Just curious if any affiliates out there are in the habit of hiding their affiliate links and traffic sources using 3rd party software or PHP scripts so that affiliate managers can't see where you send traffic from?
This specifically caught my attention
http://www.xbiz.com/news/108251T3Report 5.0 will offer a new feature called Affiliate Analysis, which will help affiliate managers mine data from their affiliates' linking structures.
Personally I feel its imperative for any affiliate who drives traffic, from outside sources especially, to hide their affiliate links
For one if the links change, like they will with CCBill's new interface, it's much easier to change URLs from within the program than go site by site.
And two, using a script or even more dedicated software you hide your traffic source and don't pass any referral info to the affiliate company or managers who often have their own sites.
Might as well tell put a sign and tell them where the money is.
I've read the stories of affiliate companies or managers insisting they know where someone's traffic came from that generated big sales numbers. Days later affiliate finds their landing pages ripped off or the company who's product they advertised became direct competitor.
How do you hide your affiliate URLs and traffic sources? Any particular software you're using?
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