An interesting thread is developing over at the SearchEngineWatch forums. It raises some questions about the ethics of trying to control affiliate PPC bidding – in this extreme case. #1 what about the affiliate who is being held back and controlled from bidding. #2 Wonder how Google and Yahoo would feel about this case of a manager colluding and conspiring to “set” affiliate bids with all their affiliates. Here is the start of the thread:

“I recently got a call from our affiliate manager informing me of their “new PPC guidelines”. These included A) Your bid must be set to .50 cents (or less) this applies to both Google and Overture B) Cannot use parent domain (wasn’t using anyways) C) You must stay out of the top 4 positions on Overture and with Google we’ll see how it goes due to CTR bidding etc. In additon the parent company has decided to use no less than FOUR separate domains to occupy the top 4 positions with Overture and is currently in the top 3 with Google. Luckily our PPC % of our business is only 30% so we complied (didnt really have a choice in the matter now did we?). We also weren’t willing to risk what is nearly a seven figure revenue stream per year. I’m quite aware of what my options are beginning with notifying both Goog/Over for removal and possibly up to and including serious legal action. Having just settled another sort of similar case I’m not too eager to do that again. btw–the parent company I’m referring to is publicly traded, 1. 5 billion sales and all of you would recognize the name…..What would you do ?”

Read the rest of this very interesting thread or join the discussion here:
PPC Blackmail…….

*Advertising Disclosure Policy*