Link Hook Technique
NOTE: Let me make it clear that I do know of some simple link-friendly ways to make links appear as though they are not referral links i.e. the popular ‘mrtemple.com/loves/ebay’ style of redirects. This is another method.
As more people are spending time on the web they’re becoming more savvy at avoiding affiliate links, for example, you’ve spent over an hour writing the perfect sales pitch for a product or service and just as you’ve dazzled your reader, the smartass goes out of their way to make sure you don’t receive commision on the sale. Don’t deny it, everyone has done this at least once, including myself.
So I like to imagine they’re is certain levels to the ‘Web Savvy Meter’ i.e. (Noob, Casual, Techie & Affiliates).
I would consider affiliates to be the most web savvy users, possibly because it’s a requirement to stay on top of the game that is internet marketing. So, tricking a trickster becomes difficult when you want to collect commission and they really don’t want to give it to you. This is where the ‘Link Hook Technique’ comes in, not only will it make sure you get your commision, it will also make you look like a nice guy when they think you’re not just trying to sell them something.
Link Hook Technique
Here is a neat PHP function I whipped up in a few second to make life a bit easier:
$return = "";
if($linkText){
$return = "<a href=\"".$displayLink."\" onmouseup=\"return this.href=’".$redirectLink."’\" target=\"_blank\">".$linkText."</a>";
}else{
$return = "<a href=\"".$displayLink."\" onmouseup=\"return this.href=’".$redirectLink."’\" target=\"_blank\">";
}
echo $return;
}
How to Use
If you want to create a text/image link with the link hook technique, you simply call the function as follows:
<?php linkHooker("http://www.ebay.com", "http://www.mrtemple.com/redirect.php?offer=eBay", "eBay"); ?>
<?php linkHooker("http://www.ebay.com", "http://www.mrtemple.com/redirect.php?offer=eBay", "<img src=\"images/eBay.png\" />"); ?>
If you are looking to hyperlink a big section of HTML, then you can use the function like this:
// *** You then must add the </a> to close the link wherever you choose
<?php linkHooker("http://www.ebay.com", "http://www.mrtemple.com/redirect.php?offer=eBay"); ?>
How it Works
It’s simple, the user hovers over your link and sees your display link, only when they press down on the mouse and then release it does the URL get switched out ‘onmouseup’ with your redirect link followed instantly by the browser following your redirect.
Example
Go to Google now!
Attention
Now, please DO NOT ABUSE THIS TECHNIQUE! I was very sceptical about whether I should even write this post telling others about this, it can be abused for wrong-doing and phishing, please keep this technique clean, only use it if your sending your reader to the matching end website via your display link and redirect link.
I have searched the internet for this technique being used elsewhere and cannot find anything written by anyone, I don’t know if it’s unique, but it’s definitely fun, so enjoy!
