Ebay Partner Network Generate Link Code CacheBuster Question

If you have recently joined the new ebay partner network and created a link, you won’t fail to notice that in the generated javascript code, there’s a function call defined as CacheBuster. Out of curiosity, an email was to sent to ebay and the reply was…

To answer you, the cachebuster is necessary to ensure accurate impression counts. A cachebuster is a random number inserted into an image request call (e.g. ) to ensure that the user’s web browser does not cache the image on subsequent visits to your webpage.

If you use the Javascript version of the code provided, this cachebuster is implemented for you. With the HTML version, if you want to ensure accurate impression counts you will need to implement the cachebuster yourself to replace the [CACHEBUSTER] placeholder in the code snippet.

I also asked if t was alright to copy only the href link (can be found inside the js code) instead of the whole generated js code.

Regarding your generated link, only what you sent us is needed to paste. You don’t need to have CasheBuster anywhere in your code. Your link will work properly without one.

To put a long story short, here’s the conclusion:

1. The CacheBuster is there to help you record the correct amount of impression you are getting. Each time a page (with ebay’s affiliate links) is loaded, it makes sure a fresh load (impression) is counted, and not from a previous cached page.

2. Yes, you can only use the html href link in the generated code to link directly to ebay. However, in that case, since you don’t have the javascript part, there won’t be any recorded impressions.

Update (2008-05-12)

What is a cachebuster for creatives?

The cachebuster is necessary to ensure accurate impression counts. A cachebuster is a random number inserted into an image request call (e.g. ) to ensure that the user’s web browser does not cache the image on subsequent visits to your webpage. Calculation example:
function getCacheBuster() {
return Math.floor(Math.random()*999999999999)
}

If you use the Javascript version of the code provided, this cachebuster is implemented for you. With the HTML version, if you want to ensure accurate impression counts you will need to implement the cachebuster yourself to replace the [CACHEBUSTER] placeholder in the code snippet.

Source: ebay partner network