No, this post isn’t just for Linkbait. The title is what it is. There’s definitely a few similarities, although MOST Affiliate Marketing is perfectly legal and ethical.

What I’m speaking of is mostly about those Affiliates who promote CPA Offers with Rebills.

I was having a conversation with a buddy of mine, and he sent me a link to a story about how Colombian Drug Smugglers are using Semi-Submarines to get past Authorities.

OK, so you’re probably wondering HOW these two occupations are similar, right? Well, let’s take a look…

For decades, Colombians have played a game with the DEA that involves “catch me if you can” type antics. They were very creative in what they did, and they weren’t about to give up and lose big money. Of course, there’s always those few smugglers who get caught…

For years, Affiliate Marketers have played a game with the FTC that involves “catch me if you can” type antics. Most play by the rules, but a few really don’t give a damn. They’re after those big bucks. A few have been caught… a few more will be caught soon enough.

Much like Colombians who use submarines to slip under the radar, Affiliates will try everything they can to do the same. Obviously, nobody REALLY wants to get caught. It just so happens that there’s always a few idiots who seem want to try their best to do so.

Affiliates will use any type of traffic they can get. They’ll test it all. Some will fail, some will convert. The main thing is — the Affiliate just needs to get the product and the customer closer to each other.

Colombian Drug smugglers will do the same… they’re looking for whatever “in” they can find to get that product closer to the hands of the customer. Some of their methods will work, while others will fail.

The key is: being creative, and not worrying about the law…both Blackhat Affiliates and Drug Smugglers are doing this just like each other. Creativity in getting the people and the product together is how both of these groups are making their money…and who’s to blame?

In the end, we know that most Networks aren’t like Drug Cartels. They’re not looking to push the Governments resources, time and money to be used against them. But, could it be true that certain networks are turning the other way, just for a quick buck?

Could it simply be bad employees (Affiliate Managers) who are stirring things up?

In the end, someone always pays…

Staying under the radar, pushing the limit and simply deceiving the customer…that’s how these Flogs and various other Blackhat methods are going to make this Business look downright dirty in the end.

It’s might sound crazy, it might sound downright stupid…either way, it’s unfortunate, but it’s true. There’s too many unethical Affiliates out there that are simply killing this Business for the rest of us.

Now, I’m not taking any personal stance against any specific party. I really don’t care too much at this point. There’s nothing I can do. The FTC is now working around the clock to take down these “traffickers,” much the same way the DEA is working to take down the real traffickers, smuggling drugs into the U.S.

As I stated before…in the end, someone has to pay. There’s plenty of hard working, honest, and ethical Marketers out there doing their job the right way. Then, there’s those who are going to push the limits and test the deeper waters, hoping to slip by the Eagle’s Eye, looking closely on this industry.

Be careful.