The Fcc is on YOUR side! (No, seriously)-Ie:Running "free" trial offers

[Profit-smart]

I've been planning to writeup a long blog post covering the new FTC regulations for a good 2 weeks now. I haven't had the opportunity yet (Busy transitioning traffic partners to Profit-Smart Media's new system).

But, the general idea is fairly simple; Whats stopping you from simply being honest (and I mean *completely* honest, and deception free) with the traffic you advertise to?
*why* do you run ad's that say Free* Trial, or Results not typical* ??

It's my personal opinion, that the only reason the online advertising industry is in this gamut in the first place, is largely because of competitive PPC engines.

So, for curiosity's sake I had my inhouse PPC manager drop the word free from all our campaigns for a week.

Do you know my results? Identical ad's that say Free trial, and XX day trial, only have an average .5% difference in click through rate.
The conversions the same, because I cant control the advertisers page. Once they get to the merchants page; the heat is on the MERCHANT. (Oh, and actually from what I've gotten so far its always going to be the merchant they go after-Ie:The merchant must boot you, and if they dont they get fined)

The idea here, is that most people know what trial means. The word itself, implys free. But it doesnt really mean that. It could mean "free for a week" or "free until trial is over"

That extra .05% click through rate is a BIG deal for ppc marketers. I know how low those margins can be.
What the FTC is doing for PPC marketers, is wiping out the unethical competition. Those who can *adapt* to the new system will prosper, and Snake Oil Salesmen will (Im actually hoping here) get fined into submission.

Just like the crackdown a few years ago on email spammers. Think how much easier it is for those of you with legitimate lists to get your email read; your not competing for space in an inbox thats getting barraged (in most cases) with an excessive amount of spam.

Google, being a U.S. owned corporation has to rework their PPC program to fit the new regulations; So dont think just because your working from another nationality that your going to get to keep playing the game as per usual.
Anyways, I guess I just wanted to share my thoughts with you guys. I havent had much time to post lately, but I've been gearing my new network up to be completely FTC compliant from the start. As such, I've been researching and consulting on the matter out the wazzooooo.

To sum all my thoughts up, as Martha Stewart is prone to say, "It's a good thing"
(Well, she said that before the FTC locked her up ; )
-This post sponsored by the FTC
(kidding)

[Kevin Williams]

I agree, but if people want to think it's such a horrible thing - let them. That just opens up more doors for myself and others that are willing to change how they operate.

[KirkMcD]

Nitpick: It's the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) not the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).

[Profit-smart]

Originally Posted by KirkMcD

Nitpick: It's the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) not the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).

Good nitpick

I've been running on half empty for 8 hours, so cut a guy some slack

[JayInOrlando]

I sorta agree.. but the problem is, the speed that things move. It would be nothing for me to run a bunch of fake free trail ads, get tons of hits and conversions and then move on in a few weeks time, repeat this process over and over, using a company and such based outside the US and guess who'll make the money VS the "good guys"

Again, not saying that this is right or fair and it's NOT how I do things at all.
But, I for one am worried that this puts us "Honest" folks at even MORE of a disadvantage.

Jay