This ClickWhale review covers a free WordPress plugin that replaces long, messy affiliate links with clean, branded links on your own domain, adds tracking codes and builds link-in-bio style pages. If you’ve used Pretty Links, ClickWhale does a similar job with a generous free version. Here’s how it works and why branded links matter.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission.
Why Use Branded Links Instead of Raw Affiliate Links?
- They look trustworthy: yoursite.com/go/tool beats a long string of tracking parameters.
- Easy to update: if an affiliate link changes, update it once and every post stays correct.
- Click tracking: see which links and pages get clicks.
- Easier to remember and share in videos, podcasts and social posts.
A note on SEO: Google doesn’t penalize affiliate links in themselves, but it asks you to mark paid and affiliate links with rel="sponsored" (or nofollow). Good link plugins let you set that automatically. Also check each affiliate program’s rules; some (like Amazon) restrict redirects.
ClickWhale Features
Link manager
Create short, branded links, organize them into categories and choose the redirect type.
Tracking codes
Add tracking or retargeting codes to links to measure campaigns.
Link pages
Build a simple link-in-bio page on your own site, for example this link page and this one.
Click statistics
See clicks per link and over time inside WordPress.
How to Get Started
- Install ClickWhale from WordPress.org and activate it.
- Set your link prefix (for example /go/).
- Add your affiliate links with clear names.
- Set the rel attributes to sponsored/nofollow.
- Replace raw links in your posts and pages.
- Check click stats regularly.
ClickWhale vs Other Options
- Pretty Links: popular, with more features in its paid version.
- LeadsLeap link tracker: free tracking plus traffic tools; see why I replaced ClickMagick with LeadsLeap.
- ClickMagick: advanced paid tracking for ad campaigns.
More tactics like this: 7 affiliate marketing tactics that maximize profit.
Optional Pro Upgrade
The free version covers most bloggers’ needs. A Pro upgrade adds advanced features; see the official ClickWhale page for details.
ClickWhale Review: FAQ
Is ClickWhale free?
Yes, the core plugin is free on WordPress.org.
Will it slow my site?
It’s a lightweight link plugin; redirects are fast.
Do I still need disclosures?
Yes. Branded links don’t replace affiliate disclosures.
