Viglink and Zazzle - changes?

Just received a reply from VigLink:

Yes, Zazzle.com changed their affiliate status a couple months ago and we have been working to reestablish a relationship with them since January 14. We are optimistic we will be able to do so soon, but do not have an estimated date at this time. I apologize for the inconvenience!

Regards,
Jeremy

While we're not too thrilled that this was not communicated to any of us, here's what we need to do:

1. Use our Zazzle module as much as possible, and ensure you have your Zazzle affiliate ID entered in your settings.
2. If you must link to Zazzle outside of our modules, be sure to use an affiliate link if you want to receive credit.

Sorry, but that's currently the best way to go. If we find out that the status with VigLink changes we'll let you know right away.

This goes to show it's always a good idea to monitor your VigLink dashboard regularly. When you see a white circle next to a merchant link, when there used to be (or ought to be) a green one, it may be a sign that affiliation with that merchant has ended. Don't assume that a merchant will keep their affiliation status indefinitely - things do change every now and then.

That is interesting, "Zazzle changed their affiliate status a couple months ago".... wonder why?

Thank you Anne for the info.  I am not a big stats checker, but you make a good point to check for the green circles.  One more thing to remember to do.

nightowl: 03/19/2013 - 03:10 PM

1. If you must link to Zazzle outside of our modules, be sure to use an affiliate link if you want to receive credit.

 

Are you saying we should use our personal Zazzle affiliate account for text links?   Or are you saying to be sure we have our affiliate link in Wizzley settings?

Own Zazzle referral link, I believe.  The modules are all that work here with our code... right?

Not to be a sour puss...and I know many of you do well with Viglink, but they are just too risky to invest my time into. All I do is the ebay module...figuring if something goes south with that, oh well...I'm not an ebay affiliate anyway.

I can't risk investing time/effort into something that changes so often. I had nothing but trouble/confusion at the start, tried to be optimistic, then gave up. The gizillion vendors they work with....this one does clicks, this one does commission, this one quit, this one needs you to apply separately...yikes...

My nightmare is wasting time having to adapt/change articles/links to their ever changing, confusing policies. Just don't have time for that. I've never had such confusion with any affiliate endeavor I've taken on to date...

Maybe it is me and my brain cells are just diminishing...but I just don't get Viglink...I feel my BP rise when I think about them.  :)

Robin, I understand your frustration, but this is not a phenomenon limited to VigLink. This is also not a change in policies. It's just the way this affiliate business works. I've been on CJ and Shareasale for a number of years, and have experienced the same issues there as well. Vendors suspending their affiliate program without warning, terminating affiliates without notice, it happens all the time. If you don't stay on top of it, you can end up sending precious traffic to a dead link for weeks.

The main benefit of VigLink, as I see it, is that you don't have to apply for (and probably get rejected many times) a gazillion affiliate programs and slave over manually creating affiliate links. But just as in other networks, you still have to monitor what's going on. There is no "set it and forget it" solution anywhere.

I find that Viglink is useful when I am writing about a particular subject I will use the Merchandise Explorer to find links that will send readers to useful sites.  If I am going to include a link, why not one that may end up making me some money instead of a random page?

I've taken some time to go through Viglink's affiliates and I've written down some that I may use in the future.  I will not be going back to see if they are still working, but at least I know not to use Zazzle's links now.

It can be very stress-free Robin!

Nightowl and Dustytoes -

You both make great points and please don't take offense! I think, because I don't do much affiliate/monetizing stuff outside of Amazon/Adsense/Zazzle/Allposters and some rv products from rvers (pretty clean and easy) that it hurts my head when a whole door opens to many vendors like this. Nightowl is very right that it is nice to have that large selection available without having to apply to each one (many, I'm sure wouldn't accept me on my own).

Thanks for your feedback, you two!