A tracker is a tool for monitoring and analyzing your advertising traffic. It tells you where a user came from, which ad they clicked, and what action they took (click, registration, sale).

Without a tracker, you’re working blind, wasting money on ads without knowing which ones are profitable.

How it works:

1. A user clicks your ad.
2. The tracker records the click with a unique ID.
3. The user lands on the offer page.
4. If they convert, the affiliate network informs the tracker.
5. You see exactly which ad and source led to the conversion.

Types of trackers:

• Cloud-based: Hosted by the service provider. Easy to use, ideal for beginners. (e.g., Voluum, RedTrack, PeerClick).
• Server-based: Installed on your own server. More flexible and cost-effective long-term, but requires technical skill. (e.g., Binom, Keitaro).

Key benefits:

• Save money: Identify and stop underperforming ads.
• Optimize creatives: See which ads and devices convert best.
• Gain transparency: Know the exact source and cost of every lead.
• Unified stats: Manage multiple affiliate networks from one dashboard.

Conclusion:

For beginners with small budgets, an affiliate network’s built-in tracking may suffice. However, if you’re serious about scaling, a tracker is an essential “navigation” tool that prevents wasted ad spend and guides you to profit.