Discount Code Sites and Forced Clicks & IFRAMES

[loquax]

so affiliates need to make clear to the customer what will happen when they click

And make sure there's a valid code behind the offer too :-)

Ok, cool...

Jason

[Andy-QuidsInUK]

I'm suprised that discount code sites haven't adopted the "Click to copy to clipboard" approach.

this would keep the code off the page completely.

granted, it's not going to work in Firefox, but it's not as if you're trying to save the consumer money is it?

[hpops]

Hero, Firstly, thanks for commenting and being the first network off the block, I think its fair to say that you're one of three networks tackling the issue in anyway and I also broadly agree with all your points. I am however, somewhat uncomfortable with such a large issue being dealt with on a case by case basis. I would like to see some clearly prescribed rules for the sector which are widely acknowledged. In the absence of any further network response (although I'd expect that Awin and POR will follow shortly with an undignified silence elsewhere) may I suggest the following.

1) If your click is going to launch the advertisers site, this must be made explicit either in your anchor text or close by
2) It is inappropriate to appear to feature a merchants code when one does not exist, sales which are generated through non-existent voucher codes may be deleted and persistent offenders may be removed from the network.
3) Iframes and forced clicks are unacceptable and will not be tolerated

[ash]

Personally on my own voucher code sites i make every effort to ensure that codes are upto date. Granted some outdated or expired codes do slip the net every once in a while.

Whilst i appreciate a 'click to reveal codes' would a) increase my own commission and b) hide my codes (a little) from scrapers its not an approach i'll be adopting.

The regular removal and updating of codes does mean that invariably i do end up with merchants page who do not have any current codes, this is inevitable, but its plain for visitors to see that i do not have any current codes for that particular merchants, its entirely upto them if they then click through to the merchants.

There seems to be lots of little discussions in this thread relating to a variety of issues with 'code' sites, it sure makes for hard reading (and understanding of all the points mentioned!)

[Supercod]

Hi, sorry for delay in replying, spending some time with my family over Easter, I know shocking luxury And I give credit to Webgains for being first network to reply, starting to feel lonely since half time it’s either you guys or POR so I take my hat off to you (if I was wearing one that is).

So here is what I think Affiliates in general should be less misleading in the copy and text links they use, not just on coupon sites. I do not see click here to reveal code as a forced click, ok a little miss leading but could be simply solved with saying “click here to reveal code and visit Merchants website” now of course if the greater affiliate community think that’s not on for affiliates to have a click for action link that reveals a code also on their site I will of course review this as it’s not even a policy, heck I doubt it even appears on any Networks terms at present.

As for clicking to reveal a code that doesn’t exits, well I can’t see how that is helping anyone, possibly they should change the link to instead of saying “click here to reveal a code” to “sorry no code currently available, why not check out merchants website for any offers or deals they may be running” wouldn’t have any problem with that to be honest unless something I have not thought about.

Anyway this is pretty much the same discussion that comes up time and again of late, to put it to you simply in needs a majority to decided on what is right or wrong and to speak to the Networks to do something about it, however it’s not the best situation in the world when only 1 or 2 Networks do anything and people moaning still send most of their business via the Networks not doing anything. It sends the wrong message and sadly it seems these days very few people are as committed to getting the right thing done, of course people in this thread are trying to get the right thing done, and not easy as right is not always as profitable, but if didn’t care you wouldn’t be writing here.

So forced click, no.. ropey ground when no code and telling people to click for it yes very much so (unless just slow by a few days at updating a page, we have all done that), I would imagine a few upset Merchants wanting to remove such sites from their program if they didn’t shape up. A simple change in words used by Affiliates could solve all this.

[steveaich]

Very interesting post, and Blog article. I've just updated the Blushingbuyer T+C's and also sent the following out in an email. Hopefully I've got the balance about right on this one.

As you know we occasionally issue discount/voucher codes for you to use in promoting Blushingbuyer.

It has come to our attention that some sites are misusing the lure of voucher codes to generate clicks when no click should be generated.

If there is NO VALID voucher code listed on your site and you are using a 'click to reveal' system that also opens our site in a pop up, pop under, frame or similar whilst also revealing the (non existant) code we will immediately remove you from our program, and will not pay any commision.

Of course, if you are promoting a valid code we have no problem in you using such a system.

[befuddle]

If there is NO VALID voucher code listed on your site and you are using a 'click to reveal' system that also opens our site in a pop up, pop under, frame or similar whilst also revealing the (non existant) code we will immediately remove you from our program, and will not pay any commision.

Of course, if you are promoting a valid code we have no problem in you using such a system.[/I]

I don't like this because as I say every month, typically 75 codes expire on the last day of the month. Merchants are also very slow to let you know of their latest code, if there is one at all. So inevitably, unless everyone has built their site using robots, expired content will be present.

[Cheapdvds]

I don't like this because as I say every month, typically 75 codes expire on the last day of the month. Merchants are also very slow to let you know of their latest code, if there is one at all. So inevitably, unless everyone has built their site using robots, expired content will be present.

but u arent using a click to reveal system

[Frostie]

Shocking!

People who previously posted here saying that "click and reveal" links were "FORCED CLICKS" have already implemented this method on their websites! So are they now admiting that "click and reveal" links aren't actually "FORCED CLICKS"?

Not sure how and why my site has been used in so many examples, but heyho.

Lets hope the continued "click here for 10% disconut" when one has never existed, and where you are taken to the merchant anyway, are clamped down upon.

Webgains
30 codes? FANTASTIC - hope there will be some cheeky exlcusives in there too

[loquax]

If you can't beat em.... join em!!

[Frostie]

If you can't beat em.... join em!!

I would normally totally agree as thats business. But when you're such a stern believer in something it's a very quick roll over to the previous "dark side". What next? We all start adding codes that never existed? :tup

[KevinEdwards]

Hi,

I'll provide a brief overview from an Affiliate Window perspective.

The voucher code issue is a grey area and one that has never been satisfactorily resolved. In time it will need to be and if we're looking to be treated as a viable, trusted source of traffic and revenue there has to be a consistency of approach.

First issue. We have a voucher code tracking solution in place for merchants that pinpoints what vouchers have been used to generate affiliate sales. If the voucher is unauthorised (and the merchant has stated as much in their T&Cs) then the merchant can legitimately refuse to pay out on that sale.

With regards forced clicks, we dedicated resource last year to contacting certain affiliates regarding framed sites and were successful in these being changed or removed. We even overhauled our affiliate T&Cs to ensure they were explicit about what constitutes a forced click and the network's attitude to them.

In terms of 'click to reveal' it seems obvious that any attempt to mislead needs to be stamped out. We recently carried out an audit of voucher code sites and found the majority of sites to be legitimate. We haven't finished this project but will be contacting those who flout these rules in time, indicating we will carry out regular checks across a variety of merchants.

The onus is on the affiliate to dedicate resource to ensure their site is up to date and the network to ensure information on codes is communicated in a timely fashion.

We spoke to another significant UK network about this issue and they were in agreement with us; clearly there has to be consensus from a network perspective and further development of appropriate monitoring tools to keep the industry evolving.

Cheers,

[Cheapdvds]

If you can't beat em.... join em!!

and a great blog post and well implemented , clearly states what will happen when clicked etc , would be interested to know if sales now increase

[Cheapdvds]

Not sure how and why my site has been used in so many examples, but heyho.

sorry but i guess for me anyway its because when i search discount codes , u are number one so that is the one i looked at

[loquax]

In terms of 'click to reveal' it seems obvious that any attempt to mislead needs to be stamped out

Thanks for taking time to clairfy Awin's position Kevin (and also Clarke for POR too).

Can I ask what you mean by mislead... does this refer to for example "click to get discount for Merchant X" when Merchant X doesn't have a current (or indeed never had) code? If that's the case then that's a positive step.

and a great blog post and well implemented

thanks - I know there are other affiliates who already do stuff like I've implemented today, but I thought it was a good opportunity to demonstrate what can be done - and not in too long a time either.

when you're such a stern believer in something it's a very quick roll over to the previous "dark side"

Possibly, but I've been wanting the green light from networks - and if it's ok by them, then all aboard!

I think some of the arguments have been blurred on what is a forced click and use of iframes. It was only a few months back when big name voucher sites used 1x1 iframes to burn cookies as soon as a user landed on the page.

That has been sorted, and now through discussion there's some kind of consensus on what is ok and what isn't in terms of reval for a code information - which is a good news days for AM!

Jason