Most publishers know that ad blockers impact ad revenue, but the hidden effects on affiliate marketing are less talked about. These blockers can disrupt affiliate links, cutting into yet another revenue stream.
In this article, we’ll dive into how ad blockers impact affiliate links and explore strategies to mitigate these effects for media publishers.
How Affiliate Links Work and How Publishers Earn Money
Affiliate links are URLs embedded with tracking details, much like UTM parameters. These links drive traffic to a brand’s site, allowing publishers to earn commissions based on clicks or purchases. But, depending on the link’s structure, some affiliate links are vulnerable to ad blockers.
How Ad Blockers Detect and Block Affiliate Links
-
Script Blocking: Ad blockers often target scripts that track user behavior. If your affiliate link’s tracking method uses scripts resembling ad-related ones, they might be blocked.
-
URL Patterns: If affiliate links use domains commonly associated with tracking, ad blockers may block or alter the URL.
-
Element Hiding: Ad blockers might remove elements (like banners or buttons) that appear ad-like, which can make embedded affiliate links ineffective.
-
Heuristic Analysis: More advanced ad blockers may identify affiliate links by analyzing their behavior, blocking those that resemble traditional ads.
Although affiliate links aren’t ads, their tracking mechanisms often overlap with advertising technologies, causing ad blockers to detect them and block them.
What Publishers Can Do to Prevent Affiliate Link Blockage
Cloak Affiliate Links: Use URL cloaking to disguise affiliate links as regular links, making them less likely to be flagged by ad blockers.
Direct Links with Identifiers: Switch to direct links paired with unique identifiers or coupon codes, which bypass the typical affiliate link patterns ad blockers recognize.
Ad Blocker Detection: Utilize tools to detect ad blockers and prompt users to whitelist your site. This approach can help protect your affiliate links from being blocked.
Audience Education: Be transparent with your audience about the role affiliate links play in supporting content creation, and encourage them to disable ad blockers or whitelist your site.
How Can Publishers Prevent Revenue Loss Due to Ad Blockers?
Offer an Ad-Free Experience: Consider offering a paid, ad-free version of your site. This can convert ad-blocking users into paying subscribers, ensuring revenue from those who prefer an ad-free browsing experience.
Leverage Technology: Utilize services that help recover revenue from ad-blocked impressions. For example, Admiral offers comprehensive solutions for publishers to combat ad blockers, including ad recovery tools, subscription models, and visitor relationship management.
With Admiral, you can reinstate ads for users with ad blockers, create custom messaging to encourage whitelisting, and offer alternative revenue options like subscriptions or donations.
