eBay will no longer support affiliate traffic from tier-2 paid search, ad networks, and sub-affiliates. The eBay Partner Network will continue to allow publishers to source traffic to their own websites via those methods but are not allowing direct promotion of eBay through those models.

eBay is banning those methods because, it said, "the quality of buyer traffic these business models have sent to eBay historically has not matched the high standards set by the rest of our affiliates." Any arrangement where publishers distribute their earnings from eBay Partner Network to other publishers is considered a sub-affiliate model and is disallowed. eBay said, "Like ad networks, this has been a model that required special permission until now but will no longer be allowed in eBay Partner Network."

Big Crumbs and similar companies are not directly affected by the change as they are considered a "Loyalty/Incentive model." However, while affiliates may send traffic to their website from Twitter, they may not send them directly to eBay as it is considered a "special promotional method."

eBay is asking affiliates who use one of the prohibited models to stop using them by July 1, 2009.

eBay also asked affiliates to link their eBay.com account with their eBay Partner Network account in order for them to better communicate and because it may run occasional ePN promotions for eBay PowerSellers.

eBay recently announced that the eBay Partner Network is working with PartnerCentric, an internet marketing agency, to extend the support it provides to U.S. affiliates and to recruit new affiliates. The partnership builds on the relationship eBay Partner Network established with ROEye in the UK last year, according to the company. "Affiliates in the UK have appreciated the increased direct interaction from ROEye and we're looking to replicate that success with PartnerCentric in the US." In addition, PartnerCentric share their expertise through posts on the ePN blog.

https://ebaypartnernetwork.com