1x1 pixel image in affliliate links, absolutely necessary?

[Atlantean]

Most of the product codes I use to promote products include a 1x1 pixel image that is linked to the exact affiliate URL as the text or regular-sized image is.

Example:

[img]afiliatelink[/img]

My first question since I'm on the subject: What is this 1 pixel image's purpose in an affiliate code snippet? Does it have to do with tracking?

Next question: Can I safely remove it and still be credited with the referral?

These 1 pixel images, under certain circumstances (especially CSS related), cause design/template problems. I've even had to display:none some of them so they wouldn't wreck my pages. Is setting them to display:none tantamount deleting them from the page?
Can I leave them out completely?

Thanks in advance for helping me with this.

[hornsby]

My first question since I'm on the subject: What is this 1 pixel image's purpose in an affiliate code snippet? Does it have to do with tracking?

Yes, the one pixel images are for tracking. Notice that the src attribute doesn't even point to a .gif or .jpg file. Instead, it is pointing to a script which gets run whenever the "image" is loaded.

As long as there is still a link with some unique identifier for your account, I would assume you would still get the commission. Likewise, hiding them is not the same as deleting them; the image will still load, it just won't be visible. Again, if there is a visible link with a unique URL, you should still get the commission... though of course I could be wrong. You might want to experiment with it.

[Atlantean]

Thank you for the reply hornsby.

Anyone want to second hornsby's comments?

[danay]

It's the easiest, most low maintenance way there is to track an affiliate referral right now that performs cross-platform, cross-browser, etc.