This is a common question on the Internet now days. Why? Because the search engines are continually changing there algorithms and the listings of some top-listed sites drop down so far that they could be in the Google Trash Can. Changes can elevate or lower the ratings of sites faster than a blue racer snake can grab a mouse.

That is not the only problem. Affiliate marketing depends somewhat on cookies. Antivirus software companies are changing the way they do things and many are now wiping out cookies faster than you can say Jack Sprat could eat no fat.

There is so much low quality crap stored on web sites that the search engines are dumping it from their listings. Why? Because  what the Internet was all about back when it was organized in the 1969s was supplying quality information especially between companies, engineers and scientist. When you place keywords in the search box of your browser, what do you want? Do you want a bunch of crap or a sales pitch on some undesired product or do you want an answer to your search question, quality information that you can use?

The antivirus software companies are trying to remove all the clutter from your computer that slows it down or even stops it dead in its tracks.

The listings from article sites have suffered. The search engines not only look at the content of an article but they follow the links. Those links had better lead to quality relevant content. They had better not lead to some pitch page promoting some unwanted or irrelevant product. The link page may have affiliate link without a sales pitch. Let the vendor do your selling. You are in the Information Business.

So what about the c00kie elimination problem. Some affiliate marketers stick to cost per action items (PPA). Cookies are less important to them. Either the reader takes up the offer by performing the action or he or she does not. Amazon affiliates and others that depend on cookies are in the barrel but many companies are limiting the duration of cookies anyway.

One way to get things going as an affiliate marketer is to use a listing site to gather email addresses for you. Then you can stay in contact with your contacts as well as your customers. I use Aweber as do many others in the business.

Not too long ago Carson and Kyle created a new article site where you are required to do things right for the search engines. This assures that you will get better ratings for your article if they have good content and the links go to more good content. The site is StreetArticles.com.

If you are “dead in the water” as far as affiliate marketing goes, then you must change your thinking. This business is always a learning experience and those that have the know-how will succeed. But the market is still there. People are still whipping out there credit cards to buy online. They trust the Internet because they use it all the time. So the opportunity will always be there.

Go for it!

John