Affiliate Networks Reverse Engineer Your Campaigns

Discussion in 'Affiliate Programs' started by wheninrome, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. Jul 8, 2008
    #1
    wheninrome

    wheninrome Newbie

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    Due to removing my http refferer data using meta refreshes and other methods the affiliates networks are always asking for my traffic sources.

    So sick and tired of these guys trying to reverse engineer my business so they can run the campaigns themselves (yes they do this all the time).

    Any suggestions on maintaining relationships with the networks while not revealing my traffic sources?
     
  2. Jul 8, 2008
    #2
    MaxSteve

    MaxSteve Junior Member

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    Not all networks are looking to screw their affiliates by reverse engineering their campaigns. There are several legitimate reasons why a network might want to know your traffic sources. First, if you are blackhatting and delivering low quality leads, they might have received a complaint from the end merchant, so instead of just booting you, they're trying to get some information from you to appease the merchant. Blank referrers don't tell the network anything, so they have to ask you. Second, a network will ask you about your traffic sources so they can pitch you other campaigns.

    So if you want to maintain/grow your relationships with the network, answer their questions. There are ways to do that without giving away all your secrets. If you are doing PPC, don't say "I'm bidding on the term 'hair loss'", say you are bidding on keywords related to male balding. Even if you aren't doing PPC, there are ways to explain anything without explaining in extreme detail.
     
  3. Jul 9, 2008
    #3
    crsk8andsno56

    crsk8andsno56 Senior Member

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    To me clickbank is barely a network... They have little to no network quality etc... Its all just e-books mainly from crap users. Not actual offers...

    If your doing well with them then kudo's but they are a huge difference between cpastorm/NBA (NeverBlueads) and them
     
  4. Jul 9, 2008
    #4
    ximscreamingx

    ximscreamingx Power Member

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    You should be speaking with your affiliate managers on a regular, regardless of you being blackhat or whitehat. Like FromaNetwork said, they aren't really out to fuck you (some are), but rather doing their jobs.

    If they remain persistent in knowing where your traffic is coming from, just ask them if there has been a complaint from a merchant. If there has been, then you are not doing a great job covering your tracks. If not, then simply tell them you are not obligated to identify your sources.

    Xim