Paid Search

Yahoo has announced that the Yahoo! Publisher Network (YPN) will be closed down effective April 30, 2010. In a remarkable decision, Yahoo is suggesting that publishers move to Chitika, who have set up a customized process for YPN publishers. Yahoo says that all YPN publishers will be mailed final payments by May 31, 2010.

Last year Google ran no less than 17 different April Fool's Day hoaxes. I have always loved that a company that has so much on its plate takes the time to differentiate itself and build some positive brand equity by investing humor.

Networks Go Wild
If there is one recent development that has changed performance marketing it is the explosion in new advertising and affiliate networks. Nobody seems to know for sure how many there are now but a guess of over 500 active networks, and several thousand in total, is probably correct. It is easier than ever for someone – anyone – to set up a network and start brokering offers. It’s almost become a standard career path for successful affiliates to start their own CPA network.