May 31st, 2007
Implementing Flash Click Tags
Now where was the IAB at when they were handing out flash clickTAG specs to the publishers?
There are several variations of Macromedia Flash clickTAG implementation types that the different publishers require so that you can have your Flash banner ads tracked properly. These clickTAG’s need to be integrated into .fla file before it gets trafficked to the sites.
For detailed instructions on how to build and insert click through tracking on flash banners check out the Macromedia tutorial page below:
Building Macromedia Flash Banners with Tracking Capabilities
Below are some additional examples of the different variations of clickTAGs that are used with particular ad publishers and networks:
MSN DR Flash ClickTAGs:
on (release) {
getURL(clickTag, “_blank”);
}
MSN Network ClickTAGs:
on (release) { fsCommand(”URL1″); }
United Online Flash ClickTAGs:
on (release) { fscommand (“”); }
Earthlink.net Tags:
on(press) {
getURL(”http://www.example.com/trk.asp?CID=1234″, “_blank”);
}
Advertising.com Tags:
on (release) {
getURL(/:AceClick, target=”_blank”);
}
AOL Network Flash Coding:
Macromedia recommends a “clickTag” method to track clicks for flash ads. This method uses variables to pass the click tracking string and URL into the Flash creative movies. As a result, the only text in the URL box is _level0.clickTag. Be careful of the capitalization on clickTag. The _level0. Here is what the coding will look like when you are done:
on (release)
{
getURL(_level0.clickTag, “_blank”);
}
The clickTag is a variable and the text that is entered into the URL box is an expression. When the flash movie is playing, the expression will be replaced with the click tracking string and destination URL. In order for this method to function properly in Flash 5 or 6 (MX), you must indicate that the text is an expression by checking the expression check box. Be sure to also set the Variables drop down box to “Don’t send”. No check boxes or drop down selections are required for Flash 7 (MX 2004) or Flash 8 Pro, just don’t put the clickTag coding within quotations.
The target window for the click through URL needs to be set to “_blank” so the click through will open in a brand new window per AOL’s requirements. Do not leave the target statement undeclared.
Flash MX 2004/Flash 7 ClickTAG Script Example
In the example below, a getURL action is being assigned to a button that will direct the browser to [clickTAG]. The getURL(clickTAG,”_blank”) statement will append the variable data passed in via the OBJECT EMBED tag and points the browser to that location. It is the tracking code assigned by the ad serving network, which allows them to register a user’s click activity on that advertisement.
The URL variable, clickTAG should be inserted without “” for the creative to work properly. See image below.
To open a new browser window when the ad is clicked on, enter “_blank” for the window variable. See image below.
Here are some other useful flash designer resource links:
Flash Performance Hints
clickTAG Security Document
Macromedia RichMedia Resource Center
MSN Flash Ad Tracking Specs - very helpful click through tracking instructions.
AOL Flash Coding Instructions - complete instructions for AOL’s flash ad tracking requirements.
