Many webmasters run ads in their sources that are prohibited by the platform. They often promote adult sites, online casinos, and similar projects. Webmasters can be severely punished for such advertising. Their campaign may simply not be approved. Sometimes, their personal account is blocked after launch. To avoid such problems, you can use cloaking (or cloaca). What is it? How can it be used to bypass moderation? What cloaking services are available?
What is cloaking?
Cloaca is a technology for replacing or hiding content. It gives you the chance to show completely different content to different people who click on the link. This method is used to change the landing page for the following visitors:
- advertising platform moderators (those who check manually);
- search bots and verification algorithms;
- advertisers who drive traffic from gray sources;
- Spy services (to remain invisible);
- competing arbitrageurs (protecting their connections and creativity).
The main idea is to hide the real offer from those who can block or copy it, showing something safe and allowed instead. It’s like a double bottom for a website.
Cloaking helps show White Page moderators, bots, and other arbitrageurs. Unlike the page with the offer, this one is completely clean and complies with the rules of the site where traffic is purchased. By the way, the Money Safe service will create such a page for your needs so that it easily passes verification.
Usually, webmasters cloak to bypass moderation. All advertising networks prohibit this. If you are caught substituting, you will be blocked. Sooner or later, moderators will find those who run through cloaking, either manually or with special programs.
How does cloaking work?
The technology divides visitors into streams. One link takes people to different pages:
- Those who don’t need to see the offer will see the White Page. It is completely legal according to the advertising network’s rules.
- Those who need it will be taken directly to the landing page with the offer.
We recommend reading the article “Money Safe service review — White Pages development” at AffCommunity.
The trick is that the system itself decides where to send users based on a bunch of data: from IP and browser to user behavior. This is the magic of bypassing moderation.
There are special services that simplify cloaking setup and moderation. For example, HideClick (3 days free, then rates apply). IM Klo, Cloaking.House, and others are also popular. When choosing a service, it is important to look at the reliability of the filtering, speed, and, of course, price. Keep in mind that even the best services do not provide a 100% guarantee — moderators are learning too. Cloaking uses:
- trackers and TDS (monitor transitions and divide traffic according to parameters);
- JS scripts (code on the page automatically changes the content for each visitor);
- redirects (simply redirect people from one site to another).
In essence, this is the technical kitchen that makes all the substitution possible. Without these tools, cloaking would be difficult or even impossible. You need to know how to configure them, especially if you plan to work with Facebook and Google.
Is cloaking necessary?
Publishers often have to promote offers using prohibited methods. A webmaster needs to know cloaking in order to hide pages from prying eyes. In general, it is not that difficult to use if you have basic knowledge of programming and network security.Copy textCopy HTMLRejectDone
