Clickbanks New Policies - Are you prepared?

18 replies
Hey guys,
As most of us know, Clickbank has changed many of its policies that will no doubt affect a lot of us here.

I thought it might be worthwhile mentioning this, because the deadline of being "compliant" is nearing.

As you can see below, all new products, as well as existing promotional materials, including affiliate sites must be updated to reflect the new changes by the end of this month. Thats only a week away.

Those that dont do this are risking possible account termination.

Id hate to see anyone here have their accounts closed and lose out on money because of this.

If you have sites that need to be updated - do it now, dont post threads later about how you've been shut down.

Ive been working on my own sites in conjunction with CB staff, and a few areas they appear to be really clamping down on are...

1. Ensuring your price appears next to buy buttons
2. No fake testimonials!

For those that arent aware of the changes - see below.

Updated Promotional Guidelines: As of August 1, 2011, all ClickBank clients are required to comply with our updated Promotional Messaging Guidelines (Product Promotion Guidelines). All new products are immediately subject to these guidelines, and existing promotional materials such as Pitch Pages and affiliate sites must be brought into compliance by August 31, 2011 or may be subject to penalties including account termination.
#clickbanks #policies #prepared
  • Profile picture of the author Viramara
    how about landing page or squeeze pages?? There's a long holiday in here for 14 days. All public internet will be closed during that time and I won't be able to access my landing page! *...* Is that mean my account will be terminated if I'm not updating before August 31? I'm just a starting affiliate.....ARRRRRGHHHHHHHH
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    • Profile picture of the author samtam
      Originally Posted by Viramara View Post

      how about landing page or squeeze pages?? There's a long holiday in here for 14 days. All public internet will be closed during that time and I won't be able to access my landing page! *...* Is that mean my account will be terminated if I'm not updating before August 31? I'm just a starting affiliate.....ARRRRRGHHHHHHHH
      Don't worry, I don't think your landing page will be that much affected by the policy change. By the way 14 days closed is a long time, curious to know where are you from?
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      • Profile picture of the author simplebiz
        Has anyone noticed this in the new policy:

        "Also, affiliates cannot pose as neutral third parties evaluating two products so they make a commission on selling one of them."

        Looks like review style sites will be out as well.
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        • Profile picture of the author Undercovercash
          So we are no longer allowed to talk about a product and say it has helped us, while mentioning another product that didn't help us quite as much?
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          • Profile picture of the author rts2271
            So in short, spammy, scammy tactics, over the top sales hype, reviews and testimonials glorifying product x are out?

            GOOD. Too little too late for the SS Titanic errr Clickbank. The band is playing on the promenade.
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          • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
            Originally Posted by simplebiz View Post

            Has anyone noticed this in the new policy:

            "Also, affiliates cannot pose as neutral third parties evaluating two products so they make a commission on selling one of them."

            Looks like review style sites will be out as well.
            Originally Posted by Undercovercash View Post

            So we are no longer allowed to talk about a product and say it has helped us, while mentioning another product that didn't help us quite as much?
            The key here is that you can't "pose" as a "neutral third party". All you need to do is disclose that you will earn commission on the sale of any CB products. It doesn't matter if you are giving the CB product a "good" review or a "bad" one, and it doesn't matter how many CB products are in the mix.

            What they don't want is people pretending to be objective. So, disclosing your stake in the matter should keep you in compliance.

            And no, this is not the end of review pages, and you can still talk about products that helped or didn't help you, as long as you let it be known that you will be earning a commission from a sale.

            All the best,
            Michael
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            "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author gskesavan
    No fake testimonials is a really good move. Fake testimonials is unethical, but how will they verify if the testimonial is fake or not??
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by gskesavan View Post

      No fake testimonials is a really good move. Fake testimonials is unethical, but how will they verify if the testimonial is fake or not??

      I asked them the very same question. Their response...

      "You must be able to provide evidence from the person by way of a signed document..."

      What that document is exactly they didnt say :confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author TanyaJ
        [DELETED]
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        • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
          Originally Posted by TanyaJ View Post

          And now we must prove every single testimonial!?
          Only if requested by Clickbank.

          I still dont know what this document is that theyre referring to, or where to get it????
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      • Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

        I asked them the very same question. Their response...

        "You must be able to provide evidence from the person by way of a signed document..."

        What that document is exactly they didnt say :confused:


        This is so stupid. What are you goig to say to someone? "hi can you rview my product print out this forum sign it and fax/ mail it back to me?"

        seriously. Ok I get that thy are trying to protect buyers but c'mon where do you draw the line?
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        • Profile picture of the author Eran Roseman
          The changes clickbank made effects vendors. I haven't seen anything that should concern affiliates.

          The FTC requires that if you are contacted by them regarding a testimonial you will be able to supply the contact details of the person that gave it.
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  • Profile picture of the author kausarkhan
    I think it will effect mostly on vendor side not as an affiliates. Vendor need to take extra care to make it work.
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  • Profile picture of the author SpaceAge
    Seems very subjective to me... With such vague terms, it won't be that difficult for unscrupulous marketers to find a way around the new policies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendon Zahrndt
    RJ,

    How has your experience been working directly with the Clickbank staff?

    Good, bad, ugly?
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  • Profile picture of the author clickdoor
    How about a disclaimer on up sells and giving a money back guarantee on those as well, like the initial product.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eduard Stinga
    God, are those changes welcomed!

    I totally agree with them, really, I'm sick of all these over hyped products, with fake testimonials, fake one time offers, fake count downs, FAKE EVERYTHING!
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    • Profile picture of the author Thomas Michal
      clickbank says this:

      ClickBank does not have to have the proof in hand, but the vendor must understand that if the FTC, private litigant or other agency asks for it, the vendor must have proof to back up any claim made

      basically CB is covering their a#s which is smart.
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