Implementing Direct Tracking in ClickFlare: Setup, Benefits, and Best Practices

Explore the advantages and challenges of using the direct method for campaign tracking in ClickFlare, and learn how to set it up to capture accurate visitor data.

Written by Ervis

Updated 4 weeks ago

Direct tracking in ClickFlare offers a straightforward way to track visitor interactions without the need for redirects. This method uses cookies and local storage to transfer visit information between your sites, allowing for faster tracking while staying compliant with traffic source policies that restrict or disallow redirects.

Unlike the redirect tracking method, direct tracking does not pass traffic through ClickFlare's servers. This makes it faster and more efficient, especially for platforms that do not support redirect-based tracking, such as Meta Ads (formerly Facebook Ads).

Pros of Using Redirect Tracking

Speed: No redirect through ClickFlare's servers, resulting in faster load times and improved performance.
Compliance: Works with all traffic sources, including those that do not allow redirect tracking (e.g., Meta Ads).
Organic Traffic: Capable of tracking organic traffic sources effectively.

Cons of Using Redirect Tracking

Limited Path Features: Does not support landing page rotations, rule-based paths, weights, A/B testing, or AI optimizations, since the visit is recorded retroactively after landing on a destination page.
No Referrer Hiding: Does not offer the ability to hide referrer data using various redirect modes.
Requires Page Code Access: You must have access to the landing page’s code, which may not be feasible in offer-only campaigns.

1. How Direct Tracking Works in ClickFlare

Direct tracking begins when a visitor clicks on an ad, activating the destination URL set in the campaign setup. The process unfolds in the following steps:

First Transition (Ad to Landing Page or Offer):
- The visitor is directed straight to the selected offer or landing page.
- Upon page load, a tracking script makes a request to ClickFlare to record the visit.
- ClickFlare assigns a click ID to this visit and stores the data in a cookie and local storage.
Optional Second Transition (Landing Page to Offer):
- If your campaign involves a landing page, after it loads and the visitor clicks the offer URL, the landing page tracking script replaces the click URL with the offer URL.
- Another request is made to ClickFlare to record this click.

2. Setting Up a Direct Tracking Campaign in ClickFlare

To set up a direct tracking campaign, follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Campaign Setup & Create a New Campaign

In ClickFlare, go to the Campaigns section and click on + New.
Fill in your general campaign information, then select Direct for the first transition from the ad to the landing page or offer.
For the second transition, you can choose either direct or a redirect mode, depending on your setup.

2. Add a Landing Page and Offer (If Applicable)

If your campaign includes a landing page, add it by providing the Lander URL.
Add an offer by selecting or creating a new one under the Offers section. Make sure to enable the "Direct Tracking" switch in the offer settings, as direct tracking will not work if this is turned off.
Copy the generated tracking scripts and URLs for both the landing page and the offer.

3. Implement Tracking Scripts

For Landing Pages: Paste the landing page tracking script at the bottom of the <BODY> section in the HTML of your landing page. This script will capture the visit data when the page loads.
For Offers: If you're using an offer-only campaign, paste the offer tracking script into the offer page's HTML.

4. Submit Urls To Traffic Source

Once the tracking scripts are in place, submit the tracking URLs to your traffic source platform, depending on the platform's setup. Look for a “destination URL” or “campaign URL” field where you can paste your generated URLs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got questions? Find the answers below:

Q1: Is direct tracking compatible with all traffic sources?

A1: Yes, direct tracking works with all traffic sources, including those that do not allow redirects, such as Meta Ads.

Q2: Do I need to modify my landing page to use direct tracking?

A2: Yes, you must add the ClickFlare tracking script to your landing page’s <BODY> section for visits to be recorded properly.

Q3: Can I use direct tracking with an offer-only campaign?

A3: Yes, but you need to place the ClickFlare offer tracking script on the offer page to ensure accurate tracking.

Q4: Does direct tracking affect page load speed?

A4: No, direct tracking improves page speed since there are no intermediary redirects through ClickFlare’s servers.

Q5: Can I use direct tracking and redirect tracking in the same campaign?

A5: Yes, you can mix both methods within the same ClickFlare account, depending on your tracking needs.

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