Smart affiliate cloaking

Discussion in 'Affiliate Programs' started by ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007.

  1. #1
    I wanted a way to cloak my affiliate links, without using JavaScript (which can be disabled on the client's computer) or without using TinyURL.com links (which still show the affiliate ID
    For instance:
    http://tinyurl.com/ypu5xx changes the address to http://lunlun.com/?test=1
    where you can still see the test=1)

    I couldn't find anything that satisfied me, so I was thinking of creating a new system.

    Please try:
    http://lunlun.com/1000

    It will use my affiliate link, but it will not display it anywhere.
    If you'd like to test FREE my system, please post a reply below. You'll get links starting from number 1001 (that is, lunlun.com/1001, lunlun.com/1002 and so on). Just add your link and I'll post the smart links.

    Also, if you have suggestions about the system, I look forward to read them. If, however, somebody else has already implemented the system, please tell me. I just couldn't find it anywhere.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  2. live-cms_com

    live-cms_com Notable Member

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    #2
    Ummm, I guess you didn't know that .htaccess can create good redirects?
     
    live-cms_com, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  3. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #3
    I would like an example, to know what you're referring to.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  4. rcj662

    rcj662 Guest

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    #4
    Some short url sites offer meta tags and title to cover affiliate id
     
    rcj662, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  5. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #5
    I would like some examples, please.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  6. live-cms_com

    live-cms_com Notable Member

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    #6
    live-cms_com, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  7. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #7
    I tried this:
    redirect 301 /fake http://buildsometraffic.com?id=123
    It displays http://buildsometraffic.com?id=123 in the address bar. At least on my computer. On your computer does not display
    http://affiliateid.mgcsg.hop.clickbank.net/ ?
    My point is: I don't want the real affiliate link to be displayed anywhere.
    Or, let me ask you this:
    can you find my affiliate ID from http://lunlun.com/1000? Because it looks to me that I can find yours.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  8. Ecomatrix

    Ecomatrix Well-Known Member

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    #8
    well what u can do is use a HTML redirect like the example below.

    <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
    <html>
    <head>
    <title>Your Page Title</title>
    <meta http-equiv="REFRESH" content="0;url=http://www.the-domain-you-want-to-redirect-to.com"> </HEAD>
    <BODY>
    Optional page text here.
    </BODY>
    </HTML>

    and to give it an extra layer of security you can encrypt this further using a small program called HTML guardian
     
    Ecomatrix, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  9. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #9
    I tried that. It displays http://www.the-domain-you-want-to-redirect-to.com in the address bar, which I desperately want to avoid.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  10. Ecomatrix

    Ecomatrix Well-Known Member

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    #10
    i think what ur looking to do is mask the URL in the address bar aswell... i been trying myself to do something like this but without much successs....

    im sure someone will know
     
    Ecomatrix, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  11. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #11
    From my point of view, the method used for http://lunlun.com/1000
    is kind of success : it does everything I wanted. What do you think?
    That is, what's wrong about it, from your point of view?


    I look forward to see his/her opinion.
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  12. MikeCollins

    MikeCollins Peon

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    #12
    In you htaccess file, add a line like this:

    Redirect /merchant http://www.merchantsite.com/aff-link

    then whenever someone clicks on a link to yoursite.com/merchant they'll automatically be redirected to http://www.merchantsite.com/aff-link

    It'll be seemless from the visitors point of view and you'll be hiding your aff link from commission plunderers. :)
     
    MikeCollins, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  13. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #13
    Doing as you said, the link
    http://www.merchantsite.com/aff-link
    will appear in the address bar. Well, I don't want that :)
    Do you know a method without revealing the link?
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  14. Hades

    Hades Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Use domain masking. Godaddy has it. I am not sure about other registrars.

     
    Hades, Dec 27, 2007 IP
  15. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #15
    ForumJoiner, Dec 28, 2007 IP
  16. Hades

    Hades Well-Known Member

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    #16
    You are going to need one domain for each link that you forward/mask.
     
    Hades, Dec 28, 2007 IP
  17. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #17
    I don't understand one thing. The method I use for
    http://lunlun.com/1000
    works for unlimited affiliate links, hides the affiliate id, does not require JavaScript, is offered free to everyone and
    yet people are constantly introduce methods that don't do at least one of the above, without telling me what's missing from my method in the first place. Because, if anything is not missing, why not use it?
    Or, it's something obvious for everyone except me :)
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 28, 2007 IP
  18. Hades

    Hades Well-Known Member

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    #18
    Doesn't the method you use do it for sub domains, or like domains not on the main page?

    Places like ezinearticles don't allow you to have the link redirect from a subdomain or a subdirectory.
     
    Hades, Dec 28, 2007 IP
  19. ForumJoiner

    ForumJoiner Active Member

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    #19
    I see.
    "You declare that you will not send in any articles with direct affiliate links in them. We reject articles with direct affiliate links. It is ok, however, forward/redirect to an affiliate link from the top-level of a domain name you own. For example, it is permissible to forward to an affiliate link from:
    http://your-company-name.com/".
    Point taken. There is a solution, using free domains, though.

    I see a lot of affiliate links using TinyURL, which doesn't hide the affiliate ID. What's the point of using them, if they don't hide the id?
     
    ForumJoiner, Dec 28, 2007 IP
  20. Hades

    Hades Well-Known Member

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    #20
    Hades, Dec 28, 2007 IP