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Cookies Stuffing ILLEGAL on Clickbank or not?

by ellewong
23 replies
Hey guys,

I've just learnt about the 'cookie-stuffing' trick, where you create an invisible popup on the user's browser to place your affiliate cookie without the user knowing.

I've been hearing it's a Black hat method. But more importantly, has anyone used it on Clickbank? I came across their hoplink FAQ page where they classify this technique as 'illegal' and they may terminate your account without notice.

Any thoughts?
#clickbank #cookies #illegal #stuffing
  • Profile picture of the author NetInvestor
    i also wont use it .... you risk your account.


    cheers,

    Patrick
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  • Profile picture of the author Auriana Jensen
    Originally Posted by ellewong View Post

    I came across their hoplink FAQ page where they classify this technique as 'illegal' and they may terminate your account without notice.
    I think that should answer your question.
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  • Profile picture of the author p2y
    Cookie stuffing is downright fraud, don't do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Saul'
    Well, it's not just black and white. If you blast cookies all over your sites (or any sites where you can blast them), it is downright fraud indeed. But what if you drop a cookie for, say, a product you review and only on the single page of that review? What if you want to track if your review had an influence on a customer to buy? I know it's controversial, but I don't think all cookie stuffing is equal.
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    Saul

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  • Profile picture of the author bettersocial
    eBay apparently has changed its affiliate model to discourage cookie stuffing.

    That shouldn't be the way money ought to be made online. It's unethical, illegal, and most importantly, its too downright easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonGiorgini
    There are 1000's of methods to make money without doing this. As it has been previously mentioned. No affiliate company accepts this type of thing. I would stay away from it.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    I simply don't understand this.

    "I just learned how to do something. People tell me it's bad and not to do it. The rules say it's bad and not to do it. Should I do it?"

    WTF? You want permission? Bad people don't ask permission. If you're not a bad person, don't do this. And if you were a bad person, you wouldn't be asking.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I find it incredibly amusing that people talk about something in a sweepingly negative way, yet in doing so.. they are making it clearly evident that they don't have a clue what they're talking about.

    I'm not advising, condoning, or saying you should stuff cookies, but this thread has some really strange opinions that are stated as fact.

    With that said.. cooking stuffing in most affiliate networks is illegal.. so you shouldn't do it, or you will probably be booted.

    Peace

    Jay
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
    there are legit reasons to 'cookie stuff'.

    example:
    You promote a product, and the vendors page shows your affiliate id after the hoplink forwards to it. For whatever reason, you do not like this. You can cloak your link, but it will still show your aff id in the vendors URL.
    Solution: set up your redirect (the 'cloaked link') to drop the CB cookie (via 'cookie stuffing') first, then just redirect to the actual vendors URL directly (instead of your aff link).

    Nobody is hurt there - no commissions stollen. the end result is exaclty the same - someone clicked your 'cloaked' affiliate link, was cookied with your affiliate id, then ended up on the sales page.

    This is why it pays to not make snap judgements, and to be curious enough to be willing to learn from others If you study flogs and fake news sites ('farticles'), you can find equally interesting things that can be applied in a legit way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ripped
      Don't do it, I've seen people getting their clickbank accounts banned over it.

      There are better methods to promote and make cash.
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    • Profile picture of the author rosan9
      Originally Posted by jasonl70 View Post

      there are legit reasons to 'cookie stuff'.

      example:
      You promote a product, and the vendors page shows your affiliate id after the hoplink forwards to it. For whatever reason, you do not like this. You can cloak your link, but it will still show your aff id in the vendors URL.
      Solution: set up your redirect (the 'cloaked link') to drop the CB cookie (via 'cookie stuffing') first, then just redirect to the actual vendors URL directly (instead of your aff link).

      Nobody is hurt there - no commissions stollen. the end result is exaclty the same - someone clicked your 'cloaked' affiliate link, was cookied with your affiliate id, then ended up on the sales page.

      This is why it pays to not make snap judgements, and to be curious enough to be willing to learn from others If you study flogs and fake news sites ('farticles'), you can find equally interesting things that can be applied in a legit way.
      I'm with you on this one.

      I doubt you would get booted for that kind of cookie "stuffing".

      How do you think this can be seen as stealing from other affiliates? I wonder.

      Roy

      Roy
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      • Profile picture of the author Saul'
        Originally Posted by rosan9 View Post

        I doubt you would get booted for that kind of cookie "stuffing".
        Indeed.

        Let's refer to it as "post-impression tracking" for that's what it really is if used in that way. Nothing illegal or unethical about that but an effective way to track the effect of your promos.
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        Saul

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        • Profile picture of the author somtam
          Hello,

          I don't understand one thing. I just start to be an affiliate marketer.
          If I put on my landing page a cookie (not invisible popup or other stuff) it will be considered illegal for the Law?

          In my opinion is like to give a flyer in the middle of the street, and don't let other get what you worked for... but this is my 2 cent.

          thanks for clarify
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  • Profile picture of the author UndeniableSpirit
    Cookie stuffing - not a huge fan of it. It'll get you kicked from almost every single network out there. And yes - they can find out fairly easily
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    Clickbank does not make the law, so your question is kind of, how can I put it, strange. Maybe against their TOS might be better I would think. I know it can get your account booted, CUZ THEY DON'T LIKE IT.

    Is it illegal? I believe it is, because it is stealing. You are stealing from the affiliates and the vendor I believe.

    Just the fact that you have to ask, bothers me.
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    Tim Pears

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  • Profile picture of the author somtam
    Ok... I read some articles and now I know a little bit more.

    What is Cookie Stuffing?

    that's no correct I understand... but what I mean if is legal or not to do only in our landing page!

    thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Madrona
    Banned
    Also, you have to know how ClickBank track this that it is cookie stuffing, if clickbank is not able to track then no problem..
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  • Profile picture of the author RicJed
    It's more than just blackhat. Quite a few people who have been caught cookie stuffing have been sued for millions+ of dollars. Stupid risk to take.
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  • Profile picture of the author zigzag007
    I wouldn't do it. Not worth it.
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  • Profile picture of the author somtam
    I'm agree with you.

    So let's think about something that make our landing special, so customers want to pass through our link. As an example a Bonus? someone know if clickbank or other affiliate network give the chance when a conversion occur to make our bonus download?
    Others stuff more than a bonus?

    thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Most affiliate networks will terminate your account and will not pay you the balance in your account if you stuff cookies.
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