Link Cloaking

Ozzie · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

HI All,

I have a Q about link cloaking.... I understand that people can 'steal' your affiliate links. Is this a common occourance?

Does anyone else use link cloaking software religously and have good reason to? How can you tell if someone is stealing your profits or sales?

Thanks in advance!

Chris

Rosalind Gardner · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:12 am Post subject:

Hey Ozzie,

Depending on the niche that you're working in, you may want to cloak your links.

If you're selling online business opportunity products, then you definitely should cloak your links. Many affiliates will simply swap your own link out for theirs.

In other niches, it's not such a problem.

As to using link cloaking software, what most marketers do is create an HTML redirect page.

I'd put the code in here, but then it would redirect.. Smile

To get code, just search google for HTML redirect and you'll find some really quickly.

Be warned however, Google doesn't like these too much, as it considers them 'sneaky' redirects.

Cheers,
Ros

27amDotCom · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:

Chris,
Affiliate commission leaks are part of the affiliate marketing game. And "stolen" commissions do occur. As Rosalind already pointed out, it's primarily something to look out for when working in the "make money", "internet marketing", etc markets.

Some affiliate networks/programs (ie: CB, 7DS) make it much too easy to swap affiliate links, so it can happen.

And yes, I use link cloaking EVERY TIME. Whether it's domain redirects, sub domain redirects or my cloaking software ... I cloak all of my aff links.

** Rosalind, if you don't mind, I'll post a link here to refer Chris to the code (that you mentioned) on my affiliate resource page. **

Chris, as Rosalind mentioned, you can set-up a simple meta refresh (though you do miss out on some other "perks" that a quality affiliate cloaking software can offer).

To find a sample code for the meta refresh, visit
http://www.BuyNowWizard.com/JV

On page 3 of the 3-page that affiliate resource site, you'll find the sample code. Simply swap it with the affiliate link URL details that you need.

Rob

cyberfool · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Toronto Canada

Excellent piece of info I will also look into this.

Thank you Rob
Frank

Griff Grumbein · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject:

You might also look into some of the f.ree services that both "cloak" and provide statistics for your affiliate links.

I use both of the following for various projects:

clickaudit.com

HopURL.com

I've not had any Google issues using them. Perhaps they could be of use to you also.

cyberfool · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Toronto Canada

GriffG! you are the best!
I can't wait to try both of these out. The best part is that they are free Razz

I am one happy camper. I have been going crazy trying to figure out how I can keep an eye on my effort and here it is ... and so easy to do.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, I feel like a have more control and some peace of mind too.

Top notch Man.
Frank

Griff Grumbein · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:34 am Post subject:

P'shaw

After all, it's why we're all here! Wink

Ozzie · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

Wow! Thanks everyone for the response! I have been busy at college doing a course on web design! So I haven't been in for a while!

Thanks for all the recommendations, I will follow up!

I also want to say to Ros....It's really nice to actually have the pro respond...that's why I loved SAH...very genuine!

Have a great day everyone!

Cheers Laughing