Clean links

[Gregory]

I have ever read a review on an affiliate product, on which the author provides both a 'clean link' (a direct link to the product's webpage) and his own affiliate link. Do you think it is a good marketing strategy?

[MattBarthorp]

I have ever read a review on an affiliate product, on which the author provides both a 'clean link' (a direct link to the product's webpage) and his own affiliate link. Do you think it is a good marketing strategy?

Its a style used by many affiliate marketers actually. In an article about a particular niche they sprinkle a mixture of such links, but they make sure that the affiliate link is added where there is a wide possibility of someone clicking it. Its task is over once it is clicked (until the cookie stays active), the only task that remains is to convince the visitor to click on the clean links and make a purchase.

[travis]

"Clean link" is new terminology to me. With a clean link, is the affiliate tracking code embedded as it is in a regular affiliate link but not included as part of the URL? I thought affiliates had to be very precise in the link that used to ensure accurate tracking and credit to them for the purchase.

[WebbishFaren]

A clean link is tracked differently, but the affiliate still gets his or her commission. It's true that there's no affiliate tracking in the website URL itself, but the affiliate is tracked through the referring affiliate's website.

[keatons_flat]

The premise behind the clean link is that some people will prefer to go directly to the company and bypass the affiliate, erroneously thinking that they will get a better deal. In actuality, those who are "fans" of your website or know of you might actually prefer to use your affiliate link to reward you.

[newebster]

I agree that this strategy is used by many affiliate marketers, and it actually is a good strategy. Marketers use it to tell the readers that the products they recommend are really worth it and they are not just trying encourage a purchase to get shared revenue from that.

[CristR]

A clean link is tracked differently, but the affiliate still gets his or her commission. It's true that there's no affiliate tracking in the website URL itself, but the affiliate is tracked through the referring affiliate's website.

It's interesting and new to me. So the affiliate would still get the commission even if the user used the clean link to go to the product owner's webpage? How does it work?

[Allegro]

It is a good strategy, but I think it is a bit risky. What if most of your visitors chose the clean link for the reason Keatons Flat has mentioned above?