I've read this thread very closely and will give my 2-cents worth, without referencing anyone in particular, but the gist of my post will tell you who I think is correct and who is not so correct.
I've conducted an experiment on using Linkbuck, Adfly, Tinyurl, Yourls, in various combinations.
My conclusion is this:
1. It's nonsense that Adfly, Linkbucks or its clones care about whether there is referrer or no referrer
2. Both Adfly and Linkbucks and similar programs have a very bad practice and that is they SHAVE TRAFFIC.
The simple and complex answer are the same. Such programs JUST CHEAT YOU OF YOUR UNIQUE TRAFFIC.
My experience and I've ample proof of that, is that Adfly and Linkbucks (and definitely similar clones) not only
shave your unique traffic, they SHAVE THE TRAFFIC BY AT LEAST HALF.
These are pseudo scams, if you ask me, for they do play around with your traffic figures. I've documented all
unique traffic from the start of the sequence till the click-through to the destination and I know for a fact now
that these programs are just not your ordinary trust-worthy partners in business. You do all the hard work and
they pocket the adverts revenue and just give you something small to keep you motivated, but when you realized
that your unique traffic is high and yet they cheat you, how do you feel? But there's nothing you can do about that.
Don't play by their rules, then don't rely on them as a business partner. They always screw you. Just know that
and you'll be alright with the screwing, I guess.