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June 2, 2005

CJ Bans Parasite Advertising

Posted by Adam Viener

I received a "Network Quality Announcement" from Commission Junction today indicating that they are taking a stand against allowing affiliate marketers from buying advertising from companies who download and install software on an end-user's computer. Here is the meat of their message:

In order to sustain this open marketplace of information, Commission Junction will no longer allow special programs engaged in the purchase of media from ad services that download and install software on an end-user's computer. For special programs currently engaged in such practices, Commission Junction requests that you immediately discontinue such practices. We will continue to monitor such programs to insure that special descriptions are properly updated.

The message then goes on to say:

As described in the Commission Junction Publisher Service Agreement (PSA), publishers who distribute ads using third-party services and/or place links on Web sites, not owned or operated by the publisher, must be disclosed as a special program. Special programs require both Commission Junction and advertiser approval, and Commission Junction reserves the right to reject a special program at any time.

Congratulations on the Parasite stand!!! This is long overdue. I am concerned a bit about the general verbiage. This message clearly opens up the ability for CJ to disallow any and all advertising other than links on a publisher's page.

It would seem to me that affiliate marketing has clearly moved so far beyond just this type of marketing that there should be more specific information about what is and is not acceptable without asking for special permission to do just about anything.