Ezoic affiliate program abrupt cancellation announcement
In a surprising turn of events, Ezoic notified its affiliates on 14th July 2023 about the immediate cancellation of the program. The announcement lacked detailed explanations, leaving affiliates in the dark about the reasons behind this sudden decision.
The program, which had been a reliable source of income for many. It offered a 3% commission on a publisher’s total revenue for all traffic directed through Ezoic, for the lifetime of their usage of the platform.
The vacuum of information has led to various speculations within the affiliate marketing sphere. Some suggest a lack of transparency from Ezoic, while others speculate on changes in the company’s strategy or financial situation. Additionally, evolving market dynamics may have played a role in Ezoic’s decision to pull the plug on their affiliate program.
Ezoic had been a trusted network for numerous new websites for years. Even Advanced Ads had been recommending the platform.
Ezoic sent out emails to the affiliates that had signed up with the Ezoic Affiliate program. Below is a screenshot of it.
Company response
Ezoic decided to stop its affiliate program because they wanted to be more strategic in how they work with partners. In their statement, Ezoic thanked their affiliates for their contributions. They explained that they are shifting to a more focused and beneficial collaboration.
They didn’t go into specific details, but they seem to be rethinking their partnerships. This is to make sure they are more effective and in line with their overall goals.
Speculations around Ezoic ending its affiliate program
Theories are circulating about Ezoic potentially discontinuing its affiliate program. It has been a prolonged period since their last venture capital investment and recent staff layoffs.
The decision to cut ties with the affiliate program has raised questions about the company’s strategic direction and financial stability.
With a significant reduction of 28% in their workforce, concerns are mounting among affiliates and industry observers.
Ezoic, with its substantial investment rounds and a vast number of sites under its management. It was considered too big to fail. However, the swift and unexpected termination of the affiliate program raises questions about the financial stability of the company.
It is worth noting that Ezoic had, in the past, relaxed its eligibility criteria, removing the 10,000 monthly page view requirement for publishers. This move made the platform more accessible to smaller websites.
However, the recent changes, including discontinuing the affiliate program and reported staff reductions, indicate a shift in the company’s strategy and financial priorities.
Why did they give only 1-month notice?
The Ezoic affiliate program announcement only provided a month’s notice to the affiliate partners, as shown in the image below.
The one-month notice from Ezoic for the termination of their affiliate program raises questions about the reasoning behind such a short timeframe.
Typically, companies provide varying notice periods for program changes or cancellations based on several factors, such as contractual agreements, legal considerations, and the complexity of the transition.
A one-month notice may be perceived as insufficient, especially for affiliates like Advanced Ads. Under this program, Advanced Ads had built a small income stream of around $50-100 per month. Other publishers or affiliates that focused on this model for years had substantially more. We expected to keep our clients for a long time and bring in even more.
The lack of a more extended notice period can have significant implications for affiliates who were relying on this program for their earnings.
Affiliates anticipating a more stable and long-term partnership may find the abrupt end challenging to navigate.
The termination of the Ezoic affiliate program reminds us of the importance of navigating challenges, diversifying income streams, and being prepared for unexpected changes in the dynamic landscape of online partnerships.