Chitika outed my campaign to their whole advertiser network - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum

gigidawg · 01-15-2009, 09:07 PM

So I go and check my e-mail, and this subject grabs my attention.
"Rachael Ray helps Chitika advertiser get more clicks. Learn how."
Being curious by nature, I click. Turns out Chitika decided to do a case study on a publisher, me, without asking for permission. They even use my first name throughout the e-mail. Here's the e-mail that got sent out:

Quote:

Want more clicks...conversions?
Factor trend recognition into your search marketing plan to increase coverage in the Chitika network...drive more traffic, and reach new customers. Read below to learn how this worked for another Chitika advertiser, plus tips on how you can drive similar results.

By adding a well-planned, pop-culture trend-centric campaign to his search marketing strategy, Chitika advertiser Alex increased his company’s visibility to reach valuable new customers, subsequently driving 2x conversions *compared to this client's highly specific, 'niche traffic' campaigns.

*
Q: What do 'Rachael Ray', 'acai berry', 'wu yi tea' all have in common???

*
A: They are all among today’s top diet-centric search queries, entered by intent-driven consumers who are searching for diet products and diet services online.

to our point...the above terms are four of the 50+ trend-centric keyword terms Alex used to create his new trend-centric campaign; specifically aimed to leverage pop-culture/industry diet trends and catch phrases to promote his weight-loss solution to new diet conscious searchers that he might have otherwise missed.

You can do this too. Create your trend-centric campaign today. Tips...

*
Research and analyze what your prospective customers are searching/ researching for online. Then, build a comprehensive list of strategic pop culture trend conscious themes and terms.

*
Organize + divide your list into smaller themes to create tightly knit ad groups, each with highly trend-relevant ads and keyword lists within your trend-centric campaign.

*

Connect the themes; do not mislead your leads. Make sure your ad texts clearly, and boldly, connect your business offering to the pop culture ad group theme, and greater campaign theme, at hand. ALSO...Make sure your destination URLs connect too, even if you have to create new trend-specific URLs for this campaign.

*

Monitor, analyze, and measure the performance of your trend-centric campaign for maximum effectiveness. Remove any low performing ad groups within, and compare overall results to your other Chitika campaigns.

*
Always think of your trend-centric campaign as a test. Remember, trends change quickly, and you will need to adjust your trend-centric strategy accordingly.

Click here to contact your Chitika rep & discuss how you can best structure a trend-centric campaign, relative to your business and target audience.

Now obviously everyone here on wf knows Rachael Ray and Oprah are da bomb, but I'm sure that all the noobs using chitika don't. Giving away my campaign without asking first is retarded. Also, why the fuck are they featuring my campaign when they can only manage to send 200 clicks a day ?

Really shitty network overall, I'm gonna stay away from them from now on and I suggest you do the same.

nickycakes · 01-15-2009, 09:08 PM

shady.

Bofu2U · 01-15-2009, 09:12 PM

fuck them up dude.

Sohan · 01-15-2009, 09:12 PM

I smell damages!

alexb · 01-15-2009, 09:27 PM

What a load of shit.

Move your campaign to a more reputable network and put the word out about their shady tactics.

Caspah · 01-15-2009, 09:36 PM

Call them out and let them know you will let the affiliate marketing community know about their shady email. Maybe they will try to bribe you not to by apologizing and offering some free traffic.

...or get a lawyer, but probably not worth it.

airforcematt · 01-15-2009, 09:42 PM

Small claims court!

SilverFox · 01-15-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airforcematt

Small claims court!

Fuck that! I'm sure you could hit them with a freeze pop and have a real case.

jenzkc · 01-15-2009, 10:11 PM

chitika is shit anyways

AdHustler · 01-15-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airforcematt

Small claims court!

???? you definetly think small.

airforcematt · 01-15-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narsticle

???? you definetly think small.

I think quick and easy and done. I think handling things myself instead of paying some overpriced overdressed lawyer to do it for me.

Then again I've always been intrigued (and horrified) by our legal system and always though doing a small claims case would be "fun" - to each their own I guess.

scorch · 01-15-2009, 10:38 PM

could this have been avoided by double meta refresh or some other method?

nickycakes · 01-15-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorch

could this have been avoided by double meta refresh or some other method?

say no to drugs

airforcematt · 01-15-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickycakes

say no to drugs

Says the guy who's avatar looks really trippy

-Matt- · 01-15-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickycakes

say no to drugs

Unless they're free.

transistor · 01-15-2009, 10:57 PM

i've made 8 cents from chitika in 3 months

ROIShareTeam · 01-15-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorch

could this have been avoided by double meta refresh or some other method?

Deserves to be sig'ed.

audax · 01-16-2009, 12:44 AM

Review any terms you agreed to when you signed up with them. You may have agreed to this without knowing it.

Karnul · 01-16-2009, 04:02 AM

Launch a 'make monies' campaign and use that email as a testimonial for how badass you are.

Rage9 · 01-16-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audax

Review any terms you agreed to when you signed up with them. You may have agreed to this without knowing it.

Very well possible, but still ridiculousness. Who reads that fine print? I'm sure we are all secretly slaves to Bill Gates.

ricdes · 01-16-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigidawg

So I go and check my e-mail, and this subject grabs my attention....

man alex dude this is horrible and keeps me away from them for sure. They want some extra scans of my CC's and shit anyway bc i'm from europe, wtf...

At least they didnt mention your whole name, that'd be even shittier. lets keep our eyes posted for the first "how to make $100.000 in 2 days with rachael ray" ebook on DP

Maitiú · 01-16-2009, 05:06 AM

This is crazy, you should really go for their nutsack with this - just not acceptable practice for a company do it without prior agreement!

Drake · 01-16-2009, 11:50 AM

I had an inhouse affiliate manager do this to me. All the new affiliates had sites similar to mine, with colors similar to mine, and domains similar to mine. He was suggesting new affiliates look at my site.

Umm fuck off already. I just trying to make a dollar.

Sloan@Chitika · 01-16-2009, 05:05 PM

Hi Alex,

Liz Sloan here from Chitika. Glad to hear your read our latest case study, but oops….the "Alex" we featured isn't you….Trust me, we checked. =D

With over 500 advertisers in our network, and more than a dozen Alex's, this is kinda understandable, and we will careful to include last names in all future testimonials. However, one thing we can’t understand this identity mix-up...doesn't add up...You see:

Out of the multiple advertisers registered with the first name Alex, we only have a few with diet-related campaigns, and out of this few, only one Alex—our featured advertiser Alex —meet the criteria at hand: 1.) a keyword-targeted campaign. 2.) campaign targeted to the keywords featured in the case study; including ‘Rachael Ray’, ‘acai berry’, and ‘wu yi’. And it’s definitely not you.

Again...we checked.

Per Chitika’s strictly-enforced PR policy, we will only promote, or make reference to, an advertiser from our network if we have full, written permission from said advertiser—MEANING….we would not, and have not, everrrr used the first name, last name, full name, campaign information, stats, etc. of any advertiser without asking first. So again, definitely not you.

Take care Alex! Cheers.
- Liz

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigidawg

So I go and check my e-mail, and this subject grabs my attention.
"Rachael Ray helps Chitika advertiser get more clicks. Learn how."
Being curious by nature, I click. Turns out Chitika decided to do a case study on a publisher, me, without asking for permission. They even use my first name throughout the e-mail. Here's the e-mail that got sent out:
Now obviously everyone here on wf knows Rachael Ray and Oprah are da bomb, but I'm sure that all the noobs using chitika don't. Giving away my campaign without asking first is retarded. Also, why the fuck are they featuring my campaign when they can only manage to send 200 clicks a day ?

Really shitty network overall, I'm gonna stay away from them from now on and I suggest you do the same.

Garrett · 01-16-2009, 05:09 PM

Oh snap!

nachoninja · 01-16-2009, 05:13 PM

1st post ownage by sloan

Volume10 · 01-16-2009, 05:19 PM

hold up while I get the popcorn - anyone want some?

ChrisS · 01-16-2009, 06:39 PM

Haha this thread rocks.

kblessinggr · 01-16-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volume10

hold up while I get the popcorn - anyone want some?

I already had some Pour-on Movie Theatre butter popcorn ready... (tosses you a bowl). Yo someone those up that early Michael Jackson animation of him eating popcorn.

sumitdhawan09 · 01-16-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigidawg

Also, why the fuck are they featuring my campaign when they can only manage to send 200 clicks a day ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloan@Chitika

And it’s definitely not you.

Hello friend,

It look like it just a case of mistaken egocentric.

Good luck bro

amateursurgeon · 01-16-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumitdhawan09

Hello friend,

It look like it just a case of mistaken egocentric.

Good luck bro

Does Laskhmi not have anything to say about this matter? Or should he invoke Kali on their asses?

sumitdhawan09 · 01-16-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amateursurgeon

Does Laskhmi not have anything to say about this matter? Or should he invoke Kali on their asses?

Hello friend,

They do but I think I no say. I more recently learn America residents no like talk of religion in public forum. And I see this a forum open to public. Now only talk about hindu gods when other show interest to begin disscusion.

Good luck bros.

kblessinggr · 01-16-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumitdhawan09

Hello friend,

They do but I think I no say. I more recently learn America residents no like talk of religion in public forum. And I see this a forum open to public. Now only talk about hindu gods when other show interest to begin disscusion.

Good luck bros.

I think the problem is, when you included it on EVERY - SINGLE - POST.

turbolapp · 01-16-2009, 07:39 PM

He's damned if he prays to Vishnu for you.
He's damned if he doesn't pray to Vishnu for you.

Damned Hindus.

gigidawg · 01-16-2009, 07:41 PM

+rep to the chitika rep for replying. she is indeed right, i don't target rachael ray as a kw, and i acted too quickly in posting after i read the e-mail. morale of the story: don't smoke weed.

Kair0s · 01-16-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumitdhawan09

Hello friend,

They do but I think I no say. I more recently learn America residents no like talk of religion in public forum. And I see this a forum open to public. Now only talk about hindu gods when other show interest to begin disscusion.

Good luck bros.

Lol.

I hereby show interest to begin discussion. Let's hear what they have to say.

nickycakes · 01-16-2009, 09:32 PM

Chitika vindicated!

intermanic · 01-17-2009, 02:32 AM

apparently all the other noobs know to target rachael, just remember to double secret meta refresh to keep chitika from snarfing other plum keywords like perricone.

machinecontrol · 01-17-2009, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kair0s

Lol.

I hereby show interest to begin discussion. Let's hear what they have to say.

Seconded.

volknet · 01-17-2009, 03:28 AM

I guess the irony about this is that the only one who really outted your campaign was you. Hahahaha.

I am impressed that they replied here though for sure.

allco · 01-17-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloan@Chitika

Hi Alex,

Liz Sloan here from Chitika. Glad to hear your read our latest case study, but oops….the "Alex" we featured isn't you….Trust me, we checked. =D

.......................

Take care Alex! Cheers.
- Liz

OK, OK -- Devils Advocate

-- can Liz Sloan email Alex (the original poster of this thread) with the link to the other Alex's website - to solidify the proof that you weren't refering to his website and biz model ?

You know the old saying, "When someone says "Trust Me" - red flag it, 'cause talk is cheap"

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigidawg

morale of the story: don't smoke weed.

Good advice - leads to paranoia for some

/....shoot no popcorn

Karnul · 01-17-2009, 02:23 PM

Pretty damn impressive Chitika!

I wanna know, does Chitika use a monitoring service for alerts when their name has been discussed? Or does Chitika read WF regularly?

majorbta · 01-17-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karnul

Pretty damn impressive Chitika!

I wanna know, does Chitika use a monitoring service for alerts when their name has been discussed? Or does Chitika read WF regularly?

someone on here probably has a rep there

barman · 01-17-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volknet

I guess the irony about this is that the only one who really outted your campaign was you. Hahahaha.

I am impressed that they replied here though for sure.

Exactly... "I outed my campaign to a forum full of advertisers"

Fatbat · 01-17-2009, 04:42 PM

Smoke weed everyday!

m0rtal · 01-17-2009, 04:58 PM

This thread delivers. A++ would read again.

01-15-2009, 09:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
nickycakes Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sin City Posts: 3,187 iTrader: 2 / 100%	shady. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ OFFICIAL WICKEDFIRE CENSOR Nickycakes.com: Reformed Blackhat Nickycakes' Newbie Guide #cakes irc.freenode.net

01-15-2009, 09:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bofu2U Automation Specialist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baltimore, Murdaland Posts: 8,292 iTrader: 78 / 100%	fuck them up dude. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Read This About The Penguin Update Contempt / Business Caffeine

01-15-2009, 09:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sohan I'm a 'libtard' Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,657 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I smell damages! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ .

01-15-2009, 09:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Caspah Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 347 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Call them out and let them know you will let the affiliate marketing community know about their shady email. Maybe they will try to bribe you not to by apologizing and offering some free traffic. ...or get a lawyer, but probably not worth it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-15-2009, 09:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
airforcematt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,331 iTrader: 186 / 100%	Small claims court! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ PureSeo - launching soon! Overdelivery Comes Standard™

01-15-2009, 10:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
jenzkc Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,947 iTrader: 6 / 100%	chitika is shit anyways Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-15-2009, 10:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
scorch Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 91 iTrader: 0 / 0%	could this have been avoided by double meta refresh or some other method? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-15-2009, 10:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
transistor Ron Paul 2012 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 663 iTrader: 3 / 100%	i've made 8 cents from chitika in 3 months Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-16-2009, 12:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
audax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 810 iTrader: 14 / 100%	Review any terms you agreed to when you signed up with them. You may have agreed to this without knowing it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-16-2009, 04:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
Karnul Lurker Since 2006 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 467 iTrader: 4 / 100%	Launch a 'make monies' campaign and use that email as a testimonial for how badass you are. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-16-2009, 05:06 AM	#22 (permalink)
Maitiú + Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 312 iTrader: 17 / 100%	This is crazy, you should really go for their nutsack with this - just not acceptable practice for a company do it without prior agreement! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Your bad vibe will drive away your tribe

01-16-2009, 11:50 AM	#23 (permalink)
Drake Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,268 iTrader: 21 / 100%	I had an inhouse affiliate manager do this to me. All the new affiliates had sites similar to mine, with colors similar to mine, and domains similar to mine. He was suggesting new affiliates look at my site. Umm fuck off already. I just trying to make a dollar. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-16-2009, 05:13 PM	#26 (permalink)
nachoninja Love the dog Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fleshlightville Posts: 4,065 iTrader: 2 / 100%	1st post ownage by sloan Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Copeac Affiliate Network + Liquid Web VPS = $$$$$

01-16-2009, 05:19 PM	#27 (permalink)
Volume10 I love midgets. Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,204 iTrader: 14 / 100%	hold up while I get the popcorn - anyone want some? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ WAT?....... PPCpimps.com....... that's WAT!

01-16-2009, 06:39 PM	#28 (permalink)
ChrisS Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,274 iTrader: 8 / 100%	Haha this thread rocks. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ "The courageous spirit of a single man can inspire to victory an army of thousands" – Chuang-tse

01-16-2009, 07:39 PM	#34 (permalink)
turbolapp Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TexASS Posts: 8,335 iTrader: 7 / 100%	He's damned if he prays to Vishnu for you. He's damned if he doesn't pray to Vishnu for you. Damned Hindus. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Workflowy Best Free Organizational App. Period.

01-16-2009, 07:41 PM	#35 (permalink)
gigidawg Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: canadia Posts: 17 iTrader: 5 / 100%	+rep to the chitika rep for replying. she is indeed right, i don't target rachael ray as a kw, and i acted too quickly in posting after i read the e-mail. morale of the story: don't smoke weed. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-16-2009, 09:32 PM	#37 (permalink)
nickycakes Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sin City Posts: 3,187 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Chitika vindicated! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ OFFICIAL WICKEDFIRE CENSOR Nickycakes.com: Reformed Blackhat Nickycakes' Newbie Guide #cakes irc.freenode.net

01-17-2009, 02:32 AM	#38 (permalink)
intermanic X Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 74 iTrader: 0 / 0%	apparently all the other noobs know to target rachael, just remember to double secret meta refresh to keep chitika from snarfing other plum keywords like perricone. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-17-2009, 03:28 AM	#40 (permalink)
volknet Jonathan Volk Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 633 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I guess the irony about this is that the only one who really outted your campaign was you. Hahahaha. I am impressed that they replied here though for sure. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________

01-17-2009, 02:23 PM	#42 (permalink)
Karnul Lurker Since 2006 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 467 iTrader: 4 / 100%	Pretty damn impressive Chitika! I wanna know, does Chitika use a monitoring service for alerts when their name has been discussed? Or does Chitika read WF regularly? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-17-2009, 04:42 PM	#45 (permalink)
Fatbat Advertise Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Costa del Sol, Spain Posts: 4,091 iTrader: 3 / 100%	Smoke weed everyday! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-17-2009, 04:58 PM	#46 (permalink)
m0rtal King of the Jungle Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,497 iTrader: 40 / 100%	This thread delivers. A++ would read again. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Get an Orcasm -> High PR & High DA / PA Blog Posts

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