Thanks for the opportunity to discuss this Dominique.
:hattip:
The “CAP certification” status is a widely known anomoly amongst experienced affiliates, with the implication that these programs are measured, monitored, and conform to some exisiting criteria. This does not appear to be true. And everyday we see posts from newbie affiliates who have followed the list, got burnt, and then fill the forums with the same old problems.
However, it’s not just CAP, I have the same issue with the GPWA, who do a very similar thing but simply call them SPONSORS, while assigning grades like PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE … implying a level of quality that simply is not there. The grades are assigned according to the size of the cheque …
It’s the same at conferences, CAP and CAC and ICE, where shonky programs buy a veneer of respectability with a nice fat cheque …
SHEESH !!
:Cry:
So I do not believe that simply calling this the sponsors section changes anything, and experienced affiliates have known it’s a “sponsors list” anyway. What needs to change is the quality of the entrants.
CAP should not be listing newly formed, undercapitalised companies that have a higher chance of going broke. CAP should not be listing the companies that routinely delay payments, engage in excessive SPAMMING or blackhat activities and are generally considered unsavoury by the general affiliate population.
However, if that criteria was applied then CAP (and many other major affiliate sites) would probably lose 1/3 to 1/2 of their programs !!
:Cry:
So … certified list, sponsors, advertisers, listed programs … call them what you will, CAP still need to do some “due diligence” … and then if CAP could actually list only the programs that are worth recommending (as opposed to those who are prepared to pay) then it would be a huge leap forward.
FFS – I do it on my sites, and turn down multiple advertising requests each week. I’m sure that Dominique, Alex, Judy, Simmo, Richard, Ixian and many others do it on their sites too.
I expect similar standards for ANY site claiming to be an affiliate portal.