BeFree Addresses Affiliate Problems

[Drastic]

BeFree starts a new "Acclaim" program, which will identify their more affiliate-friendly merchants. Merchants who have timely and accurate payments, and good relationships with affiliates will be tagged with the Acclaim icon.

Story here [internetnews.com]

This is something similar to CJ's recently unveiled OpenMarketplace, which places the merchant/advertiser in a position of needing to be appealing in actual tracking and payment, instead of just having an attractive commission structure. LinkShare has also recently been working on changes for more timely and accurate payments, the topic of most of their affiliates' complaints.

Finally, the affiliate networks are starting to "get it." Affiliates that are still surviving today are savvy to merchant tricks and non-payment, and the networks don't make any money with programs that successful sites don't promote.

With banner-broker CPMs staying at rock bottom, independent affiliate programs growing stronger, and affiliate networks trying desperately to survive and correct their mistakes, affiliate marketing is looking even more promising.

[rcjordan]

The affiliate programs are definitely going through a severe shakeout. It's ultra-tough right now but those surviving are likely to be treated with a little more respect. An affiliate that has a reputation for integrity and quality traffic is going to be able to negotiate some nice, custom deals with merchants in the near future, if not already doing so.