No sign up tracking in apps - What can we do?

[TheDane]

Hi,

I have struggled to convince several of our partners why its a massive problem they promote their own app in the top of the mobile site. So far none of our partners offers tracking in apps for new players, and its a massive problem if you ask me.

I would love to link directly to a bookmaker in the app store, but for now I guess I just have to wait for the bookmakers to find a way to fix the problem (maybe in 2020...).

However, the real problem for me at the moment is that the bookmakers promote their own apps on the top of the mobile sites. I dont know how many of my leads who clicks on the "download in app store" button, but one is one too many. And every single sign up in the app is with no tracking what so ever.

Am I the only one with this problem? I have recommended they make an affiliate link with a LP with no "download app" button in the top. So far nothing has happened.

Its the same problem for Poker (and casino). For Poker its an even bigger problem, as you need to download the client in the app store to play. So you will 100/100 times make a new a lead for the partner in the app with no tracking.

Here is an example of a danish bet365 LP with "download in app store"

[Leo]

I agree, it's a massive problem when promoting any site that uses apps.

There's a very good chance we're sending traffic that converts but with no tracking and no advantage to us as affiliates.

My only solution is to put zero time and effort into marketing to mobile devices, which is a pity since it's a constantly growing source of traffic.

[TheDane]

Hi Leo,

We have a very limited range of bookmakers to choose from in Denmark due to the licenses. It makes it hard at the moment to get rid of partners who dont care about the basic of affiliation (not that I would get rid of bet365, they will remain a top partner for us).

What I dont get is why the managers dont fight harder to make sure we get tracked all players. If I dont get a new player, my manager will not get a new player (less bonus for the manager). The suggestion I got from my manager today was to inform my leads not to sign up in the app.... Not sure if he was joking

All I ask for is a LP with no app download in the top. I guess I need to make sure to have a written contract with new partners to avoid things like this.

Do any of you know if any partners offers tracking for new players in google play and the app store (or if it's possible at all)?

[LukeC]

It is possible through many app tracking solutions to offer affiliates to link directly to the iOS app store and track customers back to them. Operators do this and have been able to for ~3 years now. It's just up to the operator if they offer this and most don't: normal affiliates don't want to send traffic direct to the app store, and affiliate departments aren't responsible for or interested in CPI deals.

The issue is that it's almost impossible to integrate "as standard" affiliate tracking through apps in a cost effective manner - the adserving costs to use app tracking solutions are far too prohibitive for any companies to have all their affiliate links trafficked through the app download tracking solution - which is what you'd need currently.

[TheGooner]

Operators have benefited hugely from the move to mobile particularly around untagged players and many are willfully delaying as long a possible -- pretending an ignorance of the situation because it benefits them so hugely.

Turkeys don't look forward Christmas or Thanksgiving ... and Operators don't quickly change a system that provides such a rich rewards stream.

[TheDane]

For me it would be a great selling point if a new partner would be able to offer this. Way better then "hey, promote us and you will earn lots of money" kind of emails I get from new partners...

But as you say, it might be to expensive at the moment. But also a huge potential for first movers?

I might be biased as I (also) run a livescore site, but I am pretty sure it would work great for that kind of traffic with a very high conversion rate.

So, if any bookmakers out there offers tracking in the app store / google play and are going to get a Danish license, please feel free to PM me.

[Sherlock]

I have discussed this with my dev (it is possible he is not right) and he said that android (not ios) should be able to read cookies from browser. But I guess they do not try, do they?

[LukeC]

I have discussed this with my dev (it is possible he is not right) and he said that android (not ios) should be able to read cookies from browser. But I guess they do not try, do they?

I'd be shocked if this isn't tracking fine with every company. That would be predatory imo, because it's the same cookie space and you'd have to actively prevent the cookie from being read.

[Sherlock]

So I am probably confusing two things? I thought what I wrote in my last post was exactly the issue. Maybe I forgot one word "app" that changed the meaning. I meant he said the android app should be able to read the cookie from browser.

[LukeC]

The issue is iOS apps. Android apps are fine.

The Apple app store is a different cookie space to the web. Thus there's no way for something stored in a web cookie (i.e. in Safari) to be read by an iOS app.

Previously there were solutions such as opening a Safari browser window on launch of the app, but Apple don't permit that any more and won't let apps into their store that have such a functionality.

That's not the case on Android, as your dev said - as it is the same cookie space.

[tzar]

How is the affiliate tracking usually implemented for visitors who are supposed to download a desktop Windows application and sign up through the application? This is the most likely scenario for poker traffic. Also, some casinos still have desktop apps.

Some poker sites insert the tracking data into the exe file you download. This might be the best (most reliable) approach when the site has control over all resources, not just linking to a static installer package in an official store. Would it be possible to do the same with gambling Android APKs, since they are usually not stored in google play?

Anyway, the real question is - are there any aff programs on gpwa that do track visitors who install mobile apps (at least Android) and how they do that?

[Sherlock]

The issue is iOS apps. Android apps are fine.

The Apple app store is a different cookie space to the web. Thus there's no way for something stored in a web cookie (i.e. in Safari) to be read by an iOS app.

Previously there were solutions such as opening a Safari browser window on launch of the app, but Apple don't permit that any more and won't let apps into their store that have such a functionality.

That's not the case on Android, as your dev said - as it is the same cookie space.

Damn me. I bought a mobile phone just few months ago, still not sure what are the apps good for (yes, stealing cookies). Thanks for detailed explanation, I omited the app store in OP post (which maybe meant apple not app).

This is **** indeed, but than god it affects only minority of traffic (but that minority players will probably have higher value per player, bc they can buy expensive phones)

[TheDane]

I have just received this email from PokerStars (of all brands)

"We are pleased to announce that PokerStars Partners has now launched its new and improved affiliate tracking for players who register via the PokerStars Mobile Client. Please resume promoting PokerStars to mobile traffic sources again as we’ll be able to accurately track the players that you deliver to us on the mobile platform. The new mobile tracking launch covers IOS and Android platforms only. Additions of Window Mobile and more will be added in the future.

How will it work?

When a player clicks on any PokerStars link or banner on a mobile device they will be re-directed to our PokerStars mobile site where they can download the app for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® or Android™ devices. Once the player downloads, installs and creates an account on the mobile client, they will automatically be tracked to the relevant affiliate who referred them."


If they can fix it, I am sure the rest will follow very soon. So this is very good news if you ask me.

[Leo]

If they can fix it, I am sure the rest will follow very soon.

The rest won't follow very soon, the situation has been like this for at least 5 years and they simply don't care.

I often report major BUGS to affiliate programs and they don't care. So long as they keep making their money, most programs make minimal effort to appease their affiliates.

Sure they might make a custom banner or code, but as soon as actual PROGRAMMING is necessary they become deaf and make zero action. Pessimist, or realist?

[Leo]

thank god it affects only minority of traffic

Nope, since last month more than 51% of people are using phones to access the internet. That's over 51% of your traffic being stolen by the vast majority of affiliate programs due to inadequate tracking solutions.

Mobile stats:

http://gs.statcounter.com/press/mobi...time-worldwide

Also previously in this thread it has been stated that the tracking problem doesn't exist on Android, but that's simply wrong. According to the official Android developer documentation:

For obvious security reasons, your application has its own cache, cookie store etc.—it does not share the Browser application's data.

[TheDane]

Just got an email from Unibet. They now offer direct links to the app store with aff-tracking. Google Play should follow in the next few months. It would be great if they also would do the same as PokerStars, but I guess it will come later.

I will test it very soon and let you know how it works.

[Voids]

Would love to hear comments from Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Coral , Betfred and Totesport. If anyone has good contacts could they point them to this thread. With more and more traffic going mobile, and the google "mobile first" ranking updates. This is a HUGE issue.

[TheDane]

I told my bet365 manager about the PokerStars email last week. They still dont have any info regarding tracking, but I guess they will look at it very soon. Unibet is a big competitor in Scandinavia.

[TheDane]

Oh, and btw. The Unibet tracking is done through Netrefer.

[baldidiot]

Just got an email from Unibet. They now offer direct links to the app store with aff-tracking. Google Play should follow in the next few months. It would be great if they also would do the same as PokerStars, but I guess it will come later.

I will test it very soon and let you know how it works.

Separate app tracking isn't that helpful though as it still doesn't cover people who visit the site then wander off to the app. Ideally we need tracking that carries through from site to app as well.