Here's a note I received from a friend and affiliate industry ‘insider'.
Ros,
I just HAD to tell you about this.
This is yet another technique “Baaaaad Mr. Merchant” deploys for gaining link popularity with the search engines.
Send affiliates ad copy with their link code at the bottom.
Within the ad copy itself he adds another link with black fonts so it isn't obvious that it's a hyperlink.
That link isn't an affiliate link but goes directly back to his site.
Not only is this sneaky but if a visitor actually clicks the link the affiliate loses their commission.
Here's an example of the code:
<a href=”http://baaaad-mr-merchant.com/” style=”text-decoration:
none”>
<font color=”#000000″>working from home on your
computer</font></a>
I was completely aghast.
I've never seen any merchant with whom I've done business engage in what amounts to affiliate commission theft by the merchant himself!
(This guy needs his knuckles rapped, and HOW!)
What can I say but CHECK YOUR AFFILIATE LINKS!!!
Not-so-cheery,
Ros