Can someone explain incentivized affiliate offers to me?

[Cutter]

I'm trying to figure out is if you can use an incentivized from a program like azoogle or metareward so if a visitor completes the offer you send them a free ebook, or something -- kind of like the whole freeipods deal.

I'm reading these websites like azoogle and metarewards but this isn't clear to me.

[Chris]

You'd be offering an incentive, so yes.

An incentive is basically a bribe to your visitors to use your links.

[Cutter]

The reason I'm asking this is because I've noticed that many of the top bidding Adsense ads on my general sites are just going to incentivized offer pages. If thats half of my revenue I want to know exactly how it works ;)

[AndyH]

You'd be offering an incentive, so yes.

An incentive is basically a bribe to your visitors to use your links.

I wouldn't go as far as saying bribe...

You give visitors/members an incentive to do <enter lead description here>

eg.
-Buy this magazine and earn $5 on my site
-Signup to this free newsletter and go into the draw to win an iPod!
-Signup for a month trial of Napster and be a premium member! They get <stuff here>

Many different types of incentives. It be very worthwhile if you understand your visitors.

[Chris]

Well, sure, but some sites it is basically a bribe. They basically split the commission with the clicker.

[AndyH]

Well, sure, but some sites it is basically a bribe. They basically split the commission with the clicker.
Oh yeah, sure - but by using the word "bribe" you are making it sound quite negative.

Using incentives like that (NetFlip) has been shown to bring great results. It is an all round win win situation. You make money, visitor makes money, and the affiliate makes money (that is, if it is a product or a service the visitor have to pay for).

[Cutter]

When used incorrectly I think "bribe" is a good word to describe incentivized offers.. such as making users click on PPC ads.

Since the whole freeipods thing, its clear that incentivized offers on the internet have matured.

There is a certain market segment that wants stuff for cheap or even better, free. I've read a few articles about this. You can drop the price of your product to $5 and they still wouldn't buy it. On the other hand, you can make them spend 3 hours of work and filling out questionaires in exchange for a "free" product and they will jump on the offer.

I think the mail-in rebates thing is a really good example of this. Ever see offers where the final item after rebates is free? There is always a percentage of people who won't send in the rebate even though everyone intended on doing it at the time of purchase.

[Chris]

But thats just it, its not a win-win for all people.

For instance when someone only clicks on a fatwallet link for the kickback they're costing the merchant money for a referral they already had. Thats why many merchants, like Amazon, do not allow incentives in their programs.

[AndyH]

If the action requires the visitor to spend money then the merchant shouldn't be losing money.

But there are always exceptions. Generally it is good for everyone involved.

[Chris]

I don't think you get it.

The reason many merchants, especially big name ones, disallow this practice is because affiliates are sending them visitors they already have.The affiliate is not adding to a sale, nor making a sale, they're just bribing visitors. In effect its no different from clicking on your own links or having your family members click on your links before making a purchase. Its no different than spyware companies overwriting or setting cookies automatically. The customer was already going to make a purchase, but now the merchant has to pay an affiliate for it.

[AndyH]

I get what your saying perfectly.

That does not apply to many merchants. There are only a handful that it does - such as Amazon.

[Cutter]

Hey Andy, I have a question for you.

In this thread about incentivized affiliate offers: http://www.websitepublisher.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3375&highlight=incentivized
you say you use MetaReward, CJ, AzoogleAds, and BlueResponse.

I'm looking at AzoogleAds right now and I'm confused. In the CPA Publishers application it says: "Cannot offer incentives to users to click on ads; incentives include but are not limited to awarding them cash, points, prizes, contest entries, etc."

I've sent a few e-mails to the other programs, but they don't say much, if anything, about incentivized offers on their pages.

[AndyH]

AzoogleAds has a filter for their ads as "incentivized". The offes under that heading can be. Also, you can contact your account manager and they will give you other offers that can be if they fit your website.

As for MetaReward - as far as I am aware all offers can be. Or could be last time I checked.

CJ - When you signup it asks if you do, put it how you do and also read the merchant information. It will normally say they don't allow it - if they don't.

[Cutter]

Thanks!

I'm going to do some testing in this area. I've got a few ideas.

[eMEraLdwPn]

i've started an incentivized affiliate offer site that i should be finishing soon... i hope it works out, because it seems like it can be extremely profitable

[Cutter]

Let me know when you are finished, we might be able to help each other out.