Using Custom Tracking Codes (CTCs) to Track Affiliate Link Performance

Custom Tracking Codes (CTCs) are optional tracking parameters that allow affiliate partners to identify and measure the performance of individual tracking links in AvantLink. CTCs can be used to track specific ad placements, content, campaigns, or unique identifiers, providing more detailed insights into your affiliate marketing performance.

This article will review:

• What Custom Tracking Codes are and how they work
• How to use CTCs with affiliate tracking links
• How to report on CTC performance
• Best practices for using CTCs

What Is a Custom Tracking Code?

A Custom Tracking Code (CTC) is an optional value that can be added to any AvantLink affiliate tracking link. It allows you to associate a custom identifier with the traffic generated by that link.

CTCs can contain up to 64 characters, including:

• Letters (A–Z)
• Numbers (0–9)
• Spaces
• Periods (.)
• Hyphens (-)
• Underscores (_)

You can use CTCs for several purposes, including:

• Tracking ad placements: Identify specific locations on your website, such as Homepage Hero or Sidebar Banner.
• Tracking content performance: Measure traffic generated by individual articles, such as Product Review A or Holiday Gift Guide.
• Tracking campaigns: Group tracking links associated with a particular promotion or marketing campaign.
• Using unique identifiers: Assign a unique hash key or internal tracking identifier to affiliate links for more granular reporting.

How to Add a Custom Tracking Code to an Affiliate Link

You can associate a CTC with any affiliate tracking link created using AvantLink's ad tools.

1. Navigate to the AvantLink ad tool you want to use to generate your tracking link.
2. Select the merchant advertiser, product, or destination URL you want to promote, as applicable.
3. Locate the "Custom Tracking Code" field within the tracking link settings.
4. Enter your desired CTC value (64 characters or fewer).
5. Generate or copy your tracking link and place it in your content.

The CTC is included in the generated tracking link as the ctc parameter.

For example:

https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?...&ctc=Homepage_Hero

When a visitor clicks this link, AvantLink associates the CTC value with the click, allowing you to review its performance in reporting.

How Custom Tracking Codes Work Across Multiple Links

CTCs are associated with individual tracking links, but the values do not need to be unique.

You can use the same CTC value across multiple tracking links or assign a different value to each link, depending on how you want to organize your reporting.

For example:

When multiple tracking links use the same CTC value, their performance is combined into a single row in CTC reporting. To measure individual placements or links separately, use a unique CTC value for each.

How to Report on Custom Tracking Code Performance

AvantLink provides CTC reporting in both the Performance Reports and Classic Reports interfaces:

• Performance Reports: Select the "Performance by Custom Tracking Code" report.
• Classic Reports: Select the "Performance Summary by Custom Tracking Code" report.

Both reports allow you to review traffic and performance associated with your CTC values.

CTC reporting helps you identify which placements, content, or campaigns are generating affiliate traffic and performance. If multiple links share the same CTC, their results are combined under that value.

Best Practices for Using Custom Tracking Codes

• Use descriptive names: Choose values that clearly identify a placement, article, or campaign.
• Establish a consistent naming convention: For example, use Homepage_Hero, Homepage_Sidebar, and Product_Review_A.
• Use unique values for granular tracking: Assign different CTCs when you want to measure individual placements or specific links separately.
• Reuse values when appropriate: Apply the same CTC to multiple links when you want to combine their performance in reporting.
• Stay within the character limit: Keep all CTC values to 64 characters or fewer.

Additional Questions?

If you have questions about adding Custom Tracking Codes to your affiliate links or reviewing their performance, please contact AvantLink Support at support@avantlink.com.