Google Cash Detective sells out in record time…
I’ve been testing Google Cash Detective. Chris Carpenter graciously let me install it and see how it works.
Basically, it looks for Google Adwords ads that are run continuously over a long period for any keywords you give it. The software can detect which ads are affiliate ads because they will be running direct affiliate links to the merchant. When an ad is running continuously and pointing direct to a merchant, it’s reasonable to expect that the ad is profitable. Armed with that information, you could replicate the ad and bid slightly higher thereby “bumping” the previous affiliate down a slot (or kicking them off altogether if Google applies their “one ad per affiliate link” rule). You would thereby usurp the previous affiliate and their profits.
It sounds good in theory… a very smart system. But Michael Campbell voiced his reservations… “The author doesn’t seem to be aware that ads – at least in my country – are copyright. In addition, many of them contain trademarks, servicemarks, slogans, brand names and other forms of ownership in the words and phrases.
Most companies record all their online activities. If an identical ad suddenly appears there could be legal action. It’s also a potential liability risk for all parties involved.
What the author is telling me to do – in my opinion – is ethically and morally wrong. And it breaks at least two of God’s 10 Commandments.
It’s sad really, because otherwise it’s a decent product. If they had gone about promoting it a different way, I might have got behind it. But not this way. I’m taking the high road and steering far away from this nonsense.”
Wow. Strong stuff from Michael. Rarely does he get so vocal about a product.
It didn’t stop an avalanche of people buying Google Cash Detective as soon as it launched. In fact, they sold out almost immediately.
Of course, there’s copycat software on the way. I’ve heard of at least one marketer referring to Google Cash Detective and his version which will be available soon.
It must be very worrying for Adwords advertisers who are linking directly to products/services via affiliate links…
June 6th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Neil, great post!
But it only detects direct affiliate links? When I use Adwords, I link back to my own sites and use htaccess to redirect to the merchant site. Would this system pick that up as well?
June 7th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Hi Mike,
It only detects recognized affiliate URLs such as clickbank redirect, commission junction links, amazon links etc. It wouldn’t recognize a link to your site as an affiliate link. That’s my understanding of it.
Neil.
June 10th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Hi Neil,
Like Mike’s Money Tips stated, I too think it was a great post regarding GoogleCashDetective.
I watched the roll out of Chris’s new product & was quite impressed with all the tracking features however, I would have to side with Michael Campbell…
Is it really ethical?
Gary
June 12th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Hi Gary,
Well Michael’s strong views did surprise me somewhat. After all, there’s a fine line between modelling success and directly copying it. You could do manually, with a spreadsheet, what GCD does… check which ads are running for specific keywords over time and then, when you see the ad is “successful”, model it for your won purposes. I don’t see that the automation of such a process makes it any better or worse. It’s the direct copying which causes the problems… ethical and legal.
Notice how Michael said he may have got behind the product if it were promoted differently though…
Neil.