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August 25, 2008
A quick Monday post to update everyone on last weeks activities over at eBay, as well as the final outcome and future. I have quite a bit of email to catch up on after going to the Bristol NASCAR race this weekend… so lets get started!
As we all know, eBay canned many accounts last week. After reading a new post on the ePN forums, it appears that of the 90,000 affiliates in the ePN, ebay closed only a small percentage, or 300 of them. I have also seen that after manual review, they have been reinstating a few accounts once they have the ability to discuss the marketing methods with the site owners. Steve has published his own email address of: steveh-AT-ebay.com (replace -AT- with the @ sign) for people to get in touch and request reinclusion.
Just to summarize the post for those who have not or will not read it, Steve, the eBay moderator in charge of the ePN itself has shared a few key points:
Regarding the “unbans”, we’re looking through all of the emails that we’ve received and are making calls on a case-by-case basis by reviewing the sites in detail as well as the metrics….
Also, to provide a little context for the actions that were taken on Aug 20th, we expired less than 300 publisher accounts. While this does not diminish the impact on the affiliates who were affected, it’s a small fraction of the over 90,000 accounts that were activated since eBay Partner Network launched. Moving forward, we want to make sure we’re working as directly as possible with our affiliates by giving more reporting and insights into performance.
Additionally, Steve has gone on to say they are looking to eliminate “Round Tripping” in the program! In other words, services like Auctiva that plant a cookie AFTER we have already referred a visitor are being reviewed. He said:
Basically, we want affiliates to drive traffic to eBay from outside of eBay, not to direct them to other items once they’re already on the eBay site.
This is a something that has been griped about for a LONG time and it looks like it will finally be addressed!
The last thing I read that I can no longer find, was a message by Steve explaining that affiliates no longer need to worry about checking their email for a dismissal notice! The bad part, is that I can longer find the message! He also went on to state that eBay are working to roll out a set of metrics for us to live by… which should be available soon.
Will we Trust eBay Again?
Maybe the ePN will survive this latest fubar, but it is going to take a while for affiliates to regain confidence in the system that showed complete disregard for the word “Partner”.
If there is one thing I will never do, it’s hold a grudge. We learn our lessons and we develop our strategies based on what we can now expect. In the case of ePN, we really don’t have any idea on what to expect from them going forward so we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of losing everything we work on. The first step in that process is to build something they can never take away, our own work…
I truly hope they get it right!
Getting Back to Basics
I have seen several folks immediately jump to the other side of ePN and start building other types of sites, or at least adding other types of automated content to their BANS stores. At this point, I truly think that is a mistake and instead of taking another automated route, lets step back, take a deep breath and get down to some basics of building content first!
As I said in several posts about Google penalizing on of my sites, building a website for visitors, and the most important things I have taken away from it, we need to focus on UNIQUE content, not any type of automated content! I am not saying there is not a place on our sites for rss fed content, but in order to stand the test of time we MUST have a viable solution that we can convert at any time, to any type of program, based on the one thing found nowhere else… our own unique content!
After I get caught up on my emails and backlog of work this afternoon, I plan on delivering several posts throughout the week about WordPress and the tools that will help us continue to grow our own affiliate empires. Topics will include the basics of wordpress, using wordpress with BANS, several best practices on setting up your sites and how to use the different plugins that make the job easier.
I am not going to get into using affiliate programs like PopShops or any other automated content programs at this point. I am afraid that doing so would only lead us down the path of least resistance, which both Google and eBay have proven can lead to nothing at the end of the day.
Mark
29 Responses to “New ePN Communication and Getting Back to the Basics”
Got something to say?
I have about 3 sites that are not showing up in my EPN account…when I go to “Reports” then “By Campaign”.
Is this because there haven’t been any clicks reported?(which could be the case)…or have these sites been “dropped”?
…not real sure if ePN can just drop individual sites w/o dropping the entire account.
Eric
I get the same thing sometimes Eric…
You can always try a clickthrough from the sites over to the ePN and see if they register the clicks.
I think it is a reporting issue.
Mark
Mark, after all that’s went on in the past bit with EPN, what are your thoughts on having “strictly Ebay ads” on our BANS BANS/WP sites?
I realize from some of the things Steve has said, it seems as though they are pushing the Ebay widgets etc etc.. Do you think it’s still ok to use other advertisers from CJ, PJ etc even if at a minimum? Or should we steer clear of all advertisers and use Ebay’s ads only ?
@ Jeff -
Honestly… I dont think the type of ads matter… it seems what matters to them is that your visitors are “Engaged” in the fact they are going to eBay to buy something.
One of the things I saw mentioned in one of his posts is that the bounce rate from some of the sites were very high… which told them that the referrals were just coming to eBay with no intent on buying. In other words… just general traffic.
With BANS and targeted traffic like we have been developing, this should not be an issue since most of our visitors are already in a buying mood when they end up at the eBay site.
I would definitely NOT use eBay only ads…
Mark
Mark,
This indeed is the way foward. But before we go jumping into the future as you propose, what say we take a deep breathe, and just finish what we have already started? That is, BANS sites based on the original BANS templates etc. I, and I am sure others in here that have been following you since day one, have issues to be completed first ie. Soft 404’s and further back, capture site visitors search queries. These mods etc. still have unanswered issued that we are waiting to have addressed by you, and I am sure there are other besides these two. As the BANS owners have stated, they see nothing wrong with BANS as it currently is.
Thoughts anyone?
@ Steve -
Good suggestion!! Its pretty easy for me to go from topic to topic, dropping balls along the way! in such a fast moving environment, its very easy to do.
Mark
Mark,
I can understand eBay’s wish to improve their users’ experience and also get rid of the tricksters but what a way to go about it!
And when will the axe fall again? It looks like site reviews will be a regular occurrence so we’re going to be looking over our shoulders from now on.
Maybe ePN stands for “eBay Paranoia Network”
Mark….you have NOTHING to apologize for and whatever you choose to share with the community is to our benefit and certainly not an obligation.
I say go whichever way feels good for YOU.
My 2 cents.
eBays affiliate network has stated that they like the bans product. If only 300 in 90,000 were terminated, that is .3 % or one in 300. Pretty slim, but boy was there an outcry from that small crowd, because the other 89,700 were skeeeered.
We need to stay with the basics and stay with the roots. That’s everything that I believe Mark’s site has become and has been.
Remember that old business saying “KISS” - Keep It Simple Stupid.” Some of the simpliest things in business and selling a product can be successful. Keep to our roots as affiliate marketers that are trusting and honest. That is why Niches are so important, it is just added leverage.
I agree with Steve on staying the course. Be productive, but we never finished some of the old basic courses-classes.
Mark, I hope that steve at EPN is not blowing smoke to get the monkey off of his back and to stop the many thousands of emails that I’m sure he recieved from the drops. I love the BANS work and the blog work is coming around too. I have seen many great things come about because of the series of posts that you have here, with helping others to gain knowledge about creating income. Someday bans may go away but noone can replace the knowledge and friendship that has occured because of thenichestorebuilder….Thanks for all you do for us…Otis
Wordpress building is what Ive been doing and writing content that engages people to buy at least $25 worth of stuff after they sign up.
They want us to make them money there way.
Try to keep the “winning bid revenue” higher than your earnings. Then your making them money. I’m ok with that but they could have been more of a partner for sure, but after being in business a long time you learn partnerships never work. Have back up!!!
@ Sean:
“eBays affiliate network has stated that they like the bans product.”
Really? Can you link to that? It would certainly put my mind at rest!!
———-
I am one of those 300 awaiting a manual review and watching the clock tick down to the deactivation of my account. I have 70+ BANS sites. Hope to hear something soon.
I think Mark has outlined several great ways to use BANS, both with WP and as a standalone product.
One thing this has taught me is to create sites with a manual review in mind. Would a reasonable eBay review find the site acceptable? If the answer is yes, then you *should* be fine.
Guess that might be a “no duh” thought. =)
Josh
P.S. I don’t trust a company reporting a figure that cannot be easily verified when it has a vested interest. 300? Maybe. Maybe not.
Good news, I suppose. I’ve been a little scared to work on my sites since I heard about this issue, but it sounds like they’ve realized what they did. Hopefully just an honest screw up.
I just wanted to say, though, that PopShops is hardly an automated content program. It simply allows you to make relevant niche stores out of affiliate datafeeds. It much less automated than BANS, and has a cool Wordpress plugin that makes it easy to add stores to your niche blogs. Cool stuff.
Hey Josh
If you dont mind can I see a example or few of your BANS websites? You said that you had 70 of them?
I am just asking because honestly I would like to know what some of these sites look like that EPN is banning…
Thanks Josh…..we might all be able to learn from this!!
Good luck buddy..
Looking forward to the best practices on setting up your sites posts :)
I have a question about bounce rate:
when ive been setting up my BANS, wisely or foolishly, I click each link and make sure the content is targetted, then tweak my search term accordingly. I also click to check the titles and meta tags are all fine; click and change words (content) and spelling; click and check ads are showing correctly and finally click and look at the pages when its all done, so I can see my new BANS.
All this equates to dozens upon dozens of clicks…. with no sales.
Any thoughts? If it’s a case of setting up things and only checking at the end, I guess I’ll have to get used to doing that…
OK - I just answered my own question - DON’T PUT THE CAMPAIGN ID IN UNTIL THE END!!
Ok - I hope that helps somebody else out :) It just dawned on me
Jose
@Josh,
It is in the BANS Forum. I think it is a must read. Go to the EPN And PJN Discussion section and read the first 2 sticky notes-posts.
@ Josh -
Yes, I have read it as well… I truly don’t think its a BANS issue anyhow after reading more of what Steve has written.
To me, it equates to one main thing… reducing the bounce rate by making it apparent to your visitors that they are going to be buying from eBay.
I have started using more verbiage that reflected auctions, ebay, etc…
@ Jose -
I dont know that the rate is true at this point due to all the bot clicks that go to eBay from listing pages… Hopefully, they have found a way to discount them from the click counts.
Mark
@ Chelsea
I’m a little hesitant to post links during the review process. I’d be happy to email them specifically if you want to take a look. jjbohling (at) sbibans.com.
More than the basic sites themselves, it seems to have something to do with where the clicks are coming from or where they are clicking through on eBay. That is all I can figure, anyway.
@Sean & Mark
Guess I never realized eBay had commented on BANS specifically. I’ll go over and take a look at the forums. Thanks guys!
@Jose
This is exactly what I’m worried about. I do click on links on pages as I create them to see that the clicks are registering. And I do create about 30 pages a day. I said as much in the email I sent during the review process (I have heard from ePN and they are currently reviewing my account).
Josh, PM sent. I feel for ya, like I said, I barely have an active BANS site up and Im already freaking..I could only imagine how you feel.
Im really not sure if I should pursue my BANS affiliate empire dream anymore.
Well, let me reiterate that I haven’t heard anything on my review. I have heard that accounts have been reinstated. I don’t want my experience to dampen your enthusiasm. When I get a decision, I hope it will come with some explanation which I will be happy to share. It could be as simple as some stoopid noob mistake.
I really hope so Josh…sounds like you worked really hard on your sites! Have you thought about just joining the PJN program and use EPN through them? I heard thats what a lot of people who were banned through the in house program are doing.
I sent you an email anyways, if you wanna chat more we can. Either way, I would love to help if there was anything that I could do.
May be a little off topic, but is it possible to convert a normal WP blog in to a BANS WP blog without having to start from scratch?
I’ve been researching BANS and Keyword Sniping for the last month or so and signed up for an EPN account just last week. Oddly enough, right on the heels of the EPN bans (pun intended :-) ).
I’ve noticed that I’ve been approved for all Ebay programs except for the US one. Does anyone have any insight into the US program approvals? I was really hoping to kick off my first BANS website, but am not sure if it’s worth my time if I can’t feature US based auctions.
What do you think?
Jeff
I’m happy to report my account has been reinstated by ePN.
Their email noted that they appreciated the unique content on my sites … but wanted to see more. They also reiterated something I have seen elsewhere, namely that they will introduce new metrics soon so we can better track the variables they think are most important.
So there ya go.
Josh -
As we have talked about this alot over the past few weeks, I think this is fantastic news!
Mark
WOW!!!!!!!! Thats Sooooooooooooo good you dont know how unbelievable happy I am to hear that Josh!! You must be thrilled!!
I guess that that goes to show you content really is king, not just to google but EPN too!!!!!!!!! Good to hear, I think there is hope!!!!!!!! BANS sites here we go!!! btw Im taking your advice guys, Im just going to do 20 websites, not 100. I’ll work on those really hard and see how it goes. Thanks everyone and congrats Josh!
My trust in EPN is slightly getting better every day.
Congratulations Josh! That must be a huge relief.
Josh that is awesome, I’m sure that is a huge weight lifted off, Without knowing what they want and don’t want its a shot in the dark sometimes…happy for you :)