=== iTunes Link Engine === Contributors: GeoRiot Tags: apple, itunes, link, engine, localize, globalize, music, movies, TV, affiliate, georiot, ile, javascript Requires at least: 2.7 Tested up to: 4.1 Stable tag: 1.0.2 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Download the iTunes Link Engine to automatically localize and affiliate iTunes product links to improve user experience and increase conversions. == Description == Turn every iTunes link across your site into an opportunity for worldwide sales by instantly converting all your links to the iTunes, App Store, iBooks, and Mac App Store, into intelligently localized and affiliated links. For every click, your links will automatically redirect to the same item in a visitor’s local iTunes storefront to bridge the gap between iTunes’ geographically segmented storefronts and your international audience. Whether you are promoting music, TV, movies, books or apps, within the iTunes ecosystem, the iLE is the easiest way to localize and affiliate every link so that it works across every iTunes Storefront. By “localizing” these links, you ensure all clicks from your viewers around the world are redirected to the appropriate item in their own local storefront with your affiliate ID attached. This improves the user’s experience by bringing them to the place they’re most likely to purchase, and helps you earn the commissions you deserve. = How is GeoRiot different? = Most link “localization” plugins only translate a link for an international click when the same ADAM (Apple Digital Asset Management) ID exists in both storefronts. However, due to many factors including Digital Rights licensing and the use of various distributors across different countries, the ADAM ID is not guaranteed to be the same. The iTunes Link Engine plugin uses GeoRiot’s patented five-step algorithm to find the metadata available from each product, and then match the product across storefronts. Our algorithm ensures that the user is sent to the most relevant product instead of sending your users to a non-existent item or an error message. In addition, connecting your GeoRiot account to the iTunes Link Engine gives you access to comprehensive reporting on clicks and commissions that no other plugin can offer. GeoRiot’s reports allow you to review performance metrics such as product types purchased, click referrer, browser, device, operating system, geography, and more. = How does the iTunes Link Engine plugin work? = As soon as the plugin is installed and activated, your iTunes product links are instantly localized every time a user loads the page. You can even add new links to your WordPress site and each will be automatically converted without any additional work from you – just continue your normal workflow. = How do I earn commissions from my links? = To earn affiliate commissions, you first need to [create a free GeoRiot account](http://www.georiot.com/Wordpress-Plugin/iTunes-Sign-Up), then connect it to your plugin (detailed instructions can be found in the [FAQ](https://wordpress.org/plugins/itunes-link-engine/faq/). Next, add your PHG affiliate ID to your GeoRiot Dashboard. Once your parameter has been added, the iTunes Link Engine will automatically add your affiliate ID to each link within your WordPress site. *Note:* You don’t need to create a GeoRiot account, nor add your affiliate parameters to use this plugin. If you’re only interested in giving your international audience a better experience, this plugin can still be used to make sure each click gets redirected to their local storefront. Further, it’s important to note that the iLE plugin does not currently recognize the affiliate parameters added to the iTunes links on your site. In order to properly affiliate iTunes links you’ll need to do so with a correctly connected GeoRiot account. = Key Features: = * Automatic localization and translation of all iTunes links based off a visitor’s location. * Simple, easy to use interface. * One time configuration. Simply install the plugin, set up your GeoRiot account, and connect the two with an API key. We take care of the rest. * No need to have access to the iTunes API or build links through the iTunes Link Builder in PHG. Just paste normal iTunes links anywhere on your site (even behind images). * Your workflow remains the same. No need to learn a new linking syntax, or disrupt your current flow. * Automatically converts LinkShare, Tradedoubler, and DGM (Pro) formatted iTunes Affiliate links (from before the PHG rollout). = What makes the iTunes Link Engine different from other Affiliate WP plugins? = * Other plugins do not offer support for the new PHG affiliate program. * After iTunes made the switch to PHG in late 2013 and early 2014, similar plugins became obsolete. * Completely free support from the GeoRiot team. * No need to build links manually with a special link format. All of your links are automatically converted to localized links when the page loads. * Always free. You never need to give us a credit card or send payment. * GeoRiot only makes money when we help you make more money. == Installation == There are three easy steps to get the most value from the iTunes Link Engine. = To install the plugin: = 1. Install the iTunes Link Engine plugin using the WordPress Plugin Installer [here](https://wordpress.org/plugins/itunes-link-engine/). 1. Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in your WordPress Dashboard. 1. Once activated, your links will be automatically translated and affiliated. = To get detailed reporting: = 1. If you don’t have an account already, create a free GeoRiot account [here](http://www.georiot.com/Wordpress-Plugin/iTunes-Sign-Up). 1. After signing in, navigate to the Account page to create a new API token. 1. Copy the API Key and API Secret into your iTunes Link Engine plugin found under “Settings” in your WordPress dashboard. 1. Your iTunes information will now be available in your GeoRiot dashboard. = To affiliate your links: = 1. If you have already added your affiliate parameters to your GeoRiot account, you’re good to go. 1. If you haven’t already, sign up for the [PHG affiliate program](https://itunes.phgconsole.performancehorizon.com/login/itunes) (instructions on how to sign up can be found on [our site](http://support.georiot.com/support/solutions/articles/3000013782-how-to-sign-up-for-phg)). 1. Once approved, jump into your GeoRiot dashboard and click on the “Affiliate” tab. Then, click “Connect an affiliate program” button and paste in your PHG affiliate token. Once saved into the dashboard your links will automatically be affiliated with your PHG parameter when they are clicked. == Frequently Asked Questions == = What is GeoRiot = GeoRiot is a link management platform that maximizes your potential iTunes affiliate revenue by globalizing and affiliating your iTunes Links. GeoRiot hopes to change the way online commerce is conducted by providing its clients with intelligent links that automatically route customers to the correct product within their own local storefront. = Do I need a GeoRiot Account to use this plugin? = No, you do NOT need a GeoRiot account to use the iTunes Link Engine plugin. As soon as you download the free plugin, all of your links will be automatically localized, and your customers will be routed to the correct product in their local storefront. However, if you want to add your affiliate parameters, you will need a GeoRiot account. = How do I get my API keys? = To get your GeoRiot API Keys, follow these simple steps: 1. If you do not have a GeoRiot account, [create a free account](http://www.georiot.com/Wordpress-Plugin/iTunes-Sign-Up). 1. Log into your GeoRiot Dashboard, and navigate to the to the Account Tab. 1. Click the "plus" sign to get your API keys. 1. Navigate to the iTunes Link Engine settings under “Settings” in your WordPress dashboard. 1. Next, simply copy and paste the "Key" and "Secret" codes into the "Enable Reporting and Commissions" area of the plugin. **Please note:** It may take up to 3 minutes for new keys to become available for use after adding them to your dashboard. 1. Once pasted, your GeoRiot account will be automatically connected. = How do I affiliate my links? = First, connect the plugin to your GeoRiot account (see "How do I get my API keys?"). Then, follow the steps below: 1. Add your PHG affiliate parameter to your GeoRiot dashboard. Instructions on how to do this can be found [here](http://support.georiot.com/support/solutions/articles/71867-add-existing-affiliate). *Note:* If you’ve already done this within your existing GeoRiot account, you do not need to add your parameter again. 1. You’re all set! You’ll start earning commissions from anything purchased from iTunes. **Please Note:** If you are already using affiliated links on your website, they will not remain affiliated if you use the iTunes Link Engine Plugin. In order to affiliate your links, you must [sign up for a GeoRiot account](http://www.georiot.com/Wordpress-Plugin/iTunes-Sign-Up) and add your affiliate parameters to the dashboard. Once you have done this, and connected your account using the API keys, each of your links will be automatically affiliated. = Do I have to pay for GeoRiot? = **No**, you never need to give us a credit card or make payments to use the GeoRiot Service. The service is always free. At GeoRiot, clicks are our currency, and we earn money the way you do – through international affiliate programs. With our ["Click Share”](http://www.georiot.com/our-solution/pay-with-clicks) payment model, you simply share a maximum of 15% of your international clicks with GeoRiot. We then affiliate those clicks with our affiliate parameter instead. Please note: By default, GeoRiot's affiliate parameters will be used until you have added your own via the GeoRiot dashboard. Please [contact GeoRiot](mailto:contact@georiot.com) if you have any questions. = Do I need to update the JavaScript myself? = No, the iLE plugin is instantly pulled from a remote server each time your page loads, which means that the snippet is always up to date. If we update the code from our end, it will instantly be updated on your website upon page load. = Is the iTunes Link Engine compatible with other affiliate tools? = * **Amazon Link Engine:** The iTunes Link Engine is fully compatible with the Amazon Link Engine plugin. * **Skimlinks:** The iTunes Link Engine plugin works perfectly with Skimlinks. * **VigLink:** The VigLink plugin, however, will overwrite the iLE and not allow your links to be globalized if it has already been installed. If you are currently using this plugin, you simply need to deactivate it from your Wordpress site, download and activate the iTunes Link Engine plugin, and then reactivate the Viglink plugin. Once this is done, the plugins will work seamlessly together. * **iTunes Publisher Studio:** The iTunes Publisher Studio tool is unfortunately not compatible with this version of the iLE plugin. == Screenshots == 1. **iTunes Link Engine Interface.** == Changelog == = 1.0 = * Initial release = 1.0.1 = * Updated Readme = 1.0.2 = * Switch to "//" to allow non-https delivery of JS