With the growing emphasis on user privacy, browsers like Chrome and Safari have changed to limit the detail provided in user-agent strings.
While these changes enhance user privacy, they pose challenges for marketers who rely on detailed device data to optimize their campaigns. CPV Lab and CPV One address this issue by adopting Client Hints, a modern and privacy-compliant solution.
They allow marketers to retrieve accurate information about user devices, helping ensure effective and well-targeted ad campaigns.
What’s Changing with User-Agent Strings?
Historically, User-Agent strings provided detailed data about user devices, operating systems, and browsers. However, this practice has changed due to privacy concerns. Modern browsers now reduce the granularity of user-agent strings, making it harder for marketers to:
- Differentiate between devices
- Identify operating system versions
- Optimize ad creatives based on device-specific data.
Instead of detailed User-Agent strings, browsers now send uniform and limited information. For example, Chrome and Safari may send nearly identical user-agent details, making distinguishing between devices without additional mechanisms impossible.
What Are Client Hints?
Client Hints is a modern alternative to User-Agent strings, allowing servers to request additional device information dynamically. Instead of automatically sending all details in a static string, browsers provide specific data only when requested.
What Information Does Client Hints Provide?
They can reveal details such as:
- Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)
- Operating system and version
- Screen resolution and pixel density
- Browser version
By selectively requesting data, they balance the need for precise tracking with the user’s privacy.
How CPV Lab and CPV One Use Client Hints
CPV Lab and CPV One leverage Client Hints to provide marketers with detailed, actionable data about user devices. Here’s how it works:
- Dynamic Requests: When users visit a tracked page, CPV Lab and CPV One send a Client Hints request to their browser.
- Accurate Responses: The browser responds with specific information, such as the exact device type and operating system version.
- Data Integration: CPV Lab and CPV One process this data and integrate it into your campaign reports, allowing you to make informed decisions about optimization and targeting.
4. Advanced Apple/iPhone device identification
- Identifying the exact model for Apple devices is not possible because they do not provide any differentiation in the calls for different device models. That’s why, in reports, all iPhone models appeared as simply “iPhone” until version 10.
- We have developed internally a method to identify better Apple/iPhone devices which can filter down the device to a specific model or a group of models.
- This will allow better filtering and optimization of your traffic and pages for iPhone users, enabling more precise targeting and improved conversion rates.
Why Does This Matter for Marketers?
Accurate device data is critical for:
- Campaign Optimization: Adjust creatives and targeting strategies to match device-specific needs.
- Better Budget Allocation: Focus spending on devices and audiences that are more likely to convert.
- Enhanced Performance Tracking: Understand which devices drive the best results and refine campaigns accordingly.
Without Client Hints, these insights are difficult to achieve, especially as User-Agent strings continue to lose relevance.
How CPV Lab and CPV One Stand Out
1. Better Device Recognition
While reduced User-Agent strings limit device identification, CPV Lab and CPV One’s Client Hints integration ensures precise recognition of devices, even when browsers limit the details shared.
2. Granular Reporting
Marketers can view detailed device metrics in CPV Lab and CPV One’s intuitive dashboard. Whether it’s tracking conversions by device type or analyzing traffic quality, they add a new layer of granularity to your reports.
3. Privacy Compliance
Client Hints is designed to work within modern privacy standards. CPV Lab and CPV One ensure that your tracking remains compliant while still delivering the insights needed for effective campaign management.
4. Adaptation to Future Changes
As browsers evolve and privacy standards tighten, CPV Lab and CPV One’s integration with Client Hints ensures that you stay ahead of the curve. This adaptability makes it a future-proof solution for affiliate marketers.
Comparing CPV Lab with Other Platforms
While other platforms may still rely heavily on outdated User-Agent data, CPV Lab and CPV One‘s use of Client Hints provides a distinct advantage. Here’s why:
- Accuracy: Unlike generic trackers, CPV Lab and CPV One identify devices with precision, even when User-Agent details are limited.
- Flexibility: CPV Lab and CPV One’s dynamic tracking system allows you to request only the necessary data, reducing unnecessary data collection.
- Insights: Detailed device information leads to better campaign optimization and higher ROI.
Real-World Benefits of Using Client Hints
1. Optimizing Ad Creatives
Different devices require different ad formats. For instance:
- Mobile users engage more with vertical video ads.
- Desktop users prefer banners or detailed interactive elements.
With Client Hints, CPV Lab and CPV One provide the data to tailor creatives for each device type.
2. Improving Traffic Quality
Marketers can use device-level insights to filter out low-quality traffic sources, ensuring that only relevant users see their ads. For example:
- If conversions drop significantly on certain devices, campaigns can be adjusted accordingly.
- Devices that generate high-quality traffic can be prioritized.
3. Enhancing User Experience
Delivering ads optimized for the user’s device ensures a seamless experience, reducing bounce rates and improving conversion rates.
Takeaways for Marketers
Client Hints is more than a workaround—it’s the future of precise device tracking in a privacy-first world. By integrating Client Hints, CPV Lab, and CPV One empowers marketers to:
- Gain accurate insights into user devices
- Optimize campaigns for better performance
- Comply with modern privacy standards
Ready to elevate your affiliate campaigns? Start leveraging CPV Lab and CPV One‘s advanced tracking features, including Client Hints, to ensure your campaigns are optimized and effective. Visit their websites to learn more and take the next step in your marketing journey.
