Does The New Clickbank Guidelines Apply To Affiliates?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 36594
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 36594

Guest
That's the main question now. If it doesn't, then at least affiliates can still help vendors "hype" the marketing.

When I read the guidelines, it only seems to apply on Vendors and not affiliates.
What do you Clickbankers think?
 
Advertise on BHW
This is the first thing you see when you login to Clickbank:

"All new products are immediately subject to these guidelines, and existing promotional materials such as Pitch Pages and affiliate sites must be brought into compliance by August 31, 2011"
 
Last edited:
It looks like affiliate sites are included... :|

These new guidelines are completely horrible. At least a few of these newly prohibited tactics are used on probably 90% of landing pages. This pretty much destroys so many effective marketing techniques that you see all the time even in offline business. I am now seriously reconsidering going with other networks for any information products I release (stay tuned for my top secret evergreen niche product in the next few months :P)

No creation of scarcity? Really?

Such a bad move for them in nearly every aspect other than covering their ass from getting sued.
 
i noticed you can't say only 25 left or whatever, but didnt see any mention of not being able to say only selling through (date), or if your giving bonuses .. saying half the bonuses go away on (date)
 
theWombat said:
i noticed you can't say only 25 left or whatever, but didnt see any mention of not being able to say only selling through (date), or if your giving bonuses .. saying half the bonuses go away on (date)
Click to expand...

Here is that section just so people don't have to go run and look like I did.

"2. False Scarcity


We Will NOT Allow:

  • False scarcity messaging when there is no actual scarcity of the product (for example, "Only 300 copies" when there are unlimited copies, tickers running down the amount of time there is to purchase, and listing that this is a one-time opportunity TODAY only). Bolded words for the "one-time opportunity TODAY only" are the key differences to what is accepted below.
We Will Allow:

  • Messaging that states that the offer is available for the next "xx" amount of time (such as, "If you order in the next ten minutes, you will get ..." or "Order today for this amazing opportunity"), as long as there is no messaging that states that the offer is ONLY available for that short time, or that it is a one-time opportunity or chance to purchase when there will be other opportunities available.
  • Scarcity messaging used when there are actual limitations to the quantity or time that is communicated to ClickBank during the Product Approval Process. ClickBank will then monitor sales to ensure the sales are halted when the maximum number of limited products has been met or when the amount of time has expired. The offer can then be "reopened" again after 7 days."
So you're right, you just have to word it in a misleading way. After studying it closer you can use any scarcity you want as long as you actually follow what you say and shut it down for at least a week, which would actually be worth trying once just to get the split/multivariate testing data from it to analyze.

I wonder how closely they are going to monitor all of this? Seems like a lot of extra manpower that they would need, which of course adds cost, and this whole thing will only end up with them having less revenue... so it doesn't make sense to me at all.
 
FTC changed the rules so Clickbank have to adhear and even if you live outside the US like me, the rules still apply if you plan to sell inside the United States, even if your only selling online to Americans.
 
Is it a must to state on your website that you will receive a comission for the sale? As in clearly state
 
What does this statement mean

"Also, affiliates cannot pose as neutral third parties evaluating two products so they make a commission on selling one of them."

Does this mean review sites are not allowed?
 
Neeoo said:
What does this statement mean

"Also, affiliates cannot pose as neutral third parties evaluating two products so they make a commission on selling one of them."

Does this mean review sites are not allowed?
Click to expand...

It means that disingenuous review sites are not allowed. Basically, if you're trying to sell it, you can't pretend to be average Joe user who loves it and is just trying to tell others.
 
What if you review the products and rate them.

1. Product 1 - 5 stars
2. Product 2 - 4 stars
3. Product 3 - 3 stars

Only the facts of what the product offers is explained.

Is this is ok
 
I find it strange that you can not use a product, review it, and let others know that you like it. Celebrities do it all the time. They get paid to tell everyone how they used it, it worked and its great, go out and buy it.
 
I think the key is "neutral." Since you are selling it, you are no longer neutral.

As far as ranking them, I honestly couldn't tell you. I'd pose that question to CB itself.
 
OTrap said:
It means that disingenuous review sites are not allowed. Basically, if you're trying to sell it, you can't pretend to be average Joe user who loves it and is just trying to tell others.
Click to expand...

I read that as a third party reviewing with key words "TWO PRODUCTS" so as long as you are reviewing ONE product then you should be fine.

Wonder what the owner of purrl.net is going to do now!
 
But how the heck is clickbank suppose to monitor these review sites?there are millions out there
 
You can have a review site as long as you remain neutral. Instead of the website owner ranking the products, let the visitors. Website owner completely neutral.
 
Neeoo said:
You can have a review site as long as you remain neutral. Instead of the website owner ranking the products, let the visitors. Website owner completely neutral.
Click to expand...

What???? It clearly states you CANNOT be neutral so you need to say good product or ad product then you are not neutral!

If we all cannot agree then wonder what is going to happen long term!!
 
If you place products on your site and you let visitors rate them how are you not neutral. They decide which is the best and which is the worst, not the site owner. You are not rating them you are letting the public rate them.
 
^You dont get my point. Yes you are correct obviously that you are neutral in doing that but the guidelines states you should NOT be neutral!!! So why do you want to be neutral when the guidelines states you CANNOT do so?!?!?!
 
Ok I got it, sorry I had it backwards. I emailed clickbank and they said that review sites are not a problem.

Here is the email

USER(USER): CREATED: 2011-08-14 12:33:54 PM
First Name: ***************
Last Name: ***************
Email Address:*************
Account Nickname: null

Question on new rules by the FTC.

Are affiliates allowed to use review websites. Review each product and rate
them.

Product 1 - 5 stars
Product 2 - 4 stars
Product 3 - 3 stars

Stated in the TOS is the statement that the website owner receives compensation
for products sold.


----------
CBCSR(Shane S): CLOSED: 2011-08-15 09:09:38 AM
Hello *****,

Thank you for your inquiry. Affiliates are allowed to have review websites.

For more information about Affiliate guidelines by FTC, please see the link
below:

http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf
 
i think this might be a hype up, if it isnt then i am leaving clickbank.
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top