We're pleased to share some updates and insights for your program at Google Affiliate Network.
Announcements
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Google Affiliate Spotlight
The Network Development team is focused on engaging Google Affiliate Network users through insight and communications to improve performance and drive productivity.
Let's meet Josh and Jamie, two Google Affiliate Network veterans, on the Network Development team and see what they've been up to this year.
- Name and title: Josh Pyle, Network Strategist
- Background: Joined the Affiliate team in 2007. Prior to Google, I worked in Online Marketing at Classified Ventures, and in Client Services at MyPoints.com.
- Education: BA in Communications from Wheaton College, Wheaton IL
- Favorite band: Too many! Some current favorites are Amon Tobin, The Black Angels, and Sonoio. Favorite labels include Warp Records and Tympanik Audio.
- Favorite activity: Enjoying springtime in Chicago with my wife and daughter
- Name and title: Jamie Ross, Network Strategist
- Background: Started my affiliate career at Performics in 2003 after managing email campaigns at Yesmail for a few years and coordinating Ziff Davis print magazine ad buys post college.
- Education: BA in Business Administration from University of Illinois at Chicago
- Favorite band: I like everything POP!
- Favorite activity: Going to Brookfield Zoo.
- Fun fact: My 3 year old son, Geddy Lee, is named after Rush lead singer.
A variety of projects are under the Network Development umbrella.
Here are a few examples of what we are working on:
- External Communications: Network newsletters, Google Affiliate Network Blogs, Twitter, Forums and Platform communications.
- Incubation: Developing best practice materials and providing channel insights.
- Driving Adoption of Google Affiliate Network to accelerate the productivity of users.
- Improving User Engagement: Continuous Affiliate Network Help Center improvements to help users launch and optimize their programs. Obtaining actionable user feedback to help prioritize product improvements.
We are always thinking of you! Watch for updates to the above mentioned items and help us improve your experience by submitting comments via surveys, your account teams and feedback forms such as the one below.
The Network Development team looks forward to working with you!
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Network Insights
- Advertisers who participated in our Q1 Exclusive Opportunities program not only benefited by an increase in year over year AND daily volume but also experienced a substantial increase in year over year approved affiliate applications. Advertisers that performed the best had a strong brand, compelling offer and made the offer visible on the landing page via the link provided to affiliates.
- Seasonal Trends:
We have a wealth of information on what consumers are shopping for. Unsurprisingly, shoppers always respond to percent-off and free shipping offers. Check out the hot products and categories, as well as the top Q2 shopping days.
- Top Products and Categories:
Consumers are thinking about mom... and traveling! Of course, flowers are a top seller leading up to Mother's day. As consumers plan vacations and holidays, the travel category trends up from May to June.
- Top Shopping Days:
In general, Monday and Wednesday are typically the top shopping days of the week. Mother's Day is the top Q2 holiday, with shoppers starting 2-3 weeks beforehand. After Mother's Day, shopping volume peaks around Memorial Day, leading into the summer season. Father's Day shopping starts later than Mother's Day, with volume increasing the week leading up to that Sunday.
- Search Trends:As you can see using Google Insights for Search, consumers have been shopping for shoes, dresses and technology. It's all about looking good finding the best deals and portable electronics for gifts, vacation and personal use. If these items are part of your product mix, make sure to incorporate them into your affiliate program via product feeds, creating top selling product links and product specific promotions.
Looking forward,
June's 2010 top searches include a variation of the above plus TV, air compressors and cameras. In this Insights chart, June 2010 searches also include standard Father's Day type gift items like tools. Don't forget about Dad! Use insights to plan ahead.
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Industry Insights
The Arkansas Senate passed SB 0738 - the Affiliate Nexus Bill - on March 31, 2011. The bill, which was signed by Governor Mike Beebe on April 1, 2011, after clearing the senate just two days earlier, will take effect on June 9, 2011.
Online shoppers could soon find themselves paying more for their purchases if state policymakers succeed in convincing Congress to sign off on a multi-state sales tax cartel for the Internet.
Source: Forbes 4/11.
Green consumers -- those who look for products with an environmental benefit -- actually spend less than 1% of their time online reading content on green sites, according to data from Resonate Networks.
Source: MediaPost 10/10.
People are eager to shed their winter clothing for their shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits. Searches for [Spring] started rising in early-February with a tremendous spike the first week of April. People desperate for Spring to arrive are growing in number - fast!
Source: Google Retail Blog 4/11.
More people using mobile devices, such as smartphones, to search for products, services and businesses means a bigger opportunity for online marketers to reach consumers.
Source: Performance Marketing Association 4/11.
In a recent survey of 149 chain retailers, web-only merchants, catalog companies and consumer brand manufacturers finds that today only 8.8% of retail organizations operate a mobile commerce site. But 75.9% of retailers expect to launch a mobile commerce site. Of those, 31.9% expect to be selling through mobile phones in under six months and another 52.6% in less than one year.
Source: Internet Retailer 10/10.
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