New Best Practice Guidelines from IAB for Voucher Code Sites

[KevinEdwards]

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I believe I speak for all networks signed up to the new T&Cs when I say that it's unrealistic to expect immediate action on implementing this. All networks will need to understand how best to monitor and police the activity as well as giving all voucher code sites the opportunity to audit and then make necessary changes to their sites.

In order to give some context on this, it's really significant we've achieved a workable consensus on this and marks a further maturity of the industry.

[loquax]

All networks will need to understand how best to monitor and police the activity as well as giving all voucher code sites the opportunity to audit and then make necessary changes to their sites

That's fair enough Kevin, however the one thing I will say having watched the voucher code stuff unfold over the last 18 months or so is that it does seem that those who perhaps weren't whiter than white (and we're talking iframes, 1x1 codes, forced clicks etc) essentially get the chance to clean up their act without any real repercussions.

Imo there are affiliates out there - prominent ones at that - who's activity in this sector has been nowt short of disgraceful - yet networks remain keen to work with them.

It does make me think, having been doing this for far too long now, that being a very naughty boy for a few years and making a few quid is a lot more productive than perhaps playing according to ts&cs (although knowing my luck and the fact we get pulled up for non-important things by some networks we'd get caught and kicked off).

Anyway that bitterness aside, I'm really pleased the IAB and networks have got together in this way - it's a massive step forward.

Jason

[UKJay]

There's more detailed information here:

• Voucher code directories must contain clear categorization and separation between deals/offers/sales and discount codes.

I might be misunderstanding something here (and it wouldn't be the first time) but is there a difference between 'voucher codes' and 'discount codes'?

[Top banana]

I agree with UKjay the guidelines seems to lacking some clarity.

For example what is the definition of "Voucher code affiliate". Also does "Voucher code directories", mean any site that lists voucher codes, discount codes, and promotional codes?

What constitutes "clear categorization and separation between deals/offers/sales and discount codes."

[BFG 9000]

Why are the 'networks' waiting until the new year to implement this?

Why not action the plan now?

.....it's unrealistic to expect immediate action on implementing this. .....giving all voucher code sites the opportunity to audit and then make necessary changes to their sites.....

So Am I to understand that if an imaginary affiliate - let's call him Mark, was still operating a site that operated CTR where there is no valid code on the 1st of Jan, then he'd find himself removed from all of the networks signed up to the IAB?


TTFN

BFG

[paidonresults]

I also note that Affiliate Future, POR and OMG are missing from the list?

Paid On Results are currently not members of the IAB AMC for various reasons although we are happy to co-operate where we believe it will benefit the industry. We have a long history of doing the right thing for this industry and prefer to make our own choices when it comes to policy.

Everything that's been said by AMC is standard practice at Paid On Results, covered in our Affiliate terms. You must even tick 4 boxes before you can join as an Affiliate and one of these states "You agree not to mislead potential customers or partners in any way." Paid On Results however feel this is not the total solution and we have been working on and developing a fuller solution that we hope to release soon.

It is good news that the other Networks are banning practices like "click to reveal" when no code is present - we already do this and will take action against anyone who uses this method.

Paid On Results didn't allow spyware from the inception of our network and we terminated anyone involved in spyware without any razzmatazz because we considered this the right thing to do. The present situation sounds a bit like how spyware was handled in the past, which was tolerated albeit unofficially, due to the income it generated. Here again there has been a reluctance to do the right thing earlier, possibly due to potential loss of income. This lack of earlier action by Networks has led to confusion among Affiliates who see others benefitting, so they decide to follow suit and this mess now has to be undone.

When we release our solution we will be happy for other Networks to use their version, yes that's right we don't mind as long as people know it was a Paid On Results solution.

[BFG 9000]

When we release our solution we will be happy for other Networks to use their version

Not quite sure I understand.
Your solution to what?
You mean you aren't happy for other networks to use there own version (version of what?) right now?


TTFN

BFG

[purple]

I would be interested to know what voucher code affiliates were involved in the meetings, the quote on the IAB website states

"This has been a collaborative process between voucher code affiliates, merchants, agencies and networks, all working towards instilling best practice throughout the industry"

2nd point, does this guideline mean the end to CTR or just CTR when no valid code

[Supercod]

Not quite sure I understand.
Your solution to what?
You mean you aren't happy for other networks to use there own version (version of what?) right now?

We feel that terms alone do not solve the issues that merchants, agencies and affiliates see as the problems and it needs a more complete approach however terms are important and everything towards the end goal is a good step.

As I said we will not mind if Networks see what we come up with and decided to use a version of this themselves, but at this point I will not be drawn on these as too much time, money, research and planning has gone in to this for us to give it away in the last stages.

[dougs]

As an affiliate in the voucher code arena I was at the meeting aswell as others. The IAB resolution in my view was hugely wanted and needed. It was quite simply a resolution that can be implmented easily by most networks and affiliates.

In the past there were no rules and people ran a mock, the idea is that the IAB now start implementing some guidelines. But those people who ran a mock cannot be penalised if there were no rules and they just saw an opportunity.

The intent is quite simple to make things clean. These are early days.

Doug

[Top banana]

Yes I too would be interested to hear which "vocher code affiliates" were involved in the meetings.

Doug you were there, can you tell us?

[dougs]

Not my place to say, but I can tell you that the ones you would expect were invited and some were represented

The issues the IAB are trying to fix are at present fairly basic. My concern was quite simple I did not want to be breaking the law by saying I was offering something that I did not have.

Doug

[channel5]

Why are the 'networks' waiting until the new year to implement this?

Why not action the plan now?

They want their overide on xmas sales

[purple]

so is CTR to be outlawed or only when there is no valid code behind it?

[dougs]

CTR when no valid code...is my understanding

Maybe they want the Christmas sales think its so they can actually give the people whow do not conform time to conform....it seems fair to me

Doug