Do you use affiliate links on your WordPress site? If yes, you need to cloak them. Cloaking affiliate links can help you. It makes links look better. It also protects your earnings.
What is Link Cloaking?
Link cloaking hides the real affiliate link. It shows a prettier link instead. For example, “yourwebsite.com/go/product” instead of a long, ugly link. This makes the link easy to remember. It also looks more trustworthy.
Why Cloak Affiliate Links?
There are many reasons to cloak affiliate links. Here are some:
- Protect your earnings: Some people remove your affiliate ID from links. Cloaking stops this.
- Improve click-through rate: Prettier links get more clicks.
- Track clicks: You can see how many people click your links.
- Easy to manage: Change the link in one place. It updates everywhere.
Credit: www.wpbeginner.com
How to Cloak Affiliate Links on WordPress
Let’s learn how to cloak affiliate links on WordPress. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Install A Plugin
First, you need a plugin. There are many plugins for link cloaking. Here are two popular ones:
- Pretty Links: Easy to use. It has many features.
- ThirstyAffiliates: Good for affiliate marketers. It has advanced options.
For this guide, we will use Pretty Links. Follow these steps to install it:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Plugins in the left menu.
- Click on Add New at the top.
- Type Pretty Links in the search box.
- Click Install Now next to Pretty Links.
- After installing, click Activate.
Step 2: Create A Cloaked Link
Now, you need to create a cloaked link. Follow these steps:
- In your WordPress dashboard, click on Pretty Links in the left menu.
- Click on Add New Link at the top.
- Fill in the details:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Redirection Type | Choose 307 Temporary. |
| Target URL | Paste your affiliate link here. |
| Pretty Link | Enter the new cloaked link. For example, “yourwebsite.com/go/product”. |
| Title | Give a name to your link. This is for you to remember. |
- Click Create when you are done.
Step 3: Use Your Cloaked Link
Now you have a cloaked link. You can use it anywhere on your site. In posts, pages, widgets, or menus. Just copy and paste the cloaked link.
Credit: affiliatewp.com
Tips for Using Cloaked Links
Here are some tips to help you use cloaked links better:
- Be honest: Tell your readers you use affiliate links.
- Use clear URLs: Make the link easy to understand. For example, “yourwebsite.com/go/blue-widget”.
- Track clicks: Check how many people click your links. Improve your strategy based on this data.
- Update links: If an affiliate link changes, update it in the plugin. This updates all instances on your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Affiliate Link Cloaking?
Affiliate link cloaking hides your affiliate links with a custom URL.
Why Should You Cloak Affiliate Links?
Cloaking protects your links, makes them look clean, and boosts click-through rates.
Is Affiliate Link Cloaking Allowed?
Yes, most affiliate programs allow cloaking, but check their guidelines first.
How Do I Cloak Links In WordPress?
Use plugins like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates to cloak links easily.
Conclusion
Cloaking affiliate links is important. It makes your links look better. It protects your earnings. It helps you track clicks. Use a plugin like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates. Follow the steps in this guide. Your WordPress site will benefit. Happy link cloaking!
