No more affiliate links.
I used to include affiliate links on Domain Name Wire, but I took them off a few weeks ago. Here’s why:
1. Everyone has conflicts of interest. But the affiliate links made it easy for people to question if I was writing about a particular auction or product because I wanted to make money off of it. So, problem solved. (Of course I still accept paid advertising. But with a wait list, I don’t have a need to promote companies on the blog just to keep their ads.)
2. I used to make a lot of money off of parking affiliate programs. I no longer do. That makes it easier to kill the links. (How’s that for honesty?)
3. The FTC recently released new rules regarding what you must disclose when you get paid for referring a product. I don’t know the rules inside and out, but it’s one more reason not to use affiliate links on this site.
The majority of affiliate links on Domain Name Wire were automatically inserted with a plug-in. I’ve turned that off, so most links are removed. However, there are hard coded links from over the years that will remain.
My decision in no way suggests that I view other bloggers using affiliate links in a negative way. Indeed, I think affiliate programs are one of the great pillars of ecommerce.
Jim says
What plugin were you using for the affiliate links?
Andrew Allemann says
Jim – BM Keyword Link
rob sequin says
I have about 40 developed websites. I never use affiliate links.
Why would I want to promote the brand of a company without being paid?
Do you think any ads on Google are affiliate links? No affiliate links on the Superbowl or in newspapers or magazines. Why should there be affiliate links on websites.
Lead generation is better but direct advertising is what pays most bills of Google, Superbowl, magazines and newspapers. No different for the web.
There is a real value in “eyeballs” and branding.
Affiliate links are for suckers.
Go get direct advertisers.
Andrew Allemann says
Affiliate links can be much more lucrative than direct ads. They also don’t have to provide much in the way of branding, especially if it’s in-text
Bryan G says
Still making any recurring revenue off those parking affiliate programs? Curious if most were a one time payout, monthly percentage for set time period or monthly percentage “lifetime”.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Bryan – many of them were for a year but that has not expired.
FX says
Andrew, i dont agree with you.
If you’re going to mention a company or a domain for sale. You should link to it with an affiliate link.
FX says
Rob, what does this mean ?
“Do you think any ads on Google are affiliate links? ”
Large % of advertisers on google are affiliates. Majority of advertisers on content and domain feeds are affiliates and affiliate arbitrage players. Thus your statement doesn’t make sense.
rob sequin says
FX,
The affiliate advertisers on Google are direct advertisers with Google. They themselves are affiliates marketing other products and services but they pay Google for the clicks. Google does not make money on a sale or action on the landing site.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Rob – sounds like you’re arguing in favor of PPC over affiliate, then.
Google does have an optimization option around CPA.
FX says
Rob, here is just one of the examples of google making money on a sale or a leadgen.
http://www.google.com/advisor
Steve Jones says
The FTC rules dictate that on the page with the affiliate link, you must disclose that you’re an affiliate for the company. I rarely see anyone actually do that, but I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of their inevitable enforcement.