Woz - 11:00 pm on Dec 8, 2006 (gmt 0)

>do the affiliate links offer any RP or backlink benefit?
They can under certain circumstances, but ...

>is there any way to modify the links so they would contribute to the aforementioned.
Yes, but ...

The real question is would it be ethical and/or make business sense to do so?

Affiliates join merchants to market their products, source lead, et al, and obtain commissions for doing so. To construct an affiliate link system for the additional purpose of boosting a merchant's rankings in the serps would be using the affiliates links against them, affecting their commissions without compensation.

Think carefully about the possible consequences of unhappy and productive affiliates leaving the program for the opposition. Affiliates are very savvy, sometimes even vengeful, when it comes to what may be perceived as deceptive practices that may harm their wallet.

If this is your initiative you may incur the wrath of a merchant who's sales decrease when affiliates leave. If it is the merchant's initiative, make sure they are aware of the possible consequences. A "damn the torpedos" attitude from them may be a warning sign of trouble ahead.

Personally, I wouldn't do it and would fire the client if they persisted. But then, that is just my personal ethical stance.

Onya
Woz