Definition of link cloaking

Link cloaking is a technique used to hide the actual URL of a web link, often for aesthetic or security reasons. It involves creating a shorter, more user-friendly link that redirects to the original destination.

Explanation of link cloaking

Link cloaking is commonly employed in affiliate marketing to create cleaner, more clickable links. It can also be used to mask complex URLs or prevent users from manipulating the link.

Example of link cloaking

An affiliate link like "http://www.example.com/affiliatelink123" might be cloaked to appear as "http://www.example.com/recommends/product."

Strategies of link cloaking

• Enhanced aesthetics: Create cleaner, more readable links for better user experience.
• Affiliate marketing: Protect affiliate links from manipulation or tampering.
• Branding: Use custom-cloaked links to reinforce brand identity.

Related terms

• URL redirection
• Affiliate marketing
• Hyperlink
• Click tracking
• Deep linking