Bidding on the brand name of an affiliated merchant.

... is that acceptable?

[Shiznaught]

Basically, I'm promoting various affiliate program via adwords, and I'm wondering if bidding on the name of the merchant is a good idea. Say I'm promoting widgetmerchant.com through an affiliate network, and I bid on "widget merchant." Chances are I'd be poaching potential customers who are looking for the merchant's site, but are there any rules against this?

[poster_boy]

Typically, that type of issue is between you and the merchant - not Google... therefore, it depends on the affiliate program.

In some programs, it is acceptable... in others, it can get you kicked out.

[aeiouy]

Yeah it just depends. Some merchants don't care, and some have very explicit terms in regards to what keywords you can't bid on, and in some cases words where you can not out bid them.