HAPPY NEW YEAR

To everyone involved with TrafficSynergy...

....to the advertisers
....to the marketers
....and to everyone else that has helped make TrafficSynergy so successful in 2004....

Happy New Year, and all the Best for 2005. We're looking forward to a fantastic year ahead.

Best Wishes
The TrafficSynergy Team

End dates changed

We noticed that some of the campaigns had end dates of 2004. We've spoken to the advertisers, and it appears that they were simply entered into the system incorrectly, and that they want the campaigns to continue.

Thus we have extended the campaigns ending 2004 to 2005.

If you have any problems with the links once we hit midnight, please mail us, so that we can look into it as quickly as possible.

Copy All DVDs

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Simple enough for anyone to use. It's as easy as playing a DVD movie. Just put your DVD movie in your computer, click "COPY", and our software does the rest.

Payout: 30%/sale

MyScratchcard - Laptop

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: THE NEXT BIG THING!!! Get paid on a 'scratch' on the landing page - no keystrokes necessary for the user, and the best part. . .IT'S FUN. . .and you get paid for just a SCRATCH! US TRAFFIC ONLY

Payout: $0.25/lead

Copter-Patrol Police Chopper

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: The Copter-Patrol Police Chopper flies in circles and never crashes thanks to a mechanical attachment that always keeps it flying perfectly, either forwards or backwards.

Payout: 25%/sale

Action Classics 50 Movie DVD Collection

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Includes some of the greatest action stars like Charles Bronson, Jack Palance, Robert Wagner, Steve McQueen, Tele Savalas and many more!

Payout: 30%/sale

Official Unclaimed Funds

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: The amount of UNCLAIMED FUNDS in the U.S. has reached an all-time high. Currently over $30 BILLION is held in federal & state accounts. That means 7 of every 10 Americans have money owed to them that is being held by the government.

Payout: $12.00/sale

goZing Cellular

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Earn for every cellular application submitted. The offer includes a FREE cellular phone, FREE shipping, FREE accessories and $50 mail-in rebate. US TRAFFIC ONLY

Payout: $2.00/lead

eBay Success Kit

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: The eBay Success Kit is a comprehensive system that provides information on how to earn a regular income on eBay. Many free extras are included in this offer!

Payout: $15/Lead

DirecTV

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: DirecTV Leads -- Get Your Free Satellite

Payout: $4/Lead

Ten Thousand Books on CD-Rom

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Turn Your PC Into A Center for Learning & Entertainment Includes the Greatest Literary Works Ever. Perfect For: Research, Students, Teachers, and Book Lovers. All orders recieve a FREE encyclopedia CD-Rom

Payout: 30.00%/sale

Ghost Sweeps

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: LIMITED TIME OFFER - $1000 Sweeps: Catch our newest, spookiest offer - Ghost Sweepstakes! Eerie ghost footage sure to dazzle, plus user has a shot at $1000! This hit-in-the-making gets you a commission with just one field.

Payout: $0.70/lead

Global

The Global campaign on TrafficSynergy has been paused with immediate effect, as the links aren't working properly.

We'll keep you updated when the campaign goes live again.

For now, if you have Global links on your site, please replace them.

New Marketers

If you can find us new marketers to help promote the numerous offers on TrafficSynergy, then we're happy to pay you.

It's really easy, and we have 2 ways you can make money.

1. Register on TrafficSynergy
2. Decide whether you want to get paid per affiliate application, or a percentage of the amounts that we pay to the affiliate you refer
3. If you want to get paid per affiliate application, then go to the "campaigns" section, and the TrafficSynergy campaign is the one you should be promoting.
4. If you want to get paid a percentage of the amounts that we pay the affiliate you refer, then go to "tools" and you'll find the special link in this section.

So by you helping us grow TrafficSynergy, you're also making some cash along the way.

Drop us a mail if you have any questions...

We really want you to become involved with TrafficSynergy, and help us become the number 1 affiliate network!

New Campaigns

The TrafficSynergy team has been hard at work organising fantastic new campaigns for you to promote.

Over the next few days we'll be adding a number of new campaigns to TrafficSynergy, so log into your account at least once per day to see the new campaigns, and watch this space.

Survey Locator

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Get visitors to sign up for this website, and earn cash! CAN BE INCENTIVIZED.

Payout: $12.00/sale & $12.00/subsale

Best Discount Healthcare

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Earn money by promoting Best Discount Health Care

Payout: $5.00/lead

TrafficSynergyBlog.com

Traffic Synergy now has a URL for our Blog.

We thought it would be easier to remember - so you can now go to www.TrafficSynergyBlog.com to see the latest affiliate marketing news.

And for those of you that are so time conscious that you prefer to type fewer letters, we have also registered www.TSBlog.com and redirected it to the main page. So you can save a few seconds every time you check out the latest news by using this shortcut! :)

Anyway, why not just add it to your favourites now, as you should be checking back every few hours!

And if you want to add some thoughts to the blog, then drop us a mail!

Iraqi Sweeps

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Sweeps -Should we bring our troops home? There's $$$ up for grabs. Only one field.

Payout: $0.40/lead

Cash Any Day

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Short, easy One-Page cash advance form that converts at a stellar eCPM.

Payout: $6.00/lead

Scholarship Guide

The Scholarship Guide on TrafficSynergy has been paused with immediate effect, as the links aren't working properly.

We'll keep you updated when the campaign goes live again.

For now, if you have Scholarship Guide links on your site, please replace them.

WalMart Back to School

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: It’s time to think about school and the long list of items your child needs. Now you can save when you shop at Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club with a complimentary $20 Shopping Card. Just click below to get it.

Payout: $10.00/lead

Zero Balance your Credit Cards

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Earn $$ on all sales with this revolutionary debt elimination system!

Payout: $20.00/lead

Home Refinance

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Earn $9.00 a lead with a Mortgage Refinance Campaign! Quote Guru offers a 100% free service which enables users to conveniently shop for a mortgage.

Payout: $9.00/lead

OrderMyINK.com

Wow - what a day for increases....

OrderMyINK have just raised their commission 700%!!!!!

Effective immediately, they are now paying $7 per sale.

digiFlirt.com

digiFlirt.com has dramatically increased their commission.

Effective immediately, if you send visitors to the digiFlirt.com online dating site, and the visitor purchases either a monthly subscription or a package subscription, the commission has been increased to $15

Computrolley.co.uk

Computrolley.co.uk, the e-tailer of software titles, has just raised their commission on ALL sales on the computrolley.co.uk website, to 10% of the Sale.

This is to celebrate the launch of Namo Webeditor 6 Suite.

Namo WebEditor 6 Suite is the ultimate toolbox for both personal and business Web creators. One simple installation gives you everything you need to make great Web pages, create stunning graphics, and start building a rich, interactive online community.

Guitar and Bass

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Learn the Guitar with Guitar and Bass - Unique interactive guitar and bass lessons, available online, downloaded to a computer or shipped internationally as CD. Suitable for both Australian and international traffic.

Payout: 28.00%/sale

Global

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Home Based Internet Business Opportunity - high payout, credit card required.

Payout: $48.00/lead

Scholarship Guide

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: This offer is extremely HOT with school just starting up. At the end of the process, a file is received of thousands of scholarships.

Payout: $1.20/lead

Jelly Belly Candies

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: FREE sampling of jellybeans and FREE offers with a value of $125! No Credit Card Required.

Payout: $0.80/lead

TrafficSynergy New Campaign - Fitness, Nutrition & Personal Training Guide

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description:

Fitness, Nutrition & Personal Training Guide

This is a very HOT Offer! Each User gets to Download a complet guide to Personal Fitness, Streching and Nutrition. Totally FREE and an Instant Download!

Payout: $0.40/lead

TrafficSynergy.com New Campaign - Diet Patch

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description:

Diet Patch

Get paid to give away a FREE 1 week supply of the Amazing Diet Patch! This offer is hot and is generating high ECPM's.

From Names
==========
Amazing Diet Patch

Subject Lines
===========
Will you accept it?
Claim Your Free-Sample Now!
It's "cheating"…but.. it works
Lose Weight - Guaranteed, Free-Trial!
Will you try it out at our expense?
How to lose up to 30-LBS in 30-Days or less

Send an e-mail to Diet-Patch-Supression-List@TrafficSynergy.com for the Supression List

Payout: $12.00/lead

TrafficSynergy.com New Campaign - TalkItTypeIt

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Stop typing, start talking. Precision voice recognition software.
Payout: $14.00/lead

TrafficSynergy - Clever Island

Just added to the TrafficSynergy.com Affiliate Network:

Description: Just sign up for Clever Island to get this $20. It is yours to use however you want.
Payout: $10.00/lead

The Contextual Platform (Spyware, Scumware) Issue, and how it affects Affiliates, Merchants, Networks, and others.

I have just written the following e-mail to Benjamin Edelman, who is pushing forward on understanding the contexual (the scumware, spyware issue - not ppc contextual):

"Your site has some amazing information. I can see myself spending a long time on it, both today and in the future. I have also been following the contextual players for some time now, and truly believe that most players in the market (networks, merchants etc), don’t understand what is really happening. <>I think they believe that the issue is contextual related (popping windows over competitors through keyword or url targeting), as that is what the mainstream publicity is all about (especially since it is similar to the cases google is currently involved in for keyword infringement).

However, I don't think many participants in the industry understand how cookies are being overwritten, by so many different methods (either via software preinstalled on the computer with multiple cookies, or via cookie overwriting or other methods).

Great site!
Eric "

I have spent the last few hours exploring the net for related articles, and it seems that there are a number of individuals trying to understand the issue better, but no-one really has got the full picture.

So here goes my understanding...

1. Contextual Search and Contextual scumware / spyware are different beasts entirely
Contextual search involves placing relevant paid listings on sites other than the primary search site by matching the content of the page with relevant paid advertisements by advertisers.

2. Contextual Platforms (from now on called CP) involved placing software on the users machines, when the download certain applications. Examples of these are screensavers, peer to peer music software (napster, kazaa), free software and a host of other applications. Often the applications themselves are not the "adware" component, but at the same time as downloading the application in the Terms and Conditions, you give permission to also install the "adware" software on your computer. Many times these other applications are included in the T&C's so deep down, that you don't get to see them. It has been mentioned that particular applications have T&C's up to 60 pages in length. What normal person reads through 60 pages of T&C's when downloading a program (i'm surprised when i hear people read the T&C's at all!)

3. Some Adware gets onto your computer through more dubious methods, such as security loopholes in your computer - so for example, you go to a particular site, and it automatically installs adware on your computer, without you giving permission.

4. The mainstream press at the moment is interested in the court cases which involve the branding issue and the CP companies. There are 2 ways the CP companies use the software pre-installed on your computer to market companies:
a. If you go to a search engine and type in a particular keyword, the software on your computer, will pop up an advert for a competitor of that keyword. So for example, you would go to Google, and type in Expedia, and the software on your computer (which you gave permission to sit on your computer), pops an advert for Travelocity (just an example - i don't know if either of them use contextual)
b. The CP will have a list of URL's for a particular industry, and will pop a competitor ad if you go to that URL. So to continue the above FICTIONAL example, if you go to Expedia's website (www.Expedia.com), then the software on your computer will pop an advert for Travelocity.
Often these adverts are not banners, but the entire site of the advertiser. So the traffic is highly targetted, as the user was searching for that particular item, and thus the conversions are good.

5. It is controversial, because of 2 reasons:
a. The users often don't realise they are giving permission to have "adware" installed on their computer.
b. There is a trademark infringement debate (similar to the Google paid listing trademark infringement debate). As most of you are probably aware, Google recently WON the trademark case against GEICO.

6. The real "dodge" element is far more difficult to understand. What happens is that certain applications on your computer are either installing mass cookies or rewriting cookies. Let me explain.

7. What happens in the affiliate marketing world is the following process:
a. A merchant will either have a stand alone affiliate program, or place their affiliate program on an affiliate network - the big ones such as CJ, Linkshare, Performics and a number of others have been named in the press recently as some of the large affiliate networks.
b. The affiliate (the CP) will register with the networks as affiliates (often through many accounts to spread the traffic and conversions).
c. Their are many ways the CP can manipulate the traffic. Here are some examples:
1. A visitor clicks on an affiliate link somewhere (can be anwhere). If that visitor has software installed from the CP on their computers, the site that the visitor clicks on, should get the credit for sending the traffic to the merchant, but the CP gets the software to replace the affiliate ID with the CP's ID - thus the visitors which are being sent to the merchants sites are being sent by REAL affiliates, and are being replaced by the CP affiliate links.
2. This is the most disturbing ==> The CP's don't overwrite a specific cookie. They simply pre-install cookies on the computer owners machine. Thus whatever traffic the merchant gets to their website, no matter if it is affiliate traffic, bought media, or direct type'in's, the cookie will show the visitor as having been sent from the CP's affiliate link!!!!
3. There are various other methods, which I'll get to in a later follow up article.

8. Why isn't more being done about this? There are a number of reasons I can think of, and which have already been discussed in various other forums:
1. The issue is difficult to understand, and complex, and many merchants simply don't understand what is happening.
2. It has been highlighted that the affiliate networks get their commission via a percentage of the affiliate payments (they usually charge 25% to 35% to the merchant, of what the affliate gets paid). So they're not overly concerned about which affiliate gets the credit, and if an affiliate gets credit, although it really shouldn't have been attributed to affiliate traffic, well, they simply earn more!
3. I read on one of the forums earlier an interesing thought, that the program managers, and affiliate managers get bonus's based on the success of the programs, and thus they will be happier with more volume and transactions through the affiliate side, rather than less.

9. So who is suffering? The genuine affiliates whose links are being overwritten, and the merchants who are paying for more traffic than they should be. (as they are paying for affiliate transactions, even through the traffic isn't affiliate traffic).

So where to from here? Well, in the months and years to come, education of merchants, affiliates, networks, and other players, together with legalities should result in changes in the industry.

For the time being, it's the Wild West out there!

E

TrafficSynergy.com Leads Increase to $1 per Lead

Hello,

If you have been sending new affiliates and marketers to join up to the TrafficSynergy affiliate network, then this will be fantastic news for you!

Effective immediately, we are increasing the payouts for new leads to $1 per lead.

So help TrafficSynergy reach more people, and get paid to do so. For every person that you send to the TrafficSynergy website, who signs up to become a new affiliate, you get paid - EASY!

We have a fantastic banner suite for you to use on your website, so log into your account now, to get some of the banners to start displaying on your website.

Remember, if you prefer to build up your own recurring revenue stream, then we have an alternative referral campaign, where we pay you 5% of any amounts that the affiliates you refer get paid.

So if you refer a new affiliate, and they generate $5k per month in affiliate commissions, then we'll pay you 5% of that each month. That is an extra $250 per month simply for referring new marketers to us.

Drop me a mail if you have any questions.

Eric

TrafficSynergy.com launches a Blog

Today we're excited about launching our new Blog for TrafficSynergy.

This will allow us to share announcements on TrafficSynergy with all our merchants and affiliates in Real Time.

Blogging will include:
- announcements at TrafficSynergy
- merchant announcements
- affiliate news
- and much, much more

Watch this space!!!