What's better for affiliates... cookie tracking, url tracking, or combo? - GoFuckYourself.com

rankscom · 10-25-2006, 11:13 AM

There's been some discussions about this in previous threads, but I haven't seen a discussion that really breaks down each method and how it affects affiliates. There's probably affiliate programs who've done many studies on where tracking can leak, and I'm guessing software like NATS has a built-in standard.

I definitely want to get better educated on this and would love to see some experts chime in. Maybe we could also get programs to post how they track signups from linking codes and why it's better than others.

So questions I have...

1. Is there an industry standard and if not, why?

2. If only url tracking is used, there seem to be many ways the affiliate might lose that sale (user returns later by typing in the site's domain, user removes the affiliate tags, etc). Why aren't cookies added to help prevent this loss?

3. For cookie tracking, what's the "optimal" or fairest expiration period? (The way I understand expiration is that the initial affiliate to refer a customer holds the rights to that customer until the expiration period has elapsed.)

4. For programs that incorporate a combination of url and cookie tracking, I assume cookies override url tracking (when cookie exists) and url tracking is used when cookies aren't enabled. Do I understand that correctly?

The way I see it, most affiliate programs don't want holes in their referral tracking. Even if they could financial benefit from leaks, they'd rather their affiliates make more money with their program and retain that affiliate long-term. That's also why I think tracking methods should be fully understood and even disclosed upfront to potential affiliates (assuming the various methods can make a difference to everyones bottom line).

Look forward to hearing some expert opinions...

rankscom · 10-25-2006, 02:43 PM

Business talk anyone? ;)

TeaseumGirls · 10-25-2006, 03:24 PM

bump for ya rick.

XPays · 10-25-2006, 03:33 PM

Hard-coded tracking is the best. Use all other means like cookies, ip's etc.. as additional to compliment the core hard-codedness.

You can see in a standard XPays account how we trap surfers in the webmaster's directory with us. That includes every link in the whole network tracking for the webmaster including the webmaster referral link and exit's and 404's. sample: http://www.xpays.com/clients/00025/xx/list.html

rankscom · 10-25-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XPays

Hard-coded tracking is the best. Use all other means like cookies, ip's etc.. as additional to compliment the core hard-codedness.

You can see in a standard XPays account how we trap surfers in the webmaster's directory with us. That includes every link in the whole network tracking for the webmaster including the webmaster referral link and exit's and 404's. sample: http://www.xpays.com/clients/00025/xx/list.html

Good info Evan, thanks bro!

So if the user got curious with the url and re-typed the site domain (removing the affiliate directory), you guys use cookies/IP I assume to link the user back to the affiliate if they signup that direction?

To me, that sounds pretty solid btw!

Would love to hear how other programs manage their tracking...

Vegas Ken · 10-29-2006, 11:45 PM

Bump for my boy Rick !

chaze · 10-29-2006, 11:50 PM

I would say cookies and i.p. tracking. If someone has all that blocked then too paranoid to buy anything on the internet anyways.

Dagwolf · 10-30-2006, 12:06 AM

I have no idea.

Both would be good.

10-25-2006, 11:13 AM	#1
rankscom Rick Moby Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 433	What's better for affiliates... cookie tracking, url tracking, or combo? There's been some discussions about this in previous threads, but I haven't seen a discussion that really breaks down each method and how it affects affiliates. There's probably affiliate programs who've done many studies on where tracking can leak, and I'm guessing software like NATS has a built-in standard. I definitely want to get better educated on this and would love to see some experts chime in. Maybe we could also get programs to post how they track signups from linking codes and why it's better than others. So questions I have... 1. Is there an industry standard and if not, why? 2. If only url tracking is used, there seem to be many ways the affiliate might lose that sale (user returns later by typing in the site's domain, user removes the affiliate tags, etc). Why aren't cookies added to help prevent this loss? 3. For cookie tracking, what's the "optimal" or fairest expiration period? (The way I understand expiration is that the initial affiliate to refer a customer holds the rights to that customer until the expiration period has elapsed.) 4. For programs that incorporate a combination of url and cookie tracking, I assume cookies override url tracking (when cookie exists) and url tracking is used when cookies aren't enabled. Do I understand that correctly? The way I see it, most affiliate programs don't want holes in their referral tracking. Even if they could financial benefit from leaks, they'd rather their affiliates make more money with their program and retain that affiliate long-term. That's also why I think tracking methods should be fully understood and even disclosed upfront to potential affiliates (assuming the various methods can make a difference to everyones bottom line). Look forward to hearing some expert opinions... __________________ MyPorn.com - Porn's most anticipated free site of tomorrow. Coming Q4, 2015.

10-25-2006, 02:43 PM	#2
rankscom Rick Moby Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 433	Business talk anyone? ;) __________________ MyPorn.com - Porn's most anticipated free site of tomorrow. Coming Q4, 2015.

10-25-2006, 03:33 PM	#4
XPays Team Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Inside the most accurately counting and reporting affiliate system in the world at XPays.com Posts: 13,002	Hard-coded tracking is the best. Use all other means like cookies, ip's etc.. as additional to compliment the core hard-codedness. You can see in a standard XPays account how we trap surfers in the webmaster's directory with us. That includes every link in the whole network tracking for the webmaster including the webmaster referral link and exit's and 404's. sample: http://www.xpays.com/clients/00025/xx/list.html __________________ InterNext Expo Domain Auction Live Now thru Feb 5 HuntingMoon GFY Domains Marketplace is LIVE XPays always pays! Top Site: * RealJasmine.com * + HotelHeiress® with The Paris Hilton Sex Video Insert the HotelHeiress® HD FEED into your members areas XPin.com Opening for Pin Partners Soonish Mainstream Offers For Emailers and DomainersNONADULT.COM Like Us!

10-29-2006, 11:45 PM	#6
Vegas Ken Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,151	Bump for my boy Rick ! __________________ Skype: vegas_ken

10-30-2006, 12:06 AM	#8
Dagwolf President of Canada Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leaving Hell, Entering Limbo Posts: 23,141	I have no idea. Both would be good. __________________ Sleep well, and dream of large women.

10-25-2006, 03:24 PM	#3
TeaseumGirls Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 248	bump for ya rick.

10-29-2006, 11:50 PM	#7
chaze Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 9,752	I would say cookies and i.p. tracking. If someone has all that blocked then too paranoid to buy anything on the internet anyways.