If you haven’t heard, the eBay Partner Network (EPN) is moving affiliates over from their current commission based system to something called Quality Click Pricing (QPC) from 1 October 2009. Their announcement in September was a surprise to most and old news to others, as EPN had been beta-testing with selected affiliates (read: high-volume affiliates), giving us “newbies” ample time to figure out how this new (read: no-one except EPN knows how it works) system works so we can prepare for the impending doom (insert healthy doses of sarcasm here). And if you’re a eBay Motors affiliate, you’re really out of luck.

Obviously there has been much talk about this, both in the Phpbay Pro forums (users only) as well as the EPN forums. And whilst the “pinks” (EPN staff) have been especially helpful (another dose of sarcasm would be appropriate here), there still remains some confusion over how it all works. So, that begs the question, how does this all work? I’ll be honest here and tell you – I’m not exactly sure - however, I can speculate from reading many threads and posts from other members that quantity over quaility is best, quite contrary to the name which EPN has given to their new “system” (Derren Brown would be proud). It seems one of the things coming in from EPN affiliates is that you need to make up the shortfall in EPN earnings with enormous amounts of clicks as opposed to more quaility traffic.

I have however, waded through all the FUD and have the following tips (disclaimer: these may not work for you and it may change after October once EPN get their act together):

- some affiliates are grouping smaller campaigns into one bigger campaign, enhancing the higher click amount paid over multiple campaigns;

- try and get users to take action immediately after clicking the auction link, as according to eBay this is what determines “quality” traffic;

- don’t get ACRU’s (it appears that click earnings tank after this);

- “thick” (i.e. content-rich) affiliate sites may not be worth it over “thin” affiliate sites that generate lots of clicks; and

- low ticket items are preferable, as people click-and-buy these far more often than big-ticket items.

That being said, some affiliates are looking elsewhere, as pay-per-click programmes are not uncommon and some are reporting better earnings per click than EPN under the “enhanced” system. Some have recommended Chitika. With October approaching fast, it’s a good time to start thinking about it.
What are your thoughts? How are your earnings doing?

Related posts:

1. EPN RIP – 1 October 2009
2. Updates
3. Breaking even with EPN and PPC