How to track affiliate keywords

[Mark J]

Hi,

This may be a "tracking 101" question, but I have not yet dealt with an affiliate in our SEM firm.

The affiliate's order page is already tagged with the Google tracking code which was set up by the main company (everyone uses the same order page).

So how do you track keywords for the various affiliates?

Thanks!

[5starAffiliatePrograms]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to SearchEngineWatch!

Sorry but I am not clear about what you need help with. Do you have an affiliate program and are asking the question as the merchant or affiliate manager? Or are you an affiliate? Need a little more info like what affiliate tracking software is being used and which direction you are asking the question from - the merchant or affiliate side and then possibly I can help.

Linda

[Mark J]

Linda,

I was hired to run ppc programs for a few affiliates of a dietary supplement supplier. While the affiliates have uniqie URL's, the order page for this product is the same for everyone (including the main supplier).

The supplier already has the tracking code on the order page and can therefore measure their keyword programs, but not the affiliates (from what they tell me). So how would I track the affiliate's keyword programs? Can you put additional code on the page per affiliate?

I might be overcomplicating this, and yes, I'm pretty new to this industry. So if I'm missing something here, please feel free to ridicule me!

Thanks,

Mark

[5starAffiliatePrograms]

Hi Mark,

Well I think it still depends in part on what affiliate tracking software is being used. Some programs have SID tracking which affiliates can add to the url to track certain types of products purchased so maybe they could do that per KW too. It sounds like maybe what you are asking though is if there is a way for you to track it for the affiliates from Google Adwords or Google Analytics?

If indeed you are doing this through Adwords, then maybe post to that forum to see if someone can help over there. Sorry, still not real clear on what you are using and I'm also not super technical. Please try to clarify one more time and lets see if someone can help.