why do aff networks use javascript to provide html links?

[lethal0r]

most aff networks use javascript to provide their html links (the javascript outputs the html link to the page). why do they not just provide a html link with no javascript?

is it so tracking for outgoing clicks is possible? is this not possible at all without javascript?

also, is it anything to do with hiding the html links from search engine bots? I dont think its this one as I know that Googlebot for example can read javascript.

Tom

[hero]

most networks provide you the option to grab a link in javascript or html or a combination of the two. The good thing with javascript is that when a merchant updates the link, you don't have to do anything on your site, it will be updated automatically. Handy.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by lethal0r most aff networks use javascript to provide their html links (the javascript outputs the html link to the page). why do they not just provide a html link with no javascript?

Most Affiliate networks provide a html text link, at least in the UK they do, some do give a choice of javascript or html such as Commission Junction who were goung to go completely down the js route until they bowed down to affiliate pressure.

[Mogga]

Originally Posted by hero most networks provide you the option to grab a link in javascript or html or a combination of the two. The good thing with javascript is that when a merchant updates the link, you don't have to do anything on your site, it will be updated automatically. Handy.

html links can update automatically (well graphics anyway) - so for graphics there is no advantage to JS.