Brand name use & organic search results: Drawing the lines for acceptable practices
One of the hottest topics raging among affiliate marketers just seems to have gotten hotter---- there is a long thread on the Affiliate Marketing Forum concerning restrictions posed by some merchants on the use of brand names by merchants on affiliate websites.
Going by the posts,it seems that some merchants are penalizing affiliates who rank higher than themselves in searches for their own brands. Now that would be taking things a bit too far, especially if the affiliates haven't engaged in any unethical and devious search engine optimization practices.
We understand the value of a brand to a merchant, and respect that. In fact, I would say that companies must do everything they can to protect their intellectual property and brands. In fact, Traffic Junction helps leading companies protect their brand with our own program, named "Protect My Brand". As part of this program, we help companies monitor (using a combination of powerful software and experienced, specialist resources) the use & abuse of their prized trademarks, and work with them to take both corrective and preventive action.
Yet, merchants also have a responsibility to be fair to the "good affiliates" and be clearer about what constitutes a legitimate practice and what doesn't. We can't forget that affiliates are ultimately trying to drive traffic and sales for the merchants. The latter need to ensure that the restrictions imposed aren't ultimately detrimental to their own interests.
Until next time,
Ben Flux
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home