Killer Example of a Domain Name as Affiliate Redirect
A while ago I posted my 7 Reasons to Use Domains for Affiliate Links and reason number three was “they can get listed in search engines.”
Today I was going over my affiliate stats for the University 20/20 affiliate program and noticed quite a bit of traffic coming from Yahoo.
I investigated a bit further and discovered that my affiliate link (the domain name BuildingProfitableWebsites.com) was ranking number one on Yahoo for the term, you guessed it Building Profitable Websites.

I’ve seen this type of thing before and it amazes me that it happens, but I’m not complaining. Yahoo has picked up the title and meta description for University 20/20 site and listed my link (which doesn’t even have a website of it’s own) as it’s top search engine result, for this phrase.
Granted it isn’t a high traffic phrase, but this certainly is a way to add value to your affiliate marketing efforts. Not only do I get more traffic to my affiliate link, but the value of my domain name is increasing as well. If I was going to build a site about making money on a website, this domain name is very well primed.
You may want to read the other 6 reasons to Domains for Affiliate Links.
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Comments ( 10 )
[...] just read about how just a domain name can get to #1 on Yahoo! by Jon over at Art of Money I worked out what happened… It turns out that this domain name is linked to from 7 other [...]
Redirect Income added these pithy words on Oct 25 07 at 5:59 amStephan Miller added these pithy words on Oct 30 07 at 9:49 amSo that’s how that works. Great trick. I have used domains for affiliate links before but mainly as landing pages for PPC. I see now their are other options.
Eric Parker added these pithy words on Nov 02 07 at 1:42 pmIf I point a domain name to another page through my host’s control panel, I think that is an http re-direct. Is that the same as a “301″ redirect, and does it provide the hoped-for benefit?
I appreciate your help.
Jon added these pithy words on Nov 02 07 at 6:05 pmEric, that’s exactly how I did it. So I know on Dreamhost at least it is a 301 redirect. If you want to check you can get the “Live HTTP Headers” extension for FireFox and then you’ll be able to watch the status codes when you click the link just to be sure.
Ryan Shamus added these pithy words on Nov 15 07 at 6:51 pmWow, that’s pretty cool man. I never really assumed that would happen.
How fast did it happen? Matter of days, weeks??
Jon added these pithy words on Nov 15 07 at 9:43 pm@Ryan, not sure. I hadn’t checked those stats for months.
Tom added these pithy words on Nov 18 07 at 10:31 amThat’s awesome work. Sometimes you’ll be surprised how much a long-tail keyword will bring you in traffic.
john added these pithy words on Apr 16 08 at 5:02 amCould you please explain how can I do the redirection with a CJ.com affiliate link?
Ninja Blog Setup added these pithy words on May 27 08 at 8:41 pmGreat idea. I use the Redirection plugin which is a watered down version of your technique.
Bruce Hale added these pithy words on Aug 30 08 at 11:00 amI’m trying to figure out how to point a domain name to an affiliate link. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Bruce Hale