9 Comments

Welcome to the Microsoft Affiliate Network

May 17, 2007
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Today I received an invitation to join the new Microsoft Affiliate Network. This network, which “exclusively encompasses all the Microsoft premier affiliate opportunities,” launched today and is built on a customized version of Kowabunga’s MyAP v9 affiliate tracking and management technology.

Many who work with Kowabunga programs will recognize the name Harmony Parsons. Harmony is managing this project and told me she expects it will grow over time to include more than the Windows Live OneCare campaign that is active now. Harmony told me that the Microsoft Affiliate Network will be inviting and accepting affiliates on a “rolling basis” over the coming weeks. The number of affiliates will be limited though.

While participation in this program is currently by invitation only, you can go to http://www.microsoftaffiliates.net/ to get more information and apply.

Now for Some Analysis

So what does this mean for affiliate marketing in general? In reality, probably not much . . . yet. Over the long term, though, it could change things as yet another big player moves into affiliate marketing. It signals that Microsoft is willing to build their own network since they have not acquired a major affiliate marketing network like Google, AOL and others have announced or done. Makes me wonder if (when?) they will end up buying Kowabunga / Kolimbo.com.

With so many major technology brands investing billions into affiliate marketing, I’m even more confident that the affiliate industry is here to stay. That’s good news for all of us depending on this industry. And if all these big networks have to compete for a limited number of affiliates, that’s even better news for affiliates like me. So I’m glad to see this move.

One final thought. When will Yahoo! build (or buy) an affiliate network? Seems they could have easily done this years ago using their Yahoo! Stores platform. I’m really surprised they dropped that ball and left millions on the table to be picked up by others.

What’s your thoughts?

Filed under: Affiliate Marketing
  • Sheryl

    "Network" is a misnomer. This is just a new affiliate program. A network is an intermediary between merchants/advertisers and affiliates/publishers.

  • http://www.revenews.com/mikeallen/ Mike Allen

    At this stage I would agree with you, Sheryl. However, based on my conversation with Harmony, I think Microsoft intends to build a real affiliate network in the real sense of the word. What we are seeing now is just their beta.

  • http://www.affiliate-software-review.com Peter Koning

    Way to go Mr. Softee. Affiliates will get the web equivalent of the "blue screen of death".

    I go signup and get this:

    The file '/signup.aspx' has not been pre-compiled, and cannot be requested.
    Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

    Exception Details: System.Web.HttpException: The file '/signup.aspx' has not been pre-compiled, and cannot be requested.

    Source Error:

    An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.

    Stack Trace:

    [HttpException (0x80004005): The file '/signup.aspx' has not been pre-compiled, and cannot be requested.]
    System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile) +3369638
    System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultWithNoAssert(HttpContext context, VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile) +93
    System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVirtualPathObjectFactory(VirtualPath virtualPath, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean noAssert) +111
    System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CreateInstanceFromVirtualPath(VirtualPath virtualPath, Type requiredBaseType, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean noAssert) +54
    System.Web.UI.PageHandlerFactory.GetHandlerHelper(HttpContext context, String requestType, VirtualPath virtualPath, String physicalPath) +31
    System.Web.UI.PageHandlerFactory.System.Web.IHttpHandlerFactory2.GetHandler(HttpContext context, String requestType, VirtualPath virtualPath, String physicalPath) +40
    System.Web.HttpApplication.MapHttpHandler(HttpContext context, String requestType, VirtualPath path, String pathTranslated, Boolean useAppConfig) +139
    System.Web.MapHandlerExecutionStep.System.Web.HttpApplication.IExecutionStep.Execute() +120
    System.Web.HttpApplication.ExecuteStep(IExecutionStep step, Boolean& completedSynchronously) +155

    Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.42; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.42

    Yecch.

  • http://www.revenews.com/carstencumbrowski/2007/05/microsoft_affiliate_networkche.html ReveNews – Carsten C

    Microsoft Affiliate Network'chen

    Mike Allen reported earlier today here at ReveNews.com about Microsoft's Beta launch of their "Affiliate Network", which is based on Kowabungas MyAffiliateProgram Version 9 platform. It can be found at Microsoftaffiliates.net. Microsoft Shop used…

  • http://www.revenews.com/mikeallen/ Mike Allen

    Peter — point well noted. I was able to sign up and get approval; however, I also experienced an error message. After logging into .NET and using a different navigation path everything worked just fine.

  • http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/archive/2007/05/18/microsoft_affiliate_network.aspx Website Magazine

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  • sam bay

    Regarding the suggestion for Yahoo to buy or build an affiliate network, I have three words: Peanut Butter Manifesto!

    It is not clear what Google will make of the Performics once they assimiliate DoubleClick, but it's clear they only bought DoubleClick for its display advertising technology and assets.

  • http://www.andyrodriguez.com Emilio Yepez

    "With so many major technology brands investing billions into affiliate marketing, I'm even more confident that the affiliate industry is here to stay. That's good news for all of us depending on this industry. And if all these big networks have to compete for a limited number of affiliates, that's even better news for affiliates like me. So I'm glad to see this move."

    Mike Allen

    I would have to wholeheartedly agree with this statement. From what I've read and seen so far seen in affiliate marketing, this industry has been ignored for too long. This move seems like a good thing.

    Emilio Yepez

  • http://seo-traffic-backlink.com/2012/01/06/i-bleed-affiliate-marketing-an-interview-with-todd-farmer/ I Bleed Affiliate Marketing – An Interview with Todd Farmer – SEO Traffic Backlink | SEO Traffic Backlink

    [...] Welcome to the Microsoft Affiliate Network [...]