8 Reasons Why Target Actions May Not Be Counted

We are often contacted by publishers who make a test target action when testing an offer (placing an order in the online store or registering on the advertiser’s website) after clicking on their affiliate link. In some cases, the target action is not displayed in the Admitad reports after completion. We decided to share the key reasons why target actions may not be counted.

1.Technical issues on the advertiser’s side

When updating their website or otherwise, the advertiser may accidentally delete our tracking pixel — a special code that responds in the process of making an order. When re is downloaded via PostBack, XML or API, the advertiser may also experience technical issues, as a result of which the target actions may not be counted.

2.Third-party extensions in the user’s browser

If a user you have brought has any extension in their browser, e.g. one of the most popular ones – Adblock, this extension can block the response of our tracking code. Therefore, tracking of the target action can be skipped. This can occur with advertisers who use an old tracking code.

At the moment we’re implementing a new tracking pixel that skips all third-party extensions. Based on the preliminary tests, we can track up to 35% of sales more, depending on the advertiser’s target audience.

3.Delay of reports on the advertiser’s side

The reports on the target action may be downloaded with delay due to technical issues on the advertiser’s side. Therefore, the report download speed depends on the duration of delay.

4.Incorrect reading of the rules of the affiliate program

Some stores pay for new customers only, or there may be a category of the goods the advertiser has not set payment for yet. This occurs when the advertiser pays different rates for different categories of goods.

5.Disabled or incorrectly running JS processor in the user’s browser

Java Script processing in the user’s browser can be disabled or run incorrectly. The user might be using a very old browser version. In this case, the tracking pixel can fail to respond and, therefore, fail to transfer data on the target action to Admitad. The target action will not be counted.

6.Anti-Virus Software

Some anti-virus software can cut the affiliate tail in the affiliate link and, therefore, the cookies are not tagged. As a result, the tracking pixel responds in the process of order placement, but does not see the affiliate cookies because there are no cookies. In this case the target action will not be counted either.

7.Link spoofing by Internet providers

There have been some cases when providers re-write cookies at the router level. It is a fraud, but nevertheless the target action may not be counted for this reason.

8.Third-party scripts on the website

Some third-party services that can be used by your website, e.g. social network buttons, external commenting systems and other services can block or replace your affiliate links with the other ones. This is why you need to be careful and especially attentive when using third-party services in your projects created for CPA tasks.

If you have some questions – ask the comments!