Affiliate program reporting inconsistencies - GoFuckYourself.com

troyid · 02-03-2009, 03:21 PM

Recently I got a programmer to design me a redirect script that not only forwards a visitor to an affiliate program but it also logs referring urls, raw hits, unique ips, dates, times etc...The whole idea behind this is so that I can compare my statistics against the affiliate program I'm promoting.

Well to cut a long story short, I'm logging 10% or more unique IP's each day compared to the affiliate program stats.

I have exported the data and given it to my rep, but he has replied with a bullshit answer on why this is occuring.

He has promised that every click no matter how it is tracked that results in a signup guarantees that I will get paid for it.

I just don't feel so sure.

What do you think I should do?

BradM · 02-03-2009, 03:22 PM

Send to a different program.

For the record, as an owner of a program and as an affiliate - we all know variances in clicks DO occur. It's up to you to decide what threshold is acceptable to you.

troyid · 02-03-2009, 03:30 PM

Would you call this acceptable?

30th Jan
My stats - 2134 uniques
Their stats - 1619 uniques

31st Jan
My stats - 2321 uniques
Their stats - 1862 uniques

1st Feb
My stats - 2312 uniques
Their stats - 1885 uniques

2nd Feb
My stats - 2296 uniques
Their stats - 1849 uniques

Do you honestly think I'm being credited for all signups even though our stats are so far apart?

Ozarkz · 02-03-2009, 03:31 PM

Sorry but this is amazing. 2002 with only 2 posts. I'm sorry this program is nicking traffic off you.

Fletch XXX · 02-03-2009, 03:32 PM

LOL

they call this a "glitch"

its second to the word affilioates fear the most, "shave"

After Shock Media · 02-03-2009, 03:33 PM

It is a pretty close average distance between your stats and theirs. You positive that everything is being done right on your end?

d-null · 02-03-2009, 03:35 PM

if you use the same techniques to track your traffic sent to other sponsors, how are the results?

troyid · 02-03-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d-null

if you use the same techniques to track your traffic sent to other sponsors, how are the results?

Good question. I'm going to test this out tomorrow. I'll let you know the results.

Fletch XXX · 02-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyid

Good question. I'm going to test this out tomorrow. I'll let you know the results.

*thread bookmarked*

troyid · 02-03-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarkz

Sorry but this is amazing. 2002 with only 2 posts.

I'm more of a reader than a talker! :-)

WiredGuy · 02-03-2009, 03:56 PM

10% discrempency is actually pretty good, I typically get 15-25%. Hell on adsense I get up to 40% difference from Google's reports compared to mine.

While it does suck to see the differences, there's not much you can do about it. The way I look at it, is compare how much revenue you get from them based on how many hits your system logs. Figure the revenue per click. Then go with whichever sponsor gives your the highest rate. I don't bother looking at what their hit count is at this point.
WG

potter · 02-03-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyid

Good question. I'm going to test this out tomorrow. I'll let you know the results.

Agreed, there aren't enough variables. Testing on some more sponsors will across different billing platforms will make it a little more clear if it's the stats system/sponsor, or if it could be your script.

Can't wait to hear how the rest of the testing goes.

XPays · 02-03-2009, 04:09 PM

it could be latency, so the surfers are closing the page out before it loads?

V_RocKs · 02-03-2009, 04:11 PM

Are your scripts counting SE bots? Some program owners weed them out... etc...

Someone might say that bots don't pass the referrer... And I would say NO SHIT.. But they do pass the GET request with your affiliate code when they surf the link.

Rednax · 02-03-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V_RocKs

Someone might say that bots don't pass the referrer... And I would say NO SHIT..

lol...

Should be interesting to see your results across different sponsors.

SykkBoy · 02-03-2009, 04:26 PM

are they counting second page uniques or first page?
how often to they mark it as unique versus how often you do? What do you qualify as a unique? 24 hours? 48 hours? one week?
I would ask they what they call a unique versus what you are calling a unique

troyid · 02-03-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SykkBoy2

are they counting second page uniques or first page?
how often to they mark it as unique versus how often you do? What do you qualify as a unique? 24 hours? 48 hours? one week?
I would ask they what they call a unique versus what you are calling a unique

I define a unique as being a unique ip address per 24hr period. They have indicated that is how they define it as well.

troyid · 02-03-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V_RocKs

Are your scripts counting SE bots? Some program owners weed them out... etc...

Someone might say that bots don't pass the referrer... And I would say NO SHIT.. But they do pass the GET request with your affiliate code when they surf the link.

Yes, my script counts SE bots. My rep hasn't indicated whether or not they weed out SE bots. I won't bring this up unless he does. If I did then that would give him an excuse.

spacedog · 02-03-2009, 05:07 PM

I caught a few that manually erase sales... since then I now make screen caps so I can post it here when they do it again...

Under normal circumstances, like a chargeback or refund, it would show up in detailed stats, but that's not the case here.. it simply just disappeared because detailed stats shows NOTHING.. Naturally they deny it or claim it didn't happen

As far as your issue goes, I've seen this occuring on many programs stats and they pretty much never match up as I've conducted similar tests and never found one to be an exact match.

FightThisPatent · 02-03-2009, 05:07 PM

I've noticed the same kinds of issues when tracking clicks onthe server and comparing them to a sponsor.

I saw hits going to a program that I know doesn't shave, and there was a difference of around 10%

part of it could be the browser is not handling the redirect properly, spyware that is hijaaking, DNS servers not responding correctly.

The rep at UltraDNS was trying to sell me on the concept that using their system, traffic would increase... maybe its due to DNS on why some traffic isn't getting to the sites.

Fight the redirect to no where!

ravo · 02-03-2009, 06:17 PM

I agree with WiredGuy; 10% isn't bad, it's about average from what I've seen.

troyid · 02-03-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravo

I agree with WiredGuy; 10% isn't bad, it's about average from what I've seen.

Maybe I should just concede that's the way it is and move on. It would be good if our stats matched, but it doesn't look like this will ever happen.

WiredGuy · 02-03-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyid

Maybe I should just concede that's the way it is and move on. It would be good if our stats matched, but it doesn't look like this will ever happen.

I would love to know how to fix the problem as well, if you ever come up with a solution, please let me know.
WG

Tempest · 02-03-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyid

Yes, my script counts SE bots. My rep hasn't indicated whether or not they weed out SE bots. I won't bring this up unless he does. If I did then that would give him an excuse.

Do you do a single redirect to the sponsor? or do you do a double redirect and only count the 2nd one?

There are a SHIT LOAD of bots out there that hide themselves using "real" user agents etc. and they won't neccessarily following a redirect and thus the discrepency. 10% is pretty typical.

If you want to run some tests, put in a second redirect and only count the click after the first one. You can clean it up even more by making the first redirect a javascript one and also set a cookie. That way, you can scrub the click before sending it onto the program. That should tighten up that percentage and give you a far more accurate count of "real" surfers.

SordidMedia · 02-03-2009, 07:59 PM

As mentioned already, any visitor that passes through two tracking type scripts has always shown a loss for us of anything around 10%. For example, visitor arrives from a website via a click, he hits the geo script and then quickly is directed to the chosen destination.

The whole process takes just a fraction of a second but the loss for us is often greater than 10%.

02-03-2009, 03:21 PM	#1
troyid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 10	Affiliate program reporting inconsistencies Recently I got a programmer to design me a redirect script that not only forwards a visitor to an affiliate program but it also logs referring urls, raw hits, unique ips, dates, times etc...The whole idea behind this is so that I can compare my statistics against the affiliate program I'm promoting. Well to cut a long story short, I'm logging 10% or more unique IP's each day compared to the affiliate program stats. I have exported the data and given it to my rep, but he has replied with a bullshit answer on why this is occuring. He has promised that every click no matter how it is tracked that results in a signup guarantees that I will get paid for it. I just don't feel so sure. What do you think I should do?

02-03-2009, 03:32 PM	#5
Fletch XXX GFY HALL OF FAME DAMMIT!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: that 504 Posts: 60,840	LOL they call this a "glitch" its second to the word affilioates fear the most, "shave" __________________ Want an Android App for your tube, membership, or free site? Need banners or promo material? Hit us up (ICQ Fletch: 148841377) or email me fletchxxx at gmail.com - recent work - About me

02-03-2009, 03:33 PM	#6
After Shock Media It's coming look busy Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn". Posts: 35,299	It is a pretty close average distance between your stats and theirs. You positive that everything is being done right on your end? __________________ [email protected] ICQ:135982156 AIM: Aftershockmed1a MSN: [email protected]

02-03-2009, 03:35 PM	#7
d-null . . . Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY Posts: 13,724	if you use the same techniques to track your traffic sent to other sponsors, how are the results? __________________ __________________ Looking for a custom TUBE SCRIPT that supports massive traffic, load balancing, billing support, and h264 encoding? Hit up Konrad! Looking for designs for your websites or custom tubesite design? Hit up Zuzana Designs Check out the #1 WordPress SEO Plugin: CyberSEO Suite

02-03-2009, 03:56 PM	#11
WiredGuy Pounding Googlebot Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 34,461	10% discrempency is actually pretty good, I typically get 15-25%. Hell on adsense I get up to 40% difference from Google's reports compared to mine. While it does suck to see the differences, there's not much you can do about it. The way I look at it, is compare how much revenue you get from them based on how many hits your system logs. Figure the revenue per click. Then go with whichever sponsor gives your the highest rate. I don't bother looking at what their hit count is at this point. WG __________________ I play with Google.

02-03-2009, 03:22 PM	#2
BradM Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: 1123,6536,5231 Posts: 3,397	Send to a different program. For the record, as an owner of a program and as an affiliate - we all know variances in clicks DO occur. It's up to you to decide what threshold is acceptable to you.

02-03-2009, 03:30 PM	#3
troyid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 10	Would you call this acceptable? 30th Jan My stats - 2134 uniques Their stats - 1619 uniques 31st Jan My stats - 2321 uniques Their stats - 1862 uniques 1st Feb My stats - 2312 uniques Their stats - 1885 uniques 2nd Feb My stats - 2296 uniques Their stats - 1849 uniques Do you honestly think I'm being credited for all signups even though our stats are so far apart?

02-03-2009, 03:31 PM	#4
Ozarkz So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,377	Sorry but this is amazing. 2002 with only 2 posts. I'm sorry this program is nicking traffic off you.

02-03-2009, 04:09 PM	#13
XPays Team Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Inside the most accurately counting and reporting affiliate system in the world at XPays.com Posts: 13,002	it could be latency, so the surfers are closing the page out before it loads? __________________ InterNext Expo Domain Auction Live Now thru Feb 5 HuntingMoon GFY Domains Marketplace is LIVE XPays always pays! Top Site: * RealJasmine.com * + HotelHeiress® with The Paris Hilton Sex Video Insert the HotelHeiress® HD FEED into your members areas XPin.com Opening for Pin Partners Soonish Mainstream Offers For Emailers and DomainersNONADULT.COM Like Us!

02-03-2009, 04:11 PM	#14
V_RocKs Damn Right I Kiss Ass! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cowtown, USA Posts: 32,406	Are your scripts counting SE bots? Some program owners weed them out... etc... Someone might say that bots don't pass the referrer... And I would say NO SHIT.. But they do pass the GET request with your affiliate code when they surf the link.

02-03-2009, 04:26 PM	#16
SykkBoy Jesus loves bacon Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Sin City, Motherfucker Posts: 19,969	are they counting second page uniques or first page? how often to they mark it as unique versus how often you do? What do you qualify as a unique? 24 hours? 48 hours? one week? I would ask they what they call a unique versus what you are calling a unique __________________ Support my new movie “The Second Coming”

02-03-2009, 05:07 PM	#19
spacedog Yes that IS me. Bitch. Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 14,149	I caught a few that manually erase sales... since then I now make screen caps so I can post it here when they do it again... Under normal circumstances, like a chargeback or refund, it would show up in detailed stats, but that's not the case here.. it simply just disappeared because detailed stats shows NOTHING.. Naturally they deny it or claim it didn't happen As far as your issue goes, I've seen this occuring on many programs stats and they pretty much never match up as I've conducted similar tests and never found one to be an exact match.

02-03-2009, 05:07 PM	#20
FightThisPatent Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,090	I've noticed the same kinds of issues when tracking clicks onthe server and comparing them to a sponsor. I saw hits going to a program that I know doesn't shave, and there was a difference of around 10% part of it could be the browser is not handling the redirect properly, spyware that is hijaaking, DNS servers not responding correctly. The rep at UltraDNS was trying to sell me on the concept that using their system, traffic would increase... maybe its due to DNS on why some traffic isn't getting to the sites. Fight the redirect to no where! __________________ http://www.t3report.com (where's the traffic?) v5.0 is out! \| http://www.FightThePatent.com \| ICQ 52741957

02-03-2009, 06:17 PM	#21
ravo Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Skype: ravo.fpctraffic Posts: 5,439	I agree with WiredGuy; 10% isn't bad, it's about average from what I've seen. __________________ AdultAdBroker - Buy and Sell Your Flat Rate Banners, Links, Tabs, Pops, Email Clicks and Members' Area Traffic - updated June 2025

02-03-2009, 07:59 PM	#25
SordidMedia So Fucking Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.K Posts: 283	As mentioned already, any visitor that passes through two tracking type scripts has always shown a loss for us of anything around 10%. For example, visitor arrives from a website via a click, he hits the geo script and then quickly is directed to the chosen destination. The whole process takes just a fraction of a second but the loss for us is often greater than 10%. Last edited by SordidMedia; 02-03-2009 at 08:01 PM..