Commission Junction stole my money <DRAMA>

[fr0gman]

As many of you know I have been teaching a class on my marketing system. A few weeks ago I posted some encrypted links in a message on this board to some of the resources, i.e., GoToMeeting and Skype. We use these applications in the class.

Anyway, today I received an email from Commission Unction that informed me that they were terminating my account and "forfeiting" my commissions for the month of November based on my thread on GFY.

Here is the thread that they used as the reason for terminating my account and keeping my money:

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=680842

I feel that this is complete bullshit and everyone that I have talked too feels the same way.

If you would like to help a brother out and let Commission Junction, GoToMeeting and Skype know that taking a webmaster's hard earned commission is unacceptable please go to http://www.powerpagematrix.com/cj-petition.html and send them a note.

Thank for supporting a guy that is being kicked in the teeth.

[baddog]

what did they say you did wrong?

[JD]

total crap imho.

[who]

It does look like your 'program' was just a pile of search engine spam. I'm sorry if you feel it isn't, but, my opinion is that it is and people like you are degrading the search engines.

[RichAndKim]

I've sent a message to Citrix (GoToMeeting) and Skype as well as Commission Junction on your behalf. I'm a firm believer that personalized messages go much further than form letters - but form letters certainly are better than nothing.

Just looking at the thread in question, I think they ended up seeing some signups come from a post at GFY, and over reacted without even reading the post in question. I think the problem was actually posting the signup links in the post about mid-way down the original thread. But that's just my interpretation.

I have just started working in fr0gman's program and I must say that the concepts he introduces are very interesting and I encourage everyone to check it out and at least consider getting some income from the mainstream.

Bump for a great teacher!

RichAndKim

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by baddog

what did they say you did wrong?

Based on an internal investigation, it has been determined that you are promoting advertisers on a site that contains objectionable content (including but not limited to content that is misleading, libelous, defamatory, obscene, violent, bigoted, hate-oriented, illegal, and/or promoting illegal goods, services or activities). Such conduct is in violation of the Commission Junction Publisher Service Agreement (http://www.cj.com/psa.html).

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=680842

As a result, you have been removed from the Commission Junction network and pursuant to the Publisher Service Agreement your earnings have been forfeited. You are not eligible to rejoin the Commission Junction network and any attempt to do so shall be considered void.

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by who

It does look like your 'program' was just a pile of search engine spam. I'm sorry if you feel it isn't, but, my opinion is that it is and people like you are degrading the search engines.

And that is your opinion... if you would take the time to look deeper you would see that it indeed benefits the SE index.

[Babaganoosh]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

[INDENT]Based on an internal investigation, it has been determined that you are promoting advertisers on a site that contains objectionable content (including but not limited to content that is misleading, libelous, defamatory, obscene, violent, bigoted, hate-oriented, illegal, and/or promoting illegal goods, services or activities). Such conduct is in violation of the Commission Junction Publisher Service Agreement

Isn't that completely accurate? You broke their terms of service plain and simple. If you can't play by their rules, don't play at all.

[who]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

And that is your opinion... if you would take the time to look deeper you would see that it indeed benefits the SE index.

But that's the whole point - people don't tend to 'look deeper' - and the same goes for the folk over at CJ. When you're earning money the way you are, you have to have a better facade. I believe you know what I mean so I won't go into it..

[Jace]

did you link to ANY CJ content from GFY?

if so, you are violating their TOS

eveb placing a referral link to CommissionJunction.com on GFY is grounds for termination, and they are really strict about that

[KrisKross]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

Based on an internal investigation, it has been determined that you are promoting advertisers on a site that contains objectionable content (including but not limited to content that is misleading, libelous, defamatory, obscene, violent, bigoted, hate-oriented, illegal, and/or promoting illegal goods, services or activities). Such conduct is in violation of the Commission Junction Publisher Service Agreement (http://www.cj.com/psa.html).

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=680842

As a result, you have been removed from the Commission Junction network and pursuant to the Publisher Service Agreement your earnings have been forfeited. You are not eligible to rejoin the Commission Junction network and any attempt to do so shall be considered void.

What part are you refuting? Seems pretty accurate to me.

[Jace]

fr0gman, if you are going to dabble in both mainstream and porn, you HAVE to make sure to seperate the two VERY religiously

mainstream programs DO NOT like being associated in ANY way with porn

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by KrisKross

What part are you refuting? Seems pretty accurate to me.

I guess that depends on how you define "obscene" or "objectionable".. the Supreme Court can't seem to do it but you and CJ have it nailed.

Congrats!

[KrisKross]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

I guess that depends on how you define "obscene" or "objectionable".. the Supreme Court can't seem to do it but you and CJ have it nailed.

Congrats!

I haven't nailed it. However, CJ has, by their definition, and that's all that matters. They make the rules, you gotta play by them.

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by Jace

did you link to ANY CJ content from GFY?

if so, you are violating their TOS

eveb placing a referral link to CommissionJunction.com on GFY is grounds for termination, and they are really strict about that

I understand that and it was an honest mistake.

I am moving forward on this from the squeaky wheel perspective. I have GREAT relationships with both GoToMeeting and Skype and my bet is that when enough emails hit them and after my phone call tomorrow things will get resolved.

[heywood]

CJ is really strict. I've been banned for less.

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by KrisKross

I haven't nailed it. However, CJ has, by their definition, and that's all that matters. They make the rules, you gotta play by them.

I just never "think" of GFY as obscene... asinine at times but rarely obscene. I keep the sigs and pics off so I guess I forget that there is porn here.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

I understand that and it was an honest mistake.

I am moving forward on this from the squeaky wheel perspective. I have GREAT relationships with both GoToMeeting and Skype and my bet is that when enough emails hit them and after my phone call tomorrow things will get resolved.

yeah, I would just open a dialog with CJ and explain everything, I am not sure how much they care, but worth a shot

[KrisKross]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

I just never "think" of GFY as obscene... asinine at times but rarely obscene. I keep the sigs and pics off so I guess I forget that there is porn here.

Depending on who you ask, just the name itself may be offensive.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by fr0gman

I just never "think" of GFY as obscene... asinine at times but rarely obscene. I keep the sigs and pics off so I guess I forget that there is porn here.

dude, just look at the top banners, obscene

[WiredGuy]

CJ really does suck to be honest, they're so anal about anything. Use a different aggregator, they all have the same advertisers anyways.
WG

[tony286]

The way you can do this in the future is you the link to one of you mainstream sites that have the buttons for them to sign up. You put a link to that page on the adult site. So they have to go to that mainstream site and then click on whatever. So it tracks coming from the mainstream site not the adult site.

[tony286]

How big of a affiliate are you with them ,that will make the difference if they want to talk to you or not.

[Pilforgod]

That's not entirely true, I know plenty of programs that ONLY work CJ programs....I manage about 7 different mainstream programs, some are in CJ and NOWHERE else. It's not just CJ, I bet skype doesn't want to be related to porn either.

Anyway, if anyone wants mainstream I have a lot of nice programs that pay well..my screen name here is my AIM.

[slapass]

Curious to hear how this comes out. I think they are pretty damn strict and I doubt you will get back in but hope you can resolve it,

[Beejeebers]

CJ is the worst mainstream network ever. Do not deal with them.

If you have a good relationship with gotomeeting and skype then set up a private deal with those companies. Why have a stupid fucking network like CJ take 30% of your earnings for doing NOTHING. Keep that extra 30% for yourself. Mainstream companies have no problem doing private deals and going around networks. Call them and make your offer. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Oh and you did violate their terms of service, you won't see a dime from CJ, so just move and don't worry because, like I said, private deals are better.

[Empfänger Emil]

[IMG]http://www.****************/Seiten/Im_Schlafzimmer/23.01.05_001.jpg[/IMG]

[BusterBunny]

Originally Posted by Empfänger Emil

[IMG]http://www.****************/Seiten/Im_Schlafzimmer/23.01.05_001.jpg[/IMG]

that about sums it up

[Missie]

Originally Posted by tony404

The way you can do this in the future is you the link to one of you mainstream sites that have the buttons for them to sign up. You put a link to that page on the adult site. So they have to go to that mainstream site and then click on whatever. So it tracks coming from the mainstream site not the adult site.

Bingo!

I do more mainstream than porn and have been at it a lot longer. Almost no program in mainstream want to be associated with porn in any way, shape or form, not the networks, and not the companies that have affiliate programs either. Stupid, really, considering that Playboy Store has an affiliate program in Linkshare but you can't use porn sites to promote them. The only ones that MAY are those that have an in-house program, and even then, they're few and far in between.

Those are the rules. Why you would post a direct CJ link straight to the merchant is beyond me.

Do you ever visit ABestWeb forum? Maybe you should go talk to the CJ rep there and see what happens. It's a mainstream forum, so be ready to get blasted.

Missie

[sicone]

that sucks ass

[lazycash]

Seems the ban was legit as you clearly broke their rules, but I'm amazed that they were able to catch the referring url from the few hits that came from gfy. I've been with them for years, I knew they monitored things, but didn't think it was that close.

[fris]

calling a company out that doesnt even post here

[Sly]

They banned me once for something similar, lost $500 I think. Can't even remember why now. I think I had links to MY phone card site (which had their links on it) from a PG rated bikini site I had.

[Martin]

Hey Dude I hit you up on Icq. Always willing to learn new tricks. Get in touch.

[SlamDesigns]

I have to side with CJ on this one, even if I don't 100% agree with their actions. If it's in their terms of service that you can't "promote" them on (what they see as) an obscene forum, then they have every right to terminate your account.

fr0gman, this isn't directed at you personally, just an observation that I have made over the past few months. I hear people (here and other boards) bitching because they got dropped by a sponsor, lost a domain, etc. and they always want to blame the other guy. Stand up and take some damn responsibility for your actions people!! Abide by the ToS, and you won't have any problems...if you choose to break the ToS, don't fucking cry when/if you get caught.

[Adult Search Results]

Originally Posted by Jace

fr0gman, if you are going to dabble in both mainstream and porn, you HAVE to make sure to seperate the two VERY religiously

mainstream programs DO NOT like being associated in ANY way with porn

consider it lesson learned

[Lykos]

Damn bro,this totoally sux,sorry to hear that

[travs]

your program looks good though

[emthree]

I had no idea CJ was that strict.
Guess I have to be careful.

[webCleo]

thats sucks, but iam sure everything will be OK ;)

[suesheboy]

Mainstream is mainstream it is not accepting of adult content.

I am starting a mainstream program and if anyone linked from here I would drop their ass.

[CIVMatt]

Yeah but it wasnt PROMOTING adult stuff, its was all mainstream, for just talking to other webmasters on an adult board you shouldnt be banned, total bullshit and you know I've sent them letters. Hit me up.

[tranza]

I'm just passing by....

[fr0gman]

Well, I am about to call CJ and see what's what....

will post results

[chipmunk]

Welcome to mainstream man! They play by much different rules.

Learn it...Live it!

-=Chipmunk=-

[bdld]

if there's only two things i know of big mainstream companies it's this, 1) they dont want to be associated with anything adult, and 2) they really like protecting their trademarks.

[fr0gman]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

Welcome to mainstream man! They play by much different rules.

Learn it...Live it!

-=Chipmunk=-

Ok...

Originally Posted by bdld

if there's only two things i know of big mainstream companies it's this, 1) they dont want to be associated with anything adult, and 2) they really like protecting their trademarks.

The Marketing Manager at Citrix/GoToMeeting seems to agree with the fact that affiliates should be paid for their sales. Her words were, "Itis our money not Commission Junction so we have the final word."

The problem that I have with CJ is that they simply refuse to have any sort of dialog on the issue. This is why I have had to go to the sponsor that I push the largest number of sales.

In reality CJ has taken an unrealistic hard line on this and when that happens you go to where the money starts and to where the money ends. CJ and I are simply in the middle. When end users start taking up the time of advertisers with issues that middlemen like CJ should have dealt with, advertisers get cranky.

CJ can forever suspend my account. Honestly, after this I would not promote them to anyone, but to glob onto my entire commission check based on a single post to this forum is unconscionable.

If you agree please send them a note: http://www.powerpagematrix.com/cj-petition.html

If your commissions were being taken I would do the same for you.