Hi Luke, Great to see you as our next and Best Expert!
In the last year, but going back many years, we have seen Google, Bing, Facebook, Amazon, and many other high profile companies placing incredibly tight restrictions on affiliates. Essentially killing (in some cases) the very people that gave them their footing and helped them succeed. In many cases it appears that the restrictions have been placed as a natural rise in growth which attracts a higher caliber advertiser which in turn then begins to squeeze out the mid to low level Affiliates. I understand this, I understand growth and the need to change and refine, however, these companies have done little (IMHO) to help the folks that put them where they are today adjust to the changes. "Business is greedy", the first quote I was given by a business professor at Syracuse University.
Example: Dating Ads are still available for display on Facebook, but only when it is by the Dating Company itself. I believe this trend will continue into other product arenas with FB.
Example: Google and Bing have all but eliminated the mid to low level marketers by eliminating the sites they own from the search results making room for the Large Companies with Larger Budgets.
Example: Amazon last year began eliminating commissions to affiliates during any given month if the affiliates site(s) were responsible for more than 20,000 free book downloads. In other words, if my sites generated more than 20k free book downloads in a given month, then I lose all of my commissions for that month.
Starting March 1, 2013, Associates who we determine are promoting and meet both conditions below for a given month will not be eligible for any advertising fees for that month within the Amazon Associates Program…
1. At least 80% of all Kindle eBooks ordered and downloaded during Sessions attributed to your Special Links are free Kindle eBooks
2. 20,000 or more free Kindle eBooks are ordered and downloaded during Sessions attributed to your Special Links
Now I am a businessman and have both a business education and a computer science education. I understand much of this. It is part of what industry leaders strive for. It's part of the controlled growth models, some dating back thousands of years. Start with the bottom branches of the tree and make your way to the top. Eventually though, and what seems to be missing in this new era of online businesses is they are not preserving the bottom branches in the event they need to retreat and begin the trip again.
These big companies are trimming the branches as they climb. It often makes it impossible for many to get a footing in our industry. I know many brite minds that love this business, but simply refuse to become a part of it today because the deck is now stacked against them. I think this is sad.
Have you given this any thought, does it concern you in any way, do you have recommendations for new marketers that will give them the "leg up" they deserve?
In the last year, but going back many years, we have seen Google, Bing, Facebook, Amazon, and many other high profile companies placing incredibly tight restrictions on affiliates. Essentially killing (in some cases) the very people that gave them their footing and helped them succeed. In many cases it appears that the restrictions have been placed as a natural rise in growth which attracts a higher caliber advertiser which in turn then begins to squeeze out the mid to low level Affiliates. I understand this, I understand growth and the need to change and refine, however, these companies have done little (IMHO) to help the folks that put them where they are today adjust to the changes. "Business is greedy", the first quote I was given by a business professor at Syracuse University.
Example: Dating Ads are still available for display on Facebook, but only when it is by the Dating Company itself. I believe this trend will continue into other product arenas with FB.
Example: Google and Bing have all but eliminated the mid to low level marketers by eliminating the sites they own from the search results making room for the Large Companies with Larger Budgets.
Example: Amazon last year began eliminating commissions to affiliates during any given month if the affiliates site(s) were responsible for more than 20,000 free book downloads. In other words, if my sites generated more than 20k free book downloads in a given month, then I lose all of my commissions for that month.
Starting March 1, 2013, Associates who we determine are promoting and meet both conditions below for a given month will not be eligible for any advertising fees for that month within the Amazon Associates Program…
1. At least 80% of all Kindle eBooks ordered and downloaded during Sessions attributed to your Special Links are free Kindle eBooks
2. 20,000 or more free Kindle eBooks are ordered and downloaded during Sessions attributed to your Special Links
Now I am a businessman and have both a business education and a computer science education. I understand much of this. It is part of what industry leaders strive for. It's part of the controlled growth models, some dating back thousands of years. Start with the bottom branches of the tree and make your way to the top. Eventually though, and what seems to be missing in this new era of online businesses is they are not preserving the bottom branches in the event they need to retreat and begin the trip again.
These big companies are trimming the branches as they climb. It often makes it impossible for many to get a footing in our industry. I know many brite minds that love this business, but simply refuse to become a part of it today because the deck is now stacked against them. I think this is sad.
Have you given this any thought, does it concern you in any way, do you have recommendations for new marketers that will give them the "leg up" they deserve?
