Link cloaking

Master link cloaking techniques for cleaner, branded, and trackable links. Elevate user trust and engagement with our expert guide.

What is link cloaking & how does it work: Quick guide

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Amna is a content marketer and storytelling enthusiast, dedicated to creating engaging, impactful content. She blends creativity with SEO strategies to help brands connect, inspire, and convert.

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Amna Yawar

Cloaked link often uses technologies like iFrames to display the destination URL within a webpage, while showing a different link to users.

How does link cloaking work?

Link cloaking itself is neutral, but its ethical use is crucial. Transparently informing users about cloaked links, especially in affiliate marketing, is essential.

Is link cloaking ethical?

Yes, many cloaking methods allow you to track click-through rates and other analytics to measure the performance of your links.

Are cloaked links trackable?

Yes, some cloaking tools let you add retargeting or remarketing tags to cloaked pages, enabling you to show ads to users who clicked but didn't convert.

Can I retarget users with cloaked links?

Learn how to cloak a link using Replug. Create clean, branded URLs to boost trust, protect affiliate commissions, & track link performance.

How to cloak a link?

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Link cloaking uses an iFrame to load the destination page while keeping your branded or shortened URL visible in the browser’s address bar. This technique hides the original URL, which is a major advantage for affiliate marketers.

One of the best tools for cloaking links is Replug. It offers easy link customization, tracking, and branding features to enhance link performance.

What is the best tool for link cloaking?

Yes, absolutely. Most link cloaking tools, including Replug, allow you to use a custom domain to create <a href="https://replug.io/blog/what-is-a-vanity-url" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vanity URLs</a>. This makes your links look cleaner, more on-brand, and easier to trust.

Can I use my own domain for cloaked links?

Some websites actively block iFrame loading through security headers like X-Frame-Options. If a site has this restriction (for example, Apple), link cloaking won’t work. Tools like Replug will alert you if a destination link can’t be cloaked.

Why do some websites not allow cloaking?

Yes. With affiliate link cloaking, you can still apply Facebook Pixel, Google Tag Manager, and other retargeting pixels to track user behavior and optimize your campaigns.

Can I add retargeting pixels or tracking scripts to cloaked links?

In some cases, cloaked links may be flagged by spam filters, especially if they hide the final destination or appear misleading. Some platforms and email providers treat aggressive URL masking with caution. To avoid this, always use link cloaking ethically and transparently.

Why is my cloaked link getting flagged or marked as spam?

Link cloaking helps you: - Make long affiliate URLs (like Amazon links) look clean and branded - Protect your affiliate IDs and commissions - <a href="https://replug.io/blog/how-to-increase-ctr-using-branded-links/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Improve click-through rates</a> with trustworthy-looking links - Track performance using UTM tags and analytics - Add retargeting pixels to links for remarketing

What are the benefits of link cloaking?

Cloaked links loaded in iFrames aren’t crawled like standard hyperlinks, so they don’t typically pass SEO value. If SEO is your goal, use traditional linking strategies. But if your focus is <a href="https://replug.io/blog/affiliate-link-tracking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affiliate conversion tracking</a>, branding, and clean presentation, link cloaking does the job well.

Is link cloaking good or bad for SEO?

Affiliate decloaking is all about honesty and building trust with your audience. Read ur guide to find out how this can make a big difference!

A Quick Guide on Affiliate Decloaking 

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Arslan is a SaaS content marketer who crafts clear, engaging content that drives results. He simplifies complex ideas into easily understandable blog posts, landing pages, and emails, helping SaaS companies connect with their audience and grow.

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Arslan Jadoon

While affiliate cloaking itself is not illegal, its ethical implications depend on how it’s used. Cloaking with the intent to deceive or manipulate users can violate laws and regulations, as well as the terms of service of affiliate programs.

Is affiliate cloaking legal?

Risks associated with cloaked affiliate links include reduced trust and credibility with your audience, potential violations of affiliate program terms, and penalties from search engines if detected.

What are the risks of using cloaked affiliate links?

Various methods exist to decloak affiliate links, including using online tools or browser extensions designed to reveal the underlying URL of shortened or cloaked links.

How can I decloak affiliate links?

While it’s not mandatory, decloaking all your affiliate links can help establish transparency and trust with your audience. Consider decloaking links where transparency is crucial or required by regulations or affiliate program terms.

Do I need to decloak all my affiliate links?

Affiliate Link Cloaking is the way to brand product links and track conversions, clicks and more using a link disguiser & a url shortener.

What Is Affiliate Link Cloaking & How To Do It?

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Hassaan Khan is a freelance writer for SAAS companies, e-commerce stores, and niche websites. He has contributed to SEMrush, ThriveGlobal, BloggingCage, AllBloggingTips, and several other publications. He builds niche websites, publishes e-books, and helps website investors with his done-for-you niche site-building service.

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Blogs on link cloaking

What is link cloaking & how does it work?

How to cloak a link?

A quick guide on affiliate decloaking

What Is Affiliate Link Cloaking & How To Do It?