Internet Babel

Hi Everyone – I hoped to get this one out a few days ago but the site move has all been a bit ‘hectic’

Following on from its purchase of Doubleclick, Google has re-badged the Performics Affiliate product as the Google Affiliate Network (1st July).

The Affiliate program will operate as a separate ‘entity’ to Adsense, and Publishers will need to apply to join the program even if they are curently Adsense publishers. Once accepted, Publishers will be able to apply to various advertisers and select creative for use on their sites.

Payments will of course be made on a ‘per sale’ basis rather than being based on impressions/clicks and may be flat-fee or commission-based, depending on the individual advertiser. Google says that payments will be made twice per month, although these will be subject to a minimum amount of $50USD per advertiser (it seems that payments due will not be aggregated for the purposes of Publisher payment). I’m assuming that the same payment methods as used for Adsense will be available. They also say that they’ll be offering a VIP/rewards type program to high-performing publishers.

The network’s page currently shows a small but impressive Advertiser list, and my understanding is that the program is still restricted to US advertisers/traffic only (according to a note on this page).

So, it’s a cautious, ‘toe in the water’ type approach but something that will have to be taken seriously, both by site owners who’ll be hoping to get some future leverage from Google’s muscle, and from existing players in the Affiliate marketplace, who may just be getting a bit worried about the effect Google could have on their current cosy arrangements.

I’ve been busy lately with the transfer of Internet Babel but I certainly intend to take a closer look at the program.

I’d really like to hear other people’s thoughts though, both in terms of any first-hand experience and also what you think this is going to do to the Affiliate arena if and when Google really jumps into this in a big way. How will players like CJ, Tradedoubler, Buy.at etc react? Will we see a shake up of the Affiliate marketplace or will things continue pretty much as before with Google just being another of many options?

With Google also dropping its referral program (in August) will we see a gradual integration between the Affiliate Network and Adsense, not just in terms of integrating your Publisher account, but maybe the creation of some kind of Affiliate CPA/Contextual hybrid – where you can choose your Advertiser base but still see a range of contextual ads from those Adverisers on your site?

Might be interesting times ahead – I don’t think the big boys will be too worried yet, but would love to hear your opinions on how this will all play out.

Dave