I stumbled on to a poll on Adotas.com the other day that asked, “Is a permanent decline in affiliate marketing imminent?” The choices were
- “Yes – New state taxes, increased government restrictions and shady marketers have doomed the industry. “
- “No – Affiliate marketing is changing not declining.”
I voted “no.” Change, as in any industry, is inevitable. In fact, it is to be expected. From having been in the industry for a good number of years now, I saw the internet go from the” wild wild west” to a carved territory that even my mom has a stake on, a la myspace and facebook.
New state taxes and increased government restrictions are all signs of a growing industry as it shifts towards establishment and organization. And yes, it is at this period of time where shady marketers will be weeded out, a beneficial change for other honest marketers, advertisers and consumers alike. The marketers who survive this shakeout period stand to become the legacy companies who need to set an example to any newcomers.
Blue Phoenix Media
