TIP OF THE MONTH | JUNE 2009

Grouping Links by Promotion with Link Locator

LINK LOCATOR SUMMARY

Link Locator was developed to ensure that your links are even more accessible, by encouraging Advertisers throughout the LinkShare Network to create key standard image categories and populate them with current, relevant links.

How is this helpful to your Publisher partners? For example, if Publishers are looking for current "free shipping" offers, all they need to do is look within that category under the Links by Promotion heading on your Create Links page instead of searching your entire inventory of links. This will both save time and ensure that they will locate the links they need to drive sales to you.

CURRENT STANDARD CATEGORIES AND LINK LOCATOR CRITERIA

Below is the list of standard image categories - we encourage you to participate in as many as you can! Please be sure to only populate your new categories with links that fit the Link Locator criteria. This way, we can guarantee that Publishers will find the links they are looking for.

    Best Converting
  • Intended to highlight specific links (text, banner, individual products, etc.) that are performing best for your program.
  • Must be updated regularly so that Publishers are aware of the most current and effective links.

    • Logos
  • Must be company name and/or image.
  • It is preferable to provide various IAB standard sizes.

    • Free Shipping
  • Must be a promotion that offers free shipping to the consumer.
  • Must have an expiration date clearly stated in the Name/ID field so that the Publisher is able to view it.
  • It is recommended to have an expiration date also included within the link so that the consumer is able to view it.

    • Promotion/General
  • Intended for current promotions, specials, or deals for the consumer.
  • These promotions may include both ongoing and limited-time offers, but exclude free shipping or coupon based offers.

    • Coupons
  • Must include a code to be entered at checkout or automatically be calculated at checkout.
  • Must have an expiration date clearly stated in the Name/ID field so that the Publisher is able to view it.
  • It is recommended to have an expiration date also included within the link so that the consumer is able to view it.

    • Hot Products
  • Must be current top sellers on your site.
  • Must be limited to 10 items.
  • Must be individual product links or lead to a product page.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Create a new standard link category
    • Log into your Advertiser account.
    • In the Links/Merchandising area of the Navigation Panel (the first page you see when you log in), click "Link Categories". This shows you a list of all categories currently available for your use.
    • Click in a blank field.
    • Enter a standard category EXACTLY as it is written in the list above (ex: "Free Shipping" or "Promotion/General").
    • Click the Save Changes button.

  2. Populate the new category with new or existing links
    • Decide which new or existing links you plan to place in the new categories. (Please be sure that the links are consistent with the criteria listed above).
    • Click on that link type listed under the "Links / Merchandising" section.
    • Locate the links that you want to reassign or upload/create the new links.
    • Use the drop-down menu in the Category field to select one of the new standard categories (ex: "Logos") for these links.
    • Make sure that the links are assigned to all.
    • Click the Save Changes button.
REMINDER: Keep Publishers informed! Update all these standard categories frequently with fresh links!

For more information on Link Locator, please visit the Merchant Resource Center.


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