Cj.com tell affiliates to change their links
In a recent announcement from CJ.com to affiliates telling them to move away from HTML links to Java Script, what implications might this have on affiliates (publishers).
Firstly, for those of you that missed the email (cough, splutter…yes me too)You can find more information here For those that don’t want to click out continue >>>
Link Management Initiative Background – Changes and ImpactsWhat is the Link Management Initiative?
The Link Management Initiative (LMI) was conceived in response to requests from our employees, advertisers and publishers for:
Updated link types
Ways to match up clients and manage their creative
Methods for finding links based on criteria other than categories
Preservation of link quality
Optimization of link performance
We have listened to these requests and formed this initiative with the goal of making it easier for you to get the most out of your affiliate relationships. Because of the magnitude of opportunities presented by the LMI, we have broken its release into phases, with the initial phases providing new benefits as well as laying the foundation for future releases.What are the elements of phase I of the LMI?With the initial launch of the LMI on June 23, 2006, the following elements will be rolled out:
JavaScript link support
Improved Keyword link page
New E-mail link
Link quality enhancements
When will this change take place?Phase I of the LMI is being launched on June 23, 2006.How does this affect me and my program?The LMI introduces some changes to our technology that will impact your Commission Junction account.
Once you begin using the new JavaScript links, your links will be future-proof and you will be able to take advantage of any future enhancements without having to change out these links.
Future enhancements planned under the LMI include improved communications with advertisers and Commission Junction, additional ways to find and select links, better visibility into offers and dynamic link capabilities, such as offer rotation.
You will now see the new JavaScript link type as the default link type.
For the advertisers to which you were joined prior to June 23, 2006 (the launch date of the LMI), you will still be able to access Legacy link code for a limited time. We will notify you at least six months in advance of when this option is no longer available.
When the Legacy links are no longer available, you will need to make sure all of the links you are using in your affiliate marketing programs – with the exception of Keyword and E-mail links – are replaced with JavaScript links as Legacy links will no longer be tracked.
What if I participate in search marketing – how does this affect me?
If you are doing search marketing, you will now only be able to get keyword links from the Keyword Link area in the CJ Account Manager™ (Get Links >> View Links >> Keyword Link), and only if you have designated your promotional method as doing search engine marketing (SEM). If you have been creating your own keyword links from other links, you will no longer be able to.
If you are joined to an advertiser who has not provided a Keyword link, you won’t be able to do search marketing for them. However, Commission Junction is embarking on a campaign to make sure advertisers are up to date on their search and keyword preferences. If you participate in more than one promotional method, you can update your account settings to reflect this.
For your existing search campaigns, your links will continue to work until the Legacy links are phased out. We will provide you with at least six months notice prior to this date letting you know of the final date for switching out your links.
If you would like to embed links into e-mails, you can convert any link into an E-mail link in the “Get HTML” page of your selected link.
What are the benefits of introducing these changes?
Once you begin using the new JavaScript links, your links will be future-proof and you will be able to take advantage of any future enhancements without having to change out these links. Key benefits of these links include:
They can still be modified in all the ways important to you, including modifying destination URL, appending with SID, encrypting, changing destination URL and designating hyperlink location in text links. They are very common and can easily be incorporated into any Web site. They eliminate the limitations of affiliate links in the legacy format – specifically search engine ranking degradation. Support of multimedia – they will call any future link type, such as video. We have improved the Keyword link area in the CJ Account Manager – it is now more user friendly and suitable to your needs.
What are future elements of the LMI?
Improved communications methods
More ways for advertisers to promote their programs to you
Creative management such as bulk creative upload
Dynamic links such as offer rotations
When will additional elements be available?Since we are breaking this initiative into phases, additional elements will be available on a rolling basis. Phase II will be released in late July 2006 and will include changes to Product Catalog links. Additional phases are currently being scheduled.
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General Questions
Why is Commission Junction doing this?
In discussions with internal and external clients, it was discovered that there were many opportunities for improvements to our existing feature set when it comes to link management. We learned that efficiency, quality and opportunity were being compromised and that action needed to be taken in response. We therefore devised a list of features in answer to these needs and will be releasing them on an ongoing basis. As needed, additional features and enhancements will be considered as part of this initiative.
Why is Commission Junction doing this now?
There are several reasons for this timing:
Recent changes and innovation in Internet and search technology have brought to light the opportunities available with providing JavaScript links. By releasing now, we are allowing you to take advantage of the recent changes and prepare for the future.
Due to the nature of our business, we have to consider seasonality when releasing new products or features. Rather than introduce this in the middle of our busiest quarter, we decided to release this now and provide sufficient preparation time for you to take advantage of our new features for the upcoming holiday season with minimal business impact.
Are other affiliate marketing platforms using JavaScript links?
Yes, the industry standard is moving towards JavaScript links.
How will Commission Junction support me through this change?
We will provide you with continuous communication regarding the upcoming changes and our technical documentation such as Online Help and the Advertiser link Guide will be updated with details. If you require assistance, please contact client services by using the “Ask a Question” feature in your CJ Account Manager.We are providing advance notice of this change, to give you time to prepare for it. This will include providing additional advance notice of when the Legacy links will no longer be supported.
How many affiliates read their emails and know about the changes?
I completely missed this email and when I went off to try and find more information about this via Cj.com website, I couldn’t find anything. Good old a4u.co.uk had a thread and all that was going through my mind is…
how many websites and links do I have as a publisher and where do I start?
What happens to my links after the expiration date?
What If I miss some links?
How do I use java links and SEO?
What about anchor texts, what do I do now?
Now I am not the greatest affiliate in the world, far from it… but even with my basic knowledge of putting a website together, I do know that SE’s don’t recognise Java script. Most networks use Java script but always have the alternative. So why not with CJ.com?
From the flip side, what does this mean for my clients, god how many links am I going to have to change, is this a good thing for them or a bad thing?
If this is in response to the SE’s not liking affiliate links, then surely this will have little impact?
“Yes, the industry standard is moving towards JavaScript links.” Really? Who said so?“
“Ask a Question” feature in your CJ Account Manager.” Oh I gave up on that three years ago!
“Recent changes and innovation in Internet and search technology have brought to light the opportunities available with providing JavaScript links” But search technology does not recognize java script?
“Dynamic links such as offer rotations” Yes I support this, but I have always advised that these types of links should only be used for affiliates who have existing traffic as they will do nothing for organic SEO and to only offer as an addtion to HTML.
“Preservation of link quality” In other words like linkshare where by some merchants ( sorry Advertisers) have complete control over what affiliates can or cant link to? As I have pointed out to LS and will do so to CJ, so many missed opps via this route simply because of linking limitations.
Im going to keep an open mind about this until I speak to some one at CJ.comNo one likes change and I am sure affiliates are not happy at the amount of links that they will have to update. Change isn’t always a bad thing but the jury is out on this one for the moment. Other threads addressing this issue.
Revenews from US perspective
A4uforum from a UK affiliate perspective
Webmasterworld from an affiliates perspective
Threadwatch from an Organic SEO perspective
Abestweb from US affiliate perspective
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