Google enters affiliate-marketing business

Posted by Rightcopywriter Team

July 4, 2008

Online Search and ad giant Google made a grand entry into the affiliate-marketing business through its launch of Google Affiliate Network. It is re-branding the network run by DoubleClick’s Performics business. In an affiliate programme, publishers provide links to online retailers on their website and earn commission for each referral passed on to the retailer.

The re-launched network makes Google a competitor to ValueClick’s Commission Junction and LinkShare of Rakuten, Japan.

Google is aiming to expand its display-ad network through DoubleClick’s assets and intends to accelerate video advertising through YouTube and AdSense for video products. Larger retailers, Target, Circuit City, Barnes and Noble are aligning with Google’s network.

Google will subject each application to a quality review and admit publisher into network only at its own discretion. Publishers will be paid commission on a fortnightly basis.

After the admission, publishers will be eligible to apply to advertisers, who will select the match for their links as per their choice.

Performics, an independent network launched in 1998 was acquired by DoubleClick in 2004. Google in turn bought DoubleClick in a $3.1 billion deal which was clinched in March this year. Performics carries search-marketing division, which Google is planning to sell.

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