It seems that most people still do not know that you have to protect your affiliate links from your users. Most users are quite focused on the kind of links that are typical for affiliate codes; for instance, links with ?aff=johndoe in them. In forums and on websites it seems as if people actually do not realize that their prospects cut off these kind of references before going to the site of the product or service they are looking to buy.

While it is not exactly clear (it is not as if they are paying more or anything…) why people cut off these links, it is very common for sites with affiliate programs to get questions like; ‘I am sure I sent 10 people your way, yet I have no one in my downline, your system must be broken’. Of course the system isn’t broken but they all simply cut off the link.

How can this be remedied? It is in fact very simple; there are special services to remedy this kind of practice. And one of the best is ViralUrl.com. It does not only allow you to cloak all your links, but it also allows you earn money from your users’ actions and from your downline!

The system works very simple; you sign up for an account and in the first menu item you can immediately start ‘cloaking’. The process is very simple; you enter your URL and ViralUrl.com simply generates a new, cloaked URL for you and adds it to the system and to the stats of the system.

Those stats will be related to ads your users can click on and they also keep you up to date with the number of clicks on your link so you can see the conversion with your new link.

I have been using this method to promote ViralNetworks.com and it is very efficient; I’ve received many users in my downline and they are working to create downlines as well in order to get their commission (note; the site is not an MLM system; it is simple affiliate; the multiple downlines are there for the mailing/broadcast system).

Of course there are many other ways to cloak your URL, but almost none are as well thought through as ViralUrl.

If you are using Wordpress however, there is a more elegant solution (but it won’t make you any money directly though) called GoCodes, you might want to give it a try. I would suggest using ViralUrl.com; I am and it is converting very well.