invisible image link in affiliate codes

[eCommando]

Hello,

A lot of affiliate programs have a 1x1 pixel or invisible graphic link to track the number of hits to the banner or graphics. If I put that on my site and link to it, will I get banned from Google for having an invisible link?

I am asking this because there's been a lot of talk about Google going to have hidden link detection, etc. How is Google going to know that invisible link is a spam?

Thanks,

[korkus2000]

It shouldn't need to be linked. It is tracking off of how many times your site calls the graphic. I would be concerned linking a clear pixel graphic, but I have not seen a program that makes you link it.

[Jbrookins]

it's not a link, it's a 1x1px graphic. What it does is make sure they can track everytime a banner you're serving gives an impression. Basically, this is their way of making sure their merchants don't rip them or the affiliates off. I haven't seen anyone who needed to do this lately though as most service providers serve the banners themselves.

However, since it's an image rather than a link, you should be perfectly safe.