Google Revises Trademark Trigger Policy

[bapages]

I have been looking around google and nothing appears to have changed that I can see.

[drivetowin]

I see there are three affiliates bidding on Next as a brand term today - presumably we can expect confirmation from Next/The Networks concerned that all three have had their commissions reversed and been removed from the programme by close of play tomorrow then? - I have made a note of the three affiliates concerned and I will be following this one up - even more disappointing is that one of those taking part is a regular poster on this very forum

[bapages]

Looking at the use of the TM term in the ad and the landing page I'd say they are part of a closed group brand bidders.

[Shane]

I think the important thing to remember is that whilst google are now saying it's ok to bid on any brand term.. nothing has changed with regard to 99% of the merchants out there.. if anything most have tightened up their PPC policies with regard to brand bidding

so applying the lycra for fat people logic of "just because they make it doesn't mean you should wear it".. then.. just because google say they aren't restricting it anymore doesn't mean you can suddenly start bidding on every merchant's brand terms ..

you'll still get kicked (ok in reality maybe lightly cuffed with all the power of a kitten attacking a butterfly) if you are caught bidding by the network when the merchant has said you shouldn't. .

[bapages]

Originally Posted by Shane I think the important thing to remember is that whilst google are now saying it's ok to bid on any brand term.. nothing has changed with regard to 99% of the merchants out there.. if anything most have tightened up their PPC policies with regard to brand bidding so applying the lycra for fat people logic of "just because they make it doesn't mean you should wear it".. then.. just because google say they aren't restricting it anymore doesn't mean you can suddenly start bidding on every merchant's brand terms .. you'll still get kicked (ok in reality maybe lightly cuffed with all the power of a kitten attacking a butterfly) if you are caught bidding by the network when the merchant has said you shouldn't. .

I was origionally referring the the 'dooms day' scenario many claimed in respect to broad matching.

[drivetowin]

Steve I would agree with you were I not in possession of the minutes of a teleconference with Next where they clearly state that no affiliate brand bidding is allowed as "it is currently not perceived as adding incremental value" and "If, after 5th May it is determined that affiliate brand bidding is necessary a full RFP will be implemented."

Given those two statements, I reckon those three affiliates should be thrown off the programme.

[bapages]

Originally Posted by drivetowin Steve I would agree with you were I not in possession of the minutes of a teleconference with Next where they clearly state that no affiliate brand bidding is allowed as "it is currently not perceived as adding incremental value" and "If, after 5th May it is determined that affiliate brand bidding is necessary a full RFP will be implemented." Given those two statements, I reckon those three affiliates should be thrown off the programme.

Fair enough, they would have had me fooled especially with so many programs that do not declare if they have closed groups.

[jess1]

Terms is terms re merchants aff programs and nothing changes for affiliates, if you are in a merchants program and they say PPC restrictions still apply then thats the rules of that merchant. Shane nail on the head, what I can guage is that PPC policy has been tightened up across our clients where by they have a restricted ppc policy.

To be honest Im more worried about the google dependency for small businesses and affiliates and as always would encorage people to imagine if google fell over tomorrow and where would you go to aquire traffic and start working on that.

I see MSN and Yahoo are not getting it on.. its not like msn cant afford the asking price.
btw I think they should call it YAMS.com

[Mike_M]

Aren't merchants who have suddenly tightened up their PPC policies just shooting themselves in the foot?

All it takes is for one merchant in the same sector to allow brand bidding, and every affiliate and his dog will be promoting them instead.

[confuscius]

Nice to have an early example of a clear example of affiliates asking for trouble - my guess is that in a month's time there will be a few more.

Once again we will see that the playing field is anything but level for some. An interesting test for the resolve of the networks and merchants should follow as we can publicly monitor what happens. What's next in store?!