[affiliate=none] Can cookie stuffing be the answer?

68 replies
Note: I am doing a study on the [affiliate=none] phenomenon happening at clickbank and this is just a test only.

I noticed clickbank checkout pages stripping my affiliate link only 'sometimes' on one of my links at this landing page Forex Brotherhood & Forex Funnel Side by Side Review...
(Please do not buy anything there as I am posting it as a test page)

The link in question is the one for Forex Funnel. As you can see, I have it set up to strip my aff id from the hoplink in the browser bar. My id always showed up on the clickbank checkout page before and now it only shows up sometimes.

Since I have 3 computer, I will test the current set up in a few minutes from all of them a few times.

Some right after clearing all my cookies and some with the browsers full of cookies.

Once I see the [affiliate=none] happening again, I will cookie stuff the page using the same clickbank vendors products.

The reasoning behind this is this, What happens if I FORCE the clickbank cookie as soon as the visitor lands on my page?

Will report back in a little while.

Greenovni

OK, back

Test Results

1. Cleared all my cookies on firefox on PC #1 and clicked on the link [shows my affiliate id] on checkout page. Same thing with IE. PC #2

2. Firefox. With cookies inside my browser for both forex funnel & forex brotherhood: Forex funnel showed my affiliate id @ check out page forex brotherhood did not, it only showed [affiliate=none]

3. Third test - Cleared ALL cookies from 2nd test and Forex funnel showed my affiliate id. NOW Cleared cookies again and with cookies window opened so I could see the cookies as they come in, forex brotherhood showed [affiliate=none] 16 times in a row.

The funny thing is while clicking on my affiliate link, NO COOKIES CAME THROUGH at all!!! 16 times in a row???

4. Continued same test and no cookies came through except a cookie from Kaptcha.com. Once this cookie came through, my affiliate id started showing up again.

The really weird thing is that clearing all the cookies and clicking on my affiliate link again and again did not deposit cookies from clickbank.net nor the forex programs themselves. It only deposited Kaptcha.com's cookie and showed my affiliate ID.

When the Kaptcha.com cookie did not come through, [affiliate=none]

Side note: When I tried both my affiliate links at the same time, 1 always came up with my affiliate id and the 2nd one sometimes showed it and sometimes [affiliate=none]

Cookie Stuffing test

Test 1: Stuffing both cookies (for both programs on my page) with .htaccess showed my affiliate id for both programs 25 times in a row with no [affiliate=none] errors

Removing .htaccess now to see if it's a fluke.

Test 2 - Stuffing looks to be working fine. Took it off the page and am changing it to a 'production' page to see if any sales are actually made.

Will report back tomorrow.
#affiliatenone #answer #cookie #stuffing
  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    I really have to wonder what is going on here. If ClickBank is messing up the tracking, they are slitting their own throats. It is in their best interest to clear this up ASAP.

    TomG.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247791].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    I BELIEVE that they are having cookie problems.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247882].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    You just can't ignore solid testing like this. If you're not using it right now, check out Firefox's Web Developer addon. It has builtin cookie functions to view what's stored.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247896].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I did this weeks ago and told people but nobody listened... it is a CB tracking issue with cookies..

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247908].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
      C'mon guys,

      That's the way the cookie crumbles!
      Got Milk? :rolleyes: Sorry, I couldn't resist the temptation!

      greenovni, Interesting results, please keep us updated.

      I was going to do this test but instead I'll just watch
      your results and save myself some time.

      Thanks
      Have a Great Day!
      Michael
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247944].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tomw
      Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

      I did this weeks ago and told people but nobody listened... it is a CB tracking issue with cookies..

      Peace

      Jay
      "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Aurthur Shopenheimer.

      Thomas
      Signature
      STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
      Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families

      STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement of individuals, communities and organisations fighting to PREVENT the sale of people,
      PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248164].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by tomw View Post

        "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Aurthur Shopenheimer.

        Thomas
        boo yahh.. I like it
        Signature

        Bare Murkage.........

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248177].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
      Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

      I did this weeks ago and told people but nobody listened... it is a CB tracking issue with cookies..

      Peace

      Jay
      Like a voice crying out in the wilderness, eh Jay? That's what they get for ignoring you.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249389].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Funny thing is that is working with cookie stuffing, just took it out to see if it's a fluke result
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247926].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan Thompson
      This subject has been going on for as long as I can remember, and it always comes back to the same point - it's not Clickbank that has cookie problems, it's applications on your PC that control spyware/adware.

      When conducting your test, find some more people who have the same problem and get them to list their browser name, and any anti-virus and spyware ap's they are running.

      The biggest culprit from memory was Spybot Search & Destroy, the "Immunize" feature add's a list of blocked cookie zones to your browser, and clickbank.com is one of the blocked zones. (As are CJ, Linkshare, Tradedoubler and all the other big affiliate networks)
      Signature

      I'm a director of D9 Hosting
      The only host in the world to offer a 1 Click DLGuard installation feature from within the cPanel.
      Join today, and receive a 10% discount by using the following coupon code: Warriors

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247956].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheNightOwl
    Now that's interesting!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247965].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Michael Mayo Will keep updating this thread

    Dan Thompson Bull, I am testing on 3 different PCs that I own, one of them being a linux box and all have the same problem... Called in a few people to look at my landing page & same thing there.

    If CB was blocked by an application or spyware/software it would ALWAYS say [affiliate=none] not just sometimes.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247969].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan Thompson
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      Michael Mayo Will keep updating this thread

      Dan Thompson Bull, I am testing on 3 different PCs that I own, one of them being a linux box and all have the same problem... Called in a few people to look at my landing page & same thing there.

      If CB was blocked by an application or spyware/software it would ALWAYS say [affiliate=none] not just sometimes.
      What about the browser you are using, are you having the same problems in multiple browsers?
      Signature

      I'm a director of D9 Hosting
      The only host in the world to offer a 1 Click DLGuard installation feature from within the cPanel.
      Join today, and receive a 10% discount by using the following coupon code: Warriors

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247989].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by Dan Thompson View Post

        What about the browser you are using, are you having the same problems in multiple browsers?
        I am..

        Look Dan..

        I am usually on the sidelines snickering at the CB paranoia crowd.. so I do get your point and this has been played out a bazillion times..

        But seriously.. there is a bigger issue right now than a few adware programs and browsers..

        I have put excessive amounts of time into getting my facts straight here.. I have had to adjust my whole business to counteract the effects.. I haven't lost revenue.. but ONLY because I saw it coming and took action after I tested things....my action was to find replacement products.. others may do differently to float their business.. that's their prerogative.

        Peace

        Jay
        Signature

        Bare Murkage.........

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248002].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Neil S
          Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

          I am..

          I have put excessive amounts of time into getting my facts straight here.. I have had to adjust my whole business to counteract the effects.. I haven't lost revenue.. but ONLY because I saw it coming and took action after I tested things....my action was to find replacement products.. others may do differently to float their business.. that's their prerogative.

          Peace

          Jay
          Hey Jay,

          I have been reading your warnings for weeks, you have definitely been out in front of this problem. Can I ask how exactly you changed your products? Are you simply promoting different products on Clickbank that did pass your tests? Or are you promoting products from a different affiliate network?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248259].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
            Originally Posted by Neil S View Post

            Hey Jay,

            I have been reading your warnings for weeks, you have definitely been out in front of this problem. Can I ask how exactly you changed your products? Are you simply promoting different products on Clickbank that did pass your tests? Or are you promoting products from a different affiliate network?

            I found alternatives and twisted my marketing up a little..

            In the dieting niche I cut 3 new programs for physical products, commission is less but I am up in revenue due to proper tracking and much better products. I led my marketing towards the physical edge instead of digital and the target market responded well..

            The make money niche is jam packed with alternatives so I am switching much over.. and many of the products are on RAP and pay instantly etc..

            There are literally TONS of independent affiliate programs out there.. the trick is getting on the phone with the company and getting a feel for the, let them know you are a serious marketer and craft a relationship so you get good response and service..

            Peace

            Jay

            p.s. Google : "niche + affiliate program" or "product + affiliate program"

            I have found personal development courses that pay out at $500 a sale like this.. it works.. in every niche

            p.p.s. When the independents out there see the kind of traffic some of us affiliates can send their way, they bend over backwards for us...
            Signature

            Bare Murkage.........

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248330].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author moreonlife
              The problem has been solved. Clear your browser cookie/cache and then check your order page again. Everything is back to normal.

              Syed
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248343].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jempub
        I've noticed a H U G E drop in CB sales starting at
        the end of September... I've also had many JV
        friends tell me the same.

        Not too mention having customers email me saying
        they were not able to purchase due to credit card
        problems(on good cards!).

        Gary
        Signature
        FREE: "How To Make $200 A Day Online Fast!"

        **Click here to download!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248003].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Yup..

    I did it across all my machines, for 500+ run through's and the ONLY time that I got no affiliate was during raw link testing (just straight link on normal page).. if I stuffed the hell out of it I got it correctly..

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247970].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    JayXtreme You sound like a stuffing assasin
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247974].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    It was ONLY as a necessity... on a test page of my own.. nothing untoward at all...

    My main business is affiliate, so I had to get all my ducks in a row before I made some changes to my funnel

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247978].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dlocks
    This subject has been going on for as long as I can remember, and it always comes back to the same point - it's not Clickbank that has cookie problems, it's applications on your PC that control spyware/adware.
    Normally yes, but today there are to many confirmed problems where people see [affiliate=none].

    See:
    ht tp://w ww.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/27654-check-your-affiliate-link-if-you-promoting-strip-fat.html

    h ttp:// forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1105668

    h ttp://w ww.clickbanksuccessforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8334

    CB tech team is looking into this at this moment because there is obviously something going wrong today.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247983].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Stuffing has it's place in the arsenal...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247984].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Hamida Harland
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      Stuffing has it's place in the arsenal...
      Can't you get banned by CB for cookie stuffing though? If another affiliate finds and reports your sites they might close your account and withhold your earnings (I've seen it happen to a few people).
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248014].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by Hamida Pall View Post

        Can't you get banned by CB for cookie stuffing though? If another affiliate finds and reports your sites they might close your account and withhold your earnings (I've seen it happen to a few people).
        Yep... if you did this in real time for actual sales.. you would be in trouble.. but for testing purposes I see no other way...
        Signature

        Bare Murkage.........

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248019].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author matthewd
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      Stuffing has it's place in the arsenal...
      This is a bit off topic... but how is stuffing considered bad?

      Maybe I misunderstand it, but if we are only stuffing on our own affiliate pages, I don't see how it is "stealing commissions" or anything people say.

      It is VERY interesting though that stuffing seems to solve this issue.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248050].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Stallion
    What about the browser you are using, are you having the same problems in multiple browsers?
    Did you even take the time to read the thread?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[247996].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan Thompson
      Originally Posted by Stallion View Post

      Did you even take the time to read the thread?
      I did thanks ;-)

      I know checking the browser it's an obvious thing to state, but when something like this happens it's usually down to 1 (or more) of 3 things - Anti virus software, Browser, or a Problem with tracking. Getting rid of the browser and anti-virus as possible causes helps track the problem down.

      It's very strange that it's not happening to everyone if as it looks, it is a CB error. Speaking from a personal POV I've tested a few different CB links of my own as well as random publishers and the affiliate always shows up at the bottom. I wonder if it's a problem with a specific server, rather than the entire network.
      Signature

      I'm a director of D9 Hosting
      The only host in the world to offer a 1 Click DLGuard installation feature from within the cPanel.
      Join today, and receive a 10% discount by using the following coupon code: Warriors

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248028].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by Dan Thompson View Post

        I did thanks ;-)

        I know checking the browser it's an obvious thing to state, but when something like this happens it's usually down to 1 (or more) of 3 things - Anti virus software, Browser, or a Problem with tracking. Getting rid of the browser and anti-virus as possible causes helps track the problem down.

        It's very strange that it's not happening to everyone if as it looks, it is a CB error. Speaking from a personal POV I've tested a few different CB links of my own as well as random publishers and the affiliate always shows up at the bottom. I wonder if it's a problem with a specific server, rather than the entire network.
        Yup.. the sporadic effects are probably due to it being an isolated incident on only a certain area of CB's operation(albeit a big area) so it is affecting MANY but not all
        Signature

        Bare Murkage.........

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248037].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Steve Garratt
        Originally Posted by Dan Thompson View Post

        I did thanks ;-)

        I know checking the browser it's an obvious thing to state, but when something like this happens it's usually down to 1 (or more) of 3 things - Anti virus software, Browser, or a Problem with tracking. Getting rid of the browser and anti-virus as possible causes helps track the problem down.

        It's very strange that it's not happening to everyone if as it looks, it is a CB error. Speaking from a personal POV I've tested a few different CB links of my own as well as random publishers and the affiliate always shows up at the bottom. I wonder if it's a problem with a specific server, rather than the entire network.
        How do you know that it isn't happening to everyone? This is an intermittent phenomena that seems to hit people and products randomly. When I did a quick check on my affiliate id in the sales page it was ok but this was in no way a serious test of a problem that comes and goes.

        There are many people all saying the same thing which is that their conversion rates have been down since the end of September and it applies to me too. I've been getting more hops and less sales. CTR has halved from 50:1 to 100:1.

        Steve
        Signature
        Please visit my blog and if you have an interest in electronics then please join me at Home DIY Electronics
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248075].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Yes Dan, IE6 IE7 Firefox Konkeror Sometimes shows [affiliate=none]

    One of my linux machines has no antivirus, no spyware etc (My homemade phone system) and pulling up it's browser, does the same thing.

    The cookie stuffing worked... Now I am doing a "permanent" solution for my landing pages until CB fixes whatever they gotta fix.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248000].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    That's another problem all together
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248017].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Douglas
    If it was cookie stuffing, I would think that there would be an affiliate nickname - just not yours.

    Affiliate=none would deliver the full sale to the vendor and no affililiate would be paid.

    Maybe CB is having an issue with their cookies because a couple of vendors I know are experiencing an increase in direct sales not referred by affiliates.

    Personally, I still have some affiliates who are doing well promoting my Clickbank products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248024].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    No Ron.. you don't understand..

    The stuffing only pre-empts the placement of a cookie because the CB links aren't giving them, they aren't being passed across...

    We're not saying cookie stuffing is to blame, we are saying it is the only way to force a cookie to stick(for testing purposes ONLY)
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248032].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Hamida Pall Like I said before, I am testing ways to eliminate the affiliate=none problem

    Blackhat cooking stuffing is going to other sites, forums, myspace etc stuffing your affiliate cookies all over the place hoping that someone will buy from the merchant & you get credit.

    In this case, I am merely forcing my cookie (as a test) on my own website since CB can't do the job correctly right now due to their problems.

    The people that come to my website, came on their own free will, cookie was delivered, read the whole page and decided to buy or not. If they buy, I get the credit which is what we all strive at, if they leave the page then nothing lost... at least my commission was not lost due to delivery of cookie problems.

    Also notice that the people landing on my page, will have to click on my affiliate link, go to the vendor's page & make their decision there. I am not stuffing them and then sending them directly to the sales page.

    Actually, I am not stuffing anyone at all in this test... as it is nothing more than that, a test
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248039].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Hamida Harland
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      Hamida Pall Like I said before, I am testing ways to eliminate the affiliate=none problem

      Blackhat cooking stuffing is going to other sites, forums, myspace etc stuffing your affiliate cookies all over the place hoping that someone will buy from the merchant & you get credit.

      In this case, I am merely forcing my cookie (as a test) on my own website since CB can't do the job correctly right now due to their problems.

      The people that come to my website, came on their own free will, cookie was delivered, read the whole page and decided to buy or not. If they buy, I get the credit which is what we all strive at, if they leave the page then nothing lost... at least my commission was not lost due to delivery of cookie problems.

      Also notice that the people landing on my page, will have to click on my affiliate link, go to the vendor's page & make their decision there. I am not stuffing them and then sending them directly to the sales page.

      Actually, I am not stuffing anyone at all in this test... as it is nothing more than that, a test
      Don't worry, I'm not being judgemental or anything, each to their own . I've actually tried it a while back to see if it would improve sales (stuffing a cookie for the particular product I was promoting on my landing page).

      I tried it because it was recommended in the ebook of a respected marketer - however it didn't improve my sales at all (he was talking about PPC landing pages though). I only did it to try it out, but stopped when I found a few people had been banned when other affiliates reported them.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248083].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    matthewd Stuffing is bad as I mentioned above which is to stuff a lot of websites with high traffic that you don't own.

    I see no problem stuffing a cookie for the particular product you are promoting in your landing page. Nothing more, nothing less.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248054].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author matthewd
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      matthewd Stuffing is bad as I mentioned above which is to stuff a lot of websites with high traffic that you don't own.

      I see no problem stuffing a cookie for the particular product you are promoting in your landing page. Nothing more, nothing less.
      Okay, that makes perfect sense... I didn't even know you could stuff pages you don't own so I was confused why people were so upset about the cookie stuffing stuff.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248076].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Wayne
    When testing with Firefox, you also need to clear the cache in addition to
    the cookies. If you clear the cookies and not the cache, Firefox will serve
    the page from the cache, and so even if you go through your hoplink the link
    will not go through Clickbank first and your id will not show on the order form.
    Try testing clearing cookies and cache both.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248067].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Wayne Did that, still the same problem.

    Seems like CB tracks the last cookie served in the browser...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248084].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Wayne
      Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

      Wayne Did that, still the same problem.

      Seems like CB tracks the last cookie served in the browser...

      Yes, last cookie gets the credit with Clickbank. That is the way it is supposed to be.

      Try adding a different parameter to the same link and see if your id shows, like
      YOURID.VENDORID.hop.clickbank.net?tid=1
      YOURID.VENDORID.hop.clickbank.net?tid=2
      YOURID.VENDORID.hop.clickbank.net?tid=3

      This way Firefox will see each link as different and will not serve it from its cache. It
      would be interesting to know if your id shows on the order form testing this way.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248124].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Hamida Pall I'm sorry if I sounded rough... my apologies.

    Cookie stuffing is in the arsenal of a lot of big people and some of them even stuff their blogs for a ton of products.

    In the clickbank case, I do not think cookie stuffing on a massive scale would work since they credit the 'last' cookie to arrive in your browser before going to the checkout page.

    If I was to stuff 100 people at random and 99 went to other affiliate landing pages and clicked on their hop link - 1 of them tried to be slick and went directly to the vendors, I would have only been successful in stuffing 1 and would receive commission for that 1.

    Whereas the 99 that clicked on the other hop links would have been credited to their respective affiliates.

    Now, I think stuffing your own page with the product you are promoting to protect your commission because of CB problems should be fair game.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248110].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kevin campbelle
      Hey Green,

      Steven just posted (post #63) in this thread here and I tried the same products that was showing affiliate = none before and it's showing my affiliate ID now.

      Try testing the normal way and see if the problem has been resolved.

      Kevin.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248162].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Wayne
    There has been a thread on the Clickbank Success Forum where it states
    that Clickbank has been made aware of a problem and are working on fixing
    it. Currently, it looks like that other forum is having a mysql problem and I
    am unable to access it.

    UPDATE: I'm able to access it again, here it is:
    http://clickbanksuccessforum.com/for...pic.php?t=8334
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248146].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author spudzz
    On a review page devoted to one product it's difficult to see how any affiliate network like ClickBank is going to take offence to single product cookie stuffing. Stuff half a dozen products off the page and yes, there could be issues.

    In any case, real black hat cookie stuffers don't target single products usually but whole networks like eBay.

    It would be interesting to see if different methods of stuffing produce different success rates with ClickBank at the moment. Time to surf the BH forums for a while ;-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248156].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    Hey fella,

    just like you, a couple of our developers discovered;

    "The Shocking Truth About Clickbank Cookie Problems!"

    a while ago, but as my favourite philosopher, Stan Laurel said,

    "you can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be led"

    Thomas
    Signature
    STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
    Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families

    STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement of individuals, communities and organisations fighting to PREVENT the sale of people,
    PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248206].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
    What I know of cookie stuffing, I don't see how this could work as it still requires 1) a hop link, and 2) the cookie to be served from CB.

    Are you stuffing the same link multiple times, hoping to get one of them to 'stick'?
    Signature

    -Jason

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248318].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    moreonlife How do you know the problem has been solved?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248353].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author moreonlife
      I had same problem. I've tested earlier and most of my best performing product's order page were showing

      [affiliate=none]

      I have checked and once again my aff id is appearing for the same products.

      Syed
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248453].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        CB reported it as a one day problem that has been corrected - maybe, maybe not. I hope it's been corrected but it's been happening for a lot longer than a day.

        If you've used CB for several years you'll remember how long it took them to even upgrade their site to add more functionality - I doubt they are much quicker to upgrade their tracking ability with new technology.

        They do respond to problems - but always seem to resist the idea that there is a problem until it can't be ignored.

        kay
        Signature
        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
        ***

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249601].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Greg Cooksley
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          CB reported it as a one day problem that
          has been corrected - maybe, maybe not. I hope it's been corrected
          but it's been happening for a lot longer than a day.

          If you've used CB for several years you'll remember how long
          it took them to even upgrade their site to add more functionality
          - I doubt they are much quicker to upgrade their tracking ability
          with new technology.

          They do respond to problems - but always seem to resist the idea
          that there is a problem until it can't be ignored.

          kay
          Hey Kay,

          I've said this before - just like every corporate out there,
          Clickbank would NEVER come out into the open and admit that they
          have a major problem. This would cause irreparable harm to their
          reputation as a company and as a reputable money processor.

          They have responded and said there was a problem for less than
          a day. But this is a far bigger issue....

          Just don't expect them to be open about a long term problem...

          Regards

          Greg
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[252430].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Melody
    Not just a PC issue - have seen this problem on my Mac off and on for about 2 months - for example, purchasing a product and clearing cookies first to make sure I was getting the right affiliate ID in the link for the bonus offered - cleared cookies - went through the link - and no affiliate ID.

    This happened several times - I notified several of the sellers involved but only one ever responded - and that one said it was an issue on my end.

    I am thinking not......I also personally have had this problem using an affiliate page making script.....but of course don't know if it was the script or a CB issue.

    Anyway - I don't have any of the usual blocker or spy scripts running on my mac - so that is definitely not the problem from my side!
    Signature
    Our first "Digital Yard Sale"! A massive PLR Blowout Sale to help a friend pay medical expenses.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248520].message }}
  • Lots of good info here, so I'll steer clear of posting, keep up the good work guys. I learn a lot !!
    Signature
    Rock,Blues Guitarist GW Williams - Free Internet Guitar information on new guitars,top brand strings,Guitar Lessons,tab,chords,lead guitar,hot licks,lead scales,guitar tips,and techniques all Free

    Online Christian Blog Living For God Online
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248564].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Douglas
    Great! The issue has been resolved. Let's get back to promoting. Let's make some money.

    Turn those machines back ON!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248576].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dlocks
    Not just a PC issue - have seen this problem on my Mac off and on for about 2 months - for example, purchasing a product and clearing cookies first to make sure I was getting the right affiliate ID in the link for the bonus offered - cleared cookies - went through the link - and no affiliate ID.
    That is 'by design'. CB uses cookie tracking when it is able to set a cookie. When CB is not able to set a cookie then CB will use ip-tracking. CB does not both at the same time.

    So you should have tested it like this:
    1. Remove all cookies
    2. Disable all cookies
    3. Go to a hoplink using your CB nickname
    4. Check to see if your nickname is on the order page
    5. Close your browser
    6. Open your browser
    7. Go to the website directly (do not use hoplink)
    8. Go to order page
    9. You will see your nickname
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248658].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Dlocks I did that and the id showed only sometimes.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[248866].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dlocks
      Are you able to reproduce this problem? Ifso, did you also contact CB?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249000].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Bogowski
    Greenovni,

    So you suggest that setting a cookie on your own site helps kick off CB.

    All my sites are built in PHP so running a session_start to create a session and session cookie will get me out of problems going on your tests?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249014].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    As of right now, using an htaccess cookie stuffing has worked when I checked 50 times in a row. I have stopped checking until tomorrow since I have to read to my son.

    Will update tomorrow when i run more tests.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249025].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Bogowski
    Aaaaah!

    Ok it is all clear now! I had completely the wrong idea about your fix. I was wondering how setting cookies on different domains would help???

    I hope you are only using the htaccess stuff on URL click (as in go to another page on your site first then redirect) or else you are in violation of their TOS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249037].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Neil S
    Has anyone gotten any sales today? The past couple days have been brutal.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249132].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dlocks
      Originally Posted by Neil S View Post

      Has anyone gotten any sales today? The past couple days have been brutal.
      I have 25 till now. Less then normal but I stopped some campaigns today as soon as I found out that not all hop links worked. (I stopped the ones that did not work. Now they work again and I resumed the corresponding campaigns)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249172].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
        Originally Posted by moreonlife View Post

        The problem has been solved. Clear your browser cookie/cache and then check your order page again. Everything is back to normal.

        Syed
        Now if only we could get all of our prospects to this

        Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

        As of right now, using an htaccess cookie stuffing has worked when I checked 50 times in a row. I have stopped checking until tomorrow since I have to read to my son.

        Will update tomorrow when i run more tests.
        Are you only stuffing once per page, or are you trying multiple times on the same page hoping to get one of them to eventually stick?

        Originally Posted by Neil S View Post

        Has anyone gotten any sales today? The past couple days have been brutal.
        zero

        I still can't even load any CB pages...
        Signature

        -Jason

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249236].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Neil S
    Just picked up a couple sales. Maybe things are getting better.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[249373].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ncmedia
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260187].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

      Hey OP, you are promoting/testing my products mate (funnel/brotherhood). If there is anything you'd like me to do in order to help facilitate a final conclusion feel free to reach out.

      A few things I'll note as I have 20+ CB publisher accounts and many aff accounts, and an army of aff's also disecting the latest trends. In my opinion and from what I see in my data:

      * There has not been an influx of internal sales on any of my popular accounts. If this was the case all publishers %ref. would drop per product, none of mine have dropped.

      * I just did tests on two laptops and my main PC in both FF and IE and all worked fine.

      * For one of my products, a few weeks back I bought a copy every few days through my own other aff links for two weeks to try to break commission and have not been able to catch them 'red handed' missing my commiss.

      * I DO see different affiliates converting now that I haven't seen before to most products, and vice-versa, thus it could be an isolated problem if any

      * Will agree that there are a ton of variables that affect every network not just CB which they cannot control.

      * I'm doing very well for myself as both aff and pub, as much as I sound like an ass kisser here I wouldn't continue to use them if my numbers were not still up and up.

      Usually hate commenting on this type of stuff but felt compelled when I saw this one. I hope you guys dig enough to find a conclusion - as this seems to be a neverending story. Especially those of you that get 1-3 sales a day then dry up. Wait until you're at 30+ a day to really gage your data and market trends, economy, other networks, and the 1001's that occur in our world.

      Cheers,
      NC.

      Thanks for dropping by and giving us some thoughts from your end Norb..

      I must get to your forum more dude.. hectic though

      Peace

      Jay
      Signature

      Bare Murkage.........

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260206].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author money2spare
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[285095].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by money2spare View Post

      This is starting again. Affiliates, beware. Check your affiliate links. CB is at it again. We must start sending them angry letters, go go go!
      Sorry - I didn't spot your post, so started another thread.

      I noticed this yesterday too. As I think I said in my thread, the hoplinks are correct, with the correct affiliate name. CB should be reading the hoplinks, not cookies, otherwise what's the point of having your affiliate name in the hoplink!!!

      And yes - I did write to CB. Off to look at C2S as I've not heard of them before. Otherwise I'm going to change to Paypal for my own products.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[285977].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Stallion
    Nice to see that "alternative for clickbank" in your sig. My links are working fine.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[285489].message }}

Trending Topics