XF 1.3 Link proxies significantly affects Skimlinks

[Stuart Wright]

Having run 1.3 since launch with link proxies on, I have some data on Skimlinks. The guys there have been in touch to ask we test the system by turning link proxies off.
They are saying that our Skimlinks revenue is significantly down and they are confident this relates to link proxies interfering with Skimlinks in certain browsers. By turning link proxies off for a while, we can confirm one way or the other.
The Skimlinks team are looking into the situation today to get some firm information.

Meanwhile other Skimlinks users should be aware that there is likely a problem using link proxies and Skimlinks together.

 

[Martok]

That's who Mike has already arranged to speak to
Ironically, we do think XF 1.5.2 will solve the Skimlinks/link proxy issue; it's just we introduced something new at the same time.

Would that be the case too with Viglink?

 

[Chris D]

Possibly. It's worth noting we've not done any explicit testing, but the different approach taken we suspect will alleviate that issue for Skimlinks and similar services.

 

[Stuart Wright]

I've heard from Skimlinks that they have a solution which will be implemented on their servers soon. Possibly tomorrow morning so the team will have all day to fix errors.

 

[CTXMedia]

I've heard from Skimlinks that they have a solution which will be implemented on their servers soon. Possibly tomorrow morning so the team will have all day to fix errors.

Excellent - thanks for your input Stuart, and to the XF and Skimlinks guys for sorting so quickly.

 

[andybond]

Excellent - thanks for your input Stuart, and to the XF and Skimlinks guys for sorting so quickly.

Looks like @Stuart Wright has more clout than us. I have had a reply this afternoon asking to point out which links dont work :/

Big fan of avforums btw , active user on there

 

[Stuart Wright]

Had a message from Richard at Skimlinks who I don't think will mind me posting here:

We decided to leave it overnight so we could have more eyes on the clicks as things progress. We've just pushed the change this morning.

We'll keep an eye on things throughout the day and please don't hesitate to get in touch if anyone reports anything out of the ordinary.

I also asked whether we can switch on the XF link proxy feature and he suggested I ask @Mike about that.
We'll need an XF update for that, I guess?

 

[Mike]

We'll need an XF update for that, I guess?

The approach with the link proxy was changed to avoid issues with services like Skimlinks, so it should work now (as of 1.5.2). I presume people using Skimlinks would have had it disabled before, so if you can monitor your Skimlinks clicks regularly, I would recommend enabling the link proxy and keeping an eye on Skimlinks to confirm it's still reporting as expected.

 

[CTXMedia]

Thanks guys - I'll report back in a few days.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[andybond]

Thanks guys - I'll report back in a few days.

Cheers,
Shaun

+1

 

[Stuart Wright]

The approach with the link proxy was changed to avoid issues with services like Skimlinks, so it should work now (as of 1.5.2). I presume people using Skimlinks would have had it disabled before, so if you can monitor your Skimlinks clicks regularly, I would recommend enabling the link proxy and keeping an eye on Skimlinks to confirm it's still reporting as expected.

Awesome. Feature enabled and will report back. Many thanks, Mike.

 

[andybond]

Awesome. Feature enabled and will report back. Many thanks, Mike.

confirmed working for us ..

Now passing the skimlinks test .

This will be fun claiming back all the lost skimlinks

 

[Fred.]

Good to read this
I disabled skimlinks back in 2014 when I switched to ssl and enabled the linkproxy.
Just installed the add-on again and tested and now I pass the test.
I will give it a try and see how it goes.

 

[CTXMedia]

Looks like they're counting properly again - nice work guys - much appreciated:



Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Chris D]

What if you enable the link proxy?

 

[Stuart Wright]

What if you enable the link proxy?

With link proxy enabled:


So looking very positive, thanks all.
Side note. The link proxy log is a scary 262 pages long after less than a day.

 

[andybond]

confirmed proxy link enabled and working here as well.

Now just need to claim back all the purchases from this week :/

 

[Mike]

Realistically, this is related to a change from XenForo, not Skimlinks. It just led to our JS action taking priority over theirs.

 

[CTXMedia]

Realistically, this is related to a change from XenForo, not Skimlinks. It just led to our JS action taking priority over theirs.

Thanks for getting this resolved so quickly.

 

[andybond]

I am still not convinced this is working.

If you click the link that has been posted you dont get the https://go.redirectingat.com part , just opening of the ebay.

If you right click you do get teh https://go.redirectingat.com part.

Clicks are being logged correctly , but no payments appear to be going through.

 

[CTXMedia]

Clicks are being logged correctly , but no payments appear to be going through.

Mine seems to be back to normal - both for clicks and revenue: