Cloaking
Cloaking is a method to replace the page content depending on the audience. It helps pass moderation on platforms like Google, Facebook, or TikTok. The system determines what to show and to whom based on IP address, user-agent, language, behavior patterns, and other parameters.
Cloaking in action: examples from arbitrage
In traffic arbitrage, cloaking is most often used when working with gray verticals (nutra, betting, dating, finance). The principle is the same: the advertising platform displays legal, "clean" content that complies with the rules, while the actual user sees the target offer that violates those rules.
For example, on Facebook, the moderator is presented with a landing page promoting a healthy lifestyle or vitamins. At the same time, the user is redirected to a page featuring betting, money-making schemes, or banned nutritional products. In Google Ads, it can be an ad with a "clean" site that redirects users after the click.
On TikTok, cloaking is often implemented through a safe pre-lander. At first, the user sees a neutral screen, and the desired content is loaded only after interaction. The primary mechanism of the entire scheme focuses on filtering traffic by IP address, device, behavior, and other parameters to separate moderators from real users as accurately as possible.
What are the risks of using cloaking?
Most platforms actively work on detecting and preventing cloaking, utilizing machine learning, analyzing and modifying behavior patterns, as well as post-click actions for moderation. If such a violation is detected, strict sanctions are applied.
Affiliate programs may refuse payouts or permanently ban partners for fraud, while ad platforms block accounts, BM, payments, and sometimes even devices. Google applies manual filters, de-indexes pages, or rolls back the domain.
Platforms and software for the cloaking setup
It's important to understand that this is a high-risk tool. An arbitrage specialist must have solid experience, understand the technology and how it works, while also considering the potential consequences. Cloaking is done using:
- Cloaking frameworks: NoIPfraud, Fraudbuster, Keitaro with custom filtering rules.
- Antidetect browsers: Dolphin{anty}, AdsPower, Indigo.
- Tracking systems: RedTrack and Binom allow setting up filters and redirects.
- Filters: by user-agent, IP ranges, GEO, cookies, behavioral signs (time on site, scrolls, clicks).
- Cloud-based cloaking services: Cloak-it, LinkTrust, and LeadCloak, allow affiliates to minimize risks without hosting them on their own server.
Misconfigurations, creative leaks, or user complaints can quickly lead to account bans, domain blocks, and even tracking through platforms. Moreover, using cloaking violates the rules of most ad networks, which means it always carries legal and financial risks. Therefore, it should only be applied consciously, with a clear understanding of the consequences and full technical support.