Recently, I posted about how Commission Junction was introducing their new javascript link types on June 23rd, 2006. Across the blogosphere, webmasters have been getting ready to undertake a massive update to all of their websites showing CJ affiliate links. Many were grumbling about the fact that they would have to change over many - sometimes several hundred - links.
Thankfully, Commission Junction has seen fit to give ample time:
Commission Junction - everyone’s favorite affiliate system - has announced today that they will be updating all of their affiliate links to be javascript links, in the future. These links will display the same as the current link types, however they will be in javascript format, only.
This presents a couple of major problems. 1) Every person will have to modify each and every single CJ link they have. 2) Affiliate links/ads will not be visible to people who do not have Javascript.
First and foremost, it will be a time consuming, and annoying task to have to change over every single link code you use. I am set with several affiliates, and use multiple link types across fifty or more HTML and PHP pages. I will have to update each and every one by hand.
Secondly, viewers who do not use Javascript will not be able to see the ads.
There are some benefits, however. First and foremost, the Javscript links will auto-update if the image changes. Additionally, it will be a single link format across the system, and the new Javascript links will automatically be able to change with the times - i.e. they will be able to handle rich media, etc…
Secondly, they keep your search engine rank from being degraded by affiliate links (little known fact, affiliate links can degrade your search engine performance, somewhat. We’ll all notice a bit of a jump when it comes to SERPs, once these links are implemented).
Get ready, because they roll out Javascript links on June 23rd. Those of you who have partnered with advertisers prior to June 23rd, will still be able to use “legacy” links (the current style), for a limited time. Get ready to make some changes, folks.
More information, direct form the CJ FAQ, after the jump…
