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Google announced last night that they are closing their Google Affiliate Network.
Just so you know, this is the second time they are closing their affiliate network. The first time was in June 2008 when they closed the first Google affiliate network and now is the second time. They opened up this second affiliate network model in September 2010 but now they have decided to "focus on other products that are driving great results for clients."
Google did promise to "continue to support customers as they wind down the product over the next few months."
What is interesting is just a day before the announcement, the Google Affiliate Network Google+ account was active and showed no signs of closure. Heck, on the 12th they were encouraging affiliates to "keep an eye on your Pending Publishers!" They added that "this could be a source of great potential, and help optimize/grow your program."
Are you surprised that Google is closing their affiliate network for a second time?
Forum discussion at Google+.
Comments:
Reviews.co.uk
04/17/2013 03:07 pm
Its a shame to see them go, it just gives more money and power to CJ and Affilate Window. The GAN network wasn't a very clear system to use and the staff there were not easy to get hold of like they are at the other networks.
Nick
04/17/2013 05:10 pm
Yes - sad to see them go. Makes affiliates like me have to spend extra time switching all of my GAN links and trying to get approved again at all of the new programs on other networks, oh, and trying to find them all if/when they switch. But let's admit it - GAN was one of the hardest-to-use interfaces when it came to searching for a merchant.
Greg
04/17/2013 05:39 pm
As smart as Google is, GAN was a nightmare with an awful interface and extremely confusing. I bet you Linkshare and CJ are licking their chops right about now
Jeremy
04/17/2013 06:05 pm
NO WE GAN'T
amir
04/17/2013 07:51 pm
It's a embarrassed to see all of them go, it only provides more money and power to CJ and Affilate Windows. The GAN system was not a very distinct system to use and the staff there were not easy to get hold of like they are at the alternative networks.
Mike Munter
04/17/2013 08:37 pm
It's just business. Focus where you can make the money.
Mike Kansa
04/17/2013 08:55 pm
Maybe Google had to close a door In order to open a door (or two), http://mikekansa.com/google-affiliate-network-shutting-down/
Madhav Tripathi
04/18/2013 02:54 am
So they may again launch it is 2015 or so.
Soni Sharma
04/18/2013 06:41 am
Not a good news...
Ben
04/18/2013 09:34 am
I am very, very upset that they are closing, and I hope they change their mind. Before I used GAN, I was constantly let down by crumby affiliate networks like CJ and Linkshare. When I found the Google Affiliate Network, everything worked amazingly for me. My entire website relies on GAN at the moment, and I basically feel completely screwed over. There's no way I will go back to CJ or Linkshare after using GAN. PLEASE PLEASE GOOGLE DON'T REMOVE GAN!!!
Tania
04/20/2013 01:30 am
Let's realize it.. GAN is s#cks! I know it hurts, but that's true, the affiliate tools are very limited, minimum fitures, and it's really slow.. THE ONLY THING that makes it look great is powered Google, nothing else. All merchants should know this.
goldielox
04/23/2013 07:07 pm
My gut instinct tells me they are planning to launch a marketplace to compete with Amazon. An affiliate network would be a conflict of interest.
Jack Vand
05/20/2013 09:07 am
I think Commission Junction is a farce. I never tried linkshare. Frankly though, I don't see why anyone would run any of these affiliate programs. Adsense pays better than any CPA program including Google's. That's my experience anyway; I don't think we get a "please don't" By the time Google says something, it's a done deal.
Mark Rector at 10 Natural®
03/27/2014 05:08 pm
Please excuse my ignorance, apparently I am a fool. Could somebody here please educate me? Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place? It appears that all the commenters here are earning money by building websites which display/impress/render affiliate links (GAN, AdSense or AdWords, CJ, LinkShare, Amazon and so forth)? I. We do NOT need people to apply for our affiliate program, and to use our affiliate program ... II. Rather we DO require somebody to Manage + Operate our affiliate program successfully (as either a 'sweat equity' partner or as a commission-based operations manager, or suggest another title/position to me directly). II(a) I am a strong believer that the best customer/operators make the best operations managers. II(b) This is because they know what the customers want. II(c) In contrast, I do not know what the customers (i.e. affiliates) want, and readily acknowledge that fact. III. Inquiry: Because there are so many well-experienced affiliates on this forum, may I ask whether anybody here wishes to manage/operate our affiliate program — i.e. to recruit & manage affiliates and to earn a percentage of every unit of product sold in North America — please do not hesitate to contact me directly. IV. Please note: We also support 'brick and mortar' businesses and product distribution (direct wholesale distribution - retail salons/spas/clinics &cet.). V. Also, Co-branding and special-labeling of 'house brands' is acceptable with minimum order and/or sales volume requirements. Cordialements / mit freundlichen grüßen / best regards / Cordiales, Mark at 10 Natural®, just an old poet/horseman/physicist. Not qualified for this specific job: recruiting online shopping cart affiliates. (Director, 10 Natural® of North America)