Raw affiliate links are long, ugly, and hard to manage. Here is a typical one:
https://www.example-network.com/r.cfm?b=346200&u=928612&m=28169&urllink=
A cloaked (or branded) link turns it into something short and clean, like yourblog.com/go/product/. The easiest way to do this in WordPress is with a link management plugin. Here is why and how.
Why Cloak Affiliate Links?
- They look cleaner and more trustworthy to readers.
- They are easy to remember and share.
- You can update a link in one place. If a program changes your link, you change it once instead of editing dozens of posts.
- You can track clicks to see which links perform best.
- The plugin can add the right rel attributes (nofollow and sponsored) automatically.
Important: cloaking hides the messy URL, not the fact that it is an affiliate link. You still need a clear disclosure near your links to follow FTC rules and the terms of most affiliate programs. Some programs, like Amazon Associates, also have rules about cloaking, so check their terms.
Best Plugins to Cloak Affiliate Links
| Plugin | Free version | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| ThirstyAffiliates | Yes | Link categories, auto rel attributes, click stats |
| Pretty Links | Yes | Very popular, simple, also a URL shortener |
ThirstyAffiliates is what we use here at RoadToBlogging, and it is the one used in this tutorial. Pretty Links works in a very similar way. For more options, see our list of the best affiliate marketing plugins for WordPress.
How to Hide Affiliate Links With ThirstyAffiliates
Step 1: Install and activate the plugin
Go to Plugins > Add New, search for ThirstyAffiliates, then click Install and Activate. Need help? See how to install a WordPress plugin.
Step 2: Choose your link prefix
Go to ThirstyAffiliates > Settings > Link Appearance. The link prefix is the word that appears before each link slug. We use “go”, so links look like yourdomain.com/go/product/. Other common choices are “recommends” or “refer”. Pick one and stick with it, because changing it later can break links.
Step 3: Set nofollow, sponsored, and new window
In the same Link Appearance tab, set links to use nofollow and open in a new window. Also add sponsored to the rel attributes. Google asks site owners to mark affiliate and paid links with rel=”sponsored” (nofollow is also accepted). Learn more in how and when to add nofollow to a link. Click Save Changes.
Step 4: Add your first affiliate link
Go to ThirstyAffiliates > New Affiliate Link. Enter the product name as the title, paste your affiliate URL into Destination URL, choose a category, and click Save Link.
Step 5: Use the cloaked link
After saving, ThirstyAffiliates shows the Cloaked URL. Use it in your posts, or insert links from the editor with the ThirstyAffiliates button. That is it, your affiliate links are now clean and easy to manage.
Want more tips? Read how to manage affiliate links in WordPress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cloaking affiliate links allowed?
Most affiliate programs allow it, but some, such as Amazon Associates, have rules about how links are displayed. Always check your program terms, and always disclose affiliate links to readers.
Does cloaking affiliate links hurt SEO?
No, as long as the links use rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow”. Link plugins can add these automatically.
Should affiliate links be nofollow or sponsored?
Google recommends rel=”sponsored” for affiliate and paid links. rel=”nofollow” is also accepted. Many sites use both.
What happens to my links if I deactivate the plugin?
Cloaked links stop redirecting and show a 404 error. Keep the plugin active, or replace the links before removing it.
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