Comments on: Today’s NMA Coverage and the Affiliate Network Blacklist http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/ James Little writes about Affiliate Marketing, SEO, PPC, Blogging, Internet Revenue, and other random thoughts Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:05:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-hemorrhage hourly 1 By: Moose http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1936 Moose Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:44:10 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1936 PS James I very much liked your article, nicely said. PS James I very much liked your article, nicely said.

]]> By: Moose http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1935 Moose Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:41:31 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1935 Yet again unfortunate terminology in poor reporting is attributed to affiliates, which anyone just giving a cursory glance will not be inferred correctly. I'll have to concur with Lee that similar lists should also be discussed for merchants, networks & agencies for this to be fairly reciprocated, whereby one shouldn't happen without the other. Yet again unfortunate terminology in poor reporting is attributed to affiliates, which anyone just giving a cursory glance will not be inferred correctly. I’ll have to concur with Lee that similar lists should also be discussed for merchants, networks & agencies for this to be fairly reciprocated, whereby one shouldn’t happen without the other.

]]> By: Raymond Theakston http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1930 Raymond Theakston Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:16:44 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1930 This is not something I approve of. I have in the past been suspended by Commission Junction with no reason given at the time or since. The matter was only dealt with when I posted on the forum and subsequently deleted the post. What if an affiliate is blacklisted by a network for trivial items that are upsetting to a particualar network such as having a controversial blog? This is not something I approve of. I have in the past been suspended by Commission Junction with no reason given at the time or since.

The matter was only dealt with when I posted on the forum and subsequently deleted the post.

What if an affiliate is blacklisted by a network for trivial items that are upsetting to a particualar network such as having a controversial blog?

]]> By: Fiona http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1934 Fiona Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:45:14 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1934 Just spotted this article myself - I do agree that the title may be somewhat unfortunate but think that it needs to be this way in order to highlight some of the unethical practices the few 'bad' affiliates employ. I totally agree with Frostie - this can only be a good thing for the industry and is an excellent step forward for encouraging the continued growth affiliates add to a brand. Just spotted this article myself - I do agree that the title may be somewhat unfortunate but think that it needs to be this way in order to highlight some of the unethical practices the few ‘bad’ affiliates employ. I totally agree with Frostie - this can only be a good thing for the industry and is an excellent step forward for encouraging the continued growth affiliates add to a brand.

]]> By: Shine Marketing http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1931 Shine Marketing Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:59:01 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1931 I think it's a good start and if it brings the worst excesses of spyware, cookie stuffing and other evils out into the open to be eliminated I'm all for it. My concern is a few years down the road when practices which don't suit brand advertisers but are perfectly legitimate affiliate tactics start to creep in. I'm still not convinced that the IAB is a suitable home for best practice in affiliate marketing, but for these first and hopefully unanimously supported steps I'm right with them if it helps educate new merchants and affiliates. I think it’s a good start and if it brings the worst excesses of spyware, cookie stuffing and other evils out into the open to be eliminated I’m all for it.

My concern is a few years down the road when practices which don’t suit brand advertisers but are perfectly legitimate affiliate tactics start to creep in.

I’m still not convinced that the IAB is a suitable home for best practice in affiliate marketing, but for these first and hopefully unanimously supported steps I’m right with them if it helps educate new merchants and affiliates.

]]> By: Chris Frost http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1933 Chris Frost Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:39:45 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1933 The article about blacklists is extemely good news that I am sure will be welcomed by all (above board) affiliates. Finally the industry is growing up and making positive moves. The article about blacklists is extemely good news that I am sure will be welcomed by all (above board) affiliates. Finally the industry is growing up and making positive moves.

]]> By: Lee McCoy http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1926 Lee McCoy Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:27:33 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1926 Cheers Adam, James. Definitely a good move - I do think the title "affiliate blacklist" was unfortunate. I think there is still a lot of education from the affiliate's point of view. I'm sure the majority of affiliates don't read the network's T&C's let alone the merchant's. So having the results of this discussion should be promoted as widely as possible to prevent the use of these "tactics". Do you envisage it being finalised in time for the Expo? Cheers Adam, James.

Definitely a good move - I do think the title “affiliate blacklist” was unfortunate.

I think there is still a lot of education from the affiliate’s point of view. I’m sure the majority of affiliates don’t read the network’s T&C’s let alone the merchant’s. So having the results of this discussion should be promoted as widely as possible to prevent the use of these “tactics”.

Do you envisage it being finalised in time for the Expo?

]]> By: Adam Ross http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1927 Adam Ross Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:19:50 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1927 Lee, I think when discussions are a little further down the line, we might be able to secure more detailed PR about this. It's certainly a topic that seems to interest the trade press. The use of the word 'blacklist' is a little bit of poetic license by the journalist. Initial discussions between us and TD have centred around what practices we deem unacceptable rather than discussing specific affiliates. The plan now is to widen this discussion using the affiliate council as the vehicle. The first stage is to get networks to agree on a set of principles. Then these must be presented to the rest of the council which is now benefiting from much greater affiliate and merchant support. The council is not just there to set rules for affiliates and discussions on network and agency behaviour are actively encouraged. In fact, there are 4 threads in the IAB section of the forum inviting the community to highlight various issues, 1 thread for each of the parties involved in the industry. (http://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/iab-affiliate-marketing-council-forum/) It would be great to get you along to the next meeting. Adam Lee,

I think when discussions are a little further down the line, we might be able to secure more detailed PR about this. It’s certainly a topic that seems to interest the trade press.

The use of the word ‘blacklist’ is a little bit of poetic license by the journalist. Initial discussions between us and TD have centred around what practices we deem unacceptable rather than discussing specific affiliates.

The plan now is to widen this discussion using the affiliate council as the vehicle. The first stage is to get networks to agree on a set of principles. Then these must be presented to the rest of the council which is now benefiting from much greater affiliate and merchant support.

The council is not just there to set rules for affiliates and discussions on network and agency behaviour are actively encouraged. In fact, there are 4 threads in the IAB section of the forum inviting the community to highlight various issues, 1 thread for each of the parties involved in the industry. (http://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/iab-affiliate-marketing-council-forum/)

It would be great to get you along to the next meeting.

Adam

]]> By: James http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1932 James Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:08:39 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1932 I think it's a good thing to be honest Lee. It's up to the networks how they use this information, but the idea is to try and agree what kind of practices may be unethical. . There are a few dodgy affiliates out there and ones which get banned from networks and then go to another network and try again.. Surely it's a good thing to attempt to define and who these are and stop it from happening. . I don't think that it will affect many and is not something that legit affiliates will need to worry about! I think it’s a good thing to be honest Lee. It’s up to the networks how they use this information, but the idea is to try and agree what kind of practices may be unethical.
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There are a few dodgy affiliates out there and ones which get banned from networks and then go to another network and try again.. Surely it’s a good thing to attempt to define and who these are and stop it from happening.
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I don’t think that it will affect many and is not something that legit affiliates will need to worry about!

]]> By: Lee McCoy http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1929 Lee McCoy Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:45:26 +0000 http://www.3wdl.co.uk/2008/03/13/todays-nma-coverage-and-the-affiliate-network-blacklist/#comment-1929 also - could affiliates draw up a list of unethical practices that networks and agencies employ? also - could affiliates draw up a list of unethical practices that networks and agencies employ?

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