2 replies to this topic

[SEOIvan]

Hey, new here , very clean corner you got .

Have a question. We have an affiliate program at the company which uses tracking IDs in the URL:
site.com/aff?ClickID=34325345

This creates duplicate contnet, which according to Google is filtered well: googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2007/09/google-duplicate-content-caused-by-url.html

The bigger question however, do those links get the credit?

I suggested using 301 redirect and putting affiliate cookie, but we have total of 4 affiliate programs now (Canada and US with CJ and Canada / US with another software), the bosses do not want to create 2 more, which will create management problems and confusion.

So being stuck with affiliate IDs in the URL, do you know if they pass some value?

I view affiliate program as a link building tool, and clearly this is a road block... Anyway, your opinion

[Jill]

I think your last line summed it up. You really shouldn't be viewing your affiliate program as a link building tool. It's purpose should be to be a salesforce.

I believe that the search engines prefer not to count affiliate links as links that count for link popularity purposes, making whatever you do possibly suspect in their eyes.

That said, I'd do the 301-redirect anyway if at all possible.

Others may have some more technical solutions for you.

[SEOIvan]

I'll push for it... Though the affiliate program is a growth tool, I find it is perfect for link building. It provides value to the webmaster, which is the most important offer. Leaving that massive potential without any SEO value just feels like we're loosinga lot.