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Are these Clickbank policy changes too harsh?

by Leigh Burke
16 replies
These new Clickbank policy changes make for very interesting reading and are a welcome change!

Vendor Promotional Messaging Guidelines

For too long inscrupulous vendors have been able to make inflated claims, and in some cases outright lies in their sales material to strongarm newbies into a sale.

Hopefully these changes will see vendors putting more effort into their product than their sales material, and the product will sell itself via word of mouth.
#clickbank #harsh #policy
  • Profile picture of the author Chr
    I think that's a great change. I think this might significantly change Clickbank as many of the products violated some of those rules.
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  • Profile picture of the author euhlir
    They are very welcome in my opinion.

    One of my biggest pet peeves with CB vendors is using false scarcity such as "only 37 copies left."

    I know how to code so I can see that they aren't using any scripts or programs to monitor the number they use. It's simply a lie.

    I'm actually a little surprised it took so long for some of these official changes to be made.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    Not harsh enough if you ask me.
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    • Profile picture of the author JonOlivier
      Originally Posted by Rich Struck View Post

      Not harsh enough if you ask me.
      Agree, seems like the quality of some CB products has been taking a dive over the past year. It's great to see some action to clean things up a little.
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      • Profile picture of the author cscarpero
        About dang time! The income claims and hype on Clickbank have been out of control for a long time.
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        • Profile picture of the author Viula
          Considering I have already spent many days on writing a very quality product that I plan on adding to ClickBank I am VERY glad to see these new changes. I had already researched my competitors, and know they aren't *really* competitors, but it's hard to show that as a seller. The best way I can put it, is just by their context and content on their selling page I know it's out of date. Worth much less value than it should be, yet these are very high-advertised products.

          Anyhow, I think this will help increase quality and decrease the number of people who are still getting very high profits on very old news.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Faber
    I'm happy that they are doing what they are. Its about time.

    FTC Has Clickbank singing
    "The FTC wont let me be, Let me be me so let me see, they try to shut me down on MTV but it feels so empty with out me."
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  • Profile picture of the author JoeLawrence
    Thanks for posting this. CB laid out the guidelines in a very simple manner, so it’s not too hard to comply with.

    I think these are good rules to follow to keep you compliant, not just CB compliant. Especially the part about the testimonials. There has been a lot of attention lately on the legitimacy of testimonial usage.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tye Hord
    If you ask me I don't think they are too harsh at all!

    Look at most other advertising (here in Canada anyways) it's all REGULATED, there are certain rules, and certain things the advertisement can and cannot contain. There are governing bodies that patrol this kind of stuff.

    It's almost like all those rules go out the door for some "sales copy" and I STRESS SOME there so I don't get my head bitten off

    I personally did car sales for awhile and learned a lot about advertising vehicles, there are many restrictions on how a dealership can advertise their vehicles.

    One example of something they can't do (and this is only within the last 5-10 years anyways, and it differs by province/territory) is:

    They can't advertise let's say a Chevy Cobalt at $9,999 and claim they have 25 cobalts in stock, so hurry in! When the truth is they only have ONE Cobalt at $9,999 and the rest (24) are above $10,000.

    This is misleading advertising to bring consumers into the dealership, to sell them hard on something they didn't come to look at. This tactic worked really well for dealerships until not for profit governing bodies took control of the situation.

    I'm all for regulating the advertising/sales copy, and I'm sure marketers will adjust (as did the dealerships) because pressuring someone into purchasing is not how to make someone feel good about their purchases! If they get the same "pressure" feeling online that they've experienced offline than I feel they'll leave your page, as I have done on many offers! Just my two cents

    Edit: And I forgot to mention if they did end up purchasing under a "pressured" environment than chances are they won't come back to buy more from you!
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  • Profile picture of the author XYZcontent
    In my opinion these new policies are great.
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    • Profile picture of the author pennyroll
      Making marketers honest, I don't think it's too harsh. Too many searching for an opportunity fall for the I'm rich you're not so spend your hard earned money on my product whether it helps or not. When in fact I'm not rich but telling you I'm rich makes me more rich. Taking advantage of people shouldn't be accepted but at the same time buyers should have to do their own due diligence, just as they should with laws, rules, and regulations don't you think?

      I personally hold to my own standard, and don't like to take advantage of people. Personally I would rather not have the 5.00 or 50.00 commission if I don't think the person buying it would benefit from it.

      It's too easy to find a product worth promoting and pays well then to promote a product that pays well but not worth promoting. If you catch my drift. Why not help people and make money?
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  • Profile picture of the author blink77
    I think it's great. I have had products on CB and I felt some people may never see them because of the bad rap we get from venders with outrages claims. I've always been honest with my copy.

    Rod
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Originally Posted by Leigh Burke View Post

    These new Clickbank policy changes make for very interesting reading and are a welcome change!

    Vendor Promotional Messaging Guidelines

    For too long inscrupulous vendors have been able to make inflated claims, and in some cases outright lies in their sales material to strongarm newbies into a sale.

    Hopefully these changes will see vendors putting more effort into their product than their sales material, and the product will sell itself via word of mouth.
    I'm glad they are tightening the rules as well.

    However...

    If a product is really good, and solves a problem or can otherwise help people, then it's my DUTY as a seller to get that solution to as many people as possible.

    In other words, relying on "word of mouth" ain't going to cut it. I can't solely rely on other people to sell my products. That being said, word of mouth is my favorite form of advertising, BUT it's not the only form.

    So, IF the products on CB become as good as YOU want them to be, then it only makes sense that you would want good sales letters to promote them as well.

    All the best,
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author oda
    Originally Posted by Leigh Burke View Post

    Hopefully these changes will see vendors putting more effort into their product than their sales material........
    Very well said!

    I have seen loads of CB products with incredible sales systems just fall to pieces at delivery. The products are Unfinished, not well put together and lack the content promised.

    I hope this really shakes the CB tree and the rotten fruit falls out.

    Oda
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    • Profile picture of the author elliec
      Originally Posted by oda View Post

      Very well said!

      I have seen loads of CB products with incredible sales systems just fall to pieces at delivery. The products are Unfinished, not well put together and lack the content promised.

      I hope this really shakes the CB tree and the rotten fruit falls out.

      Oda
      Agree with you too! Like Kindle cleaning up the rotten PLR dupes Clickbank could do well to tidy up the store.
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  • Profile picture of the author steveniam
    I wonder when will WSO implement a similar guideline. Some of the claims made in WSOs are in breach of FTC regulations.

    There is a write up on ClickBank VPM Guidelines at Clickbank Changes Vendor Promotional Messaging Guidelines which provide more insight.
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