Is Google launching an affiliate program? Actually, they have begun testing a Cost Per Action (CPA) model that, if adopted, would enhance the current Google AdSense payment system.

According to ITPro.co.uk, Google has invited a limited number of webmasters to test this new program, which pays participants if a visitor acts in a manner related to the buying process. If visitors make a purchase or request further information from the advertiser, the site owner displaying the ad will be rewarded. As you can see, the description of Google’s CPA program sounds just like an affiliate program, with the major difference is you aren’t buying products from Google.

The CPA program is not being viewed as an AdSense replacement, rather an enhancement that works side-by-side with Google’s ad service. Judging from ITPro’s article, it is not clear whether or not you get to display both AdSense and CPA ads at this point. However, volunteers do have more control over the ads that appear while they are apart of this program:

Web owners will be able to choose from a selection and will have greater flexibility in promoting them such as putting text alongside the ad and recommending it - although simply saying ‘click here’ is not allowed.

ITPro also feels this program will reduce the potential for click fraud, which stands to reason. If you only make money from the sale or other positive visitor action, multiple clicks on the same ad will be meaningless.

Chris Richardson
Staff Writer | WebProNews

Tags: Google, Cost Per Action, Click fraud

Posted on Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 at 10:28 am. Permalink