It seems like everyday a new affiliate network is popping up promising the same things as every other network or promising something that other networks don’t have (example: net 10 payments, exclusive offers, industry high rates, blah, blah). They try to advertise in affiliate forums such as Digital Point and effectively gain new publishers. Someone who has been in this industry as long as I have can easily pick out the scam networks from the trustworthy ones, but unfortunately all of the n00bs in the DP forums cannot. So I thought I would try to discuss some things that can help you pick out the good networks from the bad ones.

One thing to realize is that most of the new scam affiliate networks use already made scripts such as Direct Track. This is not to say that all Direct Track networks are scams, because there are so many out there who use this script that are my favorites, such as CPA Storm. The truth is that this script is not hard to buy and set up, which is why so many networks use it. An average Joe can set this script up today and start making money tomorrow, which is why it’s so easy to scam unsuspecting publishers. Make sure you pay special attention to the new affiliates who use this script and have no credibility.

Another way that I pick out the scam networks from the good ones is just common sense. If an affiliate network’s design is ugly and plain, I would stay away from that network. I’m a very shallow person when it comes to looks so to attract me you better have a top notch design.

If an affiliate manager or the network president introduces themselves to you unprofessionally, I would stay away from that network. By unprofessionally I mean if they “tlk 2 u lik dis den u btr stay away ya dig?”

If you do a google search of the network and nothing comes up or bad reviews come up, I would stay away from that network. If no reviews come up then stay away until you start seeing some reviews or some proofs of payment sent to real people.

If there is no phone support or reliable online support, I would stay away from that network. This is one of my biggest pet peeves about affiliate networks, they better have top notch and available support. I like to know that if there ever is any type of problem that I can get in touch with the network as soon as possible.

Now if you find a new affiliate network and everything I said doesn’t apply to them but you are dead on about using them, then I would suggest that you start off slow and bring in a few leads to see if the affiliate network pays. If they pay then gradually start bringing in more and more leads until a trust factor is made. I know it can sometimes be hard to hold back putting up all of the campaigns or taking them down when it seems like they will in fact pay you, but I promise you that you will one day thank me for this advice.

Remember, just because an affiliate network pays you for the first couple of months it doesn’t mean they will pay you for the next. A lot of affiliate networks will pay their publishers in the beginning to establish that trust, then once the publisher brings in more leads they will suddenly disappear. That is why I suggest you gradually increase your leads instead of piling them on every month. Start by bringing in $100, then $200, then $400, etc. until you can really trust the affiliate.