We’ve Closed Some of Our Affiliates' Accounts - Here’s Why

2 months ago

At Flixier, we take immense pride in our affiliate program, which has allowed us to collaborate with talented individuals and organizations who share our passion for video editing. We've always believed in fairness, transparency, and maintaining a level playing field for all our affiliates. It's a fundamental part of our commitment to fostering a thriving and mutually beneficial affiliate community.

However, recent events have led to some tough decisions, ones that required us to part ways with certain affiliates. We understand that transparency is key to helping our community comprehend these actions. This post will provide insights into why some Flixier affiliate accounts had to be closed.

The PPC Guidelines in Question

Our PPC guidelines are in place to ensure fair competition and prevent any misuse of our trademarked terms. These guidelines are designed to create a level playing field for all affiliates, safeguard our brand, and maintain the quality of our affiliate program. When affiliates join our program, they agree to adhere to these guidelines to maintain the trust and quality standards we’ve set in place. Here's a brief overview of what these guidelines entail:

Not bidding on our trademarked terms in search or content-based campaigns.
Avoiding the use of our trademarked terms in ad content.
Prohibiting direct linking to our website from PPC ads.

Here’s the excerpt from our terms and conditions:

You may not bid on any of our trademarked terms (which are identified below), including any variations or misspellings thereof for search or content based campaigns on Google, MSN, Yahoo, Facebook or any other network.
You may not use our trademarked terms in sequence with any other keyword (i.e. Flixier Coupons).
You may not use our trademarked terms in your ad title, ad copy, display name or as the display url.
You may not direct link to our website from any Pay Per Click ad or use redirects that yield the same result. Affiliate links must be directed to an actual page on your website.
You may not bid in any manner appearing higher than Flixier for any search term in position 1-5 in any auction style pay-per-click advertising program
If you automate your PPC campaigns, it is your responsibility to exclude our trademarked terms from your program and we strongly suggest you add our trademarked terms as negative keywords. We have a strict no tolerance policy on PPC trademark bidding. You will forfeit all commissions for a minimum of the past 60 days and your commission will be set to 0% without warning if you engage in PPC trademark bidding that uses our trademarked terms.

Trademarked Terms: Flixier, Flixier.com

Why are they needed?

Ad Competition: Allowing affiliates to compete by bidding on our trademarked terms in PPC advertising can inflate our advertising expenses. As both affiliates and Flixier target the same trademarked terms, it often drives up bid prices, elevating our overall advertising costs without necessarily delivering a commensurate increase in return on investment (ROI).

Organic Search Competition: While affiliates may not be directly involved in organic search rankings, their PPC actions can impact Flixier’s overall online presence. Unethical PPC tactics, such as bidding on our trademarked terms, can divert traffic away from our website and disrupt its organic search performance. This affects our company's ability to maintain a strong online presence and remain competitive.

Trademark Protection: Allowing affiliates or third parties to use these trademarks in PPC ads without our explicit permission could undermine the value and distinctiveness of our trademarks, potentially causing confusion among consumers. This, in turn, diminishes the overall user experience and may erode trust and confidence in our brand.

Quality Control: If we permit affiliates to incorporate our trademark into PPC ads, we inevitably relinquish control over how our brand is portrayed in these advertisements. This lack of oversight can lead to ad campaigns that deviate from our established branding and messaging standards. Consequently, it may result in misleading or inaccurate ads, which can harm our hard-earned reputation.

Legal Liability: In the realm of PPC advertising, companies are frequently held accountable for the actions of their affiliates. Any misappropriation or unauthorized usage of our partners' trademarks could lead to legal disputes and liabilities that may result in significant financial repercussions.

The Decision-Making Process

Regrettably, we recently identified several affiliate accounts that were in breach of these PPC guidelines. These violations include bidding on our trademarked terms, using our brand terms in ad copy, and using their unique referral link as the main URL of ads. We understand that, in some cases, breaches may have occurred unintentionally. However, the principles behind these guidelines are crucial in maintaining the fairness and integrity of our affiliate program.

Upon discovering violations of our PPC guidelines, we initiated a comprehensive review process. We carefully examined each case, considering the context, intent, and impact of the breaches.

The Consequences of Breach

Our stance on PPC trademark bidding is unwavering. In the instances where affiliates were found to have intentionally or repeatedly violated our PPC guidelines, we were compelled to take action. Our commitment to a fair and transparent program meant that we had to revoke affiliate status. This resulted in the loss of pending affiliate payments, as well as the closure of affiliate accounts. We emphasize this policy to underscore our commitment to a fair and respectful affiliate ecosystem.

Our decision to close these accounts serves several important purposes:

Upholding Program Integrity: By enforcing our guidelines, we maintain the integrity of our affiliate program, ensuring that it remains a trustworthy and ethical platform for all participants.
Protecting the Brand and Reputation of Flixier: We owe it to our users to ensure that any promotions related to Flixier, including those by affiliates, are honest, accurate, and respectful of their online experiences.
Fair Opportunity for All: Closing accounts that breach ensures that all affiliates have an equal opportunity to succeed without the unfair competitive advantages gained through unethical PPC practices.

Moving Forward Together

As we reflect on these recent developments, we want to reiterate our commitment to our affiliate program and the principles that underpin it. We value the contributions of our affiliates immensely, and we're constantly working to improve our program and provide a space for fair and ethical partnership.

To all our valued affiliates, we appreciate your dedication and support for Flixier. Our goal is to provide an environment where your hard work can thrive. Please review and adhere to our terms and conditions to continue being a part of our affiliate community. We believe that by working together within these parameters, we can achieve even greater success and growth.

If you have any questions or concerns about our PPC guidelines or your affiliate account, please do not hesitate to contact us at affiliates@flixier.com. We're here to assist you and ensure your affiliate journey with Flixier is both prosperous and rewarding.