Some affiliates design web pages or even banner ads to drop affiliate cookies when a user merely visits another web page. This violates the rules of affiliate marketing: Commission is only supposed to be paid if a user 1) sees an affiliate link, 2) clicks the link, and 3) makes a purchase. By skipping step 2, a cookie-stuffer can get paid vastly more – but sends the advertiser traffic that the advertiser would otherwise have gotten for free.
The worst cookie-stuffers use significant steps to cover their tracks. Some stuff cookies in invisible windows such as 1×1 pixel IFRAMEs. Others use convoluted JavaScript designed to trick analysts. The most brazen resort to popups or popunders. No matter the method, the fundamental impact is the same – asking advertisers to pay for traffic that breaks applicable rules.
We use custom automation to find cookie-stuffing at scale. With numerous simultaneous browsers on a range of devices and conditions, we detect all manner of attempts at cookie-stuffing.
Discuss Your Brand Protection Needs
VPT helps clients keep their affiliate programs clean. Every dollar paid to fraudsters is a dollar less for legitimate affiliates that drive genuine and incremental value. Let us help you focus your spend on the affiliates that matter!
