What is ITP 2.0?
In September 2017, Apple released Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) for Safari. This is a browser setting called “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” enabled for all users by default.
The purpose of this technology was to limit the ability of tracking service providers to read their cookies from an Advertiser’s (or other website owner’s) website beyond the initial 24 hours. This feature targets cookies dropped by companies that Apple assumes are tracking users across multiple sites.
In late 2018, Apple will update their Intelligent Tracking Prevention to block even more cookie-based tracking continuing to focus on third-party cookies. This update essentially means that third-party cookie-based affiliate tracking will no longer work on Safari, therefore retailers will have to implement first-party cookie or cookie-less solutions in order to avoid loss of tracking. These solutions are considerably more dependable for click tracking.
How is ShopStyle helping with this transition?
We have worked to ensure that ITP 2.0 does not impact our community’s links and revenue. Not only have we spoken directly to all our retailer partners, we have partnered with our sister companies, Ebates and Rakuten Marketing (one of the largest affiliate network platforms), as well as our other affiliate platform partners to confirm all of our retailers are using cookie-less or other ITP compliant tracking. Almost all of our retailers have proper tracking in place for the update release.
Helpful articles to help you understand ITP 2.0:
- https://www.tune.com/blog/what-apples-intelligent-tracking-prevention-2-0-itp-means-for-performance-marketing/
- https://www.cnet.com/news/heres-how-apples-browsing-privacy-features-will-work-safari/
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/05/apple-got-even-tougher-on-ad-trackers-at-wwdc/
- http://junction.cj.com/article/what-you-need-know-about-apple-intelligent-tracking-prevention-itp
- https://impact.com/partner-marketing/what-does-itp-2-0-mean-for-you/
PPC Program Members:
Retailers unable to confirm proper ITP 2.0 compliant tracking have been disabled on our PPC program. You will not be able to create content or earn revenue on clicks from these retailers until they confirm proper tracking is in place and we are able to reactivate them on the platform. We will update this list on a regular basis as more retailers become compliant. See our current list of non-compliant retailers here.