> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://clickflare.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Click Tracking Works

> Understand how ClickFlare records Visits and Clicks across redirect and direct tracking setups

## Overview

Click tracking in ClickFlare is designed to accurately record **user intent and engagement** while remaining flexible enough to support different traffic sources, compliance requirements, and funnel structures.

This article explains:

* When a **Visit** is recorded
* When a **Click** is recorded
* How the **Click ID** is created and reused
* How redirect and direct tracking differ
* Why ClickFlare uses **Click URLs** instead of direct offer links

***

## What Click Tracking Means in ClickFlare

In ClickFlare, click tracking is split into **two distinct stages** of the user journey:

1. **Visit** — when a user enters the campaign
2. **Click** — when a user actively engages and moves forward in the funnel

Separating these stages allows ClickFlare to:

* Measure engagement quality
* Analyze funnel drop-off
* Support landing page testing and routing logic

***

## Visits vs Clicks: What’s the Difference?

### Visit

A **Visit** is recorded when a user opens a ClickFlare campaign tracking URL.

This usually happens when:

* A user clicks an ad
* The traffic source sends the user to the ClickFlare campaign URL

At this moment:

* ClickFlare identifies the campaign
* A **Click ID** is generated
* Tracking parameters are captured
* The user is forwarded to the landing page or offer

***

### Click

A **Click** is recorded when a user clicks a **ClickFlare click URL** from a landing page to the next destination (usually an offer).

ClickFlare click URLs follow this structure:

```
https://your-tracking-domain.com/cf/click/1
```

When this URL is clicked:

* ClickFlare records a Click
* The user is redirected to the correct destination
* The Click ID continues through the funnel

📌 If a landing page links **directly to the offer**, no Click will be recorded.

***

## The Role of the Click ID

The **Click ID** is a unique identifier created when the Visit is recorded.

It allows ClickFlare to:

* Connect Visits, Clicks, and Conversions
* Attribute actions to the correct campaign
* Pass tracking data between systems

The same Click ID is reused across:

* Redirects
* Scripts
* Postbacks
* API-based integrations

As long as the Click ID is preserved, attribution remains intact.

***

## Redirect Tracking: How Clicks Are Recorded

Redirect tracking is the most common and flexible tracking method.

### Flow

```
Ad → ClickFlare Campaign URL → Visit
Landing Page → ClickFlare Click URL → Click
Offer / Destination
```

### What happens technically

* ClickFlare records the Visit at the campaign URL
* The user is redirected to the landing page
* The landing page CTA points to the ClickFlare click URL
* Clicking the CTA records a Click and forwards the user to the offer

No script is required on the landing page to record the Click itself.

***

## Direct Tracking: How Clicks Are Recorded Without Redirects

Direct tracking is used when redirect URLs are not allowed by the traffic source.

### Flow

```
Ad → Landing Page (script fires) → Visit
Landing Page CTA → ClickFlare Click URL → Click
Offer / Destination
```

### What changes

* The user lands directly on the page
* A ClickFlare tracking script records the Visit
* The script generates the Click ID
* ClickFlare click URLs are dynamically handled by the script

This allows ClickFlare to track engagement **without forcing a redirect**.

Direct tracking is also used to track:

* Organic traffic
* SEO visits
* Non-paid sources

***

## Why ClickFlare Uses Click URLs Instead of Offer URLs

ClickFlare does **not** recommend linking directly to offer URLs from landing pages.

Using ClickFlare click URLs allows the platform to:

* Record engagement accurately
* Apply routing and rotation logic
* Assign the correct offer dynamically
* Preserve attribution across complex funnels

Even though the Click URL does not contain the offer URL:

* ClickFlare already knows which destination the user should reach
* The redirection happens instantly and transparently

This design enables advanced functionality without adding friction for users.

***

## How Transition Modes Affect Click Flow (High-Level)

ClickFlare supports multiple transition modes (e.g. 302, Meta Refresh, DMR, Direct).

While transition modes affect:

* Redirect behavior
* Referrer visibility
* Compliance

They **do not change** the core click tracking logic:

* Clicks are still recorded when the Click URL is used
* Attribution remains consistent across modes

Transition modes are covered in detail in a dedicated article.

***

## Common Click Tracking Misconceptions

* **“I should see Clicks without a landing page”**
  → Clicks require a landing page and a Click URL
* **“The script is required to track clicks”**
  → Scripts are required only for direct tracking or Visit capture, not for redirect-based Clicks
* **“ClickFlare redirects to the offer directly from the landing page”**
  → ClickFlare controls the destination internally based on campaign logic

***

## Summary

Click tracking in ClickFlare follows a clear logic:

* Visits measure **entry**
* Clicks measure **engagement**
* Click URLs act as controlled engagement points
* The Click ID ties everything together

Understanding this model helps prevent setup errors and ensures accurate reporting.

***

**FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS**

Got questions? Find the answers below:

> **Q1:** Why do I see Visits but no Clicks?

**A1:** Because Clicks are only recorded when users click a ClickFlare click URL from a landing page.

> **Q2:** Do I always need a landing page to track Clicks?

**A2:** Yes. Without a landing page, only Visits and Conversions can be tracked.

> **Q3:** Does redirect tracking require scripts?

**A3:** No. Redirect-based Clicks are recorded when the Click URL is used.

> **Q4:** Can I track Clicks with direct tracking?

**A4:** Yes. Direct tracking uses scripts to generate and preserve the Click ID before Click URLs are used.

## Related Resources

* Campaign Types Explained
* How Conversion Tracking Works
* Click ID & Tracking Parameters
* Transition Modes Explained