Overview
A Direct Tracking Link is an alternative to the standard HopLink that allows affiliates to send traffic directly to a seller’s landing page while still tracking affiliate attribution. Unlike HopLinks, Direct Tracking Links do not use a redirect, which can be beneficial for affiliates whose traffic sources restrict redirected links. This direct approach helps ensure a smoother experience for both affiliates and their audiences.
For Direct Tracking Links to be available to affiliates, a seller must have the Attribution Tracking Script added to their landing pages and allow Direct Tracking Links in their settings.
Related: Attribution Tracking Script
Direct Tracking Link Format
A Direct Tracking Link is a link that goes directly to a seller’s landing page that contains the Attribution Tracking Script. The Attribution Tracking Script works alongside the affiliate link to ensure proper attribution.
A Direct Tracking Link consists of the seller’s landing page URL with affiliate information appended as a parameter:
Example:
Like Standard HopLinks, Direct Tracking Links can include tracking parameters to capture key details about your promotions and carry them through the purchase process.
Example with tracking parameters:
Related: Affiliate Tracking Parameters
Direct Tracking Links may also use an encrypted format to conceal the affiliate’s account nickname. In this case, the affiliate information is appended as a shield value:
Example (Shielded format):
How Direct Tracking Links Work
Before Direct Tracking Links can work correctly, the seller must add the Attribution Tracking Script to their landing page. Once the script is in place, the process works like this:
A potential customer clicks a Direct Tracking Link and arrives on the seller’s landing page.
The tracking script runs, sending attribution information to ClickBank, creating a tracking cookie, and generating a hopId.
The tracking script updates the URL and payment links to include the hopId.
When the customer clicks a payment link, the order form loads with the hopId in the URL. ClickBank then confirms affiliate attribution using the tracking cookie, fingerprint, and hopId.
Identifying Offers that Support Direct Tracking Links
Direct Tracking Links are only available for sellers who have implemented the Attribution Tracking Script on their landing pages and enabled Direct Tracking Links in their settings.
To ensure Direct Tracking Links function correctly in the ClickBank platform, ClickBank automatically scans seller landing pages listed in our system to verify the presence of the Attribution Tracking Script. If the script is detected and the seller has enabled Direct Tracking Links, affiliates will have the option to generate Direct Tracking Links in the Create Affiliate Link tool within the Marketplace and Affiliate Link Tools.
Related: Attribution Tracking Script
Creating Direct Links in the Marketplace
Sellers who support Direct Tracking Links are marked with a Direct Tracking Link indicator in the Marketplace. Affiliates can also filter Marketplace results to show only offers that support Direct Tracking Links by selecting the Direct Offer Tracking filter under the Affiliate Resources section.
To create a Direct Tracking Link from the ClickBank Marketplace:
Log in to your ClickBank account and click Affiliate Marketplace in the left navigation menu.
(Optional) Filter offers by Direct Link Tracking.
Find the offer you want to promote and click Promote.
Note: Offers that support Direct Links will display a "Direct Link Tracking" indicator.
Enter your affiliate nickname.
If the seller supports Direct Offer Tracking for the selected landing page, you will see the option to generate either a Direct Link or a HopLink. Select Direct Link to use this format.
Creating Direct Links in Affiliate Link Tools
To create a Direct Tracking Link from Affiliate Link Tools:
Log in to your ClickBank account and click Affiliate Link Tools in the left navigation menu.
Go to the Create tab.
Enter your affiliate account nickname and the seller's account nickname, then click Next.
Select Direct Link to change the link format.
Note: If the seller has not implemented the Attribution Tracking Script and enabled Direct Tracking Links, the option to generate a Direct Link will not be available.
Disabling Direct Tracking Links
Sellers who do not want affiliates to use Direct Tracking Links can disable this option by unchecking the "Enable Direct Tracking Links" checkbox in their account settings. When disabled:
Affiliates will not have the option to generate Direct Tracking Links in the HopLink Generator.
The Marketplace will not indicate that Direct Tracking is available for that seller.
Any existing Direct Tracking Links will not provide attribution and will redirect to an error page instead of tracking the affiliate's referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Direct Tracking Links handle suspended or blocked affiliates?
When an affiliate is suspended or blocked from promoting a seller, standard HopLinks—which go through a redirect—allow us to prevent their traffic from reaching the seller’s page entirely. However, with Direct Tracking Links, the visitor will reach the seller’s page before any checks occur. Once the page loads, the tracking script will verify if the affiliate is blocked or suspended. If they are, the script will then redirect the visitor to an appropriate error page.
What is the difference between a Direct Tracking Link and a Standard Hoplink?
A Direct Tracking Link allows affiliates to send traffic directly to a seller’s landing page without using a redirect, while a HopLink routes traffic through ClickBank’s servers before landing on the seller’s page. Direct Tracking Links are beneficial for traffic sources that restrict redirects.
Do Direct Tracking Links require the Attribution Tracking Script?
Yes. Direct Tracking Links will not work without the Attribution Tracking Script installed on the seller’s landing page. The script ensures that affiliate attribution is properly tracked by passing a hopId through the URL and creating a tracking cookie.
Do I have to enable Direct Tracking Links to benefit from the Attribution Tracking Script?
No. Even if you don’t enable Direct Tracking Links, the Attribution Tracking Script improves standard HopLink tracking by reducing lost attributions due to browser switching, cleared cookies, or blocked tracking methods.
Related: Attribution Tracking Script
How do I know if a seller supports Direct Tracking Links?
Sellers who allow Direct Tracking Links have a Direct Link Tracking indicator in the ClickBank Marketplace. Affiliates can also filter offers by Direct Link Tracking to find sellers that support this option.
Can I still track additional parameters like source and campaign with Direct Tracking Links?
Yes. Direct Tracking Links support additional tracking parameters, just like HopLinks. You can append parameters such as traffic_source, campaign, and aff_sub1 to track key details of your promotions.
Related: Affiliate Tracking Parameters
What happens if a seller disables Direct Tracking Links?
If a seller disables Direct Tracking Links, affiliates will no longer see the option to generate them in the Affiliate Link Tools or Marketplace, and all affiliate traffic must go through standard HopLinks.
Additional Resources & Related Articles
KNOWLEDGE BASE: Affiliate Tracking Parameters
KNOWLEDGE BASE: HopLinks Guide