Do Networks Give A Flying F…
After many weeks, many complaints and many examples I and many other Discount Code websites are starting to get pissed off with the complete lack of action taken by UK affiliate networks, when it comes to dealing with affiliates who simply abuse the internet. By this, I mean websites who use others exclusive discount codes and ,as has recently been highlighted, now copy others websites newsletter content.
To me, very few networks give a flying toss as to who generates them money, or how it’s being generated, as long as it goes via their links and continues to line their little fury pockets. They obivously have no care in the world as to the knock on effect it has to other, ethical and honest, affiliates or the industry as a whole as they continue to turn a blind eye, and I very much doubt they ever will.
A few networks are keeping eyes on rogue affiliates after they accidently scraped a load of exclusive codes from many other discount websites. Since then, there are examples of newsletters being copied word for word (including links to the originating website!) and adding other affiliates URLs to footers. Not to mention bidding other affiliate websites domain names, which some may see as good PPC tactics.
My problem is, that on most occasions I am ethical, and I expect networks to be the same… If I join a merchant, nearly everytime the PPC guidelines asked by merchants and networks, is that I do not bid using the merchants competitor names or URLs. I therefore wouldn’t run a PPC campaign for Bunches, and use words like Next Flowers, Interflora and such like to advertise them. I would like to think networks would also request the same from affiliates, by asking them not to bid on other affiliate URLs or domain names.
When it comes to exclusive codes, for which I have taken time out to obtain, may have agreed reduced commissions, may have had to prove my worth beforehand, I and other affiliates find it infuriating when someone comes along and spends 5 minutes scarping your site for their gain. What is even more annoying is the way the networks bury their heads in the sand, say nothing and do nothing.
The amount of money being made by all Discount Code websites is pretty phenominal, however if 1 website is generating £m’s, you can see the reason why UK Affiliate Networks are reluctant to take any action considering the slice of action they will get which is 3x the affiliates income.
Sadly this is, and will continue to damage the industry, as it is making us honest ethical affiliates seriously think that maybe we should be going down the same unethical route as its easy money, and networks dont give a stuff. Instead of spending time building relationships with networks and merchants why not just scrape other peoples sites? Its a lot easier and less time consuming after all. Once thats in place, I will throw a few iFrames to help drop cookies everywhere… again, as long as the networks take a cut, they’re unlikely to pull me up on it.
There will be some people out there that suspect jealousy is the driving factor behind all of this, but believe me, its not. There is enough cake for everyone, however by networks allowing affiliates to go down this route, its not donig the industry any good and its an industry I like and am begining to care about more and more. To me it shows that they are happy to make money any which way, whether it be ethical or unethical.
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rest assured Chris that some networks do in fact give a flying feck about these issues and take them very seriously. I’m investigating specific affiliates and complaints that have been made for them on the forum and in emails/msn and we will be taking action where necessary.
As a network, webgains does not tolerate unethical practices, even if they bring in the revenue – no one wants revenue generated under such circumstances as it only harms the reputation of the industry we have all worked so hard to establish. We have suspended affiliates from our network for not complying with our Ts & Cs and we are not afraid of stepping in and taking the hard line approach.
One of the best posts of the year!
I often feel let down … bollocks to it … pissed off and right-royally shafted by some networks that only focus their attentions on a few affiliates and let them get away with blue-murder just for an easy life.
It’s about time that merchants are far better informed about what affiliate marketing is and what practices to look out for by both merchants and networks.
I’ve got a great domain name to use to keep tracks of these sort of practices but, until now, have felt reticent about using it.
We need to be more vocal about what’s going on … let’s get vocal!
NO !
No far too many don’t give a flying fiesta mate it’s clear the name of the game is spank and bank by any and all means as of late.
The 30% rule is in full swing, 30% for them from everything paid out however generated and 30% of something is better than 100% of nothing so that wins hands down.
Morals and ethics are something for catchy slogans on display advertising and sessions at affiliate presentations where the real world is a cosy dream
One could say the industry is stalling or moving backwards, so many networks are loaded with staff and in heavy seas now as it’s not the calm fishing pond it once was so they are resorting to apathy when it suits them ( whilst the money is flowing inwards)
The landscape has changed from affiliates and networks in a bar having a chat and helping each other earn cash in mutually beneficial non exclusive relationship to now where SOME networks are behaving more like unruly amateur affiliates used to, they are not looking out for anyone’s interests except their own, full stop, not clients, not affiliates, just their own.
you can’t even get a straight answer out of some as to if they even have a program on their network so hows that for open, honest, respectful communication.. doesn’t take much of a leap to connect the dots and figure out they’ll take revenue over “ethics”.. it’s clear respect is reserved only for the very few preferred partners with some networks.
I think 2008 will be the year some networks get a wake up call, personally I stopped workign with idiots and pi$$takers over a year ago and have had a far more relaxed time, I’d suggest each affiliate decides if they are going to let network x or y mug them off for another year or vote with their feet and make sure the network knows why.
Hi Hero
Sadly this post was not intended to name and shame those networks that I personally don’t think give a flying f… However by not naming, I can see that it may have implicated those networks that are working on this issue.
Therefore in my own experience and from what I have seen in relation to this constant ongoing battle, Webgains, POR and DGM are taking a stance. This has been proved by communications with these networks and at the chat that was had to address this issue at the A4U Expo.
I appreciate that all networks may come along with “so are we” style comments, however I can only comment on what I personally have seen to date.
Also, I am NOT suggesting network should drop affiliates that break the rules, I am suggesting that a “3 slap and out” rule be introduced and that the networks should become a little bit more strict in applying these rules.
I’m not as pessimistic as you Chris and I think we will see networks (well, most of them) taking the views of affiliates into account and, as Hero pointed out, some already do.
I don’t think Shane’s analogy is correct – it’s more a matter of 30% from sales from one “super affiliate” or 30% from sales from half a dozen “pretty good affiliates” and from the networks’ POV it’s a lot better to spread their risk and limit the chances of a rotten apple, spoiling the barrel.
I’m not enjoying all the publicity surrounding code sites but I’m happy we’ve got a sustainable business which will stand up to scrutiny so it’s up to other affiliates to get/keep their own house in order.
Bottom line is it makes good business sense to it’s going to happen, just not as fast as we’d like.
I totally support your stance on this Chris. I’d like to see some statements from the networks on the action they’re taking, not just stategically but also an update on how many merchants (names not necessary) they have ‘dealt’ with each week/month and what ’specific’ action they’ve taken against those rogue affiliates.
Entirely agree Chris. If the affiliate industry is to develop and become accepted as part of the merchant’s marketing mix then dodgy affiliates need to be taken to task.
This applies across all elements of the affiliate programme. Both affiliates & merchants are regularly on the recieving end of unethical practice which damages theirs & each other’s results.
As a merchant I’ve seen the networks stand up for publishers, defending commission levels and educating merchants to be open to the “bigger picture”. We all need to be ruthless in recognising what consitutes unacceptable behaviour and be firm in our actions to put and end to it.
I read on another blog that one known code website has made over £30 million worth of sales. The thing is the website they are talking about is a complete waste of time. I’ve never found any code on the site.
The sooner this stops the better.