Cloaking of Google Ads is the process of showing the user content different from the one seen by Google Ads’ ad review system. It affects the trust of users and advertisers and breaches the terms of Google Ads service.
What Is Link Cloaking in Digital Marketing?
Link cloaking means making shortened or hidden link in order to make it cleaner, traceable, or easier to read. In good practices of marketing, there can be reasons to use cloaking, which are:
- Affiliate tracking
- Shortened URL
However, using cloaking methods in order to show users and Google bot different pages is against the policy requirements.
Why Google Ads Does Not Allow Cloaking
Google prohibits cloaking on its ads because it creates opacity. The following problems may be faced:
- Deliberate misleading of the visitor to another landing page
- Bypassing the ad review systems
- Redirecting to the low-quality or risky sites
It results in account suspension or ban.
Other Methods to Replace Cloaking
In order not to use cloaking in your advertising, you may choose the following practices:
1. UTM tracking parameters
Include the following URL parameters in order to track the performance of your advertising campaign:
- Source
- Campaign
- Medium
2. Reliable Redirect Services
Utilize redirect services which ensure the consistency of content across all visitors.
3. Server-side Analytics
Collect visitor data using Google Analytics and other similar services without hiding their geographic locations.
Example of Clean URL Tracking
Correct:
example.com/product?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=spring_sale
Incorrect:
Creating two separate pages for Googlebot and regular users
Common Misunderstandings
"Is all link cloaking prohibited by Google?"
Not at all. The only prohibited type of link cloaking is deceptive link cloaking. Clean URL tracking is permitted.
"Can I use cloaking in affiliate marketing?"
Yes, but only when destination page is the same for all users and in line with the affiliate network policy.
"How does Google find out about cloaking?"
Both manually and automatically.
Optimum Approach to Prevent Account Suspension
- Ensure the display of the same content to all users and to crawlers
- No concealing of redirects and masking destinations
- Strict adherence to the Google Ads policy
- Prioritizing of clean URL tracking rather than cloaking
Conclusion
Deceptive link cloaking is an extremely risky approach which may cause permanent damage to your ad account.
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