23 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
23 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is there a WP Plugin that will automatically cloak azon links?

by gforces
20 replies
Hi, I am wanting to get my hands on a plugin that will automatically cloak all Amazon Associate links that I place on my website..... does anyone know of a good one? And ideally one that will not only cloak new links I put up but will crawl my site and change all existing links pointing to Amazon. There plugins I can use to cloak links but it seems all of them, at least the ones I have come across and used, require me to manually go through and change all the links... think Pretty Link etc. Thanks in advance. G
#automatically #azon #cloak #links #plugin
  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    Better search for it in WordPress plugin directory.
    Signature
    Techbizmasters.com- Blogging, Technology, and Digital Marketing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10175858].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pischiopish
      Originally Posted by vishwa View Post

      Better search for it in WordPress plugin directory.
      I actually tried to find one myself there but except for outdated plugins that no longer work with the current Wp version, I found nothing worthwhile. I am looking for an Amazon link cloaker which is 100% compatible with their affiliate links plus compliant with their tos
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243707].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author deekay
    It would be not advisable to get it done automatically, as some times error can occur and it would create mess up with your affiliate links. So any thing related to affiliate links, should be manually cross checked as broken links would cost you monetarily.

    If you find one then good. If not then talk to some plugin expert and develop custom plugin according to your needs.
    Signature
    You NEED Traffic To Be SUCCESSFUL. You NEED It AFFORDABLE. You Need It RESPONSIVE. You NEED It NOW!!! We Deliver! No Conversations - Just Conversions!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10175870].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author winnermarketing
    If you ve got a wordpress blog, try with

    - GoCodes plugin!

    - Bit.ly

    - TinyURL
    Signature

    Free Guide to Make Money Online [Now!]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10175905].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author That Helpful Chick
    I use GoCode but have not tried it for Amazon. Another I have heard of is called Affiliate Link Cloaking.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10175973].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ldiaz117
    I use WP Linkshield which is a WP plugin. Works for FB too which is a huge plus for me. Check out my sig
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243480].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
      Originally Posted by ldiaz117 View Post

      I use WP Linkshield which is a WP plugin. Works for FB too which is a huge plus for me. Check out my sig
      WP Link Shield is an absolute beast, I had the pleasure of reviewing that plugin and I concur that it's a genius piece of software.

      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243487].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author pischiopish
        Originally Posted by Sarevok View Post

        WP Link Shield is an absolute beast, I had the pleasure of reviewing that plugin and I concur that it's a genius piece of software.
        PM me your review please. Also how much does it cost?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243709].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I've heard from a reputable source that cloaking Amazon links may trigger their ire.



    In other words, if under a manual review, Amazon may look down upon link cloaking, and they may consider it to be obfuscating your affiliate relations.

    Proceed with caution, that's all I'm saying.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243485].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JC Web
    If you cloak Amazon links you need to make sure that every link is explicitly identified as an Amazon link to your visitors. And I don't mean with a disclaimer at the bottom of the page. I mean right next to each link you need to ID it as an amazon link. Otherwise, you will get banned from Amazon whenever they take a look at your site.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243654].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pischiopish
      Originally Posted by JC Web View Post

      If you cloak Amazon links you need to make sure that every link is explicitly identified as an Amazon link to your visitors. And I don't mean with a disclaimer at the bottom of the page. I mean right next to each link you need to ID it as an amazon link. Otherwise, you will get banned from Amazon whenever they take a look at your site.

      Thought so too. Any plugin which does both would be nice as I an technically challenged.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243718].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
      Apart from just one or two replies, most of the posts above are utter garbage.

      Actually, those of us who are long-time, seasoned Amazon affiliates can rest easy. Clearly, the up and coming competition is VERY thin on the ground.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243914].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JC Web
        Originally Posted by AnniePot View Post

        Apart from just one or two replies, most of the posts above are utter garbage and the one quoted below has to take the prize for being one of the biggest loads of misinformation I've ever read on the Warrior Forum . . .



        Actually, those of us who are long-time, seasoned Amazon affiliates can rest easy. Clearly, the up and coming competition is VERY thin on the ground.

        Since that is what Amazon told me when I directly asked them, I'm going to take their word over yours.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243917].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
          Originally Posted by JC Web View Post

          Since that is what Amazon told me when I directly asked them, I'm going to take their word over yours.
          You've obviously seriously misunderstood the context of their information. I've been selling as an Amazon affiliate for more than 15 years and my marketing methods very much resemble those of Jan Roos, Erica Stone, and Brian Kindsvater. My methods have never once been questioned by Amazon and my sites are always ranked well by Google (who openly admit to disliking affiliate sites). One of my sites is more than 10 years old and another 8.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10244813].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author JC Web
            Originally Posted by AnniePot View Post

            You've obviously seriously misunderstood the context of their information. I've been selling as an Amazon affiliate for more than 15 years and my marketing methods very much resemble those of Jan Roos, Erica Stone, and Brian Kindsvater. My methods have never once been questioned by Amazon and my sites are always ranked well by Google (who openly admit to disliking affiliate sites). One of my sites is more than 10 years old and another 8.
            No, I have not misunderstood. I will show you the complete context. Here is the email I sent Amazon:

            "Hello. I just wanted to confirm whether it is allowable to use a link-cloaking plugin on a site that is promoting Amazon products. The plugin will not violate Amazon TOS by obfuscating the referrer and Amazon will still be able to see where the traffic is originating. It's function is to shorten the URL, keep all URLs uniform with the base domain of my site, and to allow tracking of clicks on my links. If you need any more information, just let me know. Thank you for your assistance."

            Here is Amazon's response:

            "Hello,

            Thank you for contacting Amazon Associates. I will be happy to help you with this question. We appreciate that you understand that Amazon must be able to see where clicks are originating from and that you want to abide by the Associates Program Participation Requirements.

            With the understanding from what you wrote that your plugin does indeed not spoof URLs or use redirection in a manner that will prevent Amazon from determining where user clicks are coming from, it is possible to abide by the Requirements and Operating Agreement while using a cloaking plugin as long as the following condition is met.

            All links that are cloaked must be clearly identified as links that will send a user to amazon.com or the respective Amazon-owned site that you are linking to. Please understand that it is not sufficient to have one notice, such as at the bottom or top of the page, for all links on a site. Each link that is cloaked must be properly identified as a link that will send a user to Amazon if they click on it.

            I hope this answered your question. Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with."

            So, there is the full context and I think it is pretty clear. Since Amazon is the one paying me, I'm going to listen to them instead of what some stranger on a forum says. This forum is full of people saying they've gotten away with doing x,y,z for years while others have gotten banned for the same thing. It doesn't matter to me what you do on your site. It only matters to me what Amazon tells me to do on mine.

            You made an ignorant, unprovoked attack on me in your previous post. I'm sure that made you feel really good. It's not going to make me listen to you over Amazon. I have in writing what Amazon wants me to do and I'm sure Amazon has a record of sending this to me in writing. I'm quite certain that if I got banned for violating this, that it would not help me one bit to get my account back by saying, "But Annie on the Warriorforum told me I didn't have to listen to you."
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10245306].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
              JC - I agree with you 100% -- do what you are happy and comfortable with. I don't expect you to follow my example, especially if you believe me to be wrong.

              I am simply posting what has worked for me over a significant number of years.

              Best wishes and good luck
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10245381].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    Why are cloaking the links anyway? It serves no real purpose at all.
    Signature
    Want a REAL Online Business That's Fun to Run?
    CLICK HERE FOR INFO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243671].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JC Web
      Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

      Why are cloaking the links anyway? It serves no real purpose at all.
      Some people are afraid of the affiliate links affecting Google rankings. Others just like shorter, nicer looking links. Of course, some people are trying to get away with any number of unethical and/or illegal activities as well.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243680].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author shellerik
    If you're worried about a penalty from Google for having Amazon links I would recommend you make the links "nofollow" rather than cloaking them since as other have mentioned cloaking violates the terms of service of the Amazon Associate program, unless you explicitly say every link is an Amazon link.

    My site has thousands of Amazon links and I rank very highly in Google without using any cloaking. All of my Amazon links are nofollow.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10243842].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
      Originally Posted by shellerik View Post


      My site has thousands of Amazon links and I rank very highly in Google without using any cloaking. All of my Amazon links are nofollow.
      This^^^^^

      There is no need to cloak links.
      Signature
      Want a REAL Online Business That's Fun to Run?
      CLICK HERE FOR INFO
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10244089].message }}

Trending Topics