Shortenandhide affiliate links
Note: Link is encoded in Base64. For actual use, you need to create route /go/[slug] or use HTML redirect file.
Link Cloaker tool helps Friends shorten and hide long, ugly affiliate links. Short, professional URL. Create custom slug according to 6-character brand. Encode Original URL with Base64 to hide tracking parameters. Download HTML redirect file to self-host on server that of you - don't dependent on third-party services. Protect affiliate commissions from tracking code being cut off. Save history of links created during the session. Copy cloaked links with one click.
Affiliate links are often very long and contain ugly tracking parameters like ?ref=abc123&campaign=xyz&source=... This causes many problems: Users are afraid to click because the link looks spammy. don't trustworthy. Easy to recognize is affiliate link and get skipped. Tracking code can be cut off by people using browser extensions, causing Friends to lose commissions. Long links are difficult to share on social media, messages. Link cloaking solves it all: Create a short, professional URL (yourdomain.com/go/product-name). Hide tracking parameters from visible URL. Protect commission because users are invisible and can't cut tracking code because link looks more trustworthy.
Most affiliate programs allow link cloaking, as long as is you retains the tracking code and redirects to the correct affiliate link. However, some programs have their own regulations: Amazon Associates requires links to be identifiable is affiliate links (disclosure required). Google Ads don't allowing cloaking. Always carefully read the Terms of Service belonging to each affiliate program before using cloaking.
HTML files contain 2 redirect methods: meta refresh tag (for browsers without JavaScript) and JavaScript redirect (faster). When users access the file, they are immediately redirected to the original affiliate link. Upload the file to hosting at the path corresponding to the slug. For example: slug 'my-product' → upload file at /go/my-product.html or /go/my-product/index.html.
Cloaked links use redirection (meta refresh or JavaScript) so they do not transmit link juice like a direct link. However, with affiliate links, this is not important because: You do not need SEO for affiliate links. Affiliate links usually have nofollow anyway. The goal is user click, not SEO value. If you are concerned, use rel='nofollow sponsored' for affiliate links.
This basic version does not have built-in tracking. To track clicks, you have options: Use Google Analytics with UTM parameters on cloaked links. Use a link shortening service with analytics (Bitly, Rebrandly). Build your own tracking system on the server (log each request to /go/[slug]). Most affiliate networks also have dashboards to track clicks and conversions.
Self-hosting has many advantages: Branding - use your domain, increase trust. Control - no third party service dependency. Privacy - do not share data with third parties. Not blocked - some platforms block Bitly links. Unlimited - create as many links as you like. However, Bitly has better analytics if you need detailed tracking.
Base64 is encoding, not encryption. people with technical knowledge can decode to see the original URL. However, the purpose of cloaking is to hide from casual users, not absolute security. For most users, they will not know how to decode Base64. If higher security is needed, use server-side redirect with database stored mapping.
Have. Link cloaker can be used for any link you want to shorten or hide: Long links from Google Docs, Sheets. Link has ugly parameters. Link needs branding with your domain. Link needs to track clicks. However, for important (non-affiliate) links, consider using proper URL shortener with analytics.
Cloaked links in this tool do not expire because the original URL is encoded in the link. However, if the original affiliate link expires or is changed, the cloaked link will redirect to a link that is no longer valid. You should periodically check your affiliate links, especially with limited campaigns.
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