This factor counts how many recognized QuinStreet redirect API links appear in a page’s rendered body. It is an observation of affiliate link volume for one specific partner network, not a target to raise — the count says nothing about whether those links are useful or where they lead.
| Factor ID | RG-AFF-025 |
|---|---|
| Family | Affiliate & ads |
| Measurement | Occurrence count |
| Measured zone | Rendered, script-free page body |
What it measures
RankGear tallies the number of recognized QuinStreet redirect API URLs present on the page. QuinStreet is an affiliate network, and its tracked outbound links route through a redirect endpoint before reaching the advertiser. The value is a simple occurrence count for that one endpoint pattern — a rough read on how heavily the page leans on this particular affiliate partner.
How RankGear measures it
RankGear scans the rendered, script-free page body and counts case-insensitive HTTP or HTTPS occurrences whose path begins with hqx-qmp.quinstreet.com/hqxapi/qsctredirect/. Each match adds one to the count; the match is on the URL string only.
What RankGear looks for
https://hqx-qmp.quinstreet.com/hqxapi/qsctredirect/...
http://hqx-qmp.quinstreet.com/hqxapi/qsctredirect/...How to optimize it
Treat this as an observation, not a number to push up. Retain only current, useful, and properly disclosed partner links, and remove duplicates that do not help visitors. A page does not benefit from stacking more redirect links; it benefits from links that serve a reader’s actual need. Because the count only recognizes this one QuinStreet endpoint format, links routed through an alternative format will not register here — so use the count to notice this partner’s footprint, not to judge affiliate quality overall.
Important considerations
- Alternative link formats may score 0 — only the specific
hqx-qmp.quinstreet.com/hqxapi/qsctredirect/pattern is recognized, so other QuinStreet or non-QuinStreet affiliate links are not counted here. - The count does not validate the destination. A recognized URL is tallied whether or not the link still resolves to a live, relevant offer.
- More occurrences are not a goal. A higher count is not inherently better and should not be chased.
- The inherited factor name contains a double space; it is a naming artifact and does not change what is measured.
- This is a prioritization signal within a measured result set. It relates to position — it does not cause a page to rank, and a particular count guarantees nothing.
Related factors
Part of the Factors reference · how RankGear measures · glossary.