Driving traffic is only half the battle in affiliate marketing. The real question is: which traffic actually converts? Paid analytics software promises deep insights, but do you really need to spend money to get started?
This case study tested whether free AI and tracking tools were enough to monitor and analyze 100 clicks from different campaigns – and the results may surprise you.
- Free link trackers can show where clicks come from.
- UTM parameters add context (platform, campaign, post).
- Google Analytics provides deeper insights at zero cost.
- AI tools help organize data and surface patterns.
- Beginners don't need paid software to learn what's working.
Step 1: Set Up Tracking Links
We used Bitly Free to create shortened links for each platform:
- Facebook posts.
- Pinterest pins.
- Email sequence.
Each link was tagged with UTM parameters to identify source and campaign.
Step 2: Collect Click Data
Over 7 days, we tracked 100 clicks spread across campaigns. Bitly showed:
- Which link got the most clicks.
- What time of day saw higher activity.
- Which platform performed best.
Step 3: Analyze Deeper with Google Analytics
For traffic going to a landing page, we paired Bitly data with Google Analytics. This revealed:
- Bounce rates.
- Time on page.
- Conversion actions (form fills).
Step 4: Use AI to Organize Results
With ChatGPT Free, we pasted the raw data and asked for patterns:
“Analyze this click data by source and campaign. Identify the best-performing platform and suggest improvements.”
The AI summarized:
- Pinterest drove the highest clicks.
- Facebook clicks had longer session times.
- Email clicks converted at the highest rate.
Step 5: Draw Conclusions
- Best for traffic volume: Pinterest.
- Best for engagement: Facebook.
- Best for conversions: Email.
This showed where to focus efforts going forward.
(Q&A)
Q: Can free tools really track conversions?
A: Yes – with Google Analytics and Bitly, you can see where clicks and sign-ups come from.
Q: Do I need UTM parameters?
A: They're optional but make your data much clearer.
Q: How many clicks do I need for useful data?
A: Even 100 clicks can reveal patterns if you're tracking properly.
Q: What's the downside of free tracking?
A: Less automation and fewer advanced reports compared to paid tools.
Q: What's the biggest mistake affiliates make with tracking?
A: Not tracking at all – flying blind and not knowing what works.
- Comparisons, Roundups & Case Studies
“See the full Comparisons pillar to review case studies and roundups of the best-performing free AI tools for affiliates.” - Free AI Tools for Content Creation
“Loop back to the first pillar to start building content with AI tools that generate posts, blogs, and videos fast.” - Free AI Tools for Messenger & Outreach
“Move into the next pillar to learn how Messenger & Outreach tools turn your new traffic into real conversations and sales.”
Tracking doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. As this case study shows, you can monitor clicks, analyze patterns, and even measure conversions using only free AI and analytics tools. Start simple, get clarity on what works, and scale from there.
