What is Direct Link tracking?
Affiliates use Direct Linking (DL) to link directly to advertisers without additional parameters in the URL. It is important to note that the visitors have to click the link on the affiliate’s website, otherwise the click won’t be tracked without affiliate parameters. By clicking on the tracking link, affiliates receive credit for the click, and the visitor’s browser loads the advertiser’s page. The tracking URLs are used to reward affiliate partners for sales. DirectLink tracking is the most advanced, SEO-friendly tracking tool available on the affiliate software market. Post Affiliate Pro allows you to implement this unique tracking feature in all available plans.
How does DirectLink tracking work in Post Affiliate Pro?
For affiliates that are just getting started and are unsure about their ability to design a compelling landing page, direct linking is a great option. DirectLink visitors can be recognized by the HTTP_REFERER information sent by their browsers. This is the address of the page from which the visitor is referred to the destination page. The HTTP_REFERER will be the address of the page when a visitor clicks a link on the affiliate’s page.
This page will then be checked in your database by Post Affiliate Pro to see if it belongs to an affiliate, at which point it will assign that affiliate the referral (and click).
This method depends on the browser and is considered reliable most of the time. The information is sent by all current browsers, and thanks to the advantages listed below, you can rely on it for your primary linking strategy.
Why is it important to track direct links?
Direct Link tracking allows merchants to track sales back to the affiliate and pay rewards. The Direct Linking tracking method also helps identify top affiliates and reward them accordingly. This method is the best way to raise your position on Google, and it is also an amazing SEO technique.

What are the advantages of using direct links?
- Many visitors do not want to click on a link that they recognize as an affiliate link, by using direct linking they won’t know they are clicking on one. Visitors will be more skeptical of clicking on a link or believing a review if your affiliates use affiliate links in their blog or review site. With direct links, no one will know the links are advertising your products.
- The affiliate parameters will not be damaged or removed by visitors. Despite the fact that affiliate links do not have any disadvantages, there are still people who don’t like to shop through them. They would rather remove the affiliate parameters from the URL after copying it to their browser.
- In terms of search engine friendliness, it is the best method available. The more backlinks pointing to your website, the better your chance of ranking high on Google. DirectLinks allows your affiliates to link to your website without adding any extra parameters, which is great for SEO.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Direct Link Tracking?
The direct link tracking method links directly to advertisers without requiring additional parameters in the URL.
Why should you implement direct link tracking?
To get more sales, make affiliates happier, and enhance your SEO.
Discover Post Affiliate Pro's flexible pricing plans tailored to fit your business needs, with options for Pro, Ultimate, and Network packages. Enjoy a free trial with no credit card required, no setup fees, and the freedom to cancel anytime. Benefit from features like unlimited affiliates, advanced reporting, customizable interfaces, and lifetime support. Save up to 20% with annual billing and take advantage of more than 220 integrations. Perfect for businesses seeking to enhance their affiliate marketing efforts. Visit now to find the ideal plan for you!
The leader in Affiliate software
Post Affiliate Pro offers a comprehensive affiliate software platform to manage multiple affiliate programs with ease. Enjoy no setup fees, 24/7 customer support, and a free 1-month trial. Ideal for small and large businesses, it features precise tracking, automated workflows, and customizable tools to boost your affiliate marketing success. Try it now and streamline your affiliate operations effortlessly!
Discover the essentials of clicks (referrals) tracking with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the importance of click tracking code, explore various code examples including simple, asynchronous, and PHP versions, and dive into advanced tracking options. Optimize your affiliate marketing strategy with expert tips on setting account IDs, managing cookies, and customizing tracking parameters. Visit now to enhance your click tracking implementation!
Effortlessly integrate your e-commerce site with Post Affiliate Pro and boost your affiliate program's success. Our expert team ensures seamless integration with your payment processor, handling technical issues along the way. Enjoy a free trial and free integration service, saving you time and maximizing your ROI. Join now and experience top-notch affiliate management with over 500 integration options.
A guide to different types of affiliate tracking
Explore the comprehensive guide on affiliate tracking methods like cookie, postback URL, and IP tracking to optimize your affiliate marketing strategy. Learn how Post Affiliate Pro's advanced software ensures precise tracking, maximizes sales, and provides exceptional support for seamless affiliate cooperation. Unlock your brand's potential with cutting-edge tracking solutions today!