Link Redirecting Vs Link Cloaking

The end result is the same.
Both can be used for good and bad.

The term redirecting is usually used when the purpose is legitimate. Whereas the term cloaking is usually used when the purpose is not legitimate or is deceptive.

If you are trying to merely hide your affiliate link so that someone does not take you out of the commission loop then most people accept this. It is also useful when you want to make quick site wide changes. If you’ve got a generic ‘best deal of the day’ offer you just need to change one file.

thank you very much rmeeuwsen!

To convert an affiliate link to a link that appears to be from your site you could use a simple file like this one that would send the visitor to the http://www.slotbonuses.info/ site

File name example = bonus.php

File code

//Include your affiliate link below
header(“location:http://www.slotbonuses.info/”);
exit;
?>

Plus you can also download the casinos banner to your own site and then name it whatever you want. Then when they change the affiliate link structure, their domain name or you decide to promote some one else you just change your files ( bonus.php & casinobanner.gif ) without changing any page coding.

This is of course just the basics. You can find many more elaborate versions and added elements.

@rmeeuwsen 242060 wrote:

To convert an affiliate link to a link that appears to be from your site you could use a simple file like this one that would send the visitor to the Top Bonuses for Everyone | Slot Bonuses site

File name example = bonus.php

File code

//Include your affiliate link below
header(“location:http://www.slotbonuses.info/”);
exit;
?>

Plus you can also download the casinos banner to your own site and then name it whatever you want. Then when they change the affiliate link structure, their domain name or you decide to promote some one else you just change your files ( bonus.php & casinobanner.gif ) without changing any page coding.

This is of course just the basics. You can find many more elaborate versions and added elements.

I’ve just come across this thread in a search and it seems to be along the lines of what I’ve asked in the newbies room.

Can you please break this down – I don’t generally deal with the technical side but am trying to understand it, so bear with me. I have a Joomla site and only ever use the WYSIWYG editor to change copy and only a very little bit in the HTML editor.

So your example above a redirect? Is this frowned upon or against the normal T&Cs and is there any disadvantages to doing this?

I think it’s essential for user experience and notice a lot of the big affiliates doing this, so I guess it must be allowed?

And finally…could you please break down the instructions so I can understand how to turn a link like this:

http://affiliatehub.skybet.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_99999b_9

Into:

http://www.mysite.com/casino/skyvegas

So the below would be:

File name = skyvegas.php

File code

//Include your affiliate link below
header(“location:http://affiliatehub.skybet.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_99999b_9/”);
exit;
?>

And then you put http://affiliatehub.skybet.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_99999b_9 in the article.

So this will then pull ‘skyvegas.php’ as the info to display in the browser….?

Many thanks!

I use a plugin in WordPress that makes it automatic, its called affiliate link cloaker I believe. That is the fastest way by far. You have to alter its .php file so it can read and work from widgets though.

I did some manually as I leared a lot from rmeuu over the past months lol but I cant explain it accurately.

Thanks guys for being the best online casino marketing reference in the world.

I can’t find one for Joomla so I guess it will require manual coding like above. Damn.

There are many Joomla plug ins for this .The problem is what Joomla 1.5, 1.7, 2.0 , 2.5 .and even a 3.0 that is in development .Not every plugin is updated for each

What version are you using and I will ask in a joomla email

Ah great stuff, thank you. I could only see two on the extensions site and one has stopped supporting and the other had no reputation which I wouldn’t consider as I don’t know enough myself about it.

I’m using Joomla! 2.5.1 Stable

You can use the core Weblinks component.

An oldie, but goldie:
Steve Burge – A Simple Way to Use Internal URLs for External Links – Joomla Tips And Tricks

also you should update to the latest stable version the current (secure) version of Joomla 2.5 is 2.5.8

@iLoveDaCake 247668 wrote:

Ah great stuff, thank you. I could only see two on the extensions site and one has stopped supporting and the other had no reputation which I wouldn’t consider as I don’t know enough myself about it.

I’m using Joomla! 2.5.1 Stable

For Joomla I would like to use something like that:

Shortlinks

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