If You Twitter Affiliate Links

Catalyst eMarketing · 07-09-2009, 05:26 PM

I blogged about this earlier and wanted to come over here to see what all the Warriors think.

In a nutshell, an affiliate posted a recommendation for an Amazon product on Twitter, made some sales but they were zeroed out. When he questioned Amazon they sent him their TOS which states in order to be paid for sales the link needs to be on your site.

Should affiliates get paid if they post Amazon links on Twitter???

If they have readers on their blog that trust their recommendations and buy they should get paid, right?

If they have built up readers on Twitter that trust their recommendations and buy why should they not get paid? Especially since Twitter is being used more and more instead of blogs.

I think there is a huge difference between low quality affiliates that just spam affiliate links on Twitter and a reputable blogger, that has a strong Twitter following and makes an occasional well targeted recommendation.

That’s the problem I think. As usual the spammers are ruining it for the honest marketers.

I got comments on my blog with both pros and cons about it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Michael Mayo · 07-09-2009, 05:34 PM

Hi 5star,

Rather than complain about Amazons TOS why not just point people to your blog telling them
there is a link to the recommended product?

Just a Thought!
Can't beet them then join them and prosper!

Have a Great Day!
Michael
PS. Thanks for the heads up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms

I blogged about this earlier and wanted to come over here to see what all the Warriors think.

In a nutshell, an affiliate posted a recommendation for an Amazon product on Twitter, made some sales but they were zeroed out. When he questioned Amazon they sent him their TOS which states in order to be paid for sales the link needs to be on your site.

Should affiliates get paid if they post Amazon links on Twitter???

If they have readers on their blog that trust their recommendations and buy they should get paid, right?

If they have built up readers on Twitter that trust their recommendations and buy why should they not get paid? Especially since Twitter is being used more and more instead of blogs.

I think there is a huge difference between low quality affiliates that just spam affiliate links on Twitter and a reputable blogger, that has a strong Twitter following and makes an occasional well targeted recommendation.

That’s the problem I think. As usual the spammers are ruining it for the honest marketers.

I got comments on my blog with both pros and cons about it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

JohnMcCabe · 07-09-2009, 05:43 PM

I think that if Amazon (or any other company with an affiliate program) had to invest in the staff and resources to check every single referred sale in an attempt to verify the intent of the affiliate, they'd go broke quicker than a hiccup.

Sure, it feels unfair when you don't get paid because you unwittingly broke one of the rules. It feels unfair when your favorite team loses a goal because of a penalty away from the play, too.

But them's the rules... As long as they're being applied consistently, I have no beef.

Why not run your recommendation through a redirect so that it is coming from your site?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms

I blogged about this earlier and wanted to come over here to see what all the Warriors think.

In a nutshell, an affiliate posted a recommendation for an Amazon product on Twitter, made some sales but they were zeroed out. When he questioned Amazon they sent him their TOS which states in order to be paid for sales the link needs to be on your site.

Should affiliates get paid if they post Amazon links on Twitter???

If they have readers on their blog that trust their recommendations and buy they should get paid, right?

If they have built up readers on Twitter that trust their recommendations and buy why should they not get paid? Especially since Twitter is being used more and more instead of blogs.

I think there is a huge difference between low quality affiliates that just spam affiliate links on Twitter and a reputable blogger, that has a strong Twitter following and makes an occasional well targeted recommendation.

That’s the problem I think. As usual the spammers are ruining it for the honest marketers.

I got comments on my blog with both pros and cons about it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Troy_Phillips · 07-09-2009, 05:46 PM

While I don't do the amazon thing this is some great info . A lot of producers are changing their tos because of twitter . They were first against it but now seem to like the idea . This is the first time I have heard about going the opposite direction .

Course if you are amazon I guess you can make your own rules and not worry if you piss a few people off .

Think Michael pegged this one pretty good also with his answer and you better watch that old man with the fish . He has been known to come up with some great ideas

Dan C. Rinnert · 07-09-2009, 05:48 PM

Wouldn't you have to shorten the Amazon affiliate link with an URL shortener anyway? Why not just run it through your website anyway?

It's really not that different from article directories that won't let you use affiliate links.

mikeyman120 · 07-09-2009, 05:49 PM

I don't get it. Aren't affiliates promoting Amazon on Google and other search engines.

Mike

Stefan Vee · 07-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Dan,
I agree, but just because it's no different, I think it's a stupid policy
I think they are going cheap here.

dsmpublishing · 07-09-2009, 05:55 PM

I affiliate products on twitter even though i dont do amazon products i do lots of other big companies and this seems so stupid and they are going to lose customers over this.

Catalyst eMarketing · 07-09-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mayo

Hi 5star,

Rather than complain about Amazons TOS why not just point people to your blog telling them there is a link to the recommended product?

I don't post affiliate links on Twitter myself and wasn't really complaining so much. I was just bringing up the subject because it's been a heated topic lots of other places this week and thought it would be a good topic to discuss here.

Looks like some good, mixed opinions so far.

JDSalinger · 07-09-2009, 06:01 PM

I am an Amazon affiliate. I think this move is designed more for Amazon's own benefit. They no longer allow direct linking with PPC in US, but do their own direct linking PPC ads. My guess is they do not want this direct competition and also may fear the possibility of their name being degraded by having Twitter spammed with amazon affiliate links. My experience has been that Amazon is not an affiliate friendly company. They have made a number of steps over the last couple of years that are not in the best interest of affiliates.

Michael Mayo · 07-09-2009, 06:04 PM

Remember Amazon is going through alot of changes right now.

They have already stopped accepting affiliates from certain states based on law changes.

They have to do what is best for the company first.

Here is more info on the subject:
First N.C, then R.I... Now California?

Have a Great Day!
Michael

Michael Mayo · 07-09-2009, 06:09 PM

Sorry, I shouldn't have used that word. I was just typing what I was thinking. It wasn't really pointed at you.

Thanks again for the info.
Have a Great Day!
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms

I don't post affiliate links on Twitter myself and wasn't really complaining so much. I was just bringing up the subject because it's been a heated topic lots of other places this week and thought it would be a good topic to discuss here.

Looks like some good, mixed opinions so far.

Stefan Vee · 07-09-2009, 06:10 PM

What's next?

"As an affiliate, you can't promote a yellow clock-radio when your site's theme is reddish..." maybe?

Aaron Moser · 07-09-2009, 06:35 PM

As Micheal said, there's an easy fix to this. Post the Amazon link on your blog and direct twitters user to your blog post instead...

Problem solved.

JDSalinger · 07-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Aaaron Moser,

This is true, but the issue is why should you have to do that? The short answer is you shouldn't.

Direct linking has many advantages. It tends to have higher CTRs than sending traffic to an affiliate link on a blog or website, and it is less work than having to devote a whole new page to your website for one product promotion. Plus, direct linking is a great way for testing. It can let you know which products are truly worth creating a webpage or blog post for.

All these ways are now lost to Amazon affiliates and that is not good. Sadly, this is most likely not the last step on the encroachment by Amazon on their affiliate program.

JohnMcCabe · 07-10-2009, 10:12 AM

Just my opinion, but I don't think this has anything to do with Amazon being cheap, short-sighted, narrow-minded, anti-affiliate or anything like that.

My guess is that by prohibiting Twitter promotions, they'll avoid the inevitable black hat software that would take an Amazon feed and auto-tweet affiliate links until the account was shut down or Amazon's entire catalog was in Twitter's database under multiple affiliate links.

Such an action by a few hundred ambitious spammers could open up Amazon to a lawsuit theft of services or such, or to killing all product feeds.

It appears Twitter is concerned about something like this already, given their decision to cancel accounts of people who use automated methods to boost their follower lists for the purpose of blasting affiliate links at said list.

marmo · 07-10-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDSalinger

I am an Amazon affiliate. I think this move is designed more for Amazon's own benefit. They no longer allow direct linking with PPC in US, but do their own direct linking PPC ads. My guess is they do not want this direct competition and also may fear the possibility of their name being degraded by having Twitter spammed with amazon affiliate links. My experience has been that Amazon is not an affiliate friendly company. They have made a number of steps over the last couple of years that are not in the best interest of affiliates.

Kinda have to agree with you here JD

FlashDriveDT · 07-10-2009, 01:12 PM

I wanted to post amazon and ebay links on twitter before too but to make sure I contacted both their support. And both told me that you would need extra permission to post affiliate links on twitter. In other words, they would need to approve your twitter profile. Not sure if they're still doing it this way and how high the approval rate is. Apparently, not very high?

07-09-2009, 05:26 PM	#1
Catalyst eMarketing GooglePlaces Optimization War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 759 Thanks: 52 Thanked 176 Times in 98 Posts Social Networking	If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay I blogged about this earlier and wanted to come over here to see what all the Warriors think. In a nutshell, an affiliate posted a recommendation for an Amazon product on Twitter, made some sales but they were zeroed out. When he questioned Amazon they sent him their TOS which states in order to be paid for sales the link needs to be on your site. Should affiliates get paid if they post Amazon links on Twitter??? If they have readers on their blog that trust their recommendations and buy they should get paid, right? If they have built up readers on Twitter that trust their recommendations and buy why should they not get paid? Especially since Twitter is being used more and more instead of blogs. I think there is a huge difference between low quality affiliates that just spam affiliate links on Twitter and a reputable blogger, that has a strong Twitter following and makes an occasional well targeted recommendation. That’s the problem I think. As usual the spammers are ruining it for the honest marketers. I got comments on my blog with both pros and cons about it. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
	Linda Buquet :: Google Places Optimization Specialist :: Catalyst eMarketing Google Places Optimization :: ADVANCED GOOGLE PLACES TRAINING Available Google Places Optimization & Local SEO BLOG :: Latest Google Places News and Tips BEST Google Places Software & FREE Local SEO Tools

07-09-2009, 05:46 PM	#4
Troy_Phillips Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Ga. Posts: 1,676 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 947 Thanked 505 Times in 325 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay While I don't do the amazon thing this is some great info . A lot of producers are changing their tos because of twitter . They were first against it but now seem to like the idea . This is the first time I have heard about going the opposite direction . Course if you are amazon I guess you can make your own rules and not worry if you piss a few people off . Think Michael pegged this one pretty good also with his answer and you better watch that old man with the fish . He has been known to come up with some great ideas
	One Week FREE Coaching ... See If I Am The Real Deal Or Not ... No Credit Card Needed ... Full

07-09-2009, 05:48 PM	#5
Dan C. Rinnert I have a lame list. War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: One Second into the Future Posts: 4,256 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 811 Thanked 2,176 Times in 1,003 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay Wouldn't you have to shorten the Amazon affiliate link with an URL shortener anyway? Why not just run it through your website anyway? It's really not that different from article directories that won't let you use affiliate links.
	Click here for the MOST FUN PRODUCT CREATION GUIDE for Procrastinators since forever. Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com or following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com but NOT by Clicking Here! ----------> [Free WSO] The Lamest WSO in the History of the Warrior Forum ☺ <----------

07-09-2009, 05:49 PM	#6
mikeyman120 Mike-Nagle.com War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY, USA Posts: 986 Thanks: 180 Thanked 173 Times in 103 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay I don't get it. Aren't affiliates promoting Amazon on Google and other search engines. Mike

07-09-2009, 05:50 PM	#7
Stefan Vee HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 323 Thanks: 94 Thanked 109 Times in 50 Posts	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay Dan, I agree, but just because it's no different, I think it's a stupid policy I think they are going cheap here.

07-09-2009, 05:55 PM	#8
dsmpublishing Banned War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 1,738 Blog Entries: 209 Thanks: 104 Thanked 228 Times in 161 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay I affiliate products on twitter even though i dont do amazon products i do lots of other big companies and this seems so stupid and they are going to lose customers over this.

07-09-2009, 06:01 PM	#10
JDSalinger HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 205 Thanks: 16 Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay I am an Amazon affiliate. I think this move is designed more for Amazon's own benefit. They no longer allow direct linking with PPC in US, but do their own direct linking PPC ads. My guess is they do not want this direct competition and also may fear the possibility of their name being degraded by having Twitter spammed with amazon affiliate links. My experience has been that Amazon is not an affiliate friendly company. They have made a number of steps over the last couple of years that are not in the best interest of affiliates.

07-09-2009, 06:04 PM	#11
Michael Mayo WSOGold.com War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA. Kentucky Posts: 4,427 Blog Entries: 16 Thanks: 1,552 Thanked 1,295 Times in 659 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay Remember Amazon is going through alot of changes right now. They have already stopped accepting affiliates from certain states based on law changes. They have to do what is best for the company first. Here is more info on the subject: First N.C, then R.I... Now California? Have a Great Day! Michael
	SAVE KIM WINFREY MEGA WSO! KEEP KEN STRONG FUNDRAISER - HELP KEN BEAT CANCER Coming Soon: Forum Ferret - Digg Deeper

07-09-2009, 06:10 PM	#13
Stefan Vee HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 323 Thanks: 94 Thanked 109 Times in 50 Posts	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay What's next? "As an affiliate, you can't promote a yellow clock-radio when your site's theme is reddish..." maybe?

07-09-2009, 06:35 PM	#14
Aaron Moser Mindset for Success War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California Posts: 1,378 Thanks: 143 Thanked 87 Times in 45 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay As Micheal said, there's an easy fix to this. Post the Amazon link on your blog and direct twitters user to your blog post instead... Problem solved.

07-09-2009, 08:05 PM	#15
JDSalinger HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 205 Thanks: 16 Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay Aaaron Moser, This is true, but the issue is why should you have to do that? The short answer is you shouldn't. Direct linking has many advantages. It tends to have higher CTRs than sending traffic to an affiliate link on a blog or website, and it is less work than having to devote a whole new page to your website for one product promotion. Plus, direct linking is a great way for testing. It can let you know which products are truly worth creating a webpage or blog post for. All these ways are now lost to Amazon affiliates and that is not good. Sadly, this is most likely not the last step on the encroachment by Amazon on their affiliate program.

07-10-2009, 10:12 AM	#16
JohnMcCabe Happy Hooker War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North of the Peace River, Southwest Florida, USA. Posts: 7,623 Thanks: 2,685 Thanked 4,396 Times in 2,394 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay Just my opinion, but I don't think this has anything to do with Amazon being cheap, short-sighted, narrow-minded, anti-affiliate or anything like that. My guess is that by prohibiting Twitter promotions, they'll avoid the inevitable black hat software that would take an Amazon feed and auto-tweet affiliate links until the account was shut down or Amazon's entire catalog was in Twitter's database under multiple affiliate links. Such an action by a few hundred ambitious spammers could open up Amazon to a lawsuit theft of services or such, or to killing all product feeds. It appears Twitter is concerned about something like this already, given their decision to cancel accounts of people who use automated methods to boost their follower lists for the purpose of blasting affiliate links at said list.
	Salad is not food. Salad is what food eats... -- The REAL PETA, People for Eating Tasty Animals "I did not fight my way to the top of the food chain to eat tofu!"

07-10-2009, 01:12 PM	#18
FlashDriveDT HyperActive Warrior Join Date: May 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 254 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking	Re: If You Twitter Affiliate Links - Amazon Won’t Pay I wanted to post amazon and ebay links on twitter before too but to make sure I contacted both their support. And both told me that you would need extra permission to post affiliate links on twitter. In other words, they would need to approve your twitter profile. Not sure if they're still doing it this way and how high the approval rate is. Apparently, not very high?
	USB Flash Drives