Yes, but back then American affiliates had huge clout. Now I am wondering if these programs would really care at all about us or our traffic… considering they are already “feeling the pain” from the new law.
Think about it: If we all were to blacklist a program and stop sending traffic (which we all know not every affiliate would do) they may believe that — in the long run — they would still come out on top.
If traffic from affiliates is already down 70-80%, what real difference would it make if it was down 90%? Then, once things settled down and the industry rebounds, the old faithful affiliates who accepted the changes — plus any new affiliates they’ve acquired — could rebuild their traffic bases with a more advantageous contract for the program.
I’m not saying that’s what’s going on here… I’m just trying to think like a program might think.
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Unless they… as so many new affiliates do… don’t take the time to read the T&C