5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Affiliate Cookies Revisited...Could This Be The Solution?

by Floyd Fisher
4 replies
As you probably know, there is always much talk on this foum about problems with various affiliate programs properly crediting the affiliate properly.

The problem is simple: affiliate crediting models use a browser side solution in the form of browser cookies. For some reason, these cookies are considered evil by the community at large, and antivirus software when scanning crushes these cookies without mercy.

My thought on this, is the game needs to change. Instead of a browser side solution, we need to look to a server side solution, possibly powered by something like Sun Microsystems Java.

So I open the discussion to those who know this way better than I do, and ask if such a solution is even feasible, and how could it be done?

Could Java do this, or is there a better solution using PHP, Perl, or something exotic like Ruby on Rails?

Besides the obvious computing resources necessary, what would be the drawbacks to such a system?

Or am I drinking too much kool aide again?
#affiliate #cookies #revisitedcould #solution
  • Profile picture of the author KirkMcD
    There are already server side solutions.
    The programming languauge doesn't matter.
    The problem is how are you going to identify the person? IP Address is the closest way, but it is not unique enough. IP addresses are often times shared.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1929660].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Originally Posted by KirkMcD View Post

      There are already server side solutions.
      The programming languauge doesn't matter.
      The problem is how are you going to identify the person? IP Address is the closest way, but it is not unique enough. IP addresses are often times shared.
      How about if we asked the user to enter an email address before they are taken to the sales page? Would that be too cumbersome?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1929756].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jminkler
        Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

        How about if we asked the user to enter an email address before they are taken to the sales page? Would that be too cumbersome?
        When they click a link? The problem is simple .. users click affiliate link, take to a "hop" page which sets cookie, taken to sales page ..

        to "secure" this process, you need your own software running on the usrs PC. Maybe a toolbar? But that's also probably stealing other's commissions (*coughzwinkycough*)

        A simple hosts file change, like the one I have on my daughters computer, and the user cannot go to or view ANY ads or clickthrough to ANY affiliate sites.

        In my 3 years of doing CJ, I've sent literally thousands of clicks their way, have I ever gotten paid? No. GAN? No. Amazon? No. But, it's not like I'm trying real hard, it's more of a shotgun spraying. Do I know the system works? Yes.

        The only way I see that you could possibly be SURE that user Bought something through your link is if they were going through a proxy you owned. But even then, your not going to see SSL traffic.

        Answer? Promote things that are CPA and cost nothing and hope for the best?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1930196].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author macfan182
          Originally Posted by jminkler View Post

          When they click a link? The problem is simple .. users click affiliate link, take to a "hop" page which sets cookie, taken to sales page ..

          to "secure" this process, you need your own software running on the usrs PC. Maybe a toolbar? But that's also probably stealing other's commissions (*coughzwinkycough*)

          A simple hosts file change, like the one I have on my daughters computer, and the user cannot go to or view ANY ads or clickthrough to ANY affiliate sites.

          In my 3 years of doing CJ, I've sent literally thousands of clicks their way, have I ever gotten paid? No. GAN? No. Amazon? No. But, it's not like I'm trying real hard, it's more of a shotgun spraying. Do I know the system works? Yes.

          The only way I see that you could possibly be SURE that user Bought something through your link is if they were going through a proxy you owned. But even then, your not going to see SSL traffic.

          Answer? Promote things that are CPA and cost nothing and hope for the best?

          wish i had the number 1 answer!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1931479].message }}

Trending Topics