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Is it still possible to promote "free trial offers" on adwords?

by tommy_gun
27 replies
Hello,

Is it still possible to promote "free trial offers" like **** berry trials on adwords or will google ban you?
I know that direct linking to such offers through adwords will get you banned, but is it okay for google if you send them to a review style landingpage which hast the offers on it?
#adwords #free trial offers #promote
  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Yes it is still possible, but you have to have your offer deeper and you have to add a bit of creativity. No, you cant direct link effectively. No, one -page wonders are becoming increasingly difficult.

    So you have to build a site with good rich content. Dont try and trick google, just try and promote your offer 'down the line' a little bit meaning they may have to click through a page or two. But you are still pre-selling thorughout the whole process.

    The key is finding an effective stream or funnel. Once youve got this, you satisfy googles terms and you will be fine.

    I have been doing darn good with googles crackdown because many people have thrown their arms up and quit in many popular niches and many high traffic keywords. So, figure out a system that works for you (and google) and this is a tremendous opportunity.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cash37
      Its not worth it. Everyone is using PPV or media buying now anyways
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      • Profile picture of the author tommy_gun
        Originally Posted by Cash37 View Post

        Its not worth it. Everyone is using PPV or media buying now anyways
        That doesn't make sense to me because the reason for everybody using ppc is that it can work if you do the things right..a lot of competition doesn't mean that it wont work..
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        • Profile picture of the author rachelle123
          It is definately worth it and it works fine. Just have to find those converting kws.. and your good to go..!!
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          • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
            Actually the Adwords rules are changing re free trials.

            IMPORTANT, I posted this elsewhere on the forum, but will repost in this thread too.

            =======================================
            This is pretty big news if it's true.

            Someone posted a letter that looks and sounds official to me. It was received from Adwords saying they soon will not allow CPA free trial/rebill offers and other "Unacceptable Business Practices" including fake celebrity endorsements.

            Big Heads Up For Adwords Advertizers

            Dear AdWords Advertiser,

            We're writing to let you know about a change to Google's advertising policies that could affect your AdWords account.

            Beginning in the coming weeks, we'll no longer accept ads that promote Unacceptable Business Practices. This includes, but is not limited to, negative option or unclear billing, the sale of normally free items or services, and false celebrity endorsements.

            Negative option billing specifically relates to sites that offer free trials, services, or other offers in conjunction with a subscription service. Sites in violation of this policy automatically enter users into a subscription if they do not cancel within the pre-determined trial period.

            In order to comply, these pages must contain an opt-in checkbox that contains the price and billing interval of the subscription service on the page where a user enter their billing information.

            When we make this change any URLs in violation of this policy may be submitted for Landing Page Quality disabling. Once this has been completed you will have 10 days to make any necessary changes to your website in order to comply before the disabling will take effect. We ask that you make changes to your ads and/or website to comply, so that your campaigns can continue to run.

            As a business, Google must make decisions regarding the advertising we accept. We've given much thought to our stance on this content, as well as the potential effect our policy decision could have on AdWords advertisers, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause you.

            Sincerely,
            The Google AdWords Team
            Note: The part in red is not up to the affiliates. They are not saying the disclosure needs to be on the affiliate's landing page, it needs to be on the merchant's payment page, so affiliates will need to find offers that comply with Google's new rules if they want to continue to run free trial, rebill offers.
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            ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
            Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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      • Profile picture of the author ways2profit
        Originally Posted by Cash37 View Post

        Its not worth it. Everyone is using PPV or media buying now anyways
        Well talking of media buy... Adbrite does not allow direct linking to email/zip submit offers. Any thoughts on how to get around it?

        Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author TimScott
    I agree, as long as you build your offer a couple pages deep into your site, and comply with the Adwords rules, you should be fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author 20092009
    Yes it is possible... And it is way worth it.

    But try other ppc places... ad words is NOT the only place and they do not have ALL the traffic. I know a few guys that are killing it with ppc not using adwords!

    Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Yes its def not worth it.

    I think you guys should all give it up so that I keep getting more sales !


    Ive said this before but the marketers who are resilient enough to change as teh industry changes are the ones that will come out ahead in the end. Youve got to be able to adapt in this industry and this is just another opportunity where the good marketers can take advantage as more and more marketers give up because its too hard to comply or they just dont want to be flexible with their processes.

    best of luck all
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  • Profile picture of the author p2y
    If you know what you're doing, it's worth it. My sales have skyrocketed in the past few weeks since the new rules kicked in because too many copy cats are ditching their flogs out of fear. Marketing is all about innovation, stop following everybody else and come up with your own creative ideas and you'll have no problem getting past the "rebill ban"
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    • Profile picture of the author Kenster
      Originally Posted by p2y View Post

      If you know what you're doing, it's worth it. My sales have skyrocketed in the past few weeks since the new rules kicked in because too many copy cats are ditching their flogs out of fear. Marketing is all about innovation, stop following everybody else and come up with your own creative ideas and you'll have no problem getting past the "rebill ban"

      100% agree. A few of my channels have increased in traffic over the same period most likely for the same reason...people leaving certain niches. You can really find some good keywords at decent prices for once.

      I think advertisers will also come up with offers that more easily comply with search engine TOS, but yes, creativity is still and will always be key to getting ahead.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mormuno01
        The only reason people are telling you all that Google is banning Free Trial Offers is so you will not post your ads on Google and we will all get low CPC's. I have over 5 different rebill offers on Google right now and am direct linking all of them. Stop reading this dumb forum and get to work. Last month I made over $15,000 direct linking with Adwords Rebill/Free Trial Offers. Most Offers are now Quality Score compliant making it ever easier to direct link. Awesomeness.
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  • Profile picture of the author martinkeens
    The best way that I've found to use AdWords in conjunction with these kinds of offers recently is to give your visitor a reason to sign up for your mailing list. Then make the sale from there. Just have your ppc ad go to a regular content (non-sales) page that has an opt-in form on in. Not only will you get around the Google crack-down, but now you have a targeted list that you can use to sell other offers to in the future.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kenster
      Originally Posted by martinkeens View Post

      The best way that I've found to use AdWords in conjunction with these kinds of offers recently is to give your visitor a reason to sign up for your mailing list. Then make the sale from there. Just have your ppc ad go to a regular content (non-sales) page that has an opt-in form on in. Not only will you get around the Google crack-down, but now you have a targeted list that you can use to sell other offers to in the future.


      Working with the rules. This is how you can monetize on the excess traffic now available as people have ditched.
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    • Profile picture of the author thailanddave
      Originally Posted by martinkeens View Post

      The best way that I've found to use AdWords in conjunction with these kinds of offers recently is to give your visitor a reason to sign up for your mailing list. Then make the sale from there. Just have your ppc ad go to a regular content (non-sales) page that has an opt-in form on in. Not only will you get around the Google crack-down, but now you have a targeted list that you can use to sell other offers to in the future.
      I want to thank you. I have a big dent in my forehead because I was drinking a Pepsi when I read this post and had a V-8 moment. One of those "why didn't I think of that?" Its such a simple solution.
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      • Profile picture of the author jdrohn74
        Originally Posted by thailanddave View Post

        I want to thank you. I have a big dent in my forehead because I was drinking a Pepsi when I read this post and had a V-8 moment. One of those "why didn't I think of that?" Its such a simple solution.
        I was the same way too - building a solid list cuts through all the clutter...
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        • Profile picture of the author davemiz
          G isn't allowing nutraceuticals on content network now.... we just got shut down (and we weren't even doing anything remotely 'sketchy')... if you're on there now, its just a matter of time till they get you.

          FTC is on their rear end i think bigtime.
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          “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.”
          ― Dalai Lama XIV

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          • Profile picture of the author tommy_gun
            Originally Posted by davemiz View Post

            G isn't allowing nutraceuticals on content network now.... we just got shut down (and we weren't even doing anything remotely 'sketchy')... if you're on there now, its just a matter of time till they get you.

            FTC is on their rear end i think bigtime.
            i've never heard that promoting supplements on the content network isn't allowed/possible anymore. i thought they just dont like rebills/free trials
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  • Profile picture of the author erwindegrave
    Originally Posted by tommy_gun View Post

    Hello,

    Is it still possible to promote "free trial offers" like **** berry trials on adwords or will google ban you?
    I know that direct linking to such offers through adwords will get you banned, but is it okay for google if you send them to a review style landingpage which hast the offers on it?

    Free trial offers still works but you need to consider that you should have a good content for people to try it.. :-)
    Signature
    Erwin de Grave
    Success Coach & Internet Marketer
    www.MassiveAffiliateIncome.com
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  • Profile picture of the author basuoct2822
    oh its absolutely worthy ....

    and its works well ....

    just need to add some additional parts thats it .....
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  • Profile picture of the author TrinitydelaCruz
    Having a review styled landing page can work as long as it's unique and value packed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    It still works yes, just make sure you do a few things

    1. Red TOS carefully. I call Google and other search engines directly when something is unclear. They are sometimes helpful and sometimes not, but you always want to get as much support for something you are doign as possible. I try and use email so I have written record.

    2. Speak with your affiliate manager. Be open about what you are doing so you dont get denied commissions. This doesnt mean giving away your campaign like keywords and such, but be honest about methods of promotion etc.

    3. Always be designing your sites and your promotional channel in the mind of a google rep. Think how the google reviewers would think and build your campaign around this mindset. This will help you not only get past google slaps, but also help you get a good quality score.


    best of luck
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    • Profile picture of the author tommy_gun
      Originally Posted by Kenster View Post

      It still works yes, just make sure you do a few things

      1. Red TOS carefully. I call Google and other search engines directly when something is unclear. They are sometimes helpful and sometimes not, but you always want to get as much support for something you are doign as possible. I try and use email so I have written record.

      2. Speak with your affiliate manager. Be open about what you are doing so you dont get denied commissions. This doesnt mean giving away your campaign like keywords and such, but be honest about methods of promotion etc.

      3. Always be designing your sites and your promotional channel in the mind of a google rep. Think how the google reviewers would think and build your campaign around this mindset. This will help you not only get past google slaps, but also help you get a good quality score.


      best of luck
      but i've heard that promoting free trial offers like **** berry isn't possible on adwords any more even with a high quality landingpage..everybody tells something different so i'm really confused about that :-(
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      • Profile picture of the author butters
        Originally Posted by tommy_gun View Post

        but i've heard that promoting free trial offers like **** berry isn't possible on adwords any more even with a high quality landingpage..everybody tells something different so i'm really confused about that :-(
        Do it, if you get slapped your soon find out. Some people don't do it, some don't want to risk it, some people do it and it may be fine or they may not of been caught yet. Only way to know for sure is by putting up a campaign and seeing what happens.
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  • Profile picture of the author smaxor
    It is possible but you need:

    A. lots of accounts
    B. Good cloaking software
    C. Some tricks to getting accounts going and whitelisted

    With that said it's not easy. But if you're good at gaming the system
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