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Help! Strange Requests From Commission Junction

by TylerCarty
13 replies
Warriors!

Anyone out there familiar with Commission Junction? I need your help with a quick issue.

I have a YouTube video with a CJ affiliate link in the description. Everything is pertinent and good to go. (no spam) - Pretty basic affiliate marketing stuff using YouTube.

I have acquired nearly $500 that Commission Junction is holding from me. First they requested that I send them the details about how I am promoting my affiliate links. - And right now I only have this one YouTube video promoting one CJ affiliate link.

I have been forthright with them because no shenanigans is going on whatsoever. ...so I think I am straight there

Now they have requested the following changes to the video description:

"We ask that you please post the link directly without a shortener. Also, please be sure to exclude the "http" from the affiliate link. This is because YouTube uses https, which will interfere with us receiving the referring page."

What do you Warriors suggest that I do? Should I conform to their requests or try to negotiate further? I do not mind not using a link shortener, but without the http on the link I believe that I would lose tremendous affiliate credit opportunity.

Your advice is needed!

-Tyler
#affiliate links #affiliate marketing #affiliates #commission #commission junction #commission junction help #junction #requests #strange
  • Profile picture of the author JC Web
    If you want them to pay you, you abide by their terms. Who exactly do you think you are to be negotiating with them? You've made a few sales with a Youtube video. You need them far more than they need you.
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  • Profile picture of the author stackman
    In my long and successful experience with CJ and their program managers I have learned that you have very little negotiating room, especially on technical issues such as the ones you're being confronted about. If you don't conform, you'll suddenly find that advertiser or CJ itself has terminated your relationship. Clicks on your link go into hyperspace.
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  • Profile picture of the author TylerCarty
    Is this normal to not be able to create clickable links in the YouTube description using affiliate links? There are ways around this though like directing them to another landing page or by telling the viewer to copy and paste the url into the address bar. Any other suggestions? - Or experiences?
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  • Profile picture of the author stackman
    Unfortunately, I have no experience with CJ and YouTube but have you checked with CJ's Terms and Conditions? There may be some answers there for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
      Code of Conduct | CJ Affiliate by Conversant (formerly Commission Junction)

      When using the service provider's technology to obtain credit for publisher referrals, the following actions, practices and conduct, whether active or passive, direct or indirect, should be followed.


      •Interference with referrals. No Web site publisher or software download technology provider may interfere with or seek to improperly influence the referral of an end-user to the Web site of an online advertiser unless the end-user knowingly and explicitly consents to that behavior by taking an affirmative action. (Maybe hiding the true link)

      •Notification of Redirection. Publishers must explicitly notify the end-user of any redirection performed by a software download technology to a participating advertiser site. The publisher must also disclose to participating advertisers the URLs and/or keywords which trigger auto notification and/or redirection and receive consent for such activities. The implementation of software application functionality requires that:
      .......
      •Any settings for automatic notification and/or redirection must be explicitly opt-in



      •Use of Tracking Technology. Publishers are given links and tracking codes that are specific to their publisher account(s) within the various affiliate networks. Publishers must abide by affiliate network rules / agreements if modifying those links. Modifications, if allowed, must also be transparent and disclosed to the advertiser.

      Enough here to show the reasons why you are getting attention.
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  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    Its very simple. Just comply with CJ and put links without any shorten urls. If you want to take your commissions. CJ is very strict to its policies.
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    Techbizmasters.com- Blogging, Technology, and Digital Marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    A simple solution to your problem is to direct your YouTube traffic to a simple landing page. What I usually do is set up a WordPress blog for each niche that I promote in and create short blog posts about the product that I am promoting. Then I will link from YouTube directly to the blog posts. I will then put my affiliate links in the blog posts.

    This serves to do a few things. One, it is compliant with YouTube policy regarding affiliate links so you don't have to worry about YouTube flagging your video or even shutting down your account. Secondly, it would pacify CJ and keep you compliant wit their policy. Third, it will improve your conversion rate drastically. The people who land on your blog post and actually take action by clicking your affiliate links are much more apt to convert. This is important because many advertisers do not want affiliates/publishers who have very low conversion rates.

    I've been doing this for several years and have hundreds of affiliate videos spread out over several YouTube channels. I have only ever had 2 videos flagged, and that was probably done by competitors.

    You'll find that most marketers who are really heavy into PPV/PPC traffic will use landing pages, and it is a proven tactic. It works equally as well with YouTube videos. Also, if you put up some really helpful reviews you will even build up a dedicated viewer base and be able to make multiple sales from return visitors.
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  • Profile picture of the author ron200
    Just wondering why you have $500 in your account. Did it all accumulate in 1 pay period. If not, I would be cashing out every month as much as I could along the way. You never know when they say they don't like your promo methods and won't pay you.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    I am a little confuse about why you would like to go back and forth with them, the team that is contacting u is their compliance team.

    the short link can be considered deceptive (I am sure it is in violation with FTC for a start), if the affiliate links are in violation of youtube, then the suggestion that nicheblogger made is your best bid
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  • Profile picture of the author goldthumb1
    Definitly comply with their request. I know it may be a pain but they are holding your money, and they are the compliance department, many of these large affiliate companies do not even give you the opportunity to comply,, you just get a letter saying your account has been closed and you will not receive your funds, and give you a large list of possible infractions.
    I would be grateful for the opportunity to comply, and fix the issue asap. Then work on building a relationship with an affiliate manager,, then you nay have the opportunity to discuss your options..
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  • Profile picture of the author TylerCarty
    Yes, I have pretty much accepted the fact that I have to comply with their requests....
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    why even ask this question. Do what they want

    al
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    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

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  • Profile picture of the author TylerCarty
    You are right Al. ...it just took me a minute to accept the fact. -Tyler
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