Is it okay to mask affiliate links using for example .com/go/casino ?

[Akelu]

Hey people

I am in the process of constructing a very user valuable website which will offer reviews for bitcoin gaming websites.

I was planning on using a plugin such as pretty links that allows you to easily maintain and track outgoing affiliate links.

I was planning on using a method for redirection where the outgoing link looks like http://domain.com/go/casino

Is this going to get me penalized by google?

I will ONLY be using it on the 'visit' buttons on the reviews themselves, and the buttons will only ever be on pages that are completely relevant to the outgoing site.

Only thing is i read that masking/tricking google can get you punished but i also read its fine as long as the links your masking are completely relevant and are not deceiving users.

Also, should i no-follow those links?

Thanks
Matt

[universal4]

Yes masking affiliate links is actually PREFRRED, but you do not have to use a plugin to do so, but many do use that slower method.

A simple php page with the header location and the affiliate link in a folder restricted by robots text file is much much faster (since there does NOT have to be a database lookup) but there are a number of plugins that will do what you want also.

Rick
Universal4

[TheGooner]

Yes it's OK. And as Universal says - practical too (when it comes to needing to change link formats).
There currently is no penalty applied by SEs (that we know of).

[golfbettingsystem]

I use .htaccess to manage and no follow on all affiliate links, updating is a piece of cake that way. Sure Google have 'encouraged' use of no follow on all affiliate links in the past.

[gaffg]

Do it for the reasons of staying organized, you use that link for your brands and on multiple pages and locations. If the program makes you change the link, you don't have to go searching for all of your tracking links.

[Akelu]

Thanks guys, i have decided to go with the plugin pretty links pro, i will be signed up to many affiliate pages and it would be handy to be able to change all the links from one central spot, also good for tracking.

[MMM]

Just to second Universal, a simple /go/ folder with one line of code php files will do the work. Up to you of course.

[DanHorvat]

Yes it's ok.

But don't open in new window or new tab, as it will get blocked.

[MMM]

Yes it's ok.

But don't open in new window or new tab, as it will get blocked.

Dan, I've noticed that only the ones with "ads" or similar in the link are getting blocked no?

[DanHorvat]

There was an entire thread about this issue:
https://www.gpwa.org/forum/affiliate...er-223777.html

[MMM]

yes, i read. I'm just saying that haven't seen any other link blocked so far besides the ones with ads etc in the url.

[DanHorvat]

And what do you mean by "ads in the URL"?

[MMM]

The brands that i've noticed that are blocked are the ones that have links like: xhttp://ads.mrgreen.... , xhttp://ads.annapartners.com...

[DanHorvat]

Perhaps that's one of the many red flags in the Adblock engine, but the root of the problem is the opening of a new window or tab. Even the URLs containing the word "ads" won't get blocked if they're opened in the same window.