I Hate Networks that Use Direct Track
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So I have another issue and this might be the last continuation from my prior post about tracking and affiliate managers. I have a total of 3 networks that use Direct Track for their tracking system within their network. I have had the worst and first time experience with one network and they have decided to go ahead and work with me and work with payouts to stay with their network, but I think I might change my mind.
I am thinking about deleting all my accounts that I am a part of which uses Direct Tracking. I find this specific tool is a horrible piece of software that does tracking. I am part of a variety of networks and everyone else’s reporting system is far better than Direct Tracking it is just such a bad system. Here are some issues I have:
- Too many reports that are generated that provide useless information
- Interface is clumsy and poorly done
- Dashboard for Offers is cluttered and provide pointless information
- SUBID Tracking sucks!
- Direct Tracking links are noticeable
- No freedom of affiliate links
When I look at offers I sometimes email my AM because I do not know what link to use, I hate using banner links or links that associate them with pages, banner sizes, email, etc. I just want the link to the landing page, sometimes they do not have that and I am force to use a banner link for direct linking (even if it is specified for search) - does not make sense.
A direct link to the merchant landing page is important on the networks end as well - the can use the data to see more affiliate marketers are using direct linking instead of those cheesy banners or poorly written emails. (I am not a great writer, just saying) Why do you think a unique link is given to a specific banner or specific creative, they use it to track the conversion and CTRs. Why not have a direct link to the merchant!
The most Important to me, SubId Tracking
SubId tracking to me is the most important part of tracking. I want to know keywords and what clicks are converting and how many times. With Direct Tracking I found it weird it does not track on a per click basis, according to my AM. Strangely enough another network using Direct Tracking does record subids on a click basis but it is base on a cookie session. This means a click with a unique subid is generated per click, but if click again or multiple times it will not register in the system more than once.
The other network states it does not track subids on a per click basis but does track it per click, which brings you to a pointless dashboard of the actual link where it came from, which is mostly a redirect link. Now this interests me a lot because I received X amount of clicks on a test campaign and it did not register the next morning when I decided to check it. Talked to my AM and explained to me since the link is cloaked it might not have tracked the link. That statement does not make sense because other links were tracked and what should cloaking matter when the merchant link is cloaked anyways and most CPA networks go through one another anyway which is probably re cloaked 17 times before it goes to the merchants landing page!
I use a unique system to track my clicks so Direct Tracking system is useless to me, but the fact the networks do not use a highly more sophisticated system bothers me since. I sometimes do want to know my per click basis. It is helpful to me I can compare clicks from the network with my clicks on my tracking system, what good is data if you do not have all of it.
Ramble Video:
What I think I will be doing is give the third network a chance with their direct tracking system, they have a really unique link system which is different from the traditional Direct Tracking links. I am still thinking about this and I will see what happens. All other networks please stay clear of me and the other 2 my account will be deleted - just bad experience, sorry.
It’s funny at how many networks use the software, it really does need alot of work, and its sooo old.
DO NOT forget about lead shaving. That crap is DT’s worst trait, it shaves a certain percent automatically. I spoke to Nike over at Market Leverage, they us DT, but he said the try to keep it to a minimum and they compensate for it most of the time.
Hey Ian,
Sorry man, I was out of town on vacation all last week, but I’m back and well rested! I read your post and understand your concerns, as we have discussed many of them already. Kiley is correct in that we keep a constant eye on our tracking to make sure ours is in line with our advertisers. Whenever it doesn’t line up, we make SURE to comp our publishers accordingly. I’m looking forward to speaking with you again this week so we can make sure you are 100% comfortable with MarketLeverage and promoting offers with us.
Thanks,
Mike
I’m completely with you on this.
Direct tracking cost me a lot of money before I realized the problem lied in the tracking. I ran an identical offer on both a direct tracking network and one that used an in house tracking system and the in house system outperformed direct tracking 4 to 1. I haven’t used direct tracking since and have had zero problems with the in house systems.
Marko
Hi, i really like your site layout. I will continue reading here, so i subscribed! Maybe you could check out my site, and even subscribe if you like. Thanks, Zach.
Very briefly, much of the information here is incorrect. Sub ID tracking works and tracks clicks. I’d be happy to walk you through a demo of this if you would like so you can use it with the networks you are working with.
Any information given to you claiming that DT “shaves” stats are completely false.
Also, all DT clients have full access to manipulate the interface however they see fit. Everything is customizable and we even offer open API’s for accessing the data and processing it however you or the network would like.
DT does have a host of reports available. The breadth of functionality requires that affiliates using the more advanced tools have reports relating to them. It is not necessary to use those reports if they are not of interest to the affiliate.
@Tom - If that is in fact the case, then their are a lot of networks lying. So who is telling the truth?
As you might imagine, I’m pretty hesitant to call someone a liar. I’d be happy to continue this discussion by email if you like…. tom dot manspeaker at directresponse dot com. I don’t want to hijack Ian’s blog here. ..
> Tom
ok if it tracks on a click basis then why is the network not telling me so. that is the problem right there poor communication between you and the network. one network told me it does not track on a per click basis, the reason why I wrote this. but another network that does use it, does track it on a per click basis, which I have also left because of poor representation of their system and network.
I think I emailed someone from your team as CPAEmpire wanted to recruit me but I asked if they use DT and I had to let them go. because I am just not going through the headache I did with 2 networks using DT. I told one of your team member that their should be training on the system and feedback from AM to Aff would be greatly increased. Tom thanks for stopping by to shed some light but it looks pretty dark still.
Hi Ian… can you elaborate a bit on what you mean by “poor representation of their system and network?”
Honestly, we at DT communicate generously with our clients, notifying them of new functionality. We also pride ourselves on support and being able to help any client with any questions or issues within 24 hours. As I alluded to above, I don’t want to throw any AM’s under the bus here, but if someone is telling you something that isn’t true, I don’t think it’s fair to identify it as a DirectTrack issue.
If you bought a car from someone who told you that it didn’t have power windows, and you found out later that it did, who would you be upset with? Ford, or the guy who sold you the car? Or would you even be upset? I would be excited to play with my new power windows
So like I said, I’d be more than happy to educate you on how it works and then you can be fully up to speed and be able to use DirectTrack networks in a way that works for your business model.
[...] system, while paying their monthly hosting/management costs. - Others have discussed their complaints around the internet on Direct Track as [...]
[...] system, while paying their monthly hosting/management costs. - Others have discussed their complaints around the internet on Direct Track as [...]
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