MSN AdCenter & other fun topics

[Kerry]

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Hi guys,
I was wondering if I could ask you for your opinion or musings on the subject of AdCenter etc. With MSN doing their own thing now, I was wondering if they're likely to change the way they do things now regarding affiliates directly linking from their PPC ads to the merchants site (kind of like how Google is cracking down on this). As I'm vaguely aware, there is nothing that distinctly prohibits this (due to the fact that the wording is fairly general and in my opnion fairly open to interpretation), and usually this isn't too much of an issue unless a- the ads are heinously in violation of good practice or b- someone raises a stink about it.

So, my question to you is this: do you think MSN are likely to crack down on affiliates linking their PPC ads to the merchants site (most popularly through re-directs) a la Google? And is it something you're particularly worried about in terms of being an affiliate?

Thanks guys, would really appreciate your feedback on this!

Kerry

[GW-Sean]

Thinking logically about this - I'd say that MSN might take a similar path to Google on these issues - but not right now.

At the moment, MSN have their battles to fight - they've just launched a new product - I imagine that they'll be thinking about overall market share rather than cracking down on affiliates right at this moment.

Google can only really get away with their strategies because of the market share they control - realistically, if they were in a similar position to MSN, I bet you they wouldn't be quite so drastic about their link-cutting and blanket-solutions!

[chrisuk]

Yep I'd agree, Google's market share has made them arrogant, so much so that it doesn't bother them whether you spend thousands with them or not, they can still turn you off at whim.

That said it is likely that other engines that manage to take market share will start being less accommodating as time goes by. MSN for instance may well introduce affiliate restrictions in the next year or so but right now I imagine it is in their interest to be more affiliate friendly, they have everything to prove and will want to build a strong customer base.

I hope Google do lose market share, maybe some competition will cool their arrogance and they will learn how to treat long time advertisers with more respect rather than just kill their businesses overnight. Competition is a very healthy thing, it allows advertisers, especially affiliates to diversify and utilise greater choice.

[Kerry]

Hi,
Thanks for your prompt responses on this - it's much appreciated! It's pretty much what I had figured, not so much an immediate concern but definately something to look out for.

Thanks again!