Related Search Ads - Affiliate Marketing Just Got Better

MediaJump has managed to create something so totally unique yet simple called Related Search Ads or Quick Links - And I am SO excited to get to introduce my MomGadget readers and blogging friends to it! Be sure to keep reading, I KNOW this is a lengthy post, but it’s worth it, I swear!

Related Search or Quick Links is dynamically generated content showing related search terms from content tags, keywords are updated automatically from across a network of advertisers to increase relevancy.

At first glance, Related Search ads look very similar to Google’s Link units but once you dig a little deeper there are a few differences that, as a publisher and affiliate marketers, I was very excited about.

• There are more links with the ads compared to Google link units - which means it’s more ‘clickable‘.
• The links open up in a new window that takes users directly to an actual Ask.com search results page.
• Publishers (me you) are paid when surfers click on the ads in the search results.
• There’s a variety of different formats to choose from so if you like to mix things up a bit - you’ll not get bored.

Being the OCD freak that I am, I love, Love, LOVE the control that this program offers.

Quick Links lists search terms that can be placed on your website horizontally or vertically. The publisher (that’s me you) has full control over width and the how many results are shown. Publishers can diversify these units by changing color AND there’s the choice of whether to show a search box and branding logo. I thought that was quite noble of them and speaks volumes about the confidence in their product.

By using the preview option, you’ll be able to perfect that unit to your taste. Once the related search unit is just as you like, you simply place the javascript code right where you wish the unit to appear and the resulting related search is displayed on your website.

That’s it! Seriously simple!

To generate the related search terms — the publisher me you simply insert a keyword or phrase into the required space. This works wonderfully with those awesome keyword suggestion tools that we’ve all come to know and love.

To share an example with you, for the unit below I’ve chosen Fathers Day and the related search would appear like this:

The things I have the option to change are:

• The color of the title - IF I choose to use the title at all
• The location of the search box - IF I choose to use the search box at all
• I can place a border if I want
• Change the color of the links
• AND I can choose to have the logo there or not

My immediate reaction and observations were:

• It’s super easy to integrate
• Links open in a new window
• Although it works harmoniously with Google Adsense, it’s a great monetizing feature for sites where Adsense ads might be skewed toward the less profitable end.

I’ve got one blog that Adsense makes NO sense to use, but this is a smoking hot alternative!

Everyone seems to always be concerned over whether or not a program is compatible with Adsense, so a fellow publisher in the program emailed Google and this was their response:

In regard to your query regarding the Quick Links units on the same webpage as Google ads. AdSense publishers may display third party advertisements on sites and pages showing Google ads as long as the formatting or color scheme of these ads is sufficiently different from the layout of the Google ads. In other words, if you choose to place non-Google ads and search boxes on the same site or page as Google ads, it should always be clear to the user that the ads are served by different advertising networks and that the non-Google ads have no association with Google. If the formats are naturally similar, we would ask that you use different color schemes for the competing ads.

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am as honest as the day is long. So since I can’t go into specifics because of various TOS that are involved, I will say that I have been using this program nearly ONE week on a fraction of my blogs/sites and it’s already running neck-and-neck with my Google Adsense that happens to be on ALL but one of my blogs.

So far I’ve not seen a decline in any of my other affiliates, in fact, I’ve seen traffic actually pick up for search terms that are appearing in my Related Searches sections on some pages. So obviously the extra keywords are helpful.

Some of the stipulations on what websites/blogs are accepted into the program are:

• Website must be family friendly — no adult content (gambling, poker, tobacco, etc.)

• Publishers are being taken by referral ONLY (and I have been given the glorious honor to be one of those referral partners)

• At the moment, it’s only available to high traffic websites and blogs ONLY - this might change in the future — we can only hope.

• Payments are made EFT 60 days from the end of the calendar month

• I’m sad to say this program is ONLY available in the U.S. and U.K. at the moment. But keep watch, because a sprouting big player like this can’t be caged in for long.

Every URL that is being submitted is being manually approved. I think that’s a great feature because it shows that this program is one to be taken very seriously.

I’ve been quite honored to be accepted into the program and have worked on an agreement that allows me to refer YOU to the powers that be. So if you have a high traffic site (50,000 unique visitors per month plus) and would like to be considered for the MediaJump Quick Links program, please apply via MomGadget’s partner registration form and I’ll forward your application on immediately for consideration into the program.

Now, I had to save the BEST part for last — IF YOU sign up through MY partner registration form, you’ll have the wonderful perk of earning from those who sign up under you. It’s like the best referral program out there totally morphed!

This is an amazing ground floor opportunity. Don’t be one of those people sitting back one day wishing you’d gotten in while the getting was good.

Related posts:

1. Google Adsense for Search - What’s The Big Deal?
2. What’s Good for Google…
3. It’s like wearing new blog shoes
4. Blogger.com No Longer Allows Links to Non-Blogger Sites in Comments
5. Choosing Just The Right Name