Update: Google Affiliate Network has been discontinued
If you haven’t heard by now, the Google Affiliate Network has been fully integrated into the Google publisher system. What this means is that Google account holders can now access a wide range of affiliate programs, Google AdWords, AdSense, Blogger, Checkout and Webmaster Tools under a single Google account. In fact, all of Google’s account services, including iGoogle, Google Calendar, Mobile and Google Reader are accessible via a single account settings page, resulting in a streamlined and user-friendly Google Account experience. FYI, if you have a smart phone, such as the Android, Blackberry or iPhone, be sure to download the Google Search App. It allows geo-targeted voice searching and could possibly change your life :). Even non-smart phones are compatible.
There simply are so many wonderful applications and free Google services to rave on and on about, there simply is not enough dexterity in my wrists to type it all out right now. That said, let’s focus our sights on the main topic at hand: The Google Affiliate Network. As mentioned, Google Affiliate Network was recently integrated into the Google system. After having acquired the popular Performics affiliate network, Google had hitherto maintained a separate login page apart from the rest of Google Account services. Not only can you now login to Google Affiliate Network via your main Google Account, integration allows you to seamlessly incorporate advertiser links on your Google Blog, not to mention easy drag-and-drop of Google AdSense ads.
Features of the Google Affiliate Network interface include a Network Announcements section, Mail Messages, Network Stats, Daily Totals, Featured Promotions and Save Reports. Drop-down menus include links to Payments Reports, Product Feeds, Hot Promotions, Advertisers information (Pending, Activated, Approved, Deactivated, Declined), and a myriad of reports, including Product and Advertiser related, Performance Reports, Product Feed reports, Accounting, Creative and saved reports.
If you are new to the Google Affiliate Network and don’t already have a Google Account, signing up is simple and free. And you don’t need a gmail account to do so. All that is required is a valid email address. The next step is to apply for a Google Adsense account, which you can use your new Google Account to do so. Be sure to read up on the application requirements before applying, so as to avoid having your application declined.
If you already have an active AdSense account, you can apply at the following page with your AdSense publisher ID and email address: Google Affiliate Signup Page
For anyone who previously had a Google Affiliate Network account (which, by default, you would if you had an account with Performics), the deadline for linking your account with AdSense has passed (October 31, 2009). Therefore, you will have to reapply at the aforementioned application page. Yours Truly had to do so 🙂 and I can honestly say it was a simple and painless process.
One thing worth noting about the Google Affiliate Network is that while you search for new advertiser affiliate programs, you may find that some advertisers are not listed. That’s because certain advertisers choose to have “private listings”. If you do indeed know about an advertiser with this type of listing – perhaps having been invited to join their program at some point in time – you will need to contact Google Affiliate Network customer service to apply with a written request. For the most part, however, most advertisers have public listings – And several green merchants at that!
Some of our top performing LOHAS and eco-friendly picks are Petfood Direct (an excellent holistic petfood data feed), ProbioticSmart (natural pet vitamins and supplements), Arbico Organics (organic gardening supplies – Also available in the ShareaSale network), MicroPlace (socially responsible investments), HerbsPro (huge selection of vitamins, herbs and natural personal care products), CO Bigelow Chemists (homeopathic and apothecary products), PeaPod (good selection of organic groceries), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Fair Trade certified coffee), eLightBulbs (energy saving light bulbs), Garden’s Alive (organic gardening products), iFloor (bamboo and cork flooring) and Build Direct (bamboo flooring).
