Is there a method to detect if the cookies used by your affiliates are being blocked? I know that Spybot adds rules to both Internet Explorer and Firefox to block cookies from affiliates such as Commission Junction and Linkshare. I'm sure there are other ad-blocking programs that proactively block cookies. Not sure how old this article is, there is no date given, but it has a big list of ad-blocking programs and which cookies they detect: http://www.vinnylingham.com/specialreports/cookiedetections/#results Then, consider this: Spybot has been downloaded 105,035,491 from download.com, 8,303,608 from pcworld.com, not to mention all the other download sites out there and safer-networking themselves. Makes one wonder just how many commissions websites that use CPA ads are losing. Of course you can't prevent users from scanning their computers and manually deleting cookies. But, if you can detect that the affiliate cookies are being blocked and give the visitor a prompt, it could be just one less lost commission. Does anyone use this type of cookie detection or know how this could be implemented?
ahhhhh lots of things get rid of cookies... like the browsers themselves if the end user has any idea about security and deletes private details or uses ie8 in porno-mode but why worry about it? most users are too dumb to even install antivirus software because if they did then thered be no virus problems right?
I think I may have come up with a solution. The technique would require implementation efforts by both affiliate and publisher. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of a developer or manager at some of my affiliates tomorrow to discuss whether this strategy would be feasible and if they would be willing to implement it.
Okay. I have contacted one of my affiliates and they will likely be setting up a sandbox where I can test the implementation of the solution I suggested.
this is quite interesting. Cookies seems to be FAR outdated method that affiliate networks use...I wonder if they can implement some new technology (I heard of TOKENS I just don't know if they can be implemented into affiliate marketing). Really, really interesting link you posted.