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Skimlinks

by Ofthemix
12 replies
With all of the drama going on with Amazon pulling out of different states, Amazon affiliates are looking for new ways to monetize their sites. One of the things I've heard a few people talking about is a company called Skimlinks :: Simplified affiliate marketing for publishers - generate revenue from your site's content easily (not an affiliate link). Once you sign up, you get access to a bunch of affiliate programs, place some code in your website footer, and the site will replace product links with affiliate links. I haven't tried it yet, just pretty much regurgitating what I've heard and what I've read from their website. The catch is that they take 25% of whatever commission you've earned.

Has anyone tried this yet? What have been your results? How were your earnings with Skimlinks in comparison to the Amazon affiliate program? Did you switch your sites to Skimlinks before or after Amazon pulled out of your state?

I hope I get a few responses as I'm sure there are a lot of Texans out there, and Amazon affiliates in general, who are curious about this.
#skimlinks
  • Profile picture of the author gotteeth
    I'm familiar with Skimlinks too. Seems like a viable alternative but...

    - 25%...they can kiss my a**!! If an alternate wasn't available - at least someone would have an option.

    - I'm skeptical...not conspiratorial but...I just don't trust any network that can see the referring keywords, and could easily skim sales off the traffic I generate.

    Just sayin'

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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Yeah 25% is pretty high.

    P.S. Go Air Force- screw the Navy :-p
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    I actually use Viglinks.

    I would definitely recommend Viglinks compared to anyone else.
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  • Profile picture of the author EUA
    I applied for both of them for my sites and prepare a comparison table for their services. You can better to read and choose best one for yourself.
    The Comparison of VigLink vs SkimLinks Affiliate Networks
    Erdem
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    • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
      Originally Posted by EUA View Post

      I applied for both of them for my sites and prepare a comparison table for their services. You can better to read and choose best one for yourself.
      The Comparison of VigLink vs SkimLinks Affiliate Networks
      Erdem
      Very nice table and comparison.

      As far as SkimLinks and eBay links there is a proven workaround for those also using the phpBay script. Instructions are here - at the very end of this long page:

      http://internetprofituniversity.com/...tomize-phpbay/

      As a user of SkimLinks it is a pain to wait for every site to be approved. I'll have to check out VigLink. On the other hand, this is a quality review - necessary in today's landscape - as merchants using these services will not want to be overrun with junk sites they would never directly approve.

      .
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      • Profile picture of the author arkhamindustries
        WOW! 25% IS a LOT
        but it may work to use while you are trying to get approval from ebay themselves for your own EPN commissions.
        I just got a 30 day trial subscription to mage monster but i quickly realized you need to be a part of the EPN to make decent money with them. im thinking about trying skimlinks on there for ebay ads
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        • Profile picture of the author acunningham
          Originally Posted by arkhamindustries View Post

          WOW! 25% IS a LOT
          but it may work to use while you are trying to get approval from ebay themselves for your own EPN commissions.
          I just got a 30 day trial subscription to mage monster but i quickly realized you need to be a part of the EPN to make decent money with them. im thinking about trying skimlinks on there for ebay ads
          Hi -- Anna here w/ VigLink! While the service does take a 25% share of revenue, it's worth noting that using a service like VigLink typically gives you access to HIGHER payout tiers, so a lot of the time total earnings even out (or you earn even more with VigLink).

          A good example is Amazon. Their payment tiers are broken down by the number of items a publisher helps ship in a given month. If a publisher ships between 1 and 6 items they earn a 4% commission on each of those sales.
          If a publisher helps ship over 3,131 items, they earn a 8.5% commission.

          It's difficult for a single publisher to help ship over 3,000 items in a single month. But due to VigLink's size, it's easy for us to. So, all of our publishers benefit from an 8.5% commission on each of their sales. So, even with our 25% share, publishers earn more with VigLink than they can on their own.

          Hope this helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author lkpub
      Originally Posted by EUA View Post

      I applied for both of them for my sites and prepare a comparison table for their services. You can better to read and choose best one for yourself.
      The Comparison of VigLink vs SkimLinks Affiliate Networks
      Erdem
      Great information and comparison... I'm testing Skimlinks myself right now altho I do have concerns about their tracking... or accounting...
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      LK Publishing & Design
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  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Mack
    Hi ofthemix,

    I use epn and have a number of site with Skimlinks as backup, although the say 3 days for approval I usually get approved well within 24 hours. If you are waiting for epn approval then use Skimlinks for now, but if approved by eBay I do not recommend that you put all your eggs in one basket.

    Brandon
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    • Profile picture of the author lkpub
      Originally Posted by Brandon Mack View Post

      Hi ofthemix,

      I use epn and have a number of site with Skimlinks as backup, although the say 3 days for approval I usually get approved well within 24 hours. If you are waiting for epn approval then use Skimlinks for now, but if approved by eBay I do not recommend that you put all your eggs in one basket.

      Brandon
      I agree... I have Skimlinks now on all my sites and so far it is picking up sales here and there for affiliate programs I am not in... so I pretty much have all my bases covered and I'm not expecting millions from them but as a backup it's great... I also use the comparison shopping feature they provide for products... and so far support has been really quick to respond with any questions etc... can't hurt to try it...

      Hope this helps... Good Luck...

      Linda =]
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      LK Publishing & Design
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  • Profile picture of the author ZaneAbden
    i was not able to get EPN approval so is using viglink means i will be able to get a commission from ebay ( minus 25% ) without need to apply for EPN?
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    I am selling my BOTH lifetime license for following products, RANKING INSTITUE by Andrew Hansen and Social Secrets by Matt ..please PM me for price

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    • Profile picture of the author acunningham
      Originally Posted by ZaneAbden View Post

      i was not able to get EPN approval so is using viglink means i will be able to get a commission from ebay ( minus 25% ) without need to apply for EPN?
      Hi Zane -- Anna here w/ VigLink. It would depend on the reason you weren't accepted by EPN. If you are complying with the ePN Partner Agreement and you send traffic to eBay it's likely we could help. Ping us at support at viglink dot com for help!

      Cheers,
      Anna
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