Google & Affiliate Marketing

[cactus_jeanl]

While the big news in PPC this week has been Google selling off Performics and thus no longer owning a search firm, it's interesting to note they are holding on to the affiliate side of Performics.

Search Engine Watch made an interesting point that Google now has experienced affiliate marketing consultants at their disposal. Perhaps this could jump start the CPA bidding model that they launched last year.

Any thoughts from the affiliate side of things?

Google LookingTo Kill Affiliate Marketing? [SearchEngineWatch]

[michael.jozaitis]

Im with Jean on this one - Google might get that great plaque in history for putting an end to the black-hat affiliate!

Kudos to them.

[cactus_michellep]

Originally Posted by cactus_jeanl

Search Engine Watch made an interesting point that Google now has experienced affiliate marketing consultants at their disposal. Perhaps this could jump start the CPA bidding model that they launched last year.

Anything is possible. And, in true Google fashion, they aren't talking.

I'm on the fence as to whether the combination of their acquisition and the new URL policy will have as negative an impact on affiliate marketing in general, as some experts have speculated. I think that it should help increase relevance withing the search results, and will in many cases only affect those employing black hat tactics.

Thoughts?