Affiliate Covert Cookie Generator

I've decided to pull my Affiliate Covert Cookie Generator script off the Internet. It's really not needed. The same effect can be achieved without it.

The main benefit in using the script was to "disguise" the fact that you were dropping an affiliate link in the first place.

So if someone viewed the HTML source code it wouldn't be obvious what you were up to. However, methinks this would prob'ly be in violation of FTC guidelines now.

Disclaimer (FTC compliance): There are right and wrong ways of going about dropping covert cookies. Or should I say, WhiteHat and GreyHat ways.

The WhiteHat way would be to simply bypass the sales page of the merchant.

Many times their sales process is flawed. (Or they "squeeze" leads or use exit-pops.) So it's not hard to build your own page that does a better job of converting traffic.

You'd have to be overt in telling the visitor that you're an affiliate — and that you will earn a commission if they clicked on your link and make a purchase.

This is what I do … and I typically incentivize the transaction with a high-value bonus. Works great.

The GreyHat method would be similar … but there would be no mention that you're an affiliate, and that you'll earn a commission.

Typically going GreyHat would mean that you would try and come across as being the merchant yourself. This can/does work well … but I have no idea how the FTC would interpret your actions. Do this at your own risk!

Anyway … here is how I go about dropping a covert cookie.

Before you start you need your ClickBank affiliate link (prerequisite).

If you also want totally bypass the merchant's sales letter — and link directly to the checkout page — then you'll need the checkout link, too.

Step 1 — Your Affiliate Link

In this example lets presume I have built a presell landing page for Turbulence Training.

So when visitors land on my presell page, I want to automatically drop my affiliate cookie on their computer.

So here's my affiliate link:

http://3c301bitmj-rcl5h9bpon1xzso.hop.clickbank.net/

You now want to place your affiliate link within this HTML image code…

<img src="..." width="1" height="1" />

… like this:

<img src="http://3c301bitmj-rcl5h9bpon1xzso.hop.clickbank.net/" width="1" height="1" />

Now each time the Internet browser tries to load your "image" (which is really your affiliate link, of course) … your affiliate ID is covertly dropped on the visitor's computer.

Step 2 — Put IMG Code On Your Landing Page

Now simply take your image code…

<img src="http://3c301bitmj-rcl5h9bpon1xzso.hop.clickbank.net/" width="1" height="1" />

… and place it just before the </body> in your HTML, like this:

<img src="http://3c301bitmj-rcl5h9bpon1xzso.hop.clickbank.net/" width="1" height="1" />
</body>

If you use WordPress — then no problem. Just paste the code at the bottom of your content in the page editor. If you use the WYSIWYG Visual Editor — then make sure you change to HTML mode before pasting in the code…

Step 3 — Link Directly To Merchant Checkout Page
(Bypass Merchant Sales Page)

For Turbulence Training, the link that goes directly to the checkout page, is:

http://7.turbulence.pay.clickbank.net/

You'll need to find/discover the direct checkout link yourself. The link format is always that same:

http://ProductNumber.VendorID.pay.clickbank.net/

So to find out what the Turbulence Training item number was, I went to the order page and hovered over the order link (without clicking it).

Then use that link to link directly to the merchant checkout page from your presell landing page.

Step 4 — Test

So presuming this page here is my Turbulence Training presell landing page … I would end off with something like this…

In fact, click the link now to see it all in action. I actually dropped my Turbulence Training cookie on your computer then you first landed on this page.

After clicking the link above, you "should" see this…

[affiliate = mbully.covertcookie]

… at the bottom of the checkout page.

WARNING! Always test your setup. There are cases where the covert cookie just won't load.

If the visitor has some kinda cookie clocking software install — then there is nothing you can do. You're screwed.

But in this case you're prob'ly be screwed even if you used a standard non-covert affiliate link anyway.

So yes, you'll never get 100% of your affiliate cookies to stick. That's just the nature of affiliate marketing with most tracking platforms.

I personally don't worry about this. Just factor it in and then forget about it.

Good Karma: Hope you found this helpful. If so, and if you have a blog or website, I'd really appreciate a link back and/or a mention of some kind.

Be Bold. Take Action.
– Andre Chaperon