Today, we at Critical Interpretations learned that 80,000 California Amazon Associates had their accounts suspended due to upcoming tax changes in that state. There goes a lot of revenue! Lost to Associates, California, Amazon, and like some have pointed out – the IRS too! That’s going to be a tough one for so many Associates who make their living from Amazon! I personally, plan on boycotting Amazon. I read on the Associate’s blog that some are even considering moving out of state! While it might sound devastating at first, I’m sure the majority of Internet Marketers also have affiliate accounts with other large consortia, so that they will retool in a timely manner.
Next, I learned that Yahoo! PulseClose will officially discontinue Blogs, Photos and their Guestbook. There goes a lot of backlinks! Yahoo’s explanation was to make their service more relevant for the community. Hmm. I wonder what that means? Are people who have blogs, photos, and a guestbook part of the community? Anyway, as of this posting, members have until July 16, 2011 to download their profile and contents.
Meanwhile, Amazon Associates who did not meet their quota since their last commission payment will lose that revenue. Not very customer friendly – I say! As an Associate, if that happened to me, I would be quite disturbed. Sort of the feeling of being robbed – which exactly it is! Condolences to California Amazon Associates!
On the positive side, there are plenty more affiliate programs out there, which even pay higher commissions! Down side, Affiliate Marketers will have to learn how to build or find their own carousels and other neat marketing plug-ins. Here’s a place where you can begin to find new widgets and plugins by yCyclista v1.2.3.
This Critical Interpretations, Amazon Associate plans to boycott Amazon – both for personal and business use in solidarity with my California associates.
Written by Brenne Meirowitz, BA, MA, MS
© 2011 Brenne Meirowitz & Critical Interpretations. All Rights Reserved.
