Who actually clicks on the garbage affiliate links? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

Post edited 1:45 pm – March 2, 2012 by Epicfinances

@ Suba – I will begin my process of contacting people via privately to find my answer.

I thought in this forum, monetization of a website was fair game. I apologize for over-stepping about questions for affiliate links.

Once again, my apologies.

oops. Sorry. (I also don't remember exactly what my response was…). Sorry again but nice to know there's someone monitoring to make sure everyone is protected. Newbie mistake.)

Epicfinances said:

I look at dozens of financial blogs daily, and I always wonder — who exactly is clicking these crappy affiliate promotions.

You know the ones, Mortgage Refinancing, Debt consolidation, Buy Gold, etc.

What audience actually converts into a lead for these ads? If your website is generating 10,000 unique visitors a week, I just find it near impossible to think that even .1% of your viewers are actually producing revenue for you on these links.

I suppose I am looking for answers/clarity/experiences and any advise when it comes to generating revenue on your blog.

It's not impossible at all.

Some of the traffic that arrives on a page of your site is already pre-screened for the content of the page.  Visitors don't arrive randomly.  They arrive because a search engine made the algorithmic judgment that your page was what they were looking for.  They're targeted traffic.  So, some will click on your link, especially if you warm them up as to why they need to visit the site.

FKOnline said:

I would think that most 'regular' personal finance readers simply ignore any and all ads. The desperate, or undereducated, click on just about anything that flashes at them promising an easy fix to whatever problems or issues they have. This isn't a dig at anyone that needs helps; just reality.

Want proof? Go over to infobarrel, or any other article directory type site, and check out the forums for people that are making money there. Articles with content about 'how can I find someone to pay my rent' [just an exmaple; that may not really exist] and related questions get TONS of views and clicks.

I've dealt with people who need someone to pay their rent — people who have called me on the phone about needing someone to pay their rent.  It's a humiliating experience, and usually they arrived at us (a church) after getting ignored by several other people.

These people aren't uneducated.  They've run on rough times.  They may be desperate, for good reason.

If articles get a lot of clicks, it's because there's a large need out there.  Some of the products might actually give good instruction.

There isn't a thing wrong with selling to this kind of market.

Just to clarify…I wrote undereducated…not uneducated….In my opinion, that is a HUGE distinction since I, obviously, do not know anyone personally.

My point was that when people do not know the answers to questions that they desperately need answers to, they will click on just about anything (to answer the OP's question)…