page: enter the URL of your redirect and click save.
c. Because you changed it, you now also have to go back and change the code on the optin form. (hassle I know, just the way it is.) If you don’t do this, it won’t send them to the offer. Probably a simpler way to do all this but it does work and that’s all that matters.
d. To do this go to the Publish tab > I will install my form > Raw HTML version
e. Copy the code and place it in the web page you made for the aweber form. (It’s easy to find as you just need to first delete everything between these two tags and paste the new code in.
f. Save and upload to your server.
11. Test it all out to make sure it’s working.
- [ 2 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7749212].message }}
beksworld 11 years ago

Ok, I just realized something.....you mentioned Aweber here, and I am not even capturing leads yet. My landing page is very basic.....I have some text on it , simply having a call to action and the "Click Here" button goes straight to the offer page.

I guess it would make sense to capture leads before sending them to the offer page, but as a N.O.O.B Im taking it one step at a time.

Quick question....In Step 1, you mentioned adding the traffic source and skipped over the part about adding Pixel type and pixel code, did you skip this step because we dont need it, or did you assume we are already doing this step?

Thanks!
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7750736].message }}

seregap

11 years ago

yes, you can set up your traffic source pixel in step 1, but to make it fire you will need to use the Universal Smart Pixel from step 8 in prosper to add to your offer page. not all offers allow tracking pixels instead of postbacks, so you will need to check with your am about your specific offer.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7750777].message }}

beksworld

11 years ago

Originally Posted by seregap

Thanks ! One point here, which has been a concern from the beginning of the thread... at any point that we are placing Traffic Source Pixels and/or Affiliate Network Pixels/Postbacks, are we allowing these entities to see our data which may jeopardize a winning campaign?

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7755042].message }}

seregap

11 years ago

your traffic source can only see where their pixel is placed, ie your prosper domain or offer page, which doesnt give much really. nothing that they wouldnt know by simply following your link anyway.
and your network/advertiser will only know your prosper domain (if cloaking is on) or traffic source (which you need to disclose anyway if the traffic quality is suspicious)
nothing to worry about.

what you do want to avoid showing to your network is your creatives and landing pages - this is what makes winning campaigns. some networks have been known to use their publishers creatives to run campaigns in-house. not very common, but happens.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7755286].message }}

beksworld

11 years ago

Originally Posted by seregap

your traffic source can only see where their pixel is placed, ie your prosper domain or offer page, which doesnt give much really. nothing that they wouldnt know by simply following your link anyway.
and your network/advertiser will only know your prosper domain or traffic source (which you need to disclose anyway if the traffic quality is suspicious)
nothing to worry about.

what you do want to avoid showing to your network is your creatives and landing pages - this is what makes winning campaigns. some networks have been known to use their publishers creatives to run campaigns in-house. not very common, but happens.

Ok, so if Im understanding this correctly... my affiliate network/advertiser will know my Prosper domain. So that would mean that they will see my landing page in this case....so when you advise to avoid showing them creatives and landing pages, I already did so right off the bat. :confused:

Thanks

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7755430].message }}

seregap 11 years ago

your prosper domain doesnt have to be the same as your landing pages
if you use cloaking in prosper they will only see your prosper domain as the referrer, not your landing page url.

edit:
i wouldnt worry about it too much really as long as you work with reputable networks
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7755459].message }}

CPA network steal conversion info off pixel? SubID,postback url, whats reliable w/ Prosper & PPV/CPV

Trending Topics

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?

The Twilight Zone

best high quality crypto traffic.

Some interesting stats about brand comms