Commission Junction has backed away from a plan to turn off all HTNL links on its affiliate web sites and replace them with Javascript links. The change was apparently an effort to police affiliates more closely, as the Javascript links would give CJ the option of "turing off" an affiliate if an advertiser had second thoughts about the relationship. The move sparked a strong reaction from many affiliates, some of whom started a petition drive opposing the change, which quickly gained more than 180 signatories.
Tonight Commission Junction informed affiliates that it was delaying the expiration of HTML links. While the new Javascript system will become available June 23 as planned, pre-existing HTML links on affiliate sites will continue working into at least early 2007.
"At this time we have not scheduled a date for which the Legacy links will no longer be available or supported," Commission Junction said. "We will notify you at least six months in advance of making this change and will not require the change during the 2006 holiday season.
"We are confident that the features delivered with the LMI (Link Management Initiative) will provide long-term opportunity and success for your program. We recommend taking the additional time provided to understand the changes and continue to build sustainable relationships in the CJ Marketplace."
Are the protesting affiliates appeased? Not entirely, but the issue may be viewed differentlky once affiliates have had a chance to test-drive the Javscript links.