Checklist for Affiliate Programs (if you are running one)

[JamesBond]

I though I start this thread to help others guard against affiliate abuse - affiliate abuse when you are the store owner and are running an affiliate program.

I'm still learning more techniques used out there, so please feel free to add your bit of wisdom.

1. Prohibit affiliates to market you via your store name ie. if your store is WidgetsPlace, a common 'trick' is for affiliates to start PPC using "Widgets Place", "WidgetsPlace", etc. Add this to your T&C and monitor that any sales didn't result as a result of this little trick

2. IFRAME - add IFRAME script to your site (just search for it on Google) to break any cookie droping frames that could have been added.

3. If you think an affiliate is cookie stuffing (ie. dropping tons of cookies when a visitor visits their site), simply clear your cookie catche, go to their site and see what little goodies they drop.

So, I am adding more and more to my list, if anyone else has some good tips please add them on.

JamesBond

[iProgram]

Prohibit affiliates to market you via your store name ie.

Disagree. As an affiliate if a merchant does not allow me to bid using their store name, I will choose another merchant who allows this.

IFRAME - add IFRAME script to your site (just search for it on Google) to break any cookie droping frames that could have been added.

Now I am a merchant ;-) Which keywords do you use? I believe the src of iframe you mentioned is SAS's tracking code, which is variable.