Google is currently testing it’s CPA campaign called Content Referral Network. CPA means cost-per-action and differs from the regular AdSense CPC method because CPA requires that a visitor clicks AND performs an action — like filling up a form, buying a product or service.

A copy of the Google invitation to the network can be found here: Google Launches ValueClick Killer.

Of course, a whole lineup of existing companies will become direct competitors of the Content Referral Network which includes ValueClick, Commission Junction and Direct Track, among others.

What will this mean for site owners, webmaster and bloggers? Well, it’s another campaign everyone can try and it promises higher returns, IF you can get your visitors to buy the advertised product/service. It will be hard to do that if a majority of your audience don’t have credit cards. In a way, you’ll need to have a site where users/members are pre-disposed to buying something. This could probably be good for forums about cellphones, accessories, gadgets, and stuff.

Will it work? Maybe for a few publishers and internet marketers. Not as successful as Adsense though. It’s easy to get people to click on an ad but not as easy to get them to do something else after that, much more to make them fish out their credit cards.

permalink