Evaluating Amazon Associate Link Types
Having witnessed many discussions on which links appear to track well and that some people seem to think that certain links don't track well I am creating a little experiment here to demonstrate a variety of link types available to Amazon Affiliates/Associates.
It is not going to cover links created by Amazons Build-A-Link service or Iframes, both of which seem to be treated with a certain amount of negativity by associates and their are numerous anecdotes of these link types failing to record clicks/sale. Indeed, banner links, search banners and aStores are know to have fallen over on occassion due to problems on Amazons end, yet amazon will not admit to problems or report on these. Therefore it can only be a natural conclusion that on occassion even these simple text links do not seem work as intended.
If you would like to help evaluate the tracking of these link types please click on each of the following examples. I am not currently using this amazon tracking id for anyotther purpose and hope to be able to advise if any of the following link types show below average clicks.
Server Choices
obidos - Varzea - gp - pb - product - Asin
/exec/obidos/ASIN/
/exec/varzea/ASIN/
/gp/product/
/dp/ASIN/
All these apparently are valid links into Amazon when used, and amazon do tend not to really explain which servers should be used for referalls.
In the Text parts of this experiment I will provide links in the dp/asin format. The reason being this is the shortest format and it was most recently quoted as a correct/recommended format by Mary Ellen, Associates Product Manager in this reply on the amazon associates discussion board. Please note, visitors may have to be logged into their associate account to access that link
Old Format
This example should take you to the correct page on amazon for an all-in one printer and record it on my trackingstats as a click on that product.
These links still seem to work well and track accurately.
Old alternative format
ref=nosim
This example demonstrates the inclusion of the ref-nosim, it is of stainless steel wire!
The rel=nosim appears to be placable in any format of link, although it has no use.
Picture style links
Metrokane V1 World's First Vacuum Decanter
This Link was created from a resource built by Fluffanutta on this page for use primarily on squidoo to replace the now banned iframes.
The link code created is http://amazon.com/dp/B000I7VJZK?tag=042-20 note that there is an absence of the www and no slash between the asin and tag. this format is loosely based on the amazon build-a-link format. I haven'#t used this format much but it appears to work.
older pictures links
The link format produced here is - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009HHZ20/042-20
The New Format
?tag=
It appears to serve no purpose but to identify the tag part of the URL
This Example of a rabbit air bio air filter uses the new format
Feeel Free to Comment
Or even share your experience.
chloecavanaugh wrote...
Wow, this is very informative, I have marked it in my favorites, *****
Posted March 16, 2008
