Do Not Use Merchant URL

[Mike_Scott]

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There are quite a few merchants that don't like affiliates displaying their website url on ppc campaigns - which is fair enough
But its not limited to the ones that don't allow direct linking

This one confuses me every time

Please tell me what I'm mean't to use - I can't think of anything.

Or am I missing the obvious ?

[Mike_Scott]

I was hoping for a list
But i guess one suggestion will do for now

[tbp]

Basically, you aren't allowed to use the merchants url because it can conflict with their own PPC campaigns, as google only allows a url to be used once in a set of ad's to stop people filling results with the same site.

So you need to use your own url, this can be on an existing site that you have, or you can set up a landing page / site with it's own dedicated domain name.

I find these actually work better, as whereas merchants are limited for space on their sites for a product, you can dedicate a whole site to it if you wish. This gives you much more chance to actually sell the product to the visitor, and convince them that they can't live without an eco friendly mattress filled with grass cuttings for example (patent pending!).

[Mike_Scott]

Basically, you aren't allowed to use the merchants url because it can conflict with their own PPC campaigns, as google only allows a url to be used once in a set of ad's to stop people filling results with the same site.

So you need to use your own url, this can be on an existing site that you have, or you can set up a landing page / site with it's own dedicated domain name.

Thanks tbp
Its been one of those things thats been right in front of my face but I just didn't see it
Don't know why LOL

So I guess this means anyone can brand bid to their hearts content as the merchant has no way of tracking the keyword bidding activity ?

[tbp]

So I guess this means anyone can brand bid to their hearts content as the merchant has no way of tracking the keyword bidding activity ?

Technically in terms of google allowing trademark bidding you can.

However, many merchants monitor their brands and look at whose ad's are appearing, and reject sales from affiliates who do brand bidding without permission.

There are also automated tools the networks have, and on general sale which automatically monitor this by scraping google. An example I saw today:

Brand Watcher - Home of Brand Watcher Keyword and TradeMark Monitoring

So yes you can do it, but theres a good chance of getting caught. Other affiliates also police this in some cases. If someone brand bids without permission (or with but thats another matter) they are getting an unfair advantage, so they usually report them to the network.

[Mike_Scott]

Brilliant!

Thanks m8 - I'm a little in the dark in this area so your help is appreciated - Just want to make sure I'm doing things right.

Thanks
Mike

[Markup]

Other affiliates also police this in some cases. If someone brand bids without permission (or with but thats another matter) they are getting an unfair advantage, so they usually report them to the network.

You bet your life they do...

Not brand bidding in my own case but a simple case of not being relevant. I wouldn't mind but until my site launch date I have pledged (and paid thanks SKY et al) to charity all that I receive from paid ads. I suppose it just comes down to "DO THE RIGHT THING AND THEY CANT NAIL YOU"

[enginez]

It comes down to what the merchant determines in their T&C. Most are not savvy enough to understand the situation. Consequently it won't be in their T&C, and they will get pissed off when they realise, because their AM is straight out of college and feels that aggressiveness is a good counter to naivety.

Any merchant should disallow direct linking. Otherwise they are implying a two line add can add value to their brand....

Value can only be added by affiliates adding what the merchant does not already have. Like reviews, videos, comparisons

[bazza99]

Any merchant should disallow direct linking. Otherwise they are implying a two line add can add value to their brand....

Couldn't disagree more. Many of us are able to produce far more effective paid search campaigns than merchants are ever able to produce themselves, or by using some so-called "experts".

I've got plenty of experience of taking on paid search that merchants had previously tried and found was not profitable.

Banning direct linking is often an excellent way to reduce the value that they receive from affiliate marketing.

[hpops]

It comes down to what the merchant determines in their T&C. Most are not savvy enough to understand the situation. Consequently it won't be in their T&C, and they will get pissed off when they realise, because their AM is straight out of college and feels that aggressiveness is a good counter to naivety.

Any merchant should disallow direct linking. Otherwise they are implying a two line add can add value to their brand....

Value can only be added by affiliates adding what the merchant does not already have. Like reviews, videos, comparisons

Utterly disagree, the two line add isn't the value add, the incremental sales are. I've seen it proven from every angle, network, merchant, affiliate and agency. Paid search publishers (not Brand bidding groups, although there's some discussion there) add value, sales and profit to merchants.