So I started into AM about 3 months ago - just eating up lots of info until last week where I started my first real campaign (in fact I started 6 different offers and 6 different campaigns). After a couple of days of running traffic I found a couple of the aps that did OK just via direct linking (like -30% ROI) I have been running traffic and optimizing and had some green days (barely green but green). Suddenly the last couple days my conversions have dropped off (could just be a Monday Tuesday thing) but I do remember reading something about Affiliate Networks copying what you are doing if you don't do DMR and using it themselves.
I do have DMR switched on but just wondering if for direct linking is there any other option to cloak my traffic and optimization so it can't be copied? I know DMR isn't perfect at hiding everything so just curious as to other options. Everything is white hat so I'm not overly concerned about what i'm sending just that they can cut me out easily. Thank you for any information - it is appreciated.
PS this isn't a thread about how Landing Pages are way better - I am still learning the ins and outs and slowly trying to learn how to rip landers etc so for the next month or two (or three) I will probably just keep direct linking to get more familiar with optimization and general stuff on
Aff networks can indeed reverse engineer your funnels to some extent, if they really want to a lot, but re-read what you wrote here : You were running -30% campaign that touched the green a bit - do you really think they would risk their reputation and steal campaigns like this? If they were to copy your funnels, they would surely pick something with large ROI and not negative campaigns. On top of that, since you are directlinking, what could they actually copy - all the small sources from the mix you are probably buying?
Traffic sources or hosted trackers can pose much bigger threat, that's why I never recommend sending postbacks to traffic sources for example, but I still think this problem is a bit exaggerated. If you want to protect what you are running, look into cloaking. But I think your problem is somewhere else, you were most likely just outbid by a competitor or the advertiser scrubbed some of your leads.
Thank you - I do realize that in this instance I don't have anything to worry about - I was more interested in cloaking but everything I seem to see is more related to landing pages and cloaking and not so much direct linking. If anyone has any info let me know and if your too busy to help a new guy just PM me and I am happy to pay for your time. Cheers!
You just started your campaign 1 week ago, so honestly, unless you are doing 1k+ and have super high quality, the chances of your campaigns being copied from the network are slim. STOP worrying about all these distractions and focus on the big picture.
As far as having some days in the red is just the nature of the game. Some networks don't approve campaigns over the weekend, so come Monday you have lots of competition which may explain low CV on Mondays. And just remember one thing, just because you are doing 50% ROI with $50 spent doesn't mean your will do 50%ROI with $500 spent. Heck you may even do 100%ROI, it difficult to predict and traffic can be very inconsistent depending on the competition coming and going. The key is to keep pushing more and more traffic while optimizing systematically ...