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Can I do this without getting in trouble? (Adwords for video)

by mk90e
2 replies
  • PPC/SEM
    • |
So far I know that you aren't allowed to use Adwords to directly link to affilate offers. I believe linking to a landing page is a grey area.
The consensus seems to be that you can put an affiliate link on YouTube, and I see big YouTube channels with lots of affiliate links in their description all the time.

So what about using Adwords for video then, to promote a YouTube video that has an affiliate link in the description? Let's say this video isn't a complete advertisement, but just a how-to video on a particular product or service that you're an affiliate for. Would this be OK, or get your Adwords account and/or YouTube channel banned?
#adwords #trouble #video
  • Profile picture of the author dburk
    Hi mk90e,

    You should be able to do that as long as you follow all of AdWords policies. Direct linking to affiliate offers has always been permitted in AdWords, as long as all policies are followed.

    Having said that, I recently heard my Google rep say direct linking to affiliate offers is "a questionable business model". When you advertise someone else's website you are responsible for whatever they do. If they violate AdWords policy you, the advertiser, are held responsible. That is just one of the reasons that you will hear many Warriors advise you to get your own website, rather than direct link to offers.
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    • Profile picture of the author mk90e
      Originally Posted by dburk View Post

      Hi mk90e,

      You should be able to do that as long as you follow all of AdWords policies. Direct linking to affiliate offers has always been permitted in AdWords, as long as all policies are followed.

      Having said that, I recently heard my Google rep say direct linking to affiliate offers is "a questionable business model". When you advertise someone else's website you are responsible for whatever they do. If they violate AdWords policy you, the advertiser, are held responsible. That is just one of the reasons that you will hear many Warriors advise you to get your own website, rather than direct link to offers.
      Thanks for the response, looks like I'm able to go through with this . What I have in mind could be very profitable if I do it right.

      I have read many times that direct linking affiliate offers isn't allowed, or that it got people banned. Not sure what they've been promoting though. I haven't seen the Adwords policy mention affiliate links anywhere though, but could my intended method fall under "arbitrage"?

      I'm not looking to direct link, because using a video demonstrating how good the product is will most likely increase the conversion rate. Also, the additional views this will generate, will make the video rank higher, so it'll generate more natural views even when I stop promoting. It's a legitimate product that I don't see breaching any Adwords policies. The youtube video will be an instructional one, maybe 10-15 minutes in length, so not thin content or anything.

      My worst fear is losing the YouTube channel, as it actually has some traction. Could that ever happen when breaching the Adwords policy?

      Sorry for the noob questions, but I'm completely new to PPC, and don't want to mess anything up. I'm probably overthinking this and having irrational fears.
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