This Guideline will explain how to implement a
clickTag variable in your Flash file. The reason for this implementation
is to allow the system to track clicks when users click on the flash
creative. All creative sizes are available in the inventory. 468 x 60,
250 x 250 etc....
SWF Movie Requirement
For the most part, the movie is made just like any
other movie. Any swf file specifications provided by the advertiser
still apply. Any animation or ActionScript that you would normally use
can be used with this method. The only difference is the settings for
click through actions. Make sure the following parameters are set when
the ad clicks over to a site:
* clickTag is used in the URL.
* the URL box is set for an expression.
* the target window is set appropriately (generally _blank is the best
choice).
The accompanying figures show examples what the Flash
4 or Flash 5 interface should look like when all the parameters are set
appropriately.
N.B. This method will only work with Flash 4 or higher creatives.
Flash 3 creatives do not have the necessary features.
Also, make sure that the movie filename is all lower
case without any spaces. Since the movie will be played on the Internet,
not having spaces in the filename and keeping the filename lower case
will help prevent problems in locating the file on different servers.
Clickcounters recommends that clickTag is used only
to pass into the SWF file the URL information. ActionScript is used to
combine the clickTag together with the movie. Clickcounters recommends
that clickTag be setup in this manner to allow for additional safety and
flexibility.
For Flash 4, the URL should look something like
Fig. 1. The end result would follow the pattern: "clickTag"
Figure 1. Flash 4 with Clickcounters recommended URL
For Flash 5, the URL should look something like
Fig. 2. The result should follow the same pattern: "clickTag".
Figure 2. Flash 5 with Clickcounters recommended URL
For Flash MX , the URL should look something
like Fig. 3. The result should follow the same pattern: "clickTag".
Figure 3. Flash MX with Clickcounters recommended URL
The URL box is set for an expression.
The text that is entered into the URL box is an
expression. When the movie plays, the expression will be evaluated and
replaced with the click tracking string and the destination URL from the
the HTML sniffer code, in the DART system. In order for this method to
function correctly, you must indicate that the text is an expression. In
Flash 4, the button to the right of the URL should have an equal sign.
It should not have the letters abc. (See Fig. 1.) In Flash 5, the
expression check box should be checked. (See Fig.2). Note that there are
two buttons or check boxes. One is for the URL and one is for the target
window. Make sure that the button or check box for the URL is set
correctly.
- The target window is set appropriately
Most rich media advertising is served through a
different frame or through javascript. Frames or javascript allow a site
to rotate ads. Because frames are sometimes used, the target window for
the click through URL must be set appropriately. If the target window is
set incorrectly, the advertiser's site will not appear in the right
location. We recommend setting the target to _blank or _new.
This will load the landing site in a new window.
- Passing variables is set appropriately.
When the click through occurs, the browser will first
contact the ad server to count the click and then go to the advertiser's
site. If you are not passing variables to the advertiser's site, set the
Variables drop down box to "Don't send". To pass variables
with Clickcounters ad servers, choose "Send using GET". If the
advertiser's servers can not use the GET method for variables, please
contact Clickcounters support for assistance.
- Multiple Click-Through Areas
If the FLASH Files contain multiple clickable zones with different
destination URL, follow the same procedure with
different clickTag names: clickTag1, clickTag2...etc.
VERY IMPORTANT : If the variable is used inside a movie clip embedded
in the main Flash animation, the variable MUST be accompanied by
this extension : _root. to obtain this variable : _root.clickTag . In
fact, it's possible to send values to a variable which is the main Flash
animation and not to its child movie clips.
