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Google Set to Wipe Out Car Insurance Affiliates

by kindsvater
12 replies
Breaking news that Google is going to offer its own car insurance comparison service. Not content with adding value to the search results, Google will be acting as an affiliate taking a commission.

Story:

Google providing car insurance quotes in latest expansion

Google will receive a cut from the insurance sales.
Yet another niche being taken over by Google leveraging its dominant search position and the FTC declining to take meaningful anti-trust actions.

If you are an affiliate using SEO to make money from auto insurance signups I would be looking real hard at the business strategy today and long-term prospects.

If you are not in this niche the question for you is: what is the possibility Google will move into it at some point, and if Google does what are the ramifications for you?

No sense putting your head in the sand as Google continues to convert the SERPS into its own links, using your website as filler to make it appear the company is a search engine.

.
#affiliates #car #google #insurance #set #wipe
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Hunter
    Its irrelevant what Google does unless you rely on AdSense or Google Ads. They might have lions share of organic search, but they are far from only game in town.

    You have Facebook Ads, Bing and Yahoo to cover, and thats just for basic starters.

    People have a choice where to go, majority choose Google, that just means Google makes better product.
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  • Profile picture of the author La Petite Femme
    Well it's definitely something to think about (long term) for many affiliates. What's next, the cell phone business--affecting current affiliates? Oh yes! That's right..too late....they're in that arena too. I've never been one to put all my eggs in one basket anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Carlos Tabora
    Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

    Breaking news that Google is going to offer its own car insurance comparison service. Not content with adding value to the search results, Google will be acting as an affiliate taking a commission.

    Story:

    Google providing car insurance quotes in latest expansion



    Yet another niche being taken over by Google leveraging its dominant search position and the FTC declining to take meaningful anti-trust actions.

    If you are an affiliate using SEO to make money from auto insurance signups I would be looking real hard at the business strategy today and long-term prospects.

    If you are not in this niche the question for you is: what is the possibility Google will move into it at some point, and if Google does what are the ramifications for you?

    No sense putting your head in the sand as Google continues to convert the SERPS into its own links, using your website as filler to make it appear the company is a search engine.

    .
    As someone that used to work for one of the leading car insurance quote comparison sites, I've seen this coming for some time ever since Google started offering the same comparison service for airfares more than a year ago. Currently, many comparison sites do not do a lot of branding and rely on SEO for driving traffic to their site. But the comparison sites will now have to figure out how to create more value for the end user.

    Whether that's actually going and being an independent insurance agent to represent carriers and provide "actual custom quotes" rather than quotes based on the published rates from the carrier Websites or negotiating better deals with the wholesale or end carrier lead buyers, car insurance comparison sites will need to figure out some way to increase or maintain their margins and show consumers why they should get a quote from them.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Nothing new. Google has been taking over the World the last 10 years



      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author GlobalTrader
    Yet another reason why I switched my main search to Bing about 2 months ago!

    At least Bing offers to pay you to use their search and give you something for the valuable data they are getting - Bing Rewards Program - look it up - already earned two $5 Amazon gift certs - average about one a month. When was the last time the big G ever sent you anything for using their search engine?

    Consider this also - you often see Amazon listings at the top of many/most product searches, who is to say that those Amazon links are not the BIG G's affiliate link? I can't say that I blame them, I would do the same if I owned it, however, they shouldn't tout their "do no evil" BS like they are above being 'just an affiliate'.
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    GlobalTrader

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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by GlobalTrader View Post

      When was the last time the big G ever sent you anything for using their search engine?
      Every time I search with Google, they send me relevant search results. Does that count?
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      :)

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      • Profile picture of the author GlobalTrader
        Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

        Every time I search with Google, they send me relevant search results. Does that count?
        As does Bing and Bing pays you if you join their rewards program.
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        GlobalTrader

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        • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
          There is nothing to worry about yet. From some sources that are connected in the industry and plus what you can read in the article:

          Google has hired some smart tech people out of the insurance industry so they are serious about it.

          but...

          This is only in California right now
          None of the majors have signed up (I.E. Allstate, Statefarm, etc.)
          They are not the only price comparison engine (Progressive, e-surance, etc.)
          They will have to create a brokerage subsidiary in each state since insurance is regulated at the state level

          The insurance market is ripe for disintermediation but the key to Google's success is making the application process very simple. It is why they started with auto insurance as it is one of the easier insurance applications. That being said, this may or may not chip away at companies with call centers to take a call.

          On another note.. Yes Google does the flight thing ( I actually have never used it) but companies like Expedia are still going strong.
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          Not sure what ecommerce solution to use? Watch my video walk through of popular shopping carts.
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  • Profile picture of the author mediamarket
    Google doesn't own the whole market. There's also bing and yahoo.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

    No sense putting your head in the sand as Google continues to convert the SERPS into its own links, using your website as filler to make it appear the company is a search engine.
    .
    Interestingly, this is the same argument that has been used against marketers
    who sell their products or advertising services (such as solo ads). The question
    is often asked: Why if they are making so much money would they sell their
    "secrets" or let you advertise to their list. I guess that Google has succumbed
    to this argument.

    -Ray Edwards
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    There is always an alternative, or more. Google might be the strongest of all, but Yahoo and Bing are not to be underestimated!
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