Does Amazon have a tracking problem?

**Elaine** · 07-11-04

here we go again with the deep linking problem:

I deep link using the individual item option - get load of clicks for some items - but no sales.

anyone fare better with the individual page option - or is this usual with Amazon - tons of clicks and few sales

which I find strange 'cos they are the cheapest for lots of stuff.

cheers

**Rich** · 07-11-04

I get all my sales from Amazon from individual item deep links. The format I use is simply: -http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/(product number)/(my associate id)

If the link is getting you to the right place and the clicks are reporting in the associates reports it should be ok. Also items don't show as earning you a commission untill they are dispatched, so the best place to look for orders is in the traffic summary reports => Traffic by Item - Orders => Quarter to Date.

**Mogga** · 07-11-04

It is session cookie so I guess in theory the link would be better used when people are very ready to buy - ie: when they've seen from other links its the cheapest?

**Elaine** · 07-11-04

so theoritically I'm once again shooting myself in the foot ie

if they click on blue widget, then return to site and click on blue widget from 2nd shop to check if it really is cheaper as I might be lying through me socks - and then return to Amazon to buy the cheapest blue widget - like what I said in the beginning - then I don't get anything??

so really just list only one source for the blue widget
(sorry though I was in WMW for a minute)

**Rich** · 07-11-04

Well, if they keep going back to your site to check the prices then they will probably still use the Amazon link again.

Are you sure you're associate ID is just allkids? Some are like that but a lot end in -21. It is shown on the top left when you log in to the associates site. Just a stab in the dark.

**Elaine** · 07-11-04

yep everything seems to be in order - I'll stop complaining then.

thanks a bunch

**Dynamoo** · 09-11-04

Only the new affiliate IDs end with -21, I've had mine for years and it doesn't.

I've started to use the nosim argument which seems to increase conversions a little as it supresses all the similar items and allows more space for the product description.

...amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/A12345678Z/ref=nosim/myassociatename