mocoblog

nazi ringtones!?!? - problems with affiliate search marketing

It’s hard to believe that anyone would sell Nazi ringtones. But according to this landing page they are available by SendMe Mobile, Thumbplay, and FunMobile. Wow. Who knew?

Now really?!? Which company in their right mind would offer such content? This is a typical case of a search affiliate who would do anything to show up for a cheap search term. At $15 - $18 CPA who wouldn’t. This tried and true method of keyword spamming(?) has worked for Amazon and Ebay in the past. You know, like when you search on Google for, say, daggers and you see the eBay ad which looks like this:

How does this differ? For starters, chances are, eBay has daggers…and probably nazi daggers as well (which apparently are censored in the US).

Also, I would think that unlike most ringtone companies, Amazon and eBay work directly with their search marketing partners. I also think that they are placing more scrutiny on offensive and irrelevant keywords. Most ringtone companies are probably unaware of this sleazy, albeit effective, longtail keyword tactic.

This example is an extreme case, but often these affiliate marketers will ignore the rules set forth by the ringtone companies and will advertise ringtones for artists, movies, tv shows, and sports teams which don’t exist in their catalog; let alone any catalog. All to make a sleazy buck; while polluting Google and leaving many disappointed and irate “customers” in their wake. It could be worse, they could be advertising for “Free Nazi Ringtones” - Doh!

See for yourself: nazi ringtones - Google Search