PartnerPerform Blog

Earlier today, Jeremy Palmer called a word of warning to affiliates in a post at Revenews in light of Congress’ recent approval of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Jeremy explains that gambling affiliates, who have been shut out of promoting gambling merchants in the US, are now looking for other non-gaming programs to work with. This influx into mainstream affiliate marketing could certainly shake things up for traditional affiliates…

If you’re not a casino affiliate, brace yourself for the upcoming jolt that may soon shake up the comfortable little niche that you’ve owned for the last two years. Casino affiliates have managed to survive and thrive in hostile conditions for more than a decade. Even when Google, Yahoo and MSN pulled the plug on them, they found a way to adapt and grow their business.

I admire this insight from Jeremy, and agree that interesting times may be afoot very soon. I noticed something else about this suggestion that boosts my confidence in affiliate marketing: affiliate marketing shows a resiliency that will help it thrive through the greatest of barriers.

Presently, affiliate marketing primarily revolves around the search engines. Should these search engines lose their dominance, which could be caused by a loss of net neutrality, what would happen to affiliates? Where would they promote? How would they connect with consumers?

The answer, in light of Jeremy’s suggestion, is that affiliates will always find a way. When the search engines and then the government shut down gambling affiliates, they have found a way to continue successful affiliate marketing on the web. Kudos to Jeremy, and a big kudos to all the affiliates who are braving the powers that be to achieve success online.