How To Stop ClickBank Link Theft

1. The Problem

The most pressing concern for ClickBank affiliates is how to prevent a customer from purchasing under their own link and depriving them of their commission.

There are two ways that this happens.

1.1 Affiliate link substitution

An affiliate URL (or hoplink) has the format

http://AFFILIATE.PUBLISHER.hop.clickbank.net

Once the publisher-id is known it is simple for someone to replace the original affiliate-id with their own.

1.2 Affiliate program signup

A potential customer can simply sign up to the affiliate program if it is publicised at the product site and purchase the product himself.

2. The Solution

2.1 Affiliate link substitution

The publisher-id needs to be concealed in the two places where it is visible, namely

- in the order link on the publisher sales page
- in the affiliate URL

2.1.1 Action by the publisher

Don't allow the link to the order page to be seen, viz

http://ITEM.PUBLISHER.pay.clickbank.net

It can be replaced by any of these

• a redirect link

  Create a file called say order.php with this content

  <?php
  header("Location: http://ITEM.PUBLISHER.pay.clickbank.net");
  exit;
  ?>

  and link to order.php

  If your host does not support php use the cloaking code shown at http://clickbank.com/payment_link_faq.html

• a link from an affiliate link management script such as HopGuard
• a link from an affiliate management product such as easyClickMate
• a tracking Url: for recommendations see The Complete Guide to Ad Tracking Programs

2.1.2 Action by the affiliate

Don't show the hoplink, viz

http://AFFILIATE.PUBLISHER.hop.clickbank.net

It can be replaced by any of these

• a redirect link

  Create a file called say product.php with this content

  <?php
  header("Location: http://AFFILIATE.PUBLISHER.hop.clickbank.net");
  exit;
  ?>

  and link to product.php

  If your host does not support php use the cloaking code shown at http://clickbank.com/hoplink_faq.html

• a cloaked link produced by an affiliate cloaking program such as Affiliate Cloner or Affiliate Shield
• a tracking Url: for recommendations see The Complete Guide to Ad Tracking Programs

Alternatively, or even in addition to the above, you can conceal all traces of an affiliate link at a website using covertlinks

NOTE:

This will make re-engineering of the hoplink virtually impossible unless the customer finds the product in the ClickBank MarketPlace or searches for sites of other affiliates where cloaking is not used (a problem solved with easyClickMate).

2.2 Affiliate program signup

Typically there is an overt link to an affiliate signup page worded 'Earn money' or 'Become an affiliate'. There are 3 ways to avoid this:

2.2.1 Reduce the link visibility

Make the link less conspicuous. Put it on an About page or an FAQ page. Or a separate page where search engine indexing is barred. Someone who is really keen to become an affiliate will hunt around for this information.

2.2.2 Restrict the Affiliate Program

Explain that the affiliate program is only open to selected individuals and to write for more information. Also mention that customers are entitled to become affiliates - this is actually a good plus point for your sales copy.

2.2.3 Separate page for affiliate traffic

Have a separate (landing) page for affiliates. This page will have the basic sales copy and order link, whereas on the publisher page you can have any of the 'leaks' to which affiliates object such as

• the blatant affiliate signup link
• use of another payment processor
• subscription to a mailing list or a free report whereby you follow up with other offers
• many external links which distract the visitor from reaching the order page.
• many unrelated products on a page. Note: a common reason for this is that all the products belong to one ClickBank account and affiliates can only be directed to one landing page. This problem is solved with an affiliate management product such as easyClickMate.

Tip: you can use item 1 of your ClickBank acount for the link in the affiliate page and item 2 for the publisher page. This will allow you to detect any genuine affiliate sales where somehow the affiliate has not been credited (the account will show no affiliate for an item 1 sale): you can then follow up with the customer to determine the source of the sale.

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Affiliates please note: if there is a publisher site which you particularly want to promote you can suggest to the publisher that he reads the suggestions on this page. The URL is http://www.clickbankguide.com/linktheft.htm

Also, here is a letter you can use or adapt.

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