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Help, I'm stuck in a Google gap

by timber
4 replies
Hey everyone;
I'm hoping someone can help me out here, because I feel like I'm sinking in a bucket of worms, and I'm getting mud thrown on top of me.

Okay, here's my problem.
I created a site to promote Jamorama, a guitar training program.

I got a Google warning letter saying that my page was in violation, and advised me to make some changes.

I did, I re did the entire site, and thought I did a pretty good job of making everything transparent and pass the Google test. It didn't.

The explanation I got, was that when a customer comes to my site, and reviews the content, they can click on a button that will take them to the vendors page. Or if they decided to click on the "Order Now" button, that would take them to the vendors order page. The big thing was that the domain address would change.

So, short of installing my own shopping cart (might as well ask me to build nuclear reactor), I'm screwed.

Has anyone else ever had this issue before? what do I do to resolve this? Can it be resolved? Yes, I am an affiliate, but I thought I was playing within the rules.

I know the site is ugly and all, but please, judge for yourself.
Guitar Reviews - Helping you find the Best Guitar Instruction and Lessons for your family

I need all the help I can get, please.

Thanks.
#domain #gap #google #redirect #stuck
  • Profile picture of the author JennSpencerIM
    Do you think its because you don't clearly state that you are an affiliate for this product? I know Google and other places are making sure sites are following FTC guidelines so that would be the first thing that you could probably take a look at.

    Also, I was kind of confused as to what your call to action was...what do you want people to do or click on when they get to your site?
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  • Profile picture of the author timber
    Thanks for the reply;
    Okay, so, just so I know i'm understanding you correctly Jenn, state that my page is referal page for the three guitar training programs? Wouldn't that be implied by the review section? Or am I taking too much for granted there?

    And on the second part, you're saying that if I had a bigger, clearer call to action, like a big graphic or something, and stated that they would be going to another domain at that time, then that would be acceptable?

    because those don't sound too unrealistic, but why couldn't someone have just told me that, instead of cloaking everything in legalieze.

    Am I close?
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  • Profile picture of the author timber
    no one? hello?

    I just need something to hold onto, to know that I'm going in the right direction.
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    • Profile picture of the author Andrew Endres
      You didn't mention PPC but I'm assuming that's what you are using because I've had the same issue. I've had several websites that I advertised with Adwords that have been shut down for being "bridge pages". In other words, I had an affiliate link or my site was an intermediary between the customer and the vendor. I was making some pretty good money doing this and then my entire operation was shut down and I lost my income.

      I've tried to comply in every way with their rules but everything I did to fix it Google didn't like. I eventually changed domains but that only lasted for a few months before I got shut down again. The bottom line is Adwords doesn't like affiliates!

      I don't know why Google is doing this but I know lots of affiliates are having this problem. If you look at the products in the IM world, no one is teaching about PPC anymore. It's way too competitive, risky, and everyone's affiliate sites are getting blacklisted.

      One time I accidentally bid $10 per click for a certain keyword. I had about 3 $5 clicks before I caught it and changed it but Google went on ahead and still advertised this way for another 5 hours costing me about $100 in useless clicks. I complained and they decided that it was their right to be slow to respond and wouldn't give me a refund.

      So I'm done with PPC.

      I know this isn't good news for you. If you still want to use PPC all I can suggest is that you go to Yahoo and Bing.

      The best advice I can give is if you like this topic, blog about it and develop a good readership. Make yourself an authority in this niche, create lots of articles and back-links, and get a high page-rank in Google's organic search results. It's not the easy road like PPC was, but it's a sure way to build a lasting business and keep it from getting shut down.
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