Alexa Toolbar Test & Results

[GuyFromChicago]

Alexa Toolbar Test & Results

I wanted to post the findings of a small test I performed earlier this week for everyone's benefit. So everyone knows my involvement, I've been an Amazon Associate for a couple months and am making a small profit. Love the program…am really "worried" about the Alexa toolbar aspect….especially after this test.

Test included 3 computers at three separate locations

Windows XP Pro - IE w/google toolbar
Windows 98 SE - IE w/no toolbar
Windows 2000 - IE w/no toolbar

(I bring up the toolbar because I have read information that says the early version of the Alexa toolbar included a pop up in the installation phase, and a pop up blocker such as the Google toolbar would cause the installation to "fail", and Alexa's associate ID would replace the webmasters ID. When I questioned Alexa about this, they sent me an e-mail saying the newest version of the toolbar did not require any pop ups for installation)

I had all three people download and install my toolbar. I was with the person on the Win XP Pro machine. The installation of the toolbar went ok for each person. No problems, error messages or hang-ups.

Next, I had each person use the Amazon link on the toolbar to go to Amazon and buy a new book that I had given them the title of.

It's been a couple days and I have not been given credit for any of those sales.

I did a similar test about a month ago (with just me as the "tester") with the same results.

All this leads me to two questions;

1. Can anyone verify that they have actually received credit for a purchase generated through their Alexa toolbar?

2. What's your opinion on third party linking tools in general? Any good ones out there, or are we (associates) always better off just using our own tools/links?

[digitalpoint]

I've gotten a few (as in tiny) sales from the Alexa Toolbar, so I know they do credit them properly...

- Shawn

[GuyFromChicago]

I noticed that you offered it on your site, that's kind of where the question was coming from. It makes me feel a little better knowing that it's working, even if it's only in "small" way, for someone else. I'm still puzzled as to why I can't get it to work though.

With the amount of traffic you have coming through here have you ever considered making your own toolbar for your visitors? I've seen some interesting pages/discussion on making toolbars and am curious if you have any experience/opinions on that subject.

[digitalpoint]

Yeah, it crossed my mind... but too much work. And most people wouldn't want it. They would think it's spyware or something. {shrug}

- Shawn

[GuyFromChicago]

Ok, I figured something out - at least I think. All the computers I installed the toolbar on had Spybot Search and Destroy installed, with the "immunize" feature enabled. Spybot recognizes Alexa as spyware, and with immunize enabled it will block some critical elements of the toolbar installation that allow you to receive commissions from sales.

I need to verify thison a few other PC's, but it looks like this could have been what prevented my commission previously.

[digitalpoint]

That would surely do it... also you actually need to go to Amazon *through* the toolbar. Simply going to Amazon normally is not enough.

- Shawn

[GuyFromChicago]

Yea, I know that, and was hitting Amazon through the link in the toolbar. I have a client that I remote into that does not have SBS&D - I'm installing the toolbar tonight and giving it a shot. I'll post results back here after Amazon updates my report and let you know if it worked.