Rules and suggestions for all gptr owners!

[mrbike]

When we join all of the gptr programs there are rules that we have to follow if we want to remain a member of their programs. I think it is high time for the members to sound off in a forum to let the owners know what we want to see in our gptr programs. I propose a set of simple, easy to follow suggestions or rules that all gptr owners should follow.
1. Don't send out links without telling us what they are.
2. Make all of your pages easy to read. Make your text large enough to be easily read. Don't use a back ground color with one color and a lighter shade of the same color for the text.Remember, some of us are color blind, and have other sight problems. We may just pass up your program if we can't read the text for some reason.
3. Keep your payout as low as possible. Some of us have a hard time getting and keeping people in our downline! We are doing this for the money and may not have enough to advertize often.
4. If you are going to delete us from your program for not clicking your links after X number of days, make sure that you have sent at least one link out during that time that is not a search. SOME PEOPLE HATE SEARCHES! I don't care if it is a points only link just don't make it a search.
5. If you plan on only sending out searches, say so on your sign up page. I am joining your program to read, and maybe act on advertizements, not to search. If all I want to do is search, I can join one of the search engines. I know that advertizing is hard to find, and don't mind the occasional search, but not every link should be a search.
6. Do not send html emails. Some of us belong to many programs and don't have a lot of room in our inboxes. and others don't have the ability to read html emails.
7. List your payout amount on your sign up page. Don't make us look for the info. Also list the amount in your terms page, don't make us search for the thing.
8. Keep your emails short as possible and don't put more than 5 paying links in one email. If you have more than that, send a second email.
9. If your script has a timer, use it. If you don't have one, try to get one as soon as possible.
Thank you, your loyal members.

There may be other things that would be nice to have, but this is a start.

[Enchanted]

Ok, I am not a webmaster. But I thought of putting my 2 cents here since I am Partner of TKO.

1. Links without the value - good point. I will ask Richard
whether we could do this. I have read in several places that
members don't link to click without knowing how much the link
is worth.

2. Making pages easy to read - I agree. I hate to name any
program but I am having problems with soredtherose :(

3. Low payouts - hmmmm mixed feelings here. I personally
like low payout programs. Never join anything more than
$15 now. But don't know how webmasters will react to this.

4. Deleting members - I agree. I am from an asian country and
I dont click of ANY search link now because there are search
sites not paying webmasters for traffic they get from asian
countries. Anyway, most programs have paid to click sections.
This is one way of showing we are active.

5. Search links - agree 100%.

6. HTML emails are sent only if we tick on the ability to read
HTML isn't it?

7. Listing the payout in the "home" page - agree 100%.
Sometimes, the terms does not even say what the minimum
payout is but says "you will be paid when you reach the
minimum payout" and we have to check the questions or
faq's to find out the min payout.

8. Short emails - agree 100%. I simply hate never ending
multiple links! I click one or two and stop.

9. Timer - agree 100%.

[susiesue]

As Im starting my own paid to click program, Ive copied this to notepad as a good guide,
thanks you 2

[Enchanted]

Paid to click only hon? Or are you having paid to read too? I will join if the min payout is low and promote it too.

:) :)

[AloraLyric]

Originally posted by mrbike
7. List your payout amount on your sign up page. Don't make us look for the info. Also list the amount in your terms page, don't make us search for the thing.


My only comment.. lol.. is this one..

I do not have the payout listed on the signup page or the front page. Why? Well, if I did that no one would bother reading the terms! :)
It IS listed in the TOS, though.

[Enchanted]

Well, having the min payout in the front page helps. Otherwise, there are programs that says "low min payout" and in the TOS, you will find it is $100 or something lol. So if that is mentioned
in the front page, we need not bother going throught he TOS
"payments".

Sometimes, it is not even in the TOS but in the FAQ :)

I am guilty of this, I am one person who does not read the TOS.
I even joined a program that is not open for asians lol......
sheesh, no wonder most people think that asians are lousy
in English.

:)

[mrbike]

I didn't look at this page for awhile, as I assumed that I would be sent a notice when someone posted. I wish I would have known that wasn't the case. I think that there are some good ideas being stated here. One of the reasons that I posted my ideas here was that I was quite frustrated with some of the programs that I am in, and I thought that this was a way for me to vent my frustrations without "pointing fingers" at certain webmasters. I am a member of at least 30 programs that are active, and most of them are good programs. It frustrates me to click on a link that isn't labled, and to find out that I have to do a search for X points, or click on a paid search link only to find out that I'm making a search for 1/10th of a cent. My comment about putting the value up on a link with the description of the link was for this very reason, especially with the relatively new scripts that take you right to the site with the timer on the top of the page. I will do the occasional search, but the value of the search has to be at least 1/2 cent, and usually I don't do them for less than 1 cent. I wonder if others feel the same way.

[nickiedog]

If you have searches on your site, how about posting or sending to members the correct way to search. Like how long you need to leave the search window open. I for one did not know that the search page needed to fully load and stay open for a certain period of time for the person I am doing the search for to get credit, until I read it on a site. Just a thought

Have a great day and be safe.

[CyberEarth]

I dislike doing searches for GPT programs. Sorry for the list, but it's the best way to organize it.

#1) Most search engines have rules against incentivized searches (meaning you coerce people into searching for you). Paying for a search, or saying that you will give any kind of bonus to a user that searches is incentivized. This lowers the value of searches for true webmasters that would like the extra income.

#2) Other than clicking on the link to their search engine, most GPT places don't know if you actually did a search, or just loaded the search page. The search engine of course knows, but the referral site doesn't (unless they manually compare IP addresses).

#3) Most search engines that pay money to webmasters don't have a large database of search inquiries. Take for example, recent news events unfolding in Iraq. If you searched for Iraq or News From Iraq, most search engines would return nothing, whereas a major search engines (such as Yahoo, Google, or AltaVista) would return lots of data. It's this difference that makes pay per click engines less inviting to users. Webmasters just want the high-value clicks (see direct links or "suggested links"), and users want stuff people actually search for, which advertisers generally don't pay for.

#4) Most foreign countries (and by foreign I mean outside the US) are excluding from making the webmaster money. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, it protects that advertisers that pay the search engine, and on the other, it diminishes the webmaster's income. Someone outside the US might just be looking for that Widget, but a webmaster wouldn't get credit. The advertiser still sells his widget, the search engine still makes his comission, but the webmaster doesn't get paid.

These are my thoughts on the search engine thing. I don't support GPT programs using them, unless they are 100% voluntary. If I see a website on a traffic exchange with a search engine, I almost always search for something I need on the internet. I think a little extra cash in the hands of a webmaster is worth 10 seconds of my time and exposure to an ad. GPT programs using them just aren't right. It's a source of income designed for webmasters, not incentivized owners.

[mrbike]

Very good idea about posting the rules for the search in the email. Some sites just want you to let the search result fully load, and others want you to wait for 15 seconds or so after the site fully loads. I don't have a problem with either rule, but let us know the rule before we go to the site. I have a dial up modem, and sometimes it takes forever for the site to load. I know, I know, that is my problem, but if I have to wait for a minute or so for the site to load, isn't that enough? I mean, if I am truely interested in the search result, isn't a minute enough for me to find out. I also had another idea. I wish that webmasters would write a sample "killer" ad for us to advertize their site. That would sure help those of us that don't have much experience in writing ads when we do have the funds to advertize their site!

[crazydiana]

i agree with the sample add
on of my 3 favorite progrmas has 3 sample ads in different sizes.

as for searches I have spent countless hrs removing strange toolbar addins that have inserted themself on my computer from a search enginge. i finally formatted and started over to get rid of them and then found an update at microsoft that let me change my active controls such that i t wouldn't happen again. I write the webmaster of anysight that uses such a search and if they don't remove or at least mark it i quit.
When i build my place (working on template now) I hope to m ake the only search a charity benefit not to my pocket.

I think this thread is a great idea i have posted on other forum and asked but got no response or had my thread moved to chitchat.

OH mrbike if you want the thread to notify you when there is a responce there is a place in hte thread to subcribe to it. that way you don't get emails all over everytime you post a repoy to something

[mrbike]

I haven't had any problems with search sites putting stuff on my computer that I didn't want, but then I own a Mac, and most sites cater to windows units, and set up their sites for those computers. BTW I just checked my preferences on this forum and I do have the box checked that is supposed to notify me if there is an update...maybe it doesn't work if you start the Thread? I have also found another issue that bothers me. There are some sites out there that make you physically log in to the site every 30 days or they will delete you!! @#$%@#$% I think that is very unfair. If I am a clickin" on your links, I should be considered an active member, and not have to log into your site every 30 days!! I know from experience that I can't make your payout amount in 30 days, and don't have any reason to log in. I know, I know, some of you are going to say, don't you go to the paid to click section on the web site. Well, I do when I have the time, and I am caught up on my emails. I also look for sites that have some clicks for cash, and not just points. I wish that some of the owners of the sites would get involved with this thread, it might bring a fresh view of the issues that we are discussing.

[nadiaasoma]

I was a member for 2 days and than they deleted me.
at least I don't get the emails anymore that tell me to login
ones a month!

I thougt I had a month to do that. lol.

Well good riddens

Those are exelent rules mrbike, it's the first time I read this thread
I agree on all of them.

I make exeptions on my own rules to figur out things.
There is one program where I try to click all the links, and they have no timer or incentives pointed out.
I do that to see if I get more earnings that way.
It's an Ironsides-program with a 50% first tier and he want to
keep it 50%. It surtenly isn't a rational methode I use.
When I started this I had a gold-memberad every month and
with this system it would get the same hits as the others.
But he took the gm-ads away and I started to make only one search a day as with the other programs.

I like what Lwong is doing, he sends short mails without all
the non-essential information and he stopped sending non-paid ads. It doesn't take much time to read them.
Some programs send such long emails with their advertising and all.
I don't read it I look for the paid links!

I have a problem with some of the new programs, when I join and they send a conformationlink I can't click it.
Maybe they send it in html and my adres doesn't support that, I don't know.

Marian

[Jaikula]

Originally posted by CyberEarth
#1) Most search engines have rules against incentivized searches (meaning you coerce people into searching for you). Paying for a search, or saying that you will give any kind of bonus to a user that searches is incentivized. This lowers the value of searches for true webmasters that would like the extra income.



Actually, you can search your search link out for people to search at even with a value attached. As long as you are NOT forcing people to do a search. IE: If you click the search link you therefore MUST do a search. That is incentive. If you just send it out and people chose to do a search or not, that isnt, you arent forcing them to do it.

[mrbike]

Marian, some of the newer sites are sending out their confirmation emails in html. I sure wish that they wouldn't do that, even though I don't have a problem with their mails. I, too like Ironsides programs, but I wish that he would put in his emails what he is paying for the searches. I might be more inclined to do them if he did. His programs are the best even if he doesn't have a timer. I even have a down line of over 100 in one of his programs! Eight on my first level, and 4 of those were "gifts" from him for signing up for certain programs under him. On a different note, and on a completely different webmaster, I just learned something else in the last two days, there is one web owner out there that will not pay you for your down line unless you click on at least two of the three search links that he sends in every email. Not fair at all!! Thank goodness I don't have a downline in his programs. Although in his defence, he did pay me today from one of his sites. Granted it was only 50 cents, but when you don't have a down line, even that small amount takes awhile to earn!!

[nadiaasoma]

I don't know that program, you should post it.
I will not join than.
And perhaps he reads it and is willing to discuss it.
I wonder what Jaikula thinks of that, its kind of forcing to
search.

Marian

[Poncer]

Webmasters need to speak clear English. I know one that I am having troubles understanding, and he sounds like he speaks Spanish, or from a Latin American country or something.

[mrbike]

Good point, something that I hadn't considered. I belong to a couple of sites where the owner has trouble with english. Sometimes I have to read the email 2 or three times to get the owner's point.

[Enchanted]

Originally posted by Poncer
Webmasters need to speak clear English. I know one that I am having troubles understanding, and he sounds like he speaks Spanish, or from a Latin American country or something.

And if they do not know "clear" English, they are not supposed to be program owners? Poncer, for some of us "English" is not the first language. Remember that.

[NetDough]

Yes but for a lot of members too english is not 'clear' and they get penalized for it with some paid to reads.

[Poncer]

Lol. imagine what would happened if the webmasters not so clear with English gives out an English test. Look how many English, and non-English members click on those links?

[nadiaasoma]

They do!
They send links with the message: if you click this link you will be deleted!

Sometimes, I can't understand what they are saying, and I want
to understand. lol.
It takes to much time.

Marian

[Enchanted]

Originally posted by NetDough
Yes but for a lot of members too english is not 'clear' and they get penalized for it with some paid to reads.


I don't consider this as being "penalized". Actually, members are PAID to read. So they should be able to understand what they read. No one needs to be fluent in the English language to be able to read 90% of the advertisements. Webmasters IMO are trying to "kill two birds with one stone" in this case. Members who can read do not "pay attention". What is the point of paying members to READ, when all they do is scroll down and click on the link? If advertisers are not happy with the results they get by advertising in a program, it means they will not bother advertising with that site anymore. No advertisers = no paid mails, no paid mails = no program.

[Enchanted]

Originally posted by Poncer
Lol. imagine what would happened if the webmasters not so clear with English gives out an English test. Look how many English, and non-English members click on those links?

I think anyone can put together a simple line such as: "if you DO understand English, DO NOT click here." I don't think webmasters who are not "clear with English" will do something like this. If I get an english test that I don't understand, I will not click the link at all lol.

[nadiaasoma]

Originally posted by Poncer
Lol. imagine what would happened if the webmasters not so clear with English gives out an English test. Look how many English, and non-English members click on those links?

You shouldn't give them that idea Poncer!

Marian

[mrbike]

Originally posted by Enchanted


And if they do not know "clear" English, they are not supposed to be program owners? Poncer, for some of us "English" is not the first language. Remember that.

I don't want to start a fist fight here-lol, but I think what we are all getting at is if we, as members, are expected to know english to join the program, then I expect that an owner's english is clear enough for me to understand on the FIRST time I read the ad. I certainly understand that english may not be the owner's "native" language, but if I have to read the ad 3 times to understand what is being said, is the time worth it to do those emails when I am already behind in my emails, especially if they are only paying 1/10th or 1/4 of a cent. I don't send nasty emails to owners who misspell words, or even use them incorrectly. It is not my intention to point fingers at any certain programs in this thread, but to educate the owners, and future owners of programs as to what we as members expect. BTW, Enchanted, I would have never guessed that english was not your "native" language. Your written word speaks very well of your use of the english language. I hope that you will take this as the compliment that it meant.

[nadiaasoma]

Boy, do I hate the login-pages where you can't see wether to put your emailadres in the box or not!
I have Keyemail and cashpoints on the same adres and they are both terreble.
I had to write it down, I had them wrong all the time.
There are a lot of them now and I hate it.

Marian

[Poncer]

Well, I have troubles understanding the webmaster of PayBoxEmail. I still don't understand that are we supposed to click on the search links to earn cash, or get deleted from the program for not doing them?

[nadiaasoma]

Show it to us, I don't know the program!

Marian

[Enchanted]

Originally posted by mrbike


I don't want to start a fist fight here-lol, but I think what we are all getting at is if we, as members, are expected to know english to join the program, then I expect that an owner's english is clear enough for me to understand on the FIRST time I read the ad. I certainly understand that english may not be the owner's "native" language, but if I have to read the ad 3 times to understand what is being said, is the time worth it to do those emails when I am already behind in my emails, especially if they are only paying 1/10th or 1/4 of a cent. I don't send nasty emails to owners who misspell words, or even use them incorrectly. It is not my intention to point fingers at any certain programs in this thread, but to educate the owners, and future owners of programs as to what we as members expect. BTW, Enchanted, I would have never guessed that english was not your "native" language. Your written word speaks very well of your use of the english language. I hope that you will take this as the compliment that it meant.


:) oh shucks, you HAD to compliment me when I was just about to bite your head off lol.

English is either the 2nd or 3rd language of my country. :)

Sinhala - 1st lanugage

Tamil - 2nd ( I think)

English - 3rd (I think)

[nadiaasoma]

Wouldn't it be respectful when a webmaster signs with her/his
name when sending an email, we than know who we are dealing
with.
I just joined a program and I have no clue as to who the owner is.
When I join a program I even have to give my adres and we don't even get a name !
It's rude and a verry bad start.

Marian