Affiliate marketing abuse isn’t confined to the dark corners of the Internet, it can happen any time you turn your browser on. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to identify affiliate marketing abuse.
First, you should make sure to screen potential affiliates and ensure that your affiliate marketing program is properly implemented. You should also use a tool to keep track of your affiliates’ activities. For example, you can use software to spot fraudulent clicks, conversions, and purchases. However, this is only the first step to protecting your company from online fraud.
Another thing to look for is a spike in purchases made by a single IP address. This may be indicative of a bot or a single individual making a purchase. If this is the case, you should be concerned.
Aside from being fraudulent, this may indicate a broader issue with your program. For example, a spike in sales might suggest that a user is a bot or that you’re paying out too much in commissions. As a result, you can put the affiliate on notice and ask them to change their marketing practices.
The top-notch way to detect a nefarious affiliate is to monitor your traffic data. You can look for patterns in your click-to-sale ratios and how long it takes for an individual to convert from clicking on a landing page.
Click-bait is a ploy that bad actors use to increase the number of referrals they generate. These scammers create fake ads that appear on the top of Google search results. They do this identify affiliate marketing abuse by registering variants of a vendor’s web domain. Their goal is to steal legitimate sales.
Another trick is to use a plural form of a top-level domain. In some cases, these domains will be misspelled. It’s also common for affiliates to use URL shorteners such as Bit.ly, which will confuse visitors and make it difficult to discern whether they’re clicking on your site or a third party’s.
To combat this type of affiliate marketing abuse, you should make sure to install a tracking code on your affiliate links. You should also monitor your traffic closely to look for a spike in traffic after a particular landing page is accessed. Finally, you should be aware that fraudulent cookies can wreak havoc on your marketing budget. Ensure that you’re using a secure browser and don’t allow third-party cookies.
Identifying affiliate marketing abuse is an important step in preventing your business from losing money. While the benefits of affiliate marketing can be enormous, it’s crucial to monitor your activity and avoid fraudulent tactics. By following the tips listed above, you can keep your business afloat and your brand safe.
You can even use technology to detect if your website is being spoofed. You can install a proxy detection system to block bots and other malicious software from accessing your site. Additionally, you can add a 30-45 day delay in releasing funds to avoid fraudulent charges.