Online advertisements and affiliate links are everywhere on the internet. Whether you’re playing a mobile game, browsing the internet, or simply shopping around, you’ve likely clicked on a link. While it may seem like an annoyance sometimes, or the perfect introduction to a new product, what actually happens when you click on a link?
Behind each ad you encounter is a long list of systematic decisions that have led to your interaction with it. Understanding why businesses and advertisers buy high-quality traffic is essential in learning why ads work the way they do. This article aims to give you insight into what goes on behind the scenes and how you can utilize your own links to promote your product.
What Happens When You Click?
First and foremost, you will be redirected to the new page, and while that happens, your click will be recorded by the advertising program. Recording the number of successful clicks is invaluable to the advertiser, helping track which ad campaigns work and whether certain ads capture more attention than others.
Next, the page you’re redirected to will be designed with a specific purpose, such as selling a product, collecting data, or providing more information about the product. Generally speaking, ads try not to mislead or confuse once you’ve clicked to ensure a consistent experience.
During this process, the advertising site will perform some basic tracking. This will include data such as the time of the click, the device used, and the website or game on which it appeared. Generally, this data collection is anonymous; however, it may include cookies that track your data specifically.
These cookies also serve another purpose: analyzing how you interact with the ad, such as how long you stay on the page, whether it leads to action regarding the product, or whether you simply leave. Once all that data has been gathered, the advertiser is usually charged for a successful click, or they may share revenue if the link is on a third-party website.
In short, here is a quick overview of the full process:
- Successful click into initial tracking
- Redirection to the specific advertised page
- Data collection and cookie deployment
- Payment / revenue share
Why This System Works for Advertisers
All of the aforementioned actions are greatly beneficial for advertisers, because each advertisement link is measurable, controllable, and salable. Compared with more difficult-to-track methods, such as TV spots and billboards, digital links provide clear data on reception and success.
Another wonderful metric is intent. If someone is actively engaging with the advertised product, their subsequent actions are much more valuable data points. Advertisers and businesses aren’t just paying for clicks and exposure; they’re paying to gain genuine interest.
Businesses and advertisers also get control over who sees the ads. Advertisements can be targeted directly based on factors like location, device type, search history, purchase history, and more. Having access to this data makes it much easier to reach the correct audience for the product.
Performance tracking is also readily accessible, allowing full disclosure on the following:
- Number of clicks
- How many took action
- How a specific ad compares with another
- Which factors affect interest better
Having a plethora of data at the business’s disposal allows for digital advertisement campaigns to be adjusted in real time. Ads that perform well can be used in place of poor-performing ads, and new ones can be introduced to see how they compare. Digital ad campaigns will undergo a consistent stream of improvement.
Lastly, online advertising campaigns can be easily scaled up or down. Successful small-budget campaigns can be easily expanded without drafting an entirely new strategy. Flexibility of online and digital ads is unparalleled.
Each Click Matters
To users, clicking an ad is a casual or unintentional action. To advertisers, it’s a clear signal of interest, provides excellent data, and is a potential opportunity to sell a product. Each successful click helps refine and justify advertising costs.
While you may see a plethora of ads in your day-to-day browsing experience, individual advertisers favor quality over quantity. Only a small number of engaged users is necessary to create a successful business or product.
Bottom Line
The next time you click on an ad, consider everything that you’ve read in this article. Each click, each campaign is a part of a cleverly designed system that connects businesses with audiences. The process is designed to be fast and seamless whilst also improving consistently.
If you need to advertise your own product or work with advertisers, this system for tracking clicks and engagement can greatly improve your business’s growth. Being able to effectively connect with your target audience can define a successful business strategy.
Each individual click is worth something, and hopefully, you now understand why this practice has solidified itself on the modern internet.
