What Does “Mask URL for Subdomains” Mean?

URL masking for subdomains allows marketers to display a branded or custom URL to users while redirecting them behind the scenes to another destination—usually for tracking, cloaking, or brand management purposes.

Example:

nginx Visible to user: https://promo.brand.com/deal
Real redirect: https://tracking.partnernetwork.com/aff_id=3891

When Should You Use Subdomain URL Masking?

• Affiliate campaigns: Clean, trustworthy URLs improve click-through rates

• Ad cloaking workflows: Hide real pages from reviewers

• SEO control: Consolidate traffic into designated channels

• White-label services: Let agencies mask client links under their own domains

Methods of URL Masking

1. HTML iFrame Embeds: Easiest, but blocked by many browsers and platforms

2. Reverse Proxy + Rewrite: Reliable server-level approach

3. Cloaker-integrated Masking: Automatically generate and manage masked subdomain links

Risks to Avoid

• Frame blocking by X-Frame-Options headers

• Platform audits that follow redirect chains

• SSL mismatch between parent and masked domains

• Overuse that triggers brand or reputation flags

Best Practice: Use a Cloaker with Masking Support

Instead of coding complex scripts, use a cloaking system that supports dynamic URL masking for subdomains. AdCloaking.com offers tools to build, test, and monitor masked URLs—combined with intelligent traffic filtering for added security.

Final Thoughts

Subdomain-level URL masking is more than a branding tactic—it’s a protection layer in high-performance campaigns. Visit AdCloaking.com today to discover how you can deploy safe, invisible, and scalable link structures across all your campaigns.