Hide your affiliate links using TinyURL.com

Here’s a Wordpress plugin that will make this a little easier. Found it a few days ago. Thought it would be useful:
http://www.brajeshwar.com/2007/tiny-link-a-wordpress-plugin-to-create-a-tinyurl-for-your-articles/

I tend to shy away from this method because affiliate links are affiliate links. If someone clicks my link without knowing it, I feel like I cheated the person. But hey, do what you want to do. If affiliate programs are what you’re for, go ahead.

I have been using tinyurls myself in many different types of scenereo’s, not just affiliate links.

I have found that it is a great site to use and have. However, I most often use this in forum posts.

Well, you can still make it looks like affiliate links just that with out your ref id. It just depends on how you used the tool.

I hate clicking on tinyurls. I’d really prefer an affiliate link because at least I know CJ or shareasale won’t have a virus waiting at the end. Why not simply make a redirect page? like Ads.toasteggme.com/amazon.html ? You could even shorten that to amazon.toasteggme.com

I prefer to make a redirect page also. But for those that do not host their own domain then tinyurls might be the best way for them.

Thanks for the tip! I think that’s great.

I use a page redirect plugin in some cases but in others I use the affiliate link. It really depends on both the destination site and the blog where I’m using the link.

Agreed. We need to think about where and how we going to use it. It might bring negative effect if we misuse it.

Thanks for the mention. If you’ve ever seen my domain name, you’ll understand why I found and use tinyURL.

I recently bought seorob.com. I’m just not sure I want to make the switch yet for SEO reasons.

There are actually plenty of url shortening services, many have better features than tinyurl, recently I have posted a post about this topic. Might want to drop by :
Hate Long Web Addresses? Make Them Shorter URLs

Thanks for sharing the info.

why didn’t I know about this, tinyurl is a great resources

Well, you know now. Cheers.

thanx for ur nice seo information where i can find more information about? would be glad if u can send me via email or say it here i will return after the weekend think monday or thur.

Have you tried viral url (another cloaker)
If so, are there any drawbacks/negatives to that program?

Marsha

I never tried viral url before, so I can’t tell you much about it. Sorry.

That’s a great one you have there. One needs to execute this, especially when doing affiliate stuffs so you don’t lose some easy money. Nice one.

There are lots of free good stuff out there. Just need some time to find them.

I see that phishers seem to be using this feature to hide and divert the linkage. Example: a copy of a bank home page with a hotlink to a disguised location where data are collected for phishing.
Is there a way to overcome this abuse of your worthy application ??

Thanks for pointing this out. I think for any useful application, there will be people taking advantage on abusing it. I don’t have the answer to overcome this, just that we need to be alert and be careful with our bank accounts and paypal accounts. My advice is to trust no incoming emails. Some emails that try to trick your info will looks exactly just the same as the original email from your bank or paypal.