Black Hat vs White Hat Super Affiliates

[Linda Buquet]

What Color is YOUR Hat???
Some of my recent blogs have focused on the dark side of affiliate marketing, including black hat affiliate tactics and scammy web polluting advertising. I think some affiliates get the idea, based on some black hat affiliate blogs, that black hat is how you make the big super affiliate bucks.

There are tons of honest white hat affiliates that make really good money too - using honest ethical marketing techniques. Today I read a GREAT blog over at CDF Networks, where super affiliate Chad Frederiksen, talks about why he chose to wear the white hat over the black hat.

A white hat super affiliate?

* When you are doing BH techniques, almost always there is a whole army of people out working against you, and trying to shut you down. Usually they are well very funded and smart (like Google), and they have a vested financial interest in shutting you down. On the other hand, when you are doing WH, you have a whole team of people working with you who want you to make money. Account managers, PPC reps, search engine techs, all have want you to succeed if you are following the rules because it makes them more money. I like those odds better.

* Most of the big success stories are WH. Guys that have built hundred million or billion dollar websites, weren’t spending time on BH techniques. There may be a few BH success stories, but most of them are short term and end up with the people getting busted, banned, and giving back their profits.

* Lastly, I like to sleep at night. I don’t want to lie in bed worrying about complying with Can-Spam legislation or having all my accounts banned every night. Spammers have been fined millions of dollars and even ended up in prison for their online activities. It’s just money, definitely not something worth losing your freedom for.

That's just a portion of Chad's post, there's more good stuff where that came from,
so head over to read the rest.

[Niche]

Great Post Linda.

The problem is the reason why black hat thrives is because it works. Now don't get me wrong, i am not advocating black hat, quite the opposite

I am a great believer in making money as an affiliate marketer while working strictky within Googles TOS

But you have to admit that black hat techniques work, they work quickly and people who are into black hat are not about to stop

[rogerharper]

I think Gray Hat works for me. Pure traditional SEO takes time. I do that. But I am impatient too. Want to see the impact of changes I make, immediately.

I think I have struck a good balance between what is right and what is not - that is of course my definition. And so far have not been pulled up or been banned by any biggies. touch wood.