Originally Posted by alf6300

Yep, there are ways for a sponsor to cheat, if they want to, no matter what. However, speaking from a sponsor's point of view, I have myself NO interest at this stage in doing that.

Think about it: as a startup we are trying to get as many affiliates as possible, and work with them for the long run. It is in our interest to show the best possible results in terms of conversions and money for the affiliates.

Honestly, at this stage, I would rather account for a couple of sales more rather than a couple of sales less, for each webmaster. (I would "cheat the other way round", if possible :-) )

Of course it may be different once you have plenty of affiliates, and shaving may mean a million dollar difference on a balance sheet. It then becomes a matter of business ethics: but as an ambitious startup, non-shaving is primarily a matter of vital business interest.

So an unconventional proposal that comes to my mind:
-->if you promote my program, I will "open up" the code. I will let you behind the scenes, and prove that as far as we are concerned everything is squeaky clean.
Same proposal is valid for other reputable webmasters who want to take it.

I am sure my sysadmin will kill me for this, and I am not sure how many sponsors would be willing to do the same - but we'll find a way to do it without jeopardizing security and intellectual property.

Perhaps if this becomes a widespread practice, the clean part of the industry will benefit from it.

interested to take it?