What's with all the ads using "aff" in thier text?

[BigAl]

I would assume the "aff" at the end of these ads stands for affiliate. But what would be the benefit of doing this if you are promoting an affiliate product?

Thanks,

[inasisi]

Once upon a time(To be precise before Jan 12th), all affiliates were supposed to put aff, within their ad, to denote that it was an ad from an affiliate and not from the merchant itself. This rule was changed on Jan12th when the new rule was that there can be only ad per affiliate. So probably those ads that you see are either from before Jan 12th or that affiliate is not aware that the rules have changed.

To answer your question, I don't see any benefit in adding it. It just consumes precious character count and I doubt whether the bulk of the end consumers ever understood what it meant.

[patient2all]

Given this whole "Ad CTR" debate going on, they may be afraid to change their ads now!

patient2all

[eyeinthesky]

Given this whole "Ad CTR" debate going on, they may be afraid to change their ads now!
patient2all

You're right on the money, patient2all :)

I still have my "aff" there as I'm scared stiff changing my ads!

[MovingOnUp]

Also, some merchants are still requiring affiliates to use "aff" in their ads.