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I received 3rd (Third) party tracking code that is requiring a 1x1 pixel tracking pixel (possibly with a Cache Buster), how do I set this up?
Author: Jeremy Argue Reference Number: AA-00268 Views: 15323 Created: 2010-11-19 15:51 0 Rating/ Voters

If you received Synced Banner code or 1x1 tracking pixel code from a 3rd Party provider that is requiring a Cache Buster you can very easily create it in the 3rd Party code, then use that code as your Synced Banner

In the example below we are going to look at code from Media Plex, but this same process will work for all cache busters.

In the instructions you receive from the 3rd party they will reference something like, CACHE BUSTING.  "To ensure accurate tracking, you are required to implement a Cache Buster on your end.  Please replace all occurrences of [CACHEBUSTER] in the ad tags below with a value using one of the following two Cache Buster types:

1.  Time Date Stamp (down to the millisecond or smaller time interval)
2.  Random Number Generator (at least 4 digits)

The Cache Buster value must be identical on all ad tag components for each ad placement.

Proper cache busting ensures the correct click thru URLs are delivered, and ensures correct banner weighting/rotation.

For example, if your generated cache buster value is 24398729,   you would replace:   http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/bn/0-0-0-0?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER] with:   http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/bn/0-0-0-0?mpt=24398729

The full code that is provided will look something like this:
<!-- JavaScript Only -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/js/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mpvc=">
</script>
<noscript>
  <a href="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nc/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]">
    <img src="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nb/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"
alt="Click Here" border="0">
</a>
</noscript>

In actuality, the streaming player doesn't really need a cache buster per se because it is a live action item.  Streams don't work like regular webpage since the player itself is "refreshed" every time a new audio ad plays.  So, all you need to do is replace the [CACHEBUSTER] in each section of code (there are three instances for each section in our sample) with a random number.

For example:
 <!-- JavaScript Only -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/js/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=487169&mpvc=">
</script>
<noscript>
  <a href="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nc/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=487169">
    <img src="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/nb/9714-101774-20983-2?mpt=487169"
alt="Click Here" border="0">
</a>
</noscript>

If you look at the code above, you'll see that we just replaced [CACHEBUSTER] with the number 487169.  For the next ad, or code segment, use something like 487170 in all three places and for the third section of code you can use 487171.

Simply change the [CACHEBUSTER] section of each line to the same number and then paste that code into the 3rd party banner code window in the Synced Banner screen.

Make sure that you use a unique number for each segment of code.

If you need to track the clicks on this banner from WITHIN the Campaign Manager, as well as having the 3rd party track them as well, please see this article for detailed steps on setting up proper click tracking.

Please contact support if you need any further assistance whatsoever.

 

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