Yet Again - Income Access based advertiser links don't work

[Louis - Income Access]

This is simply incredible.

Well said, Sherlock. It's not credible at all.

First - It was clearly outlined earlier in this thread that the "duplicate suppression" process discussed was a fraud prevention system on the client's side. Income Access has absolutely no connection to that process, and the OP knows this. They are simply attempting to stoke the fires.

Second - What the poster is claiming - that our links don't apply a cookie if the user deletes cookies and clicks a link a second time - is simply not true. It's entirely possible that something could be going wrong with the particular link the user is testing with, and if so, that needs to be looked into. If the poster wants to provide the link he used to test this - either publicly or privately, we can test and confirm.

If anyone wants to go ahead and test this for themselves - here is an IA link you can test with:
http://www.incomeaccess.com/processi...tag=a_1b_15058

While it's not necessary to repeat what's already been said - we do consider tracking to be our responsibility and we go above and beyond to provide multiple fail-safes and options for affiliates that are worried about users blocking cookies. For example, our Ad Serving ad-on allows for cookieless tracking. Affiliates can also use bonus codes with many of our clients for additional tracking coverage. We also use session tracking with any of our clients that can support this. So there are a number of options that affiliates can work with their AMs about if they are concerned that standard cookie tracking isn't enough.

[-Shay-]

Well said, Sherlock. It's not credible at all.

First - It was clearly outlined earlier in this thread that the "duplicate suppression" process discussed was a fraud prevention system on the client's side. Income Access has absolutely no connection to that process, and the OP knows this. They are simply attempting to stoke the fires.

Second - What the poster is claiming - that our links don't apply a cookie if the user deletes cookies and clicks a link a second time - is simply not true. It's entirely possible that something could be going wrong with the particular link the user is testing with, and if so, that needs to be looked into. If the poster wants to provide the link he used to test this - either publicly or privately, we can test and confirm.

If anyone wants to go ahead and test this for themselves - here is an IA link you can test with:
http://www.incomeaccess.com/processi...tag=a_1b_15058

While it's not necessary to repeat what's already been said - we do consider tracking to be our responsibility and we go above and beyond to provide multiple fail-safes and options for affiliates that are worried about users blocking cookies. For example, our Ad Serving ad-on allows for cookieless tracking. Affiliates can also use bonus codes with many of our clients for additional tracking coverage. We also use session tracking with any of our clients that can support this. So there are a number of options that affiliates can work with their AMs about if they are concerned that standard cookie tracking isn't enough.

The statement

First - It was clearly outlined earlier in this thread that the "duplicate suppression" process discussed was a fraud prevention system on the client's side. Income Access has absolutely no connection to that process, and the OP knows this. They are simply attempting to stoke the fires.

and

we do consider tracking to be our responsibility and we go above and beyond to provide multiple fail-safes and options for affiliates that are worried about users blocking cookies.

seem to conflict with one another in my opinion.

To me this reads (whether intentional or unintentional) "we'll take credit when things go right but will pass the buck if things do not work exactly as it says on the tin". This opinion of mine can be spun however anyone sees fit - nuff said.

[Sherlock]

I will for sure test all links as time goes.

What I can confirm is exactly what was said in this thread. Some affiliates with IA convert greatly (SIA, fanduel, betboo), some are weird and some, e.g. Coral lately, simply underperform.

I think the system is really a challenge for affiliate managers, who have to keep and set up many things. Even smart guys like Pinnacle have some geo-targetting banners set way off or defunct etc. There are many parts that miss Occam's razor, e.g. preview of the link/landing page that affiliate generates, which does NOT have the affiliate code inside, but still is very long. So once I confused that link and copied it directly, it showed the landing page, but did not give me credit.

There were more issues like this, I can not remember them now. But doing the software should count with common human behavior. E.g. if some link is suspended for whichever reason, I would expect automatic mailing to affected affiliates or if the clicks go to unmetered junk, that junk still can be noted and stored separately and blink as red alert inside of the software (for both affiliates and AM) that there is certain % of traffic going without cookie etc.

OT: all affiliate softwares could be much better.

[webanalysissolutions]

http://www.incomeaccess.com/processi...tag=a_1b_15058

Funny, even this link doesn't set a btag cookie!

[webanalysissolutions]

Second - What the poster is claiming - that our links don't apply a cookie if the user deletes cookies and clicks a link a second time - is simply not true. It's entirely possible that something could be going wrong with the particular link the user is testing with, and if so, that needs to be looked into. If the poster wants to provide the link he used to test this - either publicly or privately, we can test and confirm.

It's completely true. We can test this right in front of our own eyes. We have also verified this with the advertiser in question and we have email confirmation from them telling us that this functionality exists in that if a user deletes cookies then they "assume" that they do not wish to be cookied anymore, so subsequent click throughs do not get tracked.

I'm not going to post tracking links or declare who this advertiser is because I wish to maintain the relationship with them and we're earning good money from historical referrals. It's just annoying IA don't even seem to know their own system and its deficiencies and whenever issues are raised, either publicly or privately there's a common outcome - IA get all defensive and either pass the buck or claim it's nothing to do with them or some other excuse.

There is only one action for an affiliate like ourselves here - that is to move on and advertise other non-IA people and keep those IA advertisers ticking over to maintain our earnings.

We're forgetting the original issue here though - Invalid Link pages. Are you going to tell us these are not credible at all too and avoid fixing the issue?

[Louis - Income Access]

In terms of the original post topic - we have planned an update to our software to respond to feedback we've received. We feel our solution addresses affiliates' suggestions without sacrificing important functionality required for legal reasons. When it is ready to roll out we will post an announcement.

[-Shay-]

In terms of the original post topic - we have planned an update to our software to respond to feedback we've received. We feel our solution addresses affiliates' suggestions without sacrificing important functionality required for legal reasons. When it is ready to roll out we will post an announcement.

What kind of timeline are you looking at to implement this change?

[Louis - Income Access]

Current timeline is to begin building after LAC, so we can discuss with affiliates first. We're trying to avoid it being a major build so it will likely be rolled out in Q1, unless there are unforeseen issues.

[freebetking]

Dublinbet appear to have tanked a load of links - if you go through the serps literally no dublinbet links work. it looks like they have changed the structure to partners.vueaffiliates instead of the dublinbet one and not given anyone a heads up. from my stats it looks like they changed them at the beginning of this month or the end of last.

[GCG]

Dublinbet appear to have tanked a load of links - if you go through the serps literally no dublinbet links work. it looks like they have changed the structure to partners.vueaffiliates instead of the dublinbet one and not given anyone a heads up. from my stats it looks like they changed them at the beginning of this month or the end of last.

also genting casino links are broken

hxxp://affiliates.gentingaffiliates.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_21937b_10345

produces "invalid link"

Gnuf said, links are not working atm.

[allfreechips]

I had a new program send me a link to add them today, link comes back with "invalid link"

IA is pure garbage. I just rouged Dublin bet today as I have no idea I have been sending traffic to nowhere.

[Allan_IncomeAccess]

Hi Everyone,

We notified Dublin Bet this afternoon regarding the issue raised on the forum, and will update you as we heard back and work with them to determine the issue and also to fix it.

As for the Genting link not working, we will notify them as see if this link was disabled. I have spot checked links across their programme and they are working.

As discussed in this thread we are developing a solution internally for disable links, and will be updating everyone once this is completed.A

In terms of the original post topic - we have planned an update to our software to respond to feedback we've received. We feel our solution addresses affiliates' suggestions without sacrificing important functionality required for legal reasons. When it is ready to roll out we will post an announcement.

Thanks,
Allan

[universal4]

Links should NEVER be made inaccessible, not really sure why ANY operator would want wasted traffic.

That is not IA's fault, but an operator's really poor use of a function. (all they have to do is redirect to a generic landing page and give the affiliate credit for the traffic)

Rick
Universal4

[mojo]

Links should NEVER be made inaccessible, not really sure why ANY operator would want wasted traffic.

That is not IA's fault, but an operator's really poor use of a function. (all they have to do is redirect to a generic landing page and give the affiliate credit for the traffic)

Rick
Universal4

Unfortunately there is a disconnect between what IA allows and what (some) operators take advantage of. IA has no control sadly (they say). From what I've seen in so many posts. IA is unwilling to change the freedoms operators get.

In a nutshell, operators of IA have complete freedom to change whatever they wish in your stats and links. IA SAY they will contact the operator but there is not a dam thing they will do about it. Take it or leave it. It won't change.

[-Shay-]

Unfortunately there is a disconnect between what IA allows and what (some) operators take advantage of. IA has no control sadly (they say). From what I've seen in so many posts. IA is unwilling to change the freedoms operators get.

In a nutshell, operators of IA have complete freedom to change whatever they wish in your stats and links. IA SAY they will contact the operator but there is not a dam thing they will do about it. Take it or leave it. It won't change.

Some affiliates (more and more) are getting fed up.

[TheGooner]

Worse and Worse.

Of course our links are 404 as well ... But the report shows the links being counted.
The affiliate system is doing the redirect to an empty page or a 404 so you have no idea until you actually test it yourself.

Most annoying is that the banners are continuing to be displayed ...
So they can manage to maintain the banner impressions - but not the links??!!

We had seven different language links and a default English version - all DUCKED!
(PLEASE note the word I used sounds like ducked .. but is not actually ducked)

I have found a bog standard link that appears to redirect and work.
http://partners.vueaffiliates.com/pr..._622b_213&aid=
(replace a_622 portion with your own affiliate ID)

How long has this been going on? Incompetent or wilful?

[universal4]

How long has this been going on? Incompetent or wilful?

Isn't it a shame when we want it to be operator incompetence?

Again, if operators would NEVER ever have a link go to a dead or 404 page, ALL TRAFFIC would be preserved for ALL Affiliates.

Rick
Universal4

Allan and Louis, you guys truly have your hands full with all the other stuff, like accuracy of the stats import and so forth, not sure what can be done to make operators understand how bad it is to just close down links like we have seen time and time and time again, but it really is getting close to the point where you might want to consider just turning that function off, or coming up with a better solution to this.

This has happened so many times, and each time IA's reputation is questioned (not that it's fair or accurate assessment) but the mud seems to get thrown each time.

Personally, I have always liked promoting groups that use IA software, but almost every time I see dead links, I replace them with a different operator when I can.

[webanalysissolutions]

Personally, I have always liked promoting groups that use IA software, but almost every time I see dead links, I replace them with a different operator when I can.

We punish any IA advertiser who disables a link by redirecting that link from our side to one of their top (non-IA) competitors. Advertisers - don't do it - otherwise all that traffic you were getting on your Cheltenham link or World Cup link will simply go to one of your major competitors if you cannot be bothered to maintain the link.

I can provide any affiliate details on how to set this up on your own site. If we all do this, then the disable function in IA will become the worst function any advertiser can use, and will deter people from using it, whether it be by mistake or on purpose.

[webanalysissolutions]

Worse and Worse.

Of course our links are 404 as well ... But the report shows the links being counted.
The affiliate system is doing the redirect to an empty page or a 404 so you have no idea until you actually test it yourself.

Most annoying is that the banners are continuing to be displayed ...
So they can manage to maintain the banner impressions - but not the links??!!

We had seven different language links and a default English version - all DUCKED!
(PLEASE note the word I used sounds like ducked .. but is not actually ducked)

I have found a bog standard link that appears to redirect and work.
http://partners.vueaffiliates.com/pr..._622b_213&aid=
(replace a_622 portion with your own affiliate ID)

How long has this been going on? Incompetent or wilful?

I have developed a way to click links on our site and detect the resulting HTML content by doing some sort of HTTP GET and analyse the result i.e. "Invalid Link". This way you can automate the checking on IA links, disable those that are not working, and redirect them to advetisers that will take the traffic.

You're right though, these "Invalid Link" are annoyingly HTTP 200 responses, so hard to detect.

It is ironic though, as you say, how come a banner is still active, yet the link doesn't work? I suspect the IA system allows advertisers to disable links, but probably doesn't propagate to the associated banner.

If you were a conspiracy theorist you'd suggest that having nice brand awareness banners still showing on thousands of sites, yet the links not working, is very nice indeed for said advertiser.

[webanalysissolutions]

Some affiliates (more and more) are getting fed up.

I've moved on from being fed up or annoyed with programs - it's to be expected these days. I now have little patience for any program whose stats, tracking or anything else is consistently incorrect. If you don't perform, if you fail because of your affiliate system, then you're off our sites within a few minutes when we click the global disable button for your brand, and we move on. Ultimately this is how advertisers operate - they hav tens of thousands of affiliates to consume, and they'll move on from you too if things aren't working.

All that said, there still are a few loyal brands, and we reward these companies and do very well from them, literally generating them millions of pounds of business every year.