Tracking platforms like ClickFlare facilitate data exchange between traffic sources, landing pages, and affiliate networks. This information transfer happens through HTTP(S) requests, allowing click IDs, user details, and conversion data to be passed between different systems.
Understanding HTTP(S) Requests
A standard HTTP(S) request used for tracking looks like this:
http(s)://platform_domain.com/directory?parameter1={token}¶meter2={another_token}
Where:
- http(s): The communication protocol used (secure HTTPS or standard HTTP).
- platform_domain.com: The destination domain where the request is sent. In ClickFlare, this could be your campaign tracking domain.
- directory: An optional path that directs the request to a specific resource.
- parameter1, parameter2, etc.: Parameters recognized by the receiving platform, used to pass tracking data.
- {token}: A placeholder that dynamically changes based on user interactions, such as click ID, country, or device type.
When an actual request is sent, the tokens are replaced with real values. For example:
https://tracker.clickflare.com/click?cid=123456&geo=usKey Information Transfers in ClickFlare
Data is passed through different stages in tracking, forming a complete loop:
- From Traffic Source to ClickFlare: Click data (e.g., click ID, ad ID, placement ID) is passed via tracking links.
- From ClickFlare to the Affiliate Network: ClickFlare forwards relevant data (e.g., click ID, sub-IDs) to the affiliate network using the offer URL.
- From Affiliate Network Back to ClickFlare: The affiliate network notifies ClickFlare about conversions using a postback URL.
- From ClickFlare to the Traffic Source: ClickFlare reports conversion events to the traffic source via postback or conversion API.
This structured data exchange ensures accurate performance tracking, optimization, and cost attribution.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions? Find the answers below:
Q1: What happens if a tracking parameter is missing in the request?
If a required parameter is missing, the receiving system may not correctly attribute clicks or conversions, potentially affecting campaign tracking.
Q2: Can I customize the tracking parameters in ClickFlare?
Yes, ClickFlare allows you to define custom parameters and tokens to ensure compatibility with your traffic sources and affiliate networks.
Q3: How does ClickFlare handle secure data transmission?
ClickFlare supports HTTPS to ensure encrypted and secure data transfer between platforms.
