Google adwords recently introduced Final URL in place of destination URL and for new ads which are created destination URL is not even available, you are required to fill in the Final URL.
The issue with usage of Final URL is that final URL domain should be same as that of the display URL on the ad. For this reason I believe I can't do any more direct linking on Google Adwords as for direct linking, my display URL is the merchant URL (or advertiser URL) but my Final URL needs to be the affiliate tracking link (obtained from CPA network or my tracking software).
Am I true in my conclusion that based on this new change, direct linking on Google Adwords is now officially dead?
Google support link regarding this change from Destination URL to Final URL: https://support.google.com/adwords/a...243-3428592418
You can setup a tracking template url. Clicks will be directed to that url, clicks need to redirect to the final url from there on.
Something like that will never come into effect.
The fact is everyone, including huge legitimate brands, track advertising campaigns on domains separate to their site's.
It's common sense and standard practice, so you simply can't lock users to having the same domain for ads and final destination. They can of course do this for 'small' people to lock out affiliates and performance marketers but there is generally always a direct workaround with a little bit of technical input.