Google Affiliate Program – Truth about Google’s new CPA network
Google Affiliate Program… have you heard of it?
Surprisingly, Google’s new affiliate program hasn’t drawn a lot of buzz… that’s why you might want to pay attention to it. (I always avoid programs with the biggest public relations). Apparently, there were initial problems associated with the interface of Google Affiliate Program as it was previously a Doubleclick Performics Affiliate Operations until 2008. The problems with the user interface have been reportedly resolved.
Google Affiliate Network (GAN) connects advertisers and publishers who want to increase sales and drive leads through affiliate marketing.
It’s a pay per action affiliate program that allows bloggers and website owners to earn a commission per sale made from advertisements on their website.
Google’s Affiliate Program is based (mostly) on CPA (i.e. cost per action). You’re paid either by sharing the revenue on a purchase or getting a flat rate bounty when your visitors fill out a lead-generation form. For example, a valid lead from your site to NetFlix nets you $14.00. Now most CPA offers lead to not-so-honest schemes such as forced hidden continuity billing… so keep this in mind if you’d like to sleep well at night…
… But GAN also offers straight up referrals fees on any purchase. For example, when you referral buys a book, you share in the revenue.
Google makes available some of the biggest brand names (and many represent many under-the-radar companies as well) It’s a nice mix. You’re just a few clicks away from monetizing your clicks to Barnes & Noble Books, Target, Verizon, Kohls, Sears and Office Max.
One big advantage of promoting advertisers in Google’s affiliate network is this… you’re going to avoid getting caught in Google’s ever-increasing rules of conduct. For example, if you have a YouTube video (owned by Google) and you’re promoting a competing CPA offer, YouTube is known to shut your account down (without notice). But when you promote a Google CPA offer, your YouTube account stays online.
If you’re familiar with Commission Junction, you’re going to like Google’s affiliate program. Plus it pays on time… they’ve never missed a payment to me so far. This is one of the most overlooked aspects of affiliate marketing as affiliate programs pay their affiliates late (or not at all).
If you have an approved Google Adsense account, signing up for Google Affiliate Network up is a cinch. If you do not have an account, you’ll need to sign up for one first. Both are free here. It takes less than 24 hours to get approved.
Once you submit your application to Google’s affiliate program, you might take a look at this free Google Affiliate Network online help for beginners… it’s good. And here’s where to discuss the Google Affiliate Program.
