Cookies and Tracking

There seems to be some confusion on how cookies work and how someone can technically follow your link without you getting credit for it.

Regarding Cookies here is a simple explanation for those of you that are new and don't know what a cookie is. What's an Internet Cookie?

Now each poker site has a time limitation for how long their individual cookies last. Usually it should say somewhere in their T&C's or you can ask your AM. Unfortunately this is a double edged sword. They do this to protect the affiliates who first introduced the player to the room. However sometimes it can backfire and and the poker site that actually sells the visitor doesn't get the credit.


Here is th problem and the reason why often times friends even don't get tracked to you. This has happend to me on a number of occassions. Keep in mind when someone decides to sign up at a new room, they may search the net for a couple different sites and actually follow a link to ABCDpoker.com before arriving at your site.

Now this sucks even more.........what often happens when friends don't get tracked is because of two reasons.

1. They already found that poker site via link somewhere, went to the site, and now want to help you out. They contact you and you happily email them your link.......Too Late , they are already tracked to the other affiliate and your not gonna get credit. Think about it, who calls you up to try a new room and has never even checked out the homepage of the site yet? There is obviously a reason that they want to sign up there.

2. You actually sign them up from YOUR computer using YOUR link and it still doesn't register......Damn! You may also have a cookie on your computer from visiting the room from anothe link at one point in time. You never think about clicking on links when your not going to be signing up, but they do leave cookies.


One school of thought thinks that bonus codes should supercede any and all affiliate links. I agree in some cases......but not really. What happens when "Joe New Guy" signs up through my link at Party Poker and gets to the screen that asks for a "Bonus Code"..........A BONUS!!!! Holy Cow I better go to google and find one!!!!! Now I get screwed out of that sign up.

As you can see there is no easy solution to the cookie, bonus code, and tracking url issues. Well actually there is an easy fix to all this when it comes to sending your friends links. You didn't hear this from me though........

Microsoft Windows 98 and later
1. Quit Internet Explorer and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.
2. In Control Panel , double-click Internet Options.
3. On the General tab, click Delete Cookies under Temporary Internet Files, and then click OK.
4. Click OK.

[PokerMaster]

Agreed! You win some you loose some!
In my case I have to make sure that players sign up through me when they are playing for an offer, thats why the whole cookies/bonus code thing is repeated on all my main pages, otherwise they (and I) will not recieve the full benefit of my offers. I feel I have clearly stated this, and the owness is on the player to read the instructions properly.
My other pages which have banners on, I am recieving sign ups on. Mainly through direct google hits. If people are gonna sign up they will sign up, unless they are a friend or a big member of your comunity, or want something, they will never let you know.
Most regular poker players don't know how the tracking system works, and it's all too confusing for them to care.