Royal Links Pro Documentation
Complete guide to the professional link management solution for WordPress. Royal Links Pro includes all Lite features plus auto-linking, scheduling, geo-targeting, A/B testing, and advanced analytics.
Getting Started
Royal Links Pro is the premium version of our link management plugin, designed for professional marketers, affiliate managers, and businesses who need advanced link management capabilities.
Pro Features
Auto-Link KeywordsPRO
Automatically convert keywords in your content to affiliate links.
Link SchedulingPRO
Schedule links to activate or expire at specific dates and times.
Geo-TargetingPRO
Redirect visitors to different URLs based on their country.
Device TargetingPRO
Send mobile and desktop users to different destinations.
A/B Split TestingPRO
Test multiple destinations and track which performs better.
QR Code GenerationPRO
Generate scannable QR codes for any link instantly.
UTM BuilderPRO
Visual UTM parameter builder with reusable templates.
Product Display BoxesPRO
Eye-catching product boxes with images and pricing.
Affiliate DisclosurePRO
Automatic FTC-compliant disclosure notices on affiliate links.
Advanced AnalyticsPRO
Detailed reports with export capabilities and conversion tracking.
Also Includes All Lite Features
- Link shortening with custom slugs
- 301, 302, 307 redirect support
- Click tracking and basic analytics
- Categories and tags
- Nofollow/sponsored attributes
- Broken link detection
- Gutenberg and Classic Editor integration
- Import/Export functionality
Installation
Download from your account
Log in to my.royalplugins.com and download the Royal Links Pro zip file.
Upload to WordPress
Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, select the zip file, and click "Install Now".
Activate the plugin
Click "Activate" after installation completes.
Enter your license key
Go to Royal Links > Settings > License and enter your license key to enable updates and Pro features.
Deactivate Royal Links Lite before activating Pro. Your links and settings will be preserved. Do not delete the Lite version until Pro is working correctly.
License Activation
A valid license is required to receive updates and access Pro features.
Find your license key
Your license key is in your purchase confirmation email or at my.royalplugins.com/my-account/licenses/
Enter the key
Go to Royal Links > Settings > License tab and paste your license key.
Activate
Click "Activate License". You should see a success message and green "Active" status.
Each license has an activation limit based on your plan. Deactivate unused sites from your account to free up activations.
Auto-Link Keywords
Automatically convert specified keywords in your content to affiliate links without manual editing.
How It Works
- Enable auto-linking in Settings > Pro Features
- Define keywords for each link (e.g., "Best Hosting", "BlueHost")
- When those keywords appear in your content, they're automatically linked
- Control frequency using global and per-link limits
Global vs Local Limits
Royal Links Pro uses a smart two-tier limit system with round-robin distribution for optimal keyword diversity:
| Setting | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Global Max | Settings > Pro Features > Auto Linker Limit | Maximum total auto-links per post across ALL keywords (overrides local limits) |
| Local Max | Each link's Auto-Linking meta box | Per-link limit - used as fallback when no global limit is set |
Global overrides Local: If Global Max is set to 10 and a link's Local Max is set to 5, the global limit of 10 total auto-links per post takes precedence. This prevents any single offer from dominating.
Local as fallback: If no Global Max is configured, each link follows its own Local Max setting independently.
Round-Robin Distribution
To ensure keyword diversity, Royal Links Pro uses round-robin (cylindrical) distribution when auto-linking. Instead of exhausting one keyword before moving to the next, it cycles through all keywords evenly:
With keywords for "Best Hosting" (Link A), "VPN Service" (Link B), and "Email Tool" (Link C), and a Global Max of 9:
Without round-robin: A, A, A, A, A, B, B, B, C (one offer dominates)
With round-robin: A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C (even distribution)
This ensures your content promotes multiple offers fairly rather than front-loading a single affiliate link.
Configuration Options
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Comma-separated list of keywords to auto-link for this URL |
| Max Links Per Post | Local limit - overrides the global setting for this link only |
Example Output
Here's how auto-linked keywords appear in your content:
Start with a low global limit (2-3) to avoid over-linking your content. Too many links can hurt user experience and SEO. Use local limits for high-priority affiliate links that deserve more visibility.
Link Scheduling
Schedule links to go live or expire automatically - perfect for time-limited promotions.
Features
- Start Date - Link activates at this date/time
- End Date - Link expires and shows fallback
- Fallback URL - Where to redirect after expiration
- Timezone Support - Schedule in your local timezone
Use Cases
- Black Friday / holiday promotions
- Limited-time coupon codes
- Product launch dates
- Seasonal affiliate offers
Geo-Targeting
Send visitors to different destinations based on their geographic location.
How It Works
- Set a default destination URL
- Add country-specific URLs for different regions
- Visitors are automatically redirected based on their IP location
Example Setup
| Country | Destination |
|---|---|
| Default | amazon.com/product |
| United Kingdom | amazon.co.uk/product |
| Germany | amazon.de/product |
| Canada | amazon.ca/product |
Geo-targeting is essential for Amazon affiliates. Send visitors to their local Amazon store to maximize conversions and comply with each program's terms.
A/B Split Testing
Test multiple destination URLs to find which converts better.
How It Works
- Add multiple destination URLs for a single link
- Set traffic split percentage (e.g., 50/50 or 70/30)
- Track clicks and conversions for each variation
- Analytics show which URL performs better
Use Cases
- Test different landing pages
- Compare affiliate programs for the same product
- Optimize call-to-action destinations
- Test pricing page variations
QR Code Generation
Generate scannable QR codes for any link instantly - perfect for print materials, events, and bridging offline to online.
How It Works
- Create or edit any link in Royal Links Pro
- Click the QR Code icon in the link editor
- Customize colors and size
- Download in PNG, SVG, or PDF format
Use Cases
- Business cards with link to your portfolio
- Product packaging with affiliate links
- Event displays and posters
- Restaurant menus linking to reviews
- Real estate signs with property listing links
UTM Builder
Build UTM-tagged links visually without manual URL construction. Track campaigns in Google Analytics 4 with properly formatted UTM parameters.
UTM Parameters
| Parameter | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| utm_source | Where traffic comes from | newsletter, facebook, google |
| utm_medium | Marketing medium | email, cpc, social |
| utm_campaign | Campaign name | spring_sale, product_launch |
| utm_term | Paid keywords | running+shoes |
| utm_content | Differentiate ads/links | logo_link, text_link |
Save frequently used UTM configurations as templates for quick reuse across multiple links.
Viewing UTM Data in Google Analytics 4
UTM parameters created by Royal Links are automatically captured by GA4. To view your link campaign data:
- Traffic Acquisition — Reports > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition. Filter by Source/Medium to see clicks from your Royal Links campaigns.
- Campaign Report — Reports > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition, then select "Session campaign" as the primary dimension.
- Explorations — Create a custom exploration using utm_source, utm_medium, and utm_campaign dimensions for granular analysis.
Royal Links tracks all clicks in your WordPress database for privacy-first analytics, while UTM parameters send the same data to GA4. You get local control plus the full power of Google Analytics 4 reporting.
Product Display Boxes
Create eye-catching product boxes that showcase affiliate products with images, pricing, and call-to-action buttons.
Features
- Upload product images or use URL
- Display current price and sale price
- Customizable button text and colors
- Star ratings display
- Responsive design for all devices
Usage
Insert product boxes using:
- Shortcode:
[royal_product id="123"] - Gutenberg Block: Search for "Royal Product" in the block inserter
Affiliate Disclosure Notices
Automatically add FTC-compliant disclosure notices near your affiliate links to stay compliant with regulations.
Configuration
- Global Disclosure: Add a disclosure to all affiliate links site-wide
- Per-Link Disclosure: Override with custom disclosure per link
- Position: Before link, after link, or tooltip on hover
- Styling: Customize colors, font size, and spacing
Example Output
Here's how the disclosure notice appears near your affiliate links:
The FTC requires clear disclosure when you have a financial relationship with products you recommend. Disclosures should be clear, conspicuous, and near the affiliate link.
Advanced Analytics
Comprehensive reporting beyond the standard analytics in the Lite version.
Pro Analytics Features
- Conversion Tracking - Track when clicks lead to sales (with pixel/postback)
- Revenue Reports - See earnings per link when integrated with affiliate networks
- Export Reports - Download CSV/PDF reports for clients or records
- Custom Date Ranges - Analyze any time period
- Comparison Reports - Compare performance across periods
- UTM Tracking - Automatic UTM parameter support
Link Management
All the core link management features from Royal Links Lite, plus Pro enhancements.
Creating Links
Each link includes:
- Title - Internal name for your reference
- Destination URL - The full URL you want to redirect to
- Slug - The short part of your URL (auto-generated or custom)
- Redirect Type - 301 (permanent), 302 (temporary), or 307
- Pro Options - Scheduling, geo-targeting, A/B testing, auto-link keywords
Redirect Types
| Type | Name | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent Redirect | Affiliate links, permanent destinations |
| 302 | Temporary Redirect | Testing, temporary promotions |
| 307 | Temporary (Strict) | Preserves request method |
Import & Export
Easily migrate links from other plugins or backup your link database. Royal Links supports CSV import/export for bulk operations.
Click Tracking
Every click is automatically tracked with detailed information.
Data Captured
- Click timestamp
- Browser and version
- Operating system
- Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
- Referrer URL
- Unique vs. repeat visitors
- Country/region (Pro)
- A/B test variation (Pro)
Categories & Tags
Organize your links for easy management and filtering.
Organization Tips
- Use categories for affiliate networks or broad topics
- Use tags for campaigns, products, or time periods
- Filter by category/tag in analytics for segmented reports
Settings
Configure Royal Links Pro from the Settings page.
General Settings
- Link Prefix - URL path prefix (default: /go/)
- Default Redirect - 301, 302, or 307
- Nofollow/Sponsored Defaults - Default attributes for new links
Pro Settings
- Auto-Link - Global auto-linking on/off
- Geo-Targeting - Enable/configure IP detection
- Analytics Retention - How long to keep click data
- Export Settings - Default export formats
License Tab
- Enter/manage your license key
- View activation status
- Deactivate to move to another site
The Pro Features section at the bottom of the settings page unlocks after activating your license:
Troubleshooting
License not activating
- Check that your license key is copied correctly (no extra spaces)
- Ensure you haven't exceeded your activation limit
- Verify your license hasn't expired at my.royalplugins.com
- Check that your server can connect to our licensing server
Auto-linking not working
- Ensure auto-linking is enabled in the link settings
- Check that keywords are entered correctly
- Clear any caching plugins
- Verify the post type is included in auto-link settings
Geo-targeting not accurate
- IP geolocation has ~95% accuracy
- VPN users will show their VPN location
- Some corporate networks may show headquarters location
Short links show 404
- Go to Settings > Permalinks
- Click "Save Changes" to flush rewrite rules
- Try the link again
Checking Link Health
Royal Links Pro includes automatic broken link detection. View link health status from the Link Health page:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I upgrade from Lite to Pro?
Purchase Pro, download the zip file, deactivate Lite, install and activate Pro, then enter your license key. Your existing links will be preserved.
Can I use Pro on multiple sites?
Yes, depending on your license. Check your plan's activation limit at my.royalplugins.com.
Will Pro slow down my site?
No. Royal Links Pro is optimized for performance. Redirects happen instantly with minimal server overhead.
Does geo-targeting work with caching?
Geo-targeting bypasses page caching since redirects happen at the PHP level before any page is served.
Can I track conversions/sales?
Yes! Pro includes conversion tracking via pixel or postback URL integration with affiliate networks.
What happens when my license expires?
Your links continue to work, but you won't receive updates or support until you renew.