Overview
Direct Offer Tracking is an affiliate tracking and attribution method that enables affiliates to promote ClickBank offers using the offer page URL as an alternative to the traditional HopLink tracking method.
Related: HopLinks Guide
Direct Offer Tracking relies on a tracking script implemented by sellers on their offer page. This modern tracking method allows affiliates to promote using the seller's offer page URL rather than a HopLink which relies on a redirect through ClickBank servers (hop.clickbank.net). The resulting experience has a variety of benefits for the seller and affiliates including a smoother and more direct customer experience.
NOTE: Direct Offer Tracking will not function without the seller first implementing the tracking script onto their offer page.
This article contains the following sections:
- Direct Offer Tracking Benefits for Affiliates
- How does Direct Offer Tracking work for affiliates?
- How to Find Offers That Support Direct Offer Tracking
- Creating a Direct Offer Tracking Link Using Affiliate Link Tools
- Using Tracking ID (TID) with Direct Offer Tracking Links
- Testing Your Direct Offer Tracking Link
- Reporting for Direct Offer Tracking
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Additional Resources & Related Articles
Direct Offer Tracking Benefits for Affiliates
While the HopLink is still a tried and true attribution method, Direct Offer Tracking on ClickBank was created to navigate an ever changing technological world and to provide affiliates with an additional promotional method that may be preferred across select channels.
Here are a few of the benefits for affiliates using Direct Offer Tracking:
- Enables affiliate tracking without HopLinks
- Potentially improved conversions with streamlined user experience
- Improved affiliate tracking technology, offering increased protection against browser switching and cookie clearing
- An alternative tracking method that does not utilize multiple redirects
- Easy to use
- Fully compatible with existing ClickBank tracking features, including affiliate encryption to protect against spyware
Improvements in Affiliate Tracking Technology
The Offer Tracking Script provides new attribution technology that enables ClickBank to secure affiliate attribution in cases where attribution may otherwise be lost, resulting in better results.
This advancement is applicable to both HopLink and Direct Tracking Link traffic as long as the Seller has implemented the ClickBank Offer Tracking script. For these reasons, we strongly recommend all sellers implement the Offer Tracking Script onto their offer pages.
Most notably, Affiliates who promote on ad platforms with mobile apps, like Facebook and TikTok, are likely to experience better conversion rates when promoting sellers who have integrated our tracking script on their offer page(s) based on this improved technology supported by the tracking script.
How does Direct Offer Tracking work for affiliates?
The first step that must be completed for an affiliate to use Direct Offer Tracking is the implementation of the Direct Offer Tracking Script by the seller onto their offer page (the page where the seller’s payment links are located). If the offer tracking script has not been implemented by the Seller on their offer page, affiliates do not have the option to promote with direct offer tracking.
Related: Direct Offer Tracking for Sellers
Once a seller has implemented the tracking script and enabled Direct Offer Tracking in the My Site section of their nickname account, their marketplace listing will indicate that affiliates can promote using direct offer tracking.
However, if a seller implements the tracking script and only wants to offer it to select affiliates, they can leave the Enable Affiliates to Promote Directly box unchecked. This means their marketplace listing will not indicate that they offer direct offer tracking and it will not be provided as a link option through the Affiliate Link Tools feature.
The offer tracking script that has been implemented on the seller’s offer page works in combination with ClickBank designated URL parameters appended to the affiliate’s promotion URL (direct offer URL) to ensure that attribution is provided.
The affiliate utilizes the offer page URL and appends the ClickBank designated URL query parameters to pass the affiliate information required for attribution. When a potential customer clicks on the affiliate link, they are directed to the seller’s offer page. This is where the ClickBank tracking script inspects the URL, identifies the affiliate, creates a Hop, and runs additional actions to maintain and ensure affiliate attribution.
Here’s what a direct offer link looks like compared to a HopLink:
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Direct Tracking Link URL:
https://coolseller.com/?shield=07695gohog1z5y473jt8x97kf2 -
HopLink:
https://bf298qhln5v0dyfe8jk-n7dgf1.hop.clickbank.net/
Both of these links have been encrypted but, in the HopLink, the seller's brand and domain isn't visible due to the redirect through the ClickBank servers.
How to Find Offers the Support Direct Offer Tracking
Requirements for Direct Offer Tracking
Before an affiliate can begin promoting with a direct tracking link, the seller must first integrate the ClickBank Offer Tracking Script on their offer page. If the seller has not integrated the Offer Tracking Script on their offer page, the only tracking method available to the affiliate is the traditional HopLink.
If you are an affiliate currently promoting for a seller who does not use Direct Offer Tracking, you can reach out and encourage them to implement this script into their offer page. Additionally, if the seller does not wish to offer direct offer tracking to all affiliates they are able to opt out of indicating the offer’s support for Direct Offer Tracking in the ClickBank Marketplace and ClickBank Affiliate Link Tools and allow select affiliates to promote with direct links through one-to-one communication.
Related: Direct Offer Tracking for Sellers
Finding Sellers Who Allow Direct Tracking on ClickBank
If a seller has indicated in their My Site section that they have enabled direct offer tracking for affiliates and has implemented the tracking script, ClickBank technology will identify this and indicate so within the ClickBank Marketplace. This makes finding offers that support direct tracking easy for affiliates.
In the marketplace listing of an offer that supports direct tracking, there will be a "link" icon. Alternatively, affiliates can quickly filter to view offers which support this tracking option by using the “Direct Offer Tracking” filter found within the Affiliate Resources filter section. This data is automatically updated daily based on web-scraping technology so affiliates can trust the information is most accurate up to the day.
Creating a Direct Offer Tracking Link Using Affiliate Link Tools
ClickBank Affiliate Link Tools in both the primary account and in the ClickBank Marketplace have been updated to include an option to generate a Direct Tracking Link (or HopLink) when this option is available. If the offer does not support Direct Offer Tracking, the Affiliate Link Generators will not show an option for the Direct Tracking Link type.
When using the Affiliate Link Generators on the ClickBank platform, the Direct Tracking Link, like the HopLink, will automatically be generated with the encrypted affiliate ID.
Alternatively the seller may provide you with their offer page URL for you to customize with your affiliate tracking information. Similar to HopLinks, the direct tracking URL must contain a reference to the affiliate promoting the offer (either the affiliate ID or encrypted affiliate ID), and optionally may include affiliate tracking IDs.
Related: Using Affiliate Tracking IDs with Direct Offer Tracking Links
Creating a Direct Tracking Link - Primary Account
To create a direct tracking link from your primary account, follow these steps:
Related: <<Updated Affiliate Link Tools Tab Demo>>
Step 1: Log into your ClickBank account and select Affiliate Link Tools from the navigation menu.
Step 2: Select the Create tab.
Step 3: Enter in your affiliate account nickname that you want to promote with and the seller's account nickname. Click Next.
NOTE: If the seller you want to promote has not implemented the tracking script and enabled affiliates for direct tracking, the option to create a direct URL link will not be available.
Step 5: Select which landing page you want your link to go to. Click Preview to view the page in a separate browser window.
NOTE: Some sellers only offer one landing page. Some offer several.
Step 6: Select Direct URL Link from the Link Type box and click Generate Direct Link.
Step 8: Copy this link and use it just like you would a HopLink.
Creating a Direct Tracking Link - ClickBank Marketplace
To create a direct tracking link from the ClickBank Marketplace, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to your ClickBank account and select Affiliate Marketplace from the navigation menu.
Step 2 (optional): Filter offers by Direct Offer Tracking.
Step 3: Find the offer you want to promote and click Promote.
NOTE: Offer listings that have direct offer tracking will include an indicator.
Step 4: Enter in your affiliate account nickname that you want to promote with and the seller's account nickname. If Direct Offer Tracking is supported by the seller for the selected landing page, you will have an option to generate a Direct Tracking Link or a HopLink. Select Direct Tracking Link type and click the button to create to view your encrypted Direct Tracking Link.
Step 5: Copy this link and use it just like you would a HopLink. Testing your affiliate promotion link is highly recommended.
Related: Testing Your Direct Offer Tracking Link
Decoding a Direct Tracking Link
To decode a Direct Tracking Link to view the affiliate and seller account nicknames, use ClickBank Affiliate Link Tools -> Decode feature. Simply copy and paste the Direct Tracking Link into the URL input and click to the button to view unencrypted account nicknames associated with the promotion link.
Encoding a Direct Tracking Link
Direct Tracking Links, like HopLinks, may be in a format where the affiliate account nickname is shown or can be encrypted to hide the affiliate account nickname. Whether encrypted or readable, Direct Tracking Links correctly track the affiliate that referred the sale and ensure commission credit.
However, encrypted Direct Tracking Links, provide protection from bad actors who may want to plagiarize ad content. You can create a shielded direct tracking link with the Encode function in the Affiliate Link Tools.
To encode a direct offer tracking link to shield your affiliate nickname, use ClickBank Affiliate Link Tools -> Encode feature. Simply copy and paste the Direct Tracking Link into the URL input and click to the button to output the Direct Tracking Link with the shielded affiliate value.
We highly encourage you to test that the affiliate promotion URL is tracking as expected, confirming the Hop is recording in ClickBank reporting.
Using Affiliate Tracking IDs with Direct Offer Tracking Links
Affiliate Tracking IDs are optional parameters thats are designed for affiliate tracking needs. Affiliate Tracking IDs can be appended to a direct tracking URL and they will work the same way they do with HopLinks. You can use the Affiliate Tools tab in your primary account or the link creator in the ClickBank Marketplace to use affiliate tracking parameters with your direct tracking link.
Related: Affiliate Tracking Parameters
Testing your Direct Tracking Link
Once the Direct Offer Tracking URL has been configured, we encourage affiliates to test the tracking link by clicking through to the order form and verifying in their reporting that the Hop and order form events have been tracked as expected. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1: Click your direct offer tracking link.
Step 2: Locate and click the Buy Now (or equivalent) button on the seller’s offer page.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the ClickBank Order Form and find the affiliate= value.
NOTE: The value shown is an encrypted value that obscures your affiliate account nickname for security purposes.
Step 4: Copy this value and access the Affiliate Link Tools section of your primary account.
Step 5: Paste the value into the Encrypted HopLink or ID* field. Click Decode.
Step 6: If the information returned is accurate, your direct tracking script is functioning properly.
Step 7: Confirm in your Sales Analytics that the Hop and order form events have been recorded and are being tracked as expected.
Related: Sales Analytics on ClickBank
Reporting for Direct Offer Tracking
Coming soon!
The next phase of Direct Offer Tracking on ClickBank will include the option to view your data based on the tracking method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to “turn on” Direct Tracking in the ClickBank Platform?
No, the direct tracking method will work once the seller has integrated the offer tracking script and the affiliate direct tracking URL has been constructed with the necessary affiliate information required for attribution. We recommend testing the direct tracking link by clicking the promotion link and confirming in Sales Analytics that the Hop event is tracked properly before scaling with the promotion link.
Related: Sales Analytics on ClickBank
What is required for affiliates to use a direct offer tracking link?
The seller is required to implement ClickBank tracking script on their offer page in order for an affiliate to promote using a direct offer tracking link.
Does Affiliate Encryption still work?
Yes, affiliate encryption is supported in Direct Tracking Links, just like it is supported with HopLinks.
Related: Encoding a Direct Tracking Link
Can affiliates still utilize the TID parameter?
Yes, the TID affiliate parameter will work the same as it does on a HopLink. The affiliate will simply append the &tid=[insert-value] to the direct tracking link, which will be detected by the tracking script on the seller's offer page and stored on the Hop event. Additionally, affiliates can now utilize Affiliate Tracking Parameters with their direct offer tracking link.
Related: Affiliate Tracking Parameters
How will I know if I’m promoting an offer using a direct tracking link or HopLink?
Hops will be reported in Sales Analytics when an affiliate uses a direct tracking URL the same way they are reported when using a HopLink.
Related: Reporting for Direct Offer Tracking
What if I don’t want to promote using a direct tracking link?
Affiliates can still use HopLinks to promote your offer. The tracking script has been designed to support both direct offer traffic and HopLink traffic.
Can I promote with HopLinks and Direct Tracking links at the same time?
There are no restrictions that prevent an affiliate from promoting with HopLinks and Direct Tracking links at the same time. The tracking script on the seller's offer page will inspect if the user was redirected through a HopLink or if the traffic is from a direct tracking link and determine if a Hop event should be created. The offer tracking script has been designed to support affiliate traffic from HopLinks and direct tracking links without concern for duplicate Hop events.
Are there any changes required to maintain Pixels, Orders API, and INS functionality?
Order form events, sales, and all transactions will function the same way that they do today. There are no changes at this time.
As an affiliate using a third party for tracking, do I need to make any updates to use the direct tracking link instead of the HopLink?
In most cases, the HopLink can be replaced with the direct tracking link with the same format as used with HopLinks (using the TID URL query parameter to pass the third party tracker click ID to be returned with attributed conversion events) without requiring further updates.
To promote directly to the seller's offer page from an advertising platform (using the direct tracking URL as the destination URL), bypassing the use of an affiliate tracking link or a dedicated affiliate landing page, the engagement of the affiliate tracker in the conversion funnel may be disrupted.
Additional Resources & Related Articles
- <<Updated Affiliate Link Tools Tab Demo>>
- KNOWLEDGE BASE: Direct Offer Tracking for Sellers
- KNOWLEDGE BASE: HopLinks Guide