Google: Got Too Big, Making a Big Mess

The Google Affiliate Network recently emailed their marketers to notify them of a change in the way we get paid. Oh Goodie.

As of the middle of September, if you want to get paid your commissions from GAN, you MUST combine your account with an Adsense account.

No choice, no option, no alternative.

You want to get paid? Then DO IT!

Hmmm, does that sound like an amicable business agreement – or does that sound like Big Brother.

I don’t give a crap about Adsense and I don’t want an Adsense account – even if that is the only way I can get paid.

To Google: Get lost. I have far too many options to be pushed around by you.

To Merchants who are using the Google Network: Are you going to let the COMPANIES who make money for you pushed around by Google. Is that how you want your affiliates to operate? RUN to another network while you still can!

CJ and SAS are waiting for you – and so are your affiliates who refuse to be squashed by the 800 pound Google gorilla.

Adsense is  a totally different ballgame than affiliate marketing. Here is what is REALLY important about this change:

In Google’s Adsense Terms of Service: Your account “…may be terminated at any time.”

Ok, let me explain what that means to me.

About 4 years ago I was making pretty good money with Adsense. Without warning, without an email, without ANYTHING – they dropped my account. I mean, I couldn’t even log in to see my stats, see how much MONEY was OWED to me.

My immediate thought was they had somehow made a mistake, simple as that. So I emailed and waited a day or so for them to turn my account back on.

After three days, Google responded with a generic email reply that did absolutely nothing to explain why I was cut off. In no uncertain terms I was told, “…you account may be terminated at any time.”

That’s it. In other words, we don’t have to give you a reason. Why? Pretty much because “We are Google.” Hmm, not enticing to me.

I wrote no less than 10 emails attaching my site traffic stats, network reports, and other FACTS  that PROVED that I was not cheating the system and that I had NOT violated ANY terms of service.

I begged, pleaded, whatever I had to do.

All I got from Google was the sound of crickets. This turned out to be a major turning point in my business. But I’ll tell you about that another time.

After a week, without warning, without an email, without ANYTHING – Google turned my account back on again. Never did get any explanation, apology, warning, nothing.

I dropped Adsense on all my sites a week after that and have never used it since.

No thanks Google. I run a BUSINESS and I’m tired of being treated like I am some kid that has a hobby website and throws up a few Adsense links so he make beer money for the weekends. I work hard at this and I have a growing company – no thanks to you, Goog!.

(Well, I take that back. Keep that search algorithm polished, will ya? But hey, you control that too, huh? Hey wait, what was that? Did you hear it? *bing*! There it is again!)

Merchants: CJ and SAS (and many of your money-maker Super Affiliates) are waiting for you!

Google: SEE ya!

Adsense Competitors: I PRAY you are paying attention!!! We need GOOD alternatives to Adsense.

Super Affiliate MorMedia Group: Guess what WE get to do over the next month or so. All food delivery is on me – try to make healthy choices.

UPDATE: Although years apart and completely different topics, Google still sends out those intimidating emails that are generic and full of “we can do whatever we want” type phrases. I’ll fall in shock if I ever see a detailed email or “help” officially released by Google.

At times I question my decision to NOT work with Google in some areas.

Other times, I am reminded of how BIG they are and how I can stick with my choices. The sea of commissions is far too big to fall prey to a bully.