One of the biggest hassles about running a CPA Network is the insane amounts of fraudulent publishers applying everyday. If you have ever wondered why we seem like a bunch of assholes when you apply it is because the large amounts of fraudulent applications we receive. I think it would be safe to say that about 75% of the apps coming into Convert2Media are from publishers looking to fill in their own leads, create ghost leads, fire the pixels themselves (I wont go into this, hate to teach the masses how to do it) and of course the owns who like to think of their incentive marketing as “unique” enough to slip shitty quality to advertisers. These people are typically the easiest to catch because they make very little attempt to create a nice looking application.
On the other hand, we have a level of sophistication coming these days as the fraudulent publishers evolve. As with any tactic, method or idea the online marketer who likes to game the system will evolve to and adjust to slip their way into the affiliate networks. I should know, I was pretty damn good at it myself. I wont go into the levels of sophistication or organization that is being deployed. I covered a lot of that last Friday on Andrew Wee’s podcast if you would like to hear a verbal version of it.
So anyway, Steve was able to catch one of these hired actors this past week and video tape the conversation. So far we have not released the footage. Our boy would like to remain anonymous and I concur. He’s agreed to keep feeding us information if we keep it that way. What a trade-off! One of the things discussed is that while this guy is a whitehat publisher, he is able to secure $5000-$6000 extra per month in just calling into Affiliate Networks and getting accounts approved. Say it aint SO! You can make money, good money some would consider in just calling affiliate networks and getting accounts approved for fraudulent publishers.
This is ruining the business and very rapidly. It’s virally spinning out of control and I know from talking with other managers in the industry that it’s blowing up exponentially. Just the other day we saw this:
Let’s screenshot it so that Get a Free Lancer doesnt happen to decide it’s wrong and take it down shall we.
Cool. Now the frauders have actually smartened up and decided to go on a much larger scale by outsourcing the actual approvals. This makes it a bit tougher on networks especially the ones who have affiliate managers not prepared to ask them things that throws them off. We got word on some going rates around the industry on what people get paid for approved fraud accounts on networks:
- Clickbooth – $100
- Hydra – $100
- CX Digital – $100
- Affiliate.com – $50
- Neverblue – $50
We were not able to receive word on how much a Convert2Media account is. In all honesty, the guy told Steve that we were the first network to catch him. Purty Slick, I guess. I would imagine the bounty for egotistical dumbasses who need a good challenge would be quite high on a C2M approval.
Nothing is really said about fraud in the industry and it’s sad. With the enormous amounts of it, you would think a ton would be talked about. Unfortunately, a lot of this behavior is either accepted or it’s overlooked by managers not equipped and educated in how to pick up on it. With that said, it looks like we are doing a pretty good job of it:
I’d be cautious about doing blackhat with C2M.
Ruck is one of the smartest fuckers in this business and they will catch you eventually.
Just sayin…
I’m thinking about declaring Friday on the blog as “Fraud Friday’s”. On Fraud Friday’s I fully intend to expose fraudulent publishers including:
- Any stupid pictures I find of you
- A short story of how we pwned you
- Any related information I can find
All your fraud apps belong unto us. Keep sending thanx.
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- 25
- Mar
- 2009
Ruck Reviews The PPC.BZ Reviewing Reviews of Tracking202 Pro
Posted by: Ruck under Randomness
In effort to post something useful, Barman has really outdone himself. He actually spent time reviewing the reviews of Tracking202 Pro. In case you have been living under a rock for the last year, PPC.BZ is the premier online source for providing publicity of insane Wickedfire forum posts, the absolute excruciating hilarity of what make money online blogs are all about, and it provides the absolute awesomeness of what a Chi City video is. Case in point, if he doesnt post daily, I usually have a panic attack.
Without giving him a huge head, Barman is good people. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him in Las Vegas. He can make a joke out of the most heated, hated and serious bullshit found online and he’s been found to back me up from time to time. To be honest, a lot of times. While PPC.BZ could offer advertising to anyone, Barman keeps an ugly ass picture of me on his blog. It’s ugly but it is also a skinny one, so I thank him kindly.
Back to the reviews…
So the .Bz goes on about the reviewing of reviews for Tracking202 Pro. Packed with a boatload of information about the reviews, I was saved a ton of time by not wasting my day to read each review individually. I was able to quickly scan the meat of PPC.BZ and get the gist that NickyCakes pulled thru at the end for a 4 out of 5 fish-head score.
In case you are wondering, the fish head score has been introduced by PPC.BZ as the premier way of ranking anything online. Without the fish-head score consisting of Jon’s face and what is supposed to be a fish but resembles a lot like a turkey, we would be truly lost in how we rank things. This is how it looks:
This is Super important and you can tell that the fish starts off much like a fish but it takes a dramatic turn for the seriousness at the end with Jon’s face. This is to let you know this ranking system is for real.
While Nicky almost pulled off the upset, Barman came thru with a whopping special discount code. If you need any more reason to join Tracking202 Pro, you are out of your skull.
Cheers to you PPC.Bz for pulling off the upset. Here’s a Kansas Ruck-Style Fish-Head FTW.
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We had the pleasure of having Ian Fernando over here at the Florida Crib. Thanks Ian for the shout out. I was unaware that Ian was shooting some video Ha. Ian you are welcome to chill anytime!
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After the announcement of the coaching program set to launch April 1st, 2009, I have had dozens and dozens of emails, pm’s, IM’s, phone calls, morse code taps (you name it, I’ve gotten it). Here is a monster update:
First – There is NO cost to a C2M Publisher to join EITHER of the coaching programs. I do not know why and it is sort of irritating that I have been receiving offers and solicitations for money in exchange for coaching. There is no cost for being pushed a little bit and an extra helping hand getting you going as a publisher. It helps our business benefit as well as yours.
Is there a coaching free?
Yes and No.
Convert2media’s partners along with myself are not here to waste your time nor will you be able to waste ours. So no, there will be no monetary fee to join the coaching program. Yes, it’s going to cost you though.
What exactly is it going to cost you?
On both sides of the coaching program, more so on the “All-Star” coaching side (which I will cover in a minute) it will require determination and dedication. A “will to succeed” if you will. Are the coaching programs open to all? Umm no. Actually the coaching programs are not available to EACH and EVERY publisher that signs up with Convert2media. Here is the breakdown:
C2M AllStar Coaching – This program is designed to take the newest of marketers and have them up, running and profiting within 30 days. This program IS open to all Publishers of Convert2Media. This program is going to be designed from start to finish. Here is what “start to finish” means:
New publishers who have never even promoted an offer. We will coach you as if you have never promoted an offer before to get you going off the ground. Unfortunately, this will not be one-on-one coaching. There are just too many publishers to even try and accomplish this. However, anyone who has been a part of my communities before already knows that we will not disappoint. We are in this to make money as well not just you. If we help build your business, then you help build ours. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
C2M RockStar Coaching – This program is a bit more rigorous and intense. Unfortunately, this program is
not a “request” type program. As a matter of fact, many will not even know it’s being conducted. This program is compromised of Convert2Media and a select amount of publishers. This program will also seem one sided to some because of the fact that in order to be selected and participate, these publishers are required to work with Convert2Media on a much larger scale. If we cant get anything from it, there is no reason to share what we know, what we do, and how we do it. Trade Secrets if you will.
For the most part, the RockStart Coaching Publishers have already been asked if they are interested. Along with being asked they have been made aware of exactly what it’s all about and the requirements. This program is designed for Publishers already making 100K or more a month with Convert2Media. We will show you, coach you and share with you how to increase your business 10 fold.
That’s really it for now. We wont go into the topics specifically because this will be by far the most rigorous and widely covered affiliate training program covered online. I’ve had the priviledge of coaching 100′s of people online, been a member of dozens of marketing forums, moderated about half of them, and already helped tons of publishers get their affiliate businesses off the ground already. Now, it’s time to take it to the next level.
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Somehow, someway, ALMOST everyone forgot that one of the best tracking platforms for affiliates and publishers that is FREE should be shown some love. Knowing that, and knowing that Convert2Media has driven countless numbers of publishers to Prosper202 to use their tracking platform we decided to make a donation to Prosper202 for $5,000.00. Prosper202 is attempting to raised $50,000.00 in their goals to be able to keep providing the outstanding level of support they have always been giving.
One thing that strikes me when first thinking about a donation was the amount of work networks have been saved due to the involvement of and service of Prosper202, Tracking202 and Tracking202 Pro. It makes me sort of pissed that other networks have not made a donation. If your an affiliate manager and have no idea WTF I am talking about then you need a serious slap in the face.
Cheers to you Prosper202 for making our lives so much easier. If you would like to donate to Prosper202 you can do so on their blog or click on the donation button. Time to step up and pay some respect.
