I actually kind of hope this is the problem becuase the way I understand it, this is illegal. Impeding on business on something which would make Microsoft change it. If I am understanding correctly. Then it should be back to normal. This would certainly explain everything becuase last I heard 70% internet users are using IE. Stupid! I agree with you FIREFOX is da bestt!
Last time I heard, IE8 only blocks cookies when they come from another site other then the user is currently on. So if the user is browsing test.com and test.com sets a cookie, there is no problem but if the user is browsing test.com and clickbank.com sets a cookie, then it is blocked. So it actually blocks 3rd party cookies This is a default IE8 setting. But like I said, I only "heard" this from someone so can't say for sure But if IE8 is really going to block cookies by default, I think affiliate marketing will die out soon (which I don't really believe either so...).
if its true then obviously no cloaking will help. i wonder however how it will distinguish between a normal session cookie and affiliate cookie. does it simply clear the referral id or it checks the cookie against some database? if its true, we'll soon find out. either way there must be a way around this.
if it works like you say then its actually even better for average white hat affiliate. this would be the end of cookie stuffing
Yes but it will also block white hat affiliate cookies. Because if you promote productX and the user clicks from your site to go to the productX website, it's a clickbank cookie (3rd party cookie in the eyes of IE8) that is set. BUT IE8 blocks that cookie at that moment so no commission for the white hat affiliate (you) either...
if user clicks the link on your site he's no longer on your site but on clickbanks site first then redirected to the sales page so it should be fine in this case. look at your affiliate link, it points to clickbank.
Anyone got IE8 that can test it out? Anyways it would NOT be a smart move for IE8 or whatever version to block cookies such a clickbank's (1st party cookies). Just remember folks that cookies are a "feature" for a website, they can be of real value and give people a better browsing experience. So, IE8 blocking cookies per default would be a bad thing for people that use that browser, which will result in people using other alternatives
On the flip side I'm sure a lot of of the eBook publishers are grinning very happily right now. Imagine a sudden boost of 75% profit!
There has always been concern that pixels and cookies are at risk of browser failure, 3rd party cookie deletion, or rejection due to security settings – ultimately affecting your affiliate payments. Microsoft has been working on increasing the security of IE for quite awhile. IE8 offers a new feature called “InPrivateâ€. InPrivate gives users more control over how their browser information is saved and shared. Of course this not only impacts Clickbank, but all other Affiliate programs that rely on cookies for commissions. Zeek