ClickBank: tracking issues explained

There have been numerous posts from ClickBank affiliates
expressing concern over the accuracy of tracking.
Hopefully this post will clarify the situation.


What do we mean by tracking ?


Tracking refers to the means by which ClickBank ensures
that when a customer purchases from an affiliate link
then that affiliate is credited with commission. The
tracking system must ensure that the affiliate id is
carried through to the order form where it appears in the
format [affiliate=xxxxxx]




How does ClickBank tracking work ?


Tracking is done primarily by a cookie system. Cookies
cannot be guaranteed 100% accurate so ClickBank have also
added an IP checking system to complement it. The
combination ensures high accuracy but again it is not
100% perfect. With over 20,000 orders a day there will
always be one or two missing out.



Is accurate tracking important to ClickBank ?


Accurate crediting of affiliate commission is VITAL to
ClickBank. It is the hub of their business. Note that
an all time high 70% of ClickBank's sales are now produced
by affiliates.

(If you want to argue that ClickBank couldn't care less
about their affiliates and that they profit from a sale
regardless I would respectfully suggest you make your
comments in another thread).

If you think that their tracking software is not up to
scratch it could be argued that, within the constraints
of a cookie/IP system, ClickBank have the expertise and
the will to provide the very best solution. Note that
they have a related company specializing in complex fraud
control software and the founder of ClickBank himself has
a mathematical background.



What can go wrong ?


If a customer follows an affiliate link and arrives at an
order form with the correct affiliate id not showing some
possible causes are
- spyware on the customer's PC
- manipulation of links by the vendor
- browser problems
- cookie stuffing

Here is the key point

== All this is OUTSIDE of ClickBank's control ===


Once the affiliate id does appear on the order form
everything from then on is within the ClickBank system
and IS therefore under ClickBank's control.


So if an affiliate id appears but he is not credited this
would be a FAILURE in the ClickBank system.



What are the chances of a failure ?


Although we don't know the inner workings of the
ClickBank system it would appear unlikely that such a
failure would occur for the following reasons

- the crediting of a sale to an affiliate has been a fundamental
part of the system since day one

- it's a basic programming task

- if ClickBank were to make any change in this area then
immediate analysis on the huge number of transactions
they process (one every 3 seconds) should quickly show up
the problem


HOWEVER no computer system is faultless

If this failure occurs then ClickBank WANT to know about it.
They WANT you to tell them and they will want to
investigate as a high priority

BUT they need documented proof

It's no good saying
- a customer purchased and I did not get paid
- my sales have plumetted so your tracking is faulty

Do you wonder why ClickBank have to give their (sometimes
criticised) stock answers to such complaints ?


They need proof that YOUR ClickBank id appears on the
order form and that you did not receive commission

They need ==> a VIDEO showing the completed sale starting with your ClickBank id on the form

Given this information I assure you that ClickBank WILL investigate



Harvey


.