Ask Sponsored Listings and Affiliate Sites

[Jon_King]

Is there a policy regarding aff sites in Ask Sponsored Listings? I don't see anything about the subject on the site. I seem to have problems promoting some aff product sites and their showing up in the paid listings. I've tried very high bids to see if that would help to no avail. Your help is much appreciated.

[Israel]

Back when they started their PPC, I "asked" Ask if they had any policy prohibiting affiliate advertising. I was told "not at the present time".

My affiliate ads show, but not for the best keywords. When I search on less likely search terms, I see them. In fact, I often see 2 ads for myself, one from Ask, the other showing because they're still a Google partner.

I find their interface so confusing, I haven't had the energy to set up more than 3 campaigns so far (I also cancelled 3 others).

Ask has a lot to learn to be a viable PPC. AFAIK, they still bill your credit card at the "suggested" budget as soon as you create a campaign. You need to cancel the campaign to get the funds put back in your account. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken on this.

Also, their $15.00 monthly maintenance fee is absurd when they can only deliver $13.00 in clicks for the month.

I've been very ill of late (though improving!) and kind of did a "set and forget" with Ask.

I've got to do some reading up to learn their "ropes".

Also, with a single digit market share, you've got to be quite savvy to generate enough clicks to turn a profit, IMHO. Just with all the Google madness of late, I felt it behooved me to not have all my eggs in one basket.

In any case, this lowly affiliate's ads do show, but I can't figure out why the better keywords don't show, except that I'm being outbid. However, if that were the case, I'd expect to find the keywords noted in the "Mininum CPC Not Met" section.

I'd also suggest marking your keywords to show for the "broad" option which wasn't offered at the beginning. Anything that might help get a showing!

Good Luck!

Israel