Pixelrage.net

Consider this a huge warning to all eBay Partner Network affiliate marketers: this already ban-happy program is about to ax any affiliates using 302 directs (either intentionally, or un-knowingly with the help of custom URL cloaking/masking, analytics tracking, or any other method).

According to this official post from ePN on May 11th, eBay’s “gotta love to hate them” affiliate program is finding yet another method to roll some heads. If you’re too lazy to read the article, here are some Cliff Notes :)

• eBay Partner Network only permits 301 redirects, not 302 (temporary) redirects.
• Basically, a 302 page is like a “middleman” between your affiliate store and the eBay product page. ePN doesn’t like this.
• Anyone who still uses 302 redirects as of June 8, 2010 will be banned from eBay Partner Network.

That last bullet point was no joke…here’s a direct quote: “From June 8th 2010, we will treat this issue as an intentional breach of our terms and conditions and any affiliate exhibiting this behavior will be expired.” Yikes.

What to Do!

If you’re using Build A Niche Store, PHPBay or any other eBay affiliate add on or CMS, visit their message boards immediately. There’s no doubt that you’ll find a reference to the 302 issue in either the general forum or announcements forums of these sites. PHPBay has already issued a patch to absolve you. As for Build A Niche Store, you’ll have to tweak a little piece of code (as a registered member, simply find the thread for it on their forum).

Thanks to markowe from DigitalPoint for posting about this issue – if you hadn’t, I would probably have not noticed this latest ePN fiasco since I barely pay attention to the program anymore.