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My Product's Site Was Duplicated... Is This a Problem?

by Bryan Toder
21 replies
I have several products I've created. One of them is SnoreBuster:

SnoreBuster :: End Your Snoring and Sleep Well Through the Night

Oddly, instead of one affiliate creating a site with an affiliate link, he cloned my original site completely (but he's using the graphics on MY server!).

I checked and the order button does go to ClickBank with his affiliate code.

Do I need to be concerned about these things?

Thanks...
#duplicated #problem #product #site
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Lam
    Yes and no. If you have an attorney to take him to a legal battle, do so. If he's in another country... well... good luck.

    However, I'd take a different approach and embrace it since fighting with someone over email isn't going to do you any good. I'd put on my site some where pretty much saying, 'This product is so popular that people are cloning and STEALING it completely. Don't fall for the scammers out there. Get the real deal and original *product* here.'

    Something like that and give a "nofollow" link to these scamming sites. Always test of course.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Collins
    Hi Bryan -

    Sorry I didn't realize what I was seeing. I took my comment out because I thought the above link was yours and now understand it's the site in question. My apologies.
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    John - AffiliateMoneyTips and AlzheimersHappens
    You're welcome to follow me on Twitter - affiliatetips and Johnr_Collins
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    • Profile picture of the author Bryan Toder
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author abs007
        Im not sure what forum i read this on but the same thing happened to someone else. What they done was to change the pictures on their server. They changed the pictures to things like " I am a thief" or "Buy directly from ...com" and so on.

        You could do the same then look at his site...when he changes them back do it again.
        Is the site using the same page titles, meta descriptions and everything the same? If so I would be worried. However if your site has more authority and you have been indexed much before he cloned your site then his site will be the one that gets penalized for duplicate contents
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        • Profile picture of the author Bryan Toder
          I am wondering if the code I entered (a few posts above this one) really duplicates my site or is it doing something else...?
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          • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
            Banned
            I don't think a lot of people here are actually reading the OP? The duplication of the site is NOT for the other person's benefit - it is still making sales for the OP.

            However, since that first post . . .

            Originally Posted by Bryan Toder View Post

            I am wondering if the code I entered (a few posts above this one) really duplicates my site or is it doing something else...?
            Bryan - the affiliate is actually using a "frame" redirect from his site - which violates Clickbank TOS.

            FAQ Hoplink - ClickBank

            Here's a post which may explain things a little more

            http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...mmissions.html

            The guy is still making money for you (and himself) but against Clickbank's terms - so I would maybe try to contact him for that reason - even suggest he still promotes your product but with a php direct or something which Clickbank accepts.

            Just my thoughts . . .
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Bryan, there is a program that allows people to do this - duplicate the content of a site but having it so the link goes to their affiliate program - Affiliate Hijacker it is called. I don't know if that is what is used in your situation but that is basically what the program does. Apparently it passes all Clickbank TOS from what I've heard.

    I'm not sure what to think about it to be honest, the affiliate is promoting your product for you so perhaps its not such a bad thing. If they were using your page but sending visitors to another product then that would be different.
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  • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
    Banned
    I checked and the order button does go to ClickBank with his affiliate code.
    This goes to YOUR order page for Clickbank with HIS affiliate code?

    So YOU still get the SALE - with him as the affiliate?

    I would be quite happy with this - can't see a problem?? Unless I'm missing something!
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    • Profile picture of the author Bryan Toder
      Originally Posted by pjCheviot View Post

      This goes to YOUR order page for Clickbank with HIS affiliate code?

      So YOU still get the SALE - with him as the affiliate?

      I would be quite happy with this - can't see a problem?? Unless I'm missing something!
      Yes. I see that. The reason it concerns me is that there's the duplicate content thing. Also, he's using my bandwidth for the graphics (not a big deal, really).

      A few years ago, I did an affiliate course and they told us to do this. So, I copied a site on Bonasi trees and within one day, the site owner insisted on me taking it down.

      As you said, I thought, "It'll make HIM money if the site stays up.", but I took it down, nevertheless.

      I found this out, btw, by checking my logs in HostGator. Very useful.
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      • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
        Originally Posted by Bryan Toder View Post

        Yes. I see that. The reason it concerns me is that there's the duplicate content thing. Also, he's using my bandwidth for the graphics (not a big deal, really).
        The duplicate content thing has been blown way out of context. I would'nt worry about it. As far as bandwidth, I doubt if you will even notice it.

        I would love to have an affiliate who duped my site and sucked up tons of bandwidth...it would generally mean tons of sales as well.

        However, depending of the policies you want to enforce, you may want to point out to them that they should be using the affiliate links and images.

        Sounds like they are new and probably don't know how to create an effective landing page. Add a landing page to your affiliate promo materials and point them to it.

        You have to remember also, they have signed up to be your affiliate and you at least owe them some measure of support. Best policy is to treat all affiliates like gold, you never know who is going to bring in a boatload of sales for you.

        Calvin
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Lam
    If that's the case, then yeah, there's no problem. Personally and professional, I wouldn't mind that at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author LB
    The guy is going to make you money doing this, so I wouldn't beat him up over it too badly.

    There are many issues that can arise from this...for example, what if a customer buys from that site and bookmarks it then later returns for help and it's gone? (or it could be switched to a competitors product)

    Additionally, there are the issues of duplicate content etc.

    Personally, I contact affiliates doing this and express appreciation for their promotional efforts but ask they find another method.
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    • Profile picture of the author liban
      I've had many affiliates duplicate my site, and it used to concern me. But in the last couple of years I keep reading that duplicate content on different sites is not a problem.

      Using your images (and bandwidth) would concern me more.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bryan Toder
        Thanks, everyone...!

        Now, this is weird. I looked at the coding on his site and all I see is this:

        <head>
        <title>www.snore-buster.info</title>

        </head>
        <frameset rows="100%,*" border="0">
        <frame src="http://rumple67.wizardmar3.hop.clickbank.net" frameborder="0" />
        <frame frameborder="0" noresize />
        </frameset>

        <!-- pageok -->
        <!-- 07 -->
        <!-- 7.9-->

        What is this doing, exactly?
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        • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
          Bryan,

          He's just duplicating your page in a frame as opposed to copying and pasting your full page code. Nothing malevolent here.

          Also, no duplicate content issues for sure. Not that it matters much.

          BTW, you may want to read what Google has to say about dupe content.

          Duplicate content - Webmasters/Site owners Help

          Hope this helps.

          Calvin


          Originally Posted by Bryan Toder View Post

          Thanks, everyone...!

          Now, this is weird. I looked at the coding on his site and all I see is this:

          <head>
          <title>www.snore-buster.info</title>

          </head>
          <frameset rows="100%,*" border="0">
          <frame src="http://rumple67.wizardmar3.hop.clickbank.net" frameborder="0" />
          <frame frameborder="0" noresize />
          </frameset>

          <!-- pageok -->
          <!-- 07 -->
          <!-- 7.9-->

          What is this doing, exactly?
          Signature
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        • Profile picture of the author ahefner33
          Hey.
          From what I know, it seems the affiliate just created a re-direct using frames which allows him just to use your pitch page with a domain of his own. It mask the url and lets the title get edited making it seem like its his site. People usually do this when promoting affiliate links to trick article directories into thinking its a stand alone site.

          From
          Originally Posted by Bryan Toder View Post

          Thanks, everyone...!

          Now, this is weird. I looked at the coding on his site and all I see is this:

          <head>
          <title>www.snore-buster.info</title>

          </head>
          <frameset rows="100%,*" border="0">
          <frame src="http://rumple67.wizardmar3.hop.clickbank.net" frameborder="0" />
          <frame frameborder="0" noresize />
          </frameset>

          <!-- pageok -->
          <!-- 07 -->
          <!-- 7.9-->

          What is this doing, exactly?
          Signature

          Adam Hefner

          http://foodgawker.com/ - Warning - Don't go to if you are hawngry

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  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    Yup, PJ is right. You probably want to shut him down and send him to the CB FAQ page.

    Good call PJ!
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    • Profile picture of the author Bryan Toder
      Got it... Thanks so much, everyone!!
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  • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
    Banned
    Just another thought . . .

    He must be keen on your product to buy a domain name, host it and then re-direct to your site - so I would tend to want to keep him as an affiliate! Otherwise - you lose sales AND - he may link to a competitor!

    Good luck with whatever happens.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Bryan

    The choice is really yours.

    a. You pull him up on it you lose an affiliate.

    b. You leave him to sell for you (provided you know he isn't ripping you off) and have another opportunity for sales if you don't mind the site clone

    I think if you 'throw the book at him' he'll probably drop selling your product which is the worst that can happen and is something you will have to live with.

    BAYO
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  • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
    I called CB one time on the same issue. They said that this was a very common practice, but they would contact him if I wanted them to. This is not an isolated case. There are tons and tons of people who do this with CB products. I have found that this is true. I didn't pursue the matter.

    I don't like this because I feel the affiliate suffers from a lack of creativity and dedication to his craft. And, while the bandwidth issue with the images may be minor, it is definitely--at the least, being rude to do this.

    I'm not trying to be funny, but this is no different than a neighbor offering to pick something up at the market for you--and then coming over and siphoning gas from your tank to make the trip. It's just plan rude to do this.
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  • Profile picture of the author internetwarrior97
    I completely agree that this kind of blatant redirecting is kind of rude and definitely lacks creativity, period, but the pros are: 1. you are still getting money from the affiliate sales, 2. your product is getting exposure and 3. you are retaining the quality control of your product since the affiliate is not just coming up with some dingy website to promote your item (which in turn can make your product seem low grade).
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