What is the Google affiliate network?

Google Affiliate Network connects advertisers and publishers who want to increase sales and drive leads through affiliate marketing.

I found it via search. I didn't know about this, anyone in? The description sounded like adsense and adwords together but it has this "Flexible commissions".

It also says this:

Performics was founded as the first full-service affiliate network in 1998 and was acquired by DoubleClick in 2004. Today Performics Affiliate operates as Google Affiliate Network and remains committed to delivering affiliate channel growth for advertisers and publishers.

I get nothing. Been it for months, see the traffic numbers and nothing ever converts compared to comparable programs so I don't even know if it even works at all at this point. Don't have time to mess with it now but will have to look at stopping it soon for myself.

Google Affiliate Network is somewhat similar to Commission Junction, Linkshare, etc. It has nothing to do with AdSense.

FarmBoy

It worked very well for me. But, later they never approved me to new system. And no one ever explained me why I was rejected when they moved to a new system. It appears that new system only approving US publishers. However, I have website that targets largely US based people. I'm using other programs such as CJ, Linkshare, Amazon etc.

I've tried both Google Affiliate Network as well as Commission junction and Amazon with very limited success compared to AdSense. I only display these ads on a very small part of my site and almost always below the fold.

The main issue is people have to do more than just click thru...they have to download or buy something. So, you'll get the clicks but then only a few of those will result in sales.

Right, it's affiliate marketing. And frankly, to my mind, it's a far inferior platform to other affiliate networks. Fer cripes sake, they don't even have *search* - you can't search for a specific offer or type of offer! I realize Google bought someone else's company, but wouldn't you think the first thing they'd put in would be a simple keyword search ?!?

Thanks folks, thats what I figured.

It appears that new system only approving US publishers.

That's not true: I'm approved and not in the US.

I'm however a bit disappointed in the offering they have, so I never used it.

Just to clarify, the Google Affiliate Network was formerly known as DoubleClick Performics Affiliate operations. It started in 1998 as the first full-service affiliate network, was acquired by DoubleClick in 2004, and joined the Google family with the DoubleClick acquisition in 2008.

It is a separate program from AdSense, but Google Affiliate Network is awesome if your site is a good fit.

But you guys are right that not every site is a good fit. This is from their publisher FAQs:

Is Google Affiliate Network right for me?

We encourage you to consider the Google Affiliate Network if you:

* Manage a site that attracts a desirable audience.
* Can test advertising offers and nurture the most productive relationships.
* Are an expert in driving and converting visitor traffic.
* Adhere strictly to Google Affiliate Network quality standards and advertiser policies.

In addition, we've found that Google Affiliate Network tends to yield greater benefits to publishers who create niche content, manage loyalty and rewards programs, aggregate coupons and promotions, or manage social media.

Here's the site where you can find more information. [google.com] And if you have other questions, I have some friends at the Google Affiliate Network who I'm happy to reach out to. :)

ASA

Tell them they need the ability to SEARCH for appropriate programs.

Amazon and Commission Junction work for me. Google Affiliate Network doesn't convert at all and I'm no longer using it.
Also I have noticed that it is very difficult to get accepted by merchants in the Google Affiliate Network. They seem to have a sort of "superiority feeling" and won't allow many sites to run their ads. A very stupid way of doing business in these times of economic crisis if you ask me since it's a pay per performance network.

I'm really interested in Google Affiliate Network. It offers few very nice products which matches my niche. It was converting well for me. I'm going to try registering again...

I like the backoffice, although it's sometimes very slow to load. Products are very few compared to Linkshare or CJ.

it could not apply successful now

"it could not apply successful now"

Don't worry about that. It isn't worth the effort.