Topic: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

As always, please remember that you are not allowed to use the "acme-people-search.com" or "acme-people-search-forum.com" domain names in any PPC advertising.  This includes the new forum referral links, which use the "acme-people-search.com" domain name.  Quoting from the Referral Program Agreement in your back office:

"You are not allowed to use our domain names in any email or PPC marketing."

Quoting also from this forum's Rules:

"Don't use the 'acme-people-search-forum.com' or 'acmepeoplesearchforum.com' domain names in any pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.  (I'm already advertising those domain names for the benefit of Super Sponsors!)"

There's an important reason for these rules folks: I'm already advertising those domain names for the benefit of all APS affiliates.  When you also advertise those domains using AdWords for example, you are jeopardizing the performance of my ads - which jeopardizes the benefits for all APS affiliates.  Please don't be a rotten apple in the barrel that spoils it for all.

If you see PPC ads promoting any of the restricted domains, please let me know (your location, a screenshot, and the keywords you used to trigger the ad would be helpful).  I will check to see if it's one of my ads or not, and take appropriate action.

Octars: I disabled your account (1245838133TPLV) for the above reasons.  I will re-enable it after you post here to let me know that you have stopped advertising the "acme-people-search-forum.com" domain.  Accounts are disabled without notice as soon as I see PPC ads with restricted domain names (and I'm always looking...)

And by the way Octars, why did you create a misleading ad like this:

Get Paid for join Forum
Have you come across any forum that
pay its members for helping others?
Acme-People-Search-Forum.com

No one is paid simply for joining the forum.  Just like no one is paid $125 just for joining APS.  It's that kind of advertising that creates unhappy users - to the detriment of all of us who are promoting APS.  Not to mention, people will click on your ad thinking they will be paid simply for joining a forum, only to find out that isn't the case.  So they will back out - yet you've incurred the cost of the click.  A poor (and costly) PPC advertising strategy.

Thanks,
Tissa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Tissa,

You are really keeping a hawk's eye on what is going out there in the world wide jungle smile.

Our referral links do have "acme-people-search.com" embedded. I suppose, we can continue to use those referral links in our e-mail and PPC ads (anyway, nowadays Google is coming down heavily on affiliate sites).

Regards

Srinath

Download Freebies: http://smartmoney4all.ws Check Updates on my Blog:
Musings: http://acmepeoplereview.blogspot.com
Tweet:http://twitter.com/srinath_cv

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Srinath wrote:

You are really keeping a hawk's eye on what is going out there in the world wide jungle

Just protecting and maintaining the program for everyone's benefit smile

Srinath wrote:

Our referral links do have "acme-people-search.com" embedded. I suppose, we can continue to use those referral links in our e-mail and PPC ads

Not correct.  Once again: You cannot use the "acme-people-search.com" domain name in your PPC advertising.  That has been the case from day one.  In other words, you cannot create an ad that uses "acme-people-search.com" (or "acme-people-search-forum.com") as the Display or Destination URL, nor can people be automatically redirected to those domains after they click on your ad.  However you can use those domain names in article marketing, on your blog, with videos, etc.

In any case, in general, it's not a good idea to send traffic directly to your referral links.  Instead, send them to your blog, or your Squidoo lens, or your video landing page, where you presell them in your own words - and then link to your referral links.

Tissa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Oh my God. Octar is my friend. Wait I'll call him now. Oh.. Why he did it??? hmm  Ok...thanks Tissa.

I hope Octar will online soon...

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Thanks Tissa for clarifying this.

There are a lot of complains about closed accounts, and for sure this is the main reason

Cheers,
Marco

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Well, I've phoned Octar. He will here soon... Please Tissa forgive my friend. I think there were something being misunderstood by Octar because of the language problem.. Be patience Tissa...

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Tissa Godavitarne wrote:
Srinath wrote:

You are really keeping a hawk's eye on what is going out there in the world wide jungle

Just protecting and maintaining the program for everyone's benefit smile

Srinath wrote:

Our referral links do have "acme-people-search.com" embedded. I suppose, we can continue to use those referral links in our e-mail and PPC ads

Not correct.  Once again: You cannot use the "acme-people-search.com" domain name in your PPC advertising.  That has been the case from day one.  In other words, you cannot create an ad that uses "acme-people-search.com" (or "acme-people-search-forum.com") as the Display or Destination URL, nor can people be automatically redirected to those domains after they click on your ad.  However you can use those domain names in article marketing, on your blog, with videos, etc.

In any case, in general, it's not a good idea to send traffic directly to your referral links.  Instead, send them to your blog, or your Squidoo lens, or your video landing page, where you presell them in your own words - and then link to your referral links.

Tissa


Hi Tissa,

I had to be more clear about the referral links usage.
I am not sending traffic direct to these links, the prospects are first sent to the landing page on my website and/or blog and from there to the referral links. 

I have setup blogs and websites (landing pages) for both aps and gvo



Regards

Srinath

Last edited by Srinath (2009-11-17 10:58:02)

Download Freebies: http://smartmoney4all.ws Check Updates on my Blog:
Musings: http://acmepeoplereview.blogspot.com
Tweet:http://twitter.com/srinath_cv

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Srinath wrote:

I had to be more clear. I am not sending traffic direct to these links, the prospects are first sent to the landing page on my website and/or blog and from there to the referral links.

Ah, perfect!  Thanks for clarifying Srinath.

Tissa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Oh...Octar has a internet connection problem... sad But he told me that he just deleted his PPC campaign.

Last edited by vanvidivici (2009-11-17 11:27:27)

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Thanks Tissa for opening our eyes and clarifying all these important things for all to see. Octars is a good guy, I think that he just made a mistake this time. I'm sure you can see that, Tissa.

I think that Blogging and Article writing is a good way to promote. But PPC is king, if you do it right.

Thanks,

Mike

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

baldeagle7 wrote:

Octars is a good guy, I think that he just made a mistake this time. I'm sure you can see that, Tissa

Absolutely. I know Octars is a good guy, and I know it was a mistake.  I'm just waiting to hear from him so I can re-open his account smile

Tissa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

I'm guessing this is probably a common occurrence today judging by all the requests why accounts were closed....apart from the other obvious reason.

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Tissa Godavitarne wrote:
Srinath wrote:

You are really keeping a hawk's eye on what is going out there in the world wide jungle

Just protecting and maintaining the program for everyone's benefit smile

Srinath wrote:

Our referral links do have "acme-people-search.com" embedded. I suppose, we can continue to use those referral links in our e-mail and PPC ads

Not correct.  Once again: You cannot use the "acme-people-search.com" domain name in your PPC advertising.  That has been the case from day one.  In other words, you cannot create an ad that uses "acme-people-search.com" (or "acme-people-search-forum.com") as the Display or Destination URL, nor can people be automatically redirected to those domains after they click on your ad.  However you can use those domain names in article marketing, on your blog, with videos, etc.

In any case, in general, it's not a good idea to send traffic directly to your referral links.  Instead, send them to your blog, or your Squidoo lens, or your video landing page, where you presell them in your own words - and then link to your referral links.

Tissa

Hi,

Ummmmm...... I'm just wondering now really - DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY LINKS OF THE APS PROGRAM I SEE, DIRECTING THEIR LINKS TO 1 OF YOUR PRE-SELL PAGES roll ??? TONS & TONS OF THEM !
And Bty, With all due respect to your advice to FIRST refer people to our own blogs, Squido lens, or our OWN Video landing-page - what if I'm NOT a native English Speaker, and through out all the previous years of my online experience, I've never had to use ANY of the above, as a referrar or as a program-user ?? I mean, It's OBVIOUSLY the BEST WAY to refer new visitors to some PERSONAL page, that you yourself created, but IT TAKES SO MUCH TIME FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE TO CREATE & BUILD IT, ESPECIALLY IF THEIR TONGUE-LANGUAGE ISN'T English neutral !
However, I'm 100% SURE I'm 1 of the fewest most honest ones to come & write it to you on here, after reading your advice - BUT I'M ALSO 100% sure, that you're also quite aware of the REALITY as well, and that's being- Tons of people use 1 of YOUR ready-made pages to try & drive traffic to the APS program ! And I do happen to think it's very legitimate doing so - based on what I just wrote + the fact, that I still don't have my own blog or any Squido lens - as much as I work hard on building my blog, I STILL don't have 1 ...
Bty, I also see many, that post their APS search-engine link, and write, that it's FREE to use roll ... I very much doubt the legitimacy of THIS kind of advertising ! + how useful is it, from your experience, to use this link as a promotional one, in ANY kind of campaign ?

Best wishes !
Orly

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

orly75 wrote:

Ummmmm...... I'm just wondering now really - DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY LINKS OF THE APS PROGRAM I SEE, DIRECTING THEIR LINKS TO 1 OF YOUR PRE-SELL PAGES roll ??? TONS & TONS OF THEM !

Orly, Tissa is referring specifically to Pay-Per-Click advertising.

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Tissa Godavitarne wrote:

Octars: I disabled your account (1245838133TPLV) for the above reasons.  I will re-enable it after you post here to let me know that you have stopped advertising the "acme-people-search-forum.com" domain.  Accounts are disabled without notice as soon as I see PPC ads with restricted domain names (and I'm always looking...)

Hi Tissa
I already Deleted My campaign ,You can check it now.. Actually that was just a testing campaign about the New Forum Link..I'm Really sorry For the misleading ads .. but don't worry I only run it for only a day , and get very low CTR since the quality score is poor,
exactly just like you said ..
And I know The Rules about not to using  acme-people-search-forum.com
But when You provide the new forum Link ,I was soo excited ,and I thought that would be an exception..
That's way I ask You about the Forum link Adwords Quality Score, During yesterday webinars... ,and You said that You wouldn't Recommeded,
so I was planning to remove them today and planned to replace it with my own domain using WP pretty link or MBP Ninja Affiliate, Even though you didn't  catch on my Ads.
but as Irvan already said, I got little problems on my ISP connection  today,
so I didn't get a chance  to change it until now ...

Please Dont Get Me wrong Tissa... I wouldn't do something like jeopardizing the performance of Your ads - Or jeopardizes the benefits for all APS affiliates..  coz I'm also get a lot benefit from this program... 
Since the best way to learn about APS program is here at the support forum,
Basically I just want to sent  traffic here.

once again because I'm not sure, I asked about this Adwords/PPC issue during your last Webinar,
This is the second Time I made Mistake in here...
So Thank You for giving me a second chance to re-enable My Account
and Learn from My Mistake...

Regards,
Octa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Way to own it, Octa. Keep up the good work. This might have ended up being a much more expensive lesson that it was.

Last edited by Mike Oyama (2009-11-17 15:12:47)

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

MikeOyama wrote:
orly75 wrote:

Ummmmm...... I'm just wondering now really - DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY LINKS OF THE APS PROGRAM I SEE, DIRECTING THEIR LINKS TO 1 OF YOUR PRE-SELL PAGES roll ??? TONS & TONS OF THEM !

Orly, Tissa is referring specifically to Pay-Per-Click advertising.

Hey Mike.

Ty for your reply ! Ohhhhh, right, lol ...... I see tongue ..... Well then - if so, then I'm much more settled now, honestly smile !
And Bty, maybe YOU could also tell me - HOW useful & recommended is it to refer visitors to your APS Search-Engine ? As I've never tried using this link in ANY kind of advertising .... Did You ? Did you find it to be a good one ??

Thanks !
Orly

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

orly75 wrote:

HOW useful & recommended is it to refer visitors to your APS Search-Engine ? As I've never tried using this link in ANY kind of advertising .... Did You ?

Orly, this is a great question.

First of all, you have to understand that there are two distinct facets of the ACME Program.

The first side is your Niche Search Engine (NSE) itself, which is what you're asking about. You'll be marketing it to the general public, and trying to target people who are specifically looking for other people.

The other side of ACME is the Affiliate Program. That is where your Referral Links come in. Those are to be advertised to people who are looking for a business opportunity.

Those two target groups have very little to do with eachother, so you don't want to mix your advertising efforts. For instance, you won't want to advertise your NSE link on a Traffic Exchange, since they're all looking for the Next Great Business Opportunity, and won't stop surfing to go search for a long-lost relative. Conversely, you won't want to advertise the affiliate links to people who are on a mission to find someone. They aren't looking to start a business, they simply want to track someone down.

I hope that helps clear some things up. Let me know if you have any questions about any of that.

Peace! smile

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

MikeOyama wrote:
orly75 wrote:

HOW useful & recommended is it to refer visitors to your APS Search-Engine ? As I've never tried using this link in ANY kind of advertising .... Did You ?

Orly, this is a great question.

First of all, you have to understand that there are two distinct facets of the ACME Program.

The first side is your Niche Search Engine (NSE) itself, which is what you're asking about. You'll be marketing it to the general public, and trying to target people who are specifically looking for other people.

The other side of ACME is the Affiliate Program. That is where your Referral Links come in. Those are to be advertised to people who are looking for a business opportunity.

Those two target groups have very little to do with eachother, so you don't want to mix your advertising efforts. For instance, you won't want to advertise your NSE link on a Traffic Exchange, since they're all looking for the Next Great Business Opportunity, and won't stop surfing to go search for a long-lost relative. Conversely, you won't want to advertise the affiliate links to people who are on a mission to find someone. They aren't looking to start a business, they simply want to track someone down.

I hope that helps clear some things up. Let me know if you have any questions about any of that.

Peace! smile

Hey Mike,

WoW- WTG big_smile ! Really, I appreciate all your quickest replies to me today - Well done smile !!
Ty for clarifying this all for me about those 2 very different facets in APSE ! I admit I DID manage to fully understand the difference between those 2 already at the beginning smile , BUUUT- what I'm STILL interested to hear from you is : When coming to foccus on the NSE - People-serch - and provided that I still don't know how to EDIT the original SE page of APS - Do you think I'd rather promote IT, or prefer the other 3 affiliate ones, of Mylife, HDP & CB ? Or maybe just go for them ALL, including the APS page ?? Dunno - Just seems, that almost everyone here editted & changed their page before they promoted it to the public neutral .... ?

TY !!!
Orly

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

vanvidivici wrote:

Well, I've phoned Octar. He will here soon... Please Tissa forgive my friend. I think there were something being misunderstood by Octars because of the language problem.. Be patience Tissa...

Thanx A lot Irvan for your call,..and your Support.. I really Appreciated...
I was pretty Shocked when answering your call, and tells that My Account Got closed...
Plus my ISP got trouble, so I can do nothing to solve the problems..
but when  finally my connection get stable , There was Good news beside this
When I checked my email.ws 
There's one  inbox From Affiliatize.com , and thats only mean one thing : You've got new funds
I's my second payment Payment from Tissa for Acme People Search Referral Fees
Thank You Tissa,

baldeagle7 wrote:

Thanks Tissa for opening our eyes and clarifying all these important things for all to see. Octars is a good guy, I think that he just made a mistake this time. I'm sure you can see that, Tissa.

Thank You for your Kindest Words Mike...
All The Best For This Forum Community

--Octa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Orly, it occurs to me that we Hijacked a rather important sticky thread. roll

Sorry about that, folks.

I've quoted your last question, Orly, and relocated the conversation to this thread. We can keep chatting over there. wink

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Octa,

So did you stop your PPC ads that were using the "acme-people-search-forum.com" domain name?

Tissa

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Yes Tissa I can assure You, that I had stop My PPC ads that were using the "acme-people-search-forum.com" Domain Name,the moment I heared about this from Vanvidivici,
I'm going to internet cafe last night, only for Deleted My  PPC Ads, because My internet connection had little trouble yesterday...
Just Like I Mention Here
Even now , Not a single campaign Running on my Account {adwords},
for now I just want to do some research, make a relevant landing page, and set up my blog for the best results ...

Once Again I apologize About this Matter.. 

Best Regards,
Octa

Last edited by Octa Rendra (2009-11-17 23:58:31)

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Here is my silly question for the day...

If I create my own capture page and use the forum link as an access to "register here" on the capture page (hosted on GVO) or the webinar link "register here" is that a violation of TOS?

Meaning, I would send a solo ad, no ppc yet Im not there as yet, or email campaigns via various safelists, is this a TOS violation.....inquiring minds want to know smile

Amy

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

I guess That would be fine Amy since you are using your own domain Name...
My mistake Is I using Direct Acme-People-Search-forum.com  domain name ...

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

I thought so but since I am relatively new to how APS works and I see so many accounts being closed I am a little paranoid.

Just do not want an issue when I can prevent one. I have read and read the terms here but some things like this is a bit confusing...but I am good now.

Thank you,

Amy

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

Hey, Tissa (and everyone), I was actually made aware of APS through the PPC site Neobux with the Presell page, where users get paid a penny to view ads and such things as ad and banner click credits can be purchased. I'm not sure if this is  the PPC stuff you're referring to, but I have an account on the site and see the presell page every couple of days on there when the ads are renewed. Just wondering if this is allowed.

Yes

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

It should be okay if you have your own domain and the url is http://yoursite.com/tissa.htm

then yes it is okay because it is hosted by you with the presell page as the extension.

Hope this helps with that, don't know if you have the url for this site but that would be helpful
in evaluating your concern.

Amy

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

WorkatHomeIncome wrote:

It should be okay if you have your own domain and the url is http://yoursite.com/tissa.htm

then yes it is okay because it is hosted by you with the presell page as the extension.

Hope this helps with that, don't know if you have the url for this site but that would be helpful
in evaluating your concern.

Amy

Haha. Thanks, Amy. I apologize for possibly sounding tattle-tale-ish. The idea was simply how I got involved in APS and was something I was thinking of doing myself for my own advertising. I was simply making sure it was allowed when I saw this PPC-TOS topic. smile

Last edited by StyckWithChrist (2009-11-18 00:20:53)

Yes

Re: TOS Violation: Using the Forum Referral Links in PPC Advertising

TISSA,        HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP          I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN 100% WITH ACME/GDI SINCE AUGUST AND STILL HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT WHAT TO DO TO EARN A PAYOUT.      I CANT MAKE HEADS FROM TELLS OF IT.        I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO CHANGE MY EMAIL ADDRESS TO MATCH MY SEARCH ENGINE DOMAIN.          I ALSO  ATTENDED SEVERAL OF THE WEBINARS.        I JUST GOT BACK TO 100% WITH THE TRIAL PAY.    I THINK IT'S NEARLY (OR PAST) TIME TO PAY THE $10 AGAIN (WHY AM i PAYING $10 A MONTH AGAIN?)       HOW CAN I  PAY $39 PER MONTH FOR THE WEALTHY AFFILIATE WHEN I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW/WHERE TO GET HELP/GUIDANCE TO EARN WITH WHAT I ALREADY HAVE?            CAN YOU SEE THAT I'M TRYING TO STICK WITH ACME/GDI BUT I NEED TO EARNNNNNNNNNN  SOME OR  HOW CAN I KEEP INVESTING?               CAN YOU SEE THAT I NEEEDDDDDDDD A STEP-BY-STEP MENTOR; PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. 
WELL, NOW WHERE SHOULD, I CANT FIGURE OUT WHERE TO POST THIS REQUEST FOR HELP .

Yes