Re: Contextual Ads, Overture, and Quigo

From: Kat Chen <callme_at_junglemate.com>
Date: Fri 07 Nov 2003 09:03:16 -0600

In response to Chris' recommendation of Looksmart, here's my experience
with Looksmart.

Just so you aren't in the dark.....
When you place original content (say, your own articles) and a link back
to your sponsor's site, Looksmart's Looklisting's representatives
reject that listing cos they consider your site a "MIRROR SITE OF
ANOTHER EXISTING SITE". (I do have a lot of affiliate programs on my
site!) There's a non-refundable set-up fee of $29 at this stage
already. Link updates for first 30 days is free.


If you update that rejected or still-to-be-completed Looklisting's link
with another link (say from http://www.abc.com to http:/www.xyz.com )
after 30 days later, another fee of $19 is imposed (I don't know if this
is refundable.)

So if you have 4 campaigns for 4 urls (Looklistings), the non-refundable
set-up fee is $29 x 4, regardless of whether any campaigns were approved
of/started at all.

I would recommend you take a look at the other type that Looksmart
service has called "Sponsored Listing" which is more affordable and
chances of your affiliate site being rejected is close to none.
http://listings.looksmart.com/home/sponsored_listings.jhtml

Both "Looklistings" and "Sponsered Listings" are inter-transferable
campaigns but the credits in one is NOT transferable to the other
campaign. Eg. You have $50 un-used credit in Looklistings but you
can't get that money transferred for Sponsored Listings campaigns. So
your card is once again charged when you sign up for Sponsored Listings.

Also, Looksmart's email may not tally with your bank account. They say
they have refunded, but took me several more emails and about 10 more
days before I saw the refunded amount in my piggy bank.

Personally I think Google.com is better than Looksmart as their mini
rotating text ads are found all over personal and non-personal sites -
better exposure than Looksmart, if you ask me. I was comparing
Looksmart and Google but I guess I made the wrong decision. Don't take
my word for it, look around the net and do your own research.

Sincerely,
Kat
http://www.deepassion.com




Received on Fri Nov 07 2003 - 09:03:16 CST