You're publishing affiliate content, but are your links actually getting clicked?
Most affiliate marketers fly blind. They know their pageviews, maybe their commissions, but they have no idea which specific links drive results.
This guide shows you how to track affiliate links properly—and use that data to earn more.
Why Track Affiliate Links?
You Can't Optimize What You Don't Measure
Without link tracking, you're guessing:
- Which products get the most interest?
- Where in your article do people click?
- Do mobile users convert differently than desktop?
- Which traffic sources send buyers?
With tracking, you know exactly what works.
Real Example: I tracked my affiliate links for a "best wireless headphones" post and found the budget pick at position #3 got 2x more clicks than the #1 recommendation. This changed how I structure every review article.
What to Track
Click Count
How many times was this link clicked?
Geographic Location
Where are your clickers located?
Device Type
Mobile vs desktop behavior
Referrer Source
Where did visitors come from?
Essential Metrics Explained
1. Click Count
The basics: how many times was this link clicked?
2. Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Clicks divided by pageviews. A healthy affiliate link CTR is 2-5%.
3. Geographic Location
Where are your clickers? Important for Amazon affiliates (different storefronts) and products with regional availability.
4. Device Type
Mobile vs desktop behavior differs significantly. Mobile users often have lower immediate conversion but may buy later.
5. Referrer Source
Where did visitors come from before clicking your link? Organic search, social media, direct traffic, or email clicks.
How to Track Affiliate Links
Method 1: Link Shortening Tools (Recommended)
The easiest approach: use a link shortener with built-in analytics.
LinkDisguiser (free):
- Paste your affiliate URL
- Get a tracking link
- View analytics in dashboard
You'll see total clicks, geographic breakdown, device and browser stats, referrer sources, and click timeline. No code or setup required.
Method 2: Google Analytics Events
For more technical users, you can fire GA events when links are clicked. This requires adding code to each link and won't work for users with ad blockers.
Method 3: WordPress Plugins
Plugins like ThirstyAffiliates and Pretty Links include tracking. They require WordPress and often need the paid version for full analytics.
Analyzing Your Data
Once you're tracking, here's what to look for:
High Traffic, Low Clicks
The page gets visitors but they don't click affiliate links.
Possible causes: Links aren't visible enough, wrong products for audience, trust issues, links appear too late in content.
Fixes: Add more prominent CTAs, move key links higher, add comparison tables, include pricing information.
Geographic Insights
If you're getting traffic from countries where your affiliate program doesn't work:
- Add alternative products for those regions
- Use geo-targeting links (Geniuslink for Amazon)
- Focus content on your primary market
Device Insights
If mobile clicks don't convert:
- Mobile users often research and buy later
- Consider your affiliate program's cookie window
- Test mobile-friendly affiliate pages
Optimization Strategies
1. Position Testing
Track which positions get clicked most:
- First mention in intro
- Within the main content
- Comparison table
- Summary/recommendation box
Most clicks usually come from comparison tables and recommendation boxes.
2. Link Text Testing
Track different anchor text:
- "Check price on Amazon"
- "Buy now"
- "See latest price"
- Product name only
"Check price" often outperforms "Buy now" because it's lower commitment.
3. Seasonal Patterns
Track click patterns over time: holiday shopping spikes, back-to-school seasons, Prime Day / Black Friday, post-payday patterns. Time your content updates and promotions accordingly.
Tools Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LinkDisguiser | Simple click tracking | Free |
| Google Analytics | Existing GA users | Free |
| ThirstyAffiliates | WordPress sites | $79+/yr |
| ClickMagick | Advanced tracking | $69+/mo |
For most affiliates, a free tool like LinkDisguiser provides everything you need. Only upgrade when you're doing enough volume to justify the cost.
Common Mistakes
1. Tracking Everything, Analyzing Nothing
Don't just collect data—review it weekly. Look for top performing links, underperforming content, and unusual patterns.
2. Short Tracking Periods
A few days of data isn't meaningful. Track for at least 30 days before drawing conclusions.
3. Ignoring Low Performers
Low-click links aren't failures—they're optimization opportunities. Figure out why and fix them.
Action Plan
Week 1: Setup
- Choose a tracking tool (start with LinkDisguiser—it's free)
- Replace your top 10 affiliate links with tracked versions
- Set up a simple spreadsheet to record weekly data
Week 2-4: Collect Data
- Let the tracking run
- Don't make changes yet
- Note any obvious patterns
Week 5+: Optimize
- Review your data
- Identify worst performing links
- Test improvements one at a time
- Measure results
Conclusion
Affiliate link tracking transforms guessing into knowing. You'll understand exactly what's working, what's not, and where to focus your efforts.
The best part? You can start for free, today.