Stats Tracking Services and Hidden Links

[webdesignmd]

Stats Tracking Services and Hidden Links

Hi, I hope this is the correct forum for my question...

I use Hitslink's service rather than rely on my server stats. I know that the code for this service contains a transparent 1px image link. I've pasted this code into the footer of my pages and I have been using this for sometime now with no problem. I was just made aware today that this 1px "hidden" link to Hitslink may create potential problems for my site.

I am aware of the problems that deliberate spam or multiple hidden links can cause for a site but I have not heard of anything with regard to this specific issue. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks.

[rustybrick]

I doubt you have to worry that this will affect your search rankings. I would worry about security programs or plug ins that detect 3rd party services on a site and consider them to be spyware.

[AussieWebmaster]

Stats Tracking Services and Hidden Links

Hi, I hope this is the correct forum for my question...

I use Hitslink's service rather than rely on my server stats. I know that the code for this service contains a transparent 1px image link. I've pasted this code into the footer of my pages and I have been using this for sometime now with no problem. I was just made aware today that this 1px "hidden" link to Hitslink may create potential problems for my site.

I am aware of the problems that deliberate spam or multiple hidden links can cause for a site but I have not heard of anything with regard to this specific issue. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks.
This is the general way tracking is done and it has not casued any probelms to the sites usinbg it so far.

[webdesignmd]

Well, it is good news that this has not created any problems for others. But it makes me think...

What I was wondering is how is this 1px link to Hitslink any different than if I were to put a "hidden link" on my site. From what I've read, hidden links are a big no-no w/search engines and even just one can hurt your site. Can search engines differentiate between the two?

[AussieWebmaster]

An interesting point... I'm thinking they go to an area blocked by Robots.txt etc. and thus are not acquiring anything and on top of that it is usually the site receiving the hidden link that that would not get credit...

[dannysullivan]

I don't think it's an image link, but can't say for certain. Traditionally, it's just been tiny images that you call off the provider's server. That image call registers referer data they can mine.

Overall, these type of tracking systems are so common (Google even has its own, which I think is JavaScript based), that I wouldn't worry about it.

[webdesignmd]

Overall, these type of tracking systems are so common (Google even has its own, which I think is JavaScript based), that I wouldn't worry about it.

Ahhh...that is interesting. Is that Google Site Stats?