Tracking technologies in affiliate marketing
In this digital landscape, tracking technologies play a crucial role in measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. There are some types of tracking methods and what do they track:
- Cookies: Small text files on a user’s device that track preferences and browsing history.
- Tracking Pixels: Invisible code snippets that track user interactions (like page views and clicks).
- UTM Parameters: Tags added to URLs to track the performance of marketing campaigns and identify traffic sources.
- Session Recording: Tools that record user actions on a website to analyze behavior and usability
- Device Fingerprinting: Collects device and browser information to uniquely identify users without cookies.
What is tracking pixel in affiliate marketing?
A tracking pixel, also known as a conversion pixel or a retargeting pixel, is a small snippet of code is embedded in a 1×1 pixel image or in the HTML of a web page or email. This tiny, invisible pixel contains the tracking code that collects and sends data back to the server.
This data includes details like page visits, clicks, and purchases, providing valuable insights for optimizing marketing strategies. All of the data will be sent to an URL (known as tracking pixel URL).
So, is tracking data an image?
A tracking pixel is technically both an image and a piece of code.
- Image: Traditionally, a tracking pixel is a tiny, invisible 1×1 pixel image. This image is placed on a web page or in an email.
- Code: Along with the image, there’s a small snippet of code that is responsible for tracking. This code is executed when the pixel loads and sends data back to the server.
So, while the term “pixel” refers to the image, the tracking is actually done by the code embedded with or linked to that image.
How tracking pixel used in affiliate marketing?
Typically, affiliates don’t need to manage or look for tracking pixels themselves. The website or business running the affiliate program usually handles this.
Website owner or advertiser use tracking pixel to gather data on user behavior more broadly, not just from affiliate links.
They help in understanding overall user interactions and can support affiliate tracking.
Tracking pixel is typically used in:
1. Websites and landing pages
User Behavior Tracking includes tracking pixels on websites monitor user interactions, such as page views, time spent on a page, and specific actions (e.g., clicks, form submissions). This data helps website owners understand user behavior and optimize the user experience.
- Time Spent: The pixel can provide insights into how long visitors stay on a page, which helps gauge engagement levels.
- Page Views: The pixel tracks when a visitor lands on a specific page, helping you monitor traffic and page popularity.
- Action: It can track specific actions, like form submissions, button clicks, or purchases, allowing you to measure conversion rates.
By collecting such data, you can segment your audience into various types and improve marketing strategy. For example, visitors who view a certain product page but don’t purchase can be retargeted with relevant ads.
Tracking pixels often work with analytics tools (like Google Analytics) or advertising platforms (like Facebook Ads).
2. Email Marketing
Tracking pixel in email marketing is known as email retargeting pixel. It is a tool to help affiliates reach their audience more effectively by using behavioral data.
An email retargeting pixel is embedded in an email. When a recipient opens the email, the pixel is loaded, allowing marketers to track specific actions and behaviors. It tracks who opened an email and, more importantly, whether they clicked on a link within the email. If a recipient interacts with the email but doesn’t complete the desired action (like making a purchase), they can be retargeted with ads or follow-up emails.
Email retargeting pixels are commonly integrated into email marketing tools like Mailchimp and Klaviyo.
3. Google Ads
In digital advertising, tracking pixels help measure the success of ads by tracking impressions, clicks, and conversions.
Typically, tracking pixels enable retargeting by tracking users who interacted with an ad but didn’t convert. These users can be shown targeted ads as they browse other websites, helping to recapture potential leads.
4. Social Media Ads
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter use tracking pixels to gather data on user interactions with content and ads. This information helps in creating custom audiences for future targeting.
Social media pixels can help with retargeting. It tracks users who engage with your social media ads or profiles and then retarget them with more personalized ads to encourage conversions.
5. eCommerce Sites
Pixel-based tracking is typically used to analyze shopping behaviors. The actions followed could include product views, cart additions, and purchases.
This analysis can help the brands in various aspects, including:
- Abandoned Cart Retargeting: Pixels can track when a user adds items to their cart but doesn’t complete the purchase. This triggers retargeting campaigns, such as reminder emails or ads offering discounts to encourage checkout.
- Dynamic Product Ads: eCommerce sites often use tracking pixels to show users ads featuring products they’ve viewed but didn’t buy, increasing the chances of conversion by displaying items of interest.
F
Should I use a tracking Pixel Generator?
If you have coding skills, you can technically create and embed a tracking pixel yourself. Here are examples of tracking pixel.
Meanwhile, there are various tracking pixel generators can help you with it. They are tools that creates the code for a tracking pixel. You can use it to generate the HTML or JavaScript code needed to embed the pixel on your site.
Some tools advanced tool not only generate the code snippet, which you then need to manually insert into your website or email. Others provide additional features, like data analysis and reporting.
For web analytics, the most popular options include
- Google Analytics
- etracker
- Matomo (formerly known as Piwik), an open-source web analytics platform.
Facebook users integrate their tracking data with Facebook Pixel through an embed code. In email marketing, pixel data can be analyzed using tools such as MailChimp, CleverReach & GetResponse. Most of those also offer integration with Google Analytics.
Why do not use affiliate link instead?
Affiliate links work well for tracking clicks and purchases. However, they might miss out on some data if users don’t complete the action right away. If a customer clicks a link but doesn’t buy until later, the affiliate might not get credit. This is where tracking pixels come in handy.
Tracking pixels capture more detailed user behavior. They can track when a user visits a page, fills out a form, or completes a purchase—even if these actions happen days after the initial click. They also work behind the scenes, providing a seamless experience for the user.
Plus, tracking pixels can be used across different channels, like email marketing, social media, or banner ads, giving a more comprehensive view of the user’s journey.
So, while affiliate links are great for direct tracking, tracking pixels provide a more detailed and accurate picture of what’s happening.
In fact, you can implement both affiliate links with tracking pixels at the same time. This approach brings more data, allowing you to analyze customer behavior brought by different affiliates. For example, you can tell customer brought by Hugh often spend a lot of time search around different products on the website before purchase.
FAQs: Tracking pixels
What is pixel-based tracking ?
Pixel-based tracking is a method used to monitor and analyze user behavior on websites. It involves placing a small, invisible piece of code, called a tracking pixel, on a web page or in an email.
Can you use affiliate links and tracking pixels at the same time?
Yes, you can use affiliate links and tracking pixels at the same time. Affiliate link can track which affiliate is driving traffic and conversions. Meanwhile, tracking pixels collect additional data on user behavior beyond just the clicks, including time on site, engagement per session and interactions. In fact, using both together can give a more comprehensive view.
What is Tracking Pixel URL?
Tracking Pixel URL is the address where the tracking pixel is hosted. When a user loads the page or email containing the pixel, this URL is accessed, and data is sent to that address. The URL is crucial because it directs where the data is sent.
How pixel tracking and cookies tracking different?
Cookies can potentially identify and remember who you are by storing data (including device’s IP) on your device, which can include personal information and preferences. Meanwhile, Tracking Pixels are more focused on tracking user actions and interactions with content. They are generally used for analytics purposes.
Dan Muller
I have been working in marketing for four years, passionate about creative writing and copy writing. Love to be alone at watersides, sip coffee, play games or read anything that is thought provoking.