Passing referer including keywords to merchant

[Bionic]

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I understand that when doing PPC programmes, the referer can be passed in the header, including the source of the click and the keywords searched. (I use a php tracking script and pass the click using header("location: $sourcelink");

Now my understanding is that networks do not pass on this information to the merchant and in some cases penalise the affiliate or cancel commission if they cannot see the clicks source.

My questions are:

1. What is a legitimate way to not pass this information if going direct to merchant.
2. Is it true that networks do not pass this referer information.

Personally, I do not want to pass what is commercially sensitive information to anyone. I am sure that networks and merchants have my best interests at heart but just in case, I would like to mitigate the temptation to subvert my campaigns.

Interested to hear from networks as well regarding their policies (is it in the small print anywhere?)

[Hero]

at Webgains we do not display the search term in the referring url, which is commercially sensitive info as you point out. We do however report that the referring url was the search engine, so they can see which engine was used. Similarly, we report the referring url of all affiliate pages that generate converting clicks. This helps merchants understand where their traffic comes from and help those affiliates who don't convert as well. It also helps us as account managers understand you better as we can see your traffic and suggest relevant programs for you to consider. For this reason, you may want to rethink about masking your links - but your keywords are safe eitherway.

[jonsp]

Ideally set up some sort of database system. In principle code your PPC links to include the keyword you'd bidding on, eg
http://you.com/RedirectPage.aspx?k={keyword}

Then set up a database table like this

UserID - int, identity
VisitDate - default current date/time
PPCkeyword
SearchTerm

Now for each user populate this with your PPC keyword (k=) and strip out the actual search term (for google q=) and redirect to the merchant with your the UserID as clickref - each network has different ways of doing this so you'll need to look up the spec for whichever networks you want to use.

Now you can reconcile your userid against your commission reports, some networks have callbacks to automate this. As a bonus by comparing PPC keyword against search term you may uncover some new keywords - eg if you're phrase matching "blue widgets" and see a sale with the search term "cheap blue widgets" you can add the new keyword to your campaign

[Bionic]

Thanks for replying Hero & jonsp.

Interesting to get the networks point of view. Are all the networks the same?

jonsp, I have a system doing everything you have mentioned. However, I have not found a way to strip the search parameters off the url in a reliable way. Reasonably happy for the rest of the referring url to go. How do you do it, that doesn't get you penalised by either Google at the one ends or the networks at the other? I am using php for this side of scripting. Thanks for taking the time to explain though.

[Bionic]

Interesting that Webgains are the only network to outline what their policy is regarding the passing of referrer information from headers.

Also, if anyone can shed any light on how to strip out keyword details from the header showing the search engine query that would be great :-)

Just to clarify, even if a click is directed to your own script that passes details into a database and then you create a re-direct using header() etc, I believe the original header with the search engine query will be passed on in the headers. I think because they are carried by the browser. So short of resetting the browser header, I am not sure of a better way.

[mallyord]

Ideally set up some sort of database system. In principle code your PPC links to include the keyword you'd bidding on, eg
http://you.com/RedirectPage.aspx?k={keyword}

Then set up a database table like this

UserID - int, identity
VisitDate - default current date/time
PPCkeyword
SearchTerm

Now for each user populate this with your PPC keyword (k=) and strip out the actual search term (for google q=) and redirect to the merchant with your the UserID as clickref - each network has different ways of doing this so you'll need to look up the spec for whichever networks you want to use.

Now you can reconcile your userid against your commission reports, some networks have callbacks to automate this. As a bonus by comparing PPC keyword against search term you may uncover some new keywords - eg if you're phrase matching "blue widgets" and see a sale with the search term "cheap blue widgets" you can add the new keyword to your campaign

Very useful, can you explain how to implement the call back feature please?

[jonsp]

Very useful, can you explain how to implement the call back feature please?

Varies with network. For example with Webgains if you pass your userid in your link then you can tell webgains to hit a page in your site each time you get a sale. This page just updates your users table with the sale amount/commission. Much easier than reconciling manually

[mallyord]

Thanks, is there anywhere where the coding is explained for the callback? thanks Malcolm