In the past year or so we have started to see numerous advertisers migrating their affiliate programs to the Google Affiliate Network, which used to be Performics before DoubleClick purchased Performics.

Although networks like LinkShare and CJ-Commission Junction add advertisers almost daily, many are leaving and closing their programs in exchange for the cost benefit of running the program either internally or on a different platform. I will say, after having been both an affiliate manager and a publisher for many years, that there are advantages to most of the networks, it just depends how you want to run your program.

Publishers really don’t care as long as they feel like they are not going to get ripped off, or when  they send an email they never get a response or if they signup they never get a response either accepted or not.

There are several such advertisers on CJ right now that I have sitting in pending status. Why? I have no idea, either the advertiser should communicate accept or decline, this is the sort of thing that gives affiliate marketing a black eye, when advertisers play bait and switch, I can’t tell you how many times I had joined a program, been accepted, they posted links and done a posting on my blog, etc.. then only to be terminated for who knows what reason, and then try to get a response and no response.  Advertisers are just as guilty of poor practices as publishers.  This is why before you put a lot of effort into a service or product you are going to promote, do your homework, contact the advertiser and establish a relationship where you can call or email and get a response, even if you are not driving lots if impressions or traffic, a good affiliate manager will do what they can to support your efforts.