Understanding Redirect Tracking in ClickFlare: Benefits, Setup, and Best Practices

Discover the benefits and considerations of using the redirect method for campaign tracking in ClickFlare, and learn how to implement it effectively to gather valuable visitor data.

Written by Ervis

Updated 1 week ago

Redirect tracking is a widely used method in affiliate marketing. It routes users through ClickFlare servers before they reach their final destination, allowing you to collect detailed data on user behavior and campaign performance. This method supports features such as A/B testing, rule-based paths, AI optimization, and traffic weighting—helping you dynamically optimize your funnel.

However, since not all traffic sources allow redirects, it's important to confirm compatibility before using this method.

Pros of Using Redirect Tracking

Advanced Path Control: Use features like A/B testing, AI optimization, rule-based routing, and weight distribution to improve performance.
Referrer Masking: Redirect modes allow you to hide or control referrer data for privacy or compliance.
Simple Setup: Redirect tracking typically doesn’t require scripts on your landing page. However, to improve accuracy, we recommend adding a lander tracking script.
Detailed Data Collection: ClickFlare can capture user data from URL parameters, cookies, or HTTP referrers.

Cons of Using Redirect Tracking

Traffic Source Restrictions: Some platforms, such as Meta Ads and Google Ads, may disapprove redirect URLs.
Slight Delay: Redirecting users through ClickFlare introduces a small delay (typically under 100ms).
URL Visibility: Visitors may see the redirect URL in their browser, which can reduce trust in some verticals.

1. Why Add a Lander Tracking Script?

Even when using redirect tracking, adding the ClickFlare lander tracking script is recommended. This ensures visit data is captured even if cookies are blocked or not saved due to browser settings.
ClickFlare is designed to prevent double counting, so visits are only logged once—even if both the redirect and the script fire.

2. How Redirect Tracking Works

Tracking Flow Overview:

Step 1: Campaign Click (First Transition)

When a visitor clicks on an ad and triggers the campaign URL, ClickFlare intercepts the click and processes it through its servers. Here’s what happens:

ClickFlare records a visit.
Values from any tokens in the campaign URL are captured.
Additional visitor data (such as device type and country) is derived from the user agent.
A cookie containing visit information (CEP parameter) is placed in the visitor’s browser.

Afterward, the visitor is redirected to the destination, such as an offer page or landing page. You can apply path alteration features like A/B testing, AI, or rule-based routing during this stage.

If a lander tracking script is also implemented on the landing page, it ensures that the visit is recorded even if the cookie isn't saved due to browser settings. In such cases, ClickFlare will only count the visit once, preventing duplicate recordings.

Step 2: Lander-to-Offer Click (Second Transition)

The second transition is optional but can further enhance tracking. If the visitor clicks a CTA button on the landing page, they are redirected again through ClickFlare servers. Here’s what ClickFlare does in this case:

The click is recorded.
Additional data passed through tokens is captured.
ClickFlare reads the click ID from the token.

Afterward, the visitor is sent to the destination, such as an offer page, where you can continue applying path alterations like A/B testing and rule-based routing.

3. Setting Up Redirect Tracking

To implement redirect tracking in ClickFlare, follow these steps:

Create a Campaign
- In ClickFlare, set up a campaign. The platform will generate a unique tracking URL.
  
  Example format:
```
https://track.clickflare.com/cf/r/campaign_id?ad_id={{ad.id}}...
```
Place the Tracking URL in Your Ad
- Add the generated link to your traffic source as the destination or final URL.
Set Up Conversion Tracking (Optional)
- If you're using S2S postbacks, ensure your affiliate network supports postback URLs.
- If using pixel tracking, install the ClickFlare conversion pixel on your thank-you or success page.

4. Best Practices

Use a custom tracking domain to reduce the risk of ad disapprovals.
Always test your tracking URL to ensure accurate redirection and event tracking.
Use landing page scripts for added data accuracy.
Avoid unnecessary redirects between lander and offer to reduce friction and loading time.

5. Final Thoughts

Redirect tracking offers powerful flexibility and deep insights for campaign optimization. While it’s broadly supported and easy to set up, it's essential to verify traffic source compatibility. For best results, combine redirect tracking with a lander script to ensure full data accuracy and reduce risk of lost visits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got questions? Find the answers below:

Q1: Is the redirect method compatible with all traffic sources?

A1: No, some traffic sources like Google Ads may disapprove redirect URLs. Check with your traffic source before using redirect tracking.

Q2: Will using the redirect method slow down the loading time of my landing page?

A2: There may be a slight delay (typically under 100ms), but it’s usually not noticeable to users.

Q3: Do I need to implement a lander tracking script if I use the redirect method?

A3: It’s optional but highly recommended. The ClickFlare lander script ensures visit tracking even when cookies are blocked.

Q4: What happens if the cookie isn’t set on the visitor’s browser?

A4: The lander script helps track the visit even if the CEP cookie isn’t saved. ClickFlare also prevents duplicate visits from being recorded.

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