Large affiliate network trims its ranks.
In a major shakeup in the affiliate network world, Hydra Network has dumped 88% of its affiliates, leaving it with fewer than 2,000 large publishers.
Back in my days of affiliate arbitrage through pay-per-click, I frequently earned more than $5,000 a month from Hydra. I basically stopped using it a year or two ago, as I became frustrated with the terms of each of its offers changing from day-to-day.
Hydra’s new, more stringent membership requirements call for affiliates that earn at least $10,000 a month with a good track record at a major affiliate network.
Apparently Hydra is trying to move upmarket and attract big name advertisers. This is a major shift, as described in its press release about the move:
“This move sets Hydra even further apart from the bulk of ad networks peddling nutraceutical diet remedies, cash grant opportunities, tooth whiteners and other non-branded campaigns of low consumer value.”
Many of Hydra’s previous offers have been for the very products it is now disowning. Its network of affiliates has also been responsible for a massive amount of unsolicited e-mail promoting the products, and many of its affiliate offers historically have been open to e-mail marketing only.
The CPA affiliate industry is going through somewhat of a shakeup thanks to FTC clampdowns on bogus claims as well as continuity offers and “free” offers that aren’t clear about future billing.
daily visitor says
I guess they are implimenting the old business axiom of –
20% of the customers generated 80% of the revenue.
They must have calculated that 12% of their affiliates generated most of the revenue.
Everyone else was dead weight?
Andrew Allemann says
@ daily visitor – that’s part of it, but I think they also realized that the current “underworld” cpa model is in jeopardy.
Mark says
Hey Andrew:
Informative post.
Do you have any recommendations on affiliate networks for newbies?
Just wonderin!
Mark
Andrew Allemann says
@ Mark – try MarketLeverage.com. They showed up to a domain show a couple years ago.
Also Affiliate.com. Also active in the domain industry.
David J Castello says
Hydra’s logic makes sense – especially if they’re trying to attract major league advertisers. On the other hand they still have a way to go before they break the old mold. I’ve spoken to them twice and they were frustratingly clueless about the power of developed Geo & Generic domains. Put it this way – they had zero interest in our sites like Nashville.com and Manicure.com.
Andrew Allemann says
@ David – I think that’s because they get so much of their traffic from email. Your domains are too “upmarket” for them, at least in the past.
wannadevelop.com says
Affiliate marketing business has exploded in the recent years, big time. Providing support to all the wanna-be’s who are only able to generate a sale or two per year = waste of time and resources.
Focus on the “performers” and continue to build stronger relationships = winning strategy 🙂
Steve Walters says
Cashlizard.com is a performance based affiliate CPA company. We have collected some of the greatest CPA deals out there for our affiliates. Cashlizard.com offers some of the highest paying CPA offers in the industry. New offers are added monthly. Experienced and dedicated Affiliate Managers can help you optimize your traffic to gain the highest possible earning potential. This type of attention is rare and unique in this industry – standing by affiliates to make sure they are paid on time.
confused says
Cashlizard, how do you expect domainers to trust you when you don’t have anything on your website?
Plus, your domain is less than 1 yr old with very little traffic.
I’m not sure if you are an affiliate of another affiliate program – hasoffers.
Affiliate programs are asking domainers to loan them their traffic for 30-60 days. Then, we are paid.
Years ago, we experienced some unscrupulous affiliate programs who would take the traffic with payment in 60 days. And, then they dragged it out another 30 days and then they disappeared.
Now, most pro’s have an attitude regarding affiliate programs –
“respect but don’t trust until proven otherwise.”