This is an interesting thread. I am getting concerned about this because of an AdWord campaign that I am running. I can track traffic from adwords to my LP, then off to my vendor, then it is tracked to the order page, then the lead is lost. So I have Ad Words showing a bunch of conversions, but Clickbank shows none! I am thinking with all those order impressions, at least one should have been actually processed...But it appears not. I wonder if this is being stolen at the last step of the order process. But the big question I think most people want to know is, how can you actually confirm that this is happening? Cheers, JeromyS
That's also true, i would just report everyone and have done what alexs464 did. Well all we can do is report and just pray customer computers are not infected by certain adware
For the record, I have never used Zango nor do I intend to. Zango is a PPV(Pay-Per-View) Network which displays your ads and targets them mainly by URLs that you specify. Zango is currently under a ****load of legal problems -- not because of this, because PPV is entirely legal -- but, they are in litigation due to the fact that they stole their customers' ad campaigns, replacing them with their(Zango's) affiliate links. The case is still pending. Many people used Zango because it was the most popular "infection," and the traffic was incredible. Whenever clients had profitable campaigns, Zango stole the campaingns. Believe it or not, nearly everyone has Zango. I run spybot 2-3 times a week and remove it once a month. Zango gets on your comp through VERY sneaky ways. Technically, adware is NOT an infection, and should not be confused with spyware. Adware is in the form of a toolbar or game, and does not perform "malicious" activity -- just delivers targeted ads according to your actions. As far as the affiliate IDs switching due to pop ups -- there is nothing Clickbank can do about that other than improve their way of cookie tracking. Clickbank is the one who lets another affiliates cookie override the other. Even without adware, if you go to an affiliate site, look at the bottom of the order form, make a note of the affiliate. Then, find another affiliate with the same product -- go to check out. The second affiliate gets the sale. This video documents this thoroughly -- adware is not the problem -- clickbanks cookie delivery system is: Rosalind Gardner Demonstrates Who Gets The Clickbank Sale -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c6CaRO2kRs Your cookie only lasts 60-90 days(whatever it is) if they go through your link for that period of time -- NOT if they find an affiliate that did a better job than you -- or "adwared" you. Technically, they are not stealing. Is it legal? Yes. Is it ethical? Maybe not -- i would say no. But Clickbank allows it to happen. Zango is evil, yes. But the same thing would happen with other reputable PPV networks like AdOnNetwork and MediaTraffic. That's the lowdown on this issue.
I've used PPV before and agree that it's can bring you some great traffic. ryangb74 is right in saying that you have to be worried about the network and them taking your traffic. But unfortunately for now it's a cost of doing business.
The only thing that would prevent these things from happening is to inform people more about the "hijackers" and really make them understand that not only commission can be stolen, but valuable information, credit cards and so on. Yeah pretty sad, lets hope our customers aren't infected. This thread should get the most attention and if anybody knows clickbank affiliates or vendors, maybe your buddies just let them know and share this link, it's important! Al.
I think all PPV companies are like that. I used a few PPV companies about 6 months ago to promote some CPA products, and ran some very profitable campaigns for 2 weeks without any problems. Then out of the blue I'm not longer allowed to promote on the sites I've targeted. What I believe happened was since I had a profitable campaign the company stopped my ads from being allowed to display on this site and displayed their own ads in place of mine. Think about it.. You do the hard work. Find profitable campaigns and sites that work and all they have to do is make up some BS excuse to why your ad cannot be displayed or they limit the number of times your ad/site will be shown.
They can even send blind hits or fake traffic.. That's why a solid business should be marketed on Google or Yahoo no matter the costs. The long term investment is what matter in the end.. Al.